Mission
The mission of the Department of Social Services at KFSHRC-Jeddah is to eliminate psychosocial (social, environmental, financial and emotional) complications as significant barriers to treatment for patients at KFSHRC-Jeddah and their families by introducing a wide range of quality social work services utilizing internal and external community resources essential to our mission. Strong emphasis is placed on providing an effective link between the Hospital and community-based organizations. This encourages the development and utilization of community organizations to meet the specific needs of KFSHRC-Jeddah patients. Recreational services are an integral part of our program and are provided for our young patients in a specially designed and safe environment. Our staff are constantly updating their knowledge and skills with advanced training so that care for our patients is continuously improved.
Vision
In return for an investment of patient trust and institutional support, the Department of Social Services at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center-Jeddah will provide the foremost leadership in the psychosocial care of patients and their families.
Philosophy
The Department of Social Services is devoted to the psychosocial care of patients at KFSHRC-Jeddah and their families. We offer the Social Services’ staff as our greatest resource. This is our commitment:
4      To place at the center of our concern the dignity and worth of the individual. 4      To incorporate into practice an understanding of the patient within his or her family and sociocultural environment. 4      To value and respect the individual’s right to self-determination; to empower the patient to make choices that are personally appropriate. 4      To value and respect the distinctive role and expertise of each member of our multidisciplinary team. 4      To create within the Department a learning environment that fosters new knowledge, enhances clinical social work practice and promotes administrative excellence. 4      To be ethical in fulfilling our responsibilities. 4      To listen to our patients’ questions and concerns, and provide them with appropriate responses. 4      To be conscientious stewards of institutional and community resources essential to our mission
Social Work Definition
4      The applied science of helping people achieve an effective level of psychosocial functioning and effecting societal changes to enhance the well-being of all people. 4      According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), “Social work is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore their capacity of social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to this goal. Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; providing counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and participating in relevant legislative processes. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social, economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors” (Standards for Social Service Manpower, Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers, 1973, pp.45).
Definition of Hospital Social Services
4      The provision of social services in hospitals and similar health care centers is most often within a facility’s department of social services or social work. The services provided include prevention, rehabilitation, and follow-up activities, as well as discharge planning and information gathering and providing. Other services include assisting patients with the financial and social aspects of their care and counseling patients and their families.
Major Functions and Services Provided
4      Psychosocial assessment 4      High social risk case finding and screening 4      Information and referral to community charitable and governmental resources 4      Discharge planning (in cooperation with treating team) 4      Financial counseling and support 4      Temporary (during follow-up) accommodation referral 4      Post discharge follow-up 4      Consultation 4      Outpatient continuity of care 4      Patient and family conferences 4      Case management 4      Self-help and emotional support to patients and families 4      Advocacy on patient’s behalf within the hospital and with appropriate local agencies 4      Recreational services
Scope of Service
Social work services are provided to patients and their families to meet their medically related social, emotional and financial needs as they impinge on their medical condition, treatment recovery, and safe transition from one care environment to another.
Patients Served
Depending on individual circumstances, needs and eligibility, social work services are available to all KFSHRC – Jeddah patients and their families. Groups at high psychosocial risk include frail elderly patients, chronically ill people, children and adults with handicapping conditions, victims of maltreatment, and critically ill patients.
Major Categories of Problems Addressed
4      Problems related to care and activities of daily living. 4      Environmental problems. 4      Patient and family adverse reactions or dysfunctional adjustment to illness and changes in functional status. 4      Problems related to physical, sexual, and emotional maltreatment. 4      Relationship problems. 4      Problems of behavior and cognition and mental disorders, including substance abuse. 4      Vocational and educational problems. 4      Resource needs, including finance, living arrangement, and transportation.
Patients who should be referred to a Social Worker
4      Any patient whose medical condition will affect his/her ability to return home. 4      Any patient with no known family or adequate social and financial support system. 4      Any patient exhibiting prolonged fear and/or anxiety about recommended medical procedures. 4      Any patient who is suspected victim of abuse, neglect or violence. 4      Any patient with identified problems whose medical compliance depends on adequate housing and/or physical conditions. 4      Any patient whose condition will necessitate a change in education, employment family roles. 4      Any patient whose condition has resulted in identified problems that will negatively affect self-image, appearance and physical and/or sexual functioning. 4      Any patient whose identified family problems directly affect care, treatment and compliance with medical recommendations. 4      Any patient or patient’s family exhibiting behavior that is disruptive to treatment. 4      Any patient admitted for treatment as a result of a catastrophic event. 4      Any patient in the terminal stage of illness. 4      Any patient whose hospitalization and/or medical compliance depends on specific solid support in the home.
Referral to Social Services
Referrals to Social Services are accepted from:
4      Patients 4      Family Members 4      Administration 4      Physicians 4      Nurses 4      Social Workers
Response time for Referral
Patient in most cases will be seen upon referral or within 24 hours of admission. In any circumstances waiting time should not exceed 72 hours
Hours of Operation
Saturday – Tuesday	8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday	8.00 a.m. – 4:40 p.m.
Telephone Directory
Supervisor – Social Work	7006
Social Workers	1816 / 3019
Kids’ Club	1620 / 1621