The Carer Digital - Issue #17

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The Carer Digital

THECARERUK

Issue 17

THECARERUK

90-Minute COVID-19 Tests To Be “Rolled Out” Across Care Homes

Two new tests for Covid-19 that will deliver results within 90 minutes are to be introduced across care homes and NHS hospitals, to speed up diagnosis ahead of winter and differentiate coronavirus infection from flu, the government has announced.

The tests will enable clinicians and NHS Test and Trace to quickly advise on the best course of action to stop the spread of the virus.

Two new tests – both able to detect the virus in just 90 minutes – will be made available to NHS hospitals, care homes and labs. The 2 tests will be able to

detect both COVID-19 and other winter viruses such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The tests do not require a trained health professional to operate them, meaning they can be rolled out in more non-clinical settings.

This will help to further strengthen the coronavirus response this winter, arming both clinicians and NHS Test and Trace with the ability to distinguish between COVID-19 cases, which have specific self-isolation requirements, and other winter viruses.

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PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

“There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”

ROSALYN CARTER A story of considerable interest in this issue is that MPs are seeking evidence on “burnout” across the care sector and the NHS. (Page 7).

I have had past experience of “burnout”. I worked in another sector (hospitality), having a business during the late 80s and early 90s at a time when interest rates were ranging between 12 and 15%. That burnout almost broke me, and it is something I have never forgotten.

I shudder to think the impact of Covid-19 has had on staff who have had to deal with the tragic consequences, including isolation for residents, dealing with Editor grief and of, course, self-isolation from care staff’s own families, coupled with the everyday personal dangers of the virus.

We have, during the past few months, contacted many industry leading lights and industry organisations to share their advice on mental health issues for those working in the sector - highlighting work life balance, grief, and generally advice guidance and practice on how leadership in the sector can help avoid burnout and the consequences that come with it.

The Health and Social Care Committee rightly say that the resilience of social care staff during this endemic has been “tested to the limits”, and the point of the exercise, I hope, will be to highlight mistakes, errors of judgement and any shortfalls, so as to ensure that if there is a second spike the sector is prepared.

However, I also feel this inquiry to be vitally important to the future staffing of the sector. Regular readers will know how critical I have been of mainstream media (MSM) in their sensationalist and sometimes alarmist reporting of the pandemic in the care sector, with some in the media using the pandemic has an opportunity to enhance their reputations and score political points.

This constant negativity will inevitably have an impact on staffing. We all recognise that the new immigration rules restrict overseas workers - with the new rules being described as creating a “black hole” for employment within the care sector - which led last month to the leaders of 37 national care organisations, including the NHS Confederation, signing a letter of concern to the Prime Minister.

This means there is already a potential future staffing problem and, the sector, as

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we know, is facing huge challenges, and has always in my time here at The CARER faced ongoing challenges regarding finance. However, post COVID staffing could be the most significant challenge.

So, aside from the inquiry the Prime Minister has promised into the COVID crisis and the country’s handling of it in relation to care homes, a separate enquiry into the burnout of staff is most welcome, and will play a pivotal role in encouraging people to enter the sector in the future. I would urge many observers and organisations to submit their comments, further details can be found here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/494/workforce-burnout-and-resilience-inthe-nhs-and-social-care/ Once again I would offer my sincere thanks for all the uplifting and positive stories we are getting across the sector.

I think these fantastic initiatives, celebrations, activities and entertainments staff at homes throughout the UK are vital in improving morale, and always has a positive effect on well-being and mental health, not only the with residents but in particular for staff themselves.

So once again, well done and please keep them coming! I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk.com

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 3

90-Minute COVID-19 Tests To Be “Rolled Out” Across Care Homes Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We’re using the most innovative technologies available to tackle coronavirus. Millions of new rapid coronavirus tests will provide on-the-spot results in under 90 minutes, helping us to break chains of transmission quickly.

“The fact these tests can detect flu as well as COVID-19 will be hugely beneficial as we head into winter, so patients can follow the right advice to protect themselves and others.

“I am hugely grateful for the excellent work done by DnaNudge and Oxford Nanopore to push forward these life-saving innovations in coronavirus testing.”

The announcement comes as the Department of Health denied it had abandoned its promise to regularly test care home residents through the summer.

Care home residents and staff were meant to receive regular testing from July 6 but will now be pushed back to September 7 for older people and those with dementia, according to reports.

A spokesperson for the department said: “A combination of factors have meant that a more limited number of testing kits, predominantly used in care homes, are currently available for asymptomatic re-testing and we are working round the clock with providers to restore capacity.”

The 450,000 90-minute LamPORE swab tests will be available across adult care setting and laboratories from next week, and a new test that uses DNA to detect the virus will be rolled out across NHS hospitals from September, with 5,000 DNA machines, supplied by DnaNudge, to provide 5.8 million tests in the coming months, and the test will be able to process swab and saliva samples to detect the presence of COVID-

19 in 60 to 90 minutes.

Regius Professor Chris Toumazou FRS, CEO and co-founder of DnaNudge and founder of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London, commented: We are extremely proud to be playing such a pivotal role in supporting the national effort on testing, as this major contract award signifies. With the ability to test not only for COVID-19 but also FluA, FluB and RSV on the same single COVID-19 Nudge cartridge, our multiplex test offers a vital solution to protect the NHS as we head into the flu season.

Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore, said: We are honoured to be playing a part in fighting COVID-19 in the UK, and preparing the country for the winter virus season. Ever since we founded Oxford Nanopore, our mission has been to create disruptive, high performance technology that has a profound, positive impact on society.

Dame Anne Johnson, professor of infectious disease and epidemiology at University College London, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the new tests were "great news" but part of a wider system which needed to act rapidly overall. Rapid diagnosis was useful, but the most important thing was for people to self isolate if they felt ill, she said.

Sir Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute and a member of Scientists for Labour, said the government needed to "treat the public as adults" in Covid-19 communications.

"We need openness, transparency, scrutiny, and a leadership of people taking responsibility for the decision-making," he said.

Visitor Guidance Lacks “Clarity & Leadership” After a month without any guidance on visiting in care homes in England, families and providers desperately needed clarity and leadership from Government.

Unfortunately, the long-overdue guidance provides neither, says the Relatives and Residents Association.

Guidance was urgently needed to set out the action homes should take to protect residents whose human rights are at risk and how to safely reinstate vital family support, via individual risk and needs assessments. What has been produced instead encourages blanket approaches, provides scant practical advice on future management of the virus and is difficult to follow. For providers who are still not permitting visits, there is little help here to encourage them out of lockdown. For providers who are already allowing visits, this guidance could take them backwards, they said.

Buried in the detail, there is welcome news, in terms of opening up care homes to in-person visits, weighing up the resident’s well-being and needs against risk of infection. There is thoughtful consideration around face coverings for people who may find those distressing. The guidance addresses some of the barriers that have prevented people in the most vulnerable situations from having visits, including allowing visits in

resident’s rooms and allowing personal contact, the association added.

They did however express concern. Restricting visits to a ‘single constant visitor’ will lead to some painful decisions, will be problematic for many family members and friends, and will likely place undue burden on providers to implement. Equally, encouraging blanket approaches for ‘cohorts/categories of residents’ will lead to unfair policies which fail to take account of individual needs, and could create discontent amongst families and a further burden on providers.

This is very far from the clear strategy the Association says it has been calling for the Government to produce on safely opening up care homes. There is little practical advice offered, no commitment to providing the support needed to implement it (such as PPE and regular testing for visitors), and no long term plan for managing the virus and any future outbreaks. It feels as though this guidance, once again, has been produced without the benefit of input from those receiving care, their families or providers.

Helen Wildbore, director of R&RA, said: “After such a long delay in Government guidance on safely opening up care homes, many families will be disappointed with the lack of clarity and practical support it offers. Our helpline callers are concerned that the new advice takes us backwards, reversing some measures care homes have put in place to facilitate visits. It is a far cry from the strategy R&RA have been calling on the Government to produce. Older people needing care have felt like an afterthought throughout this crisis. Sadly, this is yet another example of Government action which is too little, too late to protect the rights of people needing care.”

PAGE 4 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

How Are You Protecting Residents and Visitors From Germs and Viruses? teria killing qualities mean it is also an effective tool across care homes.

Having loved ones able to visit is so important for the wellbeing of care home residents and also important for the visitors, as between 2242% of care home residents can feel lonely during the day.1 Now that restrictions on visitors are being lifted, keeping people safe and germ free throughout care homes will be of utmost importance to reduce the risk of a breakout of coronavirus.

While it can seem a daunting prospect to allow visitors into a home after such a long period, with the right processes in place, it is possible to keep both residents and their guests safe and significantly reduce the risk of infection.

SANITISE ON ENTRY AND EXIT

As visitors are starting to come back into care homes again after lockdown, there may be hesitation due to fears about the risks of coronavirus infection and the vulnerability of residents.

Anica Detic, Head of R&D at Zidac Laboratories argues the way forward is visual prompts and reminders for visitors about maintaining strict hygiene standards, but these need to be accompanied by easily accesible, high quality sanitiser.

With government guidelines about keeping coronavirus at bay revolving around hand washing and hygiene, businesses and healthcare practices have been investing in hand sanitiser. The efficiency and bac-

The best way to stop germs entering the care home is to have all visitors sanitising as soon as they enter the building. A great way to ensure this is the case is to have visual reminders such as pumps and signs up at the entrance.

As well as sanitising on entrance, it is important to continue to sanitise hands throughout the visit and upon leaving to kill any germs that might have been picked up when going to and from visitor spaces. Again, the best way to do this is to have hygenic, hands-free sanitising stations readily available throughout the care home, serving as a visual reminder to keep germs at bay.

REGULARLY CLEAN FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES Surfaces that are often touched by multiple people, such as door handles, door bells and desks with sign in books or screens, will need to be cleaned more regularly than before, using high quality multipurpose disinfectants, as viruses can stay on surfaces for 1-2 days. While sanitis-

er can reduce the risk of germs being left on these surfaces, the bacteria fighting properties of a disinfectant will help to keep residents safe from potential viruses.

It is also recommended to place sanitiser bottles and pumps near high risk areas to avoid contaminated hands touching the surfaces and or moving germs throughout the rest of the building.

CHECK THE QUALITY With the increased need for hand sanitiser there is more available on the market, but not all formulations are fully effective.

The most important factor to consider when buying hand sanitiser is alcohol, which kills germs by protein denaturation and dissolving the lipid membrane. For sanitiser to be fully anti-microbial (or effective on germs) it must contain at least 70 per cent alcohol, yet many off-theshelf sanitisers that are currently being produced do not contain this.

When a sanitiser goes through testing, the manufacturer can find out what percentage of bacteria it will kill. Sanitisers that have gone through correct testing methods will have this statement printed on the bottle, with good quality sanitiser killing 99.9% of germs. Advertising a product’s independent testing results is also a good indication it is safe to use as well as effective, and ensures authenticity.

High quality sanitiser available throughout the care home should help to reduce the risk of infection and will put the minds of staff, residents and visitors at ease while there is uncertainty around coronavirus.

For further information visit www.zidac.co.uk 1. www.thegoodcaregroup.com/news/loneliness-and-care-homes/ 2. www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-onsurfaces

Husband & Wife Reunited After 5 Months Apart Gay Smallman, resident at Fernhill House Care Home in Worcester and one of the original “Nightingale Nurses”, last saw her husband Robert back in February just before he flew to New Zealand to visit his daughters on what should have been a 3 week trip. However due to Covid-19 and borders being closed, the 3 week trip became 5 months!

Arriving at the home, full of love and excitement to see his beautiful wife, Rob commented on how very much he has missed her “We’ve been married 45 years, and we’re thick as thieves” Gay was equally as overwhelmed describing the feeling of seeing Rob, albeit safely through a glass partition, as just “heavenly”.

Angie Ryan, Home Manager at Fernhill House, Worcester stated what an emotional moment it was for everyone and one we have been waiting for quite a few weeks.

When asked about how the past few months have been, Angie commented “I am very proud to state that Fernhill House has remained Covid free throughout which

wholeheartedly down to the hard work and dedication of the team here at Fernhill & the guidance & support provided Majesticare.

Roger Pratap, Chairman at Majesticare Luxury Care Homes commented on the launch of their “Friendship Room” Fernhill House Care Home’s new, indoor visiting room.

“Early on into the pandemic, Majesticare were quick to recognise the potential lasting impact on visiting within our Homes and so we made the decision to swiftly develop, an all-weather, safe visiting room within each of our homes.

It is just wonderful to be able to bring Gay & Robert together at the opening of our very first visiting room. A beautifully decorated, private and safe space to ensure families & friends will always be able to stay safely connected in person, whatever the future may bring”.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 5

New Analysis Lays Bare Government’s Failure to Protect Social Care from COVID-19

New analysis by the Health Foundation reveals the devastating impact the pandemic has had on social care in England. The independent charity says the findings provide further evidence that the government acted too slowly and did not do enough to support social care users and staff, and that protecting social care has been given far lower priority than the NHS. The Health Foundation finds that policy action on social care has focused primarily on care homes and that this has risked leaving out other vulnerable groups of users and services, including those receiving care in their own homes (domiciliary care). It also notes that the shortcomings of the government’s response have been made worse by longstanding political neglect and chronic underfunding of the social care system.

Since March there have been more than 30,500 excess deaths* among care home residents in England and 4,500 excess deaths among people receiving domiciliary care. While high numbers of excess deaths of people living in care homes have been well reported, the analysis shows there has been a greater proportional increase in deaths among domiciliary care users than in care homes (225% compared to 208%).

And while deaths in care homes have now returned to average levels for this time of year, the latest data (up until 19 June) shows that there have continued to be excess deaths reported among domiciliary care users.

The Health Foundation says that decades of inaction by successive governments have meant that the social care system entered the pan-

demic underfunded, understaffed, and at risk of collapse. Any response to COVID-19 would have needed to contend with this legacy of political neglect. As the UK prepares for potential future waves of the virus, the Health Foundation warns that social care must be given equal priority to the NHS, including a greater focus on domiciliary care, and that more fundamental reform of the social care system is needed to address the longstanding policy failures exposed by COVID-19.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive at the Health Foundation, said: ‘The pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of people receiving and providing social care. The social care system has lacked adequate investment for decades and successive governments have not faced up to the issues facing the sector. COVID-19 has highlighted the extent of this neglect, with tragic consequences. Against this backdrop, the government’s response has been too little, and come too late.

The consequences are now clear and in plain sight.

‘Government must learn now from the first phase of the pandemic to invest in and support social care. In the next year we must see longoverdue reform which should include action to improve pay and conditions for staff, stabilise the care provider market, increase access to publicly funded services, and provide greater protection for people against social care costs. The Dilnot proposals, to cover catastrophic social care costs, are already on the statute book in the 2014 Care Act and are ‘oven ready’ – the government could make a start to reform there. The Prime Minister’s commitment a year ago to fix social care once and for all, needs to be honoured now.’

‘The Health Foundation’s analysis also highlights potential unmet health need among social care users over the course of the pandemic and presents new evidence around the factors that might have contributed to the spread of the virus in care homes.

‘During March and April, there was a substantial reduction in hospital care use among care home residents, with elective admissions reduced to 58% of previous years and emergency admissions to 85% of previous years. The Health Foundation says that by reducing hospital admissions, care home and NHS teams may have reduced the risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, this reduced risk of ill health from COVID-19 needs to be weighed against the significant increase in unmet health needs among residents, particularly for elective care.

‘The analysis also found that discharges from hospitals to residential care homes decreased in England during March and April. However, over the same period, discharges from hospitals to nursing homes increased to 120% of the historic average, though we don’t know whether these led to subsequent outbreaks of COVID-19. Decisions to discharge patients from hospitals were made in part to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19 for those medically fit and stable, and in part to free up space in hospitals for an expected surge of new patients with COVID-19. These difficult decisions were made in an urgent and uncertain context but may have played a role in transferring risk to a poorly supported social care system lacking the right protection, including major issues with access to testing and PPE.’

A Most Unusual Relationship-Pens Pals Pen pals have 73-year age gap but have formed a fantastic friendship Even though there’s an age gap of over 73-years, pen pals Eva, 14, and Mary, 86, have been keeping each other company during the Coronavirus lockdown by becoming pen pals. The two-some have been writing to one another since April and have exchanged several letters between them.

Meeting via a volunteering scheme launched by Brunelcare to help tackle loneliness during the Coronavirus; Eva sent a letter addressed to any tenant who lived at Brunelcare’s Colliers Gardens Extra Care Housing Site in the hope someone would like to write back, a couple of weeks later, Eva received her first letter from Mary, a tenant at the site.

Eva said: “When I first wrote to Colliers Gardens I didn’t know if I would get a reply. A few weeks later, I had a letter from Mary. I was so thrilled!

Mary and I talk about everything from arts and crafts, to the weather to what we’ve been up to at the weekend. There’s nothing I like more than receiving a letter from Mary in the post. Writing and receiving letters is

very exciting and it’s definitely a lost art form.”

Mary said: “You’re never too old to make friends. Me and my pen pal Eva have found out that we have a lot in common, we both love arts and crafts!

I’ve been telling her all about when I was a volunteer, and my daughter and son-in-law who both volunteer where I live. I always look forward to receiving her letters, and I can’t wait to finally meet her after lockdown. I think this is going to be a friend for life.”

Julie Walker, Extra Care Housing Manager said: “Mary and Eva have formed a friendship-for-life through the Brunelcare pen pal scheme. The pair have been keeping in touch over the past three months and it’s just fantastic to deliver Mary her letters from Eva when they arrive in the post.

It’s great we are able to make such a difference. We will love to welcome Eva and her Mother Polly into Colliers Gardens to meet with Mary once it’s safe to do so.”

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 7

Care Home Residents and Staff Facing Long Delays for Routine COVID-19 Test Some care homes in England are having to delay the recommencement of visits because of a lack of coronavirus testing for staff and residents.

The delays follow the government decision to withdraw one brand of home-test kits used in care homes over safety concerns.

The government said care homes affected by the withdrawal of kits would get replacements “as soon as possible”.

Last week the government announced that visits in care home in England could resume, however, decisions on reopening to visitors are made locally by council directors of public health based on risk assessments.

Providers have been working hard to permit visitors, allowing outdoor, socially distanced visits with personal protective equipment.

The government announcement came a few days after it said test kits made by Randox that it had sent to care homes should not be used as a precaution as the swabs were “not up to standard”.

Methodist Homes (MHA), the country’s largest charitable care provider, said it has been without routine testing for residents and staff for two weeks because of safety issues with Randox tests. Chief executive of MHA, Sam Monaghan, said: “To say that we are disappointed and frustrated by this latest failure in the care home testing regime is an understatement.”

“The impact continues to be felt hardest by our residents and their families

who have had to forgo contact with their loved ones to keep them safe and our staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic,” he added.

MHA runs 222 care homes and schemes supporting 18,500 residents and members across the UK. Sky News also revealed yesterday (July 30) that Care UK one of the UK’s largest social care providers had been warned by the government that it would no longer be able to access routine testing.

In a leaked letter to resident families the company’s CEO said “communication from the government on this matter has been sorely lacking” and that “this experience is mirrored across other major care organisations”.

He added “I’m sure many of you will find this situation as disappointing as I am, especially given the positive messages the government continues to send about the scale of the testing program it is supposed to deliver. ” A statement from the Department of Health said: “We have done everything we can to ensure the protection of residents and staff of nursing homes during this unprecedented global pandemic, including by improving access to testing.

“We have high safety standards for all coronavirus tests. All care homes affected by Randox kit withdrawal will receive replacement kits as soon as possible, and nursing homes may continue to use test kits from other vendors.

MPs Seek Evidence on Staff Burnout Across the NHS and Social Care The health & Social Care Committeehaslauncheda new inquiry toexamine workforce burnout across the NHS and social care.It will considerincreased pressuresbrought byCovid-19andthe resilience of services to cope withhigh levels ofstaffstress.NHS Providershasreportedthat 92% of trustswere concerned about burnout among their staff.

MPs are calling for evidenceto assess theimpacts of workforce burnout ona range of areas fromservice deliveryto thesocial care sectors.They will alsofocus on thegovernment’s workforceplanning, including measures set out in theNHSPeople Planso far, and assess theeffectiveness of the Plan todeliveronstaffnumbersexpected to be requiredacrossmedical and social careprofessions,andthoseintrainingin ordertomeetfuturedemands forpatient care will also be assessed.

The absence of an equivalentworkforceplanfor socialcareandhowparity with the NHS could be achievedwill also be considered. A separateHSCinquiryis being carried out intosocial care’s funding and workforce.

Health and Social Care Committee Chair Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP said: “The resilience of NHS and social care staff to deliver care during the Covid pandemic has been tested to the limits. That so many staff were willing to risk their personal safety to do so is testimony to the commitment and dedication of the workforce.

“Our objective is to produce a report that shows what levels of staffing in health and social care are sufficient to avoid burnout and meet future challenges. That means we need a rigorous assessment of the overall numbers that will be needed to deliver services over a ten year period, and how many people we should be training in order to meet that target. It’s disappointing that the recently announced People Plan has not yet provided this.

“We’ll be looking carefully at NHS and social care measures that would not only protect staff from pressures that predate the Covid crisis but, crucially, address new challenges we’re facing as a result of it.”

The Committee invites written submissions addressing any orall ofthe following points: • How resilient was the NHS and social care workforce under pre-COVID19 operating conditions, and how might that resilience be strengthened in the future?

• What has the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic been on resilience, levels of workforce stress, and burnout across the NHS and social care sectors?

• What is the current scale of workforce burnout across NHS and social care? How does it manifest, how is it assessed, and what are its causes and contributing factors? To what extent are NHS and care staff able

to balance their working and personal lives?

• What are the impacts of workforce burnout on service delivery, staff, patients and service users across the NHS and social care sectors?

• What long term projections for the future health and social care workforce are available, and how many more staff are required so that burnout and pressure on the frontline are reduced? To what extent are staff establishments in line with current and future resilience requirements?

• To what extent are there sufficient numbers of NHS and social care professionals in training for service and resilience planning? On what basis are decisions made about the supply and demand for professionals in training?

• Will the measures announced in the People Plan so far be enough to increase resilience, improve working life and productivity, and reduce the risk of workforce burnout across the NHS, both now and in the future?

• What further measures will be required to tackle and mitigate the causes of workforce stress and burnout, and what should be put in place to achieve parity for the social care workforce?

Evidence should be submittedto the Health and Social Care Committee inquiry page by Friday 4 September.

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PAGE 8 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Moving from a Blame Culture to a Just Culture – Seven Key Elements

By Phil Taylor of RLDatix (www.rldatix.com) As highlighted by NHS England with the NHS People Plan[i], healthcare organisations that prioritise workforce wellbeing will be better placed to put lessons learnt from the coronavirus pandemic into practice.

Phil Taylor of RLDatix outlines the benefits of introducing a just culture not a blame culture and shares a methodology for positive change.

Towards the end of 2019, nearly 600,000 NHS employees from 300 NHS organisations, including 229 NHS trusts, took part in what is considered to be one of the largest workforce surveys in the world and the results were enlightening. When it comes to staff wellbeing, 40.3% of respondents reported feeling unwell as a result of work-related stress, a steady increase over the previous 3 years.

56.6% admitted to going into work despite not feeling well enough to perform their duties.[ii] These statistics are alarming, particularly when you consider they were revealed before the arrival of COVID-19, a hitherto unknown enemy that has shaken and tested the healthcare sector to its very core.

COVID-19 – A POWERFUL CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Staff burnout, stress and sickness are nothing new, however, the pressures on the national healthcare system caused by the pandemic have brought them into sharp focus. While members of the public have shown their appreciation for the remarkable dedication and efforts of health and care staff throughout the crisis through the weekly ‘clap for carers’, leading institutions in the medical world are clamouring for action and in our opinion COVID-19 can prove to be a powerful and beneficial catalyst for change.

A statement published by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on behalf of the British Medical Association, NHS Confederation, NHS Providers, Royal College of Nursing and UNISON, calls for better working conditions. These centre on the five key issues of ‘ensuing the wellbeing of the workforce’, ‘flexible working arrangements and at work facilities’, ‘increasing the supply of workforce’, ‘new ways of delivering care’ and ‘leadership’.[iii] It is interesting to note that ‘ensuring the wellbeing of the workforce’ features top of the list and healthcare organisations should make this their top priority to manage the next stage of the pandemic effectively.

INVESTIGATING THE ROOT CAUSE OF STAFF STRESS

Like all problems, the key to tackling them successfully is to first establish what caused them in the first place. Similar to many fast-changing industries where staff have a critical role to play, lack of involvement in decision-making and having responsibility, without authority or autonomy, are common stress factors. Apply this general truth to managing COVID-19 and it’s easy to see how stress levels can quickly escalate out of control.

Leaders were in the invidious position of having to take fast decisions around PPE, ventilators and new contagion measures while doctors, nurses

and care home staff were struggling to save lives whilst implementing these new procedures with very little warning, autonomy, or ability to feedback.

In a sector where a blame culture has been evidenced, the greatest stressor for staff, especially during a healthcare crisis like coronavirus, is: What will happen to me if something goes wrong? Poor culture and inflexible guidelines around what staff can and cannot do leaves people feeling unable to intervene to improve system safety and likely to avoid involvement for fear of repercussions.

TAKE INSPIRATION FROM THE GRIEVED AND BEREAVED

The irony is that most people who have suffered grief and bereavement following the death of a loved one in hospital or a in a care home are actually more concerned with ‘what happened and why?’ rather than ‘who is responsible?’. This is based on patient and public feedback to NHS England and NHS Improvement. However, the unfortunate reality for many doctors, nurses and other clinical staff is that they are victims of an active blame culture where individual practitioners are held accountable for system failings over which they have no control. This is bad for staff, bad for patients and it reduces the likelihood that the bereaved will be given the answers and closure they deserve.

WHAT MAKES A JUST CULTURE?

To redress the balance, NHS England and NHS Improvement have published a guide that advocates a ‘just culture’. A just culture is fair treatment of staff that supports a culture of fairness, openness and learning in the NHS by making staff feel confident to speak up when things go wrong, rather than fearing blame.[iv] Supporting staff to be open about mistakes allows valuable lessons to be learnt so the same errors can be prevented.

Another way of considering a just culture is to be guided by the five principles of FREDA (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity and Autonomy)[v].

These form the basis of all international human rights treaties and are today used by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to regulate health and social care services. Along with the mission of the healthcare sector, which is to preserve the human right to life, we should be making the rights of staff equally sacred.

SEVEN KEY ELEMENTS FOR THE TRANSFORMATION TO A JUST CULTURE

Leadership teams who are focused on addressing staff welfare need to include the following elements in their thinking and in doing so will make significant progress in building an open and just safety culture: • Adopt a ‘human rights’ approach – to overcome the blame culture.

Follow the lead of the CQC. Today, the CQC aims to regulate all health and social care services using the five guiding principles of FREDA (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity and Autonomy), principles that can equally be applied to the workplace.[vi] • Systems not people – concentrate on the systems or processes that support staff rather than the supposed failings of individuals. As James Reason proposed, avoidable deaths are often caused by inefficient processes failing to remove or reduce the risk of error. It’s every healthcare organisation’s fundamental duty of care to staff to lead and review opportunities to improve on this premise.

• Lead from the front and with compassion - create an open and transparent environment where staff feel valued and flourish, leading to greater collaboration and positive outcomes for patients. Encourage staff to instigate positive change, learn from success as well as mistakes, make

time to communicate change and help staff understand the reasons for change. Be visible, open and demonstrate a will to learn; all are essential traits when dealing with the transformational impact of COVID-19.

• Empower staff – enable and support staff with higher levels of autonomy supported by systems and processes designed to track, evaluate and support positive change. Supporting this culture with acknowledgement of excellence and open accessible processes for supporting change will encourage staff to take opportunities to make positive change when they arise.

• Focus on what you know can improve – healthcare organisations should encourage positive action by being transparent on which issues they are tackling at an organisational level and why. Organisations should look to avoid wasting energy on speculative or large sweeping changes, especially during a crisis. It is also important to communicate with staff, being honest about what the organisation is and is not doing to support their wellbeing and evidence ownership of outcomes at all levels of an organisation.

• Be Proactive in supporting staff – encourage and build support programs for the mental and physical wellbeing of staff. Use the existing system for identifying harm in healthcare as a way to prioritise supporting impacted staff. Overcoming any reticence or reluctance to ask for help should occur through proactive, not reactive, outreach programs that embody just culture principles.

• Invest in the right places – For organisations to survive and thrive in the new healthcare landscape they need to embrace the concepts of ‘Agile’ that have transformed industries over the last few decades.

Organisational agility has to be based on high value and relevant data, transformed into insight through partnership with expert staff and teams.

Research and best practice can then be monitored to support and inform fast iterative value focused change.

COVID-19 has taught the healthcare sector that tackling staff wellbeing is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but an organisational imperative. Focus on systems rather than people to eliminate blame. Then use data, partnerships and staff engagement to highlight and act on meaningful affordable improvements.

RLDatix is building a global partnership network focused on supporting organisational changes focused on Care for the Caregiver For more information, visit www.rldatix.com [i] We are the NHS: People Plan for 2020/2021 – action for us all https://www.england.nhs.uk/ournhspeople/ [ii] NHS England Staff Survey 2019 – published in February 2020 https://www.nhsstaffsurveys.com/Caches/Files/ST19_National%20briefing_FINAL%20V2.pdf [iii] “Supporting the Workforce” – statement published by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in July 2020 - https://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/200703_Supporting_the_workforce_joint_statement.pdf [iv] ‘A just culture guide’ published by NHS Improvement: https://improvement.nhs.uk/resources/justculture-guide/#h2-about-our-guide [v] Care Quality Commission – “Our human rights approach for how we regulate health and social care services: February 2019” https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20190208%20Human%20Rights%20Approach%20REVISED% 20summary%20v2%20FINAL.pdf [vi] Care Quality Commission – “Our human rights approach for how we regulate health and social care services: February 2019” https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20190208%20Human%20Rights%20Approach%20REVISED% 20summary%20v2%20FINAL.pdf

Care Home Caterers to Use British as Suppliers of Choice British Food Fortnight - 19th September – 4th October 2020 WHAT IS BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT & HOW DOES THE CARE SECTOR TAKE PART?

British Food Fortnight, now in its 19th year is organised by Love British Food, the national food promotion which every Autumn invites communities and organisations across the country to celebrate the diverse and delicious, high quality food produced in this country. The care home catering sector has seen hundreds of care homes take part every year with HCOne, Carebase Care Homes, Sunrise Senior Living, RMBI, Anchor, Hallmark Health Care, Port Haven, Signature Care Homes, etc all involved. British Food Fortnight is now a proven commercial promotion delivering affordable quality menus that are a hit with the customer.

THE TOP 20 MOST INFLUENTIAL IN PUBLIC SECTOR CATERING

The Love British Food campaign was named for the second year running in the 2019 listing of Top 20 ‘most influential’ in Public Sector catering. This year’s campaign will continue to build on public sector catering with the aim for British to be the first-choice supplier when it comes to catering in care homes.

LEADING CHEFS ARE AMBASSADORS FOR LOVE BRITISH FOOD

The campaign is led by some of the most renowned and passionate chefs in the food world: Michelin-starred Chef Raymond Blanc, OBE, Michelin-starred Chef Phil Howard, Elystan Street plus Preston Walker and James Ball, chefs specialising in catering for health and social care, are working with us plus many more top names.

Love British Food Founder, Alexia Robinson, says: “In these uncertain times there is a real need for a robust supply of quality food at stable, affordable prices. We want to encourage the food service sector to make British food the first supplier of choice throughout the year. British Food Fortnight is a proven promotion in food service and we are encouraging caterers across the private and public sectors to take part.”

Sophie Murray, National Association Care Catering said: “We are looking forward to continuing our involvement with British Food Fortnight to showcase seasonal, local ingredients at a key time of year. We encourage all members to organise events for residents whether it is remembering favourite dishes over the years, tasting new foods and meeting

producers, or food quizzes, residents will always have a great time. We are looking at more care homes to make the commitment to buy British all year.”

David Mulcahy, Culinary Ambassador Sodexo UK&I said: “We are passionate advocates of using local produce as much as possible, so we are proud to support British Food Fortnight again this year. At Sodexo we reach a number of industries in the public and private sector, and being able to showcase key British ingredients and dishes during British Food Fortnight allows us to demonstrate to our customers the diversity and high quality of the food that’s produced in Great Britain.”

TOP TIPS BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT 2020

Everyone can get involved in British Food Fortnight – the biggest national promotion of British Food – here are some examples how others have celebrated:

Sunrise Senior Living ran a Great British pub day with British drinks matched up to pub classic dinners.

Other themed events included Downton Abbey, Afternoon tea at the Ritz, Cheese tastings and local chippy event Hallmark Healthcare held a Gala Luncheon with a Great British Carvery and recipes submitted for tasting by the residents.

RMBI celebrated with a fortnight full of food events, including local chef visits, harvest festivals, farmers markets, tea parties and ‘Bake Off’ style competitions British Food Fortnight is a good opportunity to source new suppliers, experiment with menus and add a number of British dishes. Here are some other tried and tested ideas: Send your suppliers a copy of the menu and ask them to if they can supply British ingredients.

Don’t be put off by prices that initially may seem higher. Buying large volumes can make the whole process affordable.

Promote your involvement in the fortnight by displaying menus with British Food Fortnight branding.

Offer tastings of specific British dishes and go a step further and look at foods from your region.

Use British Food Fortnight to see how popular dishes are or produce a special dish going forward that uses locally sourced ingredients.

Use Love British Food website for resources on how to make the most of British Food Fortnight, including the basic details, template menus and case studies.

British Food Fortnight ‘Share the love of British Food’ national competition is running. Ensure your establishment is taking part. With judges including Raymond Blanc, Liz Earle and Candice Brown, it is a guaranteed route to publicity and it will engage customers.

Resources available for download from www.lovebritishfood.co.uk.

There is advice not just for the Fortnight but on everything caterers need to make British food a success in their establishments: advice on sourcing, supplier contacts, case studies, tips for promoting your business in the media and sample and regionalised menus. Promotional materials including bunting, posters and shelf barkers can also be requested via the website.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 9

The Carer’s Newest Unsung Hero is… …Helen Miller, activities coordinator at Beechwood Care Home in Wishaw in Scotland

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Helen Miller (pictured below) activities coordinator at Beechwood care home in Wishaw Lanarkshire Scotland, is THE CARER Unsung Hero!

Regular readers will know that we run a twice yearly “Unsung Hero” award the prize being a luxury 2-night break for 2 people in a choice of over 300 hotels in the United Kingdom (but since we started the choice of hotels has now extended into Europe)!

However, given the monumental efforts staff from all departments within the residential and nursing care sector during this current pandemic we decided to add on an extra award!

We were absolutely thrilled with the number of nominations and absolute heart-warming stories we received of staff going above and beyond what is expected in the most difficult of circumstances. We all here at THE CARER are extremely humbled.

It was once again a very difficult task for the team here at The Carer to pick a winner, the crisis has really shown that an industry often taken for granted can be called upon at a time of national crisis, and we will strongly be lobbying for the government to recognise and reward the sector.

We were overwhelmed with the response to this latest and impromptu Unsung Hero competition – an accolade we have been delighted and proud to award these past few years.

Our award is a simple no-frills, glitz or glamour award, just a small gesture on our part, recognising the hard work, compassion, commitment and dedication those working in the industry possess!

So, once again we here at The Carer are delighted to announce that Helen Miller, activities coordinator at Beechwood Care Home in Wishaw Lanarkshire in Scotland, is our winner!

Spokesperson Jenni Mack at Holmes Care Group which has 13 residential and nursing care homes around the UK said: “Helen is an Activities Coordinator at Beechwood and has always been at the centre of everything going on there. She connects with residents on an individual basis and matches activities to them in a truly person centred way.”

“She is also the bus driver and planner whenever trips are organised. Lockdown has sadly meant that she couldn’t take residents out anywhere but this didn’t stop Helen from getting her residents on trips. Helen went virtual and has since taken her residents on virtual tours in their lounge to Wimbledon, Phantom of the Opera in London, America, Largs (a small seaside town in Scotland where many residents visited as children for holidays), Dublin and many more….. Each virtual tour includes music, songs, snacks, drinks and dressing up from each place they visit.

She added “Residents have responded wonderfully to this and their family members delighted to see such fun going on to keep their loved ones busy while they can’t get in to visit. Helen does this over and above her everyday activities and keeps the wellbeing of residents at the heart of everything she does. From creating seat head rests for authentic tour bus/aeroplane feel, to costumes, props and cakes, and of course always willing to look silly to raise smiles and laughs.”

“Helen is an unsung hero and we are delighted to see her rewarded for her great ideas, kindness, dedication and skills as a bringer of joy”!

Worthy winner Helen can now look forward to a wonderful twonight break for two in a selection of luxury hotels throughout the UK! We started the award back in 2015 we just had one outright winner, however as it became more difficult to pick an overall winner we added to runner-up prizes and we are delighted to say that Isabel Ngwenya, a senior support worker at the Shine group, and Brian Thornton, who is maintenance officer at Maidstone Care Centre in Kent, or our to “official” runners-up and £50

Marks & Spencer’s gift voucher is on its way to them both.

Since picking winners and runners-up was the most difficult of tasks, after sitting round the table finding it virtually impossible, we decided to add an extra 5 “unofficial runner ups”!

Just a small gesture on our part to show some appreciation not only to the nominees but to those people who took the time to nominate them.

We are very proud to be involved in such a vital and dedicated industry and are 5 unofficial runner ups were: Adam- a kitchen assistant Woodfield Court care home in Suffolk Lindsey Milliken - a clinical lead at Edensor Care Centre in Essex Paul Davidson - maintenance man at Norlington Care and Nursing Home in Dorset Tim Emburey - team leader and trainer at Chestnut View Care Home in Surrey Lewis Davies - Wellbeing Assistant at Ruddington Manor, Wilford in Nottingham A £25 Marks & Spencer’s gift voucher is on its way to each Well done to you all!!!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who put forward nominations we had a wonderful response, it may sound tired old cliché but it is not meant to be, when we say, that in our eyes “every nomination was a winner” and we are just sorry we cannot give an award to everybody!

Watch out for further details of our next “Unsung Hero” with the same great prize of a luxury break for two people in the choice of hotels throughout the UK!

PAGE 10 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Lessons from Covid-19: The Default Model of Care Must Change

By Peter Seldon, CEO, Consultus Care and Nursing Despite herculean efforts of front line carers, the Covid-19 crisis has shone a spotlight on the nation’s care system and shown how urgently reform is required to bring the sector up to standard. Nobody was prepared for the pandemic, and as a result the entire healthcare system was put under immense pressure almost overnight. Hospitals focused on ways to free up capacity and in turn many older and vulnerable patients were discharged into care homes as the default solution – arguably in many cases, too soon and without proper testing.

This had a profound effect as hospitals reported having nearly four times the normal amount of free acute beds in preparation for the pandemic’s peak. But this came at a price – care homes became overrun, short staffed and faced a serious lack of PPE and testing. Cross infection was near impossible to prevent, and with a stretched workforce the level of care was compromised, with 30,000 more care home resident deaths during the Coronavirus outbreak compared to the same period in 2019. Sadly, many of these deaths could have been prevented with live-in care as the default option – having one nurse or carer to return safely home to and live in isolation with, after being discharged, has proved to be the safest option with very few Covid cross infections.

Peter Seldon, CEO, Consultus Care and Nursing argues that the current care model needs to change if we are to protect and prevent our loved ones from experiencing the same failures that we have witnessed during this pandemic.

OPENING UP OPTIONS

At the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic, statistics released by ONS revealed that there was a care home resident death almost every minute.

The tragic number of cases and deaths has meant that trust in these facilities has fallen, and care homes will continue to need support in managing the consequences of the pandemic. As such, more information on live-in care should be available as an alternative option so families facing the decision on how to manage a loved one’s care don’t feel cornered into making a decision that isn’t necessarily right for their situation.

Many families are unaware of the possibility of live-in care, or assume that 24x7 bespoke support would be significantly more expensive.

However, families can access live-in care for the same price as a standard care home and reap the benefits. And with lifetime mortgages and equity release products now far more competitive and flexible, the family home doesn’t need to be sold to put a loved one into care. The debt can be serviced on a simple interest model, year by year. So, essentially the estate is rolling up the overall debt borrowed against the house – but it is not being compounded. Furthermore, the debt being built up offsets Inheritance Tax above the nil rate bands that apply to potentially both parents. Critically, in the meantime, unlike cash in a low interest savings account, the house is almost certainly appreciating in value.

Moreover, in many cases, familiar home environments, one's happiness and even pets are taken away from the older person when the family home is sold. This can lead to significantly decreased independence and wellbeing, and a myriad of issues for the family. The option of staying in one’s own home means that stability of surroundings can be maintained contributing to overall improved health and quality of life.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO CARE

There are many positives of live-in care, not only does the individual receive care on a one-to-one or one-to-two basis 24x7, they retain their familiar surroundings and comforts, and importantly, their memories. In typical situations (without pandemic restrictions), families and friends are able to visit at all hours and without limitations, with an extra layer of privacy compared to group home visits.

This approach also helps to reduce financial and resource pressure on the NHS too, preventing bed blocking, allowing for earlier discharge and ensuring better patient safety and wellbeing at home. Live-in care has been shown to reduce the rate of the person’s decline in health; for

instance, compared to care homes, live-in care has a third fewer falls and a quarter of the hip fractures.

Live-in care ultimately provides an environment where the person can enjoy their regular routine with that dedicated, personable support they need – whilst importantly being protected from any potential contamination. With this bespoke approach, carers have more time to develop meaningful companionships, learning which activities and tasks their client enjoys most. Take the case of live-in carer Julie who went to great lengths during lockdown with her client Rosemary by creating wonderful dishes decorated with flowers and herbs from Rosemary’s beloved garden. These small touches can mean so much to those who are experiencing later life care.

Independence is incredibly important for everyone, so why should this be taken away from the older generation? Making sensible use of the family home, which typically grows in value over time, means the person can maintain their independence in the way they want, whilst supporting their family’s future too.

THE REVOLUTION

Coronavirus has shone a light on how important the role of the carer is, the nation came together to #ClapForCarers to show widespread recognition for their tremendous efforts. No longer being labelled as ‘unskilled’, perceptions have changed for the better and deservedly too. However, the pandemic has also shone a light on the catastrophic failings of the current social care model – there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach that should be taken with care, and there is now a rare opportunity to embark on a social care delivery revolution, to combat the negative headlines of social care and care homes.

It’s clear that the national care landscape needs to change to better suit the needs of the older population, with one survey showing that 60% of Britons would be happy to pay more taxes in order to fund the NHS. Furthermore, more than one million people will no longer consider living in a care home after Covid-19, and therefore pay to be cared for in their own home. It’s time to listen to the people and make live-in care the default option. The benefits from all standpoints – financial, health and wellbeing are too great to ignore. We must not return to a model we know has failed.

Scottish Company Launches Facial Recognition And Thermal Imaging For Care Homes

A Scottish company has unveiled an attendance ‘track and trace system’ that uses facial recognition and thermal imaging to detect people with high temperatures and infection which will mean better safe-

guarding of Care Home staff and patients against Covid-19 infection The technology was developed by Reddy Punna, the CEO of Edinburgh-based enterprise technology specialist Purview Services and himself a Covid-19 survivor, having been diagnosed the virus on a business trip to India.

The system is capable of scanning 30 people per second and will indicate those at higher risk of Covid19 infection, so that they are swiftly detected and contained as they enter the Care Home.

Currently unable to return to Scotland, Reddy focused on developing the facial recognition and thermal imaging technology whilst in India.

He comments; "Immediate protection from The Covid-19 pandemic requires compliance with test, trace isolate and protection strategies and we’ve done this through the development of our optical attendance and access system.

The facial recognition and thermal imaging system can detect people’s temperature, the presence of a face mask and social distancing as they walk past the scanning technology at a rate of up to 30 per second and within a range field depth of 9 metres.

Those entering a Care Home with a raised temperature can be identified and then diverted to be helped by staff to stop any potential spread of Covid-19.

Containment through an attendance and access system with zero contact and temperature measurement can be a key to avoiding easy spread of the virus that can take place with a biometric access system.”

Purview’s Facial Recognition and Thermal Imaging technology allows the system to check and enable access (e.g. light goes green from red). For example, if there is a temperature alert on the system, a person can be re-checked with handheld thermal imaging.

The reading can then be conveyed to the individual and they would then be advised accordingly. The

reading can also trigger the tracing process to find who the identified person has been in contact with.

The strategy is to have free flowing footfall with access control , allowing people to move without congestion and being hampered by unnecessary delay.

With little sign of stability in the rise of Covid-19 infection around the world, the public needs assurance that risk of infection in crowd management can be completely minimised and controlled immediately when a case is flagged by the facial recognition and thermal imaging software.

As measures are being gradually relaxed, the public is mindful that the spread of Covid-19 is yet to be fully contained and until there is a wholesale decrease in infection rates, facial recognition and thermal imaging will give assurances to businesses that this type of technology can further reduce infection rates.

Visit www.purviewservices.com today for further information.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 11

Extra £22.7 Million Covid Cash Is “Temporary Sticking Plaster” Care home owners in Wales have described the extra £22.7 million in emergency funding announced by the Welsh Government as a “temporary sticking plaster”.

While the additional money was “most welcome”, sector champions Care Forum Wales say the overwhelming priority must be to devise a national action plan to implement long-term structural change to mend a system that’s broken and fragmented.

The money being made available to local authorities is in addition to the £40 million made available to local authorities in April to support the social care sector to meet the skyrocketing bills in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The Welsh Government say they will review the situation again in September.

In the meantime, Health Minister Vaughan Gething made a point of thanking front line care staff and said Wales owed them a debt of gratitude.

Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “This extra funding and the kind words from the Health Minister are most welcome.

“But the extra money is only a temporary sticking plaster to tide the sector over until September.

“What we also need as a matter of urgency is a national action plan to implement fundamental long-term structural change to a broken and fragmented system.

“It is now August and this funding covers the period from July 1 so providers were becoming increasingly desperate.

“We cannot afford to wait until September to review the overall situation again. We need to start planning now so we can sustain the sector through this coming winter so that, crucially, care homes and nursing homes can support the NHS. “We need to plan for the six-month period to get us through the winter when the pressure on the NHS is likely to be greater than they have

ever seen and greater than we have seen during this pandemic.

“Certainly, care homes have never faced pressures like this before – it’s an enormously challenging situation.

“We need an overall strategy that includes the social care sector in tackling this emergency. The care homes haven’t caused the crisis but they can be an important part of the solution because they are caring for so many people who would otherwise be in hospital.

“Going into this pandemic, the sector was already fragile – as the First Minister rightly pointed out – and that is after a generation of a dysfunctional system that has to change.

“We need structural change so we have an integrated system which ensures that social care which is means tested dovetails better with the health service that’s free at the point of delivery and that it is funded in a more coherent way. Covid-19 has brought this into sharp focus like never before.

“The current model of funding which has been in operation for nearly a quarter of a century is clearly not fit for purpose and never has been.

“Funding is allocated via local councils and health boards which means we essentially have 29 variations on a theme which is an absolute nonsense.

“The vast majority of care home residents are publicly funded and providers have been forced to dance to the varying tunes of local councils for a generation” “The absurdity of the situation was recently highlighted by the Cheapskate Awards handed out by Care Forum Wales which illustrated the unfair post code lottery plaguing the sector in Wales “It means that a provider in Cardiff can receive £12,000 a year more than a provider in Powys for exactly the same level of service in providing care for one person, with an inbuilt North-South divide which has resulted in five North Wales councils being in the bottom 10 in a league table of the worst payers. For a 40 bed care home, that equates to around £500,000 a year.

“Something else we cannot afford is a repeat of the chaotic an inconsistent way in which money from the first £40 million tranche of funding was distributed by local councils.

“Our magnificent front line staff and the providers have been heroic in keeping the virus at by in the vast majority of care homes where they have either not had outbreaks of have managed them very well.

“Fundamentally, care homes are very safe, robustly managed places for vulnerable people and the biggest issues have been around people going into hospital. Many more people have succumbed to the virus in a hospital setting than in a care home setting.

“In fact, care home deaths associated with Covid-19 as a percentage in Wales have been lower than any of the other UK countries and lower than many in Europe.

“We need a new national action plan in place sooner rather than later so we can pump prime the sector, ensure the workforce benefits from the same terms and conditions as the NHS and implement structural change to properly integrate social care and the NHS so that providers are hard-wired in to meet the massive challenges that lie ahead.

“You cannot continue doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.”

Mr Gething said: “Social care plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and has been on the front line in our effort across public services to meet the challenges posed by Covid-19.

“The initial payment of £40m helped the sector meet the rising costs incurred during the pandemic in areas such as staffing, increased infection control, higher food prices and greater use of ICT to keep families in touch with their loved ones where they were no longer able to meet.

“This further funding will ensure adult social care providers can maintain their vital care in what continues to be challenging circumstances.”

This is particularly so in the case of care homes, who are now also facing financial challenges through loss of income as a result of increased vacancies in their homes due to the need to restrict new admissions to contain the virus.

The funding will be made available immediately and continue until the end of September after which the situation will be reviewed again.

The Minister added: “The social care workforce is on the front line of this huge effort to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and we are committed to supporting every single person do their job.

“Every one of us in Wales owes them a debt of gratitude. I want to personally want to thank our social care workforce for their fantastic efforts in protecting the public.”

Happy 100th Birthday to Wiltshire Care Home Resident For several weeks, collaborating closely with relatives, Market Lavington care home organised a small and safe birthday celebration for one of their residents, Joan Hawkins, who was turning a milestone one hundred years old.

Colleagues decorated a gazebo with balloons, all emblazoned with ‘100th birthday’ on them, and colourful bunting dressed the gazebo. Thankfully it was a lovely sunny day and Joan was delighted to see some of her family members. Everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her as the cake was brought out by head chef, Kim Tomes.

Joan also received a lovely card from the Queen (see picture), and a number of lovely presents, including chocolate truffles which she couldn’t wait to eat!

Joan loved that she was able to see some members of her family, although she did find a lot of humour in the fact that they were all wearing masks and so had to try to identify them by their voice alone.

“Thank you so much for what you did today. It was very kind,” Joan remarked, “The Queen must like me as I had a card from her for my sixtieth wedding anniversary too!”

Riaz Ali, Wellbeing Coordinator, commented, “It was so lovely, even during these difficult times, to be able to recognise and support someone to celebrate a very significant birthday!”

PAGE 12 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Vitamin D ‘Could Help Play Key Role in Fight Against COVID-19’

Professor David Thickett

Professor Martin Hewison

Vitamin D could help play a key role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, say health experts.

The prohormone has been studied in the treatment of other respiratory diseases, offering the potential to boost antiviral immune responses and dampen harmful inflammation.

Links have been established between a deficiency of vitamin D and critically ill COVID-19 patients – and a deficiency noted in many populations most at risk from the virus, such as the BAME community.

However, further research is needed to establish whether vitamin D might have a role in reducing risk of COVID-19, or in improving clinical outcomes when administered to patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

A panel of world-leading experts took part in an online discussion, Seeing the Light, organised by pharmaceutical manufacturer Thornton & Ross – part of the STADA group – to examine how vitamin D could play a role in the fight against COVID-19.

A literature review[1] by the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE), published at the end of June, found while there was no evidence to suggest taking vitamin D could prevent someone catching COVID-19, it was important to follow government guidelines on supplementation to maintain bone and muscle health.

In the summer months, around 80-90% of the body’s daily requirement of vitamin D can be obtained through exposure to the sun, but in autumn and winter a supplement may be needed – particularly in the event of a second wave later in the year. People with darker skin – for example those from black or Asian ethnic backgrounds – or individuals with little exposure to sunlight through shielding should consider taking 400IU (10 micrograms) daily to avoid a deficiency.

Prof Martin Hewison, from the University of Birmingham, said favourable research had suggested links did exist between a deficiency of vitamin D and COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. Poor levels of vitamin D can impair the function of the immune system and the lungs. It also helps to kill bacteria in conditions such as TB and sepsis.

He said: “There are benefits of vitamin D supplements for respiratory infections. It is an ideal molecule for diseases such as COVID-19 as it helps combat infection, whilst also being a potent anti-inflammatory agent.

“However, while there has been a lot of perfectly logical speculation this is a complex issue and important aspects need to be established, such as the optimum levels of vitamin D to protect against COVID-19, when is the best time to introduce a supplement and whether it would

affect other drugs being used to treat the virus.

“In many ways, it has taken a pandemic to bring vitamin D into the spotlight and to bring about an open discussion about its potential benefits.”

David Thickett, a professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Birmingham, said if trials proved it was beneficial, administering a vitamin D supplement could prove to be a simple and inexpensive treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Vitamin D deficiency was a known risk factor for developing critical illness, he said. In a sub analysis of a large trial, critically ill patients with severe deficiency who received a supplement had a lower mortality rate – this is currently being tested in an ongoing trial[2].

He said tests carried out specifically on hospitalised COVID-19 patients revealed they had noticeably lower levels of vitamin D than hospital staff of a similar age and ethnicity.

COVID-19 patients, he concluded, may benefit from taking a supplement as part of clinical trials, although the absorption of the drug may not be quite as anticipated so carrying out a dosing study would be vital.

If trials proved it was beneficial, administering a vitamin D supplement could prove to be a simple and inexpensive treatment for COVID-19 patients.

The webinar took place on July 9th when more than 400 health care professionals dialled in to participate in the discussion. Afterwards, 85% said that despite the limited current evidence, they felt using vitamin D could be beneficial in the fight against COVID-19. And 84% said the event had increased their understanding of the role vitamin D could play in treating COVID-19. Almost two thirds (60%) said the discussions would impact on their daily practice.

[1] https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/chapter/Advisory-statement-on-likely-place-in-therapy [2] Trial conducted by Vidalize

Care Home Residents Surprise The Keyworkers With A Party To Say Thank You Care Home Manager Maxine Bain already knew what a kind hearted and dedicated team she had at Orchard House Care Home, but her team have been nothing short of Care Home Heroes since the start of the global pandemic, constantly going above and beyond for not just the residents in their care, but for the families of those residents too. Whether it’s helping residents Skype their family in Australia or coming up with increasingly creative ways of keeping residents entertained, they have left no stone unturned in their efforts to support residents and loved ones alike.

Coordinating with residents and a few select members of her team, Maxine arranged for a surprise party to be thrown in mid-June for her RCH Rock Stars as a way to thank and show appreciation for everyone who works in the Residential Dementia and Nursing care home. Throughout the week leading up to the party, a series of events were held within the home in Wisbech to celebrate not just the amazing individuals working there, but to also showcase what a vital and rewarding job working in social care can be – often forgotten in favour of frontline healthcare workers, social care workers play just as important a role in supporting the vulnerable amongst us and their efforts are equally deserving of recognition.

The residents were eager to also show their appreciation and wrote their own special messages for staff: “They are always very cheerful in the morning. They bring me

lovely cooked breakfasts. The word carer doesn’t come in to it, they are my family!” wrote Heather, and Tony was keen that the carers were rewarded, “The carers are brilliant; nothing is too much trouble.”

It was wonderful for staff to see the impact their dedication and kindness have on residents and Deputy Manager Sarah commented, “I love working at Orchard House because we have some amazing staff that are caring and passionate about the residents. The residents are well looked after, happy and smiley. There is great teamwork and bonds between staff and residents, and I couldn’t be prouder of them!”

Maxine explained the idea came about because “Throughout the pandemic, everyone has gone above and beyond to ensure the residents at Orchard remained safe, and we wanted to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the team. Both our residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed every moment, and it was an absolute delight and privilege to be part of such a wonderful event”.

The week of celebrations culminated in a garden party (with appropriate social distancing of course), garden games including a surprise raffle, music and an opportunity to throw a custard pie or wet sponge – definitely the most popular event As a final thank you, everyone was gifted a personalised wooden heart keyring saying ‘Thank you for being a keyworker during Covid-19 2020’.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 13

NHS Recovery to Put Staff Wellbeing at its Heart Health Secretary Matt Hancock will today welcome the launch of the new NHS People Plan as he launches a new bureaucracy busting drive so staff can spend less time on paperwork and more time with their patients.

The NHS People Plan published today puts NHS staff wellbeing at its heart with a new recruitment, retention and support package. It sets out practical support for wellbeing such as safe spaces to rest and recuperate, wellbeing guardians and support to keep staff physically safe and healthy.

The People Plan builds on the innovations driven by staff during the pandemic and sets out how the NHS can embed them.

This includes the rapid assembly of research nurses and clinical trial assistants to recruit patients for the world’s biggest randomised clinical trial, the surge in volunteers to support those in need and a new emphasis on flexible working with remote meetings and consultations becoming widespread.

The People Plan and a new bureaucracy busting call for evidence will work together to find and promote positive changes made before and during the pandemic. This could include allowing staff to use secure messaging services like WhatsApp so patients can benefit from rapid access to information and making it easier to link millions of primary care records to the latest data on coronavirus, helping Government do the world’s largest analysis of coronavirus risk factors.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Every single person working in the NHS has contributed to an unprecedented national effort to beat back this virus and save lives.

They have protected us and in return this Government will do everything in its power to protect and support them.

“By making the NHS the best place to work we’ll recruit and retain more talent and deliver 50,000 more nurses, 6,000 more doctors in general practice and 26,000 staff primary care professionals.

“Our NHS People deserve to get on with caring for patients and this crisis has proved there’s bureaucracy that our healthcare system can do

better without. So I’m urging people across the NHS and social care to speak up about what red tape you can do without to allow you to better deliver the high quality care you are renowned for.”

Key actions from the NHS People Plan include: • From January 2021, all job roles across NHS England and NHS Improvement will be advertised as being available for flexible working patterns.

• All NHS organisations will complete risk assessments for vulnerable staff, including black and ethnic minority colleagues, and take action where needed.

• Encouraging former staff to return to practice as part of a recruitment drive during 2020/21, building on the interest of clinical staff who returned to the frontline to support during the pandemic. A recent survey of returners revealed around half were interested in continuing to work in the health and social care system.

• Boosting the mental health and cancer workforce including by offering training grants for 350 nurses to become cancer or chemotherapy specialists.

• Working with universities to increase over 5,000 undergraduate places from September 2020 in nursing, midwifery, allied health professions and dental therapy and hygienist courses.

• A new £10 million fund for clinical placements for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to support employers in educating and training the next generation of professionals.

• Every NHS trust, foundation trust and CCG must publish progress to ensure that at every level the workforce is representative of the overall black and ethnic minority workforce.

• The NHS will launch a new quarterly staff survey to better track morale on top of the current annual survey.

The pandemic also highlighted areas where unnecessary bureaucracy can be cut, while still ensuring safe, high standards of care. Health and care staff will be invited to share their insights and experiences of overly burdensome bureaucracy in the health and social care system as part of a call for evidence.

Prerana Issar, NHS chief people officer, said: “This plan aims to make real and lasting change in our NHS to benefit our hardworking staff. It includes practical actions based on what our people tell us matters to them, including a more equal, inclusive and flexible organisation.

“The pandemic has created huge challenges, but it has also highlighted the courage and innovation we are capable of in the most difficult of times. We have recognised the need for consistently high quality health and wellbeing support for our staff, so they can better care for themselves and their patients. These changes must remain part of the blueprint of our NHS as we move forward together.”

During the covid period professional regulators such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council and General Medical Council have introduced virtual hearings which saves both those being investigated and giving evidence time. They have also taken a different approach to revalidation which provides more time to supporting patients. Developments like these should be maintained and built upon.

Local systems are being asked to develop their own People Plans alongside social care and public health partners, to ensure that local strategies for recovery and to step services back up have a strong focus on the organisations people.

A further People Plan will follow, once the forthcoming spending review has confirmed future NHS education and training budgets. The Government will shortly publish its Social Care Winter Plan, building on NHS support for the sector during COVID, to ensure the system has the support it needs in preparation for winter and potential future outbreaks.

The Prime Minister recently announced a further £3 billion winter funding for the NHS to relieve winter pressures on A&E and provide additional capacity for the NHS to carry out routine treatments and procedures. This is on the top of a record cash funding boost worth £33.9 billion extra by 2023/24.

Case study – Milton Keynes University Hospital [NHSE checking to see if they can accommodate filming] Milton Keynes University Hospital has developed a unique staff benefits programme for its 4,500-strong workforce. In early 2019, the hospital’s executive team asked staff to come up with ideas to improve their working lives – however big or small, however unusual. The first phase of benefits, which were introduced in May 2019, included enhanced staff health and wellbeing services – particularly around stress and musculoskeletal conditions; enhanced bereavement leave, special leave and flexible working; and local gym memberships. The hospital committed to a three-year programme of benefits for staff, with the next phase including lease cars and looking at childcare provision. Following the implementation of this, MKUH has seen improved retention rates.

Staff Appreciation Day for Romford Care Home Employees at Chaseview Care Home, based in Romford, have been praised for going the extra mile during local lockdown, so the wellbeing team decided to organise a staff appreciation day for all of their colleagues to enjoy.

Kim Caddelden and Terri Bones, who head up Chaseview’s wellbeing team, hosted an event to take place in Chaseveiew’s garden.

This involved a free tombola for each member of staff who all received a special gift. The presents were kindly donated from family members and other staff, with even the local Morrisons and Asda supermarkets contributing.

The home had Pizzas delivered for the team with plenty of soft drinks and water for the amazing team to enjoy. Jenna, Chaseview’s chef, also baked some delicious cakes.

Home Manager, Rhonda Ware, commented: “All staff had a great afternoon and the team spirit was very high. Everyone enjoyed that little extra treat and days like this boost team morale significantly. We are all one big team at Chaseview and we all appreciate each other”.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 15

UK Care Home Industry Short of Beds

The UK care home sector has seen a minimal increase in in the number of beds but this is failing to keep up with demand, with the number of care home beds per 100 people over the age of 85 falling by 5% since 2010, according to the latest research by leading global property adviser Knight Frank.

The annual UK Healthcare Development Opportunities 2020 research report shows that while the number of care home beds increased by 2,500 in the last financial year, the number of homes fell to 12,170 nationwide. This is driven by smaller outdated care homes closing whilst larger, purpose-built care homes or existing homes are adding beds to create more efficient and viable schemes throughout the UK. Whilst new stock replacing old and outdated stock is a positive step forward, the extent of home closures and de-registrations taking place means that the market is in fact struggling to expand at the pace required for future demand. In the 2019/20 financial year, a total of 7,058 beds (122 homes) were newly registered and 6,789 (233 homes) were de-registered.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for investment and innovation in the UK healthcare property sector, especially considering that 70% of UK care home facilities were built prior to 2000. As such, many operators are considering how to upgrade their existing portfolio and refurbishment will remain vital along with new developments to keep up with the long-term demand due to an ageing population combined with the accelerated closure of underperforming assets.

Knight Frank’s research identifies a potential 6,500 care homes at risk of closure over the next 5 years, equating to 140,000 beds and estimates that the UK requires in excess of £15 billion to upgrade existing beds in order to future-proof for the ageing population. This shortage will be exacerbated by the increased demand for care homes by 2050, which will see a national bed crisis in the UK as the share of people over the age of 80 is expected to surge over the next 30 years, with one in ten adults set to be over 80 by 2050, compared to one in twenty currently.

Julian Evans, Head of Healthcare at Knight Frank, said: “The UK healthcare industry requires substantial investment in order to keep pace with present demand, let alone the provision that is going to be needed for the future as the population continues to age. Whilst the overall bed numbers have increased, this is still nowhere near enough to address the crisis in provision and is likely to be further exacerbated as the next generation ages at a faster rate than new care homes can be developed.

Novellini launch BeSafe walls to help the UK return to work safely “This has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has accelerated trends that will lead to closures of care homes that are no longer fit for purpose, resulting in a significant national shortfall of bed provision.

“Once the situation resolves around the COVID-19 crisis, we will see numerous changes around how operators fare and we expect that with the scarcity of stock and a continuing ageing population driving demand, the investment appetite for care home developments will remain strong from a range of investors. There are opportunities for both investors and developers across the entire UK, with our Hotspots Index highlighting the range of opportunities nationally.”

The Knight Frank UK Care Home Development Index identifies which UK locations present the best prospects for investment and development. This year, Buckinghamshire leads the hotspots list in England, pipping Greater London. The top five in England and Wales are Buckinghamshire, Greater London, South Glamorgan, Berkshire and Cambridgeshire.

The Covid-19 pandemic has placed additional pressures on the care home market which had already seen closures due to ongoing staffing challenges, with an acute shortage of qualified nurses, combined with restrained care home development owing to building material inflation costs.

Knight Frank expects that care home design will adapt to meet future virus experience and that care homes will need to innovate their operational procedures post Covid-19, including an increased use of telemedicine. It expects that there will be an accelerated closure of tertiary assets whilst due to increased smart specifications necessary for future new build care homes, the cost of raw materials will further increase.

59 Leading UK Care Homes Take Vegetarian ‘Memory Care Pledge’

The primary benefit? Hygiene. Employees will feel protected with the BeSafe wall as it provides a barrier. Constructed from 6mm tempered glass, it’s easy to clean with any alcoholic disinfectant. In smaller spaces where it’s difficult to sit two meters away, the wall is a particularly helpful solution.

Office teams aren’t the only ones who will be happy to see these walls put in place. BeSafe is a smart answer for all industries where contact with the public is required, such as pharmacies, retail counters, restaurants and public offices.

Vegetarian for Life, the UK’s leading authority on diet and healthy eating advice for older vegetarians and vegans, is pleased to announce the addition of care providers Sunrise Senior Living and Gracewell Healthcare as the newest signatories to its Memory Care Pledge.

The initiative, launched in 2019, helps to ensure that vegan and vegetarian residents can live the rest of their lives in the way that they intended.

Care homes pledge to follow five key measures so that residents experiencing cognitive losses or capacity issues will have their beliefs upheld and respected.

With all sites in the Gracewell Healthcare and Sunrise Senior Living chains having taken the Vegetarian for Life Memory Care Pledge, a total of 59 UK care homes have now made the commitment to their vegetarian and vegan residents.

Amanda Woodvine, Chief Executive of Vegetarian for Life (VfL) said: “The number of UK care homes that have agreed to cater well and ethically for older vegetarians and vegans is constantly rising. We are delighted that 1,500 care homes are already on the VfL UK List.

This constant growth shows how much of a priority meat-free catering is becoming in the care sector.

“We want to ensure that older vegetarians are catered for well for their whole lives, especially if capacity issues or cognitive losses become prevalent. We are encouraging care homes to pledge that they will also help uphold residents’ choices for vegetarian or vegan living.

Workplaces around the nation are preparing for when the UK can return to a kind of normality. The Novellini Group presents a solution that will help to create safe working environments that are hygienic and adaptable. The BeSafe wall is a protective device that companies with any office, desk space, trade counters, and food service areas can incorporate going forward.

Novellini can customise each barrier to suit the space with three versions (floor mounted, trade counter, and desks) and five different sizes.

“An example of best practice could be that if a vegan resident were to accidentally choose a meat-based or non-vegan option, catering staff would do their very best to offer a plant-based alternative, similar to the chosen dish.

“This would give family members peace of mind, knowing that everything was being done to help look after their loved one in the way that they wanted.

“However we can’t do this alone; we need as many care homes to sign up as possible. It’s free, and really simple to do.

“Let’s ensure that mealtimes are inclusive, enjoyable, and in line with all residents’ beliefs and wishes for their whole lives.”

Anokhi Popat, Head of PR for Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare,said: “Our homes are proud to have signed up to the Vegetarian for Life Memory Care and Inclusivity Pledge. We believe that the 5 fundamentals are central to our own values, ensuring that we support all of our residents to continue live meaningful lives consistent with their ethical beliefs.”

UK Sales Manager at Novellini, Stuart West says ‘We are looking to help the UK workforce where we can and these are a positive answer to those concerns about health and hygiene.’

As specialists in showers and design, Novellini are putting their skills to good use and many businesses across the UK will be pleased to find a safe and stylish solution. They are even available in several colours and glass finishes to suit the surroundings.

For more information contact Novellini UK on 01727 229922 or visit the website at www.novellini.co.uk For brochure and advice please email info-uk@novellini.com For large projects or orders, customized solutions can be evaluated. We are available to evaluate and propose BeSafe Wall solutions specific for your protection needs.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 17

Fears Over Opening Up Homes As Virus Looms Better Testing Needs To Be In Place First Care providers are being urged to slow down plans to open up care and nursing homes amidst fears that a second wave of coronavirus is coming.

Latest coronavirus death figures revealed another fall in care and nursing homes cases.

For the week ending 24th July, 69 people died from Covid-19 in care and nursing homes, down from 91 the previous week and 95 the week before that.

Whilst welcoming this reduction, the Independent Care Group urged caution and warned that a proven testing regime needs to be in place before homes relax restrictions and allow relatives back in to visit their loved ones.

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: "The figures show a significant and welcome fall in care and nursing home deaths, which is wonderful news. However, we have to remain vigilant, even though there is growing demand for homes to re-open their doors.

"We need to slow down. There are far too many uncertainties at the moment for us to allow relatives back in to visit residents in care and nursing homes, however much we want to do so.

"We are being warned that a second wave of Covid-19 is just weeks away and we haven't got the testing regime in place that we were promised. All in all, it is just too risky for the

health and safety of our residents and our staff to ease lockdown restrictions in care and nursing homes too quickly."

Providers are disappointed after the promised testing system - every seven days for staff, every 28 days for residents - was delayed after the Government's chosen test was found to be unreliable.

Now, the Government is promising to supply homes with tests that can deliver results within 90 minutes.

Mr Padgham added: "A 90-minute test sounds a wonderful idea and will be very welcome if it is successful. But we have seen the Government make promises like this and then fail to deliver on them.

"We were promised a testing procedure in place by now but that has not happened. Now we are told that they are going to send out the 90-minute testing kits, but there are already questions being raised about the efficacy of those.

"It would be better if the Government waited until it had a proper, proven testing system ready for introduction, rather than raise false hopes and promise something that is not delivered on time.

Special Care Home Visit Marks Elderly Couple's 65th Wedding Anniversary An elderly couple have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a special outdoor lunch at Jesmond Care Home in Aberdeen.

Resident at the care home Andy Davidson (88) was delighted to enjoy some food and a whisky or two with his wife Margaret (86), having been apart from each other throughout lockdown.

The couple reminisced over their time together with wedding pictures and images from throughout the years. Andy, who has the ‘patience of a saint’ according to his wife, has been preparing for the special day for weeks, making a lovely picture for Margaret with a blue heart (pictured) to represent their Sapphire anniversary.

Their daughter Brenda gifted cushions with a picture of each so they can cuddle up together while visitations in care homes remain restricted, and organised a cake giving her parents a day to remember.

The couple were separated by a Perspex screen made by home maintenance man Laszlo, adhering to social distance rules, while activities coordinator Jade ordered a personalised banner to decorate the event.

The couple met at work in 1951 and married on 30 July 1955 at New Deer South Church, Turriff. Andy worked for a local builder’s firm before going off to do his national service for two years, on his return Margaret had started as the new clerk in the office. Andy was friends with Margaret’s brother Sandy who

formally introduced the pair at a dance.

At another dance, this time at New Deer, which eventually became their wedding venue, Andy proposed.

Margaret said: “Andy was always a quiet man. We were walking along the road and he turned to me and said: ‘Let’s get married’.”

Andy and Margaret are parents to daughter Brenda and son Andrew, and have three lovely grandchildren and a new addition to the family with their first great grandchild. Unfortunately with lockdown visitation restricting care home residents to one designated visitor, the whole family couldn’t celebrate together however they sent cards and have remained connected virtually since the beginning of the pandemic.

When asked what the secret was to a long and happy marriage, Andy replied: “They have just always gotten along fine.”

He went on to say he had a great day and he “couldn’t believe it had been 65 years”. Staff were taken away with his constant compliments to Margaret as he kept telling her “she looked really good”.

Jade McGowan, activities coordinator at Renaissance Care’s Jesmond Care Home, said: “It was great to be able to help set the anniversary celebration up for Andy and Margaret.

Lockdown has been tough for all of our residents’ loved ones and it’s been fantastic seeing them reunite over the last few weeks, but to mark 65 years of love between the pair was extra special.”

PAGE 18 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Lockdown Isolation Causes Shocking Levels of Decline for People with Dementia An Alzheimer’s Society investigation reveals the shocking side effect of lockdown on the symptoms of people with dementia. Involving almost 2,000 respondents affected by dementia, it shows that since being forced to stay isolated and inside their homes, more than four in five (82%) reported a deterioration in people with dementia’s symptoms.

Of those who had seen a decline, around half reported increased memory loss (50%) and difficulty concentrating (48%). More than one in four (27%) said reading and writing has become more difficult, and one in three said the same for speaking and understanding speech (33%).

Worryingly, more than a quarter had seen a loss in the ability to do daily tasks, like cooking or dressing (28%).

Regular physical, mental and social activity can help slow the progression of symptoms of dementia, a condition that affects over 850,000 people across the UK. The coronavirus pandemic has hit people with dementia the hardest, both in terms of deaths from the virus itself, and from a huge increase in ‘unexplained’ non-virus-related deaths, totalling over 13,000 additional deaths between March and June. The knock-on effect of lockdown is interruptions and suspensions to health and social care services, upended routines, care home visitor restrictions and a prolonged period of social isolation for people with dementia.

The findings confirm what the charity has heard since March through its Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect support line, with symptom deterioration the second most common reason for calls behind mental health impact. It underlines the vital role of social contact in keeping people with dementia well. Since lockdown began, the charity’s support services have been used more than half a million times, providing a lifeline to thousands of people.

With almost a third (29%) of people with dementia also reporting that the pandemic has had a negative effect on other aspects of their physical health or underlying conditions, the charity fears a further tragic loss of life, especially in the event of a second coronavirus wave over winter.

The results come after Alzheimer’s Society joined forces with a coalition of the leading UK dementia charities – One Dementia Voice – to demand designated family carers are prioritised for safe, regular testing, just like Key Workers, and are seen as an equal partners in care, so they can visit loved ones with dementia in care homes. While England guidance has finally been published (23 July), the coalition is very concerned that the Government has handed over responsibility for allowing visits to

overstretched local decision-makers, raising the possibility of a postcode lottery in access. The Government must ensure that it’s understood that family carers are an integral part of the care system and when removed, the essential care and wellbeing of the individual suffers.

Today’s findings show the need for this testing to be rolled out to family carers of people with dementia who live at home as well.

Kate Lee, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: 'Alongside the devastating loss of life from coronavirus itself, the loss of seeing and talking to loved ones is having a terrible impact on people with dementia’s health. We hear daily through our Dementia Connect support line from people terrified they’ll lose the ability to speak, walk and even feed themselves. With the right support, many people with dementia can continue living independently for years but the pandemic is robbing them of that chance.

Make no mistake: people with dementia are at huge risk from a second wave if we don’t take urgent steps to protect them.

'It’s encouraging that the Government has recognised the importance of social contact for those in care homes but they have to ensure family carers are seen as equal partners in care with Key Workers – and the thousands of people living with dementia in the community mustn’t be forgotten. Coronavirus has dreadfully exposed the state of social care for all to see – the Government needs to address universal demand for the solution to fixing dementia care once and for all.'

More than a year after the Prime Minister promised to fix social care, Alzheimer’s Society is urging the Government to finally provide a social care system fit for purpose that stops devoted family carers being forced to plug the gaps and keeps people with dementia protected.

“National Tea Week” is Coming Up - August 10th-16th (But it doesn’t have to be once a year- celebrate tea week every week) I am sure we have all been there, that time between lunch and dinner and the length of the day starts to wear. When this happens, need that little bit of vitality and social interaction it is an ideal time to take partake in that great British tradition and enjoy a delicious cup of tea and some light sandwiches, cakes and pastries!

It’s also a great time sit back and to appreciate the day, unwind and bring a little bit of elegance and pomp to an otherwise unremarkable time of the day.

Afternoon Tea Week was established to help secure a tradition that has graced British afternoons since the 1840’s. In those days, dinner often wasn’t served until 8pm, and lunch wasn’t actually a thing, so what was a hungry person to do? Create a new mini-meal in the middle of the day of course! Traditionally this meal contains tiny finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and sweet dainties like cakes and pastries to help lift the spirits, bolster energy, and see you through the rest of the day.

This simple afternoon meal grew into a social event, especially for those who spent their lives in the upper echelons of the day’s society. This became even more prominent once Queen Victoria herself took part in this tradition. At that point the concept of the ‘tea reception’ was born, lav-

ish and fancy afternoon repasts that could host anywhere from a close collection of friends to a couple hundred of society’s most important faces.

As the name suggests, tea was a central part of this meal, a tradition started by Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford. She often found herself feeling weary or worn down in the middle of the day, and a pot of tea with a snack just seemed to be the best way to take care of it. She soon invited friends to join her for walks in the field, and the snowball that would become Afternoon Tea began.

So, if you love your tea, there are plenty treats in store as the nation gears up for Afternoon Tea Week – the biggest celebration of teatime treats in the world.

From 10 to 16 August, care homes up and down the United Kingdom will be celebrating in style, and of course it is a great time to raise awareness and improve Nutrition and Hydration Week.

Within carer environments afternoon tea is a key focal point to demonstrate how this historic but effortless occasion is ideal for promoting and improving nutrition and hydration. As well as offering a number of nutritional benefits, it can also be easily adapted to a wide variety of social and health care settings, helping boost calorific intake if necessary, and can be

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adapted for all groups, including those with specific dietary needs, texture modification and eating problems.

So, get on board for National Tea Week!

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Introducing the new HYGIEIA range In the past few weeks the design team at Euroservice have been focussing on the needs of the care sector taking into account the enormous pressures faced over the past few months.

Elegant and practical new designs have emerged from market research and the new HYGIEIA service trolleys have been created to combine hygiene and social distancing with style and elegance.

The new HYGIEIA trolleys are an attractive and practical alternative to clinical aluminium trolleys given that antibacterial spray can be used freely to sanitise them.

Moreover, when not in use the attractive trolleys can be used as a vending trolley, selling personal care products to residents or snacks/pastries to visitors.

Your lovely trolley could do so much for you and your residents!

Get in touch with our friendly sales team and we will be happy to help find a trolley to meet your needs.

www.euroservice-uk.com

Visit the website at euroservice-uk.com to see the full range.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 19

Don’t Expect Miracles – It Will Take Time For NHS Services To Be Back To Normal Responding to the letter from NHS England and NHS Improvement on the “third phase” of the NHS’s response to Covid-19, Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said: “There is much to welcome in this ambitious letter. We all want to restore services as quickly as possible but we need to manage expectations. A full return to pre-Covid-19 levels of activity by October may not be possible.

“There will be a very short window of opportunity between now and winter. Local services are being restarted all over the country but many are constrained and operating at significantly reduced capacity. The NHS must now run Covid and non-Covid services simultaneously and provide care to patients and support for staff using the precautions necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing and use of PPE makes it much more difficult to ramp up services quickly.

“Nor do we know how the virus will spread and in every NHS service we must remain vigilant and prepared for local and national surges.

“The service will respond and do everything possible to start tackling the enormous back-

log of need but in return it will expect patience – the service will step up as it always does but we need the public, patients and politicians to understand that switching services back on is much more challenging than switching them off, and it will not be achieved overnight.

“The pandemic has also revealed and exposed the extent to which health is unequal in our society and we welcome the commitment to tackle this. NHS organisations recognise that they have a vital role working with others to tackle this injustice alongside national initiatives and funding. We are moving to a health and care system which should have population health at the heart of what it does, and today’s announcements are a step towards that.

“The critical next phase will require local integrated care systems to take control and work with their partners to develop local solutions and the guidance rightly underlines this.

“At the same time, we need to free clinicians and managers to redesign services, without the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy. The move from a Level 4 to Level 3 incident is therefore good news, though we are aware that these freedoms exist on a knife edge and, should local outbreaks flare up more widely, they will quickly be taken away.”

The Care Summer Series Announced - a Free Virtual Event for the Care Sector this August CloserStill Media Reports: The Care Summer Series will be two days of educational webinars, led by experts in the care sector.

Organisers of the Care Show and Health+Care, are delighted to announce The Care Summer Series, a free and live two-day virtual event, on Monday 10th to Tuesday 11th of August 2020.

Made up of 6 of educational webinars, The Care Summer Series will bring the whole care community together to celebrate the excellence in this sector no matter where we all are.

The Care Summer Series themes include: • The future deal for social care • Funding • Raising the quality of care in the new normal • Promoting integrated care • Raising the profile of home care • New care models going forward • Supporting the care workforce Michael Corbett, Care Portfolio Manager for the Care Show and Health+Care explained the idea behind creating The Care Summer Series: “We are very excited to announce the upcoming

Care Summer Series. In a world where we are having to become more and more digital, we thought this event would not only support the care sector but also help raise awareness for the Care Workers Charity appeal. A charity supporting current and former care workers with one-off crisis grants, changing lives and enabling people to face the future with renewed hope.”

CloserStill Media, organisers of The Care Show and The Residential & Home Care Show, curated the twoday webinar programme which includes the following presentations: Future of Residential Care – what’s the post 1. pandemic vision?

2. Survival of the Fittest – how to drive profitability?

3. Integrated Care – social care’s role in the new approach 4. The Home Care Challenge – finding a way forward 5. Quality and Safety – striking the balance after Coronavirus 6. Dealing with the Impact of the Pandemic on your Staff To attend The Care Summer Series please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y56xx4u3

PAGE 20 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Caring for Care Workers: Managing the Mental Health of Vital Frontline Staff

By Jill Mead, CEO of TalkOut Group

Every industry has its own unique set of challenges when it comes to managing mental health and the care home industry is no different.

Whilst it can be a very rewarding career, there’s no denying that care work is physically and emotionally demanding. And if workers aren’t given the right support, this can lead to increased stress, anxiety, depression and burn out.

According to a report published by the National Association of Care and Support Workers, 81% of care staff feel their work has affected their mental health. On top of that, 79% of care staff said they have experienced or felt close to burn out.

As well as having a duty of care towards employees, looking after the wellbeing of your workforce makes operational sense. A healthier workforce means a more engaged and productive workforce, which is good for any organisation.

TRAINING

Care work is a rewarding but often mentally challenging job. And with care homes having felt the damaging impact of Covid-19, it’s no surprise that care workers are feeling the effects on their mental health. In fact, according to a survey by the Institute for Public Policy Research, one in two health and social care workers across the UK feel their mental health has declined during the pandemic. Jill Mead, CEO of TalkOut Group, discusses what care home managers can do to help manage and spot the signs of poor mental health amongst workers and promote a healthier, happier workforce.

Clearly, more training needs to be given to managers to better equip them with the resources and confidence they need to respond in a positive and helpful way when a team member takes the step to open up about their mental health problems.

Many employees are promoted to a managerial role because they’ve excelled at their job but too often, they aren’t given the formal training they need. If they don’t have experience of mental health, it’s unfair to expect managers to know how to deal with these complex issues when they arise in the workplace.

It’s crucial that we train our managers to give them the skills to support, listen and empathise with those who are experiencing mental health issues, which in turn will encourage people to talk out.

IS THE CARE HOME INDUSTRY MORE AT RISK?

CREATE AN OPEN CULTURE

Organisation leaders must take responsibility of ensuring they have a work environment where people can talk about mental health in the same way they talk about physical health. It’s important that all organisations – no matter what industry they operate in – create confidential and safe places where employees can go to talk through their concerns.

If we’re going to make any progress, there needs to be an understanding and acknowledgement that people with mental health issues can often thrive at work with the right support.

Build awareness and conversation For us to breakdown the stigma that exists around mental health, we need to talk about it more to raise awareness and normalise what people might be going through. Whether it’s internal communication on emails or the company’s intranet, posters and flyers around the building, regular one-to-ones, or wellbeing surveys, organisations should constantly be talking about mental health and reminding staff why it’s vital to talk out.

LEADERSHIP Let’s not underestimate leadership behaviours and the impact they can have on a team member’s mental health. More training is needed to help leaders understand how they can influence mental health through their words and actions. As well as the workday pressures that we all experience, work-related stress and anxiety can be fuelled by bullying, harassment, and even a lack of managerial support.

Negative leadership behaviour will often have a ripple effect throughout an organisation, creating a culture of fear which will only serve to stop people talking about how they feel in work. Leaders are role models and in order for a mentally healthy culture of openness and trust to exist, this has to be demonstrated at the highest levels in the organisation.

Research To Help Elderly Manage Medicines Safely Could Help Cut Hospital Admissions Helping frail elderly people manage multiple medicines safely is the focus of a new research project led

by Dr Beth Fylan, Senior Lecturer in Patient Safety in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Bradford.

The potential impact is considerable: nearly 12 million people in the UK are over 65 and of those, around half suffer from more than one chronic condition, usually requiring them to take multiple medicines over a long period of time. Older people are also more likely to experience avoidable adverse drug events.

The £156,000 project will run for two years and is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). It is being run through the NIHR Patient Safety Translational Research Centre and the Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research, which are collaborations between the University of Bradford, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds.

Dr Fylan explains: “Frail older people’s medicines regimens are often extremely complicated and it requires significant work to manage them safely. When older people aren’t supported to do this, they may be more likely to be admitted into hospital or suffer a fall from which they can find it hard to recover, leading to a downward spiral. Our aim is to help them manage things better, so they never enter that cycle.”

Rather than unpicking the causes of poor medicines management after something has gone wrong, the project aims to take a different approach, using a resilient healthcare framework.

This means the team will identify the safe and successful strategies older people and their carers can use to manage their medicines, including how they respond to changes in their own health and anticipate

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problems such as mistakes in repeat prescriptions. The researchers will then build on these insights to design an intervention with patients and healthcare staff to help others achieve similar success.

The project will focus on people over 65 who are taking multiple medicines and are categorised as mildly or moderately ‘frail’. This means they have a range of symptoms, such as hearing loss and tremors, and health conditions, such as heart disease or arthritis, all of which make them more vulnerable.

The team – involving academics, clinicians and patients at the University of Bradford, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Leeds and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group – will work with eight GP practices across Yorkshire and Humber.

They will interview patients and carers to understand the strategies they use and how the healthcare system supports or hinders these. Extracts from these interviews will be made into a short film that will be shown at workshops with healthcare staff, patients and carers to trigger thoughts, ideas and discussion about the issues raised.

Participants in the workshops will help identify the most important ideas to take forward, based on all the evidence presented and develop prototype interventions.

“It’s important that solutions are designed jointly by staff, carers and patients as each group has an important perspective on the challenges faced,” said Dr Fylan. “It’s a fascinating process to be part of – you can never predict what might come out of it. It could be as varied as a toolkit for patients to use at home or a ‘buddy scheme’ providing peer support to give patients and carers more confidence to talk to healthcare staff about any problems.”

The interventions identified through the workshops will then be tested in focus groups – again comprising healthcare staff, patients and carers – to see how easily they would be accepted by patients and their feasibility. The final outcome should be a system that is ready to be evaluated in a trial, alongside guidance for putting it into practice.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 19

PAGE 22 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Apprenticeships Will Be Key To Safeguarding The Future Of The Care Sector

By Victoria Sylvester, Director of Acacia Training (acaciatraining.co.uk)

Two news reports sit side by side. One is about the lost generation of young people, at risk of being left behind because they can’t get a job. The other is about the projected growth in the number of jobs in the social care sector by 32% to 2.17 million by 2035.

On paper it seems like a good fit – millions of people looking to embark on a new career or retrain after being made redundant and an industry in desperate need of skilled workers. So why isn’t it straightforward to connect the two?

The main challenges are attracting people to the sector and giving them opportunities to progress and have successful careers. But changing perceptions of the sector, combined with the government’s new apprenticeship incentives, have provided a fantastic opportunity to change this for good.

Apprenticeships are a great way for employers to recruit the right people, grow talent and develop a skilled workforce. Incentives are fantastic for employers so it’s encouraging to see the government taking note of this. Under the scheme, businesses will receive £2,000 for each apprentice under 25, and £1,500 for those older than 25, between August this year and February 2021.

Ensuring the process is straightforward and accessible will be fundamental to making it work and there are still some barriers. For example, most employers need to make a 5% contribution and while this seems small, it’s still a hurdle. To truly encourage employers to take on apprentices, every single barrier should be removed, even for just a short period of time while we work through the Covid recovery phase.

The government’s new Kickstart Scheme and funding for traineeships will also provide opportunities for

young people to get into the workplace. The key is to have a smooth transition process by working with providers who have strong employer links, which will enable trainees to progress on to apprenticeships.

Collaborative working on every level has never been more important – done right this can have a greater impact and we need to work at pace to get everything moving quickly.

Although there are challenges, this new raft of measures is a great step in the right direction. But it will only benefit the care sector significantly if we can attract people in the first place.

We hear it time and time again: no one wants to work in the sector, care staff are unskilled, there’s no career progression. Finally, in one of the most difficult periods that we’ve ever faced, these misconceptions have been challenged.

Putting the tragedy aside for a moment, Covid-19 has raised the sector’s profile and demonstrated how important and valuable it is. It has brought to the forefront real stories of people on the front line, as opposed to the negative headlines we often see around the care sector. Overall, the rhetoric has been much more positive and more people are seeing it as an incredibly rewarding place to work with progression opportunities.

This has already attracted new people to the sector. The number of new nursing applicants between January and June was 63% higher than the same period last year, according to UCAS. We continued to recruit apprentices during lockdown and delivered £100,000 of intensive training, funded by Skills for Care, to increase staffing capacity in care homes in response to Covid-19. This included induction training for new staff, volunteers and those returning to care roles. Learners ranged in age from 18 to their 60s and this shows the level of interest in the sector and the number of new entrants.

Now we need to develop a strategy around how we can attract and retain more people, so we can safeguard the future of the sector. Now is the perfect time to continue with the good work we’ve seen over the last few months and to build on the motivation and engagement with the sector. We need to take advantage of these promising new government incentives, keep that positivity moving and keep the sector looking attractive. Let’s not lose the ground that has been made in this short space of time.

Microwave Specialist Launches Its Biggest Ever Giveaway Regale Microwave Ovens is offering a free Panasonic rice cooker with every purchase of some of the brand’s microwave ovens.

Users can now benefit from a free Panasonic rice cooker when they certain Panasonic microwaves via specialist supplier, Regale Microwave Ovens.

Panasonic Rice Cookers are Ideal for cooking porridge at breakfast and keeps it hot for late risers when on standby without it drying out!

One of the models where the giveaway applies is the Panasonic NE-1878, a 1,800W inverter-powered microwave designed to feature the benefits of an all metal door. With each purchase, companies can receive a free model SRGA421 rice cooker, worth over £120, which will also come with 2kg of FOC Tilda rice inside.

All enquiries received by Regale will be passed to the nearest geographical dealer, and both units will be dispatched by Regale to the operators on the UK mainland with next day delivery, free of charge.

There are three other Panasonic ovens included in the promotion, but these

qualifying for a FOC 7.2L Panasonic rice cooker. The ovens are the:Panasonic NE-C1275 13A plug-in combination microwave oven with • ‘five-way’ cooking methods.

Panasonic NE-1880 & NE-3280. The extra-large and very powerful • microwave ovens can take 2 x full size (1:1) Gastronorm pans.

Each of these ovens comes with a 7.2litre Panasonic (model SR• GA721) rice cooker, Free Of Charge. Each rice cooker comes with a complimentary 5kg of Tilda Basmati rice. Furthermore, Regale will deliver the equipment free to any UK mainland operator on the next working day.

Regale deputy MD Iain Phillips said: “Of course there are a few terms and conditions with this fantastic giveaway, the main one being that it is restricted to ‘whilst stocks last’, however we are hoping that we can run it from now to somewhere towards the end of August.”

See the advert on the facing page for details or call 01329 285518..

NACC Training & Development Forum 2020 Will Proceed As A Live Event The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) is excited to confirm that the NACC Training & Development Forum 2020, including the NACC Awards 2020, will return to the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, on 7-9 October as a live event.

Following the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s announcement that business events, conferences and exhibitions can recommence from 1 October 2020, the association that unites, supports and represents everyone working in and associated with catering in the UK care sector, is able and ready to safely deliver its annual learning and development event.

The NACC Training & Development Forum brings together its members and care catering professionals for an educational and inspirational two-day programme of keynote speakers, certified training workshops, live cookery demonstrations, meet-the-buyer meetings, supplier exhibition and networking.

With sole occupancy of the East Midlands Conference Centre and hotel for the duration of the forum, the NACC is maximising all available space and embracing technology as the covid-secure event is meticulously planned, in line with government guidance. The team is working closely with the venue and a specialist health and safety expert to put in place strict measures to keep delegates, exhibitors and guests informed and safe and to ensure everyone feels comfortable throughout.

Sue Cawthray, National Chair, NACC, said: “The NACC Training & Development Forum couldn’t come at a more crucial time and we’re thrilled that we’re able to offer our members and the care catering sector a live event. Covid-19 has created one of the most challenging periods for our sector and the forum gives us all the much-needed opportunity to focus, learn and continue to support each other as we navigate the current climate and remain agile to ensure we continue to deliver vital services.

“The safety of our delegates, exhibitors, speakers and guests is our priority and strict health and safety guidelines will be in place at all times that meet and go beyond government guidelines. Some elements of the event will, of course, run slightly differently to previous years, but we guarantee that we’ll deliver the relevant and inspiring learning and development opportunities, engagement and networking that care catering professionals expect and appreciate. I very much look forward to seeing many of our care catering colleagues in Nottingham.”

Relevant programme The packed programme has been carefully designed to help delegates navigate the varied challenges of catering for the elderly, vulnera-

ble and young in care environments, be that in care homes or in the community, especially in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic.

The expert keynote speakers set to inform and inspire include: • Debbie Harris, Managing Director, Autumna: ‘Food Glorious Food’ will consider public perception of the quality of food served in care homes and how with increasing investment in the care home sector and an ageing population, the time has come for the equivalent of the Good Food Guide specifically for the sector.

• Andrew Cozens CBE, Director, Accain Ltd: The essential question ‘What does the future hold for social care?’ will be discussed by the leading national social care and health policy analyst and improvement specialist with over 40 years’ experience in the social care sector.

• Jonathan Cunningham MBE, Inspirational Conference Speaker: ‘Inspirational Care Leadership’ will show delegates the importance of leadership in any organisation, centring on really getting to know your team to inspire, develop and, ultimately, get the very best from them.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to gain further knowledge and new ideas by taking part in certified workshops and watching the live cookery demonstrations: • Phil Shelley, Chair of the NHS Review & Kerry Trunks, Senior Matron at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust: ‘Food is Medicine’ will explore food and drink as a part of the recovery process and how the care sector and NHS can share good practice to build a strong and robust service.

• Preston Walker & James Ball, Directors of Oak House Kitchen: ‘Catering in Health & Social Care – The New Normal’ will look at the relationship between residents and patients, catering teams, manufacturers and suppliers and how our sector can collaborate, innovate and adapt to ensure the foodservice delivery can meet the needs of the sector postcovid19.

• Emma Riley, Healthcare Services Director, RIS Healthcare & Amanda McLaughlin, Senior Training Manager, RIS Healthcare: ‘Importance of Oral Health’ will explore how good oral health enables individuals to communicate effectively, eat and enjoy a variety of foods, and is important in overall quality of life, self-esteem and social confidence.

• Lesley Carter, Programme Manager, Malnutrition Task Force & Clinical Lead, Age UK: This workshop will discuss malnutrition and older people in the UK, the impact of covid-19, frailty, Malnutrition Awareness Week and the Malnutrition Task Force’s new self-screening animation.

• Robin Dudley, Business Development Chef, Essential Cuisine: The ‘Making Mealtimes Memorable’ cookery demonstration will show delegates how mealtimes are a social occasion and an opportunity for residents to engage, have a sense of purpose and receive great nutrition through food.

ESSENTIAL EXHIBITION The suppliers to the care catering sector have more than stepped up with their support, flexibility and innovations during the covid-19 pan-

demic. They will be returning to the NACC Training & Development Forum 2020 to showcase practical solutions, new ideas and innovations that will continue to support the sector as it adapts and evolves into 2021.

NACC AWARDS 2020 The NACC Awards 2020 recognise dedication, innovation and excellence in care catering.

This year’s winners will be announced and celebrated as part of the NACC Training & Development Forum on the evening of Thursday 8 October.

In a year that has seen exceptional challenges, achievements and outstanding contributions, the coveted awards include: Care Establishment of the Year; Meals on Wheels Award; Catering Team of the Year; Catering Manager of the Year; Our Care Catering Hero; Region of the Year; Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award; National Chairman’s Award and, especially for 2020, the Triumph Over Adversity Award.

Sue continues: “The fantastic and relevant programme gives everyone the opportunity to come together to share best practice, new ideas and innovations, knowledge and perspectives to take back to their workplace and help redefine what their care catering provision looks like post-covid. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to engage with and support like-minded colleagues. We’re an agile sector and we’ve all adapted really well to the virtual way of working – the NACC, for example, has continued to hold its regional seminars online – but when it comes to learning and sharing ideas and experiences, nothing beats being physically present, even if at a distance.

“I’m thrilled that we will be able to celebrate the NACC Awards in person. Recognising excellence, innovation and dedication within care catering has always been very important to the NACC, but in times of adversity and extraordinary challenges it’s all the more pertinent. The coronavirus pandemic has put the care sector at the forefront of caring for and protecting the most vulnerable in our society and it’s going to be a humbling and emotional ceremony as we honour the exceptional contribution of care caterers.”

For further information and to book a delegate place at the NACC Training & Development Forum 2020 visit www.mcculloughmoore.co.uk/nacc

PAGE 24 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

Sale and Leasebacks: Sacrifice Or A Saviour?

By James Polo-Richards of law firm Wright Hassall (www.wrighthassall.co.uk)

Keeping the economy afloat will be no easy task given the ongoing coronavirus crisis, with the UK Government offering financial support to those businesses who need it most.

Unfortunately, that money will not come quick enough to save some businesses, as the Business Secretary recently acknowledged that ‘more money needs to go out faster’.

In a bid to raise much-needed funds, an old favourite from the property world has re-emerged – the sale and leaseback. This measure could help those busi-

vidual investors may see little value in the interest rates offered by banks or not be prepared to risk the current volatility of the stock market.

Before going down the route of sale and leaseback, there are a number of key factors that must be considered:

RELEASE OF CASH AND EXISTING DEBT For many businesses a sale and leaseback allows them to convert an asset into cash without losing control of the business. In the same way, where bank debt is secured against the asset, the sale of that asset should enable a company to repay that debt and remove the ongoing need for interest repayments.

LOWER COSTS COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL REFINANCING

nesses in desperate need of support.

While engaging with a bank to secure debt against an existing asset may be an option, there are usually higher transactional costs associated with such deals including being responsible for valuation, arrangement, legal and bank commitment fees. Theoretically a sale and leaseback deal should see each party bearing their own costs.

THE SALE AND LEASEBACK

SDLT RELIEF

The sale and leaseback deal does what it says on the tin – if you own the property, you can sell the property to another party, with an agreement in place to take a lease of the property back immediately.

For businesses that want to avoid approaching a bank for support, sale and leaseback deals could help them free up the cash needed to survive the ongoing crisis.

In addition, many property investors including large funds, private equity houses and smaller individual investors are looking at a range of opportunities and property owners should recognise there are people in the market who have cash to spend.

Many funds, unless they can negotiate or revise terms, may be bound by covenants to spend cash they have raised by a certain date; and indi-

Providing certain conditions are properly met, the leaseback aspects of a sale and leaseback deal may be exempt from SDLT meaning that the business will not need to pay any SDLT on the grant of the lease.

The sale element is still likely to attract SDLT for the buyer.

LOSS OF VALUE TO THE BUSINESS AND DIRECTOR’S DUTIES The sale of an asset is obviously a key consideration for directors as it could reduce the value of the business in any future business sale.

It is important to remember that while directors owe a duty to the company, where a company falls into financial difficulties and the risk of insolvency is real, those duties can then extend to creditors. In exercising these duties, they need to ensure they are minimising losses.

Before any decision to enter a sale and leaseback arrangement is

Environmental Science Limited (ESL) Restructures its Business to Launch Unique and Effective Palm Tree Foaming Hand Sanitisers Environmental Science Ltd based in March, Cambridgeshire was originally set up in 1994 and has focused primarily on the authoring of Safety ata and Workplace Activity Safety Protection (WASP) Sheets, identifying chemical hazards and providing on-site COSHH monitoring, LEV testing and risk assessment services.

This core activity will continue, however due partly to the changed circumstances brought about by Covid-19, the company has made the decision to significantly expand and restructure the business. ESL has built and established trusted relationships within the UK chemical industry over the last 25 years, therefore it is a natural progression for the business to move

into the development, manufacture, and distribution of hygiene products. These will include hand sanitisers, sprays, medicated soaps, surface and floor wipes and disinfectants.

To facilitate these new product lines, a new business entity is being created with the name “Environmental Science Hygiene Ltd”, and the existing company is renamed as “Environmental Science Group”. Their new website is: www.envsciencegroup.com One factor behind the change of direction for the business is that some products are being very hastily marketed during this pandemic; therefore they do not perform as efficiently as may be implied. By contrast, the team at

made, it is best practice for companies to seek professional advice and ensure the approach they’re taking is beneficial considering their current position.

FINANCIAL COVENANT AND SECURITY An investor buying any asset wants to try and build in a level of certainty that the rent due under the lease they grant will be paid. In uncertain times there may be a feeling amongst investors that some companies looking at sale and leasebacks are struggling financially.

In such circumstances, parties will need to consider whether any rent should be held back in escrow or in a rent deposit deed. This would give the investor certainty that an element of the rent is already held securely if the new tenant does not perform.

Depending on how much rent is held in this way the seller/tenant may be quite relaxed: from a cashflow perspective they will know that they won’t actually have to pay any rent for a prescribed period if it has already been escrowed. If they have been able to negotiate a rent-free period as part of the deal this could leave the seller/tenant with a couple of years to focus on other parts of their business.

As with any transaction it is important to consider a number of factors, but sale and leaseback might represent a sensible option for many.

About the author: James Polo-Richards is a real estate lawyer and Partner in the Commercial Real Estate team at law firm Wright Hassall. He regularly advises property developers and property investors to help find practical solutions to their challenges, so that they can achieve their goals and realise the value of their assets in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

About the firm: Wright Hassall is a top-ranked firm of solicitors based in Warwickshire, providing legal services including: commercial real estate, corporate law; commercial law; litigation and dispute resolution and employment law. The firm also advises on contentious probate, business immigration, debt recovery, employee incentives, information governance, professional negligence and private client matters.

Environmental Science are committed to producing high quality products that are both safe and effective. They also feel it is important to provide complete transparency by supplying the relevant GHS Safety Data Sheets, Product Labels, Product Information Sheets, etc.

Our Palm Tree Foaming Hand Sanitiser is unique and different from other current products for the following reasons: • The alcohol is naturally sourced and distilled from the sap of palm trees.

• The palm trees are not damaged in the extraction process, so the product is both sustainable and eco-friendly.

• Unlike most other sources of Ethanol, by tapping into an existing resource it means that valuable agricultural land can be used for food production instead.

• The foaming action is preferred by the healthcare sector over gel-based products.

• The alcohol content is in excess of 60% as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

• Conforms to the European Standard EN1276.

For further information, please contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1354 653 222 Email: sales@envsciencegroup.com Web: www.envsciencegroup.com

Time to Reflect As Colten Care Hosts Celebration Of Life Families went online to share memories of loved ones who have passed away at care homes across the South in the past year.

Colten Care’s annual Celebration of Life is usually an opportunity for relatives, friends, current residents and staff to get together in person and reminisce about those who have died.

With Covid restrictions ruling out face-to-face community gatherings this year, team members decided to hold an alternative-style event.

They invited families and friends of the residents to join online meetings and share personal memories and time for reflection.

The intimate event featured poems, music, hymns, readings and prayers. In some homes, local vicars conducted services via Zoom.

Participants were encouraged to write about their loved ones in short email messages. Staff transcribed these onto memory cards which they tied to ‘memory trees’ in the homes’ foyers and gardens.

There were many affectionate and personal contributions such as: “Isobel – a wonderful wife and lover of music”; “Norma – loved sitting in the sunshine”; “Betty – had a wonderful motherly nature”; and “Jessie – loved travelling the world playing sports”.

At Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, staff and current residents hand-painted pebbles in memory of those they have lost.

On each stone was the resident’s name, along with a picture depicting their hobbies or interests.

The pebbles were then laid in what will now become a permanent ‘Forget-me-not’ garden.

The idea is that people can come and sit on a bench opposite taking time to reflect as they look at the stones.

Vanda Baker, Home Manager at St Catherines View, a dedicated dementia care home in Winchester, said: “Although we couldn’t meet in person with families this year, we still wanted to give everyone the opportunity to reflect and reminisce. As the name suggests, Celebration of Life is all about remembering the individuality of residents we have had the privilege of knowing. It is an ideal chance to celebrate the joy, laughter and experiences of those who came to stay with us.”

Sally Smith, Nurse Learning and Development Manager, who leads Colten Care’s end-of-life care strategy said: “Covid has created a really difficult time for many people and families across the world. For our part, we didn’t want the restrictions to stop our annual Celebration of Life event which has been held every year since 2017. It always proves to be a precious and heartfelt experience for those taking part.

We strongly believe that good end of life care should extend to supporting relatives and friends whose loved ones have died.”

Covid19: Accelerating the Use of Digital Technology in Healthcare As this crisis impacts every part of the health sector, significant vulnerabilities are being exposed. The NHS ‘digital revolution’ has long been touted as the key to futureproofing both Social Care and our health service in the face of increasing patient demand. That demand has now reached unprecedented levels and seems unlikely ever to revert to previous trends; against that background; there is an urgent requirement to move quickly to realise the opportunities which are available from digital technology. It is no longer an interesting speculation; it is an essential requirement to support staff and save lives. (Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell)

USING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY Poor efficiencies in many areas of the sector are caused by the lack of investment in technology.

Technology will improve the way your staff carry out tasks by either speed up existing processes or allowing new, more flexible and accurate ways of carrying out a job or process which will in turn enables live real time management information.

Would you expect to check out of a hotel with an invoice and extras raised in Word or Excel so why do many operators still use this method when invoic-

ing?

How many industries with shift workers rely on manual payroll processing outside the care sector?

Repeatable systems should harness the power of technology to cut back the massive waste of man hours spent processing and checking manual tasks.

In order to work out the best technology for your needs, you should assess your current systems against your requirements. Think about what inefficiencies exist in your homes and how you could: 1. Capture relevant information, such as resident/staff details, in a simple, time-efficient way.

2. Manage your documents to ensure that information is dealt with logically.

3. Avoid duplication at all costs; completing handwritten timesheets which then need to be manually inputted into payroll is a massive, unnecessary waste of time & manpower.

4. Address technological obstacles. The perception that your staffs are not IT literate is out of date; most people own a smart phone so yes they are!

See www.fusion4care.com for details or see the advert on page 23.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 25

Eliminating 12 Modifiable Risk Factors Nominate Your Top Tunes Could Reduce Dementia Cases By 40% A new report has estimated that the number of dementia cases worldwide could be reduced by 40% if 12 risk factors for the condition could be completely eliminated. The Lancet Commission Report has included excessive alcohol use, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and pollution as three new risk factors in its updated model for dementia risk. The report, supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, is published today (Thursday 31 July) at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2020.

The team of 28 dementia experts from the UK and wider afield brought together existing evidence from a range of studies and modelled their likely impact on prevalence of the condition.

The report follows on from a previous commission in 2017, which modelled the impact of nine dementia risk factors and is the most comprehensive overview of research into dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to date.

The researchers looked at the potential impact of eliminating risk factors for dementia, including established risks such as hypertension, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, diabetes, depression, and lack of education in early life.

As well as outlining established risk factors for dementia, their report also looked at studies investigating sleep as a potential risk factor, but found there was not enough comprehensive evidence to definitively link sleep to dementia risk.

The results suggest that if it were possible to eliminate all 12 potentially modifiable risk factors, the number of people living with dementia could be reduced by up to 40%. The report identified that the three risk factors with the largest potential impact were hearing loss, low education in early life, and smoking.

Currently, an estimated 50 million people are living with dementia across the globe, including nearly 1m in the UK, with those numbers expected to rise as populations age across the globe.

The findings highlight the broad potential for risk reduction to lower the impact of dementia across the population, but do not calculate individual risk.

While people can take steps to help limit their individual risk of dementia, a person’s age and genetics also contribute to their risk, and even people who are able to avoid all of these lifestyle risk factors can still develop the condition.

Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, said: “This collaborative report from dementia experts across the world highlights a number of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia throughout a person’s life. Research is constantly uncovering more about dementia and this is the most comprehensive overview into dementia risk to date, building on previous work by this commission and moving our understanding forward.

“As new studies continue to develop the evidence base on dementia risk, the report has identified three new risk factors for dementia. More evidence on the complex topic of sleep is needed before we can make a judgement on its impact on dementia risk, but we hope this report will act as a catalyst for further research.

“With no treatments yet able to slow or stop the onset of dementia, taking action to reduce these risks is an important part of our strategy for tackling the condition. Prevention strategies must be underpinned by robust evidence and while our understanding of dementia risk is growing, there is still much we need to know about the different risk factors for dementia.

“This report underlines the importance of acting at a personal and policy level to reduce dementia risk. With Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Attitudes Monitor showing just a third of people think it’s possible to reduce their risk of developing dementia, there’s clearly much to do here to increase people’s awareness of the steps they can take.

Does your care home have its own favourite songs to listen to? You know, the ones that always get everyone smiling, tapping, singing or even dancing?

M4d radio is compiling a ‘UK Care Homes’ Top 10 Favourite Songs’ list for everyone to enjoy, and they’d like your help in creating it.

The dementia-friendly internet radio station wants to know which songs or tunes you’d nominate in order to assemble its ‘Top of the Popsstyle’ playlist. Think of the ones that always manage to lift the mood and you’re on the right lines.

The top-voted tunes will be played at a date in the autumn on the Mix station of m4d Radio, which plays music from 1930s – 1970s.

Simply enter your song selection via this Google form to join in with the fun.

There’s also an optional space for you to say why you’ve chosen the songs.

We will let you know when the playlist will be made into an hour-long programme on the radio station so you can listen to see which of your choices have made it to the top of the care home hit parade!

You’ll be able to say, ‘They’re playing our tune’ and know that you made it happen.

Why not run an activity or reminiscence session asking everyone what song they would choose, to create your shortlist of 3-5 top tunes?

The programming on m4d Radio’s Mix station is designed to follow the rhythm of the day at a care home, with music to move to, singalongs, featured artists, smooth music and more. m4d Radio also offers four era-specific stations for residents and care workers to listen to, advert-free 24 hours a day.

Closing date for nominations is 13th September.

Mölnlycke Launches New Wound Care Patient Educational Resources to Support Patients and Carers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

16 June 2020 at 9am. Milton Keynes. Mölnlycke

launches a suite of new patient educational resources to support wound care practice during the coronavirus pandemic, when home visits from a healthcare professional are more limited.

The resources feature a range of easy to follow guides and videos for patients, or their carers, on how to look after their wound in their home, without a healthcare professional present. The resources include simple step-by-step guides on how to

remove an old dressing, clean a wound and apply a new dressing. It also includes top tips on when to change a dressing, signs of possible infection and how best to help a wound to heal.

Commenting on the resource, Alison Scofield, Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist said: “During this current climate supporting patient self-care with their wounds has never been so important. With step by step pictorial processes to follow for dressing

WISHING YOU DIDN’T KEEP PAPER RECORDS? S STAFF TAFF AF MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT R otas, Timesheets & Payroll Payroll Rotas, RESIDENTS & SER VICE USERS SERVICE In voicing, Enquiries & Occupancy Invoicing, C ARE PL ANS CARE PLANS As sses s sments, Dail es, Assessments, Dailyy Not Notes, Task T askk Management Manag M ag g gement &C are Planning Care FUSION CAN CAN A INS INSTALL TALL AL LL AND TR TRAIN T AIN YOU AND YOUR YOUR S TAFF REMO TEL LY YOU STAFF REMOTELY WITH C ONTINUOUS AND REASSURING WITH CONTINUOUS R OUND THE CL OCK SUPPOR T. ROUND CLOCK SUPPORT.

changes, advice on lifestyle and any issues to look out for, this guide is suitable for patients at home and in care settings.”

All resources are available to view, download and print via patient educational resource centre on the Mölnlycke Advantage webpage https://www.molnlycke.co.uk/patientselfcare/ .

As the pandemic crisis hits, with self-isolation and home working much greater, the digital revolution has, for most, future proofed “business as usual” But we know a large percentage of social care providers are not so lucky!

NOW MORE MOR RE THAN EVER THE USE OF DIGITAL DIGITAL TECHNOL NOLOGY IN SOCIAL CARE TECHNOLOGY CARE IS PRO PROVING VING IT ITS S WEIGHT IN GOLD GOLD..

The demands yyou Th ou are are no now w facing ar aree unprecedented; unprecedented; maintaining intaining levels l vels le ls of ccare are and a staff staff,, the safety and w d thosee yyou ou ccare are for is your yourr maximum priority rity. DIGITA AL wellbeing ellbeing of those who w work ork for yyou, ou, and priority.

DIGITAL TECHNOL OGY CAN CAN MAKE THIS SO MUCH EASIER. SIER R. TECHNOLOGY EASIER Vital information all in one plac e, in the cloud, rremotely em motely ac cessible to eevery very member of staff who needs place, accessible it. There There is an urgent urgent rrequirement equirement to move move quickly are available available from from uickly ly to realise r opportunities that are the opportunities digital technology technology..

t: 001133 1133 979 555 e:info@fusion4care.com e:info@fusion4care.com • www www.fusion4care.com .fusion4care.com

car care e solutions ltd

PAGE 26 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL RCP Presents Practical Solutions During the Pandemic PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

ENHANCED CLEANING

Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) is a leading global provider of hygiene, cleaning, waste and safety equipment to multiple industries.

During the pandemic, healthcare facilities have been frontline environments battling COVID-19. The everyday heroics of medical staff have been acknowledged globally. Governments have reacted differently, but their advice has been consistent: ensure regular hand hygiene, enhance cleaning and waste procedures and maintain social distancing.

Surfaces are a primary contamination point. In a healthcare facility, cleaning products need to perform well, wherever they are used, under whatever conditions.

RCP’s cleaning products place adaptability at their core. Microfibre products embedded with zig-zag technology remove 99.9% of microbes with or without bleach and are available in multiple colours to prevent cross contamination. Reusable cloths can endure up to 500 wash cycles before they need to be replaced.

By using adaptable microfiber products, healthcare facilities improve their ability to clean alongside demonstrating visible cleaning to patients and visitors.

HAND HYGIENE

Healthcare facilities were considered the most forthright proponents of hand hygiene prior to 2020 and have still seen a dramatic increase in the need for hand

hygiene provisions.

RCP’s contribution to the various settings of healthcare hand hygiene has been through free-standing hand hygiene stations and wall mounted dispensing solutions.

Hand hygiene stations can be securely deployed wherever needed, providing instant hand hygiene via alcohol or alcohol-free hand rubs. These stations are touch operated, eliminating cross contamination risks while wall mounted units have antimicrobial touchpoints. Both use sealed soap refills that eliminate the contamination risks inherent in bulk refill systems.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Throughout healthcare facilities, there are multiple points where waste is created and stored prior to transportation. In both cases, it’s advisable to isolate waste in closed lid containers to prevent germs spreading.

RCP waste management products provide closed-lid isolation of waste and further reduce risk with foot operation rather than manual handling. Smooth resin construction make them easy to clean between uses, eliminating lingering threats.

GUIDANCE

In addition to product solutions for healthcare, and to support all facilities through the pandemic towards

Mattress Maintenance Services Helping Hospitals and Care Homes Spring into Action

By Truan Remmington - Contracts Development Executive – Spearhead Healthcare In order to bring a mattress back into service after use, it needs to be completely cleaned and decontaminated to approved standards that guarantee bacterium and viruses such as C.Diff and MRSA are killed, and no cross contamination occurs.

A challenge with mattress cleaning is not only that it requires large commercial washing machines but that different mattress types also require different treatment. The construction of air pressure mattresses for example means they cannot be washed in high temperature machines, requiring cold-water disinfection instead. The only certified process available, OTEX, injects ozone into each wash, killing all the harmful microorganisms without using the heat

or chemicals of traditional laundering.

However, having the time, staff, and the facilities required to provide this level of deep clean for each of your mattresses can prove very costly.

In additional to it being potentially dangerous, there is also a high probability of reputational damage if standards slip and go unnoticed by your staff, because this is something patients and their families will always, quite rightly, notice and report.

The right rental and maintenance service will not only provide you with an appropriate mattress when you need it, but offer fast cleaning, repairs, and replacements, ensuring mattresses are up to the required standards. This undoubtedly saves you

reopening, RCP has created digital guidance documents: • Sector specific best practice guides • Cleaning and waste management guidance • Return-to-work preparation guide • Bulk refill soap systems health risk factsheet Constant dialogue helps RCP understand the needs and expectations of professionals across the healthcare sector. Taking this information, using it to develop products that solve multiple challenges, makes RCP the leading choice for performance and ROI. Find out more about Rubbermaid Commercial Products by visiting Rubbermaid.eu or emailing RCPEnquiries@newellco.com

money in the long term, provides the best possible levels of care to your patients and residents, and reassures all stakeholders that hygiene is a top priority; a must in the current climate.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?

So what should you look for in a rental service – apart from a wide range of special purpose mattresses? Here are a few key pointers: • Rapid breakdown response • All work carried out by trained technicians • Mattresses returned in fully certified working order with free loans while repairs are carried out to allow you continuity of service • Servicing and/or repair offered in a hygiene controlled environment where mattresses are PAT tested, static pressure leak tested and cycle tested • Mattresses placed in an infection controlled 'Cold Storage' zone to control cross contamination • Mattresses completely cleaned and decontaminated using a specialist, certified decontamination system to approved standards • Transparent and clear results reporting for peace of mind In today’s ever-more pressurised care sector, on-demand mattress rental and maintenance services are playing a growing role in helping providers respond quickly to growing patient and resident intake. This allows you to maintain the highest possible standards of infection control practises in all areas.

Visit www.spearheadhealthcare.com

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 27

Hygiene Does Not Stop At The Washroom says Kimberly-Clark Professional

Now more than ever we all want to know that we are doing everything we can to keep ourselves, our colleagues and visitors safe and well. To do this requires understanding the science behind surface wiping and cleaning, says Kimberly-Clark Professional.

We want to know that people have washed their hands properly and that places are as clean and as hygienic as possible. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends prioritising the daily cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.

CLEANING VS. DISINFECTING Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and other impurities from surfaces or objects by using detergent (or soap and water) to physically remove germs from surfaces.

This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects by using chemicals1. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing

germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

The CDC recommends a two-step daily routine to clean frequently touched surfaces. For Step 1 clean surface with a detergent or soap and water. With Step 2 disinfect the surface using an EN-registered disinfectant. Surfaces considered hot spots for germs include computer keyboards, phones and light switches.

Science indicates why these surfaces need daily hygiene protocols in addition to hand hygiene standards in facilities For more information about how to make your facility truly exceptional – a place where everyone feels equipped and empowered to contribute to a more hygienic environment – visit our hand and surface cleaning page. https://youtu.be/WHNYNtVeymM https://home.kcprofessional.com/UK_Healthy_ Workplace_Cleaning_0520

Sales@HealthHealth.co.uk

+44 (0)203 488 5653

www.HealthHealth.co.uk

Tel: 01495 772164 I 07967 402995 www.shophygiene.co.uk

PAGE 28 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Haigh Engineering Resident and patient waste is a day to day practical matter that simply cannot become a problem for frontline carers and nursing staff. With the raised awareness of cross infection risks, the proven reliable waste disposal systems from Haigh are recognised more than ever as being a key part of the toolkit for ensuring that human waste is effectively and efficiently removed as a source of risk, day in day out, without the risks and complications of either washing pots or manual bagging waste for collection.

The team from Haigh have been working hard to support this beyond just the manufacture of the Incomaster and Quattro waste disposers here in the UK, but also developing innovative and safe methods to enhance the

servicing provisions that are available to customers. The recently launched all-inclusive rental proposition has proven particularly effective and popular with new and existing customers alike, not least as it reduces the operational, maintenance and financing headaches from sites which have more critical matters to address.

For more information about incontinence and bedpan waste disposal please feel free to contact the Haigh team on 01989 763131 or info@haigh.co.uk

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 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 clicking Hospital, Health and Hygiene or by using the Quick Response code.

SANOZONE. The Easy Way To Sanotise Your Indoor Spaces SANOZONE, which delivers the most efficient sanitisation performance in indoor spaces, is now available from Barbel.

Manufactured by Vitaeco S.r.l., the world famous manufacturer of the highly regarded HotmixPro thermal blender range, SANOZONE sanitises rooms of many sizes in enclosed HRC sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, conference rooms and similar establishments where totally reliable and regular sanitisation is needed.

SANOZONE is particularly suitable for hospitals and care home areas, where absolute cleanliness is mandatory, and in areas where it is difficult or impossible to deliver effective sanitisation throughout.

The SANOZONE range of machines

use Ozone (O3) technology, a gaseous form of Ozone that fills the room, reaching every corner of the space, santising surfaces and critical hard-to-reach corners homogenously, consistently and safely.

The SANOZONE range of sanitisation machines are all equipped with the latest technology and customised disinfection programmes to suit your specific requirements.

The running costs are considerably lower than any traditional disinfecting programmes and most importantly, there is no manual labour involved.

For further information about the SANOZONE range, please contact Barbel on 01629 705110, email info@barbel.net, or visit the website at www.barbel.net

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 29

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

The Care Home That Remained Covid-19 Free Thanks To Ground-Breaking Protein

“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that it saved the lives of our residents and staff.”

The owner of a care home has hailed a £20 face covering, coated in a ground-breaking protein called Viruferrin™ that is now scientifically proven to stop the spread of Covid-19, as ‘life-saving’, after it helped to prevent a coronavirus outbreak within her home.

The news comes as ONS released statistics showing that just over 28% of all coronavirus deaths in Wales occurred in care homes.

Former nurse Elen Hughes and husband Trevor Hughes, are owners/directors of the Plasgarnedd Care Home on Anglesey; they purchased the Virustatic Sheild face coverings for all their staff very early on in the pandemic when the World Health Organisation confirmed the COVID19 pandemic threat. This decision, they believe, is the main reason the care home was able to control the disease, despite one resident becoming ill with the virus and given a positive diagnosis.

“The face covering, in my opinion, definitely stopped any type of transmission to my staff,” said Elen. “This meant none of them passed it on to the other residents. The protective face coverings have been life-saving. I stand by that! There is not a doubt in my mind that it saved the lives of our residents.”

Elen, who oversees a team of 120 carers and support staff over two sites and in the community, made the decision to provide face coverings for all employees some time before guidance from Public Health Wales was changed to make them compulsory for the sector.

“I saw these face coverings on the news and decided right there and then to go ahead and purchase them for my team. At that time, we were under no obligation to do that, we were told by Public Health Wales that

we just needed aprons and gloves, but because of my nursing background and I guess, a gut feeling, I just knew that the situation was serious and that we needed to protect our residents (all of whom are in single rooms) and that to do so we needed to protect our staff – even though there were no confirmed cases here.” continued Elen, “However, subsequently, one of our ladies became ill. When her condition deteriorated, our resident was admitted to hospital where it was confirmed that she had the COVID-19 virus. I have no doubt that this lady will have been infectious while she was in our care before and that the Virsutatic face coverings worn by our staff alongside scrupulous hygiene prevented them from becoming infected and spreading the virus through our home.”

Some care homes in North Wales have unfortunately not been as fortunate. One with a similar number of residents, which received a positive diagnosis at the same time, has seen several staff members and residents test positive for Covid-19 and a number of fatalities.

“We’ve had a similar set of results across both of our sites, so it can’t be coincidence. Others sadly haven’t been so lucky, and I simply put that down to the fact we’ve worn Virustatic Shields and that our amazing staff have followed our own strict infection control guidelines.”

Virustatic Ltd, the leading biotech organisation behind the masks, donated 20 of its Shields to Plasgarnedd. Overall it donated 15,000 of its coverings to frontline workers, charities and those most at risk across the UK. Paul Stanton, a former national Director of NHS Board development, who works as an independent consultant with NHS organisations and with senior clinicians commented: “In any care home there is a significant risk that staff who have become infected in the course of their ordinary lives may, before their symptoms develop, unintentionally bring Covid-19 into their place of work and thus spread the virus to colleagues and to residents – unless they are suitably protected against airborne transmission of infected particles.

“Where residents, as was the case at Plasgarnedd, are isolated within single rooms, unprotected staff could all too easily have spread the virus from one infected resident to others – and indeed to their colleagues.

However, it seems that in this case the Virustatic protective face coverings helped to prevent any onward transmission. It will be important to establish, through properly conducted clinical trials, how important a contribution the protective face coverings can make in other private sector residential care settings”.

Initial discussions are already underway between Virustatic and Care England, the umbrella representative body for private sector residential care home providers, to initiate such trials.

“It will also be vital to the wider UK economy to establish, through properly conducted and evaluated trials, the contribution that these protective face coverings can make in other non-care workplaces. Potentially, the ability of this new form of face covering to prevent the spread of airborne particulate infections in workforce intensive employment settings could be

game changing” Paul Stanton said.

This week it was announced that the ground-breaking Viruferrin™ coating used on the Virustatic Shield has been independently tested and proven to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection at a cellular level. The discovery is being hailed as a significant breakthrough in the fight against the disease, paving the way to research that could deliver a cure. The next step is clinical trials on preventative and curative applications of the Viruferrin™ technology.

Paul Hope, Inventor of the Virustatic technology and products said: "The coating has been demonstrated to protect the cells. If that is replicated within the respiratory systems and lungs it will stop the virus spreading because it cannot infect other cells. We believe the tests demonstrate the effective preventative and curative ability of this coating against Covid-19.”

Paul made it his mission to find a way to prevent deaths caused in pandemics after his own grandfather died of the Spanish Flu in 1919. This latest discovery builds on 10 years of work by Paul, his family and a team of British scientists and virologists.

Paul ended: “I am delighted to hear that our face coverings have already proven life-saving for Plasgarnedd Care.”

Plasgarnedd Care is an award-winning Care Provider which has over 30 years’ experience of providing the highest level of care and support for service users in and around Anglesey and Gwynedd. More information: www.plasgarnedd.co.uk The Virustatic Shield is available to buy direct from the website virustaticshield.com

PAGE 30 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Proven Technology Offers Greater Protection for Staff and Residents Against Covid-19

Care Homes are having to work around the clock to ensure their facilities are as clean and infection-free as possible, to try and prevent Covid-19 (and multiple other viruses and harmful bacteria) from entering their facility in the first place or containing it once it does.

However, routine cleaning and disinfection, even with the use of other hand sanitisers and antibacterial surface cleaners, only sanitises the individual or surface for that moment in time, i.e. as soon as contact is made with an infected surface or introduced from the outside, the area or the person is no longer safe.

In the tight confines of a Care Home, supporting one of the most vulnerable groups, cross infection via surface contamination is a major challenge. The transient nature of current cleaning regimes will always prove challenging, particularly as over 80% of germs are spread by hands.

Now a proven, independently accredited technology that offers a protective barrier wherever there is a risk of infection is at the forefront of preventing and protecting against the spread of Covid-19.

Once applied it stays active, providing up to 30 days

protection on surfaces and 24 hours on the skin. In a Care Home, this can dramatically reduce the chances of encountering a crisis by reducing the spread of dangerous pathogens either by hand or touch.

OneSpray’s Hand Sanitiser offers 24 hours protection with one application, contains no alcohol, is ultra-gentle on the skin and won’t wash off during normal daily washing.

This means it is very economical to use versus alcoholbased sanitisers, given that typically one person will apply those sanitisers up to 10 times per day.

OneSpray’s Surface Sanitiser offers protection on nearly all surfaces including door handles, desks, door entry systems and keypads, touchscreens, phones, kitchens and taps. A single application forms an invisible barrier over the surface that lasts up to 30 days and will not wash off so normal, daily cleaning can continue.

OneSpray products incorporate Zoono technology, world leaders in antimicrobial protection. Over 150 worldwide laboratory testing reports support the efficacy of their products.

In earlier trials for London Underground a treated train came back 99.9% clear after 28 days of uninterrupted service.

OneSpray is offering a Starter Outbreak-Prevention Package, specifically for Care Homes. It consists of a 5-litre Hand Sanitiser with two 1-litre dispensers, plus a 5-litre Surface Cleaner with two 500ml spray bottles.

For more information contact 07811113108 or email russell@onespray.com or see the advert on page 8.

New Health Check Station A new product has been released to help check individuals’ temperatures as they enter a public space. The Health Check Station by Contour Heating has been designed to help control the spread of infection in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Manufactured from mild steel with a BioCote® antimicrobial powder coating, The Health Check Station has been designed with safety and efficiency in mind. A durable Perspex screen with a small cut out provides the user with a safe means of checking employee and visitor temperature upon arrival.

With a letterbox-style slot for documentation (such as registers and time-sheets) and informative signage to help reinforce key messages in relation to government guidelines, The Health Check Station can be used in offices, factories, retail units, public buildings, schools and much more.

The Health Check Station is available directly from Contour Heating. Call +44 (0) 1952 290 498 to find out more or head over to www.contourheating.co.uk.

Staysafe Visor - CE-Certified PPE Manufactured in the UK Staysafe Visor is a subsidiary of 1st Packaging Ltd, a leading specialist UK plastics manufacturer founded in 2002. Used in a wide range of health and commercial settings, our high-quality recyclable CE-certified face shields offer protection against liquid droplets, sprays and splashes. Our visors are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, are anti-fog and easy to assemble.

As a long-established UK company, we have been able to step up our manufacture of PPE to meet high demand during the current unprecedented circumstances. Our facilities enable us to produce well in excess of 200,000 items per week.

At Staysafe Visor our experienced team takes very seriously its role in support-

ing the health of the community by helping to maintain a safer environment.

Availability and affordability are the cornerstones of our operation. Because we sell directly to businesses, organisations and the general public, we are able to remove the need for intermediaries and keep costs low. We believe that we offer the most competitive rates on the market for this type of CE-certified PPE. Our high-quality products are helping to better protect employees in the NHS, care homes, education, transport, manufacturing and a host of other workplace settings. For further details about our range of visors please do not hesitate to contact our friendly expert team.

See page 4 for details or visit www.staysafevisor.co.uk

www.baltex.co.uk

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 31

Meeting the hygiene challenge of COVID-19

By Zak Manhire, Chief Commercial Officer at Regency Design Protecting care home workers and their patients throughout the COVID-19 epidemic and beyond has been a constant challenge, and one that has attracted considerable media attention. It has also prompted the business community to look at its own capabilities, and whether manufacturing and production facilities can be turned over to fulfilling the ongoing demand for protective clothing and equipment.

Made out of premium quality products, Regency Design’s dispensers cut down on sanitiser costs by using sensory technology to dispense an adjustable amount (1.5ml, 1.2ml or 0.8ml) of sanitizer gel or liquid per use. As well as this, the units are constructed out of Mild Steel, which makes them lightweight, yet robust and sturdy. They are all powder coated in a SteriTouch antimicrobial covering to ensure no harbouring of germs on the units themselves. The units are customisable with bespoke under surface mark resistant graphics applied on the front of the unit.

Our company, Regency Design, is one such company that has answered the call, and now produces a suite of products ranging from face visors to automatic hand sanitising units to keep carers, patients and guests safe and avoid cross contamination issues in often challenging environments. All of which manufactured in the UK at their site in Surrey.

Our face visors prove useful for care-home staff as they are highly durable, re-useable and CE marked to demonstrate conformity with health, safety and environmental protection standards.

They comprise a clear, polycarbonate panel with a soft foam headband and a Velcro adjustable strap. With anti-mist properties, high-quality optics with no distortion and a space for branding / name.

Most recently we have gone one better and added an innovative body temperature reading camera with AI Face recognition, that can measure temperatures within 100 milliseconds and at a distance of 0.5 metres all while someone is sanitising their hands.

The infrared temperature sensor provides alerts when a person has a high temperature.

The system is calculated with an algorithm for object heat and fast detection temperature accuracy, with a temperature sensing range of 30 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius and an accuracy of plus or minus 0.3 degrees Celsius.

Along with the face visors, Regency Design has also launched various automatic hand sanitising units to increase hygiene levels. The automatic hand sanitising units help reduce cross contamination by making the hand cleaning process completely touchless. Our units are diverse as they come as both small and large floor standing units, wall mounted units and countertop units, which provide convenience to all parts of a care home. The small and large floor standing dispensers allow all patients to reach the units, whether they are in a wheelchair or standing, and the countertop units provide hygiene for staff, administration and visitors.

The temperature reading system gives care home staff a non-invasive and comfortable way of checking, staff and guests temperatures, with an aim of reducing contamination issues and increasing hygiene.

To go with the sanitising units, Regency Design also supplies a sanitiser gel or liquid, which can be put into the automatic dispensers so care home staff can keep their units topped up with ease and without worry of replenishment.

Regency has committed to offer a 15% discount on all its products if you use Carer20 when enquiring.

For more information please contact Zak Manhire on zak@regencydesign.co.uk or 07837391421.

www.regencydesign.co.uk

PAGE 32 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

CONTINENCE CARE

CareZips Dignity Trousers ™

CareZips™ preserve dignity and privacy of people receiving care during diaper changes.

CareZips™ make diaper changes easier and faster, reducing workload, saving efforts, and saving time!

CareZips™ help to deliver better standards of care!

Fitted with unique 3-zip fastening system, the CareZips™ make changing of incontinence diapers more dignified and comfortable for the patients and easier and faster for the carers.

CareZips™ feature 3 strategically positioned zips, 2 of which run from the waist to the knees on both sides of the body. The 3rd zip goes from the inside of one knee up to the crotch and down to the second knee on the inside of the other leg. This zip facilitates total opening of the trousers at the crotch during diaper changes. The 3-zip system ensures fast and easy access to the abdomen and crotch without having to undress the patients or pull their trousers down.

CareZips™ are suitable for men and women. They are available in 7 sizes for perfect fit. CareZips™ are soft and wrinkle resistant with stretch and give for extra comfort.

Practical, durable, washable and non-iron, the CareZips™ trousers are the perfect choice for daily use.

Contact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 www.win-health.com or see the advert on page 7.

New Skincare & Incontinence Leaflet A new ‘Skincare management in incontinence’ leaflet is available from Thornton & Ross Pharmaceuticals – manufacturers of Zerolon® Barrier Cream. Accredited by the Association for Continence Advice (ACA), the leaflet is designed as a quick guide for all health professionals involved with continence care. Including recommendations from NICE, the leaflet also outlines factors to consider when selecting a barrier cream and advice on helping prevent incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

Zerolon® Barrier Cream is the latest addition to the Zeroderma emollients and barrier creams range, specially formulated to prevent irritation from bodily fluids including urine, faeces and exudate.

To receive a free copy of the ‘Skincare management in incontinence’ leaflet, please email: zeroderma@thorntonross.com Thornton & Ross Ltd, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QH 01484 842217 www.zeroderma.co.uk

iMEDicare Ltd Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.

iMEDicare Ltd is a dynamic and rapidly growing Medical Device Distributor offering an exciting range of unique and market leading medical products for patient use in the fields of Urology and Continence Management Treatment throughout the UK. Our motto is “Pelvic Health Naturally” – premised on the ability of living tissues to react positively to clinically approved therapeutic measures in a pelvic health con-

text. Our logo features a very interesting version of the infinity symbol in blue – which also looks like the Pelvic Girdle bone structure. This symbol represents a sense of simplicity and balance – an important tenet in providing effective healthcare solutions and achieving optimal pelvic health.

We offer a unique blend of professional and patient product training in Clinical and Home environments which are designed to improve individual product customizability, user uptake and long-term patient compliance and satisfaction.

See the advert on this page for details.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 33

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS Cash’s Labels- “The Name Behind the Name” At Cash's, we aim to capture, reinforce and communicate our clients’ brand equity through quality and innovation, from design to distribution.

Our product range fully caters for the needs of both small and large retailers and brand owners alike comprising of woven and printed labels, woven badges, care labels, branded and promotional swing tags, garment accessories, packaging and barcoding. Our ground breaking labelling and security technologies are also able to provide an unrivalled level of protection to

our customers' brand by assisting to combat counterfeiting and grey market activity.

Our industry leading eCommerce system is designed to reduce cost, improve efficiency and streamline supply chain management and will fully protect the integrity and accuracy of critical business data. The order entry process is very simple meaning suppliers and vendors can spend their valuable time on tasks other than ordering apparel labelling and accessories.

See the advert this page for details.

Please go on our website to see the new range of Dishwasher proof ID labels which can also be stuck onto textiles.

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose LaundryTec Chester based LaundryTec since its foundation in early 2016 has become one of Alliance Internationals major UK distributers. Founded by Jeremy Hartigan, the team of industry professionals with the backing of the Alliance Lavamac brand and supported by its service partner PDS Laundry based in Nuneaton. They supply a significant number of the UK’s leading health care operators with equipment, installation and after sale support.

The LaundryTec designs offer not only washing, drying and ironing equipment but a full range of handling, distribution, folding and identification systems, to create a fully functioning laundry complete with all items necessary for efficient operation. Every LaundryTec machine includes full installation options, including the removal and disposal of an existing machine. A training program and a minimum of 24 months part and labour warranty.

The environment is at the forefront of every opera-

tor’s mind. Standard specification on a Lavamac machine includes functions that automatically weigh and control the energy input into the machine and store the data in the machines memory. Our LS range of electric heat pump dryers require no ventilation or gas services and operates at 3kw per hour.

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE LAUNDRYTEC 1. Cost 2. Efficiency 3. Service 4. Design 5. Innovation Telephone 0151 317 3127 Web www..laundrytec.com

Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.

0151 317 3127

www.laundrytec.com

info@laundrytec.com

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE LAUNDRYTEC 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Washer Extractors

Tumble Dryers

Cost Quality Service Design Innovation

Flatwork Ironers

Other Equipment

PAGE 34 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Calibre Audio - Unleash the Power of Your Imagination Audiobooks offer a gateway to the world of independence when print is inaccessible. Reading books has many health benefits; from reducing anxiety and helping to combat memory loss, to boosting mental health. Books provide us with companionship, adventure, empathy and enjoyment, and listening to audiobooks extends all of this to people who cannot read printed books.

A restricting disability can bring with it the sting of isolation, and being locked out of activities that were once enjoyed can create frustration and loneliness.

However, research has shown that listening to audiobooks can boost mental health (ref. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), helping to

counteract depression and other mental health issues.

Escaping to audiobooks provides comfort and companionship as well as being a coping strategy in hard times.

Calibre Audio is a charity, providing free audiobooks to anyone who struggles to read print, through sight loss, dyslexia or a physical disability.

Our collection of over 11,500 audiobooks includes books from all genres, both fiction and non-fiction, from the classics to the latest blockbusters; from crime to autobiographies.

Our books are available online for members or delivered to your door via a free postal service.

It is free and easy to join.

Visit calibreaudio.org.uk for more information or to join. See page 4 for details.

Adaptawear Clothing To Help Healthcare & Care Home Workers: Independent & Assisted Dressing If you are a healthcare or care home worker or Occupational Therapist and struggling to dress your patients during this Covid-19 pandemic; then take a look at our range of Adaptawear adapted clothing for both men and women. Adaptawear comfort clothing has been designed to help independent living and assisted dressing with the aim to make getting dressed easier and less painful for both the wearer and carer.

Adaptawear designs and manufacturers a range of ladies and men’s open back and drop front trousers, magnetic & open back shirts and blouses, dresses, skirts, open back nighties and front fastening bras. We also sell a selection of everyday essentials aimed at making people comfortable day and night.

Adaptawear clothes are ideal for

arthritis, stroke, Parkinson, incontinence and dementia sufferers as well as people of all ages who struggle with buttons and zips. The easy fit clothes are made from quality and natural fabrics to provide maximum comfort.

Adaptawear Offers: • Discreetly Adapted Clothes • Independent & Assisted Dressing • Ladies & Men's Daywear and Nightwear • UK Nationwide and Overseas Deliveries • No Quibble 14 Day Returns • VAT Exemption where relevant • FREE Delivery on orders over £100 For more information on Adaptawear’s Product Range please visit www.adaptawear.com. Carer readers please quote TC141 for 10% discount off your first order.

Why Specify a Yeoman Shield Fire Rated Door Edge Protector?

When specifying for a structure, it’s important to be aware of the level of wear and tear a door can be exposed to in a public building.

Door edges, in particular, can be easily damaged or worn down by regular use – which can then render them non-compliant for fire safety regulations. To ensure that a project remains compliant, an architect can specify durable door edge protectors to add durability and longevity to doors.

Not only will specifying edge protectors increase the longevity of doors, they will enhance the cost efficiency of a project by reducing maintenance demands and the possibility of having to replace unsafe fire doors.

Yeoman Shield fire rated Door Edge Protectors are unique with a 2.0 mm Vinylac outer and a specially formulated 9mm PVCu reinforced core. They are FD30 (1/2 hour) and FD60 (1 hour) rated

with intumescent seals that are in accordance to the fire door’s specification. Fire rated Door Edge Protectors are suitable for commercial applications such as residential blocks, schools and hospitals etc.

Door Edge Protectors can also be specified with different fire seals, from a plain intumescent fire seal to a brush, fire and smoke variant.

Of course, for doors that are non-fire rated in an architect’s project Yeoman Shield also provide quality edge protectors without seals to enhance durability and reduce wear.

Source a full range of door protection panels and kick plates from a single supplier by choosing Yeoman Shield.

Our door protection panels and kick plates offer the same lasting durability and quality as our door edge protectors.

See page 12 or visit www.yeomanshield.com for details.

Workwear Experts For Over 100 Years Grahame Gardner has more than 100 years’ experience in clothing a broad spectrum of medical and healthcare professionals. Our knowledge and understanding of uniform demands ensure we remain one the UK’s most trusted and respected suppliers. We combine our extensive expertise with the latest innovations in technology and fabric and design, to offer you the highest quality garments to meet the demanding standards of healthcare professionals… all at exceptional prices!

We also provide one of the most flexible embroidery services available from any clothing manufacturer using state-of-theart technologies that enable us to copy virtually any design or

logo directly onto your chosen uniforms.

Whether you’re seeking a classic healthcare dress or tunic, or something from our bold and bright scrubwear range, you can find it with us. As one of the largest workwear providers in the UK, we are proud to be able to offer instant stock availability on 1,000s of workwear garments all in addition to our extensive range of ‘made to order’ items that can be manufactured on demand in a wide range of styles, fabrics and colours.

To find out more, or for a no obligation discussion as to how we can help with your workwear requirements, please get in touch on 0116 255 6326 or email Info@grahamegardner.co.uk www.grahamegardner.co.uk

In-House Practical Engagement Workshop Scripts New Pressure Relief Options from Airospring Medical Now Available for Care Homes & Services Airospring Medical manufactures a range of pressure relieving devices.

Our flagship products are a range of lightweight and breathable pressure relief cushions and mattress overlays made from high-tech 3D Knitted Spacer Fabrics. Airospring has been awarded a full patent in August 2014 approving this ground breaking technology. Our pressure relief cushions distribute weight and allow maximum airflow. The cushions have been tested for the dissipation of perspiration, a key factor in the fight against pressure ulcers. Welcome to a new standard in healthy seating.

Call: 0115 9322403 Email: sales@airospring.com Visit: www.airospring.com

Renray Healthcare Design and Manufacture New COVID19 Response Beds for Temporary Hospitals Renray Healthcare has developed a field response bed to supply to temporary hospitals, with our design expertise and manufacturing capability we have been able to put the COVID-19 Response bed and mattress into production quickly, with deliveries going out across the country to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Renray has been supplying beds, mattresses and furniture for over 50 years and due to the increasing spread of Coronavirus, we are proactively using Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour (HPV) decontamination system in all our Heavy Goods Vehicles prior to delivery of your goods to eliminate the virus or any potential contaminant, making deliveries safer for our staff, customers and users.

Let us know if you require beds for temporary or permanent hospitals, to ensure you have everything you need to continue caring for patients in this difficult time.

Download our brochure now for more information: The COVID-19 Response Bed Brochure at https://tinyurl.com/unofs42 Please contact customer service on 01606 593456 or info@renrayhealthcare.com who will be happy to assist you. See the advert on page 3.

C & S Seating Postural Management C & S Seating has been providing postural control equipment to hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and medical equipment services 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.

C & S Seating is the sole manufacturer of the Alternative Positioning Support (APS) system. Ideal when more control of the abducted lower limb is required (See photo) which has

removable side cushions and middle pommel; this is available in small or large.

Our popular range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 vibrant colours provide a softer alternative that fit easily over our standard waterproof rolls.

It is recommended you seek professional advice to select the correct product depending on your needs.

Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit us at 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.

See the advert on page 10.

As training sessions and venues may be difficult to facilitate for some time, Happy Days Dementia Workshop has acted quickly, re-writing their ‘Practical Engagement Workshop’ into a series of easy to follow presentation and training guides.

Enriching social care is at the heart of Happy Days, ‘It’s amazing to see how care teams are heartened and invigorated once they see how easy it is to engage more meaningfully with residents on a daily basis’ says Gillian Hesketh, MD of Dementia Workshop.

Training in-house can support the safety of your care teams, reduce travel, time and cut costs.

Demonstration and nostalgic materials can be included in packages with options to add an activity manual, reminiscence baskets and memory prompts. The workshops are ideal for building carer confidence, boosting morale and uplifting everyone’s mood.

Packages can be created to suit your care team requirements and resident interests. See The Carer front page or find starter practical workshop packs online at www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk / Phone direct on 07971953620 or see the advert on page 1.

The Benefits of Spillsafe Every year, thousands of working hours are lost to the sanitisation of furniture which ultimately can never be completely sanitised. This can feel like a losing battle to “beat the bugs” as any attempt to truly clean soiled furniture will inevitably only be scratching the surface.

The true challenge lies inside the chair, a haven for contamination, but therein lies the problem. How do you clean the inside of a chair that has been soiled?

The simple answer is “you don’t”.

There is no way to truly clean a chair that has been soiled as liquids will find their way into every part of your furniture, absorbed by wood and languishing in foam and fabric. So, what is the solution to sanitising your furniture?

Simply, you stop anything from ever reaching the interior.

The truest way of maintaining hygeine is to prevent unsanitary situations from ever reaching the areas that cannot be easily cleaned. Investing in hygienic barriers today not only saves time and money, but ensures the protection demanded by those who need it most. This was our maxim here at SpillSafe when developing our patentpending cassette system – Why allow the uncleanable to become unsanitary in the first place?

Matthew Holmes, Director of SpillSafe Ltd. Contact Spillsafe Ltd on 0330 088 4851 or www.Spillsafe.co. See the advert on page 9.

New Guides To Supercharge Your Care Home Management Is continued customer satisfaction important to you?

Could your communications with residents and their loved ones be improved? Does your care home's website need to be brought into the 2020's? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you will be pleased to learn about a series of free expert guides for care home managers and owners.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a series of guides for the care home industry. These guides provide you with specialist advice on fair trading practices, complaints procedures, communications methods and website layouts for care homes written by and for those

working in the care homes sector.

UK consumer law is among the best in the world, but this also means that it can be complicated and in-depth.

Care home regulations are no exception, and you may be overwhelmed by it all. These guides make it simple and straightforward so that you can avoid the regulatory pitfalls and improve your business for the good of you and your residents.

The guides are hosted on Business Companion, a government-backed website containing a wealth of in-depth knowledge on every element of consumer protection written by industry experts in every sector.

Download your free guides at: www.businesscompanion.info

PAGE 36 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

FOOD AND NUTRITION

Tackling Malnutrition in Dementia Patients

By Gillian Farren, Registered Dietitian

NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES Patients with dementia face numerous challenges, all of which can have a significant impact on their ability to eat and drink.

In the UK alone, it is estimated that 3 million older people are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.1 Alongside weight loss, key micronutrient deficiencies are recognised, with an estimated 35% of older people showing deficiencies in vitamins A, B12, iron and zinc.2 Although weight loss is part of the natural ageing process, dementia is recognised as a key contributor.3 Moreover, the link between dementia and weight loss strengthens as dementia becomes more severe.4,5 It is important to support dementia patients in eating and drinking well, as inadequate nutritional intake can make a person with dementia more confused.6 Recent guidance from NICE recommends that carers “encourage and support people living with dementia to eat and drink, taking into account their nutritional needs” and “consider involving a speech and language therapist if there are concerns about a person’s safety when eating and drinking”.7 However, dementia carers face specific challenges in supporting patients to eat and drink enough.8

DYSPHAGIA: A BARRIER FOR DEMENTIA SUFFERERS Dysphagia is a term used to describe difficulty or discomfort in swallowing food, fluids and saliva. Dementia is a well-recognised cause.9 Signs of dysphagia in people with dementia include coughing or choking; difficulties chewing; spitting out food; wet gurgling voice after eating; and food/drink spilling from or residue in the patient’s mouth after eating.10 If dysphagia is not managed appropriately, patients can suffer severe health consequences such as chest infections, aspiration pneumonia and choking-related death 9.

PROMOTING A SAFE SWALLOW The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) is a global standard that describes correct and appropriate thickening of liquids and food texture modification, to ensure that they are safe to offer to patients with differing degrees of dysphagia.11 IDDSI gives clear descriptors for all levels of consistency, from level 0 (thin/unthickened) up to 4 (extremely thick) for fluids, and from level 7 (regular) down to level 3 (liquidised) for foods.11 It is vital that patients with dementia are only offered foods and drinks that are a safe and appropriate texture for their current level of dysphagia. This should be assessed and regularly monitored by a registered speech and language therapist.

Many dementia patients dislike the taste and texture of thickening agents. Thus, products which do not require added thickener may be more acceptable, and can make it easier when patients with dementia are preparing their own drinks. Interestingly, research suggests that use

products which do not require added thickener can lead to increased food and fluid intake.12

PERCEPTION, DEXTERITY AND DISTRACTIONS Dementia often changes how patients recognise once-familiar foods, drinks and utensils.6 Additionally, preference for sweeter tastes and contrasting colours are commonly observed 3. Involving patients in preparing their own foods and drinks, alongside the use of adapted utensils and cutlery, and a reduction in distracting sounds, sights and objects at mealtimes, can encourage independence and focus, while preventing wandering off during mealtimes.13

USING THE “FOOD FIRST APPROACH” For patients with small appetites, foods and drinks can be enriched by adding foods rich in fats and sugars – such as butter, jam, cheese and cream – to increase energy and protein intake without increasing the amount of food eaten. This is referred to as a “food first” approach.14 While this is the preferred first-line strategy to tackle malnutrition, dementia patients can still struggle to meet their needs from food alone, and oral nutritional supplements or nutrition shakes such as NuVu Life are often recommended to fill the gap.15

HOW NUVU LIFE CAN HELP Made up with 200ml whole milk, one 50g sachet of NuVu Life delivers an impressive 362 kcal and 27.5g protein. When mixed with water or milk, it is IDDSI level 2 consistency. For patients requiring level 2 thickened fluids, NuVu Life removes the need for added thickening agents, thus saving time and reducing risk of error for carers and patients alike.

Moreover, NuVu Life is enriched with vitamins and minerals, including those identified earlier in the article (i.e. vitamins A, B12, iron and zinc), which are a specific concern for older people. Just one 50g sachet on NuVu Life provides 100% of the recommended daily intake for these key micronutrients.

NuVu Life is available to purchase online (www.nuvulife.com), RRP depends on the quantity purchased. Use voucher code TC30 to claim 30% off your order. For sales enquiries, or to request a sample of NuVu Life, please email sales@nuvulife.com or call: 07740 844 405.

Martin McKee’s Croque Madame

REFERENCES: 1. Stratton R, Smith T, Gabe S. Managing malnutrition to improve lives and save money.

BAPEN Report 2018. (available at http://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/reports/mag/managingmalnutrition.pdf ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 2. Maggini S, Pierre A, Calder P. Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course. Nutrients. 2018; 10(10):1531. (Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212925/ ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 3. Prince M, Albanese E, Guerchet M, Prina M. Nutrition and dementia: a review of available research. Alzheimer’s Disease International 2014. (available at https://www.alz.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/nutrition-and-dementia.pdf) [accessed 07 June 2020] 4. White H, Pieper C, Schmader K. The association of weight change in Alzheimer's disease with severity of disease and mortality: a longitudinal analysis. J Amer Geriatrics Soc 1998; 46(10):1223-7. (available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.15325415.1998.tb04537.x) [accessed 07 June 2020] 5. Albanese E, Taylor C, Siervo M, Stewart R, Prince MJ, Acosta D. Dementia severity and weight loss: A comparison across eight cohorts. The 10/66 study. Alzheimer’s & dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. 2013; 9:649-656. (Avaiable at https://alzjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1016/j.jalz.2012.11.014) [accessed 07 June 2020] 6. Alzheimer’s Society. Caring for a person with dementia: a practical guide. 2019. (Available at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/202003/caring_for_a_person_with_dementia_600.pdf ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 7. National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers (NG97). 2018. (Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng97 ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 8. NHS Education for Scotland. Supporting People with Dementia in Acute Care: Learning Resource. 2016. (available at: https://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/media/11866144/supporting%20people%20with%20dementia%20in%20acute%20care%20final%202016%20web.pdf) [accessed 07 June 2020] 9. Holdoway A, Smith A. Meeting nutritional need and managing patients with dysphagia.

Journal of Community Nursing. 2020; 34(2):52-59. (Available at: https://www.jcn.co.uk/files/downloads/articles/12-nutritionalneed.pdf) [accessed 07 June 2020] 10. Hansjee D. 5 Fundamental Ms: cutting aspiration risk in dementia and dysphagia patients. Nursing Times. 2019; 115(4):38-41. (Available at: https://cdn.ps.emap.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/190327-5-Fundamental-Ms-cutting-aspiration-risk-in-dementia-and-dysphagia-patients.pdf) [accessed 07 June 2020] 11. International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative. Complete IDDSI Framework detailed definitions 2.0. 2019. (Available at: https://ftp.iddsi.org/Documents/Complete_IDDSI_Framework_Final_31July2019.pdf ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 12. McCormick S, Stafford K, Saqib G, Ni Chronin D, Power D. The efficacy of pre-thickened fluids on total fluid and nutrient consumption among extended care residents requiring thickened fluids due to risk of aspiration. Age and Ageing. 2008; 37(6):714–715. (Available at: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/37/6/714/40923 ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 13. Crawley H, Hocking E. Eating well: supporting older people and older people with dementia. Caroline Walker Trust. 2011. (Available at: http://www.cwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EW-Old-Dementia-PracticalResource.pdf ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 14. Forbes C. The ‘food first’ approach to malnutrition. Nursing and Residential Care. 2014; 16(8): 442-445. (Available at: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/nrec.2014.16.8.442 ) [accessed 07 June 2020] 15. Robinson K. Nutrition and Dementia. Dietetics Today. Sept 2018; 42-43 (Available at: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/nutrition-and-dementia.html ) [accessed 07 June 2020]

Are You in Need of * Dysphagia Training ?

Did you know that between 5075% of nursing home residents suffer from dysphagia1? Nutricia has a

INGREDIENTS Sandwich • • • • • • •

20 slices of thick white bread 20 British Lion eggs 20 honey roast ham 2 red onions 150 grated mature cheddar 150 grated Gruyère cheese 50g butter (soft)

Bechamel • • • • • •

90g butter (unsalted) 90g plain flour 1/4 tsp English mustard 100g milk powder 900ml milk (whole fat) 50g grated parmesan

Serves: 10 Allergens: Eggs, wheat, milk

Method: 1. To make the Béchamel, fortify the milk with milk powder in a pan. In a separate pan, combine the melted butter with flour. Slowly incorporate the butter on a medium heat until it’s smooth. Add the parmesan, mustard and salt and pepper.

2. To make the sandwich, spread each slice of bread with the Béchamel before adding some ham, red onion, Gruyère cheese, cheddar and pepper.

3. Spread the top slice of bread with butter. Heat a pan on a medium heat and place the sandwich butter side down with a little extra butter and fry on each side.

4. Remove from the heat, top with more Béchamel and cheese and place in the oven to finish cooking at 170°C for 3 – 4 minutes (fan oven).

5. Remove the fried sandwich and top with a sunny side up British Lion egg.

6. Serve with a fresh tossed mixed salad with red onion, mixed peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, radish and carrot.

Recipe courtesy of www.eggrecipes.co.uk For more information please call the British Egg Information Service on 020 7052 8899 or see the advert on page 19.

training solution for you, a FREE elearning covering the fundamentals of dysphagia management using Nutilis Clear.

The training is divided into 4 sections and has been specially designed for busy health and social care staff caring for people living with dysphagia. It takes 60 minutes in total to complete, however you can complete one section at a time.

HOW CAN THIS TRAINING HELP YOU? • Easy & convenient online solution to dysphagia training • Visibility to track progress in your care home • Raise the quality standard of dysphagia care in a consistent way

ing professional development.

There is a certificate that can be downloaded once the training has been successfully completed.

Use the camera on your phone to scan the QR code to access the elearning and get started!

For any questions contact your local Nutricia sales representative or our Resource Centre at resourcecentre@nutricia.com.

Nutilis Clear is a Food for Special Medical Purposes for the dietary management of dysphagia and must be used under medical supervision.

Reference: 1. O’Loughlin G, Shanley C. Swallowing problems in the nursing home: a novel training response. Dysphagia 1998; 13, 172-183.( https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-languagetherapy/clinical-information/dysphagia)

The quality standards aim is for all new health and social care staff members caring for patients with Dysphagia to complete the modules as part of their induction programme. Existing health and social care staff members should also complete the learning to support their continu*This training is intended for healthcare professionals only.

NEW DYSPHAGIA E-LEARNING Between Between 50-75% of nursing nursing home residents from residents suffer suffer fr om dysphagia dysphagia1

ARE YOU IN NEED OF DYSPHAGIA TRAINING? NUTRICIA HAS A SOLUTION! A FREE e-learning covering the fundamentals of dysphagia using Nutilis Clear*

4 modules 60 min utes minutes

Point your camera at the code to access the registration link

PAGE 38 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE TumbleCare from Easylink Workforce Scheduling Solutions Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK was established in 1984 after the invention of an alarm clock to wake deaf people. The “Shake Awake” set a new precedent in quality standards for products designed for sensory care, notoriously at the time – rubbish.

The company invented a new device for the detection of nocturnal epileptic seizures in 1994, which also set a new precedent for quality, especially after the company achieved certified medical accreditation. We could boast and say we have supplied more seizure detection monitors than any other company in UK. You could say we are innovators; we are and very proud of it. To constantly adapt to changes in demands for care technologies, remain competitive and continue to develop new care solutions it takes more than intelligence, it takes passion.

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, failing economy, factories closing and international

shipping facing the worst crisis ever known, we have battled through. At the start of the lockdown we supplied the NHS and Local Authorities with over 2000 bed occupancy detection alarm systems, many of them used to enable long term patients to be discharged from hospital to free up beds for COVID victims. Independent living support was and is essential during this pandemic.

Now we launch our new brand. TumbleCare. The TumbleCare brand is a range of fall detection and prevention products focussing on affordable quality and product performance. The products are tough, easy to set, use and provide carers with reliable advance warning notification of potential falls. Visit our website. Firstly, you’ll be amazed at the variety of care solutions we offer, then blown away by our realistically fair pricing. www.easylinkuk.co.uk

WristPIT from Pinpoint

unaware that a patient had had a fall for quite some time.

Pressing the clearly labelled call button on the WristPIT notifies the personnel on duty that a patient is The WristPIT from Pinpoint,is a bespoke patient call requesting help and informs staff exactly where the transmitter designed to be worn on the wrist. patient is. The call button is recessed and surrounded This wrist-worn personal infrared transmitter by a bump guard to prevent false alarms.

(WristPIT) is easily accessible and allows patients to Pinpoint Alarm Systems are installed in thousands of activate a call for even if they are away from their bed or medical facilities throughout the UK and USA. The new a fixed call-point.

WristPIT is backward compatible and easily integrated Pinpoint’s renowned PIT technology into existing Pinpoint Systems. (usually worn by staff for personal A green LED indicates the WristPIT is ‘activated’ safety) has, for the first time, been with good battery level. When the battery requires designed around patient use. The changing, the LED flashes red until the battery is WristPIT can withstand showering and changed and the device has been retested. brief submersion in water and also In addition to being water-resistant, the incorporates antimicrobial product WristPIT has been designed to withstand protection, reducing the ability for bacharsh environments and user tampering, teria to grow. meaning suitability for facilities where According to figures published by the service users may be at risk of selfNational Reporting and Learning System, harm. around 250,000 incidents where patients For more information: required assistance in hospital were reported in www.pinpointlimited.com 2015/16. In many cases, nursing staff remained

Workforce Scheduling Solutions deliver Electronic Time & Attendance systems worldwide, using the latest Face Recognition technology.

Why should care homes move from paper to electronic time sheets

The industry is under considerable financial pressures. An efficient electronic booking on/off system that will schedule, provide budgets, calculate hours worked, overtime and absence such as sickness and holiday entitlement will save Time and Money.

How is time and money saved by doing things electronically?

Collecting payroll information from

paper timesheets can be slow, prone to errors, and very labour intensive.

Staff rosters can be produced as far in advance as practical and accurate within budgeted hours. Staff book on and off-duty electronically, thus eliminating any time errors.

Wage queries are virtually eliminated and immediate checks can be made without wading through reams of paper which invariably are inaccurate, misfiled or even 'lost".

There are many systems on the market - Why facial recognition is important and how it works

Some systems use tokens, which can be lost or left at home, requiring management involvement in the booking on/off procedure.

Fingerprint systems can be beaten and Social media is awash with ways to copy fingerprints. Face recognition combined with a staff PIN is simple to use and manage using touch screen technology and web cams.

Staff see their image displayed immediately when booking on or off and confirms their identity visually.

It provides the best deterrent available as it builds a greater 'image knowledge’ of each employee, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Eliminates 'buddy punching' where employees can book colleagues on/off duty using someone’s tokens, swipe card or even fingerprint.

How is data protected?

With the correct security setup computer systems provide more data protection than paper-based records which can be easily removed or stolen. GDPR covers all data including paper records and therefore the chances of infringing the rules and incurring fines is greater

CARE VISION – Outstanding Care is at the Heart of Everything We Do At Carevision, outstanding care truly is at the heart of everything they do. They have combined over 40 years of hands on experience running care homes and working with some of the smartest mind in tech, they have created Care Vision - An all-in-one, cloud-based system that incorporates all your care and admin in to one easy to use system. Carers can compile resident notes, health observations and EMAR. Care home managers can manage rotas, accounts, HR and house-keeping tasks and log visitors using the digital visitor book.

Residents can use the system to make personal choices on meals and activities and use the app to keep in touch with family and friends.

Rishi Jawaheer, director at Care Vision says “The 100+ care homes that

PINPOINT WRISTPIT The WristPIT is a wrist worn Personal Infrared Transmitter designed exclusively for patient use.

The latest call button is recessed and surrounded by a bump guard to prevent false alarms. It is also backward compatible, allowing seamless integration into existing Pinpoint Systems.

DID YOU KNOW? Biomaster Technology is incorporated into all surface areas of the product during manufacture, inhibiting the growth of contaminating bacteria 24/7 for the lifetime of the product.

www.pinpointlimited.com

use our system have seen its benefits – They are saving 2-4 hours of staff hours per resident, per week and they are achieving outstanding CQC results.

Carers love it, residents and relatives love it, and care home managers can’t remember how challenging managing a care home was before it.”

Of course, taking on a whole new system can seem daunting, that’s why Care Vision offer minimal investment, all round support and flexible hardware options.

They don’t feel the need for long-term contracts, Rishi says “We have total confidence, once you use Care Vision, you will love it as much as we do.”

The Care Vision team would love to talk to you about what the system can do for you. Contact at info@care-vision.co.uk or call 0208 768 9809.

See the advert on page 42 for details.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 39

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE What Has COVID-19 Taught Us? During the last few months, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by services and technology companies has been epic. Decision making processes which normally take months, even years took days. Massive co-ordinated efforts with care homes, hospital trusts, local authorities, manufacturers and suppliers all coming together on projects across the UK. We can certainly say, having been heavily involved in many projects in the UK and around the World, that Courtney Thorne are enormously proud and humbled to have played our part.

One of the largest temporary Field Hospitals is the Dragon’s Heart Hospital inside the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. This vast stadium initially housed 335 emergency beds, when an additional 1200 beds were required Courtney Thorne was approached to supply,

install and commission nurse call points throughout the pitch and seating areas. These call points (including shower and toilet alarms) were supplied, installed and commissioned by Courtney Thorne’s own engineering team. Designed into 55 separate “wards” and integrated with paging systems. Completed in two weeks, it was a herculean effort by everyone involved.

No one could have predicted what was going to happen when in January we heard of deaths in China spreading. The impact of the lock-down in March brought home the scale of the problem as business owners worried, not knowing what the consequences might be. This was true for those of us supplying the healthcare sectors, with hospitals focussing on the pandemic and care homes locking down to protect elderly residents.

As we reduce the lock down rules, for many people and businesses this means a degree of normality and returning to work, albeit with social distancing. Those in the care sectors however will be more cautious so not to risk the vulnerable and elderly. Where there are COVID-19 free hospitals some of the day to day maintenance, building work, refurbishment will re-start, and it is here that the health and care solution providers need to be ready to support these projects.

Care homes need to make sure the safety of those in their care is not compromised by aging or failing nurse call systems. Courtney Thorne continued to provide full engineering, sales and support functions throughout the lock down period. A serious consideration when deciding who will supply business and person critical technology in the future.

When we look back on this period, no doubt some of the practices learnt will stand the test of time, such as flexible working with more home working. Video conferencing has at last come of age, e-training, webinars, online meetings have been the savour of many busi-

nesses.

It therefore appears to have taken a pandemic to create a situation where communication technologies, readily available becomes normalised. Spending quality time with our closest family is favoured rather than spending hours sat in commuter traffic. Business leaders at last realise that they can trust colleagues to do the right thing. Maybe there is a compromise to be gained where work can be more flexible, coupled with face to face meetings, not for every individual nor every business, however it is a start.

For more information about solutions for care, see Courtney Thorne's advert on page 11 or visit www.c-t.co.uk

How Can Employers Help Improve the Work-Life Balance and Mental Health of Social Care Workers?

Hailed as heroes during the pandemic, social care workers dedicate their lives to help the old, the weak and the sick. Often forgotten and under-valued, their mental health is under strain and COVID-19 has understandably worsened the situation.

How can employers help their employees restore a healthier work-life balance?

THE STATE OF THE SOCIAL CARE WORKFORCE A new survey by Quinyx found that health and social care workers are amongst those most likely to have their mental health negatively impacted by their job. The pandemic has made it worse: 54% of those polled said that their work had negatively impacted their mental health over the past 12 months, versus 48% before the pandemic - a 12% increase.

LOW PAY, LONG HOURS AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS COVID-19 has seen them work longer hours and be in the spotlight, with high expectations from their

employers, the nation, the government, and to an extent, global scrutiny over which country will do “better” at handling the crisis. Added to the fear of getting sick or contaminating their loved ones, it is easy to imagine the mental burden on those who risk their lives to help others.

Prior to the outbreak, the main reasons invoked by those who suffered poor mental health as a result of their job were low pay (42%) and managers’ expectations being too high (37%).

Some concerns were alleviated during the pandemic though, with 72% of healthcare workers polled saying that they felt valued by their employer, versus 53% prior.

WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION? While increasing wages may not always be possible, three areas can make a positive difference: - Two-ways communication channels, effective and open, to monitor and engage.

- Allowing greater flexibility and control over work hours to restore a healthy balance.

- Optimised schedules to improve efficiency, reduce the overall cost of labour and help both workers and managers plan ahead.

HOW TO SUCCEED? Using technology to improve your workers’ work-life balance and wellbeing is one way to stay ahead of the game. Technology can help keep your employees productive, connected and happy. A solution like Quinyx helps empower workers, while optimising communication, time management and resources. It can also ensure that employers comply with the new regulations around contact and tracing, all through a simple, user-friendly app. www.quinyx.com/survey * Research conducted by Censuswide in two stages: the first was conducted with 1,200 deskless workers who work an hourly schedule in the following sectors: healthcare and social assistance, retail, hospitality and tourism, shipping/distribution, transportation and warehousing. It took place between 11.03.2020-23.03.2020. The second was conducted with 1,205 desk-

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FOLLOW FOLL OW W UP UP

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 41

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE The Tiny Tablet from Inspired Interaction be useful for staff training, presentations and transferring data.

"This new interactive experience has been of great benefit to our longterm residential residents with mid to late stage dementia, focusing on three primary outcomes of play: sensation, relaxation and reminiscence. Their interaction and engagement have increased considerably since using the table".

Stuart Davies - General Manager Plas Bryn Rhosyn, part of the Pobl Group Tel: 07950 513 176

Our touch tables are portable, adjustable and utilized the same way as a smart phone or iPad. They are ideal for improving the well being of residents through App Technology.

Every Tiny Tablet comes with a commercial grade screen and a chargeable built in power pack so there are no potential trip hazards. We offer both fixed and height adjustable tables, making it accessible for standing or seated use.

Wi-Fi capabilities allow the table to be used anywhere around the care home, enabling every resident to benefit both in a group activity environment and privately on a one to one basis.

Having the option of USB, HDMI, VGA and Bluetooth means various devices can be connected to the table, increasing options of use. This can

Sales & Enquiries: sales@inspired-interaction.com Web: www.inspired-interaction.com HRH Prince Charles discovering the Tiny Tablet at Plas Bryn Rhosyn Care Home

Using Technology to Manage the Prevention and Control of Infection in Care Homes For care home residents, infections can be serious, and in some cases, life-threatening. So, in the midst of a pandemic, the focus on good infection prevention and control practices has never been more important.

Over the last few months, we have supported Radar Healthcare customers in the management of Covid-19 related incidents, helping them to map resident outbreaks, identify pockets of self-isolating staff and anticipate consequential risks as a result.

The steps taken in care homes to protect residents and staff from infection represent an important element in the quality of care. So, knowledge and understanding of outbreak prevention, preparedness, detection and management is key.

PREVENT The dynamic management of emerging risks is a collective responsibility and one which ensures your workforce is fully involved in the process of preventing and controlling infection.

Risk registers should be actively maintained and monitored with a standardised risk scoring mechanism to facilitate prioritisation.

Risk stratification combined with regular audits and assessments to identify potential hazards can then support the creation of preventative action plans.

PREPARE Engaging with your workforce to co-create your strategic and

operational approach to infection prevention and control can support you to embed a culture of continuous improvement in this area.

Education plays a critical role in the prevention and control of infection so it’s critical that you manage and track workforce capability and competency – giving you peace of mind that they understand the importance of infection control and the specific role they have to play.

DETECT Clear communication of symptoms, guidelines and procedures ensures staff are equipped to recognise an outbreak and take appropriate action. With standardised procedures for reporting active cases and incidents, you can develop a clear picture of the pace and spread of the infection.

DIGITALISING YOUR OUTBREAK MANAGEMENT PLAN Prompt investigation and control of infection outbreaks is critical to protect the safety of residents and staff but mobilising an infection outbreak response can be difficult if information is siloed or managed manually.

Find out more about how Radar Healthcare can support your infection control processes at info.radarhealthcare.co.uk/infectioncontrol/

Tiny Tablet

Interactive Activity Touch Tables for care homes, education & hospitals.

Based in the West Midlands, all of our Tiny Tablets are designed and manufactured in the UK.

Utilising the latest touchscreen technology, we’ve created a range of products that are easy and intuitive to use, combining education & play through the use of interactive technology.

■ Wi-Fi Capabilities

■ Screenshot Function

■ Google Play Store Accessibility

■ Wheelchair Accessible

■ Bluetooth

■ Internet Browsing

■ Films and Catch Up TV

■ Brain Training / Collaborative Apps ■ Skype

■ 8 Hour Use Off One Charge

■ Data Saving Option ■ Multiple Users

■ Durable Screen

■ 3 Year Warranty

■ Full Onsite Training with every product

07950 513 176 sales@inspired-interaction.com www.inspired-interaction.com

PAGE 42 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Mainteno Facilities Maintenance and Management Software Facilities Maintenance and Management Software Simple to use, easy to maintain and very affordable.

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Reporting tasks and faults Asset tracking and value reporting Invoice management Add multiple images and documents Detailed analytical reporting Dashboard reporting showing live status of all tasks Management of all planned maintenance schedules Compliance testing and inspections Traffic light detailed reporting for audit purpose Audit reporting Direct allocation of work to relevant parties Can be used for help desk Supplier performance management and reporting Warranty and insurance management Can be used on any web enabled device Link tasks to calendar Create check lists for compliance purposes Contractor Quotes and Invoice Management Contractor Login upload function

www.mainteno.com 020 8798 3713 sales@redro.co.uk

Whether it’s managing planned maintenance or dealing with fault repairs, Mainteno simplifies the day-to-day maintenance of almost any organisation.

Mainteno also seamlessly incorporates asset management and tracking.

Mainteno streamlines every aspect of the maintenance management process, saving your organisation time and money.

Usability made affordable Mainteno was designed with practicality in mind. The interface is so intuitive that basic operation can be learned in minutes, and you can be a power user in one afternoon.

Elegant usability usually means a hefty price tag.

However, our pricing structure means that for small

organisations, Mainteno can cost as little as two cups of coffee a month. No set-up fees, no lengthy contracts and a free trial, all mean that the system starts paying for itself straight away.

Dr Asif Raja, Bsc MBBS Summercare Managing Director says “Facing significant challenges of ever increasing quality and compliance demands upon time and resources as well considerable economic pressures, Summercare, an award winning provider of residential care and housing related support, sought to upgrade their systems for managing the property and environmental aspects of its service delivery. After an extensive period of investigation and research Mainteno was selected as the platform of choice for the entire organization based on its ease of use, very short-term contract, quick set up and ongoing support.”

Visit www.mainteno.com, Tel: 020 8798 3713 or email sales@redro.co.uk

Network Communication Systems Network Communication Systems Ltd ( NCS ) was established in 1992 and from the outset has provided Telecare and Security Products and Services, primarily to Local Government (Housing) and Housing Associations. Today we have many accreditations to our name including ISO 9001 Quality Management which ensures the company meets its quality commitments The company offers a full range of services encompassing Consultancy, Design, Project Management Installation and Maintenance The company supplies both 3rd party and own brand products for individual and grouped living.

Grouped Living encompassing Sheltered Housing, Extra Care and Nursing Homes The Company offers maintenance on any make and model of

Telecare and Security Products/Systems, including system upgrades, partial and full, for better operation with the new digital telephone system being phased in by 2025. Maintenance can be offered on an ad-hoc basis or contractually via various packaged service agreements, depending on customer requirements Recently the company has just completed a design and installation project for Central Bedfordshire Council comprising over 50 CCTV cameras, some of which offer auto-tracking to get the best possible close up high quality image, Recording Equipment, Security Doors including Door Entry and Access Control and Automatic Swing Door Operators. All delivered to the client’s satisfaction.

For further information, please visit www.nsgroup.co.uk

Please Please mention mentionTHE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.

NURSE CALL

IT’S NOT OBSOLETE UNTIL THE OPERA LADY SINGS Grouped Alarms - Fully Integrated Telecare and Security

• 2 System types available depending on requirements • Door Entry panels and standalone fob readers • Telecare room units with choice of peripherals • On-site / Local Offsite / Off-site operation • BS8521 protocol for remote Off-site monitoring

Door Entry and Access Control

• High quality robust stainless steel panel • Panels and readers can be inter-connected • Cloud based remote management option • Well specified - Will meet your requirements • High reliability and fault tolerant • DDA compliant • Parts availability - 15 years • Low cost

Carephones and Peripherals

• Tele-care for individual properties • High quality product • Available in various models (PSTN or GSM) • Allows connection of multiple peripherals • The only product in the marketplace that offers wireless remote speech stations and voice pendants • Compatible with most Alarm Receiving Centres • Low Cost

EDISON TELECOM LTD (IN BUSINESS SINCE 1984)

have spares, enhancements and expertise for wired and wireless systems abandoned by the original manufacturer, whoever they are.

Call us on 01252-330220 We can give most systems a new lease of life and maintain them into the future.

www.edisontelecom.co.uk

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 43

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE ETHEL, The Smart Care Hub The Covid19 pandemic has really ripped through our healthcare system and it has impacted the Care Home industry in a profound way too. However, what’s been quite evident, is the resilience of staff and their drive to better manage the residents in their care. In a way, the pandemic offers us an opportunity to explore if ‘technology enabled care’ can help us solve some of the issues we are facing. Can Tech help busy Carehome staff offer better support, connect the residents regularly with the family, help with clinical outcomes, without adding to their workload?

It is in this context that solutions such as ETHEL, the

smart care hub has attracted a lot of interest from the Care Home sector. ETHEL is a large (16 inch) touch screen personal device with a robust stand and tailormade for 85+ yr olds who have little or no computer skills. Its easy to use interface and robust security features helps a resident connect with their wider family network and clinical team in an easy way. Families can make video calls to the Large screen device, they can send photos and video clips and send simple messages. It also allows the clinical team to offer remote physiotherapy, remotely gather vital signs from the resident on a regular basis and do remote video consultations. ETHEL also comes with a built in Early Warning Scoring system for detecting deterioration.

A number of patients across the UK – from Shetland Islands to the devon coast have benefitted from using ETHEL. You can get more information at www.ethelcare.co.uk and/or call us on 07841977559.

C CONNECTING ONNECTING RESIDENT TS RESIDENTS with ffamily amily & clinical team. team.

Qintil Learning Manager Qintil was created for the care sector and we’re proud that so many incredible health and care professionals and their employers use Qintil everyday to learn and maintain skills and manage training and compliance.

Qintil is a lifelong learning platform that's built for the way the world works today. You'll almost certainly have more than one job in your lifetime, and quite possibly more than one career. You might even work more than one job at once, or for a staffing agency.

We built Qintil so that you can find, share and manage everything that's essential for work - your learning, certificates, achievements and right to work docs - in one place. You can share them, connect to more

Edison Telecom

We here at Edison Telecom Ltd have been providing specialist solutions to your call system requirements tailor-made to each customers needs for over 25 years, says director Bob Johnson.

Is your current Nurse Call “legacy�, obsolete, so full of software bugs or commercially not viable for your current supplier/maintainer to maintain?

We may have just the part and expertise that you are looking for to give your nurse call a further extension to

than one employer's learning at one time and when you move to a new job, contract or career you can take it all with you and continue to add to your lifelong record of learning.

This all helps employers too of course. Now there's an easy way to get a record of new hires' learning and documents and to deliver their own training from any source.

Our mission is to help everyone benefit from the thousands of ways there are to learn and to have one place to find, manage and share it all.

Try for free today.

Call 0300 577 1484 Email sales@qintil.com Web qintil.com life, adds Bob, “Edison will treat your nurse call with the same compassion that you give to those in your care.

There will come a time when your equipment is beyond repair but Edison are experts in extending the life of obsolete systems.� www.edisontelecom.co.uk

Family virtual Family visits Virtual Clinical Virtual C onsultation Consultation V ital Signs & Vital NEWS2 Scores NEW S2 Sc ores Electr Electronic onic Car Care e Not Notes es

ethelcare.co.uk ethelcar e.co.uk ETHELsmarthub

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 17 | PAGE 45

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Arquella's AIDA Data Platform Lotus Care Technology Arquella is proud to release our first version of the AIDA data platform.

We are committed to improving the quality of nurse call reporting by integrating cloud-based technology with advanced hardware. This development means that all of your data is easily accessible from any internet device. Our technology is even compatible with some existing nurse call systems.

With the easy to read 'Dashboard', you see a brief overview of all your current calls on one simple screen. With a simple click you are able to access more detail easily. Choose rooms, zones, call types, dates and times, you can evidence the care that your residents receive with total ease.

All of the data available is easily saved as a report, perfect for your CQC requirements. You

don't need any Arquella equipment to access Dashboard and Reports, our web browser interface gives you instant access onsite or offsite, complete with login control. You control who sees zones, sites or groups of homes, bringing local and national reporting with just one click.

We recognise that your care teams deliver excellent care, and we are committed to supporting you in capturing those moments. This is why we strive to provide you with the best technology to gather detailed evidence of the care you deliver.

Arquella's future-proof solutions keeps you up to date with all future releases, giving you peace of mind and the ability to 'Capture Moments of Care'.

Please call or email us so we can show how AIDA can help you.

See the advert on this page for details.

Plexus Innovation Provides GUARDIAN® To Help Safeguard Care Homes Plexus Innovation has forged links with Careline Lifestyles to take one of the job’s pressures off the nursing team at a time that is intense in the industry.

Ian Murray and Steve Todd, directors of Plexus Innovation, are successfully rolling out its innovative GUARDIAN® technology. They were keen, during such unprecedented times, that a care company benefitted with no initial cost implications.

GUARDIAN® is a remote, automated measurement and alert system that focuses on environmental data including temperature. Ideal in reducing the risk of legionella and ensuring temperature in water or refrigeration units is at an optimum level to protect health, Plexus Innovation’s technology comprises of a combination of hardware, with remote monitoring software.

Plexus Innovation supplied training to Careline Lifestyle staff, enabling the user to simply plug in and activate the hardware in seconds, putting the data live onto the portal managed by the experienced team at Plexus Innovation.

Provided initially for free, the arrangement covers nine of Careline Lifestyle’s homes across the North East.

GUARDIAN® is now monitoring 37 measurement points, including medical fridges and ambient room temperatures, which must be kept at compliant levels.

Ian said: “GUARDIAN® is cost effective, reliable and reduces risk. We are delighted to be remotely monitoring for Careline, where lack of compliance can be of detriment to

medications, dispensed to the people they care for.

“Previously these critical assets would be checked manually, which leaves room for human error when people are busy or under pressure. Using GUARDIAN® the nurses can get on with looking after the people in their care and not worry about this detail. Our system identifies compliance issues, enabling us to keep clients informed, saving time, effort and often money!

“Plexus Innovation can really help and support much of the health, social housing, care and even the hospitality industry perfectly.”

Based in the North East, Careline Lifestyle is a leading independent provider of high quality nursing and residential care specialising in acquired brain injuries, neurological, mental health needs, learning and physical disabilities for persons over 18 years of age in addition to providing nursing, residential and social care for the elderly. Kirsty Nealis, Head of Care Delivery at Careline Lifestyles said: “With the extra pressures brought about by COVID-19 we couldn’t be more grateful for this GUARDIAN® helping hand to ensure our compliance measurements are done quickly, properly and even better, remotely.

“We are always looking at innovative new ways to improve our services which frees up staff, allowing them more time to support our residence. “ “Thank you to Ian and Steve of Plexus Innovation for the free installation and remote monitoring over these first few months of a new and trying challenge!”

More information on GUARDIAN® is available at www.plexus-innovation.com

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 lctuk.com for details.

Without QCS we wouldn’t have been rated as an ‘outstanding service’ Rupert Stocks Registered Manager, Guyatt House

Join over 86,000 WEXMWƼIH YWIVW REXMSR[MHI 8LI UK’s leading bespoke TSPMGMIW TVSGIHYVIW ERH QEREKIQIRX XSSPOMXW JSV XLI care sector

'SQTP] [MXL VIKYPEXSV] WXERHEVHW +IX LIPT MR TVITEVMRK JSV inspections Ensure documents are compliant Daily updates, stay informed on GYVVIRX MWWYIW ERH RI[W

Start your free trial today at www.qcs.co.uk or call 0330 8087 606

@QualityComplianceSystems