The Carer Digital - Issue #150

“Chair Decides What is Relevant” Government Told, as Covid Inquir y Row Deepens

Following the government s decision to launch a legal challenge over the Covid inquiry’s demand for WhatsApp messages and documents the chair of the inquiry Baroness Hallett has responded to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak s government insisting that only she has the power to “decide what is relevant ”

Baroness Hallett responded for the first time to the government s recent High Court challenge against her demand for the former Prime Ministers unredacted messages and notebook saying that she believes it is for the inquiry chair to decide what is relevant or potentially relevant”

The government challenged the demand to release WhatsApp messages and

documents citing that the documents and messages being sought by the inquiry are “unambiguously irrelevant” and cover matters “unconnected to the government’s handling of COVID”

It is believed to be the first time a government has taken legal action against its own public inquiry

However Mr Johnson has since bypassed Mr Sunak and handed over some of the unredacted WhatsApp messages to Lady Hallett s team

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Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

I am away on holiday but the “fallout” at the very beginning of the Covid inquiry warranted comment!

Regular readers will I hope remember that during the pandemic we continued to publish news views and comment throughout since we felt it vital to maintain a line of communication with the sector, share as much as we could and help with morale as you shared your many stories, both heartbreaking and uplifting with us We were as close to the “eye of the storm” as any publisher and I am absolutely dismayed at the current row right at the very beginning of the Covid inquiry

The country, and in particular the adult social care sector, finds itself at a crucial juncture, where introspection and learning from past mistakes have become imperative and as the country grapples with the tragic loss of lives and assesses the effectiveness of its pandemic response, it is evident that care homes borne the brunt of this crisis, and the Covid Inquiry must shed light on the impact of the virus on care homes and serve as a catalyst for change and improvement in the healthcare system

No-one can hide behind any “confidentiality” excuse and any attempt will diminish the entire inquiry and will be seen as a “whitewash” in the eyes of the public

The inquiry's relevance cannot be overstated particularly when considering the staggering toll Covid-19 has taken on care homes and their residents According to official figures, nearly half of all Covid-19 deaths in the UK occurred in care homes during the first wave of the pandemic The vulnerability of the elderly population coupled with the difficulties in implementing effective infection control measures created a perfect storm for the virus to wreak havoc within these institutions

Care industry organizations and spokespersons have long emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the handling of the pandemic in care homes

They rightly argue that lessons learned from this inquiry will be crucial in averting similar catastrophes in the future

Mike Padgham Chairman of the Independent Care Group recently stated "We need answers and we need them now We owe it to the people who died their relatives and future generations of older and vulnerable people to learn from what went wrong and put it right "

One critical aspect that the inquiry must address is the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for care home staff during the height of the pandemic Care workers who courageously put themselves at risk to care for vulnerable residents

were often left without adequate protection The consequences were devastating as many contracted the virus, and some tragically lost their lives The absence of proper PPE raises serious questions about the preparedness of the healthcare system and the safety of those on the frontlines

To better understand the challenges faced by care homes during the pandemic, the inquiry should take into account the testimonies of care industry organizations and spokespeople Martin Green Chief Executive of Care England noted Care homes were forgotten in the early stages of the pandemic We were overlooked when it came to testing PPE and support from the government " Such insights from industry experts will help shed light on systemic failures that need urgent rectification

Furthermore, the inquiry must examine how care homes managed to navigate the crisis without sufficient PPE Care staff demonstrated immense resilience and resourcefulness in finding ways to protect themselves and their residents, often resorting to makeshift solutions This speaks to the unwavering dedication and compassion that define the care sector However it also reveals the dire need for robust and coordinated support systems that can provide the necessary resources and guidance in times of crisis

The inquiry presents a unique opportunity to address the systemic shortcomings that left care homes vulnerable and exposed during the pandemic It must identify the failures and provide actionable recommendations to ensure the safety and well-being of care home residents and staff in the face of future health crises The government, healthcare authorities, and society as a whole must listen to the voices of those directly affected by this crisis and prioritize the necessary reforms

As the inquiry proceeds, it is crucial to remember that it is not about assigning blame but about learning from the past to safeguard the future By conducting a thorough and impartial examination we can honour the lives lost support the tireless efforts of care workers and build a more resilient healthcare system Only through this process can we ensure that the devastating impact on care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic is not repeated and that the lessons learned lead to lasting change for the better

Watch out for our Afternoon Tea Week competition coming soon We had a wonderful response last year - nobody celebrates tradition like those in care homesand we will once again, we are delighted to say, be putting up a fantastic prize for a lucky winner!

So please keep your stories coming - we are always delighted to publish some wonderful stories from various homes around the country from birthdays to fund raising from baking to growing vegetable Anything you would like to share please do send it to me at editor@thecareruk com

Editor Peter Adams

“Chair Decides What is Relevant” Government Told, as Covid Inquir y Row Deepens

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Boris Johnson said he was “not willing to let my material become a test case for others” and so far only messages since spring 2021 have been given to the inquiry because Mr Johnson said security advisers had advised him to permanently turn off a previous phone when its security became compromised

CHAIR TO DECIDE WHAT IS RELEVANT

Acknowledging the issue Baroness Hallett said "As has been widely reported in the media an issue has arisen between the inquiry and the Cabinet Office as to who decides what is relevant or potentially relevant

"I issued a notice under Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 making it clear that in my view it is for the inquiry chair to decide what is relevant or potentially relevant

She continued: "The Cabinet Office disagrees claiming they are not obliged to disclose what they consider to be unambiguously irrelevant material They invited me to withdraw the Section 21 notice I declined

"They are now challenging my decision to decline to withdraw the notice in the High Court by way of judicial review

"With litigation pending and as the decision-maker, I can make no further comment

When launching the judicial review, the government said it had done so with regret but that important issues of principle were at stake around privacy

It also questioned whether Baroness Hallett had "the power to compel production of documents and messages which are unambiguously irrelevant to the inquiry's work" and argued that requesting such material represents an unwarranted intrusion into other aspects of the work of government"

So far the inquiry has issued 38 requests to government departments and other bodies 11 to regional mayors and 12 to ministers including former prime minister Liz Truss former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove

Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin defended the Government s legal move in the Commons, telling MPs that the High Court case would mean it was lawyers and not politicians who would decide what is and what is not relevant information” for the inquiry

Mr Quin told MPs that he expected judges to hear the Government s judicial review “on or shortly after June 30”, advising that all Government correspondence relating to the handling of the pandemic would be “made transparently available” to Lady Hallett’s investigation

“STRUCTURAL

WEAKNESSES LEFT SOCIAL CARE STRUGGLING

A damning report released last month highlighted structural weaknesses” which left social care struggling to provide the service and protection that people needed during the initial waves of Covid-19

The report published by the Nuffield Trust cited a lack of visibility of the sector unclear accountability insecure funding and poor workforce pay and conditions impacted the sector’s ability to implement protective measures in a timely way

Focusing on the initial four months of the pandemic response (February-May 2020) it revealed that the fragmented nature of the system and a shortage of civil servants working on social care contributed to confusion over who was responsible for decisions and implementation in the Covid response which for example undermined the effective distribution of PPE and testing for care staff

The report drew on interviews with sector experts workshops with social care stakeholders including people who use care policy documents and literature this research has pinpointed areas that could put social care on a more resilient footing in the future

Key findings included:

• The government NHS England and Public Health England missed opportunities to prepare the sector for a pandemic or other crises in the years immediately before Covid-19 They excluded social care from pandemic-planning exercises such as Exercise Alice After exercises that did include the sector, such as Operation Cygnus, action was not taken to address the problems that were identified Once infections took hold in England, the government did not sufficiently apply preexisting knowledge of infection spread in care settings

There had been no dedicated director general for social care in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) since 2016 No adult social care representatives sat on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) in the opening weeks of the pandemic This meant social care leaders felt largely invisible, despite the critical role of the sector

The wider Covid-19 response, which was perceived to be hospital-

focused at the outset caused many issues for social care staff because the structure of the workforce and what their jobs involved were not well understood For example, a lack of access to Covid testing and sick pay had far-reaching consequences for staff when selfisolation policies were in place especially for those on zero hours contracts

The long-term tendency of governments to allocate funding to social care in the form of sporadic injections of cash limited the scope for strategic investment and had implications for how robust the sector and its infrastructure, were when entering the pandemic Many providers of care, which are often small businesses, entered the pandemic with little or no cash reserves

• During the pandemic the succession of emergency funding pots offered to social care initially took a long time to reach the front line, and their short-term nature prevented strategic planning While seen as a lifeline for care providers extensions to the funding were frequently announced with only weeks days or in one case hours before the end of the scheme and did not allow those on the front line to spend it to meet the needs they could see

There was a lack of data and information about who uses and provides adult social care services and how to communicate with them Covid-19 has accelerated efforts to collect data, and this is helping to lay the foundations of a robust source of standard data

• The government did not adequately consider the fragile state and the complexity of the adult social care infrastructure, in particular residential care buildings and equipment Small organisations that make up much of the sector lacked the back office capacity to interpret continually updated guidance and outdated care home buildings struggled to isolate or group together infected residents and to accommodate wider infection control measures

PRELIMINARY HEARING

As the current row grows a preliminary hearing which took place yesterday (June 6) concentrated on the main political and administrative decision making by the Government when the Covid pandemic broke in March 2020 and considered how the investigation should be run rather than taking evidence

The first evidence session is due to take place next week, with Baroness Hallett set to hear from witnesses about Britain’s pandemic preparedness and resilience

Public hearings are scheduled to conclude by summer 2026 with interim reports published before then

Caring For The Carers:

How To Lead By Example

More than 93% of carers would be more likely to leave a job that did not support their wellbeing according to recent research from Connect2Care (www connect2care net) And with staff recruitment and retention in the care sector becoming ever harder fostering a supportive workplace is crucial

Here health and social care consultant Neel Radia explains how taking a top-down approach and training managers in supporting staff is vital for nurturing the wellbeing of your workforce

POSITIVE WORKPLACES

There are many rewards to a career in care – but also many challenges, especially since the pandemic There is a lot of feeling of being undervalued Working long hours not having enough respite time to recuperate, which is then causing stress, which is taking people out of the workplace

I am adamant that it’s up to leaders to change this When it comes to wellbeing and positive workplaces it s always about starting at the top and taking that culture down You need to start with the leaders who are managing the team at the bottom because that's where a lot of the burnouts happen

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

their day off everyone knows who to contact instead

Then you know that if you are off you are off That’s your time to get your mind and body and soul back into place then come back to work fresh And I think that’s something we should all respect more

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

So it’s essential to build an open supportive culture An employee should be able to have an open oneto-one discussion with their supervisor if they are feeling overburdened

And just as junior members of staff need training in skills such as catering, supervisors require training “to have empathy and have those conversations without judging

There needs to be sufficient training for the middle manager side and the team leaders because they're representing the company they re representing the care organisation and they re representing your values as a business as well

In Connect2Care s research 61 7% of respondents believed that staff should be given training in achieving a positive work-life balance From a supervisor s point of view it s about giving them the opportunity to understand actually what is a priority and what isn't a priority in the day-to-day running from a care aspect

Another focus is diversity and inclusion, with ongoing training vital to ensure that everyone is supported, regardless of factors such as ethnic background, neurodiversity or disability Unless you’ve got the tools and training and it s something embedded within your culture and in your organisation’s genes and in your values then how do you get past it?

THE PERKS OF THE JOB

Leaders should begin with clear communication

It s about keeping the line of communication open to understand where your staff’s challenges are You need to see it from the eyes of the person doing the job day to day

Managers for example, often feel they are on call 24/7, negatively affecting their work-life balance From a leadership point of view it s really important to have a communication plan in place so if a manager is on

With the key planks of open communication and training in place employers can look outside the box for other ways to foster workplace wellbeing Some care homes offer staff discounted gym membership while others have lunchtime walking groups

If you put benefits and perks in place to help your staff s wellbeing that will reduce absenteeism and people going off due to mental health and stress-related illnesses It will help you retain your team

Resident Flies to South Africa at 99!

Anne Fitzmaurice a resident at Cotswold Home Burford since February 2021 has moved to South Africa to be with her son and family

At the age of 99 Fitz as she likes to be known was undaunted by the journey overseas to a new life on her son’s farm near Tweespruit in the Free State

Born in Lowestoft and having lived in Bledington for many years Fitz was very much a part of the Cotswold Home and particularly fond of animals visiting the home s resident pet guinea pig every morning Despite enjoying living at the home Fitz’s family were so far away, so she decided to move to be with them

The staff at Cotswold Home played a large part in facilitating Fitz s trip arranging the tickets and the assistance needed enroute with Unit Manager Caroline Lockwood accompanying her on the whole journey

I have been lucky to get to know Fitz during her time at the home and we planned the trip together,” explains Caroline “I took time out of my annual leave to

accompanying her on the whole journey from Burford to Tweespruit ”

Fitz and Caroline flew from London Heathrow to Johannesburg with British Airways who provided a fully escorted service The flight crew were delighted to host Fitz making the trip a very special one not only for her as a passenger but for the crew as she was the oldest person to date to have flown with the airline on a long-haul flight

From Johannesburg Caroline and Fitz travelled by road to her son s farm where she is now happily settled, although missing her friends and fellow residents back home

Cotswold Home is one of nine care homes across England operated by Elizabeth Finn Homes a wholly owned subsidiary of the charity Turn2us

Originally founded by Elizabeth Finn a pioneering 72 year old English woman who set up the Distressed Gentlefolks’ Aid Association in 1897

Charity Helps Sow The Seed For Sensor y Garden In Hospital

A HOSPITAL in Perth has secured significant funding for a dementiafriendly garden project in partnership with Scotland s national walking charity and Tayside Health Fund, NHS Tayside s Charity

Murray Royal Hospital which specialises in mental health and dementia care has been awarded £115 000 from Tayside Health Fund NHS Tayside’s Charity and an additional £40 000 from Paths for All to rejuvenate the facility s two garden areas

The organisations will work with landscape architect Marion Preez of Urban Pioneers who drafted the initial concept drawings of the garden as well as the firm Better Company to design a space that integrates with nature while providing patients with space to walk and move more

It’s hoped the project will create a unique sensory experience while being an inclusive accessible nurturing and welcoming environment for all individuals including patients staff and families affected by dementia

Dementia friendly Development Officer at Paths for All Kayleigh Lytham said:

Paths for All are delighted to be leading this project alongside our expert partners to enhance both gardens and create more usable and meaningful green space

Creating a more inclusive and accessible outdoor environment for patients visitors and staff will provide opportunities to improve wellbeing through walking, physical activity and connecting with nature

This project will encourage all users to access the outdoors and benefit from the associated health benefits which can contribute to patient recovery ”

The redesigned shared space will serve as a bridge between nature and individuals helping patients to foster a deeper connection with the environment

The garden will also provide Strength and Balance areas, encouraging and supporting physical activity as an integral component of health wellbeing care rehabilitation and recovery

Planned improvements encompass landscaping and additional seating areas, the development of path networks and the installation of playful and poetic artworks by esteemed Paths for All artist-in-residence

Alec Finlay

Alec’s artwork will feature what he calls ‘poem-objects’ – ordinary garden tools with poems added including a suite of traditional watering cans with words inspired by Perthshire poet and gardener GF

Dutton The artworks are intended to be used, to encourage people to interact with nature and gardening

Alec Finlay said, “As we age, it becomes clear that memory, remembering and names are closely connected to our bodies and the things we do or have done Gardening is the perfect example handling tools gently caring for plants tending nature are playful and nurturing ways to bring people back into connection with the seasons colours and connect them with their own past experiences

They can become carers as well as the cared for which helps query the roles we assign to people in hospital encouraging a sense of agency and creative recuperation Tools are also a wonderful way to connect people with shared tasks and give them a connection to the seasons ”

By transforming the shared garden spaces into dementia-friendly environments the hospital aims to create therapeutic spaces that offer solace stimulation and a sense of tranquillity to those affected by this condition

Clinical and Professional Team Manager Shelly Milligan from Murray Royal Hospital said:

“Plans for the sensory garden have been specifically designed to provide patients with a relaxing space where they can connect with nature relax and take part in activities that will help them improve both their physical and mental well-being

We also wanted the area to provide a relaxing space for families and carers to spend quality time with their loved ones

“On behalf of the Older Peoples Service at Murray Royal Hospital we want to say a huge thank you to Kayleigh Paths for All Tayside Health Fund and to the artists/designers involved in this wonderful project

The garden will enhance the shared spaces at the Garry and Tummel Ward, as well as the garden at the Leven Ward

Shelley McCarthy Charity Chief Officer for Tayside Health Fund, NHS Taysides Charity said Dementia has been a national priority in Scotland since 2007 with a focus on person-centred treatment in all settings

“Tayside Health Fund are delighted to be supporting such an innovative project at Murray Royal Hospital ” Work has already commenced on the garden with a view to completion in late summer

Care England Highlights “Chronic Underfunding” at Care Workforce Pathway Consolation

Care England has submitted evidence to the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on the Care Workforce Pathway which sets out the skills knowledge and behaviours that people working in adult social care need to deliver high-quality, personalised compassionate care and support

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says: Care England believes that the Care Workforce Pathway has the capacity to be an opportunity for the sector by formalising career structures and pathways which play a key role in attracting and keeping people in adult social care roles We hope this is the first step to imposing a new reality as an increasing cohort of individuals receiving adult social care services have been supported through a decreasing government funding pot Most recently the Department has reduced the funding allocated for the workforce as part of People at the Heart of Care White Paper The adult social care workforce needs to be seen for what it is; an exciting challenging, professional career and we have to ensure that staff are remunerated accordingly But action is required from the centre and this action is required now ”

The Department of Health and Social Care issued a call for evidence which sought views on the pathway including what it should include how it should be set out and how we can support people working in care and social care employers to use it so that care workers can develop the skills knowledge and behaviours to become experts in their field or progress into new roles This call for evidence closed today, 31 May 2023

Care England outlined the following in the call for

evidence response:

• Despite the positives of the pathway they will inevitably be overlooked if appropriate funding to increase care worker pay is not addressed

If there are to be costs associated with implementing the pathway uptake across the sector may present a challenge and the success may be limited

The pathway presents a linear progression opportunity that may not suit all those within the sector

The introduction of unfunded training will only further cripple the sector, especially in light on historic underfunding

Martin Green continues “Chronic underfunding of the adult social care sector remains the root cause of the pressures facing the social care sector Whilst the workforce is our most valuable asset building a skilled workforce to meet the increasing needs of an ageing population simply will not happen without Government funding to appropriately remunerate the workforce Despite the positives the Care Workforce Pathway looks to offer they will inevitably be overlooked by those inside and outside the sector if appropriate funding to increase care worker pay is not addressed Naturally recognition and status are valuable but these alone will not remedy the workforce crisis particularly in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis Care England has repeatedly asked for a fully funded workforce pathway which will go some way to remedy some of the workforce issues facing the sector currently Care England calls for the Government to take this into consideration and implement a fully funded workforce plan

Spotting the Early Signs of Dementia in a Loved One: A Vital Guide for Caregivers

Watching a loved one experience changes in memory behaviour and cognitive abilities can be both heartbreaking and worrisome As we age, the risk of developing dementia increases, making it crucial for family members and caregivers to be vigilant in recognising the early signs of this debilitating condition Identifying dementia in its initial stages allows for early intervention access to proper care and the implementation of strategies to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia

Earlier this year Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) after his condition worsened following his original diagnosis of aphasia

But what is frontotemporal dementia, and what are the signs you must look out for to try and spot early signs of dementia in a loved one? A spokesperson at Baycroft Care Homes has provided some of the most common signs to look out for below

FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA:

WHAT IS IT?

Across the UK 900 000 people are currently living with dementia a syndrome which slowly deteriorates the functions of the brain

According to the NHS there are many different types of dementia with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease - which affects memory skills and mental abilities - and vascular dementia - a reduction in blood flow to the brain which causes slowness of thought and disorientation

But how does this differ from frontotemporal dementia? FTD is a much less common type of dementia which also causes problems with behaviours and language and typically is diagnosed in people from the age of 45 and up FTD is a slow and progressive disease and is sometimes initially misdiagnosed with schizophrenia Alzheimer s or aphasia

It s possible for someone to have more than one type of dementia, and symptoms can also overlap Stewart Mcginn Managing Director at Baycroft Care Homes (www baycroft co uk) identifies the signs to look out for in your loved ones and the next steps to take in order to provide them with the correct help that they need

1 CONTINUOUSLY MISPLACING THINGS

“Anyone can forget where they put their keys on the odd occasion, but if your loved one finds they are regularly misplacing items it could be an early sign of dementia For example, this could be continuously losing their glasses or finding items in strange places like a TV remote in the fridge or food items in with the cleaning products

2 DIFFICULTY FOCUSING

“Those suffering from early dementia can often struggle to concentrate or focus on tasks that require organisation and planning That s because Alzheimer’s disease, which causes dementia, affects the hippocampus which controls new learning and memories With this being disrupted it can be much harder to concentrate ”

3 PROBLEMS WITH LANGUAGE

“A sign that can indicate a person is suffering from dementia is having difficulty forming sentences or finding the right words during conversations Whilst everyone can forget the odd word from time to time, regularly struggling to remember words or substituting them in sentences with random words can indicate someone is suffering ”

4 MEMORY LOSS

One of the most noticeable and alarming signs that your loved one could be showing early signs of dementia is recurring memory loss

In particular less significant pieces of information - that are also perhaps harder to spot - could be early warning signs that your loved one may have dementia For example re-reading the newspaper retelling stories or forgetting an acquaintance s name If you do start to notice any patterns Whether your loved one is frequently forgetting the names of people they know or is unable to recall recent events or new information learned it’s best to get them checked out by a doctor ”

5. CHANGES IN MOOD

Frequent mood swings can be another indication that your loved one has early signs of dementia as they begin to get frustrated with themselves sometimes without obvious cause or reason This can be a person’s mood quickly changing from calm to angry or emotional without reason or if they become generally more withdrawn or anxious

6 FINDING IT HARD TO CARRY OUT REGULAR DAILY TASKS

“If you’ve noticed that your family member has recently started finding it hard to carry out regular daily tasks like forgetting how to cook their favourite recipe that they have made countless times or struggling to count their money in a supermarket - these could all be signs of dementia ”

7 CONFUSION SURROUNDING TIME AND PLACE

“Another distressing sign of dementia can be confusion around time and place Whilst many people can wander into a room and forget what they went in for, this is on a much more advanced level

For example your elderly family member might become lost on a street they have walked down their whole life and struggle to find their way home Differently your loved one might get confused about time being unable to distinguish between their past and present This could include confusing family members with people from their past like their own parents and struggling to remember people from their present like their grandchildren

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE DISPLAYING SIGNS OF DEMENTIA?

DIAGNOSIS FROM A GP

Stewart explains “The first step is to help your family member loved one or friend get a diagnosis from a specialist

“In order to be referred to a specialist, you will need to make a GP appointment where the doctor will ask about the patient s symptoms

It’s always best to accompany the person displaying early signs of dementia to the appointment as you might notice changes or issues that they themselves haven t, or simply because they might have trouble remembering any information given by the GP

“The doctor will usually do a physical examination a type of memory test and may even want to send your bloodwork or urine off for results to help rule out other things that can contribute to memory loss ”

REFERRAL TO A SPECIALIST

“Once seen by a GP if the doctor thinks the patient needs to be referred they can visit one or multiple specialists including a neurolo-

gist psychiatrist, psychologist or geriatrician,” Stewart says

“This will often include more memory tests tests to assess thinking abilities and problem-solving and scans like a CT scan or MRI

HELP TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE DIAGNOSIS

People suffering from early signs of dementia may struggle to come to terms with the diagnosis or have more questions or worries that they want to be answered There are a number of dementia charities and support lines that can provide your loved one with some comfort during this difficult time

Alzheimer's Research UK can be contacted at 0300 111 511 to answer any questions and provide information about dementia, to help family members better understand it

Alzheimer s Society also provides a support line called the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456 This helpline gives out advice about suffering from dementia and can help to clear up any worries that your loved one might have

Dementia UK helpline can be reached at 0800 888 6678 and offers information advice and support from specialist admiral nurses

DECIDING THE LEVEL OF CARE

“If you are concerned that your loved one is struggling to deal with everyday tasks and is no longer able to live alone it’s important to contact social services to request a needs assessment

This assessment will determine the type of help the person living with dementia will require whether it’s carers visiting the home or whether they’ll need to go into more permanent care There will also be a financial assessment to determine how much your family member or your family will need to contribute CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE HOME

If your loved one can no longer care for themselves and needs to be moved into a care home, it’s vital that you choose one that both you and your family member are happy with, to avoid any upset in the transition

Stewart Mcginn Managing Director at Baycroft Care Homes explains

“A high-quality and carefully selected care home can not only provide a safe environment with trained carers on hand for someone living with dementia but it can also provide many home comforts that make your loved one feel at ease during this difficult time

“There are a number of questions you can ask or elements to consider to make sure you are choosing the right care home for your family member such as The carer-to-resident ratio

What the policy is on visiting

• Enquiring about the meals and timings

Ensuring well-maintained facilities

What activities are available

If there’s an outside area or garden accessible for residents

• The comfort and standard of the rooms

Staff training for residents with dementia

What the daily routines are like and how flexible these are to each resident

If there s a tv radio or a quieter space like a reading room

Cornerstone Healthcare and PremaLabs

Collaborate to Test Staff for COVID-19 Antibodies

Award winning specialist care provider Cornerstone Healthcare has announced a collaboration with PremaLabs Diagnostics a leading provider of Point of Care Test (POCT) solutions to test their staff for COVID-19 antibodies This joint effort is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the virus and its impact on health and social care workers and the wider community

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the world, healthcare providers have been at the forefront of the fight against the virus Understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among their staff is critical in ensuring their safety and the safety of the residents that they care for

PremaLabs Chief Scientific Officer Gary McLean Professor Emeritus at London Metropolitan University and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London and his team will utilise its state-of-the-art testing capabilities to screen the staff at Cornerstone for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies The results of these tests will be used to gain insight into the prevalence of the virus among healthcare workers and help identify potential areas for enhanced infection control practices

"We are excited to welcome the PremaLabs team to our services and to be collaborating with them on this important initiative said Johann van Zyl Cornerstone CEO

By testing our staff for COVID-19 antibodies we can gain a better understanding of the virus We look forward to the valuable insights that this agreement will provide "

We are honoured to be working with Cornerstone Healthcare on this study said PremaLabs CEO Adam Martin Our advanced portable testing services will enable us to provide Cornerstone with accurate data on the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among their staff, which will be crucial in implementing effective measures to keep their residents and employees safe "

The collaboration between Cornerstone Healthcare and PremaLabs is a significant stride forward in the ongoing battle against COVID-19 Through this joint effort to gain a deeper understanding of the virus these two organisations are at the forefront of safeguarding the health and welfare of both health and social care workers and their vulnerable residents Cornerstone who cares for people with challenging behaviours associated with complex neurological and mental health needs, employs over 350 people across its three services - South Africa Lodge and Kitnocks House in Hampshire and Marula Lodge in Surrey

PremaLabs Diagnostics is a global medical device company offering advanced and comprehensive Point of Care (POC) diagnostic solutions This technology used in the care home environment can aid early and quick diagnosis of various conditions such as anaemia cardiovascular diseases and diabetes For more information visit their website at www premalabs uk

How to Implement a Preventative Social Care Agenda Still Not Completely Understood Researchers Reveal

Despite promises to implement more preventative social care strategies the government does not understand what preventative care looks like researchers have revealed

Swansea University researchers have been taking a closer look at the role prevention can play in improving social care for our most vulnerable

Acting earlier to reduce poor health and wellbeing outcomes is central to recent UK care policy especially as we face the demands of an ageing population

However Dr Simon Read from the School of Health and Social Care says what prevention involves, particularly in social care, is a complicated issue especially for financially strained local government during a cost-of-living crisis Against this backdrop Dr Read and his fellow researchers have examined the preventative policy agenda in an article for the British Journal of Social Work Based on a Welsh Government funded evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales), the article explores how prevention is discussed by local government and social services in Wales in an era of austerity

The Act came into force in 2016 and provides the legal framework for improving the wellbeing of people who need care and support carers who need support and for transforming social services in Wales

Dr Read said: “Prevention has become a central pillar of UK policy on health and social care but how best to implement a preventative social care agenda is still not completely understood

A core concern behind this research is that preventative care and support can have a powerful influence

on people s lives but that this influence is hard to grasp through the kinds of population-wide metrics that governments tend to favour ”

The researchers found a fusion of principles around prevention bringing together values-based ideas such as independence, well-being and doing the right thing with ideas of financial sustainability and managing reduced budgets

While the overarching principles of the Act have been well-received by both professionals and the public financial constraints have had an impact on just how prevention is actually carried out on a local level, especially as its benefits are often inherently long-term

When faced with difficult choices as to which initiatives to fund, the harder-to-measure nature of preventative care and support leaves it vulnerable relative to initiatives where impacts are known and more easily measured and understood

Dr Read is a Health and Care Research Wales Social Care Research Fellow and is currently looking into the best preventative social care practices for older people who are receiving some form of care or support including those living with dementia

He said: “In conditions of reduced budgets, history shows us that very meaningful preventative initiatives can be cut from budgets to detrimental effect My Fellowship is looking to demystify the idea of preventative social care shed light on best practice across Wales and think through how best to sustain these advances ”

“I Would Definitely Advise Anyone To Give Working In Care A Shot”

Chef Manager Jake had never considered working in a care setting before but he's not looked back since joining the team at Resthaven care home in Pitchcombe Stroud

“I didn’t think working in care was for me, but don’t knock it until you ve tried it! It s definitely one of the better decisions I ve made in my life!

Jake has enjoyed becoming part of Resthaven community and has even brought his dog Winnie in to visit Winnie tours the home and

delights all the residents she meets with her friendly enthusiasm!

Jake commented It s really good to spend time with the residents I know most of them by name and you get to hear their stories It s much less stressful than my last job and the feedback from the residents is great They really do enjoy their food ”

Jake finished with his recommendation I would definitely advise anyone to give working in care a shot

How Do You Turn The Tide Of Disengagement In The Care Sector?

The care sector is in crisis with attracting and retaining care workers an uphill struggle Particularly since Brexit, care homes have been battling to find and keep employees and this been exacerbated by both the pandemic and the cost-of-living squeeze

For those care workers currently employed exhaustion and disengagement are common Against such a challenging backdrop how can care providers go about turning the tide of unhappiness and find themselves better able to recruit and retain their people? The answer is employee listening

IN A DISENGAGEMENT CRISIS

WE’RE

According to the Care Quality Commission, 87 per cent of care home providers and 88 per cent of homecare providers are experiencing recruitment challenges Plus more than a quarter of care homes reporting workforce pressures are not actively admitting any new residents The social care workforce gap as a result of Brexit has been estimated to range from 350 000 to 1 1 million people by 2037

We ve also witnessed the deep impact of COVID which has led many care workers to feel burnt out or in ‘moral distress’, leading to further job vacancies and higher levels of disengagement With the cost-of-living crisis squeezing care workers salaries this is pushing even more people out of the sector – deepening the skills shortage and creating tensions between workers and managers

With so many challenges to unpick how can care providers even begin to improve engagement levels?

ACTIVE LISTENING

To create a workplace culture that attracts and retains the best care workers leaders must find out what really matters to their people – and then ensure these elements are prioritised This requires ‘active listening

This may seem simple, but all too often leaders assume they know what’s best for their people rather than taking the time to find out And when workers aren t asked for feedback and input the outcome is a workplace experience that s been created from the ‘top down’ rather than collaboratively Workers don’t feel their opinion counts and will feel powerless to bring about change

On the flipside a care provider that regularly checks in on their people – asking them how they are and what’s important to them – will gain invaluable insights they can action to ensure their people are motivated and that the culture is both attractive and sticky

This ‘active listening’ approach must become the foundation of any business strategy, and not just seen as

By Ian Barrow, Senior Employee Experience Consultant from WorkBuzz (www workbuzz com)

an add on by HR After all no matter how much leaders want to march ahead in a particular direction, if their people are going in the opposite direction the outcome won t be a good one

Leaders must adopt a few different mechanisms to gather feedback – such as one-to-ones between managers and employees where discussions take place beyond the job role for example around wellbeing; and focus groups and workshops that look at breaking the barriers that make the day-to-day job difficult These approaches allow employees to share stories bring their ideas to life, and feel heard in a very personal way

However care providers must also make use of engagement surveys for gathering detailed and quantifiable insights that can ‘check the temperature’ of employee feeling throughout the year These pulse surveys are short and concise and might be sent out every couple of weeks each month or even quarterly to pulse check key areas from employee health and wellbeing through to satisfaction with the management team The software used for these surveys must be mobile-optimised of course allowing hard-to-reach care workers to complete them on their own devices Employees can be incentivised to complete the surveys by giving all respondents the chance to win a shopping voucher, for example, and this helps increase response rates

With a treasure trove of insights to hand, the information can be analysed to find out what is and isn’t working at an organisation and to form the basis of an action plan It could be that the onboarding process needs improvement that workers need to feel appreciated or that night workers feel isolated – so finding ways to improve these key elements becomes key

When employees recognise that their feedback truly matters and is being used to drive changes to their employee experience, the outcome is greater engagement People feel valued, increasingly empowered and part of a caring organisation

DITCHING ASSUMPTIONS

Assumptions are dangerous When leaders assume they know what’s best for their workforce improving engagement becomes an ongoing struggle If care providers are to nurture a working environment that’s attractive to talent retains people for longer and encourages them to perform at their best they must use active listening to find out what can be done to improve their workers’ everyday experience

With so many challenges facing the care sector there s never been a better time to listen

Rivermede Court Residents Raise Awareness of Dementia with Wonderful Art Installation

Residents from Care South’s Sussexdown residential care home in Storrington learnt how to play wheelchair croquet thanks to a lesson from local croquet ace John Coventry

Starting with the basic rules residents from Sussexdown were taught the best croquet techniques in the home’s extensive and beautifully manicured gardens The lesson was made accessible for all as each resident was taught to play seated in wheelchairs After some practice and a lot of balls hit residents joined in with a friendly introductory game Activities assistant Pauline was given the suggestion of wheelchair croquet by her father

Canon Peter Cole Peter enjoys croquet and plays in a wheelchair due to his mobility He recommended his friend and West Chiltington Croquet Club member, John Coventry, teach the residents of the home how to play The activity will now take place weekly at Sussexdown

John Coventry said: “It was a great opportunity to come to Sussexdown and teach something I am so passionate about Croquet is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone and we are thrilled to be coming into the home every Thursday afternoon to take part in some friendly competition

Residents and staff established a new type of accessible croquet so that everyone can get involved It is a wonderful activity that relatives can also join in with when they visit their loved ones

ATurning Point

In a care home environment the client as much as a patient in an acute environment benefits from regular turning Supported by the NICE guidelines it has been proven that regular turning regimes can prevent and in some cases can significantly contribute to the healing process of existing pressure injuries whether presented upon arrival or even acquired at the care home WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO GET A PRESSURE ULCER?

Anyone living in a care home can develop a pressure ulcer but some factors make it more likely: Limited mobility/unable to change position

without help

• A loss of feeling in part of the body

History of pressure ulcers or having one now

Not having eaten or hydrated well for a sustained period

Thin dry or weak skin

A significant cognitive impairment

HOW DOES A PRESSURE ULCER OCCUR?

John grew to love the sport back at school and later joined St Helens Rowden Croquet Club in Cheshire where he was a member for about 15 years before moving to Sussex and has now been playing at West Chiltington Croquet Club since 2018 Canon Peter Cole who also attended the lesson of croquet and his wife, Marian, was gifted a croquet set when they moved from Folkestone Church Parishioners to a new parish They moved to a village in West Sussex called Fittleworth but there wasn’t a croquet club there so Peter put something in the local magazine and the local community were interested which is when everyone began playing at the old Rectory Garden in Fittleworth When that expanded, the Rother Valley Croquet Club was formed in Duncton and it went on to thrive with a current membership of over one hundred members

Pauline Dando Activities Assistant at Sussexdown commented: After a long cold and wet winter residents were longing to get out and enjoy the lovely gardens With a newly purchased croquet set I suggested that we get a specialist to come and show residents how to play and have a friendly introductory game Everyone loved getting involved and learning from John who did a wonderful job teaching the basics to residents in our care As mole heaps and long grass do not make for an easy game, Gary the gardener here did a great job preparing the lawn ready for the activity to take place

implemented in conjunction with an accurate risk assessment of the clients needs

All organisations recognise the need for regular turning but the pressures they face from reduced staffing levels, in a reducing labour pool, means that the demands on reduced staffing levels can sometimes mean that the ideological turning regimes are not always met, leading to the risk of acquired pressure injuries

Pressure ulcers occur when an area of skin and the t ssues underneath it are damaged by being under such pressure that the blood supply is reduced; typically when people spend long periods in a bed or chair

BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE TURNING & HOW CAN EQUIPMENT HELP WITH PREVENTION AND THERAPY?

Equipment that offers suitable pressure relieving or pressure redistribution qualities subject to the risk factors can reduce or even remove the prevalence of PI’s provided a suitable Care Plan is written and

The answer appears simple invest in highly motivated capable staff manage the client diligently and offer assistance in maintaining independent mobility But of course that s not sometimes possible staff may be slightly less motivated due to external factors and independent patient mobility is not always the case

Equipment however can assist with that issue especially when a high dependence for repositioning is required The Optima Turn Mattress System by Wellell has been designed to reduce the burden on caregivers aiding repositioning without having to necessarily touch the patient benefitting all parties the patient their family the carer and the care home

If you are facing these issues and need help? Contact: sales uk@wellell com

The Association Launches National Picture of Mental Health Social Care Workforce

The Association of Mental Health Providers (The Association) has undertaken the first national mental health workforce analysis The analysis, which has been conducted to establish a clearer overview of the national and regional picture of the mental health social care workforce, can be visualised via a freely available interactive map and dashboard

The Mental Health Social Care Workforce and Census Data dashboard combines data from The Association’s members Skills for Careworkforce data and Census 2022 data; this includes demographic data relating to gender ethnicity, religion, age, health status, and hours of unpaid care provision

By bringing these datasets together in one place The Association hope to improve understanding of how local, regional and national labour markets interact and what these interactions mean for workforce planning locally and regionally particularly when reviewing specialist positions

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE WORKFORCE ANALYSIS HIGHLIGHT:

Overall the mental health workforce has over 536 000 positions filled of which over 16 000 are specialist positions

Over the last 5 years, the overall mental health workforce decreased by over 11,000 and the specialist workforce by almost 7 000

27% of the overall and 9% of the specialist workforce is on zero-hour contracts, and 88% of the whole workforce have a permanent employment status

Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board has 1 specialist mental health role per 20 000 people within the population whilst comparatively South East London Integrated Care Board has 1 specialist mental health role per 667 people within the population

Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive of The Association says:

While the entire social care system is experiencing a major shortage in workforce this map reveals not just the extent of the shortfall in the mental health social care workforce, but the areas of specific need and

specialist provision for the population living there

“We know that over 8 million people receive support from a mental health charity providing services and feedback from our 300 plus members delivering over 3,000 services locally, regionally, and nationally, has highlighted concerns in recruiting and retaining staff impacting their ability to deliver services effectively

“The overall vacancy factor of 8 7% for specialist mental health professionals plus the emergence of a trend for these roles to be replaced by generalist posts is already having a huge knock on effect for those who need support to live safe and well within their community; one of the key findings of the BMA Mental Health workforce report workforce shortages in mental health can seriously affect staff workload wellbeing morale and the ability for staff to provide good quality of care ”

“This is resulting in increased pressures within community services mental health Urgent and Emergency Care and inpatient pathways across all ages

“Both within the NHS Long Term Plan and the Community Mental Health Framework (CMHF) there is a prioritisation of a skilled and valued workforce

“The Community Mental Health Framework (CMHF) aspires to provide a model of personalised wraparound care which requires a radical contribution from the social care sector especially in community support enhancing prevention and wellbeing interventions; many of the organisations providing the community support are from the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector

Addressing the workforce shortages and contracting to support the 27% of our workforce on zero-hour contracts must be a priority We call upon government to work with us ensuring VCSE mental health workforce is included in social care workforce recruitment and retention planning

The workforce analysis mapping tool can be found at: https //amhp org uk/our-work/mental-healthworkforce-mapping/

The Day The Piglets Came To Shelburne Lodge

Shelburne Lodge care home in High Wycombe, was full of animal mischief on Thursday 1st June when three beautiful little piglets came to visit the home

Residents at Shelburne Lodge were pleasantly surprised to see baby piglets around their home as Performing Pets paid a visit The piglets, Ronnie, Reggie and Millie are just 4 weeks old and are orphans so were in much need of a cuddle

General Manager Diana Nica said: Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors today and all loved being able to give

the piglets a bottle of warm milk to drink We knew that having the piglets here would be a bit of fun for all our residents especially as some find it difficult to go on many outings in our minibus We are always looking for new activities for the residents and today we have seen the seen the enjoyment and the therapeutic influence animals can have on people ”

Resident Beryl Taylor was very excited by the piglets: I was so shocked to see them it was a lovely surprise I ve never held or bottle fed a baby pig and I certainly won’t ever forget it!”

Final Four Weeks To Get Spring Booster With More Than Half Protected

The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their spring booster ahead of the seasonal campaign coming to a close at the end of June

The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has provided more than 3 6 million people with a spring booster to date which is more than half of those eligible

Friday 30 June is also the last chance for those yet to have their first or second covid vaccine dose to come forward After this the NHS is moving to a targeted seasonal offer for those at increased risk

There are millions of appointments available over the next four weeks at thousands of sites across the country making it easier than ever to get protected

The campaign kicked off on 3 April in adult care homes and roving NHS teams have now visited around nine in 10 care homes

More than 240,000 eligible care home residents – over three quarters of those eligible – have had this extra protection

Others eligible for a spring dose have been vaccinated since 17 April

Around 6 6 million are eligible in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which includes people aged 75 and over people aged five and over with weakened immune systems and older adult care home residents

NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said Most of those offered the vaccine this spring have now had this extra protection, including over three quarters of older adult care home residents There is now just one month left for others who are eligible to come forward

“If you have had only one COVID vaccine so far or none at all it is not too late You can get vaccinated

quickly and easily until 30 June after which the offer will become more targeted like the regular flu vaccine Please make the most of the month ahead by protecting yourself from COVID before the offer ends ” Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: It s fantastic to see more than half of eligible people have topped up their protection against Covid with a spring booster but the job is not done

“If you have not yet taken up the offer you have just four weeks left until the programme closes to join the 3 6 million people that have already had the jab Even if you ve not yet had your first dose of the Covid vaccine you can still come forward before 30 June to boost your protection

“It couldn’t be easier to get your jab with thousands of sites available across the country so please do not delay

This latest vaccination is being offered to those considered most at risk, following JCVI advice

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online

Alternatively they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site

The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June

Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date following recent advice from the JCVI After 30 June the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns

There are more than 2 500 sites across England with the majority of appointments being delivered in communities by pharmacies and GP/

Carers Week: Ambassador Pledges to Ensure Carers Voices Are Heard

Cygnet s new Expert by Experience Carer Ambassador has spoken about the impact he hopes to make to the organisation to ensure carers voices are heard and that they continue to play an integral role in shaping the support provided to their loved one

As part of Cygnet’s ongoing commitment to carers and to demonstrate how it values the vital role that carers families and friends provide the leading health and social care company has introduced two Expert by Experience Carer Ambassador roles

These roles – fulfilled by people with lived experience as a carer – will help shape Cygnet s carer plan and they will take part in a range of opportunities for discussion and feedback across carers’ councils workshops and one-to-one conversations in all service areas

This week is Carers Week with charities organisations and individuals getting together to show support for the millions of unpaid carers in the UK - and to spread the word about the challenges they face throughout the year To mark the week, Cygnet has also this week launched its’ two-year Carer, Family & Friend Strategy which sets out how it will engage and support families and carers across its Cygnet Health Care and Cygnet Social Care services to provide outstanding safe high-quality services for every individual and their loved ones

Its new Expert by Experience Carer Ambassador Matthew McKenzie is a carer and author who runs several forums and support groups for carers looking after someone with mental health issue He previously cared for his mother and now supports his two brothers with autism

I usually get up very early when I visit my brothers he explained I want to spend as much of the day as I can with them So I often walk down the road to pick up my brother and take him to spend time with my other brother

“My caring tasks are making sure both my brothers are suited to the weather especially when I take them to the park I am given my brother’s inhaler in case his asthma flares up My other brother is ok but sometimes he can have trouble with his physical mobility

“The main thing is that we are outside, and it’s good to see the smiles on their faces

When it comes to demands on me these are usually about finding time to see them as I want to be

part of their lives as much as I can It s not just about visiting my brothers – it s about being involved in their care plans, care reviews and future planning My brothers are non-verbal so I act as their voice and speak up for them

“In my caring role I m not under as much pressure as other unpaid carers who get next to no support The only pressure is that I am the main person in my family who continues to be involved in their lives

Matthew now runs several carer forums that cover large parts of London He is also the chair of the National Triangle of Care community group and campaigns heavily for carer rights with the support of national carer charities Matthew often uses social media to raise awareness of mental health and carers and is also an NHS Citizen to continue promoting awareness of carers including cancer carers and ethnic minority carers He has written four books to continue raising awareness of mental health carers

He says: “I always felt that carers should get involved to create change within organisations I am involved in several mental health NHS trusts but felt I could make a difference at Cygnet

As a carer ambassador I can use my profile to connect with carers who often feel lost within the system Even though I heavily promote carer causes, I believe staff patient and carers should work together to increase communication and understanding There will be challenges but I also believe we should avoid shutting people out

Cygnet has done a lot to raise the profile of carers and I am excited to see what will develop from their latest carer initiatives I am sure Cygnet is up to the challenge to identify and support carers

Cygnet’s vision is to ensure carers, families and friends have a sense of belonging to ensure their diversity of background and life experience bring different insights create challenge and encourage change and innovation

The six priorities the strategy will help to meet include introducing measures to help identify and recognise carers ensuring staff are carer aware and trained in carer engagement supporting family and carers by providing or sign-posting support services available and improving the involvement of families and carers across the organisation

Care Home Participates In Project with End of Life Partnership to Aid Reminiscence Therapy RITA

Puddington care homes Chapel House Nursing Home and Plessington Court Residential Home are part of the RITA (Reminiscence Interactive Therapies Activities) Pilot Project for Care Homes

The new virtual staff member called RITA which stands for Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities, is an innovative evidence-based digital therapy system which allows residents to use a variety of games apps and other leisure activities as part of their care

Its interactive touch screen system allows patients to enjoy relaxing music watch archive BBC news footage, look through old photographs and listen to famous speeches all of which can help to spark memories and begin conversations It can also be personalised with bespoke content to create a life story collage

RITA can be used by both and staff and relatives to enhance conversations trigger memories and create opportunities for fun and laughter

The user-friendly technology which has been shown to be effective in caring for people who are anxious or distressed, is particularly beneficial for people with cognitive impairments such as dementia

use

help with letter formation

End of Life Partnership is an award-winning Cheshire charity which works with many different care organisations to help them achieve a positive outcome for the people they care for

Home Manager Keith Ley said “Our RITA machine is going down very well with residents who use it in different ways to blend therapy with entertainment Everyone can create their own profile on the machine and it keeps a record of their favourite music games and much-loved films

“We ve got residents who use it to create a story of their life and to store and record their memories and photographs while others enjoy watching vintage films Some of our residents love watching horse and pig racing on it which is really good fun

It s a really lovely tool when families visit because they can look at it with their loved one and it triggers lots of memories and conversations ”

business which was established in 1987 by the Moore family The homes offer residential, nursing and dementia care in a safe, secure and friendly environment in the heart of Puddington Cheshire

Falls In Care Homes: Advice Guidance and Best Practice On Preventing Falls. Risk Assessment, Technology, Training

By Raj Senniappan, founder and Managing Director of Therapies on Thames (www/therapiesonthames co uk)

Falls and fractures are a common and serious health issue faced by elderly people in the UK According to Public Health England individuals aged 65+ have the highest risk of falling with around a third of people aged 65 and over and half of people aged 80+ falling at least once a year Around 5% of falls lead to a fracture and hospitalisation

For the individual, a fall can have serious consequences, causing distress pain injury loss of confidence depression and loss of independence In a 1992 study by Lord et al, frequent fallers (3+ falls per year) were found to have particularly poor outcomes with nearly a third admitted to hospital transferred into nursing care or dying a year later

Fall causes are multifactorial and include muscle weakness visual impairment cognitive impairment neuropathy changes in balance and gait, and underlying physical conditions However, that is not to say that fall risk cannot be managed and reduced With appropriate assessment and training, care home residents can significantly improve their strength balance and mobility minimising their fall risk

The reduction of risk starts with a multifactorial falls risk assessment of the individual as defined by the clinical guidelines published by NICE (CG161 Falls in Older People) This assessment should be performed by a healthcare professional with appropriate skills and experience normally in the setting of a specialist falls or physiotherapy/occupational therapy service It is likely to include a discussion of the individual’s falls history an assessment of gait balance and mobility and muscle weakness an assessment of osteoporosis risk perceived functional ability and fear of falling, an assessment of visual impairment, cognitive impairment and urinary incontinence a cardiovascular exam and medication review and an assessment of environmental hazards

As a result of this risk assessment an individualised multifactorial intervention plan will be produced which targets each of the areas of weakness identified In successful multifactorial intervention programmes common components will include strength and balance training environmental hazard assess-

ment and intervention and a recommendation for medication review

Of these interventions strength and balance training is one area in which care homes can offer their residents basic exercise programmes which reduce their fall risk

One such exercise recommended by the NHS is the sit to stand whereby the individual sits on the edge of the chair with feet hip-width apart They should then stand up slowly (using their legs not arms) looking forward (not down) as they do so Once standing upright they should then slowly sit back down repeating this exercise 5 times

Other exercises which are particularly good for improving leg strength, balance, and co-ordination in the elderly are walking lifting light weights (i e bicep curls) yoga walking up stairs and pilates Exercises should be performed to the point at which it would be difficult to do another repetition without help with a typical exercise session taking less than 20 minutes

Alongside these physical activities it may be necessary to increase motivation and adherence among care home residents Educational programmes and social support strategies are particularly important where residents are encouraged to stay active improve their strength and balance and stay hydrated In addition to exercise programmes, hi-low (adjustable) beds are an important tool in minimising the fall risk for elderly people at high risk of confusion Falls sensors such as personal alarms can ensure that care home staff are immediately alerted to a fall minimising the risk of additional injury

Where a resident has had a series of falls specialist physiotherapy or occupational therapy is often required to identify the underlying cause of the issue and to create a targeted specific and progressive exercise programme to reduce the risk of falls This will often include strengthening the muscles around the hip knee and ankle improving the flexibility of the trunk and lower limbs and introducing some light endurance training

Reducing fall risk is one of the greatest challenges that a care home can face However, by implementing targeted, specific interventions with guidance from physiotherapy professionals with a speciality in elderly care this risk can be significantly reduced allowing care home residents to maintain their mobility and independence for longer

Mayoress Of Barnet Launches Dementia Librar y at a Local Care Home

Carlton Court Care Home based in Barnet and part of the luxury care home group – TLC Care were delighted to have the Mayoress of Barnet –Alison Moore launch Carlton Court’s very own Dementia Library

The Dementia Library hosts a resource of Dementia specific content and is designed to be a community-based support service for the local community The home believes that access to these informative and valuable resources has enormous potential and will enable the community to better understand the complexities related to Dementia

Mayoress of Barnet Alison Moore said

“It’s really an honour be able to visit today, to launch your community Dementia Library You and your team have developed expertise in helping those living with dementia to live as full a life as they are able to and enjoy the things that they love for as long as possible

Pradeep D’cruz, Home Manager at Carlton Court expressed “It is very important for us to be a part of the wider community and we look forward to people making use of our library to better enhance their understanding of Dementia We all look forward to welcoming visitors to this free resource it s a pleasure to able to support in this way “

The catering team of the home prepared delectable refreshments that were relished by both the residents and the visitors, making for a delightful and prosperous afternoon that everyone thoroughly enjoyed

Carlton Court is an exceptional care home located in the leafy suburbs of Barnet offering an array of amenities such as a picturesque garden cinema hair and beauty salon and more tailored to enhance the residents quality of life The home prides itself on its award-winning dining services and compassionate team, dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of its residents With state-of-the-art facilities Carlton Court offers residential, nursing, and dementia care in a luxurious setting while also ensuring a personalised touch to make residents feel at home

Athena Care Homes Takes Another Step Towards Zero Waste

Athena Care Homes is taking another step forward in their mission to reduce their environmental impact The East Anglian care home company has committed to using eco-friendly non-hazardous cleaner OdorBac across all of their homes

Manufacturers 2Pure who produce the multi-use cleaner in the UK using renewable energy sources, operate a refill scheme They use LoopBox to reuse the five-litre containers – with customers simply repacking the empty containers in the boxes they were delivered in and returning them to be washed and refilled meaning it is a zero-waste closed-loop system Athena made the decision to switch from multiple other products to the multi-use OdorBac after seeing how progressive 2Pure is in its approach to protecting the environment The fluid is delivered as a concentrate and diluted on site to reduce transport costs and emissions and it is 100% biodegradable

The solution can be used as a cleaner degreaser sanitiser fabric cleaner carpet shampoo and odour

eliminator making cleaning processes more time efficient for housekeeping teams while still giving them the reassurance that they are cleaning effectively OdorBac provides 99 99% protection against coronaviruses and inhibits the growth of germs

Athena Care Homes is committed to protecting our environment and leaving a lasting legacy for their residents; planting five trees for each resident that moves in to one of their care homes

Katherine Foley, Group Operations Director at Athena Care Homes, said: We are constantly reviewing our operations and looking at more ecofriendly options that allow us to continue providing a high level of service while also protecting our environment

For us OdorBac was an obvious choice It provides the effective cleaning in a variety of scenarios, while also reducing waste and offering efficiencies around our homes

For more information on Athena visit www athenacarehomes co uk

can be found at www 2pureproducts co uk

Alzheimer’s Research Launches Flagship Walking Event

Alzheimer s Research UK is launching a new flagship walking event in three locations this summer

Walk For A Cure the charity s brand new event series will start with three 5km fundraising walks in July in Lee Valley, London; Harrogate, Yorkshire; and Edinburgh Scotland

The family-friendly walks will bring people impacted by dementia together Among those taking part will be Alzheimer’s Research UK supporter Olive Munro who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2017

Julia Sobik Head of Sporting Events for Alzheimer s Research UK said:

We are delighted to be launching our new Walk For A Cureevent series in three stunning UK locations this summer

“Almost one million people are living with dementia in the UK today

Tragically not one of them will survive Alzheimer s Research UK exists to change that

Come and join us on the Walk For A Cure Your support will fund pioneering dementia research that will help us to save people from the heartbreak of dementia

The first walk takes place in Lee Valley Park London on Saturday 8 July followed by a walk through The Stray in the heart of Harrogate on Sunday 23 July The final walk of the series will take place in Holyrood Park, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic and beautiful locations, on Sunday 30 July

Chippy

But I am constantly aware of my diagnosis and worried about how things will get worse

I know that developments in dementia research are likely to come too late for me, but I’m determined to do what I can to help scientists find a cure so future generations will not be affected

I have six grandchildren and I hope that in their lifetime s dementia will become something that people no longer need to worry about But this will not happen without support for research

“That’s why I’m so excited to take part in Walk For A Cure and I hope lots of people will join me at the event in Edinburgh and attend the other events around the country ”

For more details of the events and to sign up visit:

ARUK | Walk For A Cure (alzheimersresearchuk org)

A team from Alzheimer’s Research UK will be at each event, supporting you and providing information and guidance along the way There will be lots of places to sit, before, during and after the walk Water stops and support staff will be available across the events

Alzheimer’s Research UK supporter Olive Munro lives in Perthshire and will be taking part in the Edinburgh event

She said: “When I was told I had vascular dementia it was very upsetting I am fortunate that I am currently still able to live life to the full

Teas All Round At Local Care Home

Staff and residents at Barchester s Hugh Myddelton

House care home in Southgate and our local community friends had a fantastic time celebrating National Fish & Chip Day on Friday 2nd June surely one of the best days of the year!

Our chef Rakshee whipped up a selection of different flavoured batters for residents to try along with some home-made tartare sauce and mushy peas everyone had a great time guessing the different batter ingredients The sun was shining so residents took to the garden to eat their fish and chips in paper cones with wooden forks in time-honoured tradition Deputy Manager, Cynthia Godwin, said: “It wasn’t just the residents that were excited when we found out there was a National Fish & Chip Day, the eyes of all our staff lit up too – fish & chips

are such an iconic dish, everyone loves them and it s even better when there is a good excuse to eat them!”

Margaret a resident at Hugh Myddelton House commented: We ve all had such a lovely day It just doesn t get any better than fish and chips and a cold glass of beer it s always been my favourite – you can t beat fish & chips as far as I’m concerned!

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities

Hugh Myddelton is run by Barchester Healthcare one of the UK s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals Hugh Myddelton provides nursing care residential care, respite care

RAISING THE STANDARD OF STAIR CLIMBING SOLUTIONS

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact, easy to use, powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings

Offering innovative designs, all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces, for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition, all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer’s warranty

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Signs of Burnout and How to Cope

Burnout is an important topic in recent times Statistics vary but it's safe to say that anywhere from 50%-75% of healthcare professionals report signs and symptoms of burnout or are actively experiencing it

This rate is contributing to the labour shortage in healthcare and other industries, showing that there are serious consequences

But by identifying the signs and potential coping mechanisms you can push back against burnout

WHAT IS IT?

Burnout is usually attributed to excessive and prolonged stress It s a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion It can make us feel emotionally drained and incapable of functioning or handling more pressure even outside of work It's often identified by its hallmark of feeling drained helpless hopeless and resentful

Often burnout occurs because we re not getting enough opportunities to relax and recharge from stressful environments

Think of it like your car s gas tank If you re always running your vehicle at highway speeds but never refuelling the gas tank, you will run out of fuel faster And if you try driving on an empty tank you can damage the engine making it less likely to run at those highway speeds again

The same basic thing happens to our minds and bodies Burnout results from running ourselves too fast and thin for too long

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BURNOUT

ADVANCED SIGNS OF BURNOUT

Burnout has some early signs that you can watch out for These signs allow you to turn things around and refill your tank

Early signs include:

Every day is a bad day

Caring about work or home life seems like a complete waste of energy

• Being exhausted all the time

The majority of tasks feel either woefully dull or overwhelming

• Feeling like nothing you do is making any difference or that you're unappreciated

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF BURNOUT

Burnout is as physical as any other condition, although it’s typically considered a mental health issue Physical signs to look out for include:

Feeling tired and drained the majority of the time

A lowering of immunity and frequent illnesses

Frequent headaches and muscle pains

Change in sleep or eating habits

EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF BURNOUT

Burnout is often described by the emotional toll it takes Emotional signs include:

• Sense of failure and self-doubt

Feeling helpless trapped or defeated constantly

• Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment

Loss of motivation

An increasingly cynical and negative outlook

Detachment and feeling alone in the world

Behavioural Signs of Burnout

Behavioural symptoms of burnout can help us identify it in others and ourselves Behavioural symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

• Withdrawing from responsibilities

By Dr Nadia Correia

Skipping work or arriving late and departing early

• Using food drugs or alcohol to cope

Isolating from others

• Taking frustrations out on others

Procrastinating or taking more time to get things done

HOW TO COPE WITH BURNOUT EXERCISE AND SLEEP

Although these two things seem on opposite sides of the spectrum they’re two halves of one coin This is because sleep restores your well-being and fills your gas tank naturally by repairing cells and protecting your health Whereas exercise helps give you the tools you need to cope better with stress The aim with harnessing the best practices in these is to build our bodies and minds up to prevent burnout from worsening

TALK ABOUT IT

A major symptom of burnout is the desire to self-isolate This means pulling away from others because we feel like we don't have the energy to cope with them and it s a common aspect So the danger lies here

Talking to others within our community, from friends and family to social services allows us to connect with others and refill our fuel tank Reaching out to others can also help combat the symptoms of burnout naturally This includes protecting yourself from it happening in the first place Social prescribing makes finding ways to treat burnout holistically and naturally easier This practice of leveraging community and connections to bolster our health is gaining traction as more people break the stigma around mental health

Complex Mental Health: The Benefits of Social Prescribing provides a comprehensive overview of the complexities of mental health issues like burnout and how social prescribing can be leveraged to help Check this out on Amazon for more information

Tour De Barchester – Local Care Home Workers Take On Charity Cycling

For the second year running staff from Barchester Healthcare s care homes and hospitals are taking on a gruelling cycling challenge this time from Exeter to Eastbourne and then on to Purley Their aim is to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities

Over four days from June 6th- 9th a team of Barchester staff will cycle a mammoth 276 miles from Exeter to Purley, stopping at 15 care homes across Barchester s South division to meet well-wishers have a wellearned break and refuel before continuing on their way

On Friday 9th June at around 10:50am the tour will stop at Hazel Lodge

Care Home in Battle where the home will be offering refreshments and holding a sponsored ‘virtual’ cycle ride and raffle to help raise funds Please do come along to the home to show your support To donate please visit: https://www justgiving com/page/tourdebarchester23

Caroline Pulleyn General Manager at Hazel Lodge said: It is going to be a long and tiring four days in the saddle for all concerned which is why we re asking our local community to come down and support the team on the day – we re hoping to raise lots of money for some great causes We know all the staff, residents, relatives and visitors will get behind the team at each of the homes along the way We d like to thank everyone who has helped so far, it really has been a real team effort ”

Revitalise Respite Holidays Launches 2023 Summer Season

Revitalise the national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and their carers is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the launch of their 2023 summer season

Revitalise is a unique provider of respite holidays for those who need 24-hour care supported by skilled care and nursing staff All centres are fully accessible with specialised facilities and equipment The group has two centres, based in Southport and Chigwell and caters for adults with a variety of different disabilities

Revitalise centres offer breaks in a relaxed holiday-style environment in which guests can unwind in beautiful settings with access to a wide range of daily activities and evening entertainment There are opportunities to visit new places make new friends, participate in wellbeing activities like manicures and reiki, or just enjoy some much-needed time off

Emily Sheardown Reservations Manager says ‘A Revitalise holiday offers an important lifeline to disabled people and carers who need a break and deserve a proper time away from the day-to-day

Summer prices start from £680 for a three- or four-night break Care support packages are priced additionally based on individual support needs Revitalise are launching a campaign in May to highlight the lack of respite care on offer and the urgent need for funding so that more people can take a break

Booking:

Call: 0303 303 0145

Email: bookings@revitalise org uk

Book online: www revitalise org uk/book-now/

Accessible Croquet is a Hit with Residents at Storrington Care Home

Residents from Care South’s Sussexdown residential care home in Storrington learnt how to play wheelchair croquet thanks to a lesson from local croquet ace, John Coventry

Starting with the basic rules residents from Sussexdown were taught the best croquet techniques in the home’s extensive and beautifully manicured gardens The lesson was made accessible for all as each resident was taught to play seated in wheelchairs After some practice and a lot of balls hit residents joined in with a friendly introductory game Activities assistant Pauline was given the suggestion of wheelchair croquet by her father Canon Peter Cole Peter enjoys croquet and plays in a wheelchair due to his mobility He recommended his friend and West Chiltington Croquet Club member John Coventry, teach the residents of the home how to play The activity will now take place weekly at Sussexdown

John Coventry said: “It was a great opportunity to come to Sussexdown and teach something I am so passionate about Croquet is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone and we are thrilled to be coming into the home every Thursday afternoon to take part in some friendly competition Residents and staff established a new type of accessible croquet so that everyone can get involved It is a wonderful activity that relatives can also join in with when they visit their loved ones John grew to love the sport back at school and later joined St Helens Rowden Croquet Club in Cheshire

where he was a member for about 15 years before moving to Sussex and has now been playing at West Chiltington Croquet Club since 2018 Canon Peter Cole who also attended the lesson of croquet and his wife, Marian, was gifted a croquet set when they moved from Folkestone Church Parishioners to a new parish They moved to a village in West Sussex called Fittleworth but there wasn t a croquet club there so Peter put something in the local magazine and the local community were interested which is when everyone began playing at the old Rectory Garden in Fittleworth When that expanded the Rother Valley Croquet Club was formed in Duncton and it went on to thrive with a current membership of over one hundred members Pauline Dando Activities Assistant at Sussexdown commented After a long, cold, and wet winter, residents were longing to get out and enjoy the lovely gardens With a newly purchased croquet set I suggested that we get a specialist to come and show residents how to play and have a friendly introductory game Everyone loved getting involved and learning from John who did a wonderful job teaching the basics to residents in our care As mole heaps and long grass do not make for an easy game Gary the gardener here did a great job preparing the lawn ready for the activity to take place ”

Why Should Policymakers Be Interested In Unpaid Care?

This Carers Week, George Appleton, Head of Policy at Care England, writes a blogreflecting on the importance of unpaid carers and why policymakers should be interested in unpaid care

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK

Care England a registered charity is the leading representative body for small medium and large providers in England Our aim is to create an environment in which care providers can continue to deliver and develop the high-quality care that communities require and deserve

As part of our work, it is vital to appreciate the role unpaid carers play in supporting the adult social care sector our workforce and the wider population

As many will appreciate the UK’s population is ageing

Understanding why our population is ageing and the consequential challenges this presents is critical for all those involved within the sector, ranging from national government to care providers themselves as it is essential for understanding what the future demand and supply of care services will need to look like

The primary driver of the challenges the sector currently faces is a result of increased demand for care

Demand is being driven by the increasing number of people living longer, as a result of improvements in life expectancy and reduced fertility rates ballooning the older age cohorts which is in turn driving up the total number of people with a physical disability and other vulnerable people who are more likely to require some form of care and support

Independent care providers face an unprecedented number of challenges ranging from financial pressures to recruitment and retention issues Although bodies such as Care England continue to play a vital role in creating visibility around these issues and striving to deliver tangible solutions to care providers to ensure they can provide quality and accessible care, the unpaid care sector plays a vital role in supporting the sustainability of the sector but the long-term sustainability of the unpaid care sector is also under pressure

From a demographic perspective fertility levels in the UK are decreasing meaning that those now in

receipt of care typically have smaller families and therefore a smaller network of people to rely on to provide care In conjunction with this, there has also been an increase in childlessness Approximately, one in five British women currently reach age 45 with no biological children again reducing the immediate network of people able to provide care

However the reduction in fertility doesn’t necessarily mean a reduction in support for those in old age

The improvements in old age mortality mean that increased survival of spouses and siblings has actually added to the support networks of older people Research indicates that a married older person has a significantly lower risk of being admitted into a residential or nursing home as spousal support is the first source of caregiving

This picture is complicated by the changes in family structures and relationships For example the number of divorces in England and Wales saw its largest percentage increase in nearly 50 years in 2019 Evidence suggests that widowed divorced and never married adults have a high risk of long-term care admission It is also now uncommon to live with multiple generations of a family in the same household In the context of old age support, in the 19th century, there were a high number of older individuals living with a child compared to a relatively low number now

As a final complexity, one of the most consistent findings across research is that women provide more family care than men; female caregivers provide more hours of care and are more likely to provide personal assistance Given the continuing rise of female participation in the labour market, this has naturally produced concerns about the number of people available to provide family support

The issues represent a small but illustrative picture of how complex workforce demographics are As we celebrate Carers Week this year it is incumbent on policymakers to recognise the vital role unpaid carers play in the lives of millions of people every day but also their vital contribution to helping support the care sector more broadly Without central aid to the unpaid care sector, the issues the adult social care sector, as a whole faces will only be exacerbated

Care England will continue to work with the government and wider national stakeholders to tackle the issues currently within the adult social care sector and want to work with all system partners to get it right for all

Care Home Bids Fond Farewell To Ducklings As They Fly The Nest

A Surrey care home has waved goodbye to three of its latest residents who have flown the nest having enjoyed a brief spell of specialist respite care

Whilst Signature at Reigate Grange residents are typically more mature in age and outlook the care home welcomed a trio of ducklings who spent their first 10 days living there

Reigate Grange residents and team members paid close attention to Jeremy, Mimsey and Piglet from their early days as eggs in their incubator before they each slowly hatched in the care home s activities room

During their stay at the care home the trio received plenty of care and support from residents feeding them growers pellets The ducklings were even able to enjoy their first swim under the auspices of the Reigate Grange community

The care home s residents and team members were entrusted with the responsibility by Incredible Eggs, an ethical provider of high-welfare hatching kits throughout England and Scotland It encourages communities to take part in hatching to help educate society on animal welfare safeguarding biodiversity and wildlife conservation

With Jeremy Mimsey and Piglet now heading off to a farm in Kent, Reigate Grange is ready to welcome its next set of ducklings to enjoy respite care

Brian Rowbotham a resident at Signature at Reigate Grange said: We really enjoyed having the ducklings with us, and watching them hatch and grow so quickly was very special

“They looked very pretty none of the three were ugly ducklings! It was a lovely activity and responsibility for us all to share and we look forward to welcoming more ducklings into our community

Florence Kirkland Client Liaison Manager at Signature at Reigate Grange said: “We spent hours watching Jeremy Mimsey and Piglet slowly hatch out of their eggs and quickly grow into the thriving noisy swimming ducklings we had at our home

Our Residents have had a great time watching them grow and enjoyed many cuddles and even got to see them enjoy their first swim

A big thank you to Incredible Eggs for allowing us the responsibility of looking after our ducklings and we hope that Jeremy Mimsey and Piglet enjoy life back on the farm with their friends ”

Forbes Professional Helps Care Homes Ensure Optimal Protection

Laundry equipment is a critical investment for any care home extending way beyond the delivery of immaculately pressed shirts for discerning residents By choosing specialised commercial appliances the healthcare sector can efficiently process the requisite wash volumes whilst maintaining a safe environment and adhering to stringent regulatory requirements

The Association for Applied Hygiene and Robert Koch Institute stipulate that combining disinfection programmes with appropriate segregation of clean and dirty laundry is required for infection control Care homes must also choose a reliable partner for the provision, service and maintenance of laundry equipment If a machine breaks down it is imperative to know it will be repaired or replaced urgently as machine downtime can be highly impactful

Forbes Professional carefully select manufacturers in order to deliver the highest standards of product and service A national distribution partner to Miele, they install and maintain laundry and dishwashing machines to care homes across the UK Miele is renowned for producing highly energy, water and user efficient appliances Their heat pump dryers reduce energy consumption by

an astounding 70% when compared to standard vented dryers making them a great choice for any care home Furthermore the employment of impressive array of hygiene and safety functions enables Miele’s intelligent appliances to continually monitor the parameters that are crucial to disinfection Miele washing machines offer thermal and chemo-thermal disinfection programmes and recent models have received the highly coveted Seal in Black as a testimony to exceptional hygiene standards, with special recognition for deactivating more than 99 9% of all viruses

Forbes works closely with clients to deliver a hygienic, efficient solution that meets budget and space requirements and fully complies with WRAS and CQC regulations Their inclusive maintenance and repair services eliminate unexpected expenses and reduce machine downtime Forbes enables invaluable support and adaptability so that care homes can respond to changing resident populations or regulatory guidelines and focus on providing high-quality care, knowing that their equipment is in capable hands forbespro co uk | info@forbes-professional co uk | 0345 070 2335

Legionella Record Keeping Using Software

Written by Roy Sullivan, Senior Consultant, Water Hygiene Centre (www waterhygienecentre com)

WATER HYGIENE GUIDANCE

When managing Legionella and other waterborne pathogens we must keep concise accurate records of all our activities HSG274 Part 2 sections 24 – 26 and HTM04-01 Part B Para 6 74 – 6 79 refers to record keeping and data management

Businesses with five or more employees are required to keep records of any significant findings from a risk assessment including any identified Legionella risks and the steps taken to prevent or control them Records must be retained for the period they remain current and for at least two years afterward, except for records kept for monitoring and inspection, which should be kept for at least five years

PAPER V ELECTRONIC LOGBOOKS

Historically records have been held as hard copies in the form of Legionella Logbooks As technology evolves and improves, so do the alternatives to paper Logbooks You only have to search online for

“Electronic Logbook” and you will be directed to a multitude of systems that are currently readily available

When you consider the volume of data that you may have to manage for example in a healthcare environment or a hospital site with large and complex systems, the amount of data can be overwhelming Storing all this data on paper and more importantly being able to access a particular piece of information quickly can prove problematic SO, WHAT LEGIONELLA RECORDS DO I NEED TO KEEP?

Written or electronic records should contain accurate information about who completed the work and when it was carried out All records should be signed, verified, or authenticated by a signature or other appropriate means Records should include details of the:

Individuals responsible for conducting the Legionella risk assessment managing and implementing the written scheme; Legionella risk assessment findings;

“Written” control scheme and details of its implementation; Operational details of the system for example - in use/not in use; Monitoring inspection results including dates and any corrective actions required as defined in the written scheme of precautions such as:

o Results from chemical/microbial analysis;

o Usage of any Water treatment chemical;

o Confirmed correct operation of water treatment equipment through inspections and checks;

o Confirmed correct and safe operation of water systems components through inspections and checks;

Any maintenance to the water systems, equipment, and water treatment system;

Cleaning/disinfection procedures including certificates and reports;

• Method Statements for any work carried out

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Most if not all the electronic systems currently available also have the capacity and functionality to;

• Manage your assets; Schedule planned preventative maintenance;

Automatically issue the work to the workforce via handheld devices

• Capture all results from the maintenance work in real-time; Notify you of non-conformances in real-time

There is also the benefit of all records being in one place on a cloud/portal whereby they can be easily accessed or interrogated remotely by, for example, managers and members of the Water Safety Group

Another great advantage is that reports can be generated, normally with a few clicks of a mouse to satisfy contractual obligations such as monthly KPI reports and assurance reports for the client or Water Safety Group in a format that is easily communicated by email

Electronic record-keeping systems also make auditing a much-simplified process when compared to hard copy logbooks

CONCLUSION

Technology plays a critical role in driving efficiency maximising the use of available resources improving efficiency streamlining operations, and through real-time reporting, helping to achieve and maintain compliance It is undoubtedly the way ahead

MoliCare® Celebrates 40 Years of Incontinence Protection, Ever y Day

MoliCare®, the global incontinence brand, is celebrating 40 years of supporting people carers and healthcare professionals with solution-based pads pants and skincare products The product range has been designed to help the everyday needs of those living with incontinence and bladder weakness with the care of the skin at the heart of the MoliCare® brand

Incontinence is a condition that affects 1 in 4 women in the UK For a condition which is so common there is still a sense of embarrassment and isolation that leaves people feeling lonely and unsupported In fact, 68% of those living with incontinence feel that it has had a negative impact on their quality of life and just over half believe that urinary incontinence is a taboo subject Therefore it is vital that there is an increase in societal support as well as a wide range of simple solutions for people living with incontinence

MoliCare® has developed a range of pads and pants which feel like underwear Over the last forty years, the brand has continued to focus on protection, security, and comfort as the core criteria for its product performance MoliCare® believes in plain talking backed up by their healthcare professional expertise, to create simple solutions for people living with incontinence

MoliCare® continually strives to address the needs of its customers; from nurses through to care givers, family members and people living with incontinence They have developed an easy to remember acronym - SAS - to simplify the product selection process

S – Style There are various styles such as large and small pads or complete pull up mobile pants to suit various levels of mobility There are also products for men and women based on anatomical differences and urine flow

A – Absorbency MoliCare® s droplet guide makes selection straightforward S – Size, MoliCare®’ s in-depth sizing guide ensures that products selected, are a comfortable and secure fit

HARTMANN, the company behind MoliCare®, continues to invest in and develop in their products This includes the introduction of new technology to the MoliCare® Premium Form range of large shaped pads that now features a new absorbent core known as ADL (Acquisition Distribution Layer) The ADL layer contains super absorbent polymers treated with Citrate which neutralise the urine for better skin health In addition, the ADL layer now features a new channel, set within the pad to help to distribute urine Both innovations improve the feeling of dryness by over 70% again demonstrating MoliCare®’s commitment to skin care

As part of MoliCare® s holistic approach to incontinence the brand has developed a range of specialist skincare products which are skin friendly pH balanced and are gentle on delicate sensitive skin Used together MoliCare® provides a complete skin care and incontinence management solution Amy Jaworska, MoliCare® B2C Channel Manager comments; “as a global manufacturer and expert in the field of Incontinence and Bladder Weakness we are delighted to be celebrating 40 years of the MoliCare® brand, supporting people living with incontinence MoliCare® invests in the research design and development of our premium incontinence products to ensure they meet the highest quality, reliability and protection for people living with incontinence We also support loved ones carers and healthcare professionals alike with the right support for the people they care for because the individual s wellbeing and quality of life is at the heart of everything we do MoliCare® is a leading global brand of incontinence products manufactured by the HARTMANN Group MoliCare® works in partnership with Healthcare Professionals to develop clinically effective products advice, and innovative Home Delivery service solution packages to meet lifestyle needs

For more information and to order please call 0800 028 9470 or Visit www hartmanndirect co uk/incontinence-products

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show, 12th July 2023, Westpoint Arena, Exeter

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is the ultimate destination for healthcare professionals from across the UK looking to learn about how the industries are changing This event provides a platform to explore the latest advancements in care and occupational therapy From technology innovations, to the latest hygiene products, this event has it all

Taking place on the 12th of July at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter and is a mustattend event for anyone in the industry

With over 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest products services and technologies attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the newest and most innovative healthcare solutions available The show is designed to connect healthcare professionals carers and occupational therapists with experts in the field providing a unique opportunity to network share knowledge and gain insights into the future of the industry

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is also set to feature an extensive CPD-accredited seminar programme with presentations from leading experts in the field

The event will also feature a range of live product demonstrations providing attendees with hands-on experience of the latest technologies and products This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in healthcare and gain practical experience in their application

The event is expected to attract a large audience, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, care home managers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals This provides an excellent opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and build valuable connections within the industry

The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is an unmissable event for anyone in the healthcare industry Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field or an exhibitor looking to showcase your products and services to a highly engaged audience this event is not to be missed

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Paul Celebrates 30 Years at Tabley House Nursing Home

The Maintenance Manager at Tabley House Nursing Home was recently presented with a long service award after celebrating 30 years since he first started working at the home

Paul Gibbon dubbed Mr Tabley has been working at Tabley House Nursing Home, part of the Cygnet Social Care division, since 1993 and said he felt honoured to receive the long service award

The nursing home located in Cheshire countryside near Knutsford is set within a stunning 18th century Palladian style country house It opened in 1989 as one of Cygnet s first services Paul joined the team at Tabley just a few years later in 1993

At the time he was working as a private decorator and gardener

Looking back Paul reminisces: “I was just in the right place at the right time I got called in to decorate some of the rooms at a time when the maintenance role had become vacant I interviewed for the role and was fortunate enough to get it and I haven’t looked back since ”

When Paul started he was the only maintenance staff on site Today he manages a team of three He said that the role is so varied that even after all this time no two days are ever the same, whether it be room refurbishments painting and decorating maintaining the house s exterior or liaising with the museum and tea rooms that share the building

A project that Paul and the team are currently working on is building a new fence around the chapel that adjoins the house and putting down a new flagged path to the chapel entrance

One of the things that has kept Paul at Tabley so long is the pride and satisfaction he gets in looking after and maintaining a Grade-1 listed building

On the responsibility of looking after such an historic building Paul said: “It can be challenging, because of the building’s exceptional historical interest it has to be looked after in a particular way and within strict guidelines That said I love the building and wouldn’t want to work anywhere else

I often get asked whether I ve ever discovered any secret rooms or passages I haven’t yet, but you never know!

Cygnet have also looked after me really well and provided me with lots of training opportunities over the years ”

Karen Lynskey the Registered Manager of the nursing home paid tribute to Paul saying: “Paul is Mr Tabley His knowledge and experience of managing this Grade 1 listed building is outstanding It was a pleasure to celebrate Paul’s 30 years of employment at Tabley It was such a fantastic achievement with hopefully many more years to come

To mark Paul’s achievement he was presented with a special 30th anniversary plaque, a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine by Gareth Williams Cygnet s CEO of Social Care services

Gareth said “Paul has been an incredibly important asset to the home It was a real honour for me to be able to go to Tabley House to thank Paul for everything that he has done and I look forward to coming back to present his 40th year and 50th year awards in the future ”

Heanton Nursing Home In Barnstaple

Take Resident For A Game Of Badminton

John Miles who is fondly referred to as Rex from Heanton Nursing Home enjoyed a game of Badminton along with team members during a recent outing The game began with Rex taking the first drop shot and he enjoyed some smashes with his opponent Noufal one of the Team Members accompanying described the moment as being simply amazing Rex didn t take his eyes off the game and he even told me to be quiet as he was not able to focus! He was impressed by the quality of his fellow players ” Being involved within the local community and encouraging the continuation of past interests is part of the ethos at the North Devon nursing home Creating shared experi-

ences that bring together companionship laughter and a deeper sense of connection for individuals living with a Dementia

Occupational activities are not just pastimes they are pathways to joy fulfilment and bring a sense of purpose to family members living at the nursing home to create a true sense of continuation of life These activities encompass a wide range of interests from arts and crafts to gardening music games and so much more They promote engagement stimulate cognitive abilities and foster social connections creating an environment full of personalities and Individuality

Care Homes Set To Save Thousands Of Pounds Thanks

To Free Training From Health Education England Anenta plays key role in developing healthcare waste training module

The roll-out of a free new e-learning module on healthcare wasteset up by Health Education England - is set to bring major benefits to the care home sector says leading independent healthcare waste management company Anenta

The training - developed in association with Anenta to help all healthcare professionals - is seen as key to building better understanding of waste management in care homes which have long struggled with managing healthcare waste effectively

This is backed up by detailed compositional audits of care home waste undertaken both by Anenta and separately by the EA which have proven that a significant amount of contamination exists in the various waste streams produced by care homes

Worryingly, the findings show that 70% of care home waste is consistently put in the wrong waste channels including 90% of clinical waste and 35% of offensive waste, which is regularly contaminated with recyclable materials

Further analysis of over 2 500 primary care Duty of Care audits by Anenta has also shown that 58% of healthcare professionals with responsibility for waste management are unfamiliar with the Healthcare Technical Memorandum the latest iteration of which came out in March 2023

This has resulted in inadequate training and waste management policies contributing to poor segregation and spiralling levels of waste being incorrectly disposed of, costing the care home sector heavily, and hampering sustainable waste targets

The new e-training module aims to address this and is being provided free to remove all barriers and gaps in understanding that currently exist within care homes and the primary care sector

Created with the help of Anenta the new 30-45 minute training module, available here, is accessible free of charge via the Health

Education England online portal

It outlines what waste should go into which waste stream correct segregation practices and other important waste related guidance

This helps prevent low-risk items, which should cost £300-£500 per tonne for disposal as offensive waste, from being disposed of as infectious waste costing upwards of £800 per tonne

Vitally the training also helps avoid the risk of waste contractors refusing to make collections from care homes due to their non-compliance which could put care services at risk of disruption This is avoided through the correct completion of a Pre-Acceptance Audit (PAA) which in the case of most care homes needs to be undertaken every five years - unless waste produced on site changes in its nature

Where a care home produces more than five tonnes of clinical

waste annually a PAA will need to be undertaken every 12 months remaining valid until renewal date or unless waste types undeclared in the pre-acceptance audit are discovered

Commenting on the roll-out of the new free training Graham Flynn Director at Anenta said We ve worked hard on the development of the new e-learning training module alongside NHSE IPC Local Commissioners and industry experts The result is a course that’s accessible by all, and a risk assessment that can be used by all care homes to inform the way in which their waste is segregated The adoption of the training and correct segregation is critical if the care home sector is to cut costs and achieve Net Zero targets Changing waste disposal habits and practices prevents the unnecessary and expensive disposal of waste via inappropriate and environmentally damaging waste streams such as incineration; instead ensuring that the majority of clinical waste is disposed of using either alternative treatments or energy from waste processes that render healthcare waste safe ”

Graham Flynn added: “On average care homes are wasting £8,000 every year through poor waste management process and procurement The training will play a big part in cutting that figure by improving waste management among staff Importantly it will also help care homes with their PAA audit without which their healthcare waste cannot be collected, potentially resulting in enforcement action by the Environment Agency ”

For more information about Anenta and its care home audit app which gives care homes the ability to conduct compulsory clinical waste pre-acceptance and duty of care audits without the need for third-party on-site visits in just 40 minutes, visit www anentawaste com or call 033 0122 2143

Pet Therapy Brings Paw-Sitive Benefits To Edinburgh Care Home

Four-legged friends provide companionship to elderly residents

AN Edinburgh home specialising in dementia care has launched a pet therapy programme to combat loneliness and improve general wellbeing

A group of three different therapets and their handlers have been visiting Cramond Residence each on a monthly basis to provide companionship and encourage residents to be more active throughout the day

Elaine Vallance Lead Lifestyle

Coordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “Our residents thoroughly enjoy therapets’ visits and we always know when they are in the building as residents all have a big smile on their faces

“They all offer a calming presence when in the building their visits always leave everyone in high spirits excited for the next visit – the simple act of stroking a four-legged friend can slow down the heartbeat and reduce blood pressure

Pet therapy can provide a calming effect and help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation

Our visiting therapets are among the 500 registered therapets around Scotland, currently providing emotional support to elderly residents who cannot maintain the upkeep of a pet full-time

According to Alzheimer’s Society caring for an animal can provide a sense of purpose and be a helpful stress relief source to individuals with dementia who may be struggling with depression

The home understands the importance of interacting with animals and the benefits this has on emotional, physical and social wellbeing

The furry friends visiting the home have proved major hits alongside the varied activities programme at Cramond Residence which includes day trips gardening and arts and crafts all designed to keep residents stimulated and engaged

Henriqueta, Candlewood House Care Home Nurse Wins Nurse Of The Year For Barnet

Candlewood House Care Home located in North London and part of the luxury TLC Care Group was proud to announce that one of their nurses and Unit Manager Henriqueta won the Nurse of the Year for Barnet’ award Henriqueta won the award after being nominated for her person-centered approach to the

The award is awarded to nurses who consistently demonstrate unwavering dedication and a profound commitment to providing exceptional care and going above and beyond to ensure that all their care needs for patients or residents are met

Henriqueta s ability to establish meaningful connections with residents sets her apart By creating a warm and compassionate environment she provides reassurance and helps residents navigate the emotional rollercoaster of end-of-life care Her dedication to building bonds and offering comfort profoundly impacts the well-being and quality of life of those in her care

With 11 years of experience in the nursing industry including specialized nursing and palliative care in a hospice environment Henriqueta has proven invaluable to the field Her passion and devotion have touched the lives of countless individuals, earning her the admiration and love of residents and colleagues alike

Subin, Home Manager at Candlewood House Care Home, said, Henriqueta deserves this award in recognition for all the outstanding work she delivers to our residents daily She has exceptional communication skills that enable her to collaborate effectively across our teams By maintaining open lines of communication she ensures that residents holistic health and emotional well-being are consistently met Her professionalism and cheerful demeanor create a supportive atmosphere for everyone involved in the care process Her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication have contributed significantly to the excellence of care provided at the facility ”

Declan Creates Unforgettable Memories Through the Learning Disability Super League

Playing in the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League has provided Declan Jenkinson with experiences he never thought possible

Lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan Declan who has autism admits he was nervous about giving the sport a try when he was first invited to join the club’s newly formed LDSL team This specially developed format of rugby league gives people the chance to play an adapted non-competitive version of the game for the clubs that they love and access a range of innovative programs and support from the national social care charity to impact their lives off the field too

Encouraged to attend training by a Community Integrated Care member of staff in 2018, Declan quickly began to flourish in his new environment, so much so that he was given a leadership role in the side Declan has also accessed a wide range of opportunities and support through Community Integrated Care’s Inclusive Volunteering programme which is run in partnership with Sport England to build his confidence off the field

This included being part of the charity’s Media Club, where he gained valuable experiences in meaningful media roles at the Rugby League World Cup 2021 including the Tournament s launch event in Manchester

All of this has brought tremendous pride to Declan’s family He explained: “I was asked to complete a form and when I got that confirmation from Leeds Rhinos Foundation that I could join the team I was so happy! I messaged my mum straight away It was a shock to her that her own son was now a Leeds Rhinos LDSL player To this day she tells everybody - all her friends and our family

At one of the LDSL playing festivals hosted by Warrington Wolves I remember one of my team-mates passed the ball to me St Helens players were strong defensively so I gave my best impression of an ‘NFL player and leapfrogged over their arms to score my best try ever – while face-planting into the mud

“After that I was asked to be the co-captain of the team, which gave me more leadership responsibilities within the team I was nervous at first because I was only trying to give it a go - I had never played rugby at

high school as it was always football

This was a nod to the commitment I show every week helping others to play and enjoy the game like me ”

Playing in the team has provided many life-changing experiences for Declan and his Rhinos team-mates Asked to pick a stand-out memory so far he responded: It was leading my team out at Magic Weekend at St James’ Park last year with the crowd cheering us on

“In the game I scored a full length try and I could see people shouting my name in the stand I noticed it was the Leeds Rhinos Women s team cheering me who I had met and interviewed as a Media Club volunteer at the Women s Super League Grand Final!

Playing for the Rhinos LDSL team has allowed Declan to follow in the footsteps of one of his heroes He said: Playing for Leeds Rhinos is a real honour I’ve been a massive supporter since I was little

“I particularly enjoyed watching Rob Burrow who became my inspiration I ll always remember him scoring that try at Old Trafford in a Grand Final He was the number seven of Leeds Rhinos and now I m the number seven too ”

Joining the team has also impacted on Declan s girlfriend Jenny s life as she has fulfilled a number of offfield media roles to support both him and the team Declan added: “When Jenny got involved it was brilliant, showing what this sport is all about Everyone has a role to play

“She’s been part of interviews with Radio Leeds, BBC Sport and was even interviewed on Radio 4’s Women s Hour alongside England players Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham who she s built friendships with Jenny is a big part of my life

“If you want to play in the LDSL attend as a spectator or get involved in volunteering – I would say just give it a go There are so many opportunities that all the teams in the league and Community Integrated Care can support you with It’s an amazing charity that support people like me to live their best lives possible

Miracle’ Song by Absolute Novices on its Way to a Recording Studio

For Carers Manchester doing something different for this year s Carers Week celebrations (5th – 11th June 2023) was a must And unwaged Carers from across Manchester were keen to volunteer – both writing and performing a song about what it’s like to look after someone you love Lynne Stafford Chair of the Carers Manchester Network explained “‘Miracle is a celebration of the joys and sorrows of being there for someone as their Carer This song is totally from the heart and it will resonate with anyone who looks after someone whether it s their partner child friend or neighbour ”

At their first session on 2nd May Carers got to know each other by sharing their own caring journey, favourite moments, the relationship with the person they care for and what they love most about them These personal stories were then used to create the lyrics followed by developing the song’s melody

The song is very personal and the experience was as important as the end result As Aureen who cares for her mother commented: “I found the process very emotional and therapeutic listening to everyone’s caring journey has been amazing

Miriam who cares for her partner Alan said: Alan and I were a little bit nervous at the start because it s something we’ve not done before but once we got going the process got easier and we love the togetherness ”

The song was recorded on 23 May together with a video so everyone had great memories to keep

Zsuzsi Foldes a Music Therapist and String of Hearts an arts organisation which brings adults together through music worked with the Carers to write and create the song

Zsuzsi Foldes who approached String of Hearts with the initial idea says “We wanted to create a song that could express all the emotions that caring involves from both sides and make the song writing an empowering fun and inclusive process for everybody involved ”

Lucy Geddes and Amina Hussain Co-Directors String of Hearts: “This project celebrates the power of music and what a community of likeminded people can achieve when they come together to share their lived experiences We are so proud of everyone who has co-written this song ” Listen to the full song at https://youtu be/SthalzbclyA

It’s All In A Name – Local Children Lend A Helping Hand To New Multi-Million-Pound Care Home

A local Scout Group has helped name the suites at a brand-new care home in Angmering

Children from the 1st Angmering Scout Group took part in a competition to name the four suites at Care UK s newest care home Ayton House on Shepherds View

The Scouts put their heads together to come up with a list of names that have cultural or historical reference to the local area and these were then whittled down to the top five by the team helping to open the home at Care UK

When the home opens in September 2024 the suites will be known as the Pannet Suite after Juliet Pannett who lived locally and was a distinguished artist, having painted the late Queen Elizabeth; the ‘Baker Suite’ after Leslie Baker who was the headteacher of William Older School as well as St Margaret’s School He was a well-respected member of the village and was an authority on Angmering history

There will also be the ‘Broadlees’ Suite’, after one of the nurseries that once stood in Roundstone Lane The nursery was owned by Col S C Tomlin – a well-known figure in the village and horticultural circles; and

the Mant Suite after Louisa Mant who became the first female Parish

Councillor for Angmering in 1946

As a thank you to all who took part Care UK presented 1st Angerming Scout Group with £250 donation so that they can continue their good work supporting younger members of the community

Justin Daley Development Project Manager for Care UK said

“As we gear up to welcome our first residents to Ayton House in 2024, the all-important naming of the suites within the care home is a top priority and we thought this presented an excellent opportunity to work with Angmering Scout Group and to get to know our neighbours a little better

The ideas the children put forward were all of a very high quality and we re very pleased with the chosen names ”

Chairman for 1st Angmering Scout Group Roger Day commented The suite naming activity not only gave the children an excellent opportunity to learn all about the new care home here in Angmering but it also encouraged them to think about the history and geography of their local area when seeking out inspiration for their entries The activity was enjoyed by all the Scouts here and we hope to do more the team at Ayton House in the future

Open Day Hailed A Great Success and Lots Of Visitors At Jubilee House

An open day to celebrate the transformation of a Whitby nursing home has been hailed as a great success Jubilee House threw open its doors to show off the results of a quarter of a million-pound investment programme

And its owners were thrilled at the response as visitors gathered at the home on White Point Road in the town They were able to see the changes that have taken place since the home was taken over by Saint Cecilia’s Care Group last year

Registered Manager Tara Batra said: “The open day was a success beyond our wildest hopes

It was a real pleasure to be able to show off Jubilee House as we are really proud of what we have achieved since taking over The place is looking really great and I think everyone who came was really impressed by what they saw Jubilee House was previously Oakland nursing home and was given the new name after the takeover The name was chosen as the takeover happened around the time of the late Queen s jubilee last year

It was also felt that a new name would signal a fresh start for the home, which is registered for 27 residents and has 25 staff

From 10am there was a constant stream of visitors!

“During the open day we met some people who were looking for a nursing home for themselves or relatives and other guests who came for a look round

The home is Saint Cecilia’s second nursing home, joining Saint Cecilia s Nursing Home in Scarborough The company also has Saint Cecilia s and Normanby House care homes and Saint Cecilia’s Day Care centre in Scarborough and the Alba Rose care home in Pickering

Couple Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniversar y at London Home

A London home celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of one of their residents with a party for the couple

Janette Eden lives at MHA The Meadow and has been married to husband Douglas for 50 years

Douglas visits his wife at the Muswell Hill home every day and celebrated the special day with residents and staff members

The home is a residential and dementia care home with 40 rooms, 16 of which are designated for dementia specialist care

To mark the occasion, there was a feast for everyone to enjoy along with live entertainment which allowed residents to get involved and have a dance

Speaking after the party Douglas said:

“Janette and I both appreciated very much the lengths to which The Meadow went to help us celebrate appropriately our 50th Wedding Anniversary – which is a very special day for any loving couple who reach it

The party was very well-attended and jolly and admirably supported by the excellent staff and guest musician and with their and our encouragement even residents who are normally very reserved joined in with a will

We also appreciated the celebration lunch with our godson and his wife and the superb celebration cake baked on the premises

It was as intended a day to remember! Thank you all!

Andrea Bruce, admin manager said: “Janette joined us here at MHA The Meadow in September 2021 and her husband Douglas visits her every day

“We planned the day after speaking with Douglas and it was a pleasant day which got everyone involved

Even some of the residents who are usually quite quiet and reserved joined in and it was great to see

We are so happy we got to be a part of Douglas and Janette s special day and had a great time ”

Care Home Owners Blast Torfaen Council For Double Standards In Fees

Care home owners in Torfaen have accused the local council of double-standards after they refused to fund pay rises for frontline Covid heroes

As a result the new rates announced by Torfaen Council are based on only 65 per cent of care workers receiving pay increases with the remaining 35 per cent left high and dry

They say that Torfaen Council have offered care homes a 7 5 per cent increase in funding at a time when food and heating inflation is running at over 20 per cent

At the same time they are paying more to their own in-house care workers than they have allowed for those in the independent sector and housing associations in Torfaen are charging £80 more per resident than private providers

When four care providers in Torfaen insisted that fees needed to rise by more the Council s Executive Member for Adults and Housing Councillor David Daniels launched an attack on them in the council newsletter saying they believed their offer was fair and accusing the providers of holding families and the council over a barrel

He claimed they were putting profits before people and said that in future the Council could look elsewhere for its social care needs but failed to give the care home owners the chance to reply to these accusations

In response one of the four care providers, Mark Virgo, of Virgo Care Homes which has three homes in Torfaen said the Council hadn t made any provision for a pay rise for 35 per cent of independent care sector staff including team leaders and senior carers

He added: “They are at the forefront of delivering care and at a time when nurses and railway workers are striking because of a poor pay rise to give nothing to staff who put their lives on the line by working through the pandemic is an insult

Until recently Torfaen were up there with the best supporters of elderly care in Wales, but something has changed in the last year

We are not paid the best rate – the neighbouring borough Newport who were on a par with Torfaen have calculated their fee increase to be about 14 to 16 per cent this year

That s mainly due to fact that wages have increased by 10 1% because of the pledge to pay the real living wage but Torfaen have decided on 7 5% a real terms cut

“They claim that ‘the pursuit of profits over care must come to an end yet when we are asked to accept this real term cut we find that a not for profit government-supported housing association is charging fees of £80 and more above the Torfaen fee level for the same care in their homes

“At the same time a care assistant working for Torfaen is being advertised at £11 39-£12 24 an hour yet we are to accept a fee calculation based on £10 90 an hour

“Until this year we have never charged more than the agreed Torfaen rate and that s over the last 22 years and we ve always worked with the council to ensure this is the case, but something has changed in Torfaen this year

“I can also reassure all the family members reading this post that we re more than happy to work to a fair resolution with Torfaen Council and we’ll be as flexible as we can

A scond of the care home owners Mark Peniuk Director of the Summerhill Group two of whose four homes are in Torfaen also took aim at Cllr Daniels and said: “I find it deeply concerning that a council member would use this platform to post an article full of factually incorrect statements which will undoubtedly cause unnecessary distress to residents and their families

“We haven t said that residents must pay the underfunding element – we have simply highlighted Torfaen Council’s responsibilities under the Social Services Well Being (Wales Act) 2014 to negotiate a fair fee and meet the full cost of such to ensure residents needs are met

The only reason we have reached this point is that unlike previous years, Torfaen have not participated in meaningful discussions to set the fee they simply imposed it upon us

“To date, it is Torfaen that have been unwilling to negotiate This is extremely disappointing as we have always worked well with the Council but something has clearly changed

“Our main concern centres around the fact that Torfaen received additional funding from the Welsh Government so they could set 2023/24 fee levels at an appropriate rate to allow Care Homes to pay

staff the Real Living Wage and maintain differentials to staff pay rates

“Torfaen s proposed fee does not allow for this In fact Torfaen have stated that they have only applied the allowance to 65 per cent of our workforce and have made no provision for a pay increase for the remaining 35 per cent of staff

How can this possibly be fair to such dedicated people? There is already a staff shortage crisis in the care sector and Torfaen refusing to make an allowance to give them an adequate pay increase will inevitably lead to more staff leaving the sector

As care providers we don t accept that these dedicated staff do not deserve a pay increase in line with all workers

“Perhaps Cllr Daniels can explain how he has previously advocated that care staff are underpaid but finds it perfectly reasonable that Torfaen exclude these care workers from any pay increase

This is merely one cost that Torfaen have ignored Other cost pressures, include the unprecedented increases in energy and food prices which have not been reflected in Torfaen s fee

“We providers have been and remain open to resolving this issue with Torfaen we just need them to reciprocate this sentiment

With reference to Councillor Daniels s claim we are putting profit over people, Torfaen have never included a profit element in their fee calculation they have merely allowed a sustainability allowance

“That is why providers are unable to invest in new capacity and no new care homes are being built in Torfaen

“This lack of investment by Councils in the private care sector is where the real damage to people will arise from and not providers making a profit

Mario Kreft MBE Chair of Care Forum Wales said:

The language used by Cllr Daniels is inappropriate because this has nothing to do with profit and everything to do with people

We have previously had an excellent working relationship with Torfaen Council but not on this occasion and sadly we are well aware of the institutional prejudice against the private sector that is ingrained in some members of the Council

“What we should be doing in Torfaen and across Wales is co-producing services working in partnership and looking at quality access to services that people need rather than who provides them

It s very clear that what hey really need to be doing is rewarding a workforce that has been heroic through the Covid crisis

We all know how damaging prejudice is in its many forms but prejudice against the independent care sector is an own goal because the alternative is a much more expensive service ”

National Volunteers’ Week: New Volunteers Helping Veterans at Royal Star & Garter

Flight Sergeant Martin started by shadowing the Home’s Wellbeing Team as part of his induction before he started in earnest He said: I m really looking forward to spending time in the Home I ve always been aware that volunteering is good for your own wellbeing It s also a chance to give back – I had two grandparents who lived with dementia and they were really well looked after in their care home so in a way this is an opportunity for me to help someone else s family

Sally Arnold’s first involvement supporting residents at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton was for a local Platinum Jubilee street party in June 2022 Sally spent the afternoon assisting residents to and from the party and spending time with them there Looking back on that day she said: “It was joyful I absolutely loved it ”

A new cohort of volunteers at Royal Star & Garter has explained why they choose to give up their free time to support veterans

Flight Sergeant Martin Sally Arnold and Christine Mitchell help with activities, outings and companionship at Royal Star & Garter’s Homes in Solihull Surbiton and High Wycombe

The charity provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia in its three Homes

The volunteers were speaking during National Volunteers Week which runs from June 1-7

Flight Sergeant Martin is an RAF musician who is currently working in the RAF Inclusion Team, and he has just started volunteering at the Home He is based at nearby RAF High Wycombe and said: Being a military person, I’ve always known about Royal Star & Garter and the amazing work they do for this country s veterans As a member of RAF Halton Area Voluntary Band which is a mixture of civilian and military musicians he performed Christmas carols in the Home in 2019 He said: I saw then what a great facility it was and how much residents enjoyed live music I also saw how great the staff were at looking after them and getting them involved with activities

Sally has volunteered throughout her life and more recently spent four years as a Special Constable for the Met Police At Royal Star & Garter, she spends time chatting with residents, playing Scrabble, helping to host evening music events and visiting the residents living with dementia Sally said “My paid job is really busy and full-on, but volunteering at Royal Star & Garter allows me to slow down and take the time to form connections with the residents I just enjoy spending

time with them and listening to their stories Older people tend to be forgotten or overlooked sometimes when they have led such interesting lives My boss is really supportive of my volunteering and along with making donations I am also given time off from work to help out at midweek events ”

She added: “I give up my time but I get so much back in return I come away feeling elated nourished and always glad I went

In Solihull, Christine Mitchell has been a volunteer since 2021, but her history with Royal Star & Garter goes back further I joined the Home as a Healthcare Assistant in 2009, and began volunteering after I retired in 2021 she said She now helps out with outings or at the Home assisting with activities and chatting to residents She said: “I enjoy coming in and I enjoy the residents’ and the staff’s company Before I retired I knew I would come back as a volunteer – it s such a lovely Home to come to ”

National Volunteers Week is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you

Anyone interested in volunteering at Royal Star & Garter can go to: www starandgarter org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/

Commercial Kitchen and Laundr y Solutions (CKLS)

Commercial Kitchen and Laundry Solutions (CKLS) are one of the UK s leading suppliers of commercial kitchen and laundry equipment Whether you are a small sized residential home or large scale nursing home group, CKLS has the expertise and equipment

Cash’s Labels- “The Name Behind the Name”

Cash s Apparel Solutions have been trading since 1846 and have built up a reputation for superior value for money quality personalised and non-personalised items for many different outlets We supply to Nursing and Residential Homes Schools Scout Cub Guide and Brownie Groups as well as to the small or large business entrepreneur Our range of Designer name tapes add a professional look to garments crafts or other hobby items

Many of us have loved ones relatives or friends who need specialist care in a Nursing or Residential Home In this busy environment clothes and personal items can easily get misplaced if they are not

named, otherwise this can become very stressful for the resident relatives and the Care Home itself

Our woven clothing name tapes are extremely robust and are sewn on to garments to ensure that they stand the rigorous washing processes necessary Self-adhesive labels are easily applied to name shoes and books and make marking treasured items effortless to most other non-fabric items

We have recently introduced several new items such as magnetic name tags and personalised hi-vis jackets along with updated gifts such as personalised mugs and mousemats Check out the ad on page 9 for our offer code

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Essential Insurance Covers For Your Care Home

often determined by best practice to ensure the resident or patient is as comfortable as they can be Unfortunately this means mistakes can creep in A single mistake can result in a negative impact on your patient whether that be from medical treatment or advice This can lead to a potential claim for medical malpractice

Medical malpractice cover is not only a legal requirement to anyone providing professional healthcare services but also offers peace of mind by covering the cost of any losses that arise from defending and settling a claim This means that during a claim, your business can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible

BUILDINGS AND CONTENTS INSURANCE

As a care home owner or manager you will offer a variety of services to meet the needs of your residents

Typically the care you provide is likely to vary with anything from basic care and accommodation through to respite end-of-life and specialist care for dementia patients

Providing the very best care for your residents will be at the heart of everything you do, but the care you deliver is not without risk and therefore having the right insurance in place is something that should be high on your list of priorities Not only does your insurance need to be tailored to protect the care services you provide but you also need to consider the regulatory bodies you adhere to protection for your staff as well as covering the premises and its contents

Here are some covers you must consider

LIABILITY COVER

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) states that all care and nursing homes require insurance, and without it they are unable to operate The mandatory insurance requirements from the CQC are Public and Employers Liability cover Any additional covers will depend on the type of care facility you own Public Liability Insurance will cover the cost of compensation to third parties in the event of death bodily injury or damage to their property which occurs because of your business activities for example if a resident’s family member slips on an upturned carpet

Unlike Public Liability Employers Liability cover is a legal requirement for anybody employing staff including volunteers It covers you financially for any compensation costs or legal fees that may occur because of company negligence Employers Liability Insurance will also cover you for employees that have long left your business and may only now bring a claim against you

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Your carers will be skilled in what they do and usually have several qualifications but their decisions are

Of course your business is home for your residents or patients Ensuring ample furniture is provided should be a necessity If they are accidentally damaged you may need to replace them The building itself is just as important If, for instance, the premises suffer a flood, how would the building hold? In extreme cases such as a fire or explosion a total rebuild may be necessary which would cost a considerable amount

Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing damage to the structure of your property and provided that accurate sums insured are declared it should cover the cost to rebuild the entire property Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen It includes everything you would take with you if you moved premises for example your furniture kitchen appliances and computing equipment

ARE YOU AT RISK OF UNDERINSURANCE?

If a business is underinsured in any capacity it could leave them with a financial burden should a claim be made While large corporations may be able to recover from the financial losses incurred because of underinsurance small to medium sized businesses may feel the effects of the loss more keenly owing to their sometimes already tight profit margins

Underinsurance may happen for many reasons e g using out of date estimates of your building sums insured having inadequate or unrealistic indemnity periods or not reviewing your level of cover as your operating models change

The most effective way of overcoming the risk of underinsurance is by talking to an experienced and knowledgeable insurance broker

The friendly team at Barnes Commercial can review your policy and make sure you have the correct level of cover in place

Send an email to enquires@barnesinsurancebroker co uk or call 01480 272727 to make an appointment

UNIFORMS AND WORKWEAR WHEN QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL

The social care and care home sector in the UK is an essential industry that provides care and support to some of the most vulnerable members of society Within this sector, uniforms and workwear play a vital role in maintaining a professional and hygienic environment In this article we will explore the importance of uniforms and workwear in the UK social care and care home sector highlighting appearance comfort design branding health and safety infection control contamination care, maintenance, and laundering

APPEARANCE

One of the primary functions of uniforms and workwear in the social care and care home sector is to ensure a professional appearance Care workers wearing a uniform can help to establish a sense of authority and professionalism which can be reassuring to patients and their families A uniform also helps to create a sense of unity and can help to build a strong team spirit

COMFORT

Care workers spend long hours on their feet and engage in a range of physical activities that require a high degree of mobility As such, it is essential that uniforms and workwear are comfortable and allow for ease of movement The materials used should be breathable lightweight and flexible ensuring that workers can move freely and remain comfortable throughout their shift

DESIGN AND BRANDING

The design and branding of uniforms and workwear play an important role in creating a sense of identity and promoting the values and ethos of a care home or social care provider Uniforms can feature the company logo name and colors creating a visual representation of the brand A well-designed uniform can help to establish a sense of pride and belonging among employees and can also help to create a positive impression on patients and visitors

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Uniforms and workwear must adhere to strict health and safety standards to ensure the safety of care workers and their patients Materials used in uniforms and workwear must be flame-resistant non-toxic and non-allergenic Clothing must also be designed to minimize the risk of injury, such as by incorporating reflective strips to enhance visibility in low light conditions

INFECTION CONTROL AND CONTAMINATION

Infection control and contamination are critical concerns in the social care and care home sector Uniforms and workwear must be designed with infection control in mind with materials that are easy to clean and disinfect Clothing must be able to withstand frequent washing and must not shrink or lose its shape over time Uniforms and workwear must also be designed to minimize the risk of cross-contamination with separate clothing for different areas of a care home or hospital, such as clean and dirty areas

RECOMMENDED LAUNDRY TEMPERATURES

The temperature at which uniforms and workwear are laundered is an essential factor in preventing the spread of infections and crosscontamination The recommended laundry temperature for healthcare uniforms and workwear is typically between 60-90 degrees Celsius Washing at these high temperatures can help to kill bacteria and viruses and prevent the spread of infections

PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY SERVICES

To ensure compliance with legislation and maintain high standards of hygiene many care homes and social care providers opt to use professional laundry services These laundry services have the necessary equipment and expertise to handle the laundering of healthcare uniforms and workwear Professional laundry services use specific deter-

gents and washing programs that are designed to kill bacteria and viruses

SEPARATING CLEAN AND DIRTY UNIFORMS

It is essential to separate clean and dirty uniforms to prevent crosscontamination Dirty uniforms and workwear should be placed in designated laundry bags or containers and clean uniforms should be stored separately Staff should be trained to handle soiled uniforms and workwear with care to avoid spreading any potential infections

PRE-TREATING STAINS

Pre-treating stains is an essential step in maintaining clean and hygienic uniforms Staff should treat stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in It is best to use a pre-treatment product that is safe and compatible with the type of fabric used in the uniform or workwear Pre-treatment can help to remove stubborn stains and prevent them from becoming permanent

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DETERGENT

Choosing the right detergent is critical to maintaining clean and hygienic uniforms It is best to use a detergent that is effective at removing stains and bacteria and is safe for the environment Many detergents contain antibacterial agents that help to kill bacteria and viruses It is also essential to choose a detergent that is compatible with the type of fabric used in the uniform or workwear

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The UK social care and care home sector is subject to a range of legal requirements and recommendations related to uniforms and workwear The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including uniforms and workwear in healthcare settings Care homes and social care providers must also comply with infection control guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

In conclusion uniforms and workwear play a critical role in the UK social care and care home sector ensuring a professional appearance promoting comfort and mobility, and ensuring the safety of care workers and their patients Uniforms and workwear must be designed with infection control in mind and must be properly cared for and maintained to ensure cleanliness

UNIFORMS AND WORKWEAR WHEN QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL

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In any accessible bathroom space is key and with Pressalit s new height and sideways adjustable MATRIX washbasin, creating space quickly and hygienically has just got easier

The world leading manufacturer and designer Pressalit has introduced the MATRIX washbasin bracket with a choice of integrated basin styles the MATRIX MEDIUM or MATRIX ANGLE DEEP featuring a new simple to use discreet adjustment for both height and sideways movement

The ultimate in functionality and hygiene the MATRIX washbasin makes the best use of space in the bathroom whilst accommodating the changing needs of both users and caregivers Supporting self-reliance space optimisation and a sense of security in the bathroom the new adjustable washbasin has been designed for use in a wide variety of installations from a private home care setting institution or a hospital

Whether for a seated or standing user or when a carer is assisting the new MATRIX washbasin offers a flexible solution and safe working environment offering the commitment to quality practicality and design that Pressalit makes its priority

The easy-to-move washbasin can be adjusted smoothly sideways to a range of 500mm to create greater access when using the shower or toilet for a wheelchair user and carer, by means of a discreet handle located underneath the basin Adjustment can be carried out safely with one hand and requires very little hand strength to operate

The vertical rise and fall allows for a variation of 300mm with options available for either a manual han-

dle or intuitive electric power button

The latter is recommended for a care or hospital setting where frequent adjustment is required, offering huge time saving benefits and improved working conditions for staff whilst the manual solution is suitable for a bathroom where there’s only one user or multiple users with the same needs

The MATRIX MEDIUM AND MATRIX DEEP ANGLE washbasins both feature integrated handles for additional user support

With both hygiene and aesthetics in mind the discreet MATRIX bracket s operating panel fits tightly against the wall and snugly against the washbasin, preventing dust and dirt from settling in hard-to-reach places All surfaces are large smooth and easy to wipe

Andrew Lowndes Sales Director for Pressalit in the UK says Some people need a lot of help in the bathroom others little or none

The new MATRIX basin bracket is a flexible solution taking into account the specific needs of the user at any given time By simple adjustment for height or to create space sideways for greater access to the shower or toilet for wheelchairs this helps create situations that boost self-reliance and help provide a greater degree of freedom ”

Pressalit has many years of experience and expertise in the field of designing accessible bathrooms The company will provide advice on everything from space optimisation to rules and guidelines for design and the choice of solution and installation creating the best conditions for the user and where needed a carer or health professional

https://pressalit com/en-uk/products/matrix-adjustable-washbasin-solution/

Reval - Leaders in Assisted Bathing

Reval have been manufacturing assisted bathing and showering products for more than 46 years Reval has a wide and varied range of high-end equipment uses and available and used extensively is all healthcare sectors Our range includes

Assisted bathing systems

Ceiling track and mobile hoists

Assisted showering appliances and wet room equipment

• Shower and sluice systems

Hydro-therapy pools and changing room

As a manufacturer, we can offer a direct service - delivering best value for our customers All services are delivered by our highly trained product specialists and tech-service teams Our aim is to deliver a seamless service based on careful planning process expert-

ise and our unravelled “Know How”

The truly unique thing about Reval is its business model To explain; unlike all other equipment providers in our sector Reval strategy is based on delivering quality products designed to be long-term-reliable which only require preventative maintenance annually

Our three year no-quibble warranty policy provides clients with peace of mind Reval and ensure your costs are minimised We are not interested in tying customers into expensive service contracts This is not our strategy! Our strategy means we can be leaner and more controlled thanks to Just – in – Time parts sourcing process making parts immediately available improving our service to our clients

Reval design and manufacture highly innovative products to improve lives outcomes, and working environments This approach to design-manufacturing enables care operators to limit their risks and optimise their services and patient outcomes Our team of fieldbased product specialists are highly trained and competent in all the disciplines required to conduct holistic product assessment technical building surveys and commercial aspects of product provision

Our strategy and emphasis are on undisrupted service over the lifetime of your appliance Reval s spare parts business is less than 10% of its total business proving further our company’s commitment to quality and reliability and we are constantly working to develop new ways to reduce our aftersales business because in doing so we pass on savings and service continuation to you over the lifetime of your product

Most of all; Reval is renowned for its innovation and its ability to design products that make a difference To improve your service and profitability or if you are looking for that products which truly makes a difference give us a call today there nothing to lose

+44 01656 721 001 | sales@revalcc com | www revalcc co uk

Adapting Cleaning and Infection Control Practices for the Residential and Social Care Setting

By Liam Grimshaw (BSc (Hons) MSc by research)

Legionella Risk Assessments

generally be flu-like and may dissipate without treatment The more serious illness can involve hospitalisation including ICU and even death Public Health England confirms there were 503 cases of Legionnaires' Disease in 2019 for England and Wales – an average of almost 10 cases a week (Latest available data)

and then a suitable water management scheme is put in place and followed This will include monitoring of outlets and water tanks and may include regular water sampling and disinfections The Legionella risk assessment needs to be carried out to BS8580 by a competent, i e trained person

The bacteria is ingested by human beings in the form of an aerosol and then infects the lungs the symptoms are similar to flu and also Covid 19 The mild illness is called Pontiac fever and will

The most common sources are from showers or other equipment such as cooling towers that produce an aerosol Stagnation is also a major factor in increasing the risk to mitigate this any low use/seldom used outlets should be run off weekly Temperature monitoring is also advisable both of these actions MUST be recorded

In summation: A current Legionella risk assessment and appropriate water hygiene management and monitoring scheme will prevent the bacteria proliferation within the systems and therefore significantly reduce the risk to Staff and public health Steve Dillon

(Advanced WMSoC Legionella Risk Assessor) Managing Director Stokefield Water Treatment Ltd

See the advert on this page for details

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Omnitex Hygiene Products

Omnitex represents all round protection and hygiene products Launched in 2015 it has quickly become a brand synonymous with high quality used everyday by thousands of individuals and healthcare facilities throughout the UK and Europe

All products are manufactured in ISO9001 and ISO13485 certified facilities Omnitex Body Cleansing wipes are a large size, which the ideal thickness for a comfortable cleaning experience Bulk pack of 80 wipes, with our unique enriching formula and microwaveable Microwaveable for a warm bed bath Lightly fragranced and with a honeycomb texture on

Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection

Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are, more importantly, built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers, and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning training and the adoption of new technologies to tackle the

Swiftclean Support for Care Homes

Running a care home

problem

As a result a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market including antimicrobial technology Angloplas range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99 99%

For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags

You can order Angloplas products directly from its website by going to www angloplas co uk

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

Chiltern: Expert Water Ser vices, Tailored To Your Needs

Legionnaires disease is caused by Legionella Pneumophila bacteria This is found in nearly all water systems but is normally limited to low safe levels However, in domestic or man-made water systems, legionella bacterial levels can rise and become unsafe possibly causing infection to those exposed

Duty Holders of all commercial and public building premises are legally required to assess the risk from legionella to anyone using the water systems and put in place legionella control measures if required

At Chiltern Water & Environment, we offer legionella control services nationwide including:

A legionella risk assessment that can identify and assess the risk from each open water system

If significant risks are identified then we offer:

• A control scheme must be established to monitor the r sks remediate any issue identified and ensure the system is adequately maintained to prevent future risks

• A competent, responsible point person is nominated to ensure the above is carried out effectively

Some systems may require additional water sampling especially where susceptible people are present, there has been a history of legionella issues or the control scheme cannot be adequately maintained

For further information visit www chilternwater co uk or see the advert on the following pages

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Sustainable Products Inter view with High Green Development Trust

High Green Development Trust manages The Campus which is an inclusive community centre and business hub for people to go and meet others do business learn and participate in sports and other leisure activities

Recently the Trust came to Killis for help about their need to improve their sustainability

Both Lucy Whitehouse Killis Janitorial Sales Manager and Gail Sutton HGDT Campus Manager worked alongside each other to ensure that needs were met and that High Green were able to incorporate the sustainable products without any difficulties

Lucy caught up with Gail about the new products installed how they were getting on with them and how it’s helped contribute to their sustainability and environmental policy to reach their goals

Did the focus on sustainability following the government sustainability targets speed up the deployment of such solutions?

No it didn't I already had a plan that when I took over here and saw some of the products we were utilising It didn't fit in with my sustainability plan or the environmental pol cy we developed as a leadership team As such I wanted to progress as quickly as I could so the government sanctions

didn t come into it

Can you tell us why you chose these products over other less sustainable alternatives?

I have chosen the products two-fold One the relationship that predecessors had with Killis wasn t what I d call working in a business partnership which I want to develop Two I wanted to utilise Killis products in their portfolio that fit in with our environmental policy and what we want to achieve as a charity campus for the community

Why are these sustainable products impor tant to High Green Development Tr ust?

We are a charity working in the community on-site, we have respite centres, sense schools and nurseries We must lead by example to develop the environmental plan sustain our planet and do our part to play and support our local environment

What benefits have you had switching to these sustainable products?

How has High Green benefitted from switching?

By moving over we have the confidence that the items we ve had are either from recyclable sources or recyclable or they don t damage the local environment

Did you have any reser vations about switching to all sustainable products?

Absolutely not Firstly it s about the environment and also it's about the space-saving of products particularly of the soaps How did these new sustainable products integrate with your cleaning team?

edencleen from Cleenol

Over the course of our history we at Cleenol have always produced products that offer a perfect balance between cleaning performance and efficiency with an attention to reducing the environmental impact that our products may carry edencleen our latest brand reaffirms our commitment to our credentials for environmental guardianship and represents an evolution of what has been an integral part of our DNA Edencleen has been designed to reflect in part our vision for a cleaner safer world that touches not only the environmental aspects of sustainability but has as an aim a social ambition to leave the planet in the safe care of and for future generations As such with edencleen Cleenol looks to ensure transparency in our approach which may on occasion result in some counter intuitive elements

The range covers the essential needs to cover 80% of daily cleaning and include a washroom cleaner and toilet gel cleaner and urinal deodoriser an all-purpose surface sanitiser a degreaser and a washing up liquid a no rinse floor degreaser a window cleaner and a laundry detergent and fabric softener edencleen products have been developed around the following principles and ingredients

• RSPO certified palm oil derivatives

With over 30 years of experience, CWE can help you provide safe water systems for your care home, including:

• Water sampling

• Legionella compliance

• Asset inspection – tanks, calorifiers etc.

• Remedial works

• Swimming and spa pool testing

Tel: 01844 347678

Email: info@chilternwater.co.uk

www.chilternwater.co.uk

They ve really taken to them They were a little apprehensive at first, thinking particularly of the soap How can a small item deliver the cleanliness of what we need and the hygiene in our toilet environments they were amazed What's your favourite sustainable product that you buy from us?

I think my favourite has to be the soap It saves space cuts costs, the packaging it comes in and that s from a recyclable source and it s recyclable So it s a one-stop-shop It completes the circle

In addition to the soap being a favourite product I also have to add Zoono In a community campus environment, it's essential to have confidence in the products Zoono sanitises touchpoints and is available at hand sanitising stations It is user friendly and kind to hands while providing longlasting protection against germs

What would you say to other organisations considering using more sustainable alternatives?

Personally I think it s a no brainer It supports the environment and if as a business you have sustainability and environmental policies then decreasing the amount of chemicals that you use throughout the business is a winwin

If you would like any further information, a little guidance or advice on the best products to help reach your goals and how your organisation can benefit from more sustainably conscious cleaning products and alternatives please reach out to Lucy Whitehouse at lucy@killis co uk

Lastly, we would like to thank Gail at High Green Development Trust for taking the time to take part in our interview

See the advert on the facing page for full details about Killis

No animal derived products

Cruelty free

Minimal petrochemical derived products

No parabens formaldehyde, CMI/MIT triclosan, phosphates, chlorine bleaches, optical brighteners quaternary ammon um compounds

VOC free and phosphate, EDTA, NTA free

Recyclable / recycled packaging

100% bio-based surfactant - made by using bio-based ethylene oxide which is manufactured from biomass ethanol

Bioethanol, naturally der ved acids, sugar-based surfactants, bio-based solvents, low impact preservatives

Combining carefully formulated products with appropriate packaging, using recycled material or recyclable componentry, the range’s mostly colourless liquid and low fragrance usage are designed to convey a transparency and straightforwardness of our approach which will be a hallmark of all edencleen products and associated services

Careful use of enzymatic formulations and more traditional chemistry brings a portfolio of products that’s finely attuned to delivering effective cleaning which when used as instructed helps maintain a neutral environmental impact edencleen s new range represents just the start to a fully refreshed solution to meet the most demanding of customers expectations See the advert below for further information

Re-booting Dementia Care DEMENTIA CARE

Orchard Care Homes has long been an advocate of quality innovative Dementia Care Lately it has set the bar even higher with the introduction of its group-wide Dementia Promise This sets out to provide equitable care for those living with the condition and level-up training for all staff – using evidencebased practices Hayden Knight CEO of Orchard Care Homes discusses the importance of pioneering change for those living with Dementia

The issue of dementia provision across the care sector has never been more prominent The number of those living with dementia in the UK is growing Sadly more people are arriving at our care homes with acute levels of dementia and increasingly complex needs – many having been referred from social settings who are unable to support them As a result of this trend and concerns from families seeking support for loved ones we have made it our mission to help and guide by setting the wheels in motion for genuine change to dementia support

Our Reconnect communities don t cater to mass needs – instead our activities and care plans are finely tuned to the personal requirements and interests of each person We believe in equitable care for all and those with Dementia should be no different By putting an element of positive risk in place we can fully support people with hobbies and tasks that keep them meaningfully occupied – be it gardening assisting with small tasks in the kitchen like washing up or visiting the local pub for lunch

Our Dementia Promise is not a token gesture – but a group-wide commitment to change With a background as a specialist having previously worked in expert Mental Health Provision my ethos for the group is to widen our offering to become the very best in our sector

Generally, the care sector is making a shift towards training staff in dementia support needs, but there is still a gap Orchard s strong team and capabilities aim to fill that We are currently implementing a ‘Step Up to Dementia Support Worker’ programme, which follows the success of our ‘Step Up to Seniors’ model With a shortage of carers coming to the sector with the required abilities needed, we have devised an intensive training model which will see a greater number of recruitment prospects for us and opportunities for our existing team to develop their chosen careers

For several years now we have recognised these growing needs

Over 55% of those arriving at an Orchard Care Home have some level of dementia support need – and this figure is on the rise Whilst we will always cater to the regional demographic of our homes we can t ignore these statistics Earlier this year our Dementia Promise was launched with both specialism and understanding in mind The initiative doesn’t merely pay lip service to progressing our dementia care offering It’s a huge investment for the group with over £500 000 spent annually on dedicated training programs and mentoring of our staff benefitting everyone from domestics to the CEO

We are also committed to investing in our clinical support team Again with a shortage of workers in this field coming to care we want to be able to offer the very best chances and to develop quality staff across our group By rewarding them for their skills and dedication both with an uplift in pay and options to advance their careers with Orchard we are hoping to further strengthen our support across the group For example we have just brought in two care and clinical practitioners to deliver face-to-face clinical training to up-skill staff and provide supervision and support with revalidation

When people arrive at care homes with complex needs it can be a very daunting experience

To address this and to provide a solution for local authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) who have limited quality provisions to support people with higher levels of acuity, we have introduced specialist Reconnect Communities We now have five Reconnects amongst our 23-strong group, with more planned later this year With an expert care team, offering individualised support, we can be truly people focused

To further invest in our staff and create career progression models we have introduced a new Student Nurse Strategy Allowing new nurses to the sector to learn from our experienced staff will bring a huge benefit to our homes by allowing clinical placements to be fulfilled which will strengthen our team and the level of care available Student nurses working in conjunction with their university will gain valuable mentoring from our homelevel nurses who will also provide sign-off for coursework The outcomes of these partnerships will not only develop new nurses in the sector, but it’s hoped that they will encourage newly qualified nurses to join the Orchard team long-term

Continuing to challenge ourselves and others will only build on the momentum of our Dementia Promise

After a positive response from families and healthcare professionals, we feel confident that our work will make a significant impact both for our group and eventually the wider sector

Recognii Offers New Way To Entertain Residents With Later Stage Dementia

The first film created especially for people living with later-stage dementia is offering care homes an inexpensive and accessible new way to entertain residents

‘Treasure Box by Recognii is an hour-long series of uplifting plot-free and visually engaging short clips all set to some of the nation s best-known music songs and theme tunes

Each scene has been designed to capture short attention spans and specially adapted to overcome the common visual and cognitive processing problems associated with the condition

The company s founder Sarah Harrison says Treasure Box was designed to be an essential resource for dementia care providers providing safe engaging entertainment for communal relaxation areas or a flexible tool for more focused one-to-one or group activities

She explained “Treasure Box can be enjoyed as a complete film, but there are also deliberately slow transitions between each of the clips to allow for sensory readjustment and to give staff time to pause the film and reminisce or chat with residents about what they have just seen ”

Recognii contains the sort of content the company’s research showed had most universal appeal among sufferers from happy children appealing animals and gentle humour to musical interaction the natural world iconic people and places puppetry and lots more

Treasure Box is available on USB stick for use in Smart TVs and laptops and also in traditional DVD format They retail at £23 99 for the USB stick or £19 99 for the DVD

Dr Lucy Pollock gerontologist and author of bestselling The Book About Getting Older said This is just lovely Treasure Box is the sort of thing that can be watched over and over by people living with significant dementia In the same way that small children like replaying their favourites these images with music become very soothing with familiarity Even those with significant dementia can find repeated routines comforting

To accommodate the visual processing problems experienced by many people with advanced dementia the team took a deliberate approach to the way the content is filmed

Sarah explained: “To make everything as visible as possible we filmed against plain backgrounds, with high

colour and tonal contrast and predominant use of red and those primary colours research shows are most easily recognised We also took care not to feature unnecessary detail busy patterns shadows or reflective light sources ”

Each plot-free clip contrasts strongly from the last to draw wandering attention back to the screen and in keeping with the visual approach music and vocal arrangements are simple and dialogue is kept to a minimum

CASE STUDY:

Acacia Lodge Care Home in Oxfordshire is a purpose-built residence in the centre of picturesque Henley-On-Thames with 55 en-suite rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens

It is part of The Future Care Group a leading residential nursing and dementia care provider with 18 high-quality homes across the UK

Acacia Lodge lifestyle assistant Alex Owens purchased Recognii to use on their dementia floor after read ng about the innovation in The Daily Telegraph

Lifestyle lead Wendy Fricker said At Acacia Lodge quality of life is at the heart of everything we do and we are continually looking for new and varied ways to ensure each of our residents stays engaged happy and relaxed

“We were very impressed with the Recognii concept The short, simple clips helped a great deal, holding our residents attention and keep ng them watching eagerly for the next scene The content is very well thought out, and they loved the mix of singalongs, smiling children, animals and bright, colourful images Thirteen out of our 16 residents with dementia engaged and joined in with every sequence which was just amazing to see ”

Wendy now uses Recognii as part of a cinema-style’ experience handing out popcorn tea cakes and fizzy drinks for residents to enjoy while they settle down to watch with care staff She also uses t as a discussion and reminiscence tool with smaller groups or for focussed one-to-one activit es

Wendy said: Recogn i is a welcome addition to the stimulating and diverse programme of activities and events at Acacia Lodge We can t wait for the next volume and will be putting in our order asap!

More information and demos are available through the Recognii website at www recognii co uk

Focus Games - Game Based

Training for Ever y Situation

Focus Games are the leading game developers focused on education for healthcare staff and patients

Game-based learning is an innovative approach to education that leverages the principles of games to create engaging and interactive learning experiences This approach has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to motivate learners and improve retention rates Healthcare staff can benefit significantly from game-based learning as it can help them acquire new knowledge and skills in a fun and engaging way The key benefits of game-based learning for all healthcare staff are:

1 Enhanced engagement

2 Improved knowledge retention

3 Safe learning environment

4 Customizable learning experience

5 Collaborative learning

With over 20 years of experience we have developed games aimed at improving knowledge and outcomes and have won numerous awards for our innovative approach

Visit our website to learn about over 150 existing games or get in touch to discuss creating a unique game or simulation to meet your needs We also have a unique commercialisation model which means your game idea can also be a revenue generator Find out more at www focusgames com Or email melvin@focusgames com

Designing for Dementia: How to work with decorators to create supportive spaces

same colour as the walls so that they blend in, helping to avoid unauthorised access

• To highlight obstacles such as pillars, handrails and radiators, use brighter colours to make them stand out

• Outside of the realms of paint and colour, floors should avoid high sheens and patterns to prevent disorientating residents

Calming colours

As well as colour, the specific type of paint used should be a key consideration Care home managers should speak to their decorator to identify the types of paint that will be needed in different areas as products are optimised for varying purposes

Each year, the Alzheimer ’s Society holds Dementia Action Week – an awareness campaign that aims to highlight the indicators of dementia and the support available to all impacted by it This year, the campaign is running from 15th – 21st May, with a focus on raising awareness and encouraging people to get a diagnosis

Last year ’s Dementia Action Week resulted in a 43% rise in calls to its dementia support line during the week Campaigns like this are therefore vital to raise awareness of the symptoms of dementia and support available to those living with the condition and their families

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for larger and betterequipped care homes has increased According to studies by building and construction market researchers AMA, “the demand for additional capacity within the care home market is likely to start rising again within the next couple of years ” For this reason, care home managers need to consider how to accommodate more residents and ensure premises are effectively designed to meet their needs

Perfecting the palette

Correct colour choice and location can aid independence and wayfinding for those living with dementia It is therefore crucial that care home managers work closely with decorators to ensure the right colours are chosen for the space

Dulux Trade, alongside the British Research Establishment, created the Dementia Friendly Colour Palette Following years of experience in design and medical research, it is recommended for use in spaces catering for those living with dementia The palette recommends the following:

• Soft, calm tones should be used on main walls, with only small hints of colour to help aid wayfinding

• Critical surfaces – including walls, floors and doors –should have contrast between them To make doors obvious against neutral walls, bold hues such as navies, sage greens and burgundies should be used

• More saturated colours such as yellows, muted purples, oranges and teals may be used on feature walls to add interest, such as in a living room, or walls that need to be highlighted to support residents with wayfinding, such as the kitchen serving areas or end of corridors

• Staff areas and supply cupboards should be painted in the

For example, Dulux Trade Scuffshield is a tough, waterbased matt emulsion containing ultimate scuff-resistant technology to protect walls against scuff marks made by shoes and bags This makes it ideal for high traffic areas such as corridors, stairwells and hallways It is also cleanable, with great stain resistance, keeping walls in top condition for longer

In addition, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt includes stainrepellent technology that is ideal for settings like dining areas that often need cleaning The Diamond Matt paint formula has been tested to ensure it can withstand up to 10,000 scrubs, meaning walls can withstand daily wear and tear and regular cleaning

On the other hand, Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt and Dual Active Matt contain additives that reduce populations of harmful bacteria – key for environments occupied by vulnerable people Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt is a quick drying, water-based coating with an in-film bactericide which reduces populations of MRSA and E coli Additionally, Dulux Trade Sterishield Dual Active contains in-film antimicrobial additive, which inhibits bacteria and viruses within the paint film, and thus reduces populations of MRSA, E coli, Coronaviruses and Human Herpesvirus Using both paints alongside appropriate cleaning practices helps to promote more hygienic, safer environments

On-site conduct and considerations

Care home managers should work closely with the decorating team to ensure works are completed in a timely manner – and cause minimal disruption to staff and residents For example, the care home staff should be aware of what areas are out of bounds and ensure residents are relocated to other areas of the premises It is also important to work with the decorating team to schedule deliveries and ensure staff and emergency services can access the site as needed

For more information on best practice when it comes to decorating care homes, please visit www duluxtradepaintexpert co uk/en/content/occd-hub

To help find the best decorator for your job, please visit: www duluxselectdecorators co uk or https://connectdirectory dulux co uk

Fall Savers® are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR

Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!

Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers® The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad This results in less work for nursing staff improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Safer for patients; less work for staff Bed and chair pads available One monitor works w th two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems

A variety of options including Call button Pager

Floor sensor mat

W reless door/window exit alerts

TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR

Lotus Care Technology

The NurseAlert pressure mat has been one of the most successful floor pressure mats due to it being non slip and carpeted which makes it feel very natural under a residents foot Lotus Care Technology Ltd have many other fall saving devices that can give you peace of mind whilst caring for this at risk of falls

Having many years of experience in fitting and maintaining

Nurse Call Systems helps the guys at Lotus Care Technology understand that every home is different and has different needs They can specify not only the best system for the environmental factors in the home but also take into consideration the best products that will make your carers and nurses jobs that little bit easier

Visit www lctuk com for details

CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Silent Running - Tranquility in Care Homes

Quiet and calm care homes ensure that residents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment Similarly, carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surroundings particularly those suffering from dementia these can be fluctuations in ambient temperature light and of course noise Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and external sources for example telephones ringing loud conversations in corridors and call bells sounding, often one of the

largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort in residents

A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recommends fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a person’s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a number of methods to reduce their impact in a care home These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call In these circumstances dementia sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one “zone” whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative zone Each zone can operate different call tones warning lights or other methods to alert when help

is required

Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil environment for residents Pagers have been around for many years are a relatively simple and cost-effective measure in reducing the levels of noise and can be added to most Nurse Call systems Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning e-medication, etc Many Courtney

Thorne clients are now utilising the “Go” app with their Nurse Call system With the “Go” app, nurse call alarms are delivered immediately and silently straight to the handsets alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely disturbing the rest of the residents in the home

Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less stressed also this creates a happier workplace where morale is greatly improved, staff are retained and CQC ratings improve Clearly the positive ramifications of a quiet Care Home run deep Get in touch today to find out how we can help your home become a quieter calmer and more tranquil environment

For more information email us at: info@c-t co uk

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

Blaucomm’s Nurse Call Messaging Service (NMS) is the market leading solution to remove the dependency on noisy nurse call panels and pagers through its intelligent software which delivers the alerts straight to the care staff who need them

Care homes are rapidly introducing smartphones for digital care planning and eMar - now, the same devices can be used to receive the nurse call alerts they need for the residents under their care

Furthermore, Blaucomm NMS is deeply linked into Person Centred Software MCM so call bell data is linked straight to care plans This unlocks a huge benefit to care homes to enhance the staff performance with how they accept and respond to residents which ultimately promotes better response times and visibility for management to audit their performance

The best part is that Blaucomm NMS links into your existing nurse call system - we work with all major brands such as Aidcall ARM Courtney Thorne C-TEC ENS Intercall Medicare SAS and TeleAlarm

Care operators are constantly recognising Blaucomm NMS for its reliability and dependability to their care operations which is why we ve been chosen time and time again over other solutions

Head of IT Trudi Harrow at WCS Care had this to say about Blaucomm

NMS:

“We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic company with a reliable product

We have a range of nurse call systems at different sites and the NMS system integrates to them and allows us to compare response times between sites In addition the integration to Person Centred Software is revolutionary We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens!

To find out more about Blaucomm NMS, visit www blaucomm co uk/healthcare

Ssee the advert on the front cover for more details

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

Locàite.me - The Latest Personal SOS and Fall Alarm Solution from Càite Ltd

Locàite me is the latest personal SOS and fall alarm solution from Càite Ltd that helps you support care for and communicate easily with loved ones enabling them to live independently at home for longer

Designed at every stage with the wearer in mind the simplicity of Locàite me is one of its key strengths Simply press the large SOS button to make a two-way voice call to a family member or carer if help is needed Other alarms including the fall alarm are activated automatically You and others with whom you choose to share access receive smartphone notifications for all alarms and can instantly see whereabouts on the map along with recent movement history Then saved emergency contacts are dialled in turn until one answers

With the familiar appearance of a key fob for the wearer coupled with our exceptionally user-friendly app for carers

Medpage Falls Management Products

Medpage is a family ran company with a huge heart and resources gathered over our 38year trading history The majority of the technologies we design manufacture and distribute originate from enquiries received from healthcare professionals and personal family care observations Our product portfolio provides a wide variety of care solutions for epilepsy dementia senior care special needs and sensory loss

Our latest innovation currently in use in several Hospitals presents an effective fall monitoring detection and reporting solution The MPCSA11 is a complex software driven sensor monitor made to be user and operator friendly This device has already proven successful in hospital and care home trials

by reducing patient falls while also reducing false positives from a safe patient The device can monitor and interact with up to three sensor products: bed and chair occupancy pressure pads PIR movement detection sensors and proximity signal products

In use, a patient or resident rising from their bed would be considered a falls risk, but what if they are simply moving to sit in a chair close to their bed? A standard bed monitor would raise an alarm alerting care staff who would arrive to find the person safely seated The MPCSA11 would only generate an alarm if the person was out of their bed or chair for a selectable time duration Learn more www easylinkuk co uk/mpcsa11

See the advert on page 7 for details

as possible There’s no in-home installation required as the small battery powered Room Locàite beacons are simple to place in as many rooms as you need The Locàite me pendant records the nearest beacon and the app records and displays this on a handy 7 day chart Locàite me gives reassurance and peace of mind to families who support loved ones to live independently It costs £129 99 and the associated monthly SIM plan is just £14 99 which includes 100 minutes of SOS voice calls and 60 optional SMS messages each month It s a straightforward 1 month contract and you can cancel any time from within the app Our accessory Room Locàite beacons come in packs of 3 for £49 99 Visit www Locaite me for further details or to contact us and be sure to read our 5 star reviews on Trustpilot and Amazon to hear how Locàite me has helped so many other families

Frequency PrecisionSensors and Pressure Mats to Monitor Those in Care

Technology has made people more connected with the world around them and the revolution in assistive care devices has made it possible for the elderly to spend their last years in a comfortable and familiar environment These devices have also made it easier for home carers to provide quality care for their loved ones while managing their own lives They allow you to care for your elderly whether they are travelling in the city for errands, staying alone at home, or staying in the same home as you They are also helping nursing homes provide better care for them with discrete monitoring and quick responses to emergencies

If you re looking for these kinds of assistive care devices for your loved ones or nursing home Frequency Precision produce some of the best systems available to help you with elderly care and

mobility monitoring ranging from bed chair and floor sensor mats through fall monitoring and GPS tracking to fully integrated nurse call plug or wireless systems Contact us or come and see us at the COTS on Stand 36

Phone: 01837 810590

Email: contact@frequencyprecision com

Website: www frequencyprecision com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Don’t Get Lost On Your Digital Journey

The next 12 months is going to see big changes in the residential care sector With around 50% of homes still using a paper system to plan and record care The NHS Transformation Directorate have big ideas which whilst exciting are daunting to those without the proper tools to make these ideas a reality

So where to begin? Finding the right software provider might appear to be the ideal starting point Will the provider meet all your requirements within budget and customise the software to fit with your own processes? It’s only once you have made this decision that your journey will really begin

There is little information and guidance out there on how to implement a new system into a residential care setting where do you start?

As with any journey you need a route plan

At Ablyss, we know one size doesn’t fit all We understand there are requirements

unique to our customers and are committed to working together to provide the best service for them We understand that the care landscape is always changing and improving whether via new processes or new technologies We keep up to date with what our sector needs to ensure we are providing the best, and most cost effective service possible

Again let s ask: So where to begin? Now we know the answer Find a system provider who will share their experience and knowledge with you and get you to your final destination smoothly and safely

From implementing systems into homes for over 20 years, we not only know how to help plan your journey but we ll be there as your co-pilot too Every step of the way So jump on board and get ready to take off!

For further information on the Blyssful Cloud Care System, visit www ablyss co uk

Digital Social Care Appoints The Access Group to the Assured Supplier List Intended to Help Care Providers Meet 2024 Digitisation Target

Digital Social Care the membership organisation tasked by NHS England to create and manage a list of assured suppliers who can help care home providers roll out a digital social care record (DSCR) by 2024, has appointed The Access Group to its roster

The company s care management solution Access Care and Clinical (AC&C) has been assessed against NHS England’s criteria and accredited against their three key categories; core capabilities and standards; ongoing assurance to required standards; and local assurance

The list launched in April 2021 by the NHS Transformation Directorate, is intended to help providers navigate the supplier market and identify organisations and their digital social care record solutions that have already undergone comprehensive due diligence

In turn giving them peace of mind about the functionality and capability of the technology in achieving their digital goals and making it quicker and easier to make purchasing decisions

Providers have the ability to filter suppliers based on their specific needs to ensure they select the right care planning tools for them And with AC&C tried and trusted by over 500 care providers it s well placed to help care homes meet the government s ambition to digitise

records by next year

On the appointment Steve Sawyer Managing Director Access Health Support and Care said: Care home providers can feel like they are facing a daunting task, navigating the supplier landscape and determining which solutions are best for them and their staff The assured list is vital in streamlining this process, making it simpler, easier and more cost-effective for the individual provider to make decisions

“As a leading provider of care management solutions across the UK and one of the few assured suppliers on the list that offer solutions specifically tailored to residential care home providers, we’re delighted to be appointed and to have the opportunity to support care homes on their digital journey ”

Care providers can also benefit from central funding via their Integrated Care System to support their transition to digital health and care records if one of the assured suppliers is chosen from the list

Further details on The Access Group and AC&C are included on the supplier assured list and can be found at www theaccessgroup com

Creating Data-Led Legacy In Residential Care

The possibilities of improving the lives of people living in residential care are vast, but data is key to unlocking this, says Rachelle Mills, Director of Par tnerships & Innovation, KareInn (www kareinn com)

If it is the sector s mission to create better happier more dignified care for its residents then we need to make more impactful use of the data care homes are continually producing to drive innovation forward for better care outcomes

Picture the scene it s a familiar one At the end of their shift, the care assistant says goodnight to residents and quickly writes up the shift notes in key handover documents before going home In the night one resident becomes agitated and the night care assistant, who is new, struggles to calm them down and understand their needs The lever arch folder is stowed away in the admin office and whilst it s easy to see the last interaction digging further to find clues as to why or how this agitation may be happening is not feasible in the moment Whilst the night s events are captured in the handover notes the next morning from the paperwork point of view a pattern is not emerging The day begins again

Leaving a legacy is something many of us hope for – in work with loved ones or in history

In residential care the staff are a huge part of what sets one offering apart from another When those people move on they leave two kinds of legacy Often residents will feel loss at losing someone they have grown to trust and like so that role needs to be replaced by a person of the same standard to keep residents feeling equally safe and supported Secondly there is a legacy of collected information on individuals' preferences,

habits, experiences and medical needs

Half the care sector still operates using pen and paper and 30% of care homes are still hanging on to an entirely paper-based resident care record system It could be so much more useful if the systems used were more fit for the purpose of collecting information and the repurposing of it to improve care

TREATING RESIDENT RECORDS AS A LEGACY – THE GIFT TO FUTURE CARE

This legacy of information for just one team member could be years long and contain observations noted from caring for hundreds of people When residents leave care or pass away the capture of experiences of their emotional and physical needs doesn’t just have to be a record of the care they have received The information can be structured into data and then used for predicative analysis or insight – it s a gift for the future care of others and that s the legacy we must leave behind

Data is simply information that has been translated into a form that is efficient for movement or processing In the social care sector specifically the information is the input we are already gathering for our residents it might be MUST assessments accident and incident forms or how someone has slept all captured on paper forms during and at the end of the shift The problem with paper is it s hard to draw correlations and spot insights for one resident let alone across hundreds of thousands of people which is the volume needed for things like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to work

Once this information is in a more efficient form for processing we can use tools such as data analysis which deal with huge volumes of data to draw insights and yield learnings

PROCEEDING POSITIVELY AWAY FROM PAPER-BASED RECORDS

As part of its Better Care Fund (BCF) policy framework the Government has allocated £100m to accelerate digitisation in social care £50m to improve data as well as £35m for the creation of an innovation and improvement unit This investment is much needed because it encourages the move away from paper-based resident care record systems Regardless of whether it s a storeroom of lever arch files or a cloud sys-

tem of care records, care assistants and their residents are continuing to generate data and it could be so much more impactful data if the systems used were more fit for the purpose of caring We can t change the fact that the paper records of the last few generations of care home residents are mostly inaccessible to researchers and scientists but we can proceed positively and change the modern legacy of residential care

GIVING CARE HOMES THE VISIBILITY THEY NEED

If we recorded data effectively the scene of the care assistant we looked at earlier would be very different When they say goodnight to residents, they take out their phone and record into a dedicated app, noting that one client was agitated because she was missing her pet and that there’s a photo of him that helps her stay calm This information is there for the night shift team alongside a picture of the pet so that they can comfort the woman when she wakes up feeling upset

The care assistant also tells their colleagues that another resident has a reduced appetite, again adding the notes to their personal care record on the app This then becomes a measurable data point against all the other times that meals have been declined When you filter and sort this information a trend could emerge which will then help you action the appropriate care

Care homes and researchers alike get the visibility they need and residents receive better care It s much harder to spot a pattern if its spread over lots of separate sheets of paper but with the right platform in place it can aggregate the data providing actionable insight

ICS funding is available to support the wider adoption of digital social care records (DSCR) across England and to ensure data is recorded at the point of care and can be shared between care settings

The information that we are gathering right now for our residents for their families and for the regulator could be put to much better use Now is the time to create and capture better data and create a modern legacy that changes the future shape of residential care We can be the generation that does not miss the opportunity to better utilise information we can transform it and yield the benefits for the future

• Improve the quality of care

Deliver better outcomes

Pass Profile 2023 TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

PASS supports over 1 000 care providers every day giving them access to market leading care management tools hand in hand with unlimited 24/7/365 support from our dedicated and friendly PASS team

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Our commitment to the continual evolution of PASS is further illustrated by the addition of GP Connect The first product of its type to offer this feature PASS is still one of only a handful of digital care management solutions to have completed this NHS Digital integration, and is the only one offering it to the home care market

Assured by NHS Transformation Directorate PASS provides a secure platform that allows you to plan record and evidence the care you deliver The only assured solution built specifically for the home care sector, it provides comprehensive real-time functionality and allows you to share progress against outcomes with customisable exportable reports

CARE

PLANNING AND ROSTERING FROM A SINGLE PLATFORM

To meet the wider needs of the PASS community All-in-one PASS has recently been launched bringing advanced rostering functionality to our established digital care planning platform As a result advanced staff scheduling payroll and invoicing functionality is now seamlessly linked with care planning and reporting, reducing the technical complexity, risk and overhead associated with integrating two separate systems

As a result PASS now provides an all-in-one suite of digital care management tools available from a single platform, designed to:

Save you time

Increase the efficiency of your teams

The CAREAudits System

The CAREAudits compliance auditing tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous locations by all care service providers

Carers and managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits, Training and Maintenance as well as service

users quality and wellbeing

The system allows care providers to audit or check just about everything and manage all areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in its Web

Portal Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system Management see in real time exactly were best to focus their attention and resources and how they are meeting their compliance requirements

The system has over 150 easy to use example audits to select from which you can easily add to or edit your own audits in minutes ensuring simple instant updates of ever-changing requirements App care auditors can use CAREAudits with virtually no training it s that simple The Care

PASS GP Connect provides authorised social care staff with realtime access to their client s GP records It makes medical information available when and where it is needed leading to improvements in both care safety and outcomes:

Visibility of allergies vaccinations and medications especially useful for clients unable to reliably share their personal information

• Using medical information to inform care planning

Ensuring that the right medication is delivered to the right person in the timeliest manner In one case this allowed the administration of antibiotics on a Friday evening aiding the service user s swift recovery from infection

Available to all PASS users at no additional cost, PASS GP Connect is significantly more efficient than waiting for a GP response It s also a positive step forward on the path to the DHSC s goal for widespread digitally enabled care and is in full alignment with their ambition for joined up care for everyone

Get in touch:

www everylifetechnologies com

hello@everylifetechnoloiges com

Auditor’s Hands Free Operation guides the user through each audit, each question and answer with its own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care expert WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

Steven Tegart from Talbot Group likes reporting and says “I wish all my other systems were as easy to extract data for management reports as the CAREAudits Excel links Andrew Wood of Wood Care Group says “It is easy to use and our management team complete audits daily which and very customisable giving you the reporting and monitoring you require to ensure risk mitigation in our services

Customer support is excellent and we have never had any issues ”

Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK says We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are”

CAREAudits apps are a part of the Care Plus Innovation Group

Users can download the app for a free trial and be up and running with the full system in minutes w: www careaudits co uk e: care@careaudits co uk t: 01482 238887

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

W&P Training

W&P Training supply comprehensive sets of CQC care policies and procedures that are personalised to your business Whether it s Residential Care Homes Domiciliary Homecare Nursing Homes Learning Disabilities or Supported Living – We cover it all

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME POLICIES

Are Your Current Policies Up To Date?

There have been many recent changes to employment law vaccinations covid-19 guidance plus the CQC’s new strategy and regulatory approach W&P s team track these changes for you to ensure customers receive up to date CQC compliant documents

DOMILICIARY HOMECARE POLICIES

Over 130 comprehensive Domiciliary Care Policies and Procedures for Homecare / Domiciliary Based Services that are researched and written to meet all the CQC regulatory, legislative and good practice guidance within the Health and Social Care sector

ASH Healthcare Training

CLINICAL PROCEDURES FOR NURSING HOMES

CQC compliance for new and established Nursing Homes

W&P’s clinical procedures include 70 comprehensive and up-to-date documents for your nursing home These clinical procedures complement our full set of Care Home Policies and Procedures

SUPORTED LIVING / LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICIES

Designed for Supported Living and Domiciliary providers that deliver CQC regulated activities to adults with Learning Disabilities and/ or Autism W&P’s Policies and Procedures for Supported Living Services will assist with your CQC compliance

Looking for Supported living Policies with NO Personal Care? Visit https://www wandptraining co uk/policies-andprocedures/non-registered-care-policies/ W&P s policy and compliance team are constantly scanning and reviewing all the statutory websites and regulatory publications to track the very latest developments in the Health & Social Care Sector

Policies and Procedures are updated every 4 months or immediately if there is a critical change to regulation good practice guidance case law outcomes or just feedback from customers

To find out more about what we offer go to www wandptraining co uk or see the advert on page 2

Ever ything You Need To Know About Mock CQC Inspections

When you redecorate your house you quickly get used to your new environment

Sometimes it takes a visit from a friend you haven t seen for 6 months to remind you that yes you spent a lot of time and effort finding the right curtains to match your sofa

was done today Your inspector will highlight what you re doing well so you can keep doing it and find opportunities where you could improve your service

At ASH Healthcare Training, we specialise in providing a wide range of healthcare training courses to meet the needs of your business Our courses are delivered using a variety of training techniques to make learning fun and informative All of our trainers are experienced highly qualified nurses and professionals with practical experience in their field With courses ranging from Manual Handling, EFAW to Verification of Expected Death, Venepuncture and Catheterisation training, our healthcare professional training is CPD approved and you will receive

accreditation upon completion CARE HOME ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER TRAINING

The only accredited CHAP training in the UK The Care Home Assistant Practitioner role is still relatively new but is growing in popularity amongst business owners and care staff For business owners it provides a skilled workforce able to support the nurses in Nursing Homes where recruitment of nurses is now a serious problem by supporting the nurses you enable them to do more 'nursing' and less of the paper based tasks that can take them away from providing the care your residents deserve 0844 800 9223 info@ashhct co uk www ashhealthcaretraining com

The same principle applies to mock CQC inspections When you live and breathe your business you simply don’t see it the same way as someone who’s just walked in the door

While it feels great to be complimented on your great taste 6 months after redecorating, it doesn’t feel so good if that same friend spots a stain on the rug that you’ve stopped noticing

Luckily we re not all rating each other on interior design What you are being rated on however is your care business Specifically how safe effective caring responsive and well-led it is IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO BE OUTSTANDING

A mock CQC inspection is carried out by a current or former inspector They ll use the latest methodology and criteria to assess your business in line with CQC requirements – ie against those five quality statements

They gather evidence based on client experiences feedback from your team and other stakeholders, observation, paperwork and process reviews CQC inspectors play a vital role in keeping vulnerable people safe and setting high standards for care Naturally, that’s something they take very seriously But if you’re focused on managing your team and taking care of clients it can be hard to know whether you re ticking all the boxes that the CQC will look at That s why a mock inspection is a great way to benchmark your business and find out how you d be rated if the inspection

If you re aiming for Outstanding don t risk missing out when it s so quick and easy to arrange a mock CQC inspection and find out if you re on track

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A LOW RATING

Your friend has spotted the stain – and what’s worse, it’s even bigger than you thought! Fear not We don t leave you high and dry after a mock CQC inspection We can match you with the person with exactly the right knowledge to deal with that particular stain

Most care providers don’t have the budget for a full-time quality team – and if they did they d probably spend it on more front-line carers – but with Kata Care Solutions you don t need one Think of us as your virtual quality team as and when you need us

Our care quality consultants will create a bespoke action plan to address any areas of concern and help you establish best practices long before your real inspector comes a-calling

If you’ve already had a disappointing inspection we can also work with you to turn things around as quickly as possible And don t worry, we’ll be helping you to establish a repeatable framework and navigate any complex paperwork or ambiguous wording so you feel completely confident that you’re on the right path in the future

So if you don t have any further questions all that’s left to do is book your mock CQC inspection and get your care business on the journey to Outstanding

Visit www katacare co uk to book

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Pain Relief

benefits of BIOFROST® Relief include lasting pain relief improved joint movements comfort during sleep fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and muscle discomfort and faster post-activity recoveries

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Ser vices Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors

C&S Seating Ltd

C&S Seating Ltd have provided postural control equipment to residential homes, hospices, medical equipment services and NHS trust hospitals nationwide since 1991

With 9 different sizes of T-Rolls and Log Rolls, in a removable and machine washable Waterproof Titex or Soft Knit material These rolls are used to control posture and position of the body in either supine or side lying Our Knee & Leg support wedges are available in 2 sizes

for repainting

For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield com or visit www yeomanshield com or see the advert page 10

Alternative Positioning Support – also available in two sizes, which has removable side cushions and middle pommel for when more control of the abducted lower limb is required

Our popular and vibrant range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 colours, provide a softer alternative, ideal for the colder seasons and are designed to fit snug over our waterproof rolls for maximum protection and comfort

Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit www cands-seating co uk to request or download a brochure, pricelist or order form request an individualised quotation speak to an advisor or to place an order

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are natural drugfree topical cold therapy gels for muscular and joint pain chronic arthritic pain post-activity muscle tension general aches and overuse disorders Easy to use and fast acting BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels relieve pain reduce inflammation and swelling without drugs and drug-related side-effects

BIOFROST® Gels:

BIOFROST® Rel ef Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

BIOFROST® Active Dual-Action Cold Gel with Heat Sensation combining cold with natural heat effects to treat back pain

BIOFROST® Relief provides instant pain relief and activates body s own healing through an optimal combination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus, peppermint and MSM Reported

BIOFROST® Active is a dual-action fast-acting cold gel with heat sensation for effective relief of muscular and joint pain Containing 10 natural herbal extracts (i e Arnica Burdock Roman Chamomile Garlic Watercress Ivy White Nettle Pine Rosemary Menthol) BIOFROST® Active relieves chronic pain releases muscular tension loosens stiff joints and effectively treats back pain Benefits of BIOFROST® Active include easier joint movements effective pain relief in treated areas discomfort-free sleep fewer cramps and reduced post-activity muscular and joint fatigue

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are usable standalone or alongside other pain relieving therapies (i e medication physiotherapy etc ) BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are suitable for people of any age, including elderly and disabled people living independently or in nursing care

See the advert on page 3 and the front cover

New Vision Signs and Graphics Ltd

environment

We offer a full survey service with designs drawings, location plans, manufacture and delivery or installation of door signs, lift directories, as well as directional and wayfinding signage

Kodak

New Vision Signs and Graphics Ltd are a leading supplier of innovative dementia-friendly signage and visual tools that are especially suited for use in hospitals and care homes

Our Dementia-friendly signage is available in different styles and colours and we take great pride in working closely with clients to create bespoke solutions that are suitable for their particular healthcare

and

Anglia Crown - Popular Dishes for Ever yone

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a wellbalanced, nutritional diet including choices that do not contain gluten Our Crown Choice and Advantage ranges include some fifty-eight dishes, including our new warming Ginger Chocolate Chip Sponge and delicious, comforting custard that goes with almost any hot dessert

Our Crown Choice cold dessert includes the perennial favourites such as Chocolate Cake whilst our Crown Advantage range also offer reduced sugar desserts All individual Crown Advantage desserts come in packs of eighteen whilst the Crown Choice desserts come in packs of 3 and 6 allowing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste

Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allowing for additional choice Items such as our Carrot Cake or Vanilla Cheesecake can be accom-

C&S Seating Ltd is the sole manufacturer of the

Raising the Standard of

The Stair Climbing Company is one of the leading providers of powered Stair Climber solutions which have been specifically designed to assist those struggling with mobility and independence issues facing people with disabilities

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact easy to use powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings Offering innovative designs all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer s warranty

The Stair Climbing Company maintains one main

See the advert on page 13

Stair Climbing Solutions

mission; to improve quality of life through its range of high-quality and custom devices with built-in seats

The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair carrier model is designed to cater to individual customers’ specific needs and works with all stair types Furthermore the company provides Stair Climbers for all ages making them suitable for everyone and offers a free assessment for customers

If you would like to find out any more information please see the details below: T 01787 379160

www thestairclimbingcompany com

See the advert on page 13

Make First Impressions Count with Major Plants

to do without trying to remember whether the flowers have been watered, fed, or tidied up Calling in the experts like Major Plants Limited means that you can get on with your business while we ensure that outside your plant arrangements and presentation never let you down

Besides our regular floral display services we also offer a full package maintenance plan for your grounds and gardens

Major Plants Limited specialises in providing costeffective and visually striking hanging basket maintenance services This means we design plant arrangements to suit your business using a combination of hanging baskets and window boxes

We know that busy businesses have enough work

Whether you are seeking an alternative quotation to compare with an existing supplier or are looking at external flower arrangements for the first time our flexible agreement and personal service will give you a piece of mind reliable support for your business

Please get in touch!

0800 111 4014 – info@majorplants co uk

Or see the advert on the front cover

panied by whipped cream garnished with seasonal fresh fruit

Our hot desserts are high in energy, our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense options and when served with custard provide over 250 kcal per serving Our cold desserts of 250 kcal and above also meet the energy guidelines in the British Dietetic Association (BDA)

Nutrition and Hydration Digest (2017) requirements

VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

At Anglia Crown we pride ourselves with the array of vegetarian and gluten free dishes that we offer including an impressive range of desserts This was recognised with us being named at the Vegetarian Wholesaler of the Year 2022 at the VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg n Care Catering

All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes ”

Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details or see the advert on page 9

Making the Most of the International Recruitment Fund

By Tijen Ahmet, business immigration expert at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau (www.shma.co.uk)

Care providers need to act quickly to secure their share of the £50 million International Recruitment Fund which is only available across England until 2024 This fund has been created by the Government to help ease the costs of hiring from overseas and cut unnecessary red tape and whilst it might seem like a short-term solution to the longstanding issue of crippling staff shortages, care providers should seek to understand exactly what it covers to maximise the opportunity 88 per cent of home care operators and 87 per cent of care home providers have reported recruitment challenges

These challenges have been caused by a multitude of factors including the end of free movement following Brexit the lasting effects of the global pandemic, poor long-term planning from the Government and the cost-of-living crisis are piling pressure on the sector As a result, existing staff are having to take on more internal responsibilities as the scope of their role stretches potentially placing those who need care at risk The Health and Social Care Committee predicts that if staff shortage trend continues 500 000 jobs will need to be filled by 2030

The International Recruitment Fund plans to alleviate these pressures and can be used for administrative costs that will help facilitate a person’s move to the UK, including support with sponsorship licences and

worker visa applications In addition it can also be used to help with the logistics of settling the employee in a new country including finding them affordable housing helping to pay for a UK driving licence DBS check or National Insurance number

The funding will be granted by local authorities who in collaboration with care partnerships will distribute it to care providers in their areas Care providers should therefore proactively reach out to Local Authorities to ensure that they will be considered for funding, as while a £50 million sounds plentiful with thousands of care providers across the UK competing over the same pot it ultimately may not stretch too far The first round of funding has already been allocated across regions with the South East and North West assigned £2 5 million and £2 million respectively

The Fund itself is not unlimited and the government is yet to announce further measure beyond 2023 if at all This means it is vital to for care provider to understand the the financial support available to them to increase the chance of being successful Care providers should consider seeking professional immigration advice to help their international recruitment drive to ensure that the legal immigration requirements are met first time to avoid costly mistakes

The International Recruitment Fund is intended to give the sector a boost by cutting bureaucracy and unnecessary complexity within the process The biggest hope however is that it attracts the talent that the sector so desperately needs by making the positions more appealing if employers can help with settling an employee once they have relocated While the Fund will certainly go some way to support the sector in the short term more needs to be done to ensure there is a long-term strategy that will lift the burden from the sector and help to end the shortage

In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse?

JJ Recruitment has the large database of well qualified applicants with experience in the health-care industry such as health care assistants senior carers and nurses from overseas We also have an expert team of solicitors for the necessary legal proceedings and advices

WHY JJ?

We have very minimal processing fees

the healthcare sector is invaluable We can provide end to endsolutions for nurses and clients across the country due to our many offices across the country (Liverpool Sheffield Burton on Trent and our head office on the Wirral) We have our own in-house training facility and are leading the way in OSCE preparation with innovative and proven strategies which result in first time passes This allows us to now offer a complete service ensuring all the requirements needed to join the UK NM register are met as quickly and effectively as possible

Whether you require 1 or 100 nurses we will ensure that they meet all your requirements and are ready to interview as soon as you need them with emphasis being on the quality and relevant experience of the nurses Our online courses are consistently being updated to reflect the changes made to the OSCE practices To ensure all our clients, have access to the most suitable candidates we work with reputable recruitment partners around the globe With the advanced systems we have in place we can track each individual nurse every step of the way providing all our clients with regular updates on the nurse’s progress We monitor and check in with all our candidates every step of the way making sure they have been given excellent training and support throughout their journey This allows us to ensure that we can provide you with a candidate that will pass their OSCE journey first time

SERVICES

WE PROVIDE

We will help arrange your sponsorship license

We will source the best candidates

We will fully screen each candidate

We arrange accommodation

What to Consider When

When considering whether to buy a care home business while you will no doubt have taken account of apparent profitability and potential, it is vital that you establish as far as possible likely costs (e g legal fees due diligence costs, post completion costs (tax, investment)) during and after the buying process as well as having a realistic idea of the timescales involved

INVESTMENT

It may sound obvious but you must always check the numbers carefully Has the bottom line been enhanced by underinvestment? This will go hand in hand with the due diligence exercise but what will the business require going forward whether it be property repairs/renovation (whether in terms of practicalities or statutory requirements) or investment in staff and facilities? You need to establish what needs to be spent after completion of the purchase in order to sustain and/or enhance profitability

This will no doubt form part of your business plan which, where funding is being obtained, your lender will want to look at

FINANCE

If you need to obtain finance for your deal consider the additional steps and costs that will be involved

An investor or lender will likely have specific requirements in terms of structure (creation and/or involvement of group companies) documentation (occupational leases) and/or due diligence (additional searches/checks) that may affect timing and expense

ASSET/SHARE PURCHASE

In most cases, a care home will be owned and operated by a limited company rather than an individual

Therefore usually one of the initial critical decisions to be made is whether to proceed by way of an asset or share purchase Advice should be sought on a case-by-case basis as there are a number of things to consider in terms of for example tax or financial implications Essentially with an asset purchase you are buying those “items” (e g the property the employees etc) which you consider to be vital to the continued running of the business With a share purchase you take on all assets and liabilities of the owning company

a Care Home Business

DUE DILIGENCE

While the documents dealing with the specific transaction are important, these will be negotiated in line with the due diligence exercise This process like other aspects takes time and costs money Where possible obtain an indication as to costs up front

Existing and potential future liabilities need to be considered whether in terms of property repairs tax considerations disputes etc

If development of the property is required (e g to extend the property) you must obtain advice from a planning perspective and your solicitor needs to advice on any title issues that may affect any intended development and/or the required use of the property (e g and covenants or restrictions affecting the property)

If the property interest you are taking or inheriting is leasehold, your solicitor will need to advise on any consents that may be required (in terms of the transaction (so that the lease may be transferred to you or the lease contains “change of control” restrictions) or your future plans (e g consent to carry out alterations) and any obligations and/or restrictions in the lease that may affect your plans Is the length of the lease sufficient? Do you have rights to renew the lease at the end of the term? Are you inheriting costly repair obligations?

PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCE

The Eden Alternative - What Is It?

The Eden Alternative is a modern ‘philosophy of care designed to enhance the wellbeing of residents and staff in care settings the quality of their lived experience and their fulfilment

It aims to build a truly positive culture; underpinned by close partnership working between residents the team and family members

How does it work? It provides training to Care Homes, management and staff and encourages Homes to train their own in house trainers to run the training Eden has been running in over 20 countries on 5 continents for nearly 30 years and started in the USA It began operating in the UK in 2005 Eden UK runs both face-to-face training and online courses which both lead to the accreditation of candidates as Certified Eden Associates of which there are over

Phoenix Learning and Care Set For Future Growth Following £20m Bespoke

Loan from OakNorth Bank

2 000 in the UK and 20 000 worldwide

The Certified Eden Associate Courses online course run over 7 weeks x 1hr each week using the same material as the 3-day Eden Associate courses and comprise 5 elements (online training with Eden trainers digital workbooks video clips assessment of learning and development of a project to develop implementing innovative ideas) Courses run continuously and a new one starts at the beginning of each alternate month e g March May July etc

For Homes or Services that choose to become an Eden Accredited Home annual validations of how Eden features with the life of the Home/Service are undertaken In recognition of the progress achieved by the care provision an award of Platinum Gold Silver or Bronze can be achieved Eden UK is based at 11 Plantation Terrace, Dawlish Devon EX7 9DS and can be contacted on 01626 868192 or 07483359472

The key advantages to the Eden approach are:

It improves occupancy

It improves recruitment and retention

It improves team and resident wellbeing Geoffrey Cox LLb MSc

OakNorth Bank, the digital bank for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, has provided a £20m loan to Phoenix Learning and Care, a leading provider of specialist education and residential care for children and young adults with a range of additional needs

Established in 2006 and now employing over 500 people, Phoenix Learning and Care Group operates 41 sites including residential children s homes specialist education schools & colleges and ongoing adult care (in the form of residential homes and supported living settings) across the South of England and Wales Its mission is to meet every individual’s social and educational needs enabling young people to flourish by always putting them at the centre of its thinking and practice Regulated by Ofsted CIW Estyn and CQC the Group supports children and young adults cope with their life experiences providing them with the skills to be effective productive and valued members of society The business is also backed by Ashridge Capital who specialise in partnering with ambitious management teams and providing private equity capital Founded in 2009 by David Sherratt Ashridge Capital has a proven track record in helping build successful and market leading businesses

The £20m loan from OakNorth Bank will be used to support Phoenix Learning and Care Group s acquisition of new residential care and education sites as well as refinancing existing debt Situated throughout the South West of England, South Wales and having recently increased its presence in Berkshire

recent new sites include the Grange, Neptune and Ty Monmouth Schools located in Thatcham Bristol and Newport respectively

François Delbaere CFO of Phoenix Learning and Care Group commented: “Every member of the team at Phoenix is passionate about improving the quality of life and outcomes for the people we support From our headquarters in the South West of England we continue to grow across the South of England and Wales, this bespoke funding from OakNorth will help further accelerate our growth This was our first time working with OakNorth Bank and we found their approach dynamic and entrepreneurial throughout the entire lending process It was great to see Stewart and his team take time to really get to know our business and its key drivers – an approach we haven t seen from other lenders we’ve worked with previously ” Stewart Haworth Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth Bank added “Following the launch of Phoenix Learning and Care 17 years ago it has built up such a positive reputation across the South of England and Wales The level of experience that the business has to offer coupled with its hugely talented team puts it in the perfect position to capitalise on the growing demand for specialist education and care services With over 260 children and young adults benefiting from Phoenix’s services we re delighted to have been able to support such a wellrenowned and established provider of specialist education and residential care and we look forward to watching their growth story going forward

For further information on Oaknorth Band see the advert on the facing page

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance

Global assists clients throughout the U K who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase development and refinance We have organised over £1 8bn for clients in the past 30 years providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt ease cashflow and develop businesses further