Care & Nursing Essentials - Issue 107

&NURSING C A RE

ISSUE 107

HOW TO SLOW DOWN THE REVOLVING DOOR OF RECRUITMENT AND STAFF RETENTION IN YOUR CARE HOME

THE IMPORTANCE OF SENSORY STIMULATION IN CARE HOMES

We

“We have become the most trusted healthcare agency partner for many of the UK’s leading healthcare providers.”

MANAGING

SALES: Deborah Glover: careandnursingessentials@live.co.uk

EDITOR: Nick Lavigueur: nick@euromediaal.com DESIGNER: Elle Creamer

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Front Cover Image: Adobe Stock

Hello all and welcome to the autumn edition of Care & Nursing Essentials.

“To make real progress, we need real change.” Not my words but those of Professor Martin Green of Care England.

Not many in the sector, I would guess, would argue with Prof Green’s profound words as the head of the country’s leading representative body for independent providers of adult social care.

They come as he launched Care England’s ‘Care For Our Future’ report, a roadmap for delivering sustainable adult social care, setting out the sector’s priorities across three key themes – workforce, funding and integration.

The roadmap issues a series of policy recommendations for the next Government to implement within 100 days, 2 years and 5 years of entering office. The plan is backed by major representative groups from across the sector.

Change is something many of us struggle with and that sadly extends to our political and governance systems.

But with local authorities going bankrupt, partially due to the huge cost of social care, there seems to be no better time than now to grasp the nettle of systemic change to the health and social care sector.

Whether that relies on a new flavour of government or not we will find out in the next 12 to 18 months.

Have you read Care England’s report - let me know whether you agree with them or not at nick@euromediaal.com ?

CQC issues regulatory transformation update

Watchdog says it’s listening to provider feedback amid rollout delays

The CQC has issued an update on its plan to transform the way care providers are regulated.

In a statement issued on September 22 it said it had been continuing to develop the policies and processes using feedback from engagement events.

It has said the intention was now to pilot the new assessment system with a small group of providers in the south of England in November.

And it has revealed that once the final guidance is published there will be roughly eight weeks before assessments begin for the majority of providers.

The CQC said: “During the summer, we’ve heard from providers that they need more guidance before they feel ready to adopt new ways of working.

“We’re still developing our guidance and we’ll continue to involve providers in that development through our digital engagement platform, CitizenLab, as well as our webinar series and other engagement events over the coming months.”

The statement continued: “We will work with providers to help finalise the guidance on our new assessments before we roll it out.

“As we finalise this, we’ll share it with all providers to give them a reasonable period of notice before they are directly affected.

“Our current estimate for the majority of providers is around 8 weeks between publishing our

final guidance and starting our new assessment approach.

“Our intention is to go live with our new assessments with a small group of providers in the South network first, ahead of full rollout. We’ll do that only when the necessary guidance is in place, but those first providers might have slightly less notice between when we publish the guidance and the live assessments.

“We will work closely with those providers to mitigate that shorter notice.”

The regulator said its new provider portal was now in final testing and would be available shortly.

It added: “We’ll be rolling the portal out slowly, starting with a small group of providers, and carrying out some important testing before opening this up to others.

“To stay up-to-date with progress, make sure you keep an eye out for our regular bulletins, webinars and supporting videos.

“We want to assure you that we are not going to suddenly ask you to operate in a fundamentally different way. As you can see from the information on our website, the 5 key questions continue to underpin our work. We are seeking to reflect your feedback about the need for us to provide greater consistency, simpler processes, easier contact methods, more transparency, and the ability to change a rating more quickly when you improve.”

Care chiefs ‘encouraged’ by Government funding hikes

NCF and Care England respond to latest cash injection

Social care leaders have cautiously welcomed a £40m cash injection to the adult social care sector.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced the investment alongside a £200m boost for NHS winter resilience.

The government said the £40 million was being targeted at bolstering social care capacity and improving discharge from hospital.

Local authorities have been invited to bid for grants from the £40m fund to boost their resources this winter.

Professor Martin Green

OBE from Care England said: “The £40 million investment into social care capacity is to be welcomed.

“We know that adult social care plays a crucial role in strengthening admissions avoidance services and boosting discharge rates with support lent to the NHS.

“This funding will only be successful if there is true collaboration and partnership with care providers.

“Integrated Care System and Local Authority leaders must work pragmatically with care providers to determine how this funding will best serve to improve outcomes.

“We have too often seen small, temporary funding injections lost in system bureaucracy without serving to materially improve care. We must strive to ensure a new future is realised.”

Vic Rayner, CEO of the National Care Forum (NCF) commented:“Though it’s encouraging to see continued commitment to the social care funding that was previously announced in July, the real emphasis here needs to be on the importance of equal partnership working between health and social

care, on which the Nuffield Trust has produced a longread in collaboration with NCF containing several recommendations.

“Moreover, we must see a renewed commitment to ambitious adult social care reform, which appears to have stalled as the government has narrowed its focus towards hospital discharge and NHS backlogs.”

Health Minister Helen Whately said: “We want to support areas with the greatest need this winter, and this extra £40 million will help local authorities boost the support available for people who need it most.

“It will improve social care capacity, boost discharge rates and avoid unnecessary admissions, freeing up hospital beds and reducing waits for care.”

Illegal care agencies fined after CQC investigation

Two firms fined after directors plead guilty to unlawful

Three women running two domiciliary care agencies have been prosecuted after they were discovered to be operating without CQC authorisation.

Kate Mather, trading as KM Care and a company, Family Care and PA Ltd have been ordered to pay £72,190 in fines and costs between them after pleading guilty to two charges of providing regulated activities without being registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

KM Care and ‘Family Care and PA Ltd’ were providing personal care illegally, under section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the CQC said.

The allegations came to light when the CQC was alerted by Oxfordshire County Council of concerns a carer had around Kate Mather.

Through investigation the CQC ascertained that Kate Mather was

illegally running a care agency called KM Care.

She operated KM Care from 20 March 2020 to 1 September 2021, after which she merged with Family Care and PA Ltd run by herself, Tracie Minter and Zoe Mitchell.

Neither Kate Mather trading as KM Care, nor the Family Care and PA Ltd had been registered with CQC to carry out any regulated activity.

The costs and fines imposed by the court for the two charges in this prosecution brought by the CQC are as follows:

Kate Mather trading as KM Care –Fined £1800, costs of £15,000 and a victim surcharge of £150.

Family Care and PA Ltd – Fined £30,000, costs of £25,000 and a victim surcharge of £190.

Debbie Westhead, director of national operations said: “I hope this outcome

work

sends a clear message to others that where we find providers operating outside of the law, we will always use our enforcement powers to protect people and hold them to account to stop poor and illegal practice.

“It’s unacceptable that these providers put people at risk by running a service without the benefit of CQC registration, so I welcome their guilty plea.

“The registration process is important to appropriately assess services before they care for people.

“Services are then monitored and inspected to ensure that they continue to meet standards that people should be able to expect. Unregistered services operate without oversight, putting people at risk of harm.

“When we find providers operating illegally, we do not hesitate to act to protect people.”

Image courtesy of iStock

Are You Truly Prepared if a Fire Occurs?

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Conference to Relaunch Nottinghamshire Care Association

The care sector in Nottinghamshire is to get a shot in the arm thanks to two business leaders who are relaunching the Nottinghamshire Care Association.

The association, which represents social care providers across the county, has been dormant for two years.

But Volt Sacco and Alison Pearce have stepped in as cochairs and will relaunch the organisation at a conference at Colwick Hall Hotel in

Nottingham this October.

Volt is Chief Executive of Fosse Healthcare, which provides domiciliary and complex care services throughout the Midlands and South Yorkshire, while Alison Pearce is Managing Director of Five Focal Point which owns two family-run care

homes in Nottinghamshire.

“The Nottinghamshire Care Association will once again be a voice for social care businesses and business leaders, and it will support its members to provide better care across Nottinghamshire,” said Volt.

“Our focus will be on integrating social care and health services for the benefit of the whole population, and on working together to solve the problems that our sector faces.”

Membership of the Nottinghamshire Care Association will cost just £25 per year, and Volt is aiming to double membership by the end of this year.

The keynote speakers at the launch conference on Thursday 5th October will be Melanie Williams, Corporate Director for Adult Social Care at Nottinghamshire County Council, and Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS Integrated Care Board,

and Jane Laughton, Chief Executive of Healthwatch.

“The future for our association is exciting,” Alison added. “I want to encourage people from the adult social care sector to come along to our conference and to join the Nottinghamshire Care Association so that we can properly represent and support our sector.”

The conference includes a buffet lunch and takes place from 10.30am to 4pm on 5th October 2023.

It’s free for Nottinghamshire Care Association members, and there is a nominal fee of £25 for non-members which can be claimed against the cost of membership if you decide to join the NCA.

To register, visit the Eventbrite page. Members can use a discount code to register for free – please email contact@nca.care if you haven’t yet received your code

Talent team tipped for the top at recruitment awards

Care group named in four category finals of the prestigious In-House Recruitment Awards 2023

Maria Mallaband Care Group

(MMCG) is celebrating after its Talent Acquisition Team transformed the company’s approach to recruiting and retaining staff, notching it a host of award nominations in the process.

The team are in the finals for the High-growth Hiring Strategy Award, the Recruitment Team – Large Organisation Award, the In-House Recruitment Leader Award, and the Onboarding Strategy Award.

The prestigious In-House Recruitment Awards, which reward and recognise achievements across the industry, attract high calibre entrants with global brands JP Morgan Chase, Primark, Tesco and AstraZeneca among the finalists.

The winners will be announced at a night of celebration on November 29th, 2023.

MMCG employs more than 5,500 staff in homes across the UK, including 500+ qualified nurses, and has brought recruitment and retention entirely into the hands of an in-house specialist team in the past few years – having previously been largely the responsibility of each individual home.

Group Head of Talent Laura Finlay

– in the running for the In-House Recruitment Leader Award – working with Chief People Officer Susan Jones, has quadrupled the size of the team from six to 24 since joining the company in July 2021.

Crucially, the team has spearheaded a game-changing new recruitment approach – a flexible working strategy dubbed “tell us the hours you’d like to work” – which is exactly as it sounds, seeing MMCG looking to accommodate the hours candidates can offer.

This industry-leading approach was rolled out across the Group from September 2022, and has opened jobs up to a far more diverse pool of talent. Since launching the campaign, over 58% of offers made by MMCG have been to flexible workers.

Over the past year, MMCG has recruited 3,189 colleagues, a 300% increase.

The company has reduced the use of Agency Partners by an incredible 80% - with greater consistency and stability in staffing having a positive impact on those living in the homes.

Group Head of Talent Laura Finlay said: “We are thrilled to have made the final in an incredible four categories

– it is testament to the hard work and commitment of the whole team, who have transformed MMCG’s approach to recruitment, to the benefit of our teams, and especially those living in our homes - they are always at the heart of everything we do.”

As well as an increase of 300%+ in the number of people joining, staff turnover has reduced significantly, falling by 17% from 2022 to 2023.

Susan Jones, Chief People Officer at MMCG, said: “We are so proud of what we’re achieving here at MMCG, which is genuinely sector-leading. Our strategy isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the quality of care to our residents, which is so dependent on the quality of the staff we recruit and retain.

“With our Talent Team now in place, and with the strategies we’ve implemented in the last year, we are hiring and keeping the highest quality candidates who share a passion for and a total commitment to delivering exemplary care. That is our highest goal – but to win an award in the process would be the icing on the cake!”

Susan Jones

Laura Finlay

Care England launches ‘roadmap’ for next Government to bring ‘sustainable future’ for social care

Care For Our Future report offers series of policy changes to deliver ‘meaningful impact’

Care England has unveiled its ‘roadmap’ for the future of adult social care.

Care For Our Future sets out the sector’s priorities across three key themes – workforce, funding and integration.

And its chief executive has vowed the plan would provide a huge boost to the economy while also cutting NHS waiting times.

Care England says the roadmap issues a series of policy recommendations for the next Government to implement at three points, with 100 days, two years and five years of entering office.

The plan is backed by major representative groups from across the sector.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said “Adult social care affects all of us.

“From the vital care and support delivered to our loved ones to the £51.5bn contributed to the English economy every year - all our futures depend on a well-resourced and resilient sector.

“This roadmap harnesses the sector’s talent and enthusiasm to provide a blueprint for the next Government to move us towards the sustainable future our sector and society so desperately needs.”

Prof Green continued: “The recommendations are pragmatic, realistic and would deliver meaningful impact.

“This includes a multi-billion pound boost to the economy, shorter NHS waiting times and care work becoming a valued and rewarded career.

”It is incumbent upon the incoming Government, whatever their political persuasion, to put the future of adult

social care at the heart of its vision for the country and this roadmap represents the foundations on which to do so.

“To make real progress, we need real change. This is something organisations from across the health and social care system are actively calling for.

Our roadmap accounts for the challenging economic situation likely to be inherited by the next Government, prioritising measures that would stabilise the sector in the immediate term and transform care over the next five years. By giving the sector the resources and confidence it needs, the next Government can play a decisive role in delivering an adult social care sector that is fit for our future and that the nation can be proud of.”

Care England is calling on the next Government to commit to the following ideas:

Within 100 days of the taking office

• Mandate the professional registration of adult social care staff in England

• Zero-rate VAT for welfare services in England

• Mandate direct adult social care representation at all ICS levels in England

Within two years

• Implement a fully-funded £15 minimum care wage and develop parity of esteem with NHS staff

• Close the Fair Cost of Care funding gap and repeat the exercise at a sectorwide level

• Publish a strategy for hospital discharge which introduces a national tariff of £1,500 per week

Within five years

• Consolidate reforms within a fully-

funded, long-term adult social care workforce plan

• Deliver a long-term adult social care funding settlement, with a £10bn annual funding boost

• Deliver a fully mapped prevention and integration plan

Sector support

Steve Brine MP, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said he supported a fully-funded, long-term adult social care workforce plan.

He commented: “I fully support Care England’s call for a long term workforce strategy for the adult social care sector, which desperately needs stability and long-term funding commitments in order to deliver its vital services and help free up bed capacity in the NHS. I hope that Ministers read the report carefully and provide a full response in due course.”

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said” “This is a much-needed intervention from Care England.

“The staffing crisis in social care can’t be fixed unless we improve pay and conditions. A £15 an hour minimum wage would be a game-changer and crucially keep more skilled carers in the profession.

“The current situation is unsustainable. Up and down the country people are waiting longer for the support they need because care workers are quitting in their droves. Investing in our social care

workforce is a no-brainer. It will improve care services, help clear the backlog in the NHS and boost the economy.”

Rebecca Pearson, General Manager of UK Care Services at Bupa Care Services, said she supported zero-rating VAT for welfare services.

“At a time when sustainable financial initiatives are needed in the adult social care sector, change to VAT treatment would offer a longer-term means for care providers to manage their increasing costs.

“With a recruitment crisis within the sector, providers need the ability to attract talent both domestically and internationally, and this newly-created initiative would free-up resources to incentivise workers and facilitate international recruitment.”

Speaking in support of a hospital discharge strategy and £1,500 minimum

national discharge tariff, Andrew Knight, Chief Executive of Care UK, commented: “If [care providers] were paid consistently and fairly across the sector, then providers such as ourselves would be better able to support the NHS by putting in place care frameworks designed to improve the speed and effectiveness of discharges – ultimately resulting in a more joined-up approach that improves the experience of patients and their families.

“Without paying providers a rate which enables them to reinvest in developing their services and expanding capacity, finding care home places to discharge patients from hospital will only become more challenging as we face increased demand for specialist care from an ageing population with complex care needs.”

Karolina Gerlich, CEO of the Care

Workers’ Charity (CWC), said in support of mandatory professional registration of adult social care staff: “The Care Workers Charity welcomes Care England’s recommendation to mandate the professional registration of adult social care staff in England.

“The adult social care workforce is the sector’s most valuable asset and something that should be recognised, appreciated and celebrated. A professional register would help raise the status of working in care, and highlight the fantastic and life-changing work colleagues across the sector do on a day to day basis.”

Jake Rollin, Director of Commissioned Care and Commercial Support at HCOne, said he supported Care England’s hospital discharge strategy and £1,500 national discharge tariff. He said: “Care England’s

Images courtesy of iStock

recommendation of a £1,500 national tariff for discharge represents a pragmatic lever to help improve the hospital discharge process.

“The price is only part of the problem though. We need to go back to basics and improve the current commissioning, contracting and pathway practice within the sector.

“If we get these right, along with the price, we will unlock capacity within the system and assure success for those who draw on care and support.”

Liz Blacklock, CEO and Paul Featherstone, Founder of National Association of Care and Support Workers (NACAS), said in support of Care For Our Future:

“Care For Our Future embodies a forward-thinking approach, reflecting the collective efforts of industry leaders, professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders. As the leading association representing care and support workers across the country, we recognize the critical need for a well-defined roadmap that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.

“Together, we can bring about meaningful change, drive innovation, and create a brighter future for care and support workers, as well as the individuals and families who depend

on our services. By embracing the Care England Roadmap, we embark on a journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and person-centred social care sector.”

Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB, said in support of a fully mapped prevention and integration plan: “A long term and consistent approach to tackling health inequalities and promoting equity of provision is much needed all across the health and care system, including the social care sector.

“The proposals contained in this section of Care England’s report would make a real difference to the residents of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and more widely.

“We are already committed to this agenda through our Health Inequalities and Innovation Fund – a multi-year commitment to supporting integration activities which support the most vulnerable in our society, backed up with real money on a recurrent basis.”

Nicola McLeish, Chief Executive Officer of Surrey Care Association, said in support of direct adult social care representation at all ICS levels:

“The Adult Social Care sector plays an essential part in the smooth running of Integrated Care Systems. Recognising

that there should be parity between social care and NHS staff would be an important step forward, and enabling the sector to be represented throughout the system in Surrey is an essential part of this. As such the Surrey Care Association welcomes Care England’s publication which recognises the importance of the sector.”

Ian Smith, Chair of NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB, said in support of direct adult social care representation at all ICS levels:

“At Surrey Heartlands ICS, the involvement of adult social care representatives on our Integrated Care Partnership and Integrated Care Board has been critical in ensuring the diversity of the entire sector is accounted for and heard. We encourage the Government and ICS colleagues to acknowledge the importance of such representation and commit to its facilitation through the measures outlined in Care For Our Future. We welcome Care England’s publication and urge key decisionmakers to lend serious consideration to its recommendations as measures that address the sector’s needs and would help contribute to a sustainable future for adult social care.”

It’s time to talk about dementia

Dementia Summit has been launched with the mission to empower, and elevate the education, research, and care surrounding dementia.

Empowering deaf individuals through inclusive support

David Ashton-Jones, Chief Executive at care home group Homes Together, discusses the importance of supporting the deaf community

As I write this it is currently International Week of Deaf People (Sep 18-24), which is a chance to celebrate and highlight the Deaf community across the globe.

Deafness is a different way of experiencing the world for many people, and in the UK alone 12 million adults are deaf or have hearing loss.

At Homes Together, we care for many service users that live with hearing impairments, so know firsthand some of the challenges that these people face in their day to day lives. One thing we believe is that everyone should be treated as an individual, so we look at ways to support the specific needs of our hearing-impaired service users and ensure we’re putting processes in place that best suit the person.

Staff training

Training for staff providing care for Deaf people is essential for fostering effective communication, safety, emotional support, advocacy, and access to necessary services. Many of our team members are trained in British Sign Language before they start, but we ensure that all our new starters undergo

a six-week British Sign Language course that is led by a Deaf instructor - following this is a four-week face to face course with our in-house activities tutor. It’s important to remain informed about the latest developments in sign language, so we also implement regular refresher sessions so our teams can keep up to date.

Supporting Deaf people

Deaf individuals, like anyone else, have unique talents, perspectives, and aspirations, but they often face communication barriers that can limit their opportunities and social interactions.

As part of our wider goal of integrating each service user as much as possible within the community, we take every available opportunity to make use of local facilities and attend events. We think that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to experience life to the fullest. That is why we provide a wide range of activities to suit every interest and level of ability.

Developing personalised care plans is vital when providing a high level of care. We communicate with our Deaf service users regularly to determine

their specific needs, preferences, and ambitions and provide the necessary level of assistance to help them achieve this. For instance, our team will provide support in helping to find a job, encourage practising a hobby (such as water skiing) and finding suitable groups in the community for exercise, social interaction or whatever else they may be seeking.

Wider society

While significant progress has been made in the UK to support deaf people, there are still areas where we believe improvements are needed.

Here are some areas where more can be done to support Deaf people in the UK:

• Mandating the provision of captioning and sign language interpretation for public events, broadcasts, and online content.

• Ensuring health and mental health services are accessible to Deaf individuals, including the availability of qualified therapists who can communicate in sign language.

• Offer training and increase the teaching of sign language to raise awareness and understanding of Deaf culture and communication among the wider public.

• Develop programs to provide job training and placement services tailored to the needs of Deaf job seekers.

• Implement visual fire alarms and emergency alert systems in public spaces that accommodate the Deaf community’s safety needs.

Supporting deaf people is important not only during special awareness weeks but as an ongoing commitment to inclusivity, equal rights, and the wellbeing of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It fosters a more inclusive and diverse society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

apetito Celebrates as Chef Jethro Lawrence Makes it to National Chef of the Year Final

Award-winning apetito Chef Jethro Lawrence has made it to the Final of the National Chef of the Year competition run by the Craft Guild of Chefs.

This prestigious competition has previously been won by some rather well-known names in the culinary world including Gordon Ramsay, so getting to the Final is an incredible achievement.

In fact, it puts Jethro in the top 12 of all the chefs in the country.

The former Head Chef at the 2 AA Rosette Woolley Grange Hotel and BBC MasterChef: The Professionals quarter finalist joined leading meals provider apetito as a Development Chef two years ago and works with its team of in-house Chefs and Dietitians to develop high-quality, nutritious meals for residents in care homes.

For the Semi-Finals the Chefs were tasked with cooking one dish, which had to be vegan, based on one humble ingredient and focused on zero waste. Jethro chose carrots as his main ingredient, which he elevated to a gastronomic level and turned it into a dish worthy of a place in the Final:

“For my Semi-Final dish, I’ve done my version of a Tarte Tatin but with tandoori carrot. It was inspired by my time working with Simon Rogan who did a similar dish but with the classic apple.

“With the cost of food rising recently, it’s been great to get a bit more creative by using every part of a humble ingredient. When I saw the brief, I was very happy, as I was vegan for about 10 years and the flavour combination of this dish reminds me of meals we would have had at home.”

Jethro created his Tandoori Carrot Tarte Tatin by rolling up thin sheets of carrot and baking them with a Vadouvan

spiced coconut butter caramel. For the base he made vegan puff pastry to add a rich crisp texture.

He served it with a coconut-based sauce and a roast carrot broth, made using some of the leftover carrot scraps and infused with a coriander oil.

To ensure the dish was zero-waste, with the other half of the leftover scraps of the carrots, he made a carrot vinegar gel which added acidity to the dish and offset the sweetness from the carrot. He

garnished the dish with a crisp salad of thinly shaved heritage carrots, from a local supplier in Bromham, Wiltshire and flowers from his garden.

General Manager of Care Homes at apetito, Richard Woodward added:

“We’re all so proud of Jethro to have made it this far in the competition. Since joining apetito, he’s brought extensive knowledge, innovation and value to our meals’ development programme, creating some really incredible dishes that residents love.

“Every single dish he’s cooked in this competition has sounded incredible and the whole of team apetito is cheering him on.”

The dish really impressed the Judges and secured Jethro a place in the Final, which will be held at the University of West London on 10 October.

Discover more about apetito’s care homes meals: https://apetito.link/ carehomemeals

Calls for clarity on holiday pay as almost two fifths of care workers

don’t know

their entitlement

Concern that the Government has not yet responded to its consultation on calculating holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers

New research shows almost two fifths of care workers are not sure about their legal entitlement for paid annual leave.

Six months since the consultation on calculating holiday entitlement for partyear and irregular hours workers closed, the Government has yet to publish its response.

Amidst this lack of clarity, new data shows high levels of confusion among employees when it comes to holiday pay.

According to Deputy’s annual State of Shift Work report, which surveys UK workers, more than a third (38%) of care workers are not sure about their legal entitlement for paid annual leave and many believe they could be missing out on holiday pay.

The Government consultation was launched in response to the Harpur Trust v Brazel Supreme Court Judgment in July 2022. The holiday pay calculation set out by the Supreme Court was ‘average weekly pay from the previous 52 weeks, excluding weeks not worked, multiplied by 5.6 weeks’.

As the leading shift work platform, Deputy is calling for clarity from the Government.

Jon Wilson, SVP at Deputy, said: “Our State of Shift Work report highlights the high levels of confusion that exist when it comes to holiday pay.

“The practical implementation of this has been challenging for employers across the country, especially when calculating holiday pay for new starters and those with highly irregular hours.

“Businesses like ours have now built this into our technology, to automate the process for our customers, which solves the practical, administrative challenges, but the calculation has also

been challenged as unfair to those with different working patterns.

“The purpose of the Government consultation was to address this point.

“In the meantime, some employers who might be waiting for the findings of the consultation, may not have introduced the new calculation yet.

“If that’s the case, their staff are missing out on their holiday pay and the employers are at risk of tribunal claims for unlawful deduction of wages.

“We urgently need clarity from the Government for the sake of both workers and employers.”

Deputy’s global study, which surveyed

3809 shift workers, including 1166 from the UK revealed that 29% of UK care workers are not clear on the details of their legal entitlements for paid annual leave and 9% have no idea at all.

Less than half (49%) were very confident that they are getting all the paid annual leave they are entitled to, with 31% less confident, 13% unsure, 4% not confident at all and 3% believing they’re not entitled to any paid leave.

Many young workers were completely unaware of their holiday pay entitlements, with 14% of Gen Z workers believing they’re not entitled to any paid annual leave.

Image courtesy of iStock

Study launched into outsourcing laundry services

TSA organises benchmarking care home laundry trip

Currently, 90% of Europe’s care homes outsource their laundry. In the UK most care homes process their laundry in-house.

The pandemic highlighted the importance of maintaining the strictest hygienic standards in care homes.

Outsourcing is more efficient, more sustainable and it ensures that laundering complies with appropriate standards, BS EN 14065 and HTM01-04. So why don’t more UK care homes make use of commercial laundry services?

The TSA (Textile Services Association) is investigating the conundrum.

It commissioned the large care home survey, in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU), which clearly demonstrates that care homes need support to ensure a hygienic laundry solution.

The TSA is working with DMU to ensure that training, support and

knowledge sharing are developed in partnership for both in-house and outsourced solutions. The objective is for the care home sector to be able to make informed decisions when it comes to laundry operations.

Following the research, the TSA has organised a trip for its members to Belgium. There they will visit a worldleading care home processing laundry, CLOVA, and have presentations from laundries specialising in the sector from Germany, Holland and Belgium.

In addition the results of the survey will be presented and there are sessions planned on the UK care home sector and the supply chain challenges.

“Using commercial laundries provides a simple solution for care homes, ensuring standards are met,” says David Stevens, CEO of the TSA.

“Outsourcing can also help alleviate the problems of staff shortages in the sector – and it means care home staff

have more time for residents.”

Coupled with their ability to maintain the highest hygiene standards, commercial laundries are also highly efficient and use less resources than the alternative.

On average, a typical in-house care home laundry machine will use 20 to 30 litres of water and consume 3 to 3.5kwh for each kg of washing. A typical commercial laundry uses 3 litres of water and 1.1kwh of power.

“Commercial laundries already look after a significant proportion of the NHS’s needs,” says Stevens.

“The care home sector is five times the size of the NHS, so it represents a huge potential market for our members.”

The TSA is the trade association for the textile care services industry ,representing commercial laundry and textile rental businesses. Visit www.tsauk.org for more information.

Image courtesy of TSA

Catering for residents with dysphagia

Richard Woodward, General Manager for apetito’s Care Home Division, shares how Care Homes can cater for residents with dysphagia

Catering for residents living with swallowing difficulties – a condition known as dysphagia - can be highly complex. Mealtimes can be a real challenge for care homes trying to deliver a quality dining experience for those living with the condition.

One of the most crucial strategies to overcoming dysphagia is modifying food textures, which can reduce aspiration and choking risks.

For care home catering teams who are already struggling with rising costs and staff shortages, having to potentially make several

different textures of dishes, along with other meals increases strain on staff. And it’s a complex task to ensure the right consistency and texture with no loss of nutritional value.

By using a pre-prepared solution, care homes can see a reduction in preparation time, plus there’s no bacterial risk from blending equipment and handling

apetito has a range of 100 texture modified dishes, providing Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 meals, as well as a range that is tested against the criteria for Level 7. From classics like Sausage and Chips to curries and desserts, there are meals

that suit all preferences. All dishes are IDDSI compliant, reducing the need to test texture and consistency of meals against the IDDSI guidelines.

Every resident should be able to dine with dignity and by using pre-prepared texture

modified meals, residents living with dysphagia can enjoy mealtimes without having to compromise on flavour, visual appeal and most importantly, safety. Call apetito on 0808 239 2399 or visit https://apetito. link/CNE

Girbau UK Launches Under Counter Washer and Dryer Models

Well known for its robust commercial and industrial laundry equipment, Girbau UK has launched its first professional grade under-counter washers and dryers that fit underneath standard 900mm height counters.

Both machines combine energy efficiency, ease of use and compact size with high quality, durable construction making them ideal for a wide range of applications including care and nursing homes.

The new Under Counter washer’s strong stainless steel Active Drum™

design has hourglass lifters that guide loads to gentler central areas for better load balance and reduced wear on delicate items. A 180-degree opening door makes the machine easier to load and unload from a basket. It is available with a choice of 6kg or 8kg capacity with either a pump or gravity drain.

Quiet long-life operation is assured thanks to the washer’s sturdy Quattro™ construction with durable shock absorbers that allow virtually vibrationfree high-speed spinning. Rather than cheap concrete counterweights, the washer features cast iron stabilisers for higher spin speeds, better water extraction and increased spin efficiency.

The washer features an easy-to-use liquid crystal display user interface. It

features 28 flexible programs, three of which are customisable, as well as disinfection, mop, microfibre and allergy settings. It also comes with in-built service diagnostics. The delayed start function can be used to plan ahead and set machines to run off-peak to optimise use of cheaper energy tariffs.

The new under-counter dryer can also be stacked on top of the washer to save floor space. The 6kg capacity model is available in both condenser and vented versions and the 8kg capacity model is vented.

The new Girbau under-counter washer and dryer are now available to order from Girbau UK.

www.girbau.com

Image courtesy of Girbau

Free up time by trusting the experts at Well Pharmacy with your medicines management

local teams takes care of delivering safe and effective personalised medicines management for residents – giving staff more time to focus on their other needs.

Luckily, the experts at Well Pharmacy are here to offer their support through the chain’s dedicated Care Home

Service.

Backed by and run from more than 740 local Well Pharmacy stores across the UK, the service run by

Well Care Home Services

Providing person-centred care

 We provide a local service, with a national structure of over 750 pharmacies across the UK

 Choice of paper MARs or one of our multiple eMAR partners

 We o er Original Pack, Dosette Boxes and Racking medication to suit your individual needs

 We follow up on your prescriptions with the GP so you don’t have to, giving you more time to take care of your residents

 Delivery of monthly and free same-day interims*, providing a bespoke package

*Dependent on size of care home and location

Local Well Pharmacy teams work with care and nursing homes to develop a package that works for that individual home, and all of these include a local dispensing service, local delivery drivers and a dedicated customer account manager to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Teams handle everything prescription-related, including chasing any missing prescriptions from

prescribers and organising recommended alternatives for any items that are out of stock – although with access to a large and well-stocked central hub, this is likely to be a rarer occurrence.

The service offers original pack dispensing and racked medication dispensing, alongside delivery of monthly medication and interim medication, all designed to give care home staff one less thing to worry about.

To find out more about the Care Home Service offered by Well Pharmacy, visit Care Homes – Well Pharmacy, email carehomes@well.co.uk or call 0333 8666 980.

Managing medication could almost be a full-time admin job for many care and nursing home staff, with many residents having complex medical needs – and those needs often changing over time (or overnight, in some cases).

Falls management and the benefits of tech

Gavin Bashar, UK & I Managing Director at Tunstall Healthcare, discusses how technology can be used to support people at risk of falls, including those

living with balance disorders. Benefits of using technology

The speed of help being received after a fall has a significant impact on outcomes, as an extended

period of time on the floor can exacerbate any injuries. Effectively managing falls can also prevent future incidents, as research shows that 30-40 percent of people who fall will do so again.

Technology has a key role to play in reducing the number of falls and minimising the consequences. Digital solutions include a range of unobtrusive alarms and sensors which detect events and are linked to 24-hour care provision, providing peace of mind for families and carers and allowing people to live independently for longer.

Devices such as wearable fall detectors and bed occupancy sensors can ensure help is on hand quickly after a fall. Bed occupancy sensors can provide real time alerts when a user leaves their bed and doesn’t return within a preset period of time. They can even be programmed to switch on lights so that people can find their way to and from their bed easily and safely. Should a sensor be activated, either automatically or by the user, an alert will be immediately received at a monitoring centre where the operator will contact family

members, response teams or the emergency services to provide help.

What does this look like in practice?

NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group and Calderdale Council have been working with Tunstall Healthcare since 2012 to support care home residents through technology. The programme combines a Multi-Disciplinary Team, real-time access to live clinical records for GPs, and telecare and telehealth systems, supporting over 1,300 residents. Comparing 2016/17 to 2017/18 they found that emergency admissions relating to falls decreased by 7.7%, resulting in an annual savings in excess of £200,000.

By designing and investing in digital solutions which don’t disenfranchise sectors of society and are unobtrusive, we can enhance the security and monitoring of vulnerable people at risk of falls, while also ensuring they are able to live independently for longer.

For more information, please visit www.tunstall. co.uk.

Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people with 70,00075,000 people fracturing their hip as a result of falls in the UK each year, leading to medical costs of over £2 billion.

Image courtesy of Tunstall Healthcare

Dragons’ Den winner offers product to combat risk of deadly

blood-clots

in care homes

Concern after new claims that compression stockings have no clinical or medical benefit

Recent research by RBR legflow™ shows that we’re starting to see a frightening increase in the threat of potentially deadly blood-clots within our care-homes.

Residence in a nursing home is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

The incidence of VTE in care home residents, with and without nursing, may be up to 21 times the community incidence and five times that of people aged >70 years.

When the Department of Health VTE risk assessment tool for hospitalised patients was applied to baseline data, 58.7% of participants were classed as high risk.

989 participants in the follow-up analyses were reviewed by the internal adjudication team. There were 991 events: 246 deaths, 574 hospital admissions, and 171 GP consults involving symptoms suggestive of VTE.

Research by Professor Richard Beasley of the MRINZ, highlighted the link between the development of DVT (Deep VeinThrombosis) and sedentary living.

Those with increased immobility showed that after just 90 minutes, blood

flow to the lower limbs had decreased by over 50%.This decrease in blood flow, significantly increases the threat of the patient presenting with a DVT.

So, what can we do to reduce this worrying trend, and what can care-home owners, managers and carers do to protect their residents?

care home owners and managers must now actively embrace the wellbeing and duty of care for all of their residents, and introduce a proven method to save lives from DVT.

And in light of the recent paper published by the Imperial College (NHS) London, who concluded that graduated compression stockings have no clinical or medical benefit – pre or post procedures, the RBR legflow™ is the only non-intrusive device available globally.

This clinically researched, clinically trialled, antimicrobial and medically proven, MHRA approved device is incredibly easy to use.

Three simple and gentle exercises with the residents’ feet increases blood-flow to the lower limbs over 10-fold.

This increase significantly decreases the threat of the resident ever developing a DVT whilst sedentary.

With the care homes sector worth around £15.9 billion a year in the UK, and with around 410,000 residents,(*2)

Paul Westerman, Director of RBR legflow™ said: “Having had family members resident in a care home, I was increasingly concerned just how long they were left to be sedentary during their days.

“I appreciate that the system is stretched incredibly at present, but carehomes and their owners (whether public or private providers) have a duty of care for all of their residents.

“I know how effective the RBR legflow™ is at increasing blood-flow to the lower limbs and therefore how significantly it reduces the devastating effects of a blood-clot by using the body’s own system.”

As Dragon Peter Jones said on series 19, episode 9 of the Dragons’ Den: “Every carehome in the UK should have these, they will save lives.”

Image courtesy of RBR

Care Home Cleaning & Hygiene

At Alliance Online we understand the importance of hygiene, especially in a care and nursing environment.

We find there are two key aspects to consider when looking

to improve your hygiene offering within this industry: efficiency and economy.

Efficiency in Cleaning

The Care and Nursing sector can be very fast paced and unfortunately areas can go from being clean to requiring attention very quickly due to spillages, medical emergencies and other such aspects. In turn, having access to a fast and efficient response kit can save time and prevent spread of potential bacteria and pathogens.

A great option for care and nursing facilities who require a fast-action cleaning solution is the Rapid Response Cleaning System from SYR. The system includes a highly visible, tall mobile safety

cone with lockable door and internal shelves equipped with a durable fold away mop holder, top handle and braked castor to prevent movement once locked. It is completed with a SYR rapid mop which is made up of a light and mobile pole and coupled with an enclosed lobby pan and brush set making it perfect for managing spillages and dry dirt debris.

Cleaning Economy

Getting the most out of your cleaning solutions is a must for facilities which have to manage a budget or have multiple different surfaces which require separate cleaning formulas. When we encounter sites such as this, we would suggest employing

a concentrate dosing system to prevent wastage of cleaning chemicals meaning you get your moneys worth. A fantastic range we’d suggest is the e:dose range from Evans. The range is an ecoconcentrate dosing system which delivers a perfectly measured solution easily and economically in a simple, colour-coordinated system that covers all significant cleaning areas. For more information on how to keep your facility clean and hygienic contact Alliance Online on 01270 232 555 or emails us on hello@allianceonline.co.uk.

Truvox International focuses on floorcare at The Care Show

British firm to host demonstrations and try-outs of top products

Ideal for use in the care home environment, the Multiwash™ PRO range of scrubber dryers wash, scrub and dry in just one single pass, so floors are left clean and dry, ready for staff, residents and visitors to walk on. Delivering exceptional productivity, the Multiwash™ PRO is effective on all floors, from carpets and hard floors to entrance matting. The contra-rotating cylindrical brushes scrub and lift dirt,

giving a more hygienic and deeper clean.

Also on show at The Care Show will be: the VTVe compact tub vacuum, which offers great performance with excellent manoeuvrability, and includes a HEPA 13 filter as standard; and the Hydromist Compact – a simple, manoeuvrable and effective all-in-one carpet cleaning machine for carpet and upholstery cleaning.

Visible cleaning reassures residents, staff and visitors

“Throughout and since the pandemic, cleaning routines have become more of a front of house activity,” says Paul Robinson. “So, the fact that the Multiwash™ PRO, VTVe – and all our machines – look so professional is a positive benefit, and we know that visible cleaning reassures residents, staff and visitors.

“Some premises have dedicated cleaning operatives, but some care homes may rely on almost all personnel taking their turn in ensuring facilities are safe and hygienic. The ease of use of our floorcare machines is therefore another major reason for their popularity and success. For instance, using Multiwash™ PRO requires minimal training and people tell us that it is easier and considerably less messy than using a more traditional mop and bucket.

“Using a mop just spreads dirt around, while the Multiwash™ PRO will scrub and pick up the dirt into the tank which can then be easily emptied. Safety is always top of mind and majorly important in care homes, so the Multiwash™ PRO is designed to remove chemical residues and eradicate slip hazards.

Image courtesy of Truvox International

Swiftclean Support for Care Homes

Running

Swiftclean is a family owned nationwide business. We specialise in air and water hygiene compliance with a particular emphasis on ventilation duct cleaning, kitchen extract fire safety cleaning, fire damper drop testing, laundry extract cleaning and commercial building water systems.

Swiftclean has been and continues to be invaluable to general managers and facilities managers of care homes and can provide a package of services giving

Swiftclean can help you keep your residents safe with their award winning air & water hygiene services.

Kitchen Extract Fire Safety

Cleaning to BESA TR19® Grease

Ductwork cleaning BESA TR19®

Fire Damper Drop Testing to BS:9999

Indoor Air Quality testing & monitoring to BESA H&W002

Legionella Risk Assessment, sampling, testing, monitoring & remedials to ACOP L8

you peace of mind and value for money. Our specialist teams work in accordance with BSEN15780 and TR19® for ventilation cleaning; L8 and HTM04-01 for water management; TR19® Grease for kitchen extract fire safety cleaning; and BS 9999 for fire dampers; these are the industry standards which are recognised as key in each specialist area.

With all our services, excellent work is only half the story. In the event of an inspection, you will need to be able

to demonstrate that your care home is compliant; it won’t be enough for you to know that it is. We provide all the required documentation, including before and after photographs and post clean and maintenance reports so you can be sure that your service users are safe and you are protected from any liability for negligence.

Contact us now to book in your free care home assessment on 0800 243 471 or email info@swiftclean.co.uk

www.swiftclean.co.uk

a care home presents plenty of challenges, some of which it is wise to outsource to an experienced and reputable specialist.

Image courtesy of Unsplashed

Legionella Training - Why should you refresh yours?

Many Estates and Facilities staff may well say the basics

training

fundamentally change over time – indeed what worked 30 years ago, works just as well today especially if we follow the old adage of ‘keep it moving, keep it clean, keep it at the correct temperature’ – nor have we had a case of Legionnaries’ Disease (yet!).

There is some degree of truth in that, though we keep our fingers crossed regarding the latter. It’s not too contentious to state that many organisations are resistant to fundamental changes in strategic and operational procedures – and Legionella training is often a trigger to remind us that the way we’ve approached things historically, may not necessarily be the best way. Why refresh your training

now?

BSI issued BS8680 Water Quality – Water Safety Plan –Code of practice during May 2020 – a key, new guidance document relevant to all organisations. We also need to ask ourselves, since the issue of HSG 274 parts 1-3 in 2014 whether we undertake all of its requirements? And if not, would training now be a useful reminder of the items lacking from our Legionella risk management system. Neither Regulations nor

Airtech Premier

current guidance indicate specific time frames for refresher training and dependent on the role of an individual this will vary – refreshers are commonly every 2 or 3 years. Operational training perhaps may be more frequent than for those in strategic roles. So Legionella / water hygiene refresher training is a necessity, the relatively minor costs and time to attend a course is comfortably offset by many benefits to existing

staff, helping to avoid complacencies that may have set in, helping resolve long-standing issues or concerns, allowing an open discussion with fewer internal political concerns, learning from colleagues or outsiders, improving motivations and efficiencies, maybe even helping us learn a few new tricks but mainly to create a safer working environment for all.

Introduction

Founded in 2004, Airtech Premier Ltd. have been providing a premium needs of our customers. Distinguished as a leading brand in the industry, including commercial, health care, pharmaceutical, residential, industrial, Our complementary range of services are designed to cover all your requirements, improving the performance of your buildings. Our aim? To provide simple our customers needs.

Our services

Air hygiene

 Indoor air quality monitoring and clean room validation

 Fire damper testing

 Kitchen extract cleaning

 AHU inspection & filter changes

 LEV testing

 Air purification

More recently, the water hygiene division has grown and become established within the market, known for providing cost effective and practical solutions to water hygiene and Legionella control.

Water hygiene and the control of Legionella bacteria is vital to all buildings, no more so than in health care settings with vulnerable occupants, the management of which can often become complex and burdensome. At Airtech Premier, we

understand that Care Homes require a simplistic approach to the management of water systems.

Our aim is to provide simple, practical, and costeffective solutions to reducing risk within your water systems and ensuring compliance, allowing you and your team to do what they do best, care for people.

For more information on our complete management services and how we can help you, please get in touch.

Water hygiene & legionella control

 Water hygiene & legionella risk assessment

 Planned preventative maintenance (PPM)

 System cleaning & disinfections

 Water sample analysis

 Servicing (softeners/RO etc.)

 Training

 Pre-commission cleaning & flushing

 System treatments

 Sample analysis/validation

control

 Water hygiene & legionella risk assessment

 Planned preventative maintenance (PPM)

 System cleaning & disinfections

 Water sample analysis

 Servicing (softeners/RO etc.)

 Training

 Pre-commission cleaning & flushing

 System treatments  Sample analysis/validation

 Monitoring & maintenance

 Filtration

 Chemical supply

Water treatment Commissioning

 Validation  Testing & balancing (air, heating & domestic water)

 HVAC condition surveys

 O & M manuals

 Air change rates

 Plant proving & pressure regimes

Our customers:

01344 780274

01942 877526

airtechpremier.co.uk admin@airtechpremier.co.uk

of Legionella

doesn’t

Image courtesy of iStock

The importance of Sensory stimulation in care homes

The benefit of using an array of sensory support tools for older people is gaining more recognition among care organisations.

The stimulation of senses is particularly beneficial to people suffering with dementia. While sensory toys and sensory rooms have typically been linked to working with children they are now becoming more common for stimulating people who struggle to make sense of the world around them.

Equipment that can assist sensory stimulation ranges from simple ‘fidgets’ or games to virtual reality (VR) headsets.

Having both dementia and some form of sensory loss is a common and significant problem, and the numbers of people living with both these conditions is increasing as people live longer.

The links between sensory loss and dementia are only now starting to be recognised, and this area has not been the subject of much research, however it is thought that more than 120,000 people in the UK have dementia and sight loss. Figures for hearing and deafblindness are not known.

Given that the key risk factor for dementia is age, it is important that anyone working with older people and people with dementia is aware of the significant complications that can arise because of sensory loss.

What is sensory stimulation therapy?

Sensory stimulation is often used to help seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia because it can help them stay in the moment and interact with their current surroundings. Studies have shown that when done on a regular basis, sensory stimulation can be very helpful in treating memory issues.

By offering different ways to communicate and engaging all five senses, people can see some improvement in daily functioning and cognitive symptoms.

For those who have lost their ability to connect with the world around them, using everyday objects to stimulate senses can trigger positive thoughts, memories, or feelings that would otherwise be buried below the surface.

Activities involved in sensory stimulation are often linked to interests the person had prior to dementia and can help build a connection to everyday life. This sensory stimulation can be used strategically to arouse one or more of the five senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch), to evoke pleasant feelings.

How sensory stimulation activities help

Stimulating the senses of a person with dementia may lead to positive outcomes including helping them:

• Relax and feel safe.

• Increase levels of concentration and cognitive function.

• Feel content with the opportunity to recall past experiences and happy memories.

• Improve mood, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

• Inspire more participation in social activities and interactions with friends and family.

Products that can assist those with sensory reduction

• Jigsaw puzzles

• Sensory toys and games

• Specialised clocks

• Music

• Arts and crafts

• Brainteasers/word games

Even if you don’t notice results right away, incorporating sensory stimulation into the daily routine may help the person relive memories or communicate more effectively.

Images courtesy of iStock

Beach wheelchairs help elderly access childhood seaside memories

Specialist chairs offer sensory stimulation and a boost to morale

Arising tide of memories came flooding back to elderly care home residents from Hartlepool when they took a stroll along the sandy shores of Seaton Carew.

The sound of waves lapping at their feet and the feel of sea air on their faces had Ada “Molly” Grey, 95, Iris Harker, 96, and Bernard “Bernie” Bell, 86, reminiscing about their childhoods.

The residents, from Queens Meadow Care Home, on Stockton Road, recalled paddling in the shallows and collecting sea coal during their younger years.

Iris said: “I remember coming down to the sands to collect coal for my mam so that she could put it on the fire at home. The sea coal was free you see.”

The residents were taken to the coast for the day by staff after they discovered charity Beach Access North East.

The care home’s activities coordinator, Shauna Whelan, was talking to residents about the headland, reminiscing about seaside trips in their younger years, when the group said they would like to visit the coast.

Shauna did some research on wheelchair accessible beaches and

discovered the all-terrain wheelchairs at Seaton Carew – which have oversized wheels to enable them to roll across the sand without getting stuck.

After a stroll alongside the shoreline, the group returned to the promenade for coffee and scones in the sunshine.

Shauna said: “Bernie was talking about paddling in the sea when he was younger. The beach wheelchairs gave us the opportunity to take residents right into the water if they wanted to.

“Thank you to Beach Access North East for hiring the sand friendly wheelchairs. It was an amazing experience for the residents to be able to see our amazing coast again.

“Even though the weather was misty, it was still an overwhelming, perfect day. Iris, Molly and Bernie told everyone about the great time they had so we’re busy planning our next outing to the seaside with a different group of residents.”

Gaining access to the beach and other off-road areas can provide great sensory stimulation for residents or patients with dementia.

A range of off-road wheelchairs are now available to help and for care providers that can’t afford to purchase their own, a number of charities exist that loan out equipment to people that meet their requirements.

To contact Beach Access North East visit https://beachaccessnortheast.org

Together with our trusted advisors, focus groups and customers, we are constantly developing new products to meet specific needs.

Our products have been carefully selected to support people with different sensory requirements, with a core focus on empowering users with choices to engage, entertain, stimulate, excite, calm, and relax. A lack of choice and control is a frustrating reality for many people

who might be managing the effects of a range of conditions, from sensory processing disorders such as autism, brain injury and dementia.

We seek to resupply this sense of control and choice to a person by allowing them to explore and interact with their environment.

Contact us to transform your space: https://www.olderadults. co.uk/contacts/

Tel: 01246 210416

Email: sales@olderadults.co.uk

Web: www.olderadults.co.uk

We Discover Tranquillity and Trigger Connection with Snoezelen® & Reminiscence Sensory Rooms Snoezelen® & Reminiscence Sensory Rooms, products, resources, and activities are evolving, and so are we.

offer a free in-house design service!

More than fun and games - science shows us sensory toys help combat dementia

Sensory toys are not

for

Sensory stimulation can reduce anxiety, boost wellbeing, trigger memories and offer the opportunity for people with dementia to take part in activities.

Sensory toys can activate many of our senses and are growing in popularity as a tool for enriching the lives of the elderly, particularly people with dementia – especially in the later stages of their journey.

Sensory Toys4u is one of the leading companies in the U.K when it comes to sensory toys. Our expertise is producing and providing sensory toys, special needs toys, sensory games and activities, sensory room equipment, and much more.

Recently we offered assistance to a paramedic in the south west who needed sensory toys to help patients with

Alzheimer’s and autism manage their stress while waiting for healthcare - far better than having to blow up gloves or offer up other medical equipment for entertainment! We were super proud when we received these photos of our donated sensory toys taking pride of place in her ambulance.

Whether you’re just looking for a few toys or planning on setting up a sensory room, check out our vast collection online.

We are regularly adding to this collection so you can benefit from the latest innovative designs created by our team. Orders placed on our website will be dispatched to you the next day if you are living in the U.K or anywhere in Europe.

We aim to provide fast and timely delivery, so you don’t have to wait too long.

Our extended range now includes Bubble Panels, Liquid Sensory Floor Tiles, Sensory Bubble Walls and Tubes, and Sensory Integration Therapy Tools.

So, if you plan to create a sensory room, then our toys will give you the room you need to be creative as you can explore different sensory room ideas. If you need anything from our collection in whatever quantity you please, you can simply contact us to gain more information. We aim to provide you with all the information to have a hassle-free experience when shopping with us.

just

children. Growing evidence shows they can help a multitude of people relieve stress and stimulate their senses creating a sense of calm, particularly those suffering with dementia.

Images courtesy of SesnsoryToys4U

Social care professionals needed to help shape the future of end of life care research

Marie Curie is calling on health and social care professionals to take part in a critical survey to help researchers understand what topics of palliative and end of life care research are most important to people living with a serious life-limiting illness.

Following a similar project in 2015 – the charity is working with the James Lind Alliance (JLA) to refresh the top 10 priorities for palliative care and establish key areas for the academic research Marie Curie will fund in the future.

The survey runs until December 31st 2023 and

the results will ensure the charity puts the people who are most affected by these issues at the heart of its research.

The partnership needs to hear from people living with a serious life-limiting illness, their family and friends, people who have been bereaved and the health and social care professionals involved in their care.

To get involved in the survey, or for more information please visit palliativecarepsp.wordpress. com or contact PeolcPSP@ mariecurie.org.uk

Take the hassle out of office and staff management

WhosOffice is the modern, secure way to manage staff working time and absences. It works for all kinds of employees, from Mondayto-Friday office staff or shift workers across any industry or sector. This online digital tool immediately and clearly indicates who’s working when and where, and who’s on leave. Want to know who’s working from home

on a given day? Who’s on night shift or on holiday?

The answer will be at hand whether you’re at your computer or on your phone. Whether you’re looking for a digital solution for a small team of 30 or a staff of 2,000, WhosOffice helps you manage your most valuable resources. whosoffice.com

Contact details WhosOffice.com

+44 (0)1227 812938

support@whosoffice.com

Reg Groombridge

The Evolving Role of Access Control in Healthcare

Daniel May of Consort reviews the integration of access control systems in healthcare settings, outlining the benefits and key considerations decision makers must make throughout product specification.

From patient safety and traversal to the protection of sensitive data and pharmaceuticals, today’s healthcare environments are faced with several operational challenges. And where security remains at the forefront of decision making, modern access control systems may often hold the answers.

Security controlled

When it comes to healthcare premises specifically, patient security and perimeter security often come hand in hand and are amongst the most pressing of challenges that decision makers must face.

Scenarios exist where vulnerable patients are under monitoring and thus refrained from exiting the premises for their own safety, while at the same time, permitted staff must be able to reach their patients and medicines when required. For this, the use of access control is key.

Equally, access credentials can also help management teams keep track of those who may be entering or exiting rooms with equipment and pharmaceutical supplies, deterring any unwanted visitors and opportunists in

the process.

On a similar note, regulations have set a minimum standard for how personal data should be stored and managed in healthcare environments, giving decision makers an added responsibility to regulate staff-controlled areas with patient medical records. While instances of personal data breaches are rare, healthcare facilities and professionals are at legal risk should confidential data be found misused or missing. As such, the incorporation of access control systems has become essential in keeping data storage areas secure, with intuitive online systems capable of permitting access to staff with the correct credentials while simultaneously tracking who has requested clearance at digital entry points.

Today’s access control systems are more accessible and adaptable than ever and combine several technologies such as mechanical locks and automatic doors with electronic access credentials in the form of smartphone apps, badge readers and biometric scanners. By integrating these systems into the building’s existing infrastructure, healthcare professionals are better equipped to control the sheer volume of people entering and exiting the premises without impairing the general flow of movement and coordination around the facility.

Better by design

There are a number of considerations to be mindful of when choosing an access control solution. Poorly implemented systems can have an adverse effect on security and functionality - quickly costing healthcare organisations time and budget to rectify and replace the inadequate products that don’t meet the building’s requirements.

For that reason, decision makers and

design teams are reminded that there is no single solution that fits all healthcare buildings.

As such, it’s crucial for decision makers to understand the systems that are being put in place throughout each of the touchpoints in their facility. Clear collaboration is required during periods of specification, where together, teams can ensure the selected product works on all angles, from meeting fire safety and sustainability standards to aesthetics and scalability.

Frequently overlooked, scalability is a key area that decision makers must review when selecting access control systems. By selecting a system that facilitates growth - such as a cloud-based solution - security and efficiency is longestablished.

While modern access control products are known for seamless integration, there are some systems that may restrict the ability to use different vendors throughout the remainder of the building’s infrastructure. This, in effect, causes a monopolisation of products throughout the estate, which can have an adverse effect on growth by increasing costs and reducing the levels of service associated with the security system already in place.

A scalable and reliable access control system will continue to improve security and safety by adapting to a building’s new requirements - and all while having minimal impact on its operational network. And so, while technology will no doubt continue to influence and transform the access control market, healthcare facilities and their professionals must continue to remain educated on their own systems, ensuring they have the best options in place to keep their patients, staff and visitors safe and secure for years to come.

Try a recruitment solution that’s made for Care Providers!

CVMinder ATS is a complete recruiting system built with guidance from HR professionals in Care. Organise recruiting in one system and stay on top of everything effortlessly. Post vacancies to jobsites automatically and leverage free-to-post options like Indeed and talent.com. Identify your best applicants faster with automated scoring. Keep applicants on side with quick, personalised communications so that you hire more successfully. Speed through the rest of the process too. Manage your recruiting right through to onboarding and gain powerful insights to help improve your recruiting approach. HR

staff, internal recruiters and line managers all agree that CVMinder ATS is easy to use, flexible and effective. With low cost options available for everyone, ask what we can do for you on 01634 202 101 or email us at enquiries@cvminder.co.uk for more details.

Image courtesy of CVMinder

We are a London-based recruitment agency offering professional and reliable recruitment services to candidates and medical organisations in London and throughout the UK. We offer a start -to-finish hiring process for all areas of the healthcare sector. We hire and provide staff for both long-term and short-term job opportunities. We are associated with the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and have received the REC Accreditation. We are pleased to inform you that prerequisites for meeting 24-hour cover have been in place for many years.

Home care company collaborates with Indeed to empower franchise

owner’s recruitment success

Caremark – a leading home care provider with over 120 branches across the UK – has taken positive steps to arm its network with recruitment strategies and best practices by collaborating with recruitment specialists Indeed.

The company held a bespoke strategy day at Indeed’s offices in London, which explored how to maximise tools for recruitment, increase efficiency and maintain staff retention, preparing both existing and new franchise owners for improved domestic recruitment in a constantly fluctuating landscape.

The Indeed strategy day involved an interactive agenda that was both strategic and tactical and also formed part of

Caremark’s extensive and ongoing training offering for franchisees. Break-out sessions and informative talks covered employment trends and economic growth and practical advice regarding the optimisation of job adverts and industry top tips and tricks.

Farina Tayub, Franchise Owner of Caremark Leeds, attended the Indeed Day and remarked: “It’s been very engaging. We’ve done a lot of workshops, and I wouldn’t have thought of half the things that have come

up - I think everyone will take something away from this day.”

David Glover, Joint CEO, talks about the importance of Caremark’s venture: “At Caremark, we understand that recruitment strategies are important, but that retention is absolutely key to business growth. The success of our franchise owners is directly tied to the success of our support and how we prepare them for the fluctuating world of recruitment. That’s why supporting them is vital.

“The opportunity to

develop ways to improve recruitment with Indeed has proven an extremely valuable addition to our franchisee training. Attendees came away from Indeed’s seminar equipped with new expertise to strengthen their approach to recruitment, discovering how to implement an effective recruitment strategy, completely tailored to their individual franchise area.

“We are dedicated to helping our franchise owners achieve their goals and grow their businesses, which is a key advantage that, in our opinion, sets Caremark apart from other franchisors.”

The Indeed strategy day was an addition to Caremark’s recently launched High-Performance Leaders programme by Tracey Underwood, Caremark’s Leadership and Management Coach – a nine-month programme to empower franchise owners to become exceptional leaders. As well as recruitment, the training covers HR skills, financial awareness, strategic thinking, coaching and mentoring a team, creating a great team culture, and more.

The introduction of this unique strategy day with Indeed and the new training programme demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting its franchise owners.

How to slow down the revolving door of recruitment and staff retention in your care home

The reliance on contract and temporary care workers can lead to a lack of continuity and often impacts the quality of care provided. However, there are strategies that can be effectively employed, which I explore below, that not only incentivise current care staff to stay longer but also to attract new and experienced caregivers to your team.

Feedback as a foundation

According to Skills for Care, the turnover rate of staff employed in the adult social care sector last year was 29%. So, for care home owners and providers grappling with this issue, delving into the reasons behind the departure of team members can provide invaluable insights. Instead of pouring resources into costly recruitment campaigns that aim to replace departing staff, consider focusing on understanding and addressing the root causes of their departure in the first place. This approach allows you to uncover the motivations and needs of different demographics within your organisation, helping you identify what keeps them committed to your team. It’s essential to recognise that retention isn’t solely tied to monetary compensation — factors such as workplace culture, growth opportunities, and job satisfaction play crucial roles too. If you are struggling to identify these issues, recruiting the help of a care consultancy could be a beneficial approach.

Amplify your offerings

On the other hand, there’s a stream of new caregivers entering the field and if you put the benefits your care organisation offers at the forefront of your recruitment strategy, then engagement to vacancies on offer should be high. Make sure you are taking advantage of all available channels, such as social media, relevant local press, newsletters and advertisements etc. Sharing the stories

of your staff’s experiences within your care home is so valuable and a PR agency can help with this. Weave these offerings into your job listings, ensuring that your roles stand out from the crowd and resonate with prospective caregivers seeking meaningful and long-term employment.

Consistent recruitment momentum

Navigating the recruitment process can be a challenge, often leading to a considerable number of candidates not proceeding past certain stages or new hires leaving after a short duration. To counteract these issues, structuring your recruitment process with consistent communication can make a significant difference. Maintain regular contact with promising candidates and establish touch points between job offers and their start dates. An efficient and welcoming onboarding process is pivotal to help new hires settle seamlessly into their roles. This can be further enhanced through effective mentoring, adding a sense of belonging and camaraderie from the outset.

Continuous recruitment

Embracing a policy of continuous recruitment can yield promising results. Regularly engaging with potential candidates, whether or not immediate vacancies exist, ensures a robust pipeline of prospective caregivers and prevents them from losing interest or seeking employment elsewhere. This approach not only helps in replacing departing team members swiftly but also promotes a culture of growth and adaptability within your care organisation, helping to give confidence to the existing workforce that they can be promptly supported, if need be.

In short, the challenge of high staff turnover within care homes can be met with strategic solutions that focus on understanding the needs of existing staff, effectively marketing your unique offerings, and maintaining a steady

recruitment momentum. By doing so, care providers can break free from the revolving door cycle, enabling a stable and experienced caregiving team that positively impacts the quality of care provided.

Fulcrum Care Consulting specialises in helping care homes to deliver exceptional care. With support and guidance about CQC regulations, management issues and operational matters, care home’s can expect to receive great CQC assessments that will attract potential residents. With specialist consultants and industry professionals on hand, Fulcrum provides strategic guidance and customised solutions to address the unique challenges faced by care environments. Their comprehensive services encompass governance and compliance, crisis management, CQC challenges and mentoring.

In social care, a high turnover of staff can often become an uphill battle for care providers and management teams.

Tina Stebbings - Business Manager at Fulcrum Care Consulting

Free training resource for using music in dementia care

A music charity with more than 25 years’ experience of working with care staff hopes to inspire and encourage the use of music in dementia care

Music as Therapy International is a UK-registered charity which believes in the power of music to strengthen care. For more than 25 years they have worked alongside people on the frontlines of care, offering training and support to help them introduce and embed music into the care they provide.

The charity is now sharing a free resource for caregivers of people living with dementia, in the hope it will inspire and encourage them to introduce music into their day-to-day care routines.

The charity’s director, Alexia Quin OBE, said: “There’s a wealth of research which evidences the proven ways music can have a huge positive impact on the lives and wellbeing of people with dementia.

“As well as reducing agitation and distress, music can join a fragmented existence together, giving people a sense of who they are in the here-andnow and offer them ways to connect with those around them.

“Caregivers tell us that incorporating music into their caring relationships not only benefits the person living with dementia, but makes a positive difference to their own well-being. That said, it can feel daunting, given a lack of time, resources and confidence. But it can be simpler than you think.

“This new resource is an accessible introduction for people who are

interested in using music in the care they provide.

“With simple prompts, tips and guidance on what to look out for when using music, we hope we can inspire caregivers to give it a try – and see for themselves the impact it can have.”

The free resource, titled ‘Be inspired: The role of music in dementia care’ is designed to help readers explore the role music can play in the care of people living with dementia. It includes ideas, questions and inspiration for choosing the right music to use, as well as things to look out for to help make the most of any shared musical experiences.

The content of the booklet has been created as part of the development of a

new online training course – titled ‘Music Helps’ - that the charity is aiming to launch later this year.

Music Helps is an online training course created specifically to help caregivers working with people living with dementia. The interactive fourhour course comprises five chapters offering guidance, videos, exercises, and resources to give caregivers an understanding of the role music can play in the care they provide, whether at home or in a residential setting.

Music Helps has already been developed and run with caregivers in India for over 12 months. The strong feedback from among more than 100 caregivers who have enrolled onto the course includes 100% of participants saying what they learnt from Music Helps has helped them get to know the person living with dementia better, and 97% feeling it has helped their own wellbeing.

Anyone interested to learn more about the role of music in dementia care can view and download the new resource for free from the charity’s website, where they can also register their interest to be one of the first to gain access to the Music Helps online course when it is launched.

For more information, please visit www.musicastherapy.org.

Images courtesy of Music as Therapy

Policies and procedures within social care

The delivery of safe care is the paramount responsibility of social care providers. Central to achieving this is the governance framework adopted by service providers. And at the core of this framework are policies and procedures.

These enable the provider to comply – and evidence compliance – with relevant legislation and regulations, as well as facilitating best practices, supporting business needs, and assisting in recognising and managing risks. Good governance care itself is an integral part of health and social regulation, Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 stipulates that care providers must have systems and processes in place that ensure they can meet the requirements of Regulations 4 to 20A. Policies and procedures not only ensure that providers are compliant with this regulation and working within the law;

they also enable providers to drive improvement and protect the people who access services and receive care. Providers also have a legal duty of care to the people they employ. Policies and procedures should provide clear guidelines to staff on how the organisation operates, as well as informing them of best practices and processes to be followed.

Policies should be reviewed annually as a minimum to ensure they are still fit for purpose and align with legal and regulatory requirements. They should be reviewed not only by employees of the business, but also by experts in various subject matters (e.g., infection control or medicines management).

For many small- to medium-sized

providers, there may not be the in-house skills, knowledge, and experience to complete such a robust annual review. Many choose instead to purchase their policies and procedures from a reputable provider like W&P Compliance & Training, who will also complete reviews and ensure their policies and procedures remain up to date. This way a provider not only ensures they remain compliant; they also benefit from best practice policies and procedures that provide a solid foundation for safe working practices and – ultimately – protect and support service users and staff.

Ben Erskine – Director at W&P Compliance & Training

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock

Dementia Care Key Trainer’s Certificate

EDGE Services are one of the leading purveyors of health care training in the UK today.

This two-day course will provide delegates with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to train others in awareness of dementia that can be adopted to deal with symptoms, challenges and how to work effectively.

Course assessment comprises:

• A full case study, including report that will be completed during and following the course.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of achievement from EDGE Services which is valid for two years, as well as a RoSPA customised award Level 4 certificate.

Course Aims and Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand what is meant by the term dementia and describe different types of dementia,

• Understand the many potential causes of the different types of dementia,

• Understand the signs and symptoms of the different types of dementia,

• Understand the risk factors for the different types of dementia,

• Understand some of the current and projected statistics about the incidence

• Understand the impact of dementia upon the individual and those living with or caring for them,

• Understand some of the main challenges facing those loving and working with dementia,

• Understand and demonstrate effective strategies to assist staff working with people with dementia to reduce the impact of the challenges faced upon the individual and the carers and improve the quality of life of those with dementia,

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the legal issues involved in working effectively with people with dementia.

A complete workforce development platform

or over 15 years, we have supported the health and social care market across the UK

We build all our own products and learning everything is best practice, meets legislation and delivers desired education outcomes. It also means we are flexible and can adapt our solutions to meet your needs.

With our Myrus workforce development platform, staff and managers can access eLearning, Competence Management and Performance Management in one place. Ensuring regulatory standards are met while providing continuous development in your organisation.

Our Myrus Apprenticeships

Progress Platform (MAPP) enables you to easily track, review and report on your learner’s progress in real-time, including their eLearning, OTJ hours and ePortfolio.

We also offer high-quality apprenticeship programmes, online courses and virtual training facilities.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to book a demonstration, please call 03458801818, email support@careshield.co.uk or scan the QR code.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Advising patients and families how to deal with digital assets

What happens to our digital footprint when we’re gone?

These days, so much of our lives is online, from sentimental assets, such as photos and videos, to financial dealings like pensions and banking.

There’s also the sites we might not instantly think of, such as gaming and betting sites, and e-commerce shops.

The online space is not just a world reserved for the young either. 58% of over 65s bank online while people over 55 makeup almost 20% of the UK’s entire social media users.

Despite the importance of our digital assets, few people stop to think about what happens to them when they die or become incapable of accessing them.

Research shows that the average person has 100 passwords.

The thought of passing all those on safely and to the right person can seem overwhelming for anyone, especially someone who is elderly and/or dealing with a long-lasting health condition.

The role of the carer Residents and patients often turn to their carers for advice in all manner of matters, especially where family support is scarce or absent and, as more of our lives transfer to online, advice concerning technology could very well be sought more regularly.

Of course, no professional carer should put themselves

in the position where a patient or resident is sharing personal login details with them, but it is worth being armed with some knowledge on the subject, so at least you feel equipped to point your patient in the right direction.

Karen Hibbert, Compassionate Communities Lead at Keech Hospice Care, spends a lot of her time raising awareness to encourage patients and families to start thinking about how they can get their digital assets in order and ensure their wishes are met.

“In instances where no arrangements have been made to pass a digital legacy on, trying to access someone’s online accounts after their death can be enormously difficult and stressful,” says Karen.

“It’s a lot easier to sort things out before it’s too late. And it’s never too early. For a grieving family, not being able to access photos or videos can be dreadfully upsetting.”

Support and resources to help patients

Here are some useful links you may wish to pass on to patients or members of their family to help them navigate the digital asset journey:

• The Digital Legacy Association: a helpful portal where members of the public can go to find out more on how to manage their digital legacy

• Facebook legacy contact:

a quick and easy two-minute step anyone can take to make sure their Facebook access details are given to the person of their choice

• Tell Us Once: a service which allows you to inform a number of governmental offices all at the same time that a person has died. It includes DVLA, HMRC and local councils.

• My Wishes: A free and easy way of creating a social

media Will

Training and information

Karen Hibbert runs several webinars a year on the subject of digital memories. Sessions are free and suitable for professional carers and members of the public. Registration can be done at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ your-digital-memories-mattertickets-488195996367

Are your fire doors up to scratch?

Door Group urges managers to understand their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act

Door Group, a division of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions

UK & Ireland, is calling for a higher calibre of fire door inspections this Fire Door Safety Week, after research found a third (32%) of the British public would not report a problem with a fire door, putting lives at risk.

Shockingly, those asked believed that a fire door that was propped open with a wedge or a fire extinguisher was safe, and 15% believed that keeping a fire door closed stops it performing, highlighting a lack of understanding around the role fire doors play in the event of a fire.

What’s more, only 19% of those responsible for the specification, installation and maintenance of fire doors inspect their fire doors twice a year, 14% inspect annually, while 3% only inspect their fire doors when an issue has been reported. Four in five respondents say end clients do not require third-party certified fire doors to be specified.

Brian Sofley, Managing Director at

Door Group, said: “Fire doors are one of the most important safety features in a building, as they provide a critical part of the fire compartmentation requirement. Gross negligence when it comes to fire door safety can have serious and devastating implications.

“The public’s lack of understanding around fire doors means it’s even more vital that buildings and facilities managers ensure compliance to protect occupants. However, nearly a third (30%) of those responsible for fire door safety say they do not fully understand their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.

“It is imperative that those responsible for the property ensure life safety products have been independently verified, are regularly audited or certified and have been manufactured and installed by competent companies or individuals.

“Suppliers and manufacturers also have a duty of care to their customers at each and every stage of a project, to offer a solution that is properly

and unambiguously safeguarded by certification.”

As part of its commitment to fire door safety, Door Group provides a fully comprehensive inspection which can be carried out every three, four, six or 12 months to suit specific requirements.

Following inspections, Door Group offers detailed reports containing advice and recommendations on necessary improvements, with the knowledge that identifying any potential issues that could impact safety and product performance can be lifesaving.

If any issues do occur, a tailored repair proposal is issued to include anything from replacement doors to a regular maintenance program. Door Group inspectors are BRE-certified and will ensure that all fire doors inspected meet all necessary standards and regulations.

For more information on ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, please visit https:// bit.ly/3gGLU3R.

Image courtesy of Door Group

Consort Claudgen includes Wi-Fi enabled heaters in LST range

Consort Claudgen now offers Wi-Fienabled low surface temperature heaters that can be controlled through a digital control panel on the heaters or the Consort Connect app. Features include a 7-day timer with 24 daily heating periods, a

lock function, open window detection, custom automation, and energy consumption statistics. Additionally, LST heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensor have a self-learning control ability which uses in-built occupancy sensors to detect and learn a user’s weekly presence in a room. It then creates a heating schedule and automatically warms the room according to the detected or predicted occupancy. When the space is unoccupied, the heater will conserve energy by switching to a setback temperature or frost protection mode.

Consort’s website also offers BIM objects for download. 01646 692172 | sales@consortepl.com | www.consortepl.com

We supply and fit curtains and blinds using NHS compliant fabrics

Image courtesy of Consort Claudgen

Manfred Sauer UK Ltd

Since 1976, Manfred Sauer UK has provided a range of innovative urology products to help sufferers of urinary incontinence

But unlike other providers, our products are often designed and tested with input from end users and healthcare professionals to ensure effective and user-friendly solutions that work.

Listed below are some of our products, all available on prescription:

Sheaths

We offer five different types of urinary sheath to facilitate the drainage of urine away from the body into a drainage bag.

Leg bags

We supply four main types of leg bags with varying capacities:

• Discreet Thigh Bag can be worn high up on the thigh area and hidden

under clothes.

• Bendi Bag is ideal for wheelchair users who can sometimes find toilet access difficult.

• Comfort Leg Bag range comes in a variety of materials from velvet smooth, real cotton and flock backing.

• Children’s Bag with smaller capacity and proportions.

Catheters

When performing ISC you need something that is simple to use, soft and flexible. Our IQ-Cath male, female and paediatric single-use catheters are ready for use immediately and the protective sleeve on the male and paediatric catheters facilitates a no-touch

technique.

NephSys bag and belt system

For people who have had a Nephrostomy, NephSys can drastically improve their lives. As well as providing a secure and sterile solution, the system is comfortable and discreet.

Contact our helpline team on 01604 595 696 or visit www.manfred-sauer. co.uk for more information about each product or to order a free sample.

We are a manufacturer and supplier of high quality, innovative continence care products that have unique features and benefits designed with input from patients and healthcare professionals.

Products available include:

• Catheters and accessories

• Urinary sheaths and accessories

• Leg bags and Night bags

• NephSys bag and belt system

• Urinals

For more information or sample requests, please contact the helpline on:

01604 595 696 quoting CNE107 or email helpline@manfred-sauer.co.uk

Image courtesy of Manfred Sauer

Fewer than 1 in 10 care professionals believe patients receive quality interactions with carers, reveals Ontex research

Care Show poll exposes concerns of care workers, with staff shortages and lack of time identified as issues

Astudy of over 200 Care Show delegates by leading international personal hygiene group Ontex has uncovered a range of concerns that are affecting the sector – with a significant 93% confessing they believe residents in a care setting are not experiencing quality interactions with staff.

Questioned on the reasons behind poor resident-staff interactions, half (50%) blamed lack of resources, 43% pointed to time constraints, while 7% identified inadequate training.

The newly-released findings are the result of research conducted at the Care Show 2022, which preceded Ontex’s launch of its Orizon SMART continence care solution.

Described as a digital incontinence care assistive technology, the new product features a rechargeable transmitter clip that notifies caregivers when residents require changing. It has been proven through trials to improve resident sleep, increase optimisation of work routines, reduce costs and can enhance sustainability due to less laundry changes.

In fact, Ontex’s Care Show research suggests that the sector is ready for such innovation, with 89% stating they were willing to embrace new technology that could improve continence care.

Furthermore, it answers the call of 46% of those polled, who cited their top priority as improving resident dignity.

Angela Gillespie, Distributor Channel Manager at

Ontex, explains:

“It’s important that we have an understanding of what’s happening in care settings across the country, and this research offered additional valuable

insights into the feelings of those care workers on the frontline.

“Just 7% told us that they believed individuals receive quality interactions with carers, and this has to be tackled. We know that Orizon SMART is an easyto-use solution that can free up muchneeded resources by monitoring wetness saturation and alerting caregivers when protection should be changed.

“Not only does this product improve resident sleep, it provides quality of life benefits, it preserves dignity and means care staff work schedules are optimised. Employee workloads are reduced, thanks to a decrease in the overall number of wet beds – enabling staff to focus on social merging and quality interactions.”

Ontex will be exhibiting its Orizon SMART continence solution at Care Show 2023 in Birmingham on 11-12 October 2023. Visit the team to learn more at Hall: 3 Stand: J90.

Images courtesy of Ontex

Lento Neuro is a portable care chair specifically designed to support patients with neurological conditions. This comfortable and calming patient chair that produces a relaxing “cocooning” effect when seated and creates a feeling of security and stability. With built in pressure care materials throughout, you can simplify staff tasks and bring reliable comfort to patients with involuntary movements.

Property Development Finance For Care Homes

New Product Launch: Heavy Refurb Finance With Drawdown Facility

available from Clifton Private Finance.

Typically, refurbishment loans are disbursed in one tranche, meaning you pay interest on your entire loan for the full duration of your term.

But if you only need, say, £50,000 in the first few months of your project before the refurb gets fully underway, a drawdown facility means you can take only what you initially need and leave the remainder with your lender, not accruing interest.

And you can do this with up to five tranches.

It means you can access funds incrementally, giving you more control and potentially reducing your overall borrowing cost.

The new product offers up to 75% net loan to value (LTV) funding with this drawdown facility, or 70% gross, making it very accessible.

It’s a heavy refurbishment bridging loan perfect for various types of conversions.

Finance To Complete A Care Home Development Project In South West London Area: London

Capital Raised: £330k

The Scenario:

A private developer needed £330k to complete a care home development project. They were unable to secure a loan against the project due to other

financial interests involved, making it difficult for the developer to raise the necessary capital.

The developer needed to find a quick solution to keep the project moving forward and avoid having to sell the development unfinished.

Our Solution:

Clifton Private Finance took the developer on as a client and soon identified a solution. We found a specialist development care home finance lender who was willing to secure a bridging loan for £330k as a second charge on a buy to let property the client also owned (valued at £470k).

This solution allowed the client to unlock the funds they needed to complete their care home development at an attractive rate of interest. We were also able to agree no exit fee for the client when they came to repay the loan, helping to reduce their overall costs.

The bridging loan was offered over 12 months, allowing the client time to complete their development and sell the finished property. They were then able to repay the bridging loan and take home a healthy profit.

Are you in a similar position? To investigate your finance options call our team on 0117 959 5094 or visit www. cliftonpf.co.uk

Image courtesy of iStock

Catering with care

Save up to £100k per year and halve the time spent in your kitchen.

Over 200 nutritious meals made with sustainably-sourced ingredients

Easy to order, store, cook and serve

Guaranteed nutrition and safety: our meals are tested in our onsite laboratory

Caters to every taste, dietary and cultural preference including dysphagia, dementia and malnutrition

No need for a chef

To book a FREE tasting call 0808 239 2399 or visit carehomes.apetito.co.uk

We are running a Dementia Care Key Trainers Certificate, which is a Customised Level 4 RoSPA Award

Our NEW Dementia Care Key Trainers Certificate course will provide you with the understanding, knowledge, and effective strategies to train staff working with people with Dementia, to reduce the impact of the challenges faced upon the individual and the carers and improve the quality of life of those with dementia. This course is a customised Award to Level 4 with RoSPA.

Birmingham 12th – 13th October 2023

We continue to train at a number of UK locations throughout the year. Additional dates and locations can be viewed and booked via our website www.edgeservices.co.uk/courses

Level 4 Award