T H E P U B L I C A T I O N F O R N U R S I N G A N D R E S I D E N T I A L C A R E H O M E S W W W. T H E C A R E R U K . C O M THECARERUK THECARERUK Issue 114 THECARER UK Act Now to Prevent “Widespread Catastrophe” Government Urged Care England has written to MPs requesting immediate and targeted support to prevent a widespread catastrophe in social care due to soaring energy bills as providers face a "staggering" 683 per cent increase in energy costs over the last 12 months On Friday (August 27) Ofgem announced the energy price cap for consumers will rise to £3 549 a year a rise of 80 per cent Latest estimates suggest it will reach £6 616 in April With company tariffs uncapped some businesses have already seen a price increase of more than 350 per cent (CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 )
Another story which took my attention is the one on page 21 that starting from today the 31st of August, regular asymptomatic testing will cease in all remaining healthcare settings as the UK continues to learn to live with Covid 19 The government says that its successful vaccination programme means the risk of transmission has drastically reduced with cases falling to just 40 027 meanwhile deaths and hospitalisations have fallen to just 744 and 6 005 respectively in the last seven days
The Carer is pub ished by RBC Publishing Ltd, Su te 4 Roddis House , Old Christchurch Rd Bournemouth Dorset Contr butions are welcome for consideration however no responsibil ty wi l be accepted for loss or damage Views expressed w th n th s pub l cation are not necessar ly those of the publ sher or the a team Whilst ever y care is taken when compi ing this publicat on to ensure accuracy the publ sher wil assume no respons bi ity for any effects, errors or om ssions therefrom Al r ghts reser ved reproduct on s forbidden unless written perm ssion is obta ned A material is assumed copyright free un ess otherw se
As we know and as MPs concluded in October 2021 Early decisions and advice on lockdowns social distancing and care homes rank as one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced We here at The Carer will be contacting some of the sectors leading experts to give advice guidance and best practice on managing the sector through Autumn and Winter so please do watch out future issues
Published by EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT PUBLISHED BY RBC Publishing Ltd Roddis House, Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1LG TELEPHONE: 01202 552333 (6 lines) Fax: 01202 552666 Email: sales@thecareruk com WEBSITE: www thecareruk com EDITOR Peter Adams SALES EXECUTIVES Sylvia Mawson David Bar tlett Guy Stephenson PRODUCTION & DESIGN Matthew Noades PRODUCTION & WEB ADMIN Charlene Fox Regular readers know that we here at RBC Publishing not only publish THE CARER we also pub lish a title for the hospitality and licensed on trade CLH NEWS
The sector has its leading organisations and spokes people making similar pleas to the government for assistance as the social care sector, otherwise, over 70% of pubs do not expect to be trading by Christmas My point is that sector creates £130 billion in eco nomic activity and raises £38 billion in taxes for the Treasury and they are just one of many sectors snap ping at the heels of the government for support However the comment which highlights how impor tant support is to the social care sector specifically is the comment by National Care Forum CEO Vic Rayner who says that it is our most vulnerable who must be protected from the surge in energy prices (See page 16) She makes the point that the sector cares for and supports some of the most vulnera ble people in our society 24 hours a day seven days a week 365 days of the year
Peter Adams
This was the sector that worked through the pandemic risking their own safety look ing after people who have served their country in a variety of roles I presume that any care home closures would also put an enormous amount of addi tional pressure on the NHS I suspect they would be forced to take in residents from closed care homes if they have nowhere else to go Some of our most vulnerable resi dents will essentially lose their home and will have to either move to the local hospital or to another care facility possibly miles away from family Furthermore the loss of home of familiarity and shared company will be devastating to residents Staff will lose their jobs and local communities will lose vital care services
Once again I would take this opportunity to say thank you to all the care homes who entered our Afternoon Tea Week competition We were once again overwhelmed with the number of entries so very well done to you all Please do see pages 28 33 Where we have reproduced just a selection of the many photographs we have sent in and con gratulations of course to winners Hutton View care home in Brentwood very well done to you all Please do keep your stories coming in, we are delighted to publish some delightful stories from various homes around the country from birthdays to fund raising from bak ing to growing vegetables anything you would like to share please do send it to me com
Welcome to the Carer
• Parts of the prison estate and some places of detention Certain domestic abuse refuges and homelessness settings
• Adult social care and hospice services
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Editor
adv sed PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
latest edition of The
We are days away from the new Prime Minister and both candidates have had ample time to prepare and hit the ground running And a first priority must be ring fencing energy costs Operators cannot be expected to carry this disproportionate burden of up to 680% No business can and no Chancellor (whoever that person will be) could expect any business to survive such an increase in operating costs
editor
editor@thecareruk
Digital!
As a result of this I understand that asymptomatic testing is set to pause in: The NHS (including independent health care providers treating NHS patients)
The hospitality and licensed on trade sector is the U K ’s third largest employer It is experiencing very similar problems as the care sector is experiencing specifically staff shortages and rising energy prices
The extension of the £400 energy rebate to vulnerable people in care and supported housing introducing par ity in the way they are treated compared with those living in their own homes
The removal of VAT and the Green Levy on energy bills
SMALLER OPERATORS “TERRIBLY EXPOSED” She said: We are really worried about how some will manage to keep going The larger chains have a better chance of weathering the storm but if you operate just one or two care homes you are terribly exposed to price hikes of this kind Older people living in care homes need to keep warm to stay well so it’s imperative that care homes can afford to keep their heating up high when it s chilly outside “It looks unavoidable that Government will have to provide them with some extra financial help this winter or face the prospect of some homes closing down at the time when we need them the most ”
In response to these catastrophic circumstances
Based on the October 2022 market rates and with 454 933 CQC registered beds the approximated impact of the rising energy prices over the last year on the sector is over £2bn per annum With research from the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) estimating the sector s total pre pandemic profits before tax rent payments, directors’ renumeration and repayments on loans at £1 5bn per, the rise in energy prices will eradicate profit margins generated across the sector driving many providers into insolvency and eliminating scope for investment
A Government spokesperson said: “No national government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy but we will continue to support businesses including care homes in navigating the months ahead “This includes doubling our support for high energy usage businesses reducing employer national insur ance by increasing the Employment Allowance slashing fuel duty introducing a 50 per cent business rates relief and putting the brakes on bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier worth £4 6bn over the next five years We have also made over £1bn available specifically for adult social care this year via the Local Government Finance Settlement Care England have written to Members of Parliament outlining the impact of energy price rises on the social care sector and asking them to pledge their support for the measures outlined above The full letter can be found here
Act Now to Prevent “Widespread Catastrophe” Government Urged FROM FRONT COVER)
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says: “Today s figures (August 27) illustrate the true scale of the energy crisis facing adult social care with providers facing a staggering 683% increase in energy costs over the last 12 months For gas and electricity that would have cost £660 per bed per annum this time last year this week care providers would have to pay an astonishing £5 166 Representing an additional cost of over £2bn per annum sector wide the energy crisis comes at a time when adult social care is already facing the most challenging circumstances in its history ”
Current packages of Government support ignore the social care sector entirely Care providers despite paying the same VAT and Green Levy rates on energy bills as domestic settings, are not subject to the domestic price cap and are not set to benefit from the £400 energy rebate While these measures are incredibly important to protect public health and support struggling households across the country, parity must be introduced in the treatment of the most vulnerable in our communities Without immediate and tar geted support from Government, this energy crisis poses a very severe risk to the sustainability of care serv ices across the country
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said the unprecedented increase in energy bills is “a disas ter in the making for small and medium sized businesses including care homes
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 3
INCREASE OF 683% COMPARED TO 2021 Care England have been working closely with non for profit energy consultancy Box Power CIC the UK’s to analyse the extent of the impact of energy price rises on the social care sector The data released today identifies that: To secure future energy (gas and electricity) from October 2022 a care provider would pay: On 31 August 2021: £660 per bed per annum
•
CANNOT CONTROL GLOBAL PRICES
On 24 August 2022: £5 166 per bed, per annum This represents a 683% increase in price compared to the pre vious year To secure future energy from October 2023, a care provider would pay: On 31 August 2021: £557 per bed per annum • On 24 August 2022: £4 123 per bed per annum This represents a 640% increase in price compared to the pre vious year £2 BILLION IMPACT OF SECTOR OVERALL
( CONTINUED
Care England has called for immediate and targeted support from central Government to the sector, including: The introduction of a per bed energy price cap equivalent to the proposed domestic energy price cap or the reimbursement of providers for increased energy costs incurred by other means
Martin Green continues: Decades of neglect and chronic underfunding have taken a toll on all aspects of the social care system affecting providers service users and the workforce alike For years those of us within the sector have spoken about social care as approaching a ‘tipping point’ The energy crisis being wit nessed today may be what finally pushes it over the edge While long term reform is undoubtedly the responsibility of the incoming Prime Minister action is required immediately to avoid widespread catastro phe I implore the Government to issue targeted support to care providers immediately, proportionate to the scale of the crisis and have written to Members of Parliament asking them to pledge their support for appropriate measures ”
“DECADES OF NEGLECT AND CHRONIC UNDERFUNDING”
PAGE 4 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
Activity coordinators at MHA Montpellier Manor organised the day and set up a whole host of activities for residents
Sugar,
A Middlesbrough based care home set up carnival games for resi dents for them to reminisce about their younger days
Residents at a care home in Wellington have been treated to a day of sensory delights specially tailored to appeal to people liv ing with dementia Members of the team with an Indian heritage at Camelot House and Lodge inspired colleagues to provide a day’s diversion with activities and treats to appeal to the eyes ears nose and taste buds
The residents really enjoyed the activities and being outside really helped them
Activities co ordinator Richard Dempslake said: We know from previous Indian activity days that theirs is a rich cultural heritage we can borrow from with lots of different elements that appeal to our residents And the recent hot weather made for a very appropriate envi ronment especially since we were driven inside by a monsoon like downpour on the day But this didn’t dampen anyone s enthusiasm and our residents had a fabulous time In the morning the team entertained residents with an activity which involved identifying the exotic scents of a series of Indian spices such as coriander curry powder, cardamom and cumin Richard Dempslake said: Lots of the people we support are big fans of an Indian take away so we weren’t surprised they were pretty good at identifying the spices They stimulated memories of Indian meals they had eaten in the past For someone living with dementia an activity that guides them to focus on just one of their senses at a time can be very beneficial, giving them special enjoyment and that all important sense of achievement at a time in their lives when much of what is happening around them can be quite confusing so this is good Later we offered to apply mehndi designs to the hands of any residents who were keen This is a form of body art temporary drawn on skin decoration where decorative designs are created using a paste made from powdered henna “Those who were given a tattoo for the day all wore them very proudly and were eager to show them off to anyone who would look Our lovely Indian staff and a few other members of the team like me dressed in traditional attire and some brought in homemade curries cake and extra nibbles
The home offers residential and dementia care for up to 85 people and used the front garden to set up the activities Games such as coconut shy hook a duck ring toss and plenty of music were a constant throughout the day
Bollywood music and dancing was projected on to the home s big screen for residents to enjoy in the afternoon, with other activ ities such as games with flash cards showing illustrations of Indian culture offering further entertainment Camelot House and Lodge’s Indian Day is part of a busy and varied programme of activities provided for their residents
Spice and All Things Nice
Most of the Indian staff who work at Camelot House and Lodge come from Kerala so Kerala special chicken curry and Kerala pork curry both featured on the home cooked menu along with dal makhana steamed rice cakes the popular Tamil Nadu street food kothu parotta and sweet treats gulab jamun and fried banana to round off the feast
Big thanks to senior care assistant Anju James who prepared an incredible mango and cream sponge cake and decorated it in the colours of the Indian flag
The home is run by Camelot Care which also runs Avalon Nursing Home in Bridgwater and Butterfly Lodge in Plymouth
Care Home Takes Residents on Trip Down Memor y Lane with Carnival Games
We wanted to use the lovely weather and set up something to get all residents involved in “Bev and I, the other activity coordinator have both recently joined Montpellier Manor and wanted to do something where we can utilise the resources we have in the home
“We even had some family mem bers join in and some of the games did become competitive which was nice to see “Overall it was a very enjoyable day everyone had a lot of fun it was very easy to set up and it s some thing we will definitely look to arrange again
Steve Moran one of the activity coordinators said:
Residents at Preston House Care Home in Glenrothes were left speechless by The Kelpies the famous pair of 30 metre high statues depicting the mystical shape shifting water spirits of Scottish folklore Completed in 2013, the majestic sculptures mark the entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal once one of the most important maritime routes in the world Horsepower lay at the heart of that trade as they pulled barges along the canal and tilled the fields The artist Andy Scott pays homage to that legacy in his work It was a fantastic day out in the sun for staff and resi dents and they enjoyed a picnic and ice cream at the Falkirk based project
Michael King Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said: With increasing pressures on council budgets and a growing number of people in need of care in this country we know that decisions about whether people have intentionally deprived themselves of capital can be a difficult and for the families involved emotive issue The guidance we are issuing today sets out how we look at councils decisions and the common areas we find fault where we have been asked to investigate “We hope that by publishing this guidance those practitioners involved in making such decisions can have some clarity about the steps they need to take to ensure the decisions they make are fair and equitable
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: Adult social care makes up a large proportion of council spending and with decreasing budgets and grow ing pressures delivering statutory services have become more and more challenging “Councils rightly expect that all those who can afford to contribute financially to their own care actually do so in accordance with national and local charging policies If people try to avoid paying for their care this ultimately puts further pressure on the system and the taxpayer and It is unfair to those who do make the expected financial contribution Councils support further guidance to ensure that work around possible deprivation of capital is handled fairly, accurately and carefully Adult social care services are under enormous financial strain and given councils responsibility to pro tect and spend public resources diligently they have a duty to act where they suspect deliberate depriva tion has taken place ”
Leave Care Home Residents in Awe
Based on lessons from the complaints it receives the guidance is aimed at financial assessment practi tioners in local authorities It sets out the Ombudsman’s approach to investigating complaints from people whose local authority has decided they have intentionally deprived themselves of capital when assessing how much they should contribute to their care fees Deprivation of capital is when someone knowingly reduces their capital for financial benefit When coun cils are carrying out financial assessments to work out how much people should pay for their care they must sometimes make very nuanced decisions about whether someone has given away money, or deprived themselves of an asset with the intention of avoiding charges for care Using casework examples the guidance highlights the common issues seen in the complaints the Ombudsman receives These include assuming all gifts are deprivation of capital wrongly applying the Personal Expenses Allowance to people who fund their own care and not keeping proper records of how decisions are reached
Ombudsman Issues Guidance on Care Finance Decisions
The trip was organised as part of a weekly programme of activities put on by the care home Preston House which is part of the Holmes Care Group is always looking to pro vide residents with opportunities to stay happy and healthy
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 5
Jean Andersen resident at Preston House Care Home said “My Pa used to tell us stories about kelpies, but I never thought I d really see one He made them sound scary but I had it eating out of the palm my hand ”
Donna Dunsire Lifestyle Activities Coordinator at Preston House said: Residents had a wonderful day out at the Kelpies, the sculptures were remarkable and there was plenty of sun and smiles for our picnic!
Magnificent Kelpies
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has issued guidance to councils on the often com plex issue of Deprivation of Capital decisions
PANDEMIC PROOF
At a critical time, “care hotels” helped alleviate this crisis The approach orchestrated by care services provider Abicare made use of hotels and other residencies emptied by the pandemic transforming them into places to discharge patients who were medically fit for discharge but couldn t return home due to lack of community resource It created safe professionally run and comfortable facilities with medical assistance close by and trained care staff on hand to meet care needs Care hotels spread across Cornwall Wiltshire Dorset Hampshire Devon and Norfolk bringing together local authorities of these counties with NHS trusts and independent care provider Abicare Crucially, this collaboration achieved both better patient outcomes and more cost effective care spending than would otherwise have been possible if people had to stayed in hospital
Hospitals capacities are regularly strained during winter by flu and other seasonal illnesses Quickly and effectively dealing with patients ready to be discharged is vital to meeting that challenge: Reducing an aver age short term length of stay by even one day can increase throughput by 20% for hospitals NHS backlogs, waiting lists and chronic workforce shortages mean the challenges faced earlier in the pandemic remain Consequently so does the need for fresh thinking innovation and collaboration that care hotels demonstrated so effectively But we should also learn the lessons from such initiatives to ensure we plan ahead and make future collaborations even more successful
LEARNING THE LESSONS
The Health and Care Act passed in May 2022 has formalised this approach with the creation of 42 Integrated Care Systems (ICSs): partnerships which bring together providers and commissioners of NHS services covering every part of England As the King’s Fund charity explains “[t]he central aim of ICSs is to integrate care across different organisa tions and settings joining up hospital and community based services physical and mental health and health and social care ”
While care hotels were a useful stopgap and a clear demonstration of the benefits of more collaboration we should never have reached a point where they were necessary We need to learn these lessons and plan for a more collaborative future
Health and social care face unprecedented challenges A pandemic backlog that will take years to clear; an ongoing recruitment crisis; and a rapidly ageing society, with the popula tion aged 65 up by almost a quarter from 2009 to 2019 In short we must do more with less That makes it critical that we use our resources effectively and collaboration is central to that Overcoming the barriers between the dif ferent parts of the health and care systems means better outcomes for individuals as well as greater effi ciency
PAGE 6 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
For 10% discount on all woven and niron-on ametapes, add CARE2022 at the checkout! Valid to 31/10/2022 If you fail to prepare you are preparing to fail as the adage says For the country s health and care needs, we must plan for success
At the same time social care was significantly disrupted Care homes were under quaran tine often unable to admit residents while local care services lacked the capacity to support at home those patients otherwise ready to be discharged
The care hotels prevented overly long and unnecessary hospital stays that we know can bring health con sequences for patients Those staying at the care hotels received a full activity and reablement programme to get them ready to return home once capacity to cater for their care needs was available They also freed up hospital beds helping discharge patients costing the NHS approximately £400 per day earlier
By Anne Marie Perry, Co founder at CareMatch (www carematch com); Martin Green, Chief Executive, Care England (www careengland org uk)
We Need to Engage Early and Often to Solve the Care Crisis
As it goes on to note this is a significant shift in the health and care infrastructure From an emphasis on independence and competition, the ICS is focused on collaboration to drive improvements for local commu nities
For the ICS model it s still early days but we already have evidence of the benefits of the collaboration it aims to promote During the pandemic hospitals faced unprecedented pressure In the final quarter of 2021/2022 the aver age occupancy rate for all beds open overnight in the NHS was 87% That was up from a high of 81% in the previous quarter
A key lesson is that you cannot begin collaborating too soon Early stage engagement particularly with the independent sector pays dividends and results in excellent results for NHS projects Starting discussions sooner not only enables all parties to clarify their needs and capabilities; it also harnesses the innovation and ideas of the different sectors at the outset creating possibilities for better designed and more successful projects If health and social care are to successfully meet the challenges of this decade and beyond they will require the best practices and ideas from all the sectors involved Given the current care crisis we don t want to waste any more time before getting them
Our NHS still provides excellent care for illnesses for instance but greater coordination with social care and early intervention can prevent conditions developing or escalating that require increased care later Over the years the NHS councils and other care providers have got better at this working together to serve communities more effectively
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 7
Residents at a Bognor Regis based care home were treated to a trip to the zoo when staff at MHA Greenways took four residents to Marwell Zoo as part of their Seize the Day initiative The Seize the Day initiative encourages resi dents to re experience activities or events from the past or to do something they would like to do for the first time The home organised a minibus for eight to make the trip with care assistants supporting residents
Aside from a passing reference by Liz Truss to diverting more money towards social care and Rishi Sunak telling Facebook that social care is safe in his hands we have yet to see how the candi dates will properly reform social care, get funding to the frontline quickly and properly pay and recognise staff to end the staffing crisis “We are in a full blown crisis where people are unable to get the care they need “And just to be clear that can mean when your mother or father needs someone to help them get up in the morning or get dressed cook a meal or get to bed that won t happen “Or when a relative needs a room in a care home, then there won’t be any available
“Those are the realities of a crisis in social care They are already happening now and are going to get worse unless politicians wake up to the situation we are in In his new letter to the candidates, Mr Padgham writes: “ I appreciate that other issues like the economy and the rising cost of living are dominating your thinking at the moment However, I think social care should feature more prominently that it has Homecare providers and nursing and care homes are struggling to survive and you will know that when social care suffers the knock on effect means that all other healthcare suffers too as hos pitals cannot discharge patients because there is no care available This is all down to a lack of funding in social care which pre cedes your time in Government but is nevertheless being pro longed by the current administration
Candidates Show 'Little Care About Care'
And when your local care home closes and the residents are scattered far and wide to other homes, possibly even in different towns
We need to hear from you what you plan to do to reverse this, to build a social care sector that is fit for purpose and which rewards its staff properly “I m not holding my breath for a reply from the two candidates ” Mr Padgham added “They clearly feel that the Conservative party electorate isn’t interested in social care and that the votes at this particular elec tion are all on the economy on tax and on tackling the cost of living crisis However we deserve to know what they plan for social care too ”
Trip to Zoo for Bognor Regis Care Home Residents
As part of the day out a picnic was prepared by the chef at the home which was enjoyed by all Joanne Mitchell activity coordinator said “I always ask residents what activities they want to do and the zoo was a popular choice
But two weeks after writing, Mr Padgham is yet to receive a reply He has written again calling on them to respond Mr Padgham, Chair of the provider organization The Independent Care Group (ICG) said: The silence is deafening and it seems both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss don t appear to care very much when it comes to the future of social care
The Tory leadership candidates were today accused of showing very little care over the way we look after older and vulnerable adults Campaigner Mike Padgham wrote to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss calling on them to come clean on their plans for social care if they become the next Prime Minister He also invited both to visit a care provider in North Yorkshire to see first hand the crisis facing social care on the frontline
“Due to their need and sometimes lack of mobil ity going abroad on holidays is out of the question so we decided to do minibreaks close by instead “We had staff members and their families join ing us on the day and it was a very pleasant expe rience
The residents were really excited and there were plenty of smiles throughout the day “It was a very hot day and we made sure we had essentials such as sunscreen and sun hats to keep us safe It was a very successful trip it is the first time we have done something like this and I am already hoping to plan another one once I know what the residents want to do “I want to thank Marwell Zoo for allowing care staff into the zoo for free which was a very nice touch
With the care sector facing difficulties all exacerbated by inflation nursing care businesses can be left wondering how they can continue supporting service users to the same standards
Although saving time is important it’s not the time to cut back on quality of care By identifying potential capacity and improving the effi ciencies of your business you can save money and improve your care quality one service user at a time
1. Allocating resources
In the nursing care industry we re communicating all the time whether that s to change a rota a patient s medication or to provide feedback on a visit The more time that your carers spend communi cating, the less time they spend caring for those who need it Make communication as efficient as possible with seamless commu nication channels and you ll save time and improve quality of care
However saving money doesn t necessarily mean compromising the quality of care of your nursing care business if it s done with careful consideration You may have hidden efficiencies that you re not aware of that could help to support your nursing care business during times of tight budgets
Here are some ideas for exploring identifying and quantifying your hidden efficiencies:
SAVING MONEY WITH EFFICIENCY
The harder it is for team members to communicate with each other, the more time is wasted sharing simple information
We all know that there are some things in the nursing care industry that will always be done personally ie by an in person carer That s because staying social is an important part of recovery However, as in other industries we’ve seen various benefits of automation in the nurs ing care industry For example automated reminder systems can remind service users to take medication to free up carer time Automation and technology are supporting those who need care to remain independent and recover at home with the support of care rather than relying on this
Improving Efficiencies Without Compromising on Quality of Care
Many are aware of the obvious solution to relieve the pressure the sector is under: more government funding But public money often takes months if not years to filter through and the care sector needs support now to counteract the effects of dramatic inflation Most care businesses don t have the time to wait for government support
“Staff and residents at Barchester’s Hugh Myddelton House care home in Southgate got up close and personal with some furry friends when they celebrated all the wonderful things about man’s best friend on National Dog Day August 26th National Dog Day is an annual event to raise awareness of the number of dogs in rescue centres and to encourage people to adopt dogs from shelters and dog homes Residents had a brilliant time learning about different breeds and their characteristics reminiscing about pets and finding out fascinating facts about dogs and puppies Everyone was delight ed when Elena from Performing Pets brought in the very cute Dave a Dalmatian who is 3 month old We all had a great time watching him run around and playing with the ball Of course, he got lots of hugs too General Manager, Ramona Stanciu, said: “Our residents love animals and lots of them have owned dogs in the past so it was lovely to hear their stories about the different things their dogs had got up to Charles a resident said: I have always had a dog we had them when I was growing up and they are such good company I love how funny and loyal they are We have had such a nice day remembering all the dogs we have known and loved They are all such characters
Mike Williams, managing director, Tagtronics (www tagtronics co uk) explains the impact of the current cost of liv ing crisis on nursing care businesses and how to improve efficiency without compromising on quality of care RISING COSTS
Although budgets are stretched often nursing care businesses are concerned about saving money as there can be a common miscon ception that this should include cutting back on staff or resources and thereby diminishing quality of service
PAGE 8 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 Can't wait for the next edition? Read all the latest stories online at: www.TheCarerUK.com Sign up to get the latest stor ies and our WEEKLY DIGITAL EDITION delivered directly to your email at: www.thecareruk.com/signup
An important way to make your money last longer is by allocating your resources effectively If you decide which carers should go where based on what will take the least time you re increasing the number of visits they can make saving on petrol and improving the continuity of care in your business which will increase the quality of care of your business as a by product 2 Improving communication How efficient is your team s communication?
Current increases in inflation have affected all of us and nursing care businesses are no exception With prices rising faster than they have in 40 years at a rate of nearly 9 5% it s left many businesses won dering how they can change their processes in order to save money In the care industry raising wages to match inflation is never easy but with over two thirds of workers in the independent care sector being paid less than the real living wage (£9 90) nursing care providers need to support their carers to retain quality talent in the sector
Hugh Myddelton House Celebrates National Dog Day
In addition to this inflation is making budgets even tighter with increasing fuel prices making a bad situation even worse for nursing care businesses subsidising travel expenses of its carers 92% of providers are concerned about the effect of the rise in fuel costs on the longevity of their business
3. Automation and technology
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Responds
The NHS is still reeling from a decade of austerity and two years of the pandemic so the choice should not be binary If this briefing is accurate and becomes policy NHS leaders will face impossible choices on what to prioritise for their patients
plan (https://www thetimes co uk/article/alarm over liz truss raid on nhs rgpwwbpgq) to
The event was organised by the staff in the home to bring together our local community and open the home to the public for the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic began
Responding to Conservative leadership candidate Liz Truss divert NHS funding Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said: Health leaders agree strongly that social care desperately needs more investment from the Government as they know that boosting the salaries staffing levels in the sector will have a more immediate impact on tackling the backlogs ensuring can leave hospital sooner this should not come at the expense of funding that has been already committed for the NHS Frontline services are already facing a real terms funding cut this year with 105 000 vacancies and buildings in a state of disrepair
and
The home was turned into a carnival with deco rations throughout the home and grounds with the garden turned into a circuit of fun activities for all ages to enjoy
The Summer Fair brought together a host of amazing donations from local businesses and organisations who kindly donated prizes vouchers toiletries and craft prizes to a raffle and tombola raising over £100 in total across the day!
“However,
Please mention THE CARER when responding to Padvertising. lease mention THE CARER when responding to advertising.
and
The team at Laurels provided an “amazing array of food and refreshments from our wonderful kitchen staff” including cakes; an afternoon cream tea and a beautiful hydration station to ensure res idents were hydrated in the warm weather
Care Home Raises
Residents and friends of Laurel Lodge Care Home in Norwich, have raised £143 for Macmillan Cancer Support in their Summer Fair!
to social care,
peo ple
NHS Confederation to Liz Truss' Vow to Divert NHS Funding to Social Care
Over £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support in Summer Fair!
The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) has revealed the shortlist for the NACC Awards 2022
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 11
The overall winners will be announced at a special gala awards din ner on Thursday 6th October 2022 which is part of the NACC Training & Development Forum held at the East Midlands Conference Centre Nottingham
• Green Meadows Residential Home Metchley Manor Care UK Chandler Court, Care UK Karuna Manor Care Home TLC Care Meals on Wheels Award, sponsored by apetito Meals At Home County Enterprise Foods Community Meals Service Bristol City Council
• Kiryl Drozdov, Head Chef, Elsyng House The Bev Puxley Award, sponsored by Worshipful Company of Cooks
Sue Cawthray National Chair of the NACC said: Huge congratula tions to all the shortlisted finalists Care catering professionals continue to work and care for older and vulnerable people in incredibly chal lenging circumstances from staff shortages to the cost of living crisis and supply chain issues, and not forgetting the impact of the pandemic that we are still feeling The agility tenacity dedication energy and brilliance that care caterers continue to exude across the country are encapsulated in the NACC Awards finalists and I am in awe of them all I very much look forward to the gala awards dinner where we will come together with fellow members colleagues and friends to reflect recognise and celebrate the amazing people in our sector Their fan tastic work and achievements make an enormous difference to the lives of so many through good food and nutrition and meaningful mealtime experiences I wish all the finalists the very best of luck!”
NACC Awards 2022 Shortlist Revealed
• Caroline Lloyd Head Chef Prince George House Care UK
Garylee also said “When we initially suggested the idea of Cramond College to our resi dents there was great interest with over half of them being eager to take part with a lot having a keen interest in courses which focus on arts and history We have also seen a number of residents who are living with mild to moderate dementia eager to take up some of the courses on offer At the end of each month, we plan to hold a graduation ceremony for those who have achieved their diploma
Care Home Residents Prove You’re Never too Old to Learn
The winners of the following coveted awards will also be honoured at the gala awards dinner: NACC Region of the Year Award, sponsored by Meiko Pam Rhodes Award sponsored by Anglia Crown National Chair’s Award
The prestigious awards recognise and celebrate teams and individu als that epitomise excellence innovation dedication and outstanding contributions within the care catering sector
“The Open University ticked all the boxes in terms of a meaningful activity while allowing residents to pick from a wide range of subject areas The opportunity has proven to be very popular with a large number of the residents at the care home expressing their interest in achieving a diploma
Valerie Kelly Chef Manager Houndswood House
• Christopher Rees Head Chef Shipston Lodge Nursing Home Valerie Kelly Chef Manager Houndswood House • Chris Burdett Group Food & Beverage Manager Signature Senior Lifestyle Our Care Catering Hero Award, sponsored by Bullseye Food
Valerie Kelly Chef Manager Houndswood House
Packaging
For more information on the NACC Awards 2022 and the NACC visit www thenacc co uk
Vicky Meakin Kitchen Manager Aspen Court Mateusz Wojciechowski, Chef Manager, Westholme Care Home
Garylee Rushforth lead lifestyle coordinator said “I was determined to think of a way to develop our approach to activities that challenged the residents and offered them a chance to learn a new skill
The HC One Catering & Housekeeping Team HC One Limited Lakeview Manor Care Home Catering Team Kitchen Team of Cherry Hinton Care Home Catering Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions
• Christopher Rees Head Chef Shipston Lodge Nursing Home
AN EDINBURGH care home is encouraging lifelong learning for its resi dents as it partners with the Open University to form an in house college Cramond Residence will be launching Cramond college offering its resi dents an opportunity to strengthen their cognitive function by giving them the option to enrol in a variety of courses offered by the online university Courses will range from one to four hours, and residents will receive a diploma for their efforts in a planned monthly graduation ceremony at the care home The partnership is part of Cramond s aim to provide its residents with a richer and more satisfying lifestyle and hope the courses will allow for its residents to learn new skills and dive deep into subject areas of their choice
The NACC Awards 2022 finalists are: Care Establishment of the Year Award, sponsored by Hobar t UK
Across six categories including the new Bev Puxley Award intro duced in memory of Bev Puxley, a longstanding friend, supporter and champion of the NACC who sadly passed earlier this year the finalists represent those working in or associated with care catering that deliver exceptional service every day from care homes Meals on Wheels services and Lunch Clubs to suppliers to the sector
• ICare GB Ltd Monmouthshire Meals Catering Team of the Year Award, sponsored by e f group Care UK Food & Hotel Services Team, Care UK Residential Services
STAFF SUPPORT Care home staff also faced extraordinary challenges in the past few years spending longer times away from their family while taking significant precautions to ensure the safety of people in their care This is one reason why support programmes that nurture a positive culture are vital for staff members Creating a safe and supportive environment where staff feel they can express their emotions freely toward a manager or nurse in charge is imperative for wellbeing For example at the Society we built an activity programme to empower our staff through this trying peri od including mental health support free food and shopping deliveries at home to take off the external pressure We also provided training for nurses to support them with their revalidation and career progres sion
Alongside formal equality diversity and inclusion policies and mental health training care home providers should support staff with social activities that allow for relationship building within the home For instance, the Care sector is proudly very multicultural so encouraging team members to share their back grounds, cultures, and family stories to try emulating a “home away from home” feeling can go a long way and raise greater awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in care planning
Developing innovative new practices will safeguard the dignity of residents and the wellbeing of staff in the years ahead
Bath time it should be relaxing but if a client needs care support it is fraught with risk unless a major adaptation is undertaken
Working at sea is considered one of the world s 10 most dangerous jobs It often leads to a diminished social life with the monotonous routines and harsh working conditions sometimes resulting in physical and psychological problems in retirement When seafarers retire knowing where to turn for like minded com panionship and emotional support can be difficult There are few occupational pension schemes for those with a maritime background so creating a tailored approach to recognise this lifestyle is essential Critical to implementing an effective wellbeing programme especially to cater to individual needs is pro moting physical and mental activities The best way to keep the mind healthy is to keep it stimulated and active, which is why it’s essential to encourage residents to participate in numerous activities throughout their week Culture training is one of the programmes we introduced at Royal Alfred to better understand the lives and experiences of residents at sea This gave the diverse care team greater insight into the British culture of the people they care for and vice versa to support both groups emotional wellbeing Becoming more familiar with a resident s personal history and life enable carers to better cater to their individual needs while still allowing them to retain some sense of independence
Waterproof infinitely mouldable vacuum posture cushions are attached to provide shaped support abduction and stabilisation exactly where needed head torso hips seat In this way, the carer’s hands are freed to safely concentrate on intimate care, whilst minimising risk from stretching and weight bearing over the bath
Creating individual wellbeing programmes is the cornerstone of person centred care where residents are treated as unique individuals For example as part of the Royal Alfred’s goal to provide completely bespoke individualised care we encourage residents and their relatives to participate in their care and care planning process ensuring activities and support is relevant to them
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A one size fits all approach to care isn t feasible especially regarding mental support and wellbeing
Residents will enjoy sweeping views across the quiet countryside with Climping Beach less than a mile away Tony Barrett Chief Executive at HMT said: “It’s an exciting day as HMT Littlehampton reaches a milestone in its construction This is a ground breaking care home as residents will feel like they are at home HMT Littlehampton will look like a family style household as well as feel like one with the personal care they will receive As construction continues we are looking forward to the recruitment stage offering fulfilling jobs to people in the community Annie Lewis Care Home Manager said: I am delighted to have been appointed as the Manager of the care home which will be an integral part of the local community and will provide employment such as the role of ‘Homemaker who will support our residents to receive high quality person centred care in a ‘home from home’ environment Residents living with dementia in the local community will be welcome to visit the cafe and hairdressing salon
Social care is often associated with physical care but the Covid 19 pandemic has put the spotlight firm ly on the mental aspect of care an equally impor tant factor that can be inadvertently overlooked Human dignity and happiness are fundamental rights to life and providing it in the care home requires a person centred approach to care which is about understanding the individual s needs and tailoring a unique care and wellbeing plan around them
Adds Jane Turton Mencap home manager: Aqua Liberty has been the ideal answer for us as a care team The resident who needs it is now relaxed in the bath It is quick and easy to fit and remove It stows away compactly too That is really helpful in a bathroom that is used by other people and already includes a raft of assistive equipment We still have room to move ”
Hassle -and Stress- Free Bath Adaptations - Without Delay
Safeguarding Health and Wellbeing in the Care Home and Among Staff
George Parlapan, Health and Wellbeing Specialist at Royal Alfred Seafarers Society discusses the importance of wellbeing for residents and staff in the care home
Topping New Dementia Specialist Care Home HMT Littlehampton
At the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society we elected to develop a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team to focus on mental support and well being of the residents The team also prioritised staff wellbeing to combat loneliness during Covid The care and nursing teams need to ensure every resi dent receives the best standard of individualised care and accomplishing this is only possible if the team feels valued WHY INDIVIDUALISED CARE?
For care home providers the pandemic brought home the indisputable fact that supporting and under standing mental health can be difficult and that everyone has different needs that require different levels of care
Find out more about Aqua Liberty and book your free no obligation assessment here: https://www aatgb com/aqua liberty/
An official ceremony has marked the topping out of HMT Littlehampton, a brand new dementia specialist care home in Climping near the seaside town of Littlehampton West Sussex Mair Williams Chief Operations Officer for Healthcare Management Trust the charity which runs specialist care homes across the UK laid a stone to complete the building s structural frame and mark the end of major construction for the care home Mair Williams said: “We are very excited to reach this milestone in the building development of HMT Littlehampton which is specifically designed to enable and support the wellbeing of people with dementia and facilitates the household model of care The building has strong sustainability credentials including a living green roof solar panels and air source heat pumps as its primary source of heating Not only will this £10 million home create valuable jobs in the community, it will also provide residents with a ground breaking, high quality care option for people suf fering from dementia
Out Ceremony for
The core Aqua Liberty system uses suction technology to firmly attach to ANY bath
Following two years of covid restrictions, the care sector is slowly returning to some semblance of nor mality Covid severely impacted staff and residents with social isolation and loneliness affecting their wellbeing
Importantly, the Aqua Liberty system is easily removed from the bath to allow its use by everyone else in the household The cushions themselves can be removed from the base to provide correct postural support stabilisation and abduction wherever else required for daily life The Aqua Liberty system stows compactly away freeing up often restricted space in the bathroom for other users Says Peter Wingrave AAT Director: Aqua Liberty is a game changer for supported bathing At a fraction of the cost and with none of the delay and disruption of replacing a standard bath for a specialist design Aqua Liberty provides a safe supported stable answer for client and carer alike ”
AAT GB has developed a unique solution that can eliminate the need for that major adaptation of replacing the bath and all the cost, delay and disruption that entails It can be in place within 10 working days (subject to T&Cs) Aqua Liberty provides a safe, supportive pressure free option It forms perfectly and exactly round the bather to hold and support them safely There is no need for the carer to try and support them to suspend them safely during the execution of intimate hygiene care
One in Four Across England Provide Support to Alzheimer’s or Dementia Sufferers
A new survey which polled 4 027 across England has found that one in four people are supporting someone living with Alzheimer s disease or another form of dementia by; providing company or some one to talk to (54%) helping with shopping and meal preparation (33%), house cleaning/maintenance (29%) and contacting healthcare professionals (27%) These were the results of the Keeping Alzheimer’s Front of Mind survey which was funded by Roche Products Ltd in partnership with the charity together in dementia everyday (tide) The survey also found that those aged 18 34 (28%) and in the Asian (34%) and Black (29%) community were more likely to be giving some form of support It also revealed that 44% of those surveyed either know live with or are a carer for someone that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia 1 When examining public understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, the survey results also reveal that: Only half (55%) agree that it is possible for a per son to influence their brain health Only 37% agree that it is possible for someone to reduce their own likelihood of developing Alzheimer s disease or another form of dementia One in five (20%) believe that Alzheimer s disease or another form of dementia is just an inevitable part of getting older When it came to looking at the nation s attitudes to diagnosis, the survey found: Although 80% thought that it was important for it to be formally diagnosed one in 10 would be unlike ly to go to a GP if they thought they may have Alzheimer s disease or dementia For those unlikely to visit their GP (n 415), most common reasons stated were thinking that there s nothing a doctor can do (37%) and being worried / scared / anxious of the diagnosis (33%) A further 29% said they don’t go or don t like going to the doc tor The majority feel that having a diagnosis would allow them to plan for their future (67%) and receive care services that could help (67%) and financial support (59%) At tide we see a lot of secondary carers those who don t classify themselves as carers but who do provide support for people living with these condi tions So the impact on the nation is actually much broader than people often first realise ” said Sam Bolam Chief Executive together in dementia every day (tide) “It is also often the people closest to us who detect that dementia might be an issue Once concerns are reported the person with dementia and their carers need access to an accurate diagno sis followed by a clear treatment and management pathway These findings show there is still a lot of fear and misunderstanding surrounding the disease but it is vital that people who are concerned about dementia speak to their GP if they see symptoms in themselves, or in friends or family members As with any disease the earlier Alzheimer s or another form of dementia is diagnosed the better it can be man aged in the long run ” Claire Jarvis Alzheimer s Disease Lead Roche Products Ltd, said: Alzheimer s disease is one of the biggest health care crises facing our society today, and its impact will continue to grow It is imperative that those affected receive a timely and accurate diagnosis to enable them to manage their condition as effectively as possible What s more we need more investment in the Alzheimer’s disease pathway across research, diagnosis and care to ensure a better future for everyone touched by this disease ”
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 13 +44 (0) 1787 379160 info@thestairclimbingcompany.com www.thestairclimbingcompany.com Raising the standard of stair climbing solutions The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact, easy to use, powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings Offering innovative designs, all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces, for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition, all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer’s warranty. SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL CARE SECTOR DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMAIL AT WWW.THECARERUK.COM/SIGNUP
Having sight or hearing loss makes life even more difficult for people with dementia who already have to live with the challenges of the condition
Dr Jenna Littlejohn who co developed the incus care programme said: The staff at Chapel House Care undertook the training with such enthusiasm really demonstrating their commitment to the initiative and the residents they support We are due to complete the environmental audit shortly and then we will be able to award the home with the first incus care quality mark ”
There are 174 care homes in Cheshire and DSN approached a number of homes as potential partners but were delighted when Chapel House Care signed up as the first partners following the pandemic
Q In care homes some patients have more complex needs and may str uggle to communicate, including those who suf fer with dementia How do you deliver your eye health ser vices in these circumstances while also keeping the patient feeling comfor table?
Jason Scaife, Specsavers Home Visits director and optometrist, based in Cardiff speaks to The Carer about the services Specsavers can offer to care homes
Q. Can you provide a bit of a sum mar y of the ser vices provided to care homes? At Specsavers Home Visits our aim is to improve the lives of those who can t leave home unaccompa nied through better sight and hear ing We serve many different types of care centre from community houses to residential homes, to dementia specialist nursing homes and everywhere in between We provide routine sight tests using equip ment similar to that in a high street store but specifically designed to be portable and for use in the home; we supply NHS and privately funded spectacles; we deliver and fit them in person and provide after care for all our spectacles We tailor our service to best suit each care home some prefer us to come and see two or three residents who are new to the home or have reported vision problems; others prefer us to come for a whole day and provide routine sight tests to every resident who would like one as long as they re due We will of course attend to see just one individual who is having problems When we supply glasses to care homes we engrave each frame with the patient’s name, which can really help busy care staff to know who the glasses belong to if they are left lying around the home
At Chapel House Care we want to do our bit to build a better overall service for people with sensory loss
Healthy Ageing
Staff at Puddington Care Homes Working Towards Quality Mark
Staff at two care homes in Puddington, Cheshire are working towards an accolade for their specialist care Over thirty carers and the senior leadership team at Chapel House Care are training for the incus care programme which recognises the care of people living with sensory loss The quality mark, backed by Deafness Support Network (DSN), is based on a range of criteria fostering inclusivity It includes providing real access to opportunities and support for people with sensory loss so they can communicate effectively increasing quality of life
See the advert on the facing page for details Vision and Eye Health is Important for Your Residents on
Our team of Optometrists and Optical Assistants are a wonderful group of people dedicated to looking after the eye care needs of some of the most vulnerable and isolated individuals in society It’s not only the clinical training that enables them to gather the results they need but it’s their kindness patience, experience and skill that leaves patients with a smile Using objective assessment techniques which don’t rely on responses from the person being examined are a key part of providing eye care to those with communication or cognitive difficul ties and these techniques allow us to provide suitable spectacles and an assessment of the health of the eyes for everyone, regardless of their ability to communicate We provide training for our staff on dementia and how to successfully communicate with those living with cognitive impairment and we always take our lead from carers who know the individuals best
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Sholpan Tursynbayeva Global Affairs and Policy Lead GSK commented: The threat of infectious diseases to ageing populations and the gaps in the systems designed to address these have been very starkly highlighted in the COVID 19 pandemic For decades most countries have implemented robust vaccination programmes for children but adult immunisation programmes have con sistently lagged We are glad to support ILC s Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index to help demonstrate to governments why prevention of diseases by vaccinating adults is so important ”
Of an estimated 400 000 people living in care in England 75% will have a hearing impairment 50% will have a visual impairment and over 70% will have some cognitive impairment
Q. Why is it impor tant for care home residents to maintain good vision and eye health?
David Sinclair Chief Executive of ILC argued: “Following the pandemic and a three year global programme that sparked conversations from Abu Dhabi to Taipei Austin Geneva Sydney London all the way to the G20 Health Ministers it s clear that we re living longer but not necessarily healthier lives In an ageing world and as inequalities are on the rise, we need to focus spending on preventative healthcare From vaccines to screenings to management of existing condi tions, there’s so much we can do to keep people healthier for longer ” Global data analysis by ILC the UK s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society has found that: By 2050 the proportion of people aged 50 and over will increase by 11 percentage points resulting in 40% of the G20 population being aged over 50 G20 citizens aged 50 and over collectively lived 118 million years with disabilities in 2019 due to largely preventable diseases Across the G20, preventable conditions cost economies 1 02 trillion USD in yearly productivity loss among those aged 50 64 this is roughly equivalent to the estimated loss in global worker income for the first half of 2021 as a result of COVID 19 Alongside the Index ILC will be working with like minded international third sector and business leaders and holding a number of international events including alongside the G20 in India and the G7 in Japan next year to shape the debate on healthy ageing and prevention India s G20 presidency in particular will be an opportunity to put healthy ageing on the international agenda as countries emerge from the pandemic
“We believe that people with sensory loss can lead healthier lives with improved social and emotional wellbeing which is why it is so important for our team to undertake this specialist training
Avnish Goyal CBE Chair of Hallmark Care Homes Foundation said: “Hallmark Foundation is delighted to support ILC UK and work with its partners on this ground breaking project to influence ageing well globally The 2023 G20 summit in India provides a great opportunity to raise awareness of what can be done to promote health and well being in later life and which countries are doing so more effectively We are keen to share the lessons from benchmarking longevity with policymakers in the UK and across the world so that we can all age well every step of the way ”
Global Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index to be Launched to Track Progress and Drive Action
Maintaining good vision is a key part of any person s quality of life, but perhaps more so for care home residents because they often have limited mobility and so most of their hobbies and pastimes will involve visual tasks Sight loss can be very isolating and for those already struggling with memory problems or dementia any confusion and disorientation is exacerbated by impaired vision This can lead to a loss of engagement in social activities and sometimes increased risk of falls Providing reg ular eye care can minimise or even eliminate these issues for people living in care homes allowing them to enjoy being able to do the things they want to do
Q. How af fordable is this ser vice, par ticularly in the current cost of liv ing crisis? The main service we provide for care home residents is an NHS fund ed sight test free for those people over 60 or on state benefit who are unable to attend their opticians unaccompanied, due to their mental or physical health We carry a broad range of spectacle frames to suit most shapes styles sizes and budgets from £19 and we share the same pro motions and discounts that you see at Specsavers on the high street
Why Maintaining Good
Social isolation and loneliness can exacerbate hearing and vision issues which can lead to an increased risk of depression, stroke, hypertension, dementia and falls Cathrina Moore, an Admiral Nurse who runs The Chapel House and Plessington Court care homes in Puddington said We are delighted that so many of our team have already completed their INCUS training
Over the coming year, the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) will create the Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index which will track for the first time how healthily countries across the G20 are living and ageing, and the impact on the economy and environment Bringing together data on life expectancy health outcomes and the broader societal impacts of the econ omy and environment the Index will map how countries across the G20 fare in promoting healthy ageing preventative health and tackling health inequalities and provide an opportunity to share best practice
Q We know hygiene and safety is a top priority, par ticularly since the pandemic What precautions do you take to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the patients you visit in care homes? We take our responsibility as healthcare professionals seriously and we are conscious that Optometrists have to get very close to patients when examining their eyes We continue to wear PPE we’re maintain ing Infection Prevention and Control measures and we still take a Lateral Flow Test before each care home visit Our Infection Prevention and Control policy is continually updated in line with guidance from the NHS and the College of Optometrists to ensure that we are always pro viding care in the safest and most appropriate way Care homes can be confident that we are still operating at a standard exceeding that rec ommended by the profession in order to protect them and their resi dents
The current energy crisis comes at a time when the sector is experi encing the worst workforce pressures the sector has ever known Rayner continues: “Workforce remains a huge concern for everyone involved in care There has not been a strategic focus on this despite cross party attempts to make this happen The importance of a plan cannot be understated and it is the lack of planning that has resulted in the care sector being in a position where vacancy levels continue to soar, whilst for the first time ever the overall number of people employed in the workforce shrinks Urgent and proactive system wide solutions are required These will need to involve an urgent focus on pay terms and conditions “We are going to have to work extremely hard to ensure that the workers already delivering care remain in post In addition whilst the focus on international workforce is welcome, the cost of living crisis facing everyone in the UK will mean that without attention workers coming to work in the UK will find themselves subject to the kinds of financial pressure that will make working in this country untenable
Care Home Resident Completes Lifetime Wish to Fly a Plane Read all the latest stories online at: www.TheCarerUK.com Visit The Carer website to see all the ver y latest news and developments from the care sector as it happens! @TheCarerUK www facebook @com/TheCarerUK TheCarerUK www.facebook.com/TheCarerUK thecareruk.com/signup Sign up to get the latest stor ies delivered directly to your email at:
“The sector cares for and supports some of the most vulnerable peo ple in our society seven days a week 365 days of the year and as we face the autumn and winter it is clear that energy costs are rising exponentially This is simply not sustainable Action is needed now We must see parity of support for vulnerable people living in care settings; we need care settings to be included in the domestic price cap, and we need an emergency ring fenced energy fund which could flow from central government to local care providers Social care providers need assurance now of the financial support that will be available in order to
Professor Vic Rayner OBE CEO of the National Care Forum the leading association for not for profit care and support organisations said:
PAGE 16 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 Most Vulnerable Unprotected in Energy Price Rises
Dil Perera Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “Here at Dashwood Manor, no wish is too big or too small and so when Roger said he wanted to fly a plane we knew we had to make his dream a reality “We are thrilled to have helped Roger complete his lifelong wish and it was wonderful to see the smile on his face as he landed after his flight
effectively plan for the sustainability of their service provision ”
After his friend and fellow resident Dennis Moulton jumped out a plane at 15 000 feet for charity earlier this year Roger was inspired to complete his life long dream which was to fly a plane Roger said: It was a brilliant experience which I would do over and over again To take control of the plane gave me a real sense of freedom and power The views were spectacular and very green I am so happy the weather was in our favour!"
A care home resident in Basingstoke has completed a lifelong wish and he’s now on a real high 82 year old Roger Mashall, a resident at Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, took to the skies and had his very first flying lesson When Dashwood Manor first opened in September 2021, the team installed a ‘Wishing Tree’ an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try places they’d like to visit or even activities linked to past careers This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives from skiing to a fish and chip supper no wish is too big or small
The cost of living crisis con tinues to be the most pressing issue facing thousands of peo ple across the country Government policies announced to date to mitigate the risk to vulnerable people do not appear to apply to much of the social care sector who are having to deal with the brunt of the inflationary pressure Government financial measures announced apply to people liv ing in their own households and not to people living in social care set tings where energy costs are running out of control Nor does the Ofgem cap apply to social care providers
“The eye watering increases in energy cost is a very serious concern amongst our members They are facing price rises of 400% in gas and electricity prices which is totally unaffordable and way beyond any thing budgeted or forecasted This is causing immense pressure for social care providers We need an urgent response from the govern ment that will put a protection around people living in residential care settings it is important to note that these people do not currently benefit from the government s announced support for energy costs faced by households all current and proposed schemes will not address the immediate crisis impacting on care homes right now
The team at Dashwood Manor have organised many wishes for residents in the past 12 months including the skydive for Dennis a tattoo for Helen a resi dent who wished for a tabby cat tattoo and now a flying lesson for Roger I am very proud of the team who consistently go above and beyond to make resi dent wishes come true
Part of this involves individual meetings regular training develop ment plans and informal coaching For me it s very important that all staff members are able to feel respected and that Nellsar’s values align with theirs too In order to progress we have to value their free dom and expectations while tailoring Nellsar’s own objectives along side these to make our staff feel proud of their achievements It s all about ensuring the foundations are in place for our staff to succeed There are so many determining factors we have to measure to ensure success This can vary from identifying whether additional train ing or support is required to the need for important resources such as equipment and additional staff members This is very important for me as meeting all these expectations can only happen if everyone is work ing collectively and cohesively An example of this is one of our Chefs Andrew, from St Winifreds Care Centre, who is very talented and prides himself on his presentational skills As part of his development plan he supports others by going into Homes and mentoring Chefs in funda mental areas
Better nutrition is related to improved health stronger immune systems lower risk of non communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease) and longevity as per the World Health Organization With that in mind the ultimate goal for any nutri tionist should be to promote optimal health while ensuring and main taining the fundamental elements of any individual s daily well being
The operation of food production in a care home is very different from a standard kitchen after all There has to be detailed consideration of medical needs and how to provide and cater meal plans meticulously for each individual The beauty of this job is the capacity to provide each resident with personalised food at break fast lunch and dinner with a variety to what you re producing each and every day In truth it s quite a hard job and not one for anyone who doesn t enjoy a challenge; every resident has a different diet while each indi vidual also needs access to all varieties of food There are many rules to follow though fundamentally our residents happiness and well being remain at the forefront of all of our policies
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Adrian is the Head of Catering Services at Nellsar a family run group of 13 Care Homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex Built on strong foundations Nellsar has worked hard to build the trusted reputation of its Homes and prides itself on being approachable accountable and empathic in its relationships with the families it supports
Therefore it s understandable why Nellsar has placed such an emphasis on promoting positive nutrition and wellness throughout its care community
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Bramwell Residents Complete 100 Laps of Care Home Car Park
The Wellbeing Lead at Bramwell Beverley had the pleasure of inviting friends and family at the care home to spend the day sup porting their loved ones with words of encouragement and donations to aid in the homes fundraising efforts The sponsored walk was introduced to the home as an opportunity for residents to reconnect with the outside world particularly after all the restrictions that they have endured over the last few years
Most managers don t traditionally have this kitchen culture approach to care This is because I manage all aspects of the nourishment and care process recruiting staff mentoring mandatory work procedures and providing training which covers catering for palliative care dementia and nursing Ultimately, my role is to ensure we are meeting each individual s nutritional needs and clinical needs but also to ensure they are happy, too Additionally there s an expectation to implement procedures and sustainable approaches that ensure all staff are constantly learning and developing their skills In truth it s a very complex process though it s one I relish and truly look forward to every day If there’s one thing I ve learnt from life as a Chef in the care sector is that it s a much more diverse and meticulous job than in a standard commercial kitchen Everything is regimented and requires great organisational skills in order to thrive Communication is another impor tant aspect of the job in a flexible and fast paced environment As is education which takes time as the mentoring process can be lengthy and require patience Everyone follows the same standard induction process though most Chefs who come to us don’t have any experience of training so it can be a challenge for them to adapt to the on the job food requirements My job has provided me with the tools and knowledge to help our catering teams find solutions and provide them with appropriate train ing specifically International Dysphagia Diet Standardised Initiative (IDDSI)
There’s no doubt in my mind that there’s an endless supply of talent out there What s important to us is nurturing it as opposed to discov ering it We had a lady who started in one of our Activity Teams but has slowly graduated to become a Well Being Champion responsible for the overall guidance of the catering operation at one of Nellsar s flag ship Homes At another one of our Homes Woodstock Residential Care Centre a staff member recently opted for a career change and made the jump from Maintenance to the Kitchen quickly progressing to becoming a Head Chef In just a short period of time he has blossomed into an out standing Chef with a vast array of skills under his belt We also have additional support from other departments as we want everyone work ing together and ensuring all staff have a job they feel comfortable in, with a manageable workload Thanks to Nellsar, I have unlimited resources in supporting and developing all of our catering staff Everyone is fully supported espe cially in the areas they believe their talents are best suited Additionally we enrol all staff on a variety of useful courses seminars and conferences including those provided by the National Association of Care Catering I m always happy to work with anyone regardless of their experi ence I care more about someone’s willingness to work, passion drive and ability to adapt as opposed to their experience It s important for people to have empathy, to be open and flexible regardless of their age It s also important for me to see that someone cares and respects my working style Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone start from no experience and later develop into an award winning Chef Ultimately my advice for anyone with aspirations of pursuing a career in food and catering is to simply go for it Everyone deserves to find their happy place and thrive in an environment that makes them feel valued and supported When people ask me do I take pride in my job my response remains the same: My job is the most important job anyone could wish to pursue as every person must eat to survive, and food can be one of life s greatest pleasures This is why I always feel honoured and go home with a smile on my face when one of our resi dents compliments the food offering that has been specially made with nutrients and love There s no other feeling like it!
By Adrian Silaghi, Head of Catering Services at Nellsar (www nellsar com)
It s important that Chefs can teach and coach teams to work togeth er rather than as individuals as Chefs need to follow IDDSI guidance to ensure foods are the right consistency especially when residents have problems with biting chewing and swallowing This is to maintain resi dents’ safety and reduce the risk of choking or aspiration a serious requirement in Care Catering and linked specifically with IDDSI training With regards to training in the broader sense, we construct develop ment plans to discern what ongoing support each individual needs to ensure we are always focussed on their career development We want to encourage individuals to grow and innovate both in areas where they are strong but also less experienced At Princess Christian Care Centre, for example, all our Catering staff have been employed without any former kitchen experience We ve taken on staff with previous experience ranging from working at a petrol station for Coca Cola and even construction What I m keen to showcase is that we quickly realised that we couldn’t identify enough qualified staff locally so this motivated us to cast a wider net while solidifying our staff recruitment training and retention processes
Nutrition is unquestionably a critical part of a person’s health and development
Furthermore, according to Otsuka Pharmaceutical, a nutrient is typi cally considered essential if it must be taken in from outside the body in most cases, from food Our bodies are built and powered solely by what we choose to eat and drink The structural components that make up the human body such as muscles organs and bones are also com posed of the nutrients contained in food meaning that it is not just a fundamental requirement to secure our well being but also our sur vival As a result, eating and taking in the adequate nutrients that pro vide energy and become the components of our bodily structures is essential to sustaining human life
The team and residents at Bramwell care home explored the great outdoors with a sponsored walk of the care home car park in Bramcote Nottingham It began at 10am and finished when the team completed 100 laps The team worked with the residents to complete their goal of 100 laps to raise money for days out in the community and extra ameni ties in the home
The six classes of nutrients found in foods are carbohydrates, lipids (mostly fat and oils) proteins vitamins minerals and water as per Brittanica Indeed carbohydrates lipids and proteins constitute the bulk of any person’s diet though it’s important to consider that every one s diet is different
With the warm weather music and the support from friends and family the day went extremely well and ran smoothly from start to finish, thanks to the fantastic organization from Wellbeing Lead, Beverley Beverley Hamilton Wellbeing Lead at Bramwell, said: “We are so happy with how the event turned out today The residents did so well, and it was great to see so many people joining in and getting active With the music playing, the sun shining and lots of positive spirit it really was a great day!”
Why Social Care Represents One Of The Most Viable Routes To Developing Skills As A Qualified Chef
Eller Beck Court celebrated its one year anniversary of opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony that was carried out by Roger Ingham OBE Also in attendance was Kris Peach, Housing 21’s Executive Director of Extra Care; Cllr Simon Myers Chairman at Craven District Council; Ben Audsley Senior Service Development Officer Extra Care Rebecca Dukes Strategic Service Development Manager Extra Care and Assistive Technology and Mike Rudd, Head of Housing Technology and Sustainability all at North Yorkshire County Council among others
We are delighted with how our first year of operating has gone and we look forward to the years ahead We hope that our lovely residents agree that Eller Beck Court provides them with a safe, secure place to live independently with the assurance of the on site care team Catholic Care They are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are committed to providing a professional service to all residents ”
Specifically 40% of care home workers felt they couldn’t provide the quality of care that they would like to due to the time they spend on admin
Two Thirds of UK Care Home Staff Admit Resident Quality of Care and Nutritional Needs are Being Overlooked Due to Outdated Procedures
Safeguarding Adults, England, 2021 22 at https://tinyurl com/4t44jm24
The study which polled hundreds of care home professionals across the country found that two thirds of care home staff (66%) admitted the quality of resident care and the ability to cater properly for dietary and nutritional needs are some of the key areas being side lined as a result of obsolete practices The study also revealed that more than half (54%) of care home workers felt staff happiness was overlooked and 44% of work ers attribute the high turnover of staff in the care industry to low levels of pay
Over half (52%) of respondents agreed that care home inspections simply add further pressure to their role and would welcome a way to improve this process
Importantly 63% of care home managers link much of their day to day concerns to the wear and tear stresses placed upon their teams Lack of staffing and resource also continues to be a worry for the sector with 67% of care workers citing this as a key challenge Only 6% of care home pro fessionals said there is nothing that worries them in the day to day run ning of their care home Lack of time available to improve day to day quality of care is a clear issue When asked what aspects of their working day they would spend more time on if they could reduce the amount of paperwork more than half (56%) of care workers say they would like to improve the standard of resident care if they had more time in their day Likewise almost half (49%) of care professionals said they would improve staff satisfaction sug gesting that reducing admin would free up more time to focus on staff morale and happiness A further 49% would like extra time in their day to be more creative with resident social events and 42% of care home pro fessionals said they would be keen to spend more time on individual care planning Ollie Brand, CEO at Zupa explained: “Caring for the vulnera ble and elderly is time consuming and demanding It requires special ist skills and knowledge This study highlights that care home staff are having to deal with multiple chal lenges with little resource and only so many hours in the day There is also a direct correlation between what worries care home staff day to day and the quality of care they are physically able to deliver Patchy reporting outdated processes and a heavily reliance on manual updates simply adds to the frustration and puts greater pressure on already stretched staff This latest research highlights a clear relationship between what aspects of care are being overlooked and what staff would prioritise if they had more time in their day Almost three quarters (73%) of care home professionals who said they would improve staff satisfaction if they had more time also said staff happiness is side lined A further 55% of those who would like to improve the quality of resident care with more time also said care quality is overlooked due to time wasted on outdated processes
Following the ribbon cutting came a buffet a cake cutting ceremony and entertainment provided by Glynn McConnell and Barry Greaves Housing 21’s Eller Beck Court comprises 58 one and two bedroom apartments for people over the age of 55 The scheme has been delivered in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council Craven District Council, construction company The Casey Group care provider Catholic Care and supported by Homes England funding Beverley Weatherall Housing Manager for Eller Beck Court at Housing 21, said “What a fantastic day!
The latest information on safeguarding concerns reported to local authorities in England has been published by NHS Digital
This publication includes information on: The number of safeguarding concerns raised The number of safeguarding enquiries started How many safeguarding enquiries were completed throughout the year under Section 42 of the Care Act 20144 Enquiries are broken down by the type and location of safeguarding risk All data is available at local regional and national levels
More than a third of care home managers (32%) also said that keeping up with time intensive processes like day to day menu planning, allergens management, and recording resident data around nutrition and hydration worries them
See www zupa com for further information
Safeguarding Adults England 2021 221 provides details of safeguarding activity carried out by local authorities2 and relating to vulnerable adults with care and support needs Safeguarding Adults is a statutory duty for councils with adult social services responsibilities in England under the Care Act 2014 in order to safeguard adults from abuse or neglect The data is collected directly from these councils, also known as local authorities2 in this publication
The report also provides demographic information about individuals who were the subject of a Section 42 enquiry that started within the year as well as the outcomes of completed enquiries where a safe guarding risk was identified
Celebrations at Eller Beck Court as Residents Enjoy the Extra Care Scheme’s First Birthday Party
Brand added “Lack of staffing and resource is still a key concern for care homes It’s clear that in many cases, that the adoption of automated, fit for purpose technology could help alleviate many of these day to day pressures and interestingly those care professionals who said they would implement new technology if they had more time are most likely to say that staff happiness productivity of staff and quality of care are being side lined ”
Statistics on Adult Safeguarding Published in New Report
A further 41% were understandably concerned about the rising costs of food energy and inflation, while 30% of care home workers identified supplier issues, food shortages and run ning out of supplies as a growing concern
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A new, independent survey commissioned by eProcurement technolo gy firm Zupa has raised several concerns from care home professionals across the UK with 86% admitting that vital aspects of care provision are suffering at the hands of outdated and time consuming procedures with many staff struggling to fulfil their day to day roles The new data also highlights several care management challenges that need to be addressed to improve staff retention morale and the overall quality of residential care
The Safeguarding Adults data collection only includes cases of sus pected abuse where a local authority safeguarding service has been notified and has entered details onto their system It does not include cases where partner agencies have dealt with the allegation and not shared the information with the local authority It is likely that there are cases of suspected abuse that have not been reported to local authori ties
All of NHS Digital s statistics on adult social care are available via the new Adult Social Care Data Hub which includes links to the publica tions dashboards and information about the data collections
Read the full report
Cllr Michael Harrison at North Yorkshire County Council said Extra Care is a great place to live if you need a bit more help and support and that is why North Yorkshire County Council was so pleased to work with Housing 21 and Craven District Council to bring Eller Beck Court into use “It has clearly been a success since residents first moved in and will be a fantastic resource for the area for many years to come We have a strong commitment to making sure North Yorkshire residents lead safe and happy lives and Extra Care is an important part of that ” Eller Beck Court was the first Extra Care scheme which utilised the expertise of Housing 21 s in house interior designer Specialist design features were implemented to support residents living with dementia
Individuals will continue to be protected through vaccination and access to antivirals where eligible Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Thanks to the success of our world leading vaccination roll out, we are able to continue living with Covid and from 31 August we will pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high risk settings
The vaccination programme means Covid cases have now fallen to 40 027 and the risk of transmission has reduced Deaths have fallen to 744 and hospitalisations to 6 005 in the last seven days meaning wider asymptomatic testing can soon end as planned in most instances
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 21
“This comes as the NHS is planning for what is widely expected to be the busiest winter on record with a triple threat of Covid flu and norovirus and against a backdrop of 105 000 vacancies crumbling estate rising treatment backlogs and an under supported social care sector
“Our upcoming autumn booster programme will offer jabs to protect those at greatest risk from severe Covid, and I urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer ”
Regular asymptomatic testing for Covid in all remaining settings in England will be paused from 31 August, as Covid cases continue to fall Free testing for the public ended on 1 April as part of the government s Living with Covid plan but asymptomatic testing continued to be used in some settings including care homes during periods of high case rates
Responding to the Government s announcement Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said: “NHS leaders will put their faith in the experts that this decision is the right one but after over two years of the pandemic they know that it doesn t take much for cases to increase again and that much of the spread of coronavirus previously including within healthcare settings was from people who were asymptomatic
Person centred care is the buzz word of the social and care sectors Everyone knows about it; every one supports it and apparently everyone does it But if that s the case then why is it not the everyday lived experience in our care culture? MCM recognises that individual well being is not an ‘individual’ matter Our relationships with the peo ple places and things that have shaped our life journey make us who we are and sustain our sense of per sonhood Engaging in moments, experiences and activities that resonate with who we are and meet our needs for love attachment belonging agency occupation comfort and attachment makes life meaning ful Individual ill being occurs when these relationships are undermined and life lacks meaning and pur pose when such connections are absent in our daily lives Meaningful relationships make us feel secure free and able and help us to feel at home in ourselves Having a diagnosis disease cognitive or physical impairments does not take these feelings away from us it just makes these relationships matter even more Nurturing these person centred relationships is there fore key to sustaining individual well being and developing an emotionally resilient culture of care Collaboratively; we can achieve improved care cultures which are meaningful without compromising compliance and best practice A culture where people are ‘ Free to be Me’ Do you dare to be different? We do www meaningfulcarematters com : admin@meaningfulcarematters com Phone: 01273 242 335 See the advert below for further details
“This reflects the fact case rates have fallen and the risk of transmission has reduced though we will con tinue to closely monitor the situation and work with sectors to resume testing should it be needed Those being admitted into care homes will continue to be tested
• Parts of the prison estate and some places of detention; and Certain domestic abuse refuges and homelessness settings Testing will remain in place for admissions into care homes and hospices from both hospitals and the community and for transfers for immunocompromised patients into and within hospital to protect those who are most vulnerable Testing will also be available for outbreaks in certain high risk settings such as care homes Year round symptomatic testing will continue to be provided in some settings including: NHS patients who require testing as part of established clinical pathways or those eligible for Covid treat ments;
• Staff and detainees in prisons; and Staff and service users of certain domestic abuse refuges and homelessness services
Regular Asymptomatic Testing Paused in Additional Settings
• NHS staff and staff in NHS funded independent healthcare provision; Staff in adult social care services and hospices and residents of care homes extra care and supported living settings and hospices;
“As services gear up for rolling out the autumn boosters from next month, members have also reflected that the timing of this policy change could downplay how serious Covid still is and could undermine mes sages around the need to get vaccinated
“While the policy change could free up capacity within hospital and other services it remains vital that the experts keep this position under close review and if needed be prepared to revise it
Symptomatic testing in high risk settings will continue Settings where asymptomatic testing of staff and patients or residents will be paused include: The NHS (including independent health care providers treating NHS patients); Adult social care and hospice services (apart from new admissions)
Dare to be Different
Music Health a Music Wellness Technology innovator has developed and launched Vera an intuitive music intervention tool designed for the care of people affected by dementia Through a strategic industry first agreement Vera App users are able to access the entire catalogue from Universal Music Group (UMG) the world s leading music based enter tainment company to develop personalised music stations specifically designed to improve the lives of people living with dementia every day
The 2022 Wales Care Awards the 20th annual awards, will take place on Friday October 21 in Cardiff’s City Hall
Paul Sutton Renata Odhiambo y Award
Set up in 2005 by healthcare specialists
South Wales based Ludlow Street Healthcare is celebrating after receiving nominations for a number of influential industry awards
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The staff nominees, who are based across Ludlow Street Healthcare s services in south Wales are Alex Pawson who was shortlisted for the Exceptional Newcomer Award, and Casey Ellis, Paul Sutton, Renata Odhiambo and Rhys Swinfen for the Outstanding Service Award Paul Sutton has worked for Ludlow Street Healthcare since 2009 and is currently the organisation’s quality and development manager Paul is deeply committed to service users and has developed initiatives outside the scope of his role, such as his ‘dog spoiling initiative’ which involved bringing his dog Daisy May into meet service users many of them isolated from their families during the pandemic Paul said: I m thrilled to be nominated alongside such brilliant col leagues The last few years have been especially tough for our service users and colleagues and for so many of us to be recognised for our work means a lot Alex Pawson is a support worker at Pinetree Court Hospital Cardiff, he said: During the pandemic I found a way of combining my passions for art and music with my work This wasn t just personally fulfilling but also really engaged our service users at a difficult time which was such a thrill I m very grateful to have been nominated for this award it is recognition of the hard work of the whole Pinetree Court team ” David Lawrence Chief Executive at Ludlow Street Healthcare said: Our service user who has been nominated is a real inspiration at Heatherwood She has a genuine passion and commitment for bringing staff and service users together as a team to create a better environment for everyone; It is so gratifying that that her hard work has been recognized in this way
Five of its staff have been shortlisted for the prestigious Wales Care Awards and a service user is a finalist in the National Service User Awards
“Vera provides playlists that are targeted and tailored to how each of our residents relates to their favourite songs It’s an amazing innovation And family members love it as they can participate in a shared experi ence with mum or dad grandad or nanna ” says Matt Kowald General Manager, Integrated Care at Barossa Village Vera is currently in trials with BUPA, an international healthcare com pany headquartered in the UK serving more than 31 million customers across the world, as well as several of Australia’s most innovative health and aged care providers offering hospital care, residential care and com munity services Vera is available in the U K for GBP £69 99 for a 12 month care plan Visit www veramusic com for further details
Vera announces strategic collaboration with Universal Music Group, allowing its users therapeutic access to the world’s largest music catalogue
The announcement follows the launch at Universal Music UK of the Power Of Music, a report from UK Music and Music for Dementia, which outlines a blueprint to use music to help transform communities and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing It includes a commitment from Universal Music UK to develop a dynamic online resource which will serve as a music and dementia information hub
“All of our staff deserve recognition for their incredible dedication over the last few years but I’m sure they will all join me in congratulating Alex Casey Paul Renata and Rhys on their nominations
“The five of them have consistently gone above and beyond in their work and put our service users at the heart of everything they do The National Service User Awards will be announced at Colwick Park Hall, Nottinghamshire on 14th September
As an exclusive launch partner UMG brings a diverse and comprehen sive global music catalogue to Vera users Vera is now approved by Apple for download via the AppStore in Australia Canada New Zealand the UK and the USA with the cross sec tor Music for Dementia campaign welcoming the launch to help improve the lives of people impacted by dementia
The launch is the culmination of Music Health’s rigorous three year development process which involved global research and development of the underlying technology that allows Vera to curate the perfect song at the right time for every individual listener
Apple’s AppStore Deploying the World’s Largest Music Catalogue from Universal Music Group
The Wales Care Awards is an annual event run by Care Forum Wales to showcase best practice across the care sector while the National Service User Awards are designed to celebrate service user projects and the co production work that is being supported in inpatient services UK wide Ludlow Street Healthcare specialises in providing care for adults over the age of 18 with complex mental health problems autism, learning disabilities, and neuropsychiatric conditions including dementia and acquired brain injuries and staff who work for them can be proud that they really make a difference to the lives of service users
The Awards will be presented in three categories gold silver and bronze and are an important part of raising the profile of care workers and educating the public about the vital work of the care sector
Care Staff Shortlisted for Prestigious Industr
Grace Meadows campaign director, Music for Dementia, says, Research shows that music is much more impactful for people living with dementia when it holds meaning and is associated with moments from someone’s life In our recently launched Power of Music report which sets out how we can be harnessing the power of music more to support health and wellbeing we emphasised the need for a person alised approach to embedding music in health and social care and the Vera App helps carers to do that ”
The service user who is based at Heatherwood Court hospital in Pontypridd has been nominated for their hard work and dedication in setting up a Recovery College to the benefit of all service users This includes establishing and running a quarterly magazine, creating and chairing a patient council, and mentoring other service users
Ludlow Street Healthcare provides transition focused healthcare and bespoke step down services, including specialist assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and education throughout Wales and the South West of England The organisation has developed a reputation for its per son centred approach, community focused settings and specialist staff Since its inception Ludlow Street Healthcare has supported and cared for over 800 people For over a decade it has worked in partnership with the NHS developing services and investing in the necessary health infrastructure and staff training to support patients on their journey to recovery and a more inde pendent and fulfilling life through step down to community living improving social integration and inclusion
Dementia Management Tool ‘Vera’ Launches on
The power of personalised music to affect a significant improvement in cognitive function for people in dementia care is evidenced by interna tional scientists and neurologists, including award winning neuroscientist and best selling author, Daniel J Levitin; the late physician, best selling author and professor of neurology, Dr Oliver Sacks; and Ronald Devere, M D , director of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center in Austin, Texas Vera analyses the age of the dementia affected person, where they grew up and how they react to certain music It uses these criteria to autonomously curate the right songs at the right times to effectively manage the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) More than 80 percent of people living with dementia experience BPSD manifesting as agitation aggression depression or confusion Vera stimulates the part of the brain responsible for long term memory to help manage the impact of BPSD easing the care routine of those liv ing with dementia Listening to personally significant music all the note worthy songs from our own life is shown to effectively decrease the effects of BPSD helping to improve mood cognitive function motor functions and brain plasticity Vera curates songs from UMG s unrivalled catalogue the world s largest most diverse and culturally rich collection of blues classical country folk jazz pop R&B reggae rock ‘n’ roll soul and soundtracks The songs are autonomously curated and played directly from the Vera app via speakers or headphones With more than 20 000 hours of observation and rigorous analysis combined with research from the Global Centre for Modern Ageing con firms that Vera has a significant positive impact on the quality of life of people dealing with BPSD While not a cure, Vera is a tool that can tem porarily improve the cognitive function and mood of the person living with dementia making it easier to care for them Stephen Hunt, Music Health co founder, says, “We’ve built Vera to know and find the music that means the most and has the biggest effect for each person living with dementia It acts like a music detective, that seeks out tunes that they used to love a long time ago but may have for gotten about which their carers may have never heard of and their fami lies may not even know ” Vera is a product of Australian collabora tive innovation Music Health credits Barossa Village Dementia Australia the Australian Department of Health and the Global Centre For Modern Ageing (GCMA) for helping realise the innovation since 2019 Michael Nash, UMG s Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy says, “From rig orous workouts to peaceful meditation to restorative sleep cycles, music is deeply integrated into numerous innovations pro moting health and wellbeing Now scientists are finding that music is also a powerful tool for helping those suffering from the effects of dementia and memory loss At UMG we are working with a wide range of companies to develop therapeutical applications of music and we re proud to partner with Music Health on Vera to help improve the lives of so many around the world Barossa Village an aged care organisa tion worked with Music Health to refine the app and validate the impact Vera has on people living with dementia This included daily monitoring of the changes Vera had on the people being cared for at Barossa Village as listening sessions were integrated into the daily routine of care Findings from the studies showed an overall increase in quality of life for participants especially after using Vera for several months You can view a video of Barossa Village’s experience here
The study found that the overall median amount of time that people were infectious was five days Though 24 out of 38 people tested positive on a PCR test before they developed symptoms of COVID 19 this does not indicate infec tiousness and most people only became infectious after they devel oped symptoms Only one in five participants were infectious before symptom onset (7 out of 35 cases)
unvacc nated cases 13
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 23
Previous studies estimating how long someone is infectious for have been a laboratory based human challenge study [1] or have used mathematical modelling The new study followed people who were exposed to someone with PCR confirmed COVID 19 in their home between September2020 and March 2021 (pre Alpha SARS CoV 2 virus and Alpha variant waves) and May October 2021 (Delta variant wave), including some who were vac cinated and others who were not [2] Participants completed daily questionnaires about their symptoms [3] and did daily nasal and throat swabs that were sent to a laboratory for PCR testing PCR positive samples were then tested to determine if they contained infectious virus and how infectious the virus was The researchers also completed 652 lateral flow tests on the samples to determine how accurate lateral flow tests were at identifying actual infectiousness as opposed to PCR positivity
Oldest Sur
Player Makes Emotional Return
[2 Overal
A new study of 57 people with mild COVID 19 estimates how long people are infectious for and when they can safely leave isolation The research, which is led by Imperial College London and pub lished in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal is the first to unveil how long infectiousness lasts for after natural COVID 19 infection in the community
rece ved two vacc ne doses and
Current NHS guidance [4] suggests that people should try to stay at home and avoid contact with others for just five days
east wo o the fo low ng sore throat musc e aches headache and appet te loss [4 https //www nhs uk/cond t ons/coronav rus covid 19/se f solation and trea ment/when o self so ate and what to do/
Among those present at the Royal Star & Garter tour of Adams Park were Wycombe Wanderers Trust President Karen Adams, and WWEPA Chair Alan Hutchinson who delivered a presentation before making John a member John said later: “I really enjoyed the day and being back at Wycombe Wanderers Royal Star & Garter Wellbeing Coordinator Emma James who helped arrange the visit said: With our close links to Wycombe Wanderers it was lovely to visit Adams Park with John and other Royal Star & Garter residents John loves talking about football and you could see how much fun he had on the day The club pulled out all the stops for resi dents and I want to thank them for a very special day WWEPA Chair Alan Hutchinson said: “Wycombe Ex Players Association were delighted to welcome back Johnny Brooks to the Wanderers home 70 years after he last pulled on the club shirt It was a personal pleasure to present him with our Association tie and induct him as our very first Honorary Member He enjoyed viewing the all the memorabilia we have on show in Monty s Bar and know that it brought back many happy memories It was a special day for us and him ”
Study author Professor Ajit Lalvani Director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections at Imperial said “We closely monitored people in their homes from when they were first exposed to the virus capturing the moment when they developed infection through until they ceased being infectious Before this study we were missing half of the picture about infectiousness because it s hard to know when people are first exposed to SARS CoV 2 and when they first become infectious By using special daily tests to measure infectious virus (not just PCR) and daily symptom records we were able to define the window in which people are infectious This is fundamen tal to controlling any pandemic and has not been previously defined for any respiratory infection in the community ”
Samples from a total of 57 people were used, but not all were included in some analyses because of some participants not sharing information about their symptoms some people not shedding cultur able virus and some people shedding infectious virus before or beyond the sampling period As a result the duration of infectiousness was measured in 42 people There were 38 people with a confirmed date of when their symptoms started and three were asymptomatic REAL WORLD TIMELINE OF INFECTIOUSNESS
Into When People with COVID-19 are Infectious
They also suggest that while lateral flow tests do not detect the start of infectiousness well they more accurately identify when someone is no longer infectious and can safely leave isolation
The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research
Wycombe Wanderers FC welcomed its oldest surviving player back to the club during a visit by residents from Royal Star & Garter Veteran John Brooks played for the Buckinghamshire club in the late 1940s The 94 year old was one of eight residents from Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe to tour Adams Park home of Wycombe Wanderers on 23 August John was met by club dignitaries and presented with a Wycombe Wanderers’ tie He was also made an honorary member of the Wycombe Wanderers Ex Players Association (WWEPA) John played for the Wanderers across two spells 1945 46 and 1947 49 and played many more games for the reserves At the time the club was based at Loakes Park and John played right back or centre half He eventually moved on to the successful Ernest Turner s Sports side where he featured with several other ex Wycombe players In between his two spells with the Wanderers John joined the Navy for his National Service He went on to play football for the service During the tour of Adams Park John and fellow Royal Star & Garter residents were shown around the ground, visiting the changing rooms, going through the players’ tunnel and standing pitch side
References: [1]https //www
To help understand when people may be able to safely leave isola tion the researchers compared levels of infectiousness with lateral flow test results
MOST COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE COURSE OF INFECTIOUSNESS TO DATE
Based on their findings the researchers recommend that people with COVID 19 isolate for five days after symptoms begin then com plete lateral flow tests from the sixth day If these tests are negative two days in a row it is safe to leave isolation If a person continues to test positive or do not have access to lateral flow devices, they should remain in isolation and in order to minimise transmission to others only leave on the 10th day after their symptoms began Professor Lalvani said: Self isolation is not necessary by law but people who want to isolate need clear guidance on what to do The NHS currently advises that if you test positive for COVID 19 you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days but our data suggest that under a crude five day self isolation period two thirds of cases released into the community would still be infec tious though their level of infectiousness would have substantially reduced compared to earlier in the course of their infection
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Most participants in the study were white, middle aged, had a healthy BMI and had no medical conditions In other age groups and in those with medical conditions, these results may vary as they may be slower at clearing the virus A person’s infectiousness is one factor involved in transmission alongside behavioural and environmental factors such as where peo ple are mixing and if they are in close proximity to one another
There is some evidence that Omicron variants have a lower viral load and shed for less time than other variants and the researchers note that their recommendations may be cautious but still applicable if this is true
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SAFELY SELF ISOLATING
Co author Dr Seran Hakki also from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute said There is no longer a legal requirement to self iso late if you test positive for COVID 19, but most people still want to iso late until they are not infectious Despite this there is lack of clarity around how to come out of self isolation safely Our study is the first to assess how long infectiousness lasts for using real life evidence from naturally acquired infection Our findings can thus inform guidance as to how to safely end self isolation ” She adds If you test positive for COVID 19 or have symptoms after being in contact with someone with confirmed COVID 19, you should try to stay at home and minimise contact with other people
First Real-World Study Gives Detailed New Insights
CoV 2 var ants [3 The
cough fever oss or change n sme l or aste and/or hav ng
The study did not assess the Omicron variants currently circulating
The paper is available at: https://doi org/10 1016/S2213 2600(22)00226 0 mper a ac uk/news/233514/cov d 19 human cha lenge s udy revea s deta led/ 25 of 57 cases had were infected 32 were A Alpha and seven with De SARS researchers class ed COV symptoms as at
Wycombe Wanderers Chair Rob Couhig added: Wycombe Wanderers means a lot to such a fantastic range of people young and old and it s brilliant to hear that the residents of Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe enjoyed their day at our proud home It s particularly touching to know that John Brooks was able to attend and share his stories from playing for the club with other residents We have a very close relationship with our Ex Players Association and having John as their newest and oldest! member is a great signing for us to make Thanks to the team at Royal Star & Garter for arranging this visit and we hope to welcome the residents back to Adams Park in the future ”
Combining our results with what we know about the dynamics of Omicron infections, we believe that the duration of infectiousness we ve observed is broadly generalisable to current SARS CoV 2 vari ants though their infectious window may be a bit shorter Our evidence can be used to inform infection control policies and self isolation guid ance to help reduce the transmission of SARS CoV 2 ”
They found that the sensitivity of these tests in identifying when someone was infectious was poor at the start of infection but high after peak levels of infectiousness (sensitivity of 67% vs 92% respec tively) This suggests lateral flow tests are good at spotting when someone is no longer infectious and testing to release people from isolation may work but they are not reliable for early diagnosis unless used daily
“NHS guidance for those with symptoms but who test negative is less clear about how long people should isolate for Our study finds that infectiousness usually begins soon after you develop COVID 19 symptoms We recommend that anyone who has been exposed to the virus and has symptoms isolates for five days then uses daily lateral flow tests to safely leave isolation when two consecutive daily tests are negative
w th the De ta var ant Of the
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Wycombe Wanderers’ viving
The findings suggest that in people who develop symptoms the majority are not infectious before symptoms develop but two thirds of cases are still infectious five days after their symptoms begin
Although levels of infectiousness reduced during the course of infection 22 of 34 cases continued to shed infectious virus five days after symptoms began and eight of these people continued to shed infectious virus at seven days
D 19
The study team conducted detailed daily tests from when people were exposed to SARS CoV 2 to look at how much infectious virus they were shedding throughout their infection
The NACC Friday Morning Kitchen Is Back!
Clean hands on clean goods should be the dominant rule for all working procedures
A well planned sluice room along with a good hand hygiene programme are both key to an effective infection control program
Ahrq gov AHRQ s Hea thcare Associated Infect ons Program Availab e at: www ahrq gov/ha /index
Prevent on and
ostridium d ffic le infect ons ECDC Annua ep dem ological report for 2016 https //www ecdc europa eu/sites/defau t/f les/documents/AER for 2016 C d ffici e 0 pdf accessed June 2022 i Ar o C inica Wh tepaper Flusher Dis nfectors Reduc ng the r sk of cross contam nat on 2019 v Kn ppenberg Gordebeke G 2012 Bedpans and healthcare assoc ated nfect ons Hosp tal Healthcare Europe Hospital Healthcare Europe https //www hosp talhealthcare com/news/bedpans and healthcare associated infections/ accessed June 2022 F gure 1 © 2022 Arjo show ng the Arjo Typhoon flusher d s nfector PAGE 24 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
Age UK has responded to Ofgem s announcement that price cap will rise by 80% to £3,549 from 1st October 2022 Caroline Abrahams Charity Director at Age UK said: Although the ballpark figure for the new price cap had been trailed in advance there will be many older people for whom this announcement is completely new and a huge shock Millions of pensioners will now be coming to terms with the reality of what it means for them: the prospect of trying somehow to get through the autumn and winter with prices soar ing and yet with very little flex in their fixed incomes It’s a truly frighten ing prospect and one that most could not have prepared for and never expected to face at this point in their lives I think a lot of older people will be utterly bewildered that it has come to this and will also feel badly let down and I can t say I blame them “The new Prime Minister must make their first act providing additional support for the millions of households in our country whom rising inflation is set to overwhelm among them many pensioners We are fast approaching a national emergency which will leave a significant proportion of the population unable to afford even a basic standard of living Every day older people are telling us how scared they are; they need urgent reassurance from the Government that they will not abandon them “It s later than the Government thinks: we understand that there is essentially a transition underway between one Prime Minister and the next but every day the economic forecasts seem to worsen and yet there is no clear word from the centre about how they will respond Unfortunately, this is increasing the sense of insecurity many older people feel “That’s why the new Government must act quickly to give older people hope and confidence In the meantime it would be extremely helpful if both candidates made it clear that they will stand by those with most to fear from soaring inflation among them many pensioners over the diffi cult months to come As a matter of urgency, Age UK is calling on the Government to: Provide a significant new package of financial support which will fully mitigate the impact of these price rises for vulnerable consumers • Help those older people who are at greatest risk of missing out on energy support particularly the around 1 million older households with a pre payment meter those living in park homes those who are ‘off grid’ care home residents and people without access to the internet Reassure older people in Northern Ireland that help will reach them despite the lack of a sitting Assembly Keep their promise to reinstate the triple lock in April 2023
2021
Automated operation features such as infra red door operation (as shown in Figure 1) to avoid contaminating the device exterior can help to reduce the risk of cross contamination while delivering highly effective cleaning and disinfection results
The hand washbasin should be placed close to the entrance and equipped with dispensers for soap and disin fectant disposable paper towels and a waste paper bin The mixer tap should be eas ly operated touch free or with an arm / elbow Plan for suff cient power supply hot and cold water inlets and suitable drainage for the flusher disinfector sink and slop hopper (optional)
BOOK YOUR PLACE
Minimising caregiver exposure to human waste during its disposal in the sluice room is fundamental
COLIN WHEELER JAMES Culinary Director, Ground Up Cookery School European Development Chef IMCD Over 30 years as a professional chef has seen Colin work in a variety of different roles from charter yachts and boutique hotels to leading contract catering companies before moving into manufacturing for a leading distributor in the food industry Having grown up on a small island in the Inner Hebrides Colin has always been surrounded by the finest seasonal and foraged ingredients compelled to make the most of them OF COURSE WE CAN'T FORGET MC NIGEL BARDEN Nigel Barden is a food and drink broadcaster, who works on the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show on Greatest Hits Radio and previously on Scala Radio He was also on air with Simon and Chris Evans, on their Sony Gold award winning BBC Radio 2 shows for 12 years and he s worked with Robert Elms on BBC Radio London for 25 years He specialises in promoting British ingredients and artisan producers particularly in his role as chairman of judges for The Great Taste Awards Farm Shop & Deli Awards, World Cheese Awards British Cookery School Awards Deliciously Yorkshire and host of the National Fish & Chip and Ice Cream Alliance Awards Nigel hosts the Chef Demo Stages at Tom Kerridge s Pub in the Park festivals in Marlow Bath Leeds Knutsford Chiswick Warwick Tunbridge Wells & St Albans ONLINE HERE THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO PICK UP SOME TOP TIPS SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ON ESSENTIAL INGRE DIENTS AND THE BEST WAY TO INCORPORATE THESE INTO YOUR MENUS DOWNLOAD THE DELEGATE BROCHURE HERE Please return your completed booking form to info@thenacc co uk
Locate the soiled utility room close to point of care to avoid long transport routes
European Centre for Disease Control Hea thcare assoc ated nfect C
In the sluice room, some additional considerations are as follows:
Introduce a social tariff into the energy market which discounts bills for those most in need automati cally enrols eligible households sits alongside existing support and is mandatory for all suppliers • Help insulate vulnerable consumers from spiralling energy bills by investing in household energy effi ciency for those on the lowest incomes
As one of the most common sources of pre ventable harm, healthcare associated infec tions are among the leading threats to resident safety and are common, costly and often fatal Good infection prevention practices are vital to keeping residents and healthcare staff safe
Efficiencies in Sluice Room Design
Caregivers can be exposed to splashes and aerosolsiv during manual cleaning of bedpans and urine bottles or when emptying waste which can lead to caregiver illness or cross infection with residents For this rea son having an efficiently designed sluice room flusher disinfector and an efficient waste management process are key to minimise the risk of cross infection
2018
Good ventilation is requ red to keep the room cool and dry and to help remove odours
LOUISE WAGSTAFFE Director Delicious by Design Louise is a culinary entrepreneur and experienced chef, with over three decades of experience of the food industry She is currently Chef Director at Delicious By Design established in 2009 She works with major manufacturers to support schools and Healthcare In 2021 the Craft Guild of Chefs named Louise as one of 44 Culinary Heroes, for her extraordinary work during the Covid pandemic Louise graduated from University College Birmingham in 1992 with the award as top student of the year She lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and two children
Age UK Responds to Ofgem’s Price Cap Increase
Floors and walls should be made of a water resistant material along with surfaces which are easy to clean and d sinfect
So choosing the right equipment for human waste disposal processes is essential to min imise the transmission of preventable infec tions
References
ons:
As part of this must attend training forum for care caterers and based on The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) s version of Ready Steady Cook Vs Saturday Morning Kitchen chefs from the NACC will focus on creating a selection of mood enhancing ‘plant based’ recipes that will be accompa nied by a range of delicious gluten free dishes
html accessed June 2022
THE PLANNING OF A SLUICE ROOM Planning the workspace is crucial when designing a sluice room it should be equipped with a collection point for soiled goods a hand washbasin a flusher disinfector and storage for clean goods These are the four cornerstones to maintain good infection control routines
Eliminating the need for manual cleaning flusher disinfectors effectively empty clean and disinfect receptacles such as bedpans, urinals and commode chair pans
In recent years, the need for rapidly efficacious, high level disinfec tants has increased as HCAIs have become a significant issue HCAIs negatively impact the patient recovery, turnover and average cost by increasing the length of patient stays increasing costs associated with care increasing pathogenic effects and increasing the risk of spread to another patient MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
Carol Scholey (RGN, BSc (hons)) Liam Grimshaw (BSc (hons) MSc by Research)
Consolidate your buying to save time countless hours are spent dealing with many different suppliers to buy everything a care home needs: phoning one, meeting another online and offline Wippet has more than 30 suppliers and 50 000 products all in one website Each order only needs 1 basket one login and you get one invoice saving you tine that could be spent better elsewhere Save time with automatic reordering another load of time is easily wasted doing the same things week
From this data routine cleaning CFU counts with Peracide™ can be predicted Since there were slightly fewer CFUs than the pre clean it can be predicted that Peracide™ will lead to a cumulative effect over time as shown in Figure 2 Predicted cumulative effect of daily cleaning with Peracide This emphasises the absolute importance of regular routine cleaning and shows that Peracide™ is effective both in short and long term use
Why are you thankful for working in the care sector? The Care Show will feature Gratitude Wall where everyone is encouraged to write what they are grateful for Your team your manager being able to help others? All the answers will be shared after the show to show the impact each and every one is having on social care Mike Corbett Group Event Director said “The support we had at last year’s Care Show was phenomenal and we have decided to help and give back to the industry we are privileged to serve We listened to all the feedback from last October and keen to make sure we actioned all the points made, so we can offer the best experience to everyone involved”
When it comes to inflation and the rising costs of providing care the summer of dis content will all too soon become the win ter of despair Plus with 10% vacancies in the care workforce we all have to do more with much less time So here are five tips from wippet com for fighting inflation and beating the clock just pick and choose what works for you: Compare prices many suppliers will rely on their customers not looking around for the best prices But if you always do what you’ve always done you always get what you always got On Wippet we have a price comparison function Once you’ve registered and logged in at wippet com you can select a number of items to compare clearly on a page making sure you get the best available value
Overall, it was found that the ClO2 based disinfectant was almost entirely ineffective and was not suitable for use There are many possi ble reasons for this It could be a case of error in preparation as the for mulation can be difficult to use correctly or that the solution was no longer efficacious as there is no indicative mechanism for the user It may also be an issue with the ClO2 based disinfectant in solution ClO2 exists as a gas which readily diffuses out of liquid solution with a diffu sion coefficient of 0 145cm2s 1 at room temperature (Lee, Burgess, Rubino and Auras 2015) On the other hand, Peracide™ was considerably more effective and had lasting effect in a high traffic environment Peracide™ coming in a simple tablet form is easy to use is indicative of efficacy and is sta bilised in solution This accumulates to an easy to use visibly effica cious disinfectant with cumulative effect that supports long term infection control
Cleaning had not been performed on either side room with Peracide™ prior to this test The results show that the ClO2 based disin fectant showed no effect at the intervals measured
Getting back to mass gatherings can be overwhelming and this year the Care Show will feature a Quiet & relax room off the show floor allowing delegates to gather their thoughts and have a chance to look through the programme and floorplan in peace More networking opportunities were requested and this October the Care Show will launch the Beer and Bubbles Bar welcoming delegates to come and socialise with each other share updates or just enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly for attending the show
INTRODUCTION
in week out With Wippet once you’ve selected the products you regularly need you can add them all to your basket in a couple of clicks to re order the next time And of course you can change quantity or cancel any items at checkout Request a quote as they say if you don t ask you don t get With Wippet s RFQ (Request for Quote) func tion you can contact any of our suppliers and ask if they can do a better price for you If you need help using it see our bonus track below! Buy bigger and less frequently Often buying larger amounts of the regular products you need but buy ing them less frequently means you can either get a better price or save on delivery costs or both! There are minimum order values for free delivery on most products on Wippet and if you don t know Bonus track find somebody to help you Wippet’s chat function is on our site to help It usually has a real person answering your queries but if nobody is available it’ll store your question until the earliest moment we can answer it We have a dedicated team of Customer Success Managers eager to help you get the best out of Wippet So, if you’re buying for a residential home and you want to see how Wippet can help you fight inflation and save valuable time, just get in touch Our Customer Success Managers can help over the phone online or may even be able to come to your home to show you first hand how to make the most of Wippet Hope to hear from you soon! www wippet com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the participants at DBTH for engaging in this trial and to the laboratory team who performed the necessary assays
PAGE 26 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
As an alternative to a ClO2 based disinfectant Peracide™ was selected Peracide™ is a broad spectrum biocide, reacting to produce peracetic acid in situ which is a high level disinfectant that boasts strong oxidizing properties Peracide™ is extremely effective against a wide range of healthcare associated pathogens including spore form ing Clostridium difficile, MRSA, Norovirus, Legionella, E Coli, Pseudomonas etc and will work to destroy established biofilms Peracide™ is both safe to use and environmentally friendly and is suit able for high level sanitising and disinfecting on porous and non porous surfaces Unlike other disinfectants Peracide™ is minimally affected by organic matter Upon breakdown Peracide™ is completely biodegradable producing carbon dioxide water and oxygen Two side rooms on the same ward were selected The occupants were of similar admissions reasons and neither of which had any alert organisms so did not occupy the room for isolation purposes
The results show that there is no cumulative effect of cleaning from the ClO2 based disinfectant as the counts at the end of the day were no different from before or after the clean The ClO2 based disinfec tant showed approximately no efficacy overall In comparison Peracide™ showed good efficacy to begin with and an overall reduc tion prior to the next clean
Introduction of Peracide™ from Sky Chemicals to Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust
A new dedicated educational campaign has been cre ated around the people in care Covering leadership motivation self belief recruitment retention personal health and mental health across the two days the Care Show team want to let those in care know there are people and companies out there who can help improve your day to day life With people at the heart of the show the team have also decided to strengthen its partnership with The Care Workers’ Charity and will be offering A donation of £1 50 for every care provider who attends the show
In the transfer of an NHS Trust from one disinfectant to another there are many factors to con sider from ease of use to effica cy against healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) For many years Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust (DBTH) used a chlorine dioxide (ClO2) based product as their universal one application quick kill rate disinfection solu tion When the supplier announced it was to cease pro duction they had to find a replacement solution Whilst scoping the market it was found that most trusts were using chlorine based disinfectants or a different brand of ClO2 based disin fectants Most other solutions were complicated in their mechanism or required a cleaning and disinfecting clean (two stage), which would be time consuming Information was sort from the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) to see what products were commonly used throughout the country and this is where DBTH were informed about Peracide™ an in situ peracetic acid (ISPAA) based disinfectant After further discus sion with the company, it was agreed that a trial should take place to confirm the claims of the product
Tips
Sponsorship opportunities are still available Contact m corbett@closerstillmedia com for more details Go to https://rfg circdata com/publish/TheCare22/?source=thecarerPR to register your complimentary pass to attend the Care Show or head over to our website
The Care Show is Dedicated to the People Who Care the Most
A further donation of £1 50 for every care provider who attends a session within the People, Workforce & Wellbeing Theatre A Care Workers’ Charity Shop Your chance to support your charity by buying “Choose our carers” t shirts and pin badges The Care Workers Charity are delighted that the Care Show is so supportive of the sector and giving back to the industry they serve We have been a long term supporter of the Care Show, the main event for care providers to attend and delighted that we have such a strong presence when carers need our help more than ever ” Karolina Gerlich, Chief Executive Officer, The Care Workers’ Charity
The product was introduced to the microbiologist and Director Infection Prevention & Control (DIPC) our Facilities management team and Health and Safety advisor The process of using the product needed to meet the needs of facilities and Health and Safety and the approval of the DIPC that the product had a successful kill rate to reduce HCAIs DBTH did plate assays to ensure its efficacy and when satisfied, trialled Peracide™ on two wards to test its efficacy and ease in use
DISCUSSION
page
On the 12 and 13 October, Care Show at the NEC Birmingham will welcome back thousands of managers, directors, c suite level and owners from home care providers, nursing homes and care homes through its’ doors One of the main focus areas at the Care Show is all about you the people Without a committed workforce without solid leadership and without those looking to improve quality of care the sector would struggle
NEW FEATURE AREAS
REFERENCES Lee, Y , Burgess, G , Rubino, M and Auras, R , 2015 React on and diffus on of chlorine d oxide gas under dark and light cond tions at d fferent temperatures Journal of Food Eng neering 144 pp 20 28 For further information see 40
Five to Fight Inflation and Beat the Clock
We are delighted to announce that Hutton Vi Afternoon Tea Week competition which we lau tessentially great British traditions All that we asked was for care homes around ebrations and send us some photographs of you That was it! We wanted to encourage care homes to tap i delicious treats to help bring a bit of elegance a day” And you did us proud We were truly overwhe hundreds we are delighted to say! (And it did ta Once again we are sorry we could only pick o the nominations were truly wonderful and inspir dedication care homes around the country took occasion! So very well done to you all and very well do see a selection of your very special celebrations Carer Readers Celebrate Housteads Residential Care Home, Shef field Hunters Down Care Home, Huntingdon Silverpoint Cour t Residential Care Home, Canvey Island Wentwor th Cour t Nursing Home, Cheltenham Kings Lodge Nursing Home Puddingstone Grange, Plumstead Nor folk Lodge Care Home ...Hutton View Care Say Hello to the Winner of the Carer’ PAGE 28 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
ew care home Brentwood is the winner of our nched to celebrate one of our finest and quin the country to tell us about their tea week cel ur events nto the British Tradition of afternoon tea and nd pomp to an otherwise unremarkable time of elmed the nominations we received, and sent ke us some time to plough through them all)! ne winner, it was the most difficult of choices rational demonstrating the time effort care and to make afternoon tea week that extra special ne of course to Hutton View Care Home and s over these and following pages! Afternoon Tea Week 2022 Sowerby House Care Home, Thirsk Torkington House, West London Woodland View Care Home, Droitwich Spa Worplesdon View, Guildford Leycester House, War wick Shaw Healthcare Head Of fice Home in Brentwood ’s Afternoon Tea Week Competition… THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 29
Amherst Cour t, Chatham Ashfields Care Home, BHeanor elmore Lodge, Lymington Runwoodhomes Windmill House, Wymondham Cobbett House Warminster Laurel Lodge Care Home, Nor wich Haywood Lodge Care Home Studley Fair way View Care Home, CNottingham heaney Cour t, Desborough Kettering Carer Readers Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week 2022 PAGE 30 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
PAGE 32 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 Carer Readers Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week 2022 Nor folk Lodge, Hunstanton Br yn Edwin Hall Residential Care Home, Flint Bridgehaven, Canterbur y Welland House Care Centre, Malvern Southborough Nursing Home, Surbiton Nightingale Lodge Care Home, Hunstanton, Nor folk
How about a delicious snack/pastr y trolley or even a drinks trolley for that afternoon tipple?
Maximise the opportunities to maintain hydration levels by offering our wide range of flavoured tea alongside black tea With tea counting towards the daily fluid intake and the recommended water intake being between 1 5L to 2L our range will help you make sure your residents stay hydrated FOR THE LOVE OF TEA Tetley is the nation s favourite tea brand2 and No1 in the foodservice sector 3 We ve been serving quali ty cuppas to the nation for the past 185 years
and
and have
Get your free POS and
You may have seen already our patient water jug designed specifically for the NHS in hospitals around the United Kingdom We worked closely with the NHS Nursing Team and in turn successful ly created a product that meets the needs of both patient and staff We always welcome the opportu nity to work with clients who hold new and exciting ideas that fill a gap in the market Branding logo printing and further bespoke work can also be implemented upon request How do we purchase? We have a reputable list of distributors across the globe who can supply our products along with other complimentary items to suit your needs Please ask your distributor for our products or email us and we will be happy to recommend a suitable distributor See the advert on the previous page for details
“Afternoon tea is a great social occasion for residents, bringing them together with the opportunity of meeting others for a chat dance and singalong It can improve their nutrition and hydration as it’s a great way of getting calories and fluids into their diet Everyone loves a scone whether it s sweet or savoury! We ve recently created an afternoon tea guide espe cially for carehomes complete with a tempting set of inspiring recipe ideas printable activities decoration ideas and top tips for throwing the ultimate summer cel ebration The menu builds on trend flavours into the afternoon tea occasion, with the aim of inspiring chefs with traditional dishes that have a modern twist For example katsu in a Spam Katsu Sando and sriracha in a Sriracha Prawn Vol au Vent It offers everything from bite sized snacks to substantial sandwiches and of course irresistible sweets like Lemon and Raspberry Scone with Lemon Curd Cream or our Black Forest Gateau Pots The menu works not just for the jubilee, but will bring excitement to any afternoon tea occasion You can find the guide here: https://view bidfood co uk/the queens jubilee recipe guide/ We’ve have also developed a range of afternoon tea inspired cocktails to go with the recipes created by our Unity Wines and Spirits team For example Strawberries and Cream Bakewell Sour A Messy Chase and the Cucumber Martini Find them here: https://www bidfood co uk/blog/4 afternoon tea inspired cocktails/ Freephone: 0800 917 7943 w w w.euroser vice uk.com sales@euroser vice-uk.com Visit the website at w w w.euros er vice uk.com to see the full range.
Get in touch with our friendly, experienced sales team
PROVIDING PRACTICAL AND ST YLISH TROLLEYS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS
MORE THAN JUST TEA Designed with care professionals and caterers in mind, the Tetley Hydration Handbook and Hydration Help Sheet offer insight and advice to help keep residents hydrated in all care environments! a range of POS specially designed care activity pack materials available to encourage drinking opportunities some at the same time activity
Who are BBP Marketing Ltd?
The benefits of using Polycarbonate over glass are endless Not only does it eliminate opportunities for injuries which can occur during glass breakages, it also ensures a safer environment that we know is important within the care sector as well as the hos pitality industry Polycarbonate whilst being lightweight is also a great insulator of hot or cold liquid It serves as a thermal barrier to protect the user s hands from hot or cold contents whilst keeping the liquid at the desired temperature for longer
extra
With our range we have a tea that suits every one of your residents’ needs throughout the day As well as choice Tetley provides a familiar feeling of comfort for residents to help them feel more relaxed and settled For the love of tea, for the love of Tetley
we
Operating globally we source buy and blend the finest tea leaves so you can promise residents a deliciously refreshing cuppa with every sip Whilst we are tea masters are also environmentally conscious and committed to operating our business in a way that supports the people and environment it touches With every Tetley cuppa you and your residents drink you’re helping us in reaching our sustainability and environmental goals
fun
pack today: www tetleyfoodservice co uk/channels/care Sources: 1 Open Access Government (2022) Erad cat ng dehydration n the elderly with Aquarate openaccessgovernment org 2 Kantar World Panel No of Households Buying Dec 2019 3 Kantar World Panel L52W to Apr l 2022 Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Cuppas That Show You Care Watch your resident's eyes light up when the beautiful tea trolley arrives! Euroservice trolleys can also be used as a vending trolley or to sell personal care products to residents How about a delicious snack/pastry trolley or even a drinks trolley for that afternoon tipple? Your lovely trolley could do so much for you and your residents! Visit the website at www euroservice uk com to see the full range Ser ve Afternoon Tea in Style with Euroser vice Make Tea a Special Occasion with Bidfood's Afternoon Tea Guide Safer Drinkware and PCatering roducts for Staff and Residents THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 33
BBP Marketing is a family owned company based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire established in 1882 BBP is recognised leader in the design and manufacture of reusable drinkware and catering products We have a large range of styles & sizes and continually expand our range in order to meet our customer s needs Why use BBP Marketing? We understand the importance of taking care of our planet which is why we take pride in our prod ucts being reusable as well as recyclable at end of life They are machine washer safe virtually unbreakable and can last a lifetime Not only are our products helping the environment they are also designed with you in mind Whether it be a bowl with easy grip handles either side for better stability or a plate with cover to keep your food fresher for longer we strive to make products that are suitable for everyday use
With lots of refreshing fruit and herbal blends as well as Orignal and decaf black tea Tetley has a solution for everyone celebrating National Afternoon Tea Week! Here at Tetley we understand the challenge of keeping your residents hydrated and the important role a quality cuppa can play A significant 20% of care home residents are dehydrated1 which can lead to hospi tal admission This is easily preventable by keeping hydrated EVERY CUPPA COUNTS
Manufac tured in the UK Euroser vice trolleys are an attrac tive and prac tical alternative to clinical aluminium trolleys given that antibacterial spray can be used freely to sanitise them
Watch your resident's eyes light up when the beautiful tea trolley arrives! Euroser vice trolleys can also be used as a vending trolley or to sell personal care produc ts to residents
Your lovely trolley could do so much for you and your residents!
We have
free
larly monitor their intake very closely with a nutritional assessment and weekly weight check to ensure they are not losing weight and are getting enough nutrition and fluids Make sure those who are preparing food are fully trained and aware of the risks associated with dysphagia as well as the correct way to prepare modified consistency foods, and to thicken flu ids for patients who need this To help with this Bidfood have put together a new e learning platform called Caterers Campus which is a fun and interactive training resource that takes the hard work out of supporting your team The modules are aimed at helping them consistently create nutritious and delicious meals that are tailored to residents individual requirements There are seven modules available which include one on Dysphagia and IDDSI as well as Fortification Hydration Dementia and Cost Control amongst others You can find more information about it here: https://www bidfood co uk/caterers campus/ Bidfood have developed the programme exclusively for their cus tomers to help their teams learn in bite sized modules in a way which works for them anytime anywhere on any device Knowledge is checked on completion of each module, and each person taking a mod ule gets a certificate of achievement for their records but if it s not a pass it s not a problem you can take it again! There are also no sign up fees for the programme
myAko
DYSPHAGIA PAGE 34 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
Swallowing difficulties are common in people residing in care homes Early identification assessment and management by care home staff may result in a decrease in the incidence of pneumonia and death Therefore, it is important for staff to be aware of the signs of dysphagia and what to do in order to prevent further deterioration in a resident s condition Dr Elizabeth Boaden is a fellow of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and has spent over 30 years working to improve the quality of life of those living with dysphagia Dr Boaden has created a set of courses on dysphagia These courses have been researched and developed for the benefit of all healthcare workers and nurses and are due to be available on myAko com
Develops Dysphagia Online Courses For Carers
WHAT IS DYSPHAGIA?
Let Dysphagia Ruin Your Resident's Mealtimes
The training available on myAko com helps healthcare workers to better understand the impact of dyspha gia and how to help those in their care The nurses training helps them support Speech and Language Therapists with remote dysphagia assessments without the need for face to face visits Utilising remote teleswallowing techniques helps to reduce current NHS waiting lists and nurses and carers are able to improve early diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia
Don't
Dysphagia is the term used to describe difficulties swallowing Difficulties may range from a decrease in chewing ability to food and drinks going onto the lungs causing aspiration pneumonia and death Dysphagia is a common feature of many congenital and acquired structural and neurological difficulties It is not possible to provide accurate figures regarding the prevalence of dysphagia, as it is often unrecognised and underdiagnosed Dysphagia affects approximately 8% of the global population Although swallowing diffi culties are seen in the paediatric population, the greater incidence is in adult client group
Meals are often the highlight of the day in a care home, but when you have dysphagia and struggle to swallow the risk of choking and food or fluid entering your lungs can present a real challenge and even make the meal itself a danger In fact dysphagia is a common reason for hospital admission Nor is it a problem that is limited to the elderly dysphagia can affect people of all ages However it doesn t have to spoil mealtimes which can still be a pleasure as well as safe as long as meals are prepared and pre sented in the right way Just pureeing meals can reduce their nutritional content and the dish may end up being less appetising to the eye This is where specialist ranges of texture modified dishes can help for example Simply Puree which is available through Bidfood This range is created especially for people living with dysphagia and each dish is consistent in the nutritional content it provides, and compliant with IDDSI textures
The incidence of commonly occuring elderly neurological diseases in the older population are stroke (45 78%) Parkinson s dis ease (75 100%) and Alzeimer’s disease (90%) Swallowing involves six cranial nerves and over 26 pairs of muscles, with the oesophagus opening within a fraction of a second of airway closure It is therefore unsurprising that everyone has experienced at least one incident where just a slight incoordination of the swallow has caused coughing and choking as food and drink enter the airway It is therefore to be expected that dysphagia occurs in approximately 35% of the normal aging elderly population owing to weakness in the muscles for swallowing Furthermore, it has been reported that up to 74% of residents in care homes will present with swallowing difficulties of some description
AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
MOVING FORWARD
The International IDDSI Diet Standardisation tool is a global standard providing terminology and definitions that describe the texture of modi fied food and thickened liquids used for individuals with dysphagia of all ages in all care settings and for all cultures The Simply Puree IDDSI guide is a free easy to use tool to help you understand and cater for the different IDDSI textures You can find it here https://tinyurl com/bdz2kktx This is a great online tool which not only gives a refresher on IDDSI lev els for chefs who are already knowledgeable about dysphagia, but it’s also a great learning tool for those with less experience who may be new to the industry It takes you through the journey of how to adapt a range of different dishes to meet all levels within IDDSI the cooking blending and serving processes that ensure a dish is safe for residents with differ ent needs This makes dining a fun and sociable experience for those liv ing with dysphagia covering all their needs from nutritional to hydration It means they can get involved with all meal occasions which is good for their wellbeing and presenting really appetising dishes will of course encourage them to eat more Many of those living with dysphagia find it difficult to consume enough calories throughout the day so you may need to fortify recipes to max imise the calorific value of each spoonful An easy way to achieve this is to switch water for full fat milk or cream, melted butter or oil sauces gravy, honey or juice for dilution It s important to ensure that dishes are visually appealing too so it helps to make up modified consistency foods sepa rately and then pipe them onto the plate while still hot so that you can serve them immediately If you are diluting or pureeing food it’s also important to use stronger flavours so that the food is still flavoursome As with any dish do a taste check before you serve to make sure it meets the same high standards you aim for with the rest of your menu When it comes to caring for those living with dysphagia its key to regu
It is imperative for care staff to be able to quickly and effectively screen for dysphagia as a delay in doing so may have devastating effects It is a care worker s duty to ease the struggle presented by dysphagia; not only to avoid the possibility of death but to simply ensure that a resident s later life and emotional well being is as comfortable and content as possible Visit www myako com email help@myako com or call 01202 283383 for further details
BIOFROST® Relief Cold Gel contains only natural ingredients (i e ethanol, menthol, eucalyptus pep permint MSM) for instant pain relief and to activate body s own healing Benefits are better joint move ments, lasting pain relief, comfortable sleep, fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and mus cular discomfort less muscle fatigue puffiness and swelling
Yeoman Shield’s Fire Door Services can help to take the guess work out of fire door maintenance by providing fire door inspections condition reports remedial work and fire door installation all carried out by FDIS and/or FIRAS accredited team members Having a good maintenance routine will dispel some needs of fire door replacement therefore being more cost effective ation of Yeoman Shield Fire ction products can also be nancially beneficial by halt ing impact damage from the start eliminating many repairs in the future and again will extend door lifecycles Installing Yeoman Shield door protection products such as door protection panels, door edge protectors and PVCu glazing bead units will not affect the integrity of the fire door as all products have been tested in situ, to the current standard required Vulnerable frames and architraves can also be protected from impact with Yeoman Shield to pre vent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time consuming repetitive need for repainting
Some adjustable beds and rise and recline chairs even come with wheels a thoughtful touch for when residents struggle to walk between rooms And many come with wipe clean upholstery in case of unfortu nate spills All of these features reduce the workload for busy staff and improve the comfort of residents
See the advert on page 19 How Efficient and Compliant Is Your Laundr y Operation?
WHAT ABOUT CARE HOME STAFF? Mobility furniture improves health of care home employees because it results in less lifting/weight bearing Press a button on the rise and recline chair and it supports the user to their feet Some adjustable beds have the same feature Most residents need to avoid pressure sores and again mobility furniture helps by pressing a button on the chair or bed to gently ease people into different positions The alternative is a member of staff shifting the resident to a new position at risk to their own health
WORKING WITH EXPERTS Dr Rob Hicks popular celebrity media doctor acts as medical expert for Mobility Furniture Company Mobility furniture can make life that little bit easier for people particularly those who struggle to do things that we often take for granted like sitting down and standing up Dr Hicks says It is great to be working with a forward thinking company that celebrates improving quality of life for older individuals
HOW DOES MOBILITY FURNITURE BENEFIT CARE HOME RESIDENTS? Research has found that elevating the legs one of the main features of a rise and recline chair or adjustable bed reduces swelling of stiff and painful joints and enhances healing of injuries and wounds In fact experts have found that failure to elevate a limb can actually delay healing
Fire Doors are an imperative part of fire safety and are consider ations of the design and maintenance of any building but especially residential Article 17 RRFSO states fire safety provisions (includes fire doors) must be main tained in a suitable con dition and working order If you are the Responsible imperative you appoint a competent person to assist in meeting your duties under the fire safety order to ensure fire safety measures including fire doors are kept in working order
Renray Healthcare
The Stair Climbing Company is one of the leading providers of powered Stair Climber solu tions which have been specifi cally designed to assist those struggling with mobility and independence issues facing people with disabilities
Drug-Free
The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact, easy to use, powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commer cial settings Offering innovative designs all of the company s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition all of its Stair Climber s come with a two year manu facturer s warranty
The Stair Climbing Company maintains one main mission; to improve quality of life through its range of high quality and custom devices with built in seats The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair car rier model is designed to cater to individual customers specific needs, and works with all stair types Furthermore, the company provides Stair Climbers for all ages making them suitable for everyone and offers a free assessment for customers If you would like to find out any more information please see the details below T 01787 379160 www thestairclimbingcompany com See the advert on page 13
Another advantage of mobility furniture is that it helps care home residents sleep deeply and for longer stints which we all know is crucial to quality of life both physical and emotional Why? Because it allows people access to a range of sitting and lying positions that traditional chairs and beds simply do not have
BIOFROST® Active is a fast acting dual action cold gel with heat sensation for relief of muscular and joint aches (i e upper and lower back pain) Enriched with 10 herbal extracts BIOFROST® Active stimulates local blood flow releases muscle tension and joint stiffness and combats chronic pain Benefits include improved joint movements, greater mobility pain relief in treated areas (i e back neck shoulders knees) discomfort free sleep less cramps and stiffness CE marked Class 1 Medical Devices the BIOFROST® gels are made in Finland by Viking Lab Oy Distributed in the UK by Win Health Medical
Professional provides a range of options for commercial laundry equipment, including the PT 8337 and the Little Giant PT 7137 heat pump dryers All of their Miele commercial laundry is available on a pur chase rental or lease basis with access to a compre hensive service that includes installation, commissioning, user training, and a first class repair and maintenance response www forbespro co uk Telephone 0345 0702335 info@forbes professional co uk
BIOFROST® Relief and the BIOFROST® Active are natural topical gels that effectively relieve pain reduce inflammation and diminish swelling without drugs and drug related side effects Safe for people of all ages including the elderly and disabled peo ple BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels work as stand alone therapeutic modalities or alongside other interventions (i e drugs physiotherapy massage etc ) providing affordable and long term cost effec tive solution to pain and discomfort
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Raising the Standard of Stair Climbing Solutions Furniture That Improves Health For Residents… And Staff PAGE 36 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 Yeoman Shield Fire Door Ser vices Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors
BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Pain Relief
For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield com or visit www yeomanshield com
Forbes would generally recommend that electrical appliances should be the product of choice Miele s new heat pump commercial dryers are par ticularly highly rated for their safety functionality and energy efficiency They do not require any make up air which enables the laundry function to be installed in the basement or in a central location within the care home and saves on costly vent ducting Miele s Ecoplus technology guarantees that both energy con sumption and drying times are kept consistently low Due to the effective interaction of the Miele filter sys tem and the maintenance free heat exchanger fluff cannot clog the heat exchanger or adversely affect the exceptional drying efficiency Miele’s heat pump tumble dryers’ employ a highly efficient and economi cal filter system and heat exchanger to keep run times low and enable an energy saving of up to 60% when compared to vented dryers Forbes
Many care homes would need to recon figure their entire laundry room to enable the newly requisite two metre distancing between gas appli ances and doors When such issues are coupled with safety concerns and the increasing costs of running gas appliances
When choosing dryers it is notable that care homes are increasingly turning away from gas appliances due regulation changes and safety concerns Changes to industry requirements can necessitate considerable investment in order for gas appliances to meet the current standards Forbes Professional advises care homes on all rele vant WRAS and industry requirements and helps clients ensure complete compliance with the latest regulations
Mobility furni ture has come on leaps and strides over the last few years Gone are the dreary semi functional chairs and beds of the past Today’s generation of rise and recline chairs and adjustable beds look smart, last for years and are better designed and more com fortable than ever before Even people without mobili ty problems are buying them especially when they are made to measure giving that perfect fit
Ltd Win Health Medical Ltd / T: 01835 864866 / E: biofrost@win health com / W: www win health com See the advert on page 5 for details
AN UPBEAT APPROACH Mobility Furniture Company is one of the biggest mobility furniture companies in the UK Its wide geo graphical spread of representatives takes furniture to care homes for managers staff and residents to assess Care home managers owners and staff know what their residents need says James Mitton Managing Director of Mobility Furniture Company “When we visit care homes we always gain valuable insights about real life situations for which our company can make a differ ence Working with these key members of staff we find solutions for residents and care home employ ees that make life more comfortable for everybody involved ” Call free today on 0800 810 8726 for a free brochure or visit us at www mobilityfurniturecompany co uk/sale
Renray Healthcare has been producing high quality furniture for over 50 years and is one of the UK s largest and leading suppliers to the healthcare sector Whether you require a fast efficient delivery of quality furniture or a full room installation and fitting service we have the experience and resources to handle your contract We manufacture and assemble our products in our own purpose built factories in Cheshire and Europe to British Standards Hence we are able to ensure your furniture is produced to the highest quality, working with you to plan and meet your projects time sched ule and budget We understand you are purchasing furniture that is fit for purpose stylish and will continue to perform well into the future, which is why we design and build our furniture with you in mind Telephone +44 (0)1606 593456, Email info@renrayhealthcare com, www renrayhealthcare com or see the advert on page 3 for details
Opeque can assist in reducing energy bills comply ing with legislation, managing health and safety and achieving a sustainable operation
Beneath its simplicity the Memory Lane Games app is a powerful tool Carers, families and friends are able to enjoy inter actions generated by playing the games with those in their care and can even create personalised quizzes using old family photos and create questions such as Mum where did you go on your first holi day? or Where did you get mar ried? In addition to our popular free app (available in the usual app stores) we serve international care home groups with a SaaS platform enabling alerts based on their resi dents' game play: highlighting changes in 7 clinical data sets which are all game play related and have been established in our RCT Clinical Trial (underway) This data can be used to alert early interventions needed to address potential health issues like mini strokes or urinary tract infections for example The benefits to users and care homes are immedi ately evident Improved resident and staff wellbeing, improved quality of family visits and a differentiated care home business If you would like to create a Memory Lane Game for your residents or to find out more about us please get in touch or download the app for FREE from the usual app stores
Summer Litter
Safeguard Your Care Home with InVentr y
ANTI LITTER PACKS
Care homes are crucial for our society so it s important to ensure they’re a safe setting to help staff carry out the best possible care With many family members and friends visiting their loved ones daily InVentry is essential to track who s entering and leaving your care home Visitors are met with a simple signing in process and their information is stored directly in the system This not only allows you to track who is onsite at any given time but it ensures an even faster sign in during repeat visits You can also ensure that the contractors you have onsite have the skills to do the job safely by asking custom questions before they sign in with options to include documents they may need to read upon arrival, ensuring health & safety and the security of your site is always maintained InVentry can even help you become CQC and Care Inspectorate Compliant as our software allows you to receive star rated feedback from those who have vis ited your care home You can store this feedback within your system and note any actions taken to improve your processes and procedures! Head to our website www inventry co uk or see the advert on page 6
SCENTS OF SUMMER
Hi, where are you from? Asking where someone is from is such a common opening question for a stranger and universal small talk Where we live and where we come from is fundamental to most people s sense of self identity and history and perhaps that s why it s a powerful topic in reminiscence therapy Reminiscence therapy involves simple techniques to help those with memory loss or dementia to recall their memories This can improve self esteem and provide a sense of fulfillment improve mood and reduce agita tion all of which are so valuable in the care of those living with a condition which doesn’t have positive out comes It’s where the founders of Memory Lane Games started when they decided to make games for their elderly Mums to enjoy using their favourite old photographs After quickly realising they were onto something, the Memory Lane Games app now delivers profession ally curated reminiscence and speech and language activity games across a range of topics such as music, film food, hobbies and pets All of our games are designed to be frustration free and encourage com munication and socialisation not to test SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL
Rising temperatures will heat waste producing pro found odours from bins
Odorous Waste Inspired FREE Anti-Litter Pack
Over years Opeque has worked with various indus try sectors from tyre manufacturing to laundries schools to hotels and hospitals to care homes optimis ing their manufacturing procedures and facilities man agement Applying industrial engineering principles we address productivity, resource efficiency quality con trol health and safety and asset management bringing people utilities equipment and buildings together to realise product excellence We have worked with many care homes to provide laundry services and water hygiene and it is from these close relationships that we believe we can further assist your CARE HOME to reduce operating costs
See the advert on page 23 for details Reduce Your Operating Costs!!
After attending some recent Care Industry Conferences it was interesting to hear how some of delegates are confident and have an understanding of the importance of Passive Fire Protection However many are still unsure of what is required and what they should be asking and expecting from a contractor We recently attended a care home; the owner had commissioned a very detailed Fire Compartmentation (Passive) report but in appointing a contractor they failed to ask vital questions When we inspected the work, it was clear to see the work was poor quality, had been incorrectly installed and large areas of work had been left incomplete Unfortunately, the owner didn t ask for a scope of works detailing what was going to be done and how It should have asked how the work was going to be recorded so that they could demonstrate if required to local authorities or assessors at future assess ments/surveys that the work had been correctly installed Also they failed to check if the contractor was UKAS third party accredited Care must be taken when appointing a contractor to complete these specialised works As a UKAS third party accredited company we will always make sure we understand your requirements and that you understand the service we are going to provide We catalogue every repair and installation, taking multi ple images of each stage The product details and how it was implemented/installed will also be recorded When the works are completed you will receive a detailed report of each and every item repaired accompanied with a certificate of confor mance UK Passive Fire Solutions work with you from start to finish Call or email today to get more information and receive your information pack; email info@ukpassivefiresolutions co uk or call: 01262 469872 or see the advert on page 9
page 4 Memor y Lane Games - Reminiscence Games To Trigger Positive Memories For Those Living With Dementia PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Know What You Are Asking From Contractors Please mention THE CARER when responding to Padvertising. lease mention THE CARER when responding to advertising. THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 37
Call Email NOW: 07831 873355, email admin@opeque com or visit www opeque com
At Cash s, we aim to capture, reinforce and communicate our clients brand equity through qual ity 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 promo tional 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 counterfeit ing 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 accu racy 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 acces sories Visit www cashslabels com or see the advert on page 6
Helpforcarehomes@memorylanegames com See on
Cromwell are proud to be an independent, family run group, committed to the recycling, manufacture and distribution of polythene and compostable mate rials In their aim to be the most resourceful company in plastics Cromwell has developed an anti littering promotional pack free to download and used by all developed specifically to help educate and deter lit terers
The Jolly Trolley® comes complete with its own videos quizzes karaoke and other content, but personal music photos and films can then be added from a USB stick to really bring out the magic! Don t just take our word for it here are just some testimonials from our very happy Health and Social Care clients:
The increase in temperatures and heat exposure to the waste allows bacteria to grow faster and odours to intensify Although loose waste is often affected first captured and contained rubbish will soon follow in emitting stronger odours
Cash’s Labels- “The Name Behind the Name”
The Jolly Trolley® is an essential for any care establishment as t pro motes social interaction between the service users and their carers This innovative system is fully mobile and battery operated, allowing residents who may be unable to leave their rooms to also be included w th ease
Chester Park Megan Allan, Activities
The fact that we can upload what is relevant to the specif c Indiv dual is so meaningful for that person and I can assure you we have shed some tears being able to be part of that residents memory journey It has been an amazing addition to our care home from staff and res dents thank you Pennine NHS Trust Beech Ward we have been able to provide thera peutic activity & entertainment with ease to pat ents that are isolating To see what the Jolly Trolley® can do for you, call us for a free demonstration on 0800 093 8499 See the advert on page 1
Jolly Trolley Brings Therapeutic Activity and Entertainment
or
The Summer season is upon us with lighter nights and warmer weather No matter what season we enter waste is guaranteed and must be handled appropriately however the change in seasons should prompt us to take additional waste management steps
The summer season not only sees a rise in temper atures but also a potential increase in litter levels as more people venture outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather Not only is public waste emitting unpleasant smells, it can attract unwanted pests such as flies, insects, birds and vermin Whilst these pests could be a potential hazard to the public, the litter could also be a threat to local eco systems and wildlife
The pack consists of posters social media content and an infographic leaflet The posters and social media posts have 4 different designs all of which are targeting hotspot litter areas or problems these include dog waste Flytipping and littering in areas such as beaches and streets All the material is FREE to use and Cromwell wel comes anyone to download and use the material helping to reach their goal of a cleaner greener and more resourceful planet, this new anti litter pack is a step towards this sustainable vision View, download and share FREE from Cromwell’s website www cromwellpolythene co uk/free downloadable anti litter pack/
the advert
The Bendi Bag is ideal for wheelchair users who can sometimes find toilet access difficult
DRINKS
It is advisable to avoid certain types of drinks such as tea coffee cola and chocolate as they contain caf feine which can irritate the bladder An irritated bladder becomes overactive which makes you feel as though you need to empty your bladder when it is not full diet should be balanced not too high in fat with plenty of fibre and contain at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day Healthy eating is also important because being overweight can make bladder worse
We offer 5 types of urinary sheath to facilitate the drainage of urine away from the body into a drainage bag They are made from either latex or synthetic materials and available in a range of sizes We also offer skin friendly tapes straps and adhesives hair guards measuring tape as well as Preventox which cleans and protects the skin so you are always comfortable and have the best fit possible 2 LEGBAGS
For people who have had a Nephrostomy and tubes are already in place our NephSys system can drastically improve their lives As well as providing a secure and sterile solution which consists of an adjustable elasticated belt; drainage bags and suspenders to secure the bag to the belt in the chosen position, the system is also comfortable and discreet
Thousands of people across the country must perform Intermittent Self Catheterisation (ISC) to effectively empty their bladder and having some thing that is simple to use soft flexible and easy to lubricate is essential That s where our IQ Cath shines plus, new for 2022 are male/paediatric and female single use hydrophilic catheters which are immersed in saline and ready for immediate use
The iD range of products is available to buy from www id direct com or www ontex com
For help support and advice call 01604 595696 email helpline@manfred sauer co uk or visit www manfred sauer co uk for more information about each product, or to order a free sample
The Children s Bag with smaller capacity and proportions comes with a discreet and secure twist tap that will not open accidentally while moving, or out and about 3 IQ CATHETER
Drinking sufficient fluids each day is essential for maintaining a healthy bladder If you don’t drink enough your bladder will become overly sensitive You should try to consume at least 1 5 2 litres (or 6 8 glasses) of fluids each day TO AVOID
SMOKING
The Comfort Leg Bag range comes in variety of materials from velvet smooth, real cotton and flock backing
DEHYDRATION
If you don t drink enough your bladder will become more sensitive to smaller amounts of urine which means you will go to the toilet more frequently INFORM YOUR GP It is a good idea to notify your GP if you are experiencing bladder weakness for the first time or if you already have blad der weakness and it has become worse RECOMMENDATION: Keep a Bladder Diar y Maintain a record of every time you experience bladder weakness
problems
Note the activity you were performing at the time the types of beverages and the quantity you consumed beforehand, as well as the extent of the leakage
Urinary incontinence affects millions of people in the UK Although a widespread problem in continence remains a taboo topic Embarrassment often stops people from talking about it let alone feeling able to access products and services that can help them So without the correct help and support, the problem often remains unsolved, which has a negative impact on people s lives
PAGE 38 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
We supply four main types of leg bags with varying capacities Perfect for being outdoors and packed full of unique features and benefits you now have a choice when it comes to managing your incontinence issues
The shape of our Discreet Thigh Bag allows for it to be worn high up on the thigh area and can even be hidden under shorts skirts and even swimwear
Help To Manage Your Incontinence Issues Independently CONTINENCE CARE Top tips for Managing Incontinence
Since 1976 Manfred Sauer have provided a range of innovative urology products to help suffer ers of urinary incontinence But unlike other providers our products are often designed and tested by both end users and healthcare professionals to ensure effective and user friendly so lutions that work This means your incontinence issues can be managed independently without worrying about frequent emptying or toilet access and do not impinge on your ability to live life to the full Read about four of our most popular product ranges, which are all available on prescription 1 SHEATHS
4 NEPHSYS
Limiting fluid intake may actually increase the frequency of incontinence Drinking a total of 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day is recommended Unless advised to do so by your health professional never restrict fluids to control incontinence
HEALTHY EATING Your
FLUID INTAKE
There are a number of health risks associated with smoking A ‘smokers cough’ can place extra pressure on the muscles of the pelvic floor increasing your chances of experiencing stress incontinence
COMFORTABLE AND EFFECTIVE
HAI Peracide is
disin fectant tablet that
microbiological
Other features and benefits include the following: Destroys C difficile 027 spores in 30 seconds Remains active over 24 hours Fragrant non pungent odour
Peracide is an effective and rapidly stable sporicidal tackles the transmission of C and other the result of many years continuous development, testing and col laboration with Prof Peter Wilson and Dr Shanom Ali of UCHL laborato department
ry
The development cycle has included laboratory and on ward testing to validate effectiveness and user acceptability Peracide has been tested against C difficile spores 027 modified BSEN 13704, MRSA, Klebsiella Pneumoniae Modified BSEN 1276 and Norovirus EN 14675 among others
PERACIDE, ward trial and Laboratory testing was performed by Environmental Laboratory at University College London Hospitals NHS foundation trust Available via NHS Supply Chain Product Code: Peracide 3g: MFB1002 or Peracide 6g MFB1005
difficile
Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry Angloplas range of dispensers are pro duced 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 infec tion by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the prod uct 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 click ing Hospital Health and Hygiene or by using the Quick Response code
Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection
Unaffected by organic soil Biodegradable, non corrosive, non toxic Superior cleaning property • Higher efficacy than comparable chlorine based solutions Peracide is benign; it does not present any adverse risk to the environment or the user It can be used on porous and non pours material; and suitable for use in trigger sprays buckets microfiber cloths and mops for safe disinfect ing of beds washrooms and floors surfaces & medical equipment computers & office equipment
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PERACIDE INCLUDING TRIALS, TRAINING AND DEMONSTRA TIONS CALL US NOW www percacide co uk info@peracide co uk 0114 278 0222 Colour Activated Disinfectant Tablets
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL PAGE 40 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 www.percacide.co.uk info@peracide.co.uk 0114 278 0222 Win the battle on Infection Control With a new generation of disinfection technology 10 reasons to change to Peracide Kills all known microorganisma including C difficile spores, E coli, MRSA, Legionella, Norovirus, Klebsiella, Influenza and many more 2 Innovative Colour Activation System Greater oxidiser than Chlorine and Hydrogen Peroxide Clean, disinfects and deodourises in one operation Works in the presence of organic salt Environmentally friendly, biodegradable, non toxic and non corrosive Safe for use on patient mobilitiy and shared equipment Non sticky and leaves minimal residue Full microbiology test report Long lasting solution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 MORE EFFECTIVE THAN VAPOURISED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (VHP) & UVC Available via NHS Supply Chain Product Code Peracide 3g: MFB1002 Peracide 6g: MFB1005
A prominent novel feature is its built in colour indicating system that alerts the user with a change of colour of the solution when it can be used and alerts them again with a second change of colour when it cannot be used and should be discarded
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 41
The integrated wand and hose mean that cleaning above the floor and reaching into awk ward places is easy The computer can also advise when the bag needs changing or when there is a blockage and the multiple access points and cassette style brush roller make the XP easy to maintain Of course once dirt is picked up it is essential that it is retained in the vacuum cleaner and not released back into the air
It is therefore not always possible to vacuum when no one is around In these cases low noise levels are imperative Although there are regulations limiting the sound power level that a vacuum cleaner can reach subjectively the sound generated can still be unpleas ant, even where the vacuum cleaner meets the regula tions SEBO sound engineers have successfully muted the harsh frequencies to which the human ear is sensi tive This has the result that with any form of back ground noise, the sound from the XP virtually disappears, making it suitable in many cases for day time cleaning Indeed in any situation where low noise levels are important the XP range is ideal Last but not least at SEBO we believe that vacuum cleaners should be built to last and should be easily repairable Our vacuum cleaners are built to be durable and reliable; to have a long service life using few replacement parts Component parts are identified with the material they are made from so that they can be recycled more easily when their service life is over more details contact commercial@sebo co uk
Virtually all the dust and dirt which is picked up by an XP vacuum cleaner is safely trapped in the high filtra tion bag, which can be sealed and hygienically dis posed of The filtration of the XP has been independently tested by the DMT Test Institute in Germany to filter 99 97% of particles of 0 3 micron Above this particle size the filtration level is very close to 100% Many professionally cleaned facilities operate 24/7
The XP range harnesses the power of an on board computer to measure performance on the floor and continuously adjust the floor head to the optimum cleaning height completely automatically The power ful brush action pulls the vacuum cleaner forward so that the pushing force required to manoeuvre it is close to zero helping to make it light and easy to use for extended periods but also giving deep cleaning performance
The XP range of upright vacuum cleaners from SEBO are ideal for these health conscious times They feature independently proven filtration, hygienic dirt disposal using sealable bags and are exceptionally quiet and light to use Clearly a vacuum cleaner s number one task is to clean
The Health and Safety Executive states that we never assume that any dust is safe and that all uncontrolled dusts are potentially hazardous
For
• Hot & Cold domestic water services • Pipework flushing & disinfection • Tank cleaning & maintenance • Legionella risk, sampling, lab testing • Attention to individual apartments • Communal areas / toilets / showers • Restaurants / Cafés • And Heating System flushing Water Treatment & Legionella Specialists 01925 758995 enquiries@msbhygiene.com www.msbhygiene.com M.S.B. Hygiene M S B Hygiene Ltd has over 25 years experience in Water Treatment and operate throughout the UK Our Engineers have the skills & expertise to carry out water systems risk assessment sampling cleaning and disinfection Our samples are taken to UKAS accredited laboratories for testing Certificates of disinfection and sam pling are provided upon completion We are members of the Legionella Control Association and are CHAS (Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme) accredited We provide a highly professional but friendly serv ice together with comprehensive & straightforward advice we aim to be easy to do business with We’d also like to think we are “the 4th emergency service” for your water treatment & legionella control needs 01925 758995 enquiries@msbhygiene com www msbhygiene com Please mention THE CARER when responding to Padvertising. lease mention THE CARER when responding to advertising. SEBO XP – Power with Responsibility
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL
970 Cleaning Specialists BioBax Acquire Aqua Air HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL PAGE 42 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
EZISAN CAN ELIMINATE THE USE OF EXPENSIVE, MESSY AND MOSTLY IRRATATING GEL HAND SANI TIZERS
Most Alcohol gel sanitizers are also known to irritate the skin especially for regular users like NHS staff care workers Sufferers of eczema and other sensitive skin conditions are also well documented The real financial cost to business and public venues are sub stantial we also have to factor in the fact that staff have to maintain and replenish the current method the man hours wasted are a genuine cost
THE PROBLEM: There are many issues with using WET or gel sanitisers and upon entry to many build ings, you are met with various sanitising options, usual ly a gel or liquid dispenser paper towels and a bin this often gets “messy” and needs regular topping up cleaning and tidying This can also be a slip hazard
The key solution is that it is truly “NO TOUCH” unlike most other systems Environmentally friendly fluids and big savings on single use plastic bottles, we estimate Ezisan saves 85% single use bottles over Alcohol Gel and 69% in cost or £624 per year Designed and Manufactured in the UK with supply chain localised wherever possible this will reduce our carbon footprint by minimising transportation We intend to be carbon neutral by 2025 Recyclable materials are used as much as possible we also try to minimise plastic packaging and be envi ronmentally aware of every aspect of the manufactur ing process
BioBax of Skelmanthorpe West Yorkshire has acquired Cheshire based Aqua Air as part of a strategic move to expand its range of environment friendly cleaning products and solutions The acquisition follows a peri od of growth for BioBax with increased demand from cus tomers looking to buy more eco friendly products including Zybax microbiological products and Meleco the magic eraser Kate Pawson and Dominic Barnes started BioBax in 2019 to develop and grow the Zybax and Meleco brands which are now 22 years old BioBax products are manufactured in house at their state of the art facil ity in a rural setting in Huddersfield “Aqua Air is the perfect partner for BioBax”, said Kate Pawson, Sales and Marketing Director, “they have very similar values to BioBax’s I am looking forward to meeting Aqua Air s customers and work ing with them over the years to come Aqua Air Ltd was founded in 1994 by Barry Bladon and latterly co owned with his son Simon Barry has obsessively developed each one of the Aqua Air products to respond to the specific cleaning challenges and needs of their clients with the result that each product offers added performance rela tive to the competition Each one of their Xtra range of cleaning solutions is designed manufac tured and bottled in the UK contains biodegradable compo nents and packaging and avoids harsh chemicals which can dam age skin and surfaces Barry Bladon said: “It has been key for us to join forces with a company who share our philosophy and passion for solving our customers cleaning BioBax already have a strong reputation for the supply of environment friendly cleaning products and expanding the Aqua Air portfolio with a range of kitchen, hospitality and janitorial solutions and cleaning machines will mean that BioBax and Aqua Air customers will now benefit from the expanded range of world class products and service
EZISAN have invented a “NO TOUCH” sanitizer sys tem in response the worldwide coronavirus pandemic to improve hygiene and assist the prevention from cross contamination EZISAN will help to improve the process and convenience of hand sanitizing it also reduces contamination on mobile phones keys, credit cards and other small household items that can be passed through the sanitizing mist
visit
The Solution: EZISAN uses a semi dry sanitizing spray mist” to help solve many of the problems, you simply place your hands into the mist rub them together and turn them over this will effectively sani tize the majority of bacteria, viruses and other germs
EZISAN converts approved and certified water based sanitizers fluids into “semi dry spray mist” and there is no waste These fluids are also known to be gentle to the skin
For further information www biobax co uk or call 01484 868
See the advert below for further details A Revolutionar y Hand & Small Object Sanitizing System For Care Homes FOR ALL THE LATEST HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL CARE SECTOR VISIT WWW.THECARERUK.COM
Many Courtney Thorne clients are now utilising the “Go” app with their Nurse Call system With the “Go” app nurse call alarms are delivered immediately and silently straight to the handsets alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely dis turbing the rest of the residents in the home Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less stressed also this creates a happier workplace where morale is greatly improved, staff are retained and CQC ratings improve Clearly the positive rami fications of a quiet Care Home run deep Get in touch today to find out how we can help your home become a quieter, calmer, and more tranquil environment more information email us at: info@c
Pagers have been around for many years are a relatively simple and cost effective measure in reducing the levels of noise and can be added to most Nurse Call sys tems Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning e medication etc
www.nursecallsystems.co.uk
For
A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recom mends “fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a person s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope, as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing
Quiet and calm care homes ensure that residents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment
Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a num ber of methods to reduce their impact in a care home These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call In these circumstances, demen tia sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one zone whist less vulnerable resi dents live in an alternative zone Each zone can operate different call tones, warning lights or other methods to alert when help is required
Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil environment for residents
Similarly carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surroundings particularly those suffering from dementia these can be fluctuations in ambient temperature light and of course noise Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and external sources for example telephones ringing loud conversations in corridors and call bells sounding often one of the largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort in residents
t co uk Silent RunningTranquility in Care Homes NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 43 • Nurse Call Systems • Fire Alarm Systems • Door Access • Staff Attack • CCTV • Infection Control • Dementia Care • Electrical Contracting w w w. L C T U K . c o m 0 8 0 0 8 4 9 9 1 2 1 s a l e s @ l c t u k . c o m Designed to combat the problem of residents who are inclined to walk undetected, the Nurse Alert Mat can help protect residents especially at night that are at risk of falls and accidents When connected to a Nurse Call system or the mobile Floor Sentry Monitor it will then alert staff, sounding the alarm with a small amount of pressure thus enabling staff to investigate INCLUDES A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE Nurse Alert Mats In addition The Floor Pressure Mat has a heavy non slip backing, It comes professionally sealed so can easily be cleaned for liquid spills and is fully serviceable
TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR SENSOR PAD
We
Medpage supply a diverse range of equipment for detecting bed and chair exit There are for example simple bed alarms, chair alarms, or multiple use products for combining bed and chair monitoring to allow the per son to move from their bed to their chair There are systems that use a cabled pressure mat sensor connected to an alarm controller or pressure mat sensors with a self con tained alarm transmitter to signal a radio pager Carer alarm notifications can be by a single or multiple user pager or alarm receiver or an external alarm device You can find out more on the advert on page 13 or at www easylinkuk co uk/product/ product fall detection
Fall Savers® are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years
The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition Our anti bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bed side in a doorway or other locations to monitor per sons at risk for falls or wandering An optional anti slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors Features include: Connects directly to most nurse call systems
Medpage Falls Management Products
Having many years of experience in fitting and maintaining Nurse Call Systems helps the guys at Lotus Care Technology understand that every home is dif ferent and has different needs They can specify not only the best system for the environmental factors in the home but also take into considera tion the best products that will make your carers and nurses jobs that little bit easier Visit www lctuk com for details
Lotus
Care Technology FOR ALL THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL CARE SECTOR VISIT WWW.THECARERUK.COM
for hard surface floors See the advert on this page for further details or visit www fallsavers co uk Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING PAGE 44 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 Medpage T/A Easylink
The NurseAlert pres sure 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
FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions! Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers® The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad This results in less work for nursing staff improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices Benefits include: Safer for patients; less work for staff Bed and chair pads ava l able One monitor works w th two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems A variety of options ncluding Call button Pager Floor sensor mat Wireless door/window exit alerts
separately): Anti sl p
High Quality ant bacterial Floor Sensor Pad Large Size Pad Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm Options (sold mesh UK have manufactured and dis tributed fall prevention and detection products for over 25 years specialise in prod ucts for one to one care, or small groups in a Care Home or Hospital Our systems are robust easy to set up and use and have a proven track record in helping to reduce falls in domestic and professional care establishments How can they help reduce falls? Many falls occur when a person at risk from falls leaves their bed or chair particularly during the night By detecting an exit from the bed or chair early a carer or guardian gains time to attend and help the person, usually preventing the fall WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE
At Sage Intacct we re passionate about building accounting software that helps you better understand your business maintain compliance and succeed in the ever evolving healthcare industry
Healthcare organisations face unique challenges from cost con tainment and multi entity reporting to new billing models and product offerings and a cloud based accounting system allows you to better understand your organisation and succeed in the future
For more information on how Sage can help your business please visit: www sage com/en gb/cp/intacct carehomes/
Cloud Finance Software That is Helping Care Homes Thrive
TRUE CLOUD TECHNOLOGY WITH OPEN API
Steve Russell adds HxCare from Positive Solutions will raise the bar for healthcare technology in the sector and ushers in an exciting new era for the care home community Positive Solutions has led the way for the last 30 years in the design supply and management of robust patient medication record systems Bringing that expertise and pedigree to the care home sector those adopting HxCare can expect a product that delivers exceptional value per formance and enhanced compliance and safety standards ”
For more information on the benefits of HxCare, visit the webpage at www positive solutions co uk/hxcare/
Positive
Positive Solutions are set to launch an innovative cloud based medicines management system, HxCare, which will be showcased in October at the Care Show Positive Solutions are the leading provider of PMR solutions to the community pharmacy sector For 30 years their innovative software has helped automate workflows increase efficiencies and enhance patient safety whilst many of the 2 500 pharmacy sites they support already work with care homes across the UK
Steve Russell Positive Solutions Chief Commercial Officer comments “Critical to the product develop ment of HxCare has been a commitment to making the user experience as intuitive and easy to use as pos sible Simple menus and navigation facilitate adoption training and roll out to care providers irrespective of their technical literacy ”
Solutions Launch New eMAR Solution – HxCare TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 45
True cloud technology with open API As an innovator in the cloud space, Sage Intacct’s multi tenant, true cloud foundation brings robust technology infrastructure to your organisation without the high costs of managing servers Our open API lets you connect to existing systems or those you are considering in the future This means you can leverage key data from electronic medical records payroll budget CRMs (including Salesforce) and other systems to track key performance indicators
BUILT FOR HEALTHCARE
“Our team have worked closely with care homes across the UK for two years to ensure that HxCare offers the functionality and benefits missing elsewhere with a strong focus on intuitive user interfaces and declut tered workflows With an exciting roadmap of new developments already scheduled, HxCare is set to trans form eMAR for years to come ”
Sage Intacct s real time reporting allows you to understand and measure performance for both finan cial metrics and operational outcomes Because every transaction in the system can be tagged with dimensions finance professionals can sort view filter and report on the specific information they need With greater insight our healthcare customers have reduced board budget reporting from three weeks to one hour and have improved revenues by 25% without adding additional headcount
It is estimated that around 80% of care homes in the UK are still using paper based Medication Administration Records (MARs) to do their rounds The delivery of medication in this way is prone to error as well as being cumbersome for both care homes and community pharmacies HxCare aims to digitise workflows reduce errors and free up care providers to spend more time delivering care to their residents Designed to be truly mobile HxCare will be tablet based and has been developed with significant input from care homes around the country HxCare features will include medication and round management scanning for booking in with automated ordering linking into a full stock management system
The team at Positive Solutions have given specific attention to extensive auditability at the click of a button whilst workflows have been designed to increase efficiency, remove errors and provide full traceability It will offer robust reporting which will be invaluable for both CQC and Care Inspectorate purposes
HxCare also has an extensive product development roadmap and Positive Solutions are keen to involve users in shaping that roadmap with a feedback function for customer development requests HxCare will be showcased at the Care Show at the NEC in October (stand B20) where care home owners will be able to see the product first hand and register their interest sign up for the pilot or pre order for launch
REAL TIME VISIBILITY AND INSIGHTS
As healthcare grows in complexity so does your organisation You re managing multiple locations and practices navigating changing reimbursement methods and initiating cost reduction initiatives while manual processes are draining your productivity You need insight into your growing breadth of financial and operational data, and we’ve built our healthcare accounting software with you in mind We provide compliant financials with continuous con solidation across multiple offices, practices and locations Sage Intacct healthcare customers have increased profitability by 30% with better insight for informed decisions, realised 25% improvement in effi ciency gains, and taken departmental reporting from 10 days to 10 minutes
AutumnCare Mobile allows staff to perform clinical assessments and capture notes at the point of care for increased accuracy and care recipient involvement
WONDERING HOW TO GO DIGITAL?
While the delivery of person centred care is paramount care providers must also provide evidence of the care they deliver and regulatory bodies actively encourage the use of technology
Going digital can automate many of these tasks and enable recording care interactions in real time ensuring nothing is left undocumented and saving time that can be better spent providing care
If you’re unsure of how to get started in your digital transformation AutumnCare can help!
Better Control Controlling paper based systems can be an onerous job It generates reams of paper that can easily be lost copied and potentially fall into the wrong hands Digital care systems are safe and accessible maintaining the security and confidentiality of your data This is difficult to achieve with paper because sensitive information must be locked away when not in use per GDPR
Furthermore digital allows you to determine who can access and what via permission controls Staff only see what they need to see based on their role AutumnCare has a number of tools that assist in maintaining security and confidentiality including this lock screen func tionality for use in medication administration rounds!
AutumnCare contains a customis able Dashboard to provide Managers with a snapshot of what is occurring across the care service at any point in time USERS Happier ser vice users Last and by no means least, going digital can make your service users happier Digital systems enable you to spend more time caring and less time on administration There are benefits to happy service users including positive reviews from family and friends which may help grow your service
The most considerable cost saving that going digital can provide is time While the amount of time saved will vary between service types and roles this alone makes going digital worthwhile
Furthermore going digital reduces paper use and the carbon footprint of regular deliveries Therefore going digital can help you become more environmentally friendly RISK Reduced risk Manual systems carry many risks
EVIDENCE
AutumnCare provides specialist digital care planning and eMAR soft ware enabling providers to migrate to a digital system and providing the foundations for outstanding care We can walk you through what is required step by step, as well as provide training and support every step of the way To realise all of the benefits above, plus many more, get in touch with us today
It is challenging to manage analyse and keep data and there is a lack of security Going digital with your care planning and eMAR can significantly reduce your risk
RETENTION Improve staf f retention
Using inbuilt alerts ensures that nothing is missed whether that’s a care plan change or a fall report Using an eMAR will help reduce medication errors and ensure that the 6 Rs are always met Going digital also allows the collection of data at the point of care which can be analysed to identify trends and risks and demonstrate corrective action
More time to care
Social care is a highly regulated industry and going digital can help you safeguard your business With multiple regulatory bodies such as the CQC CIW, Care Inspectorate, RQIW, Local Authorities and Safeguarding Teams, not to mention families and the justice system Any of whom can make enquiries or perform inspections at any time and without notice Going digital makes it easy and efficient to evidence the quality of care you provide In addition as a digital system has a complete audit trail you can be assured the information you are providing is accurate and com plete COSTS Costs and environment
TIME
Digital care plans are the best way to achieve this!
QUALITY Improved quality of care
On an electronic care system it is much easier to see what is going on if you are contacted out of hours or on the go A digital system allows you to log in remotely to see what has been happening across the entire care service at a glance
Demonstrate quality of care deliver y
Staff recruitment and retention remain long standing challenges for the care sector, and many factors contribute to the successful retention of staff Morale is a crucial factor in retaining staff Using electronic care sys tems to change the focus from the administration to the delivery of care helps stage engage more with service users
VISIBILITY Improved visibility Electronic care systems ensure that managers have real time access to notes and information to instantly understand the care provided and help identify changes that need to be made to improve the quality of care
Contact Chris Sharman Email c sharman@autumn care Call 0800 009 2121 Website uk autumn care
PROTECTION Protect your business
Carers never have enough time to care but going digital can provide more There are so many time consuming tasks such as writing care notes completing paper assessments filling in charts preparing handovers and countless other administrative tasks
Additional cost benefits include savings on printing paper stationary and confidential waste bin collection These costs all add up very quickly and are enhanced by the savings in the administrative overhead
CONTROL
With pre built assessments covering all aspects of health you can get to know your service users intimately But it s not just health; other characteristics such as emotion likes/dis likes and how they correspond to a wide range of activities can be record ed
Because any changes can be affected at the point of care updates become a true reflection of the care (rather than a delayed update at the end of a long shift) This information is then easily accessible by other system users sup porting a personalised care experience
10 Reasons To Go Digital With Electronic Care Planning and Medication (eMAR) Systems TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE PAGE 46 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
Additionally providing smart tools like care planning and eMAR soft ware to reduce the administrative burden will decrease staff stress
For example the CQC states that the care provider should look to embrace technology that helps monitor care delivery During an inspec tion under the Effective key line of enquiry (KLOE) question E1 3 asks How is technology and equipment used to enhance effective care and treatment delivery and support people s independence?
call
- Care Home Software You Can Rely On
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
REAL TIME COMMUNICATION
One of the most fundamental roles that technology must play in the future is to enable carers to undertake their primary function care! This means minimising the admin burden they face and instead releasing car ers to spend more time with VIP’s This stretched resource is under huge pressure to meet escalating care needs, and yet carers are still compelled to spend upwards of 20 minutes in a 30 minute patient visit filling in man ual forms In addition to the sheer waste of essential one to one patient time, this paper based information is simply not stored in a way that enables easy sharing with other stakeholders from other carers to health providers and family members Technology has a huge role to play in improving the quality and per sonal aspect of care Imagine being armed with real time data to ask the right questions and ensure the VIP receives the right type of care on your visit Data can play a huge role in the quality of care; data insights give you historic information which helps but real time data with predictive and preventive capabilities is where we need to be aiming With the adoption of easy to use apps proven to reduce the adminis trative time spent by up to 75% Combining a simple user interface with voice recognition an app not only minimises the admin burden but also makes it easy for carers to record more personal patient information such as patient mood, important dates including birthdays or the anniver sary of a spouse s death which can then support a far more personal care experience In addition, this technology ensures the carer’s report is automatically shared not only with the local authorities and/or care agency but with the individual’s family members addressing one of the huge causes of stress for those tasked with overseeing the care of a loved one stress that often leads to time off work or ill health
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE) Predictive Technology, Can It Really Help Reduce Care Costs? Article supplied by Karantis360 (www karantis360 com) TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 47
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The challenge associated with supporting and funding the care for an ageing population continues to escalate According to Age UK the num bers of people aged 85+ in England increased by almost a third over the last decade and will more than double over the next two decades And these people need care and support; by their late 80s more than one in three people will have difficulties undertaking five or more tasks of daily living unaided and between a quarter and a half of the 85+ age group are frail With current care services under extraordinary strain it is estimated that 1 in 8 people are caring for loved ones, many with increasingly com plex needs and this number will continue to increase, creating huge financial and mental stress for often geographical distant family members Combine that with the implications stress has on family members quite often their health decreases and the dual cost therefore on the NHS Of course most people don t want to go into a care home; according to Age UK 97% of the population would like to receive care in their own home But the funding gap in social care predicted by the Local Government Association to reach £3 5 billion by 2025 is creating a devas tating knock on effect on the NHS with thousands of elderly patients stuck in hospital when they are well enough to go home because there is nobody to look after them With the cost of delayed discharges now at almost £290 million per year the Chief Executive of the Health Service Amanda Pritchard said that despite the delays of discharges the priority is to tackle backlogs that have inevitably built up in the face of rising Covid infections ”
Care Control
Unlike NHS healthcare, adult social care in England isn’t free While some of our loved ones will be eligible for local authority support when they re older others won t qualify or you may feel they need more care than they re offered It s no secret that we re all living longer In 10 years time the number of people aged over 85 will have risen by nearly half in England alone and the population of 65 to 84 year olds will have increased by more than a quarter over the same period Therefore covering the cost of care for our parents or other family members is a growing concern While we can t predict what the future holds we all want those we love or even ourselves to have access to the care we need to live well in later life Being able to plan ahead for this means getting to grips with typical home care costs and nursing fees as well as understanding how local authorities assess needs As anyone who has had to navigate the social care system will already know, it’s a daunting task and isn’t always straightforward and things are set to change when a new cap on the cost of care paid over a lifetime comes into force in 2023 in turn addition al hurdles are likely to occur Helen Dempster Chief Visionary Officer and Founder of Karantis360 discusses this concerning topic further
In this way the traditional challenges of information sharing between agencies can be overcome and ensure the most up to date medical and personal facts are always available to those who need them
Developed by an award winning care home in Devon our unique software for care homes provides a modern and highly effective solution for nursing homes and care organisations Delivering an all in one solution our care planning software is used by more than 30 000 carers in the UK daily A proven success in both nursing and residential home settings, we aim to help your care home deliver the best care possible efficiently simply and cost effectively Our software mod ernises your office processes and completely digitises your paperwork and care plans If you’d like to learn more about how our care management software could benefit your business please us 01822 to speak with a member of the Care Control team and book your personalised demo today!
on
If you are looking for a care management system which answers all of your quality monitoring and compliance needs, then looks no further than Care is Care is provides the intelligent software solution for care home and domiciliary care managers and owners looking to roll all of their care and management functions into one electronic platform We know this to be true because unlike some other CMS s Care is was conceived designed built and is managed by nurses registered managers and care home owners
become preventive as opposed to reactive And, the smart use of technology means organisations have a chance to rethink the way care is delivered, better matching care to specific patient needs Would a patient be better served by shorter daily sessions plus continuous monitoring? With a 24x7 system that monitors and picks up abnormal behaviour the care ecosystem has a chance to operate in a very different preventive and personal manner whilst alleviating the pressure of carers to be there physically CONCLUSION
Maintaining and tracking records of employees’ training appraisals supervisions and compliance require ments shows that an organisation values their individual workers and is invested in supporting and retaining them Technology can also significantly alleviate the daily administrative pressures faced by those working in the care sector as one partner of Radar Healthcare said Our evolution of health and safety and quality would n t have happened without Radar Healthcare We haven t grown our team yet we re doing about 60% more than we ve ever done before thanks to the software www radarhealthcare com
Staff retention is a significant challenge in the care sector making it even harder for the existing work force to keep up with the ever growing demand Skills for Care predicted that by 2035 the care work force will need to increase by a minimum of a third, to keep up with the ageing population and demand for new carers In the same report, it was estimated that staff turnover within social care is 30 4% To put this into perspective approximately 23% of independent sector workers have a turnover rate of less than 10% This prominent level of shift indicates that organisations within the care sector are struggling to find and retain suitable candidates Working in care comes with many challenges and an insufficient number of workers within the industry creates problems for both service users workers and organisations Ongoing issues within the sector have meant that care providers have needed to adopt a range of new strategies to support and retain their employees Technology especially over the COVID 19 outbreak has proven to be extremely successful within the healthcare industry It has shown how embracing paperless methods can improve organisation boost work ethics and morals encourage communication and reduce the number of hours completing admin
Retention
the Care Industr
The CARE is suite includes care and support care planning platform our policy app with over 200 high quality policies which are updated regularly and which also includes our supervision appraisals and train ing record apps and our audit app which templates all the essential audits and includes a record of inspection visits
HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY ASSIST? Useful technology like Radar Healthcare can assist staff turnover issues by increasing efficiency and boost ing morale Radar Healthcare partner, ECL said: ‘By streamlining the compliments logging process, the number of com pliments logged rose from 9 per year to 1 500 per year! Being able to communicate this level of engagement from our service users has had a hugely positive effect on morale and encouraged our team to always strive for better performance
High staff turnover can be incremental to an organisation s service and reputation It can lead to lower levels of patient satisfaction increase the number of risks to both employees and service users and make meeting CQC (Care Quality Commission) and Care Inspectorate standards even more challenging The care industry is extremely valuable to our economy contributing over £50 bn to the UK economy and equating to 5% of all employment It is vital for the wellbeing of our ever growing and ageing population that the high turnover rate is minimised In addition a high staff turnover means there needs to be a larger investment in recruiting training and retaining quality employees But how can technology help take some of the pressures off both providers and employees?
From releasing beds to the pressure on carers and the extended family it s time to tackle the social care ecosystem in its entirety We cannot keep using the NHS as an expensive care home Technology is now advanced user friendly and cost effective enough to make a real differ ence People want to stay in their own home and it is widely believed they are healthier and happier in that familiar environment By leveraging tech nology carers are equipped to provide an increasingly personalised care experience and minimise the administrative burden; while family mem bers are relieved to have immediate information on their loved one s health and well being And the technology makes financial sense for local authorities enabling just a handful of individuals to remain safely and happily at home rather than in a care facility justifies the investment in new technol ogy; while for the NHS the ability to address bed availability will unleash vast resources What is truly exciting is that this is just the start; from IoT to AI we now have the chance to better understand patient activity to intervene early even predict potential problems to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and allow more patients to stay safely at home for longer It Really Help Reduce Care Costs?
At Care is we can get you started on your journey from paper or another care management system with minimum fuss, plenty of support and all for what we believe to be good value for money With eMAR mandatory training and a complementary care certificate coming in 2022 there has never been a better time to get on board https://careis net
THE IMPACT OF STAFF TURNOVER
Staff in y
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SUPPORTIVE TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE PAGE 48 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 Predictive Technology, Can
If these innovative solutions are combined with IoT based sensors, the care ecosystem can be extended to provide a 24 hour safeguarding serv ice Using AI powered tools carers can track habitual behaviour and spot changes in real time allowing them to intervene when it is needed thus alleviating the burden on caregivers and families alike Its real time nature provides a platform for the complete digitisation of healthcare bringing together local authorities healthcare providers NHS Trusts ICS s general practitioners registered nurses and care homes Real time accurate information will not only make the social care model more transparent by including family members but will also enable it to
Intelligent Care Software (ICS)
The business which employs 43 people many at its HQ in Leven Fife is marking its 30thyear in busi ness by releasing a major upgrade to its security technology The advancements will provide even greater protection for healthcare staff working in a variety of high risk settings including hospitals men tal health facilities and correctional facilities The launch of P2 comes at a critical time for the healthcare sector A 2022 YouGov survey found that 67% of healthcare workers experienced physical abuse in the last 12 months while 20% reported being subject to violence once a week Hospital staff need advanced reliable and effective security solutions to meet their complex needs Daniel Waring CEO of Pinpoint said: “Over the last 30 years, we have continued to develop and enhance our systems to ensure we deliver the very best results for the workers who need it most I am incredibly proud to be able to launch the P2 System on our 30th anniversary”
Harpal Momi Managing Director of KAM Systems says It is a sad reflection of the current times that care staff are being threatened and in some cases attacked The solution we provide is completely wire less and can be installed quickly with minimum of dis ruption Staff using the system are reassured and have peace of mind that help is always on hand ” Anti Vandal / Anti Ligature Call Points make them suitable for mental health environments
The new Vayyar Care partnership integrates touchless radio frequency sensing tech nology enabling Anthropos customers to provide fall detection without requiring older people to put on wearable devices
-
As Violence In Healthcare Settings Surges
In these challenging times threats to care workers / healthcare professionals has increased Fuelled by frustration of not being able to have in person appointments or having to wait an eternity for a consultation attacks on staff are sadly becoming more frequent In these situations urgent assistance is critical and the systems used have to be quick secure and reli able KAM Systems have developed a range of solutions that can be easily adapted to suit GP Surgeries, Health Centres, A&E, Rehab Clinics and other Care Settings These can be quickly and easily implemented from a simple push button on the wall to a Pager with built in attack alarm & location
Fife Firm Unveil New Staff Safety Alarms
Anthropos Partners With Vayyar Care To Boost Fall Detection Capabilities
The Pager has multiple alarms push button rip cord tilt and is waterproof Once an alarm is initiated, within a few seconds a message can be discretely delivered to colleagues so that they can respond The message will contain the exact location of where assistance is required All alarm activity is logged for audit purposes Call today on 0330 321 1040, visit www kamsys tems co uk email sales@kamsystems co uk or see the advert on page 11
Peace of Mind is One Thing Security is Another
As with all Anthropos packages customers will be able to define the version of the rm that they need based on the care outcomes that they want to achieve However as a minimum end users are advised to have at least two Vayyar sensors deployed around their homes Stuart Barclay UK Sales Director at Vayyar Care says: rowing older population is vy and expects best in class systems to support their health well being and lifestyles Person centred care must have technology at its core including new solutions that deliver round the clock passive fall detection while maintaining dignity privacy and independence “Vayyar Care is thrilled to partner with Anthropos a company that aligns perfectly with our vision and ability to support connected data driven care ” Paul Berney CMO at Anthropos says “Market research proves there is a strong demand for passive falls detection It is often the case that people don t want to wear a device or just forget to put it on or charge it up The Vayyar Care solution provides rapid fall detection with zero involvement from the older person After completing extensive testing with Vayyar we re satisfied that together we will provide everyone with a reliable and accurate solution Anthropos takes pride in its constant innovations to deliver the best connected care including partner ships with companies such as Vayyar Our aim has always been to help older people to stay well inde pendent and happy in their own homes for longer the integration of Vayyar Care only strengthens this Vayyar Care is available to all future Anthropos customers For more information please visit: https://anthropos io/our technology/
Connected Care Platform Anthropos has announced it will be partnering with Vayyar Care the global leader in 4D imaging to strengthen Anthropos s capabilities in pas sive fall detection Every year there are over 22 000 emergency hospital admissions resulting from falls among people over the age of 65 according to Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) Managing falls is a high priority fo p technology focuses on both fall detection and analysing potential risks of this common scenario
More information about the new collection can be found on Pinpoint s website at www pinpointlimited com
TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE PAGE 50 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
Anthropos s Connected Care Platform uses a set of discreet passive sensors to monitor a range of daily activities of older people in their homes giving care providers the intelligence to make better informed decisions
The benefits of the new partnership include: Reduction in fall risk as more information can be collected on a person s behaviour Vayyar Care sen sors gather data not only on falls but also on behav ioural risk factors such as decreasing mobility enabling true fall prevention • Additional intelligence to equip carers with detailed insights This means carers can better advise on how to create a safe home environment and build more effective personalised care plans Minimise the risk of older people sustaining sec ondary injuries such as pressure sores as carers are alerted immediately when a fall occurs so help is sent sooner For families this adds another layer of reassurance
A family owned business in Fife has announced significant upgrades to its award winning staff safety systems which can be found in all NHS healthcare Trusts across the UK as well as Ireland and the US Pinpoint the leading provider of staff safety sys tems, was initially set up to address increasing rates of violence toward hospital workers which had an impact on staff morale absenteeism and retention
SUPORTED LIVING / LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICIES
to your business Whether it’s Residential Care Homes, Domiciliary Homecare, Nursing Homes, Learning Disabilities or Supported Living We cover it all RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME POLICIES Are Your Current Policies Up To Date? There have been many recent changes to employment law vaccinations covid 19 guidance plus
Visit https://www wandptraining co uk/policies and proce dures/non registered care policies/ W&P’s policy and compliance team are constantly scanning and reviewing all the statutory websites and regulatory publications to track the very latest developments in the Health & Social Care Sector Policies and Procedures are updated every 4 months or immediately if there is a critical change to regulation good practice guidance case law outcomes or just feedback from customers
To find out more about what we offer go to www wandptraining co uk or see the advert on page 2
uk E : info@stepuptrainingandcare co uk Why Train Beyond the Care Certificate? EDUCATION AND TRAINING PAGE 52 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
CQC compliance for new and established Nursing Homes W&P s clinical procedures include 70 comprehensive and up to date documents for your nursing home These clinical proce dures complement our full set of Care Home Policies and Procedures
Skills, Knowledge, and Confidence Delivered Online W&P Training W&P Training supply comprehensive sets of CQC care policies and procedures that are
CLINICAL PROCEDURES FOR NURSING HOMES
All of the content is accessible remotely via comput er smartphone or tablet enabling care professionals to make progress towards the cer tificate in a way that suits their circumstances
698553 W : www stepuptrainingandcare
Two courses in particular ‘Causes and spread of infection and ‘Infection control and pre vention’ were very popular during the pandemic Unlimited use subscriptions are available at afford able rates for organisations wishing to take advan tage of a large number of short courses Whether you are an owner manager or inde pendent learner please don t hesitate to get in touch for a free demo of the Care Certificate course plat form and/or the CPD short course offering The Laser Learning team can be contacted on info@lasersys co uk or +44 (0)1753 584 112 personalised the CQC’s practice guidance within
the Health and Social Care sector
Additionally, Laser delivers CPD short courses to equip staff with highly relevant skills and knowledge so they can tackle new challenges or progress in their career
Covid19 reminded us all just how important the NHS and care home staff are to our soci ety We are grateful for their hard work and bravery and feel honoured to support them through our Laser Care Certificate course and CPD short courses Working in the care sector is certainly demanding, so our objec tive is to make it convenient and straightforward for workers to upskill and acquire confidence in the process
It can be tempting to think that once the Care Certificate has been achieved it s the end of training
The Care Certificate can demonstrate that staff have the minimum level of required training Training to Level 2 and beyond will therefore improve abilities to cope with the challenges pre sented by working in a difficult sector Obviously one of the most significant challenges was dealing with Covid but there will be new and different challenges ahead However it is the clients who will benefit from the improvement that additional training will bring Whilst these may include advances in the treatment of dementia or changes to the legislative framework there will undoubtedly be any number of other issues that will create new and complex problems that need to be dealt with So if you think the Care Certificate completes all the training it might be time to think again So why choose Step Up Training and Care? We provide training services that will build implicit trust leading to confidence by clients looking to use your services At Step Up Training and Care we know people are busy work long hours and that a set 9 5 timetable will not work for most care homes and providers We can tailor our learning programmes to meet individ ual needs time our training to meet business com mitments, working shift patterns and around family life Zoom Boom is here to stay and we can accommo date teaching and learning through blended learning such as classroom remote assessor based one to one training sessions Our trainers have personal experiences of working in the health and social care sector hence our flexible approach We empower people to learn Training beyond the Care Certificate Can you afford not to? 07384 co
new strategy and regulatory approach W&P s team track these changes for you to ensure customers receive up to date CQC compliant documents DOMILICIARY HOMECARE POLICIES Over 130 comprehensive Domiciliary Care Policies and Procedures for Homecare / Domiciliary Based Services that are researched and written to meet all the CQC regulatory legislative and good
Designed for Supported Living and Domiciliary providers that deliver CQC regulated activities to adults with Learning Disabilities and/ or Autism W&P’s Policies and Procedures for Supported Living Services will assist with your CQC compliance
Looking for Supported living Policies with NO Personal Care?
T : 0121 794 1532 or
The Laser Care Certificate course provides knowl edge to cover every standard included in the official Skills for Care specification Every lesson includes bespoke video tutorials specifically for the Care Certificate course as well as reading materials and good practice examples Furthermore a mandatory quiz at the end of each lesson (which requires a 100% pass mark) ensures both competence and confi dence Managers are able to create their own accounts to enrol staff on the course and track their progress
The study showed that most care operators are interested in flexible training options with 75% of employers in the sector saying they would consider front loaded training to help speed up the process Over 90% of employees in the field would be more willing to start an apprentice ship or training course if they could condense learning into a shorter period
with our 6 week
The model is efficient cost effective and the training is delivered by experienced practitioners in Care Homes Homes are very busy places and the programme is therefore run on line for 1 hour per week for 6 weeks and people can do this at work or at home
It is designed to make business sense to providers It is designed to enhance viability It is designed to support recruitment and retention It is designed to motivate Care teams and is open to any individual to add their CV
with wellbeing, companionship, and meaningful activities, in just one hour of training a week Sign up today and join the care evolution Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www.eden alternative.co.uk
Connect2Care’s latest research shows how misconceptions around apprenticeships could be impacting their potential to fix industry wide staff retention problems relationships heart, online boredom
Staff-Short Care Firms Have No Time For Training
At Step Up Training and Care we offer: • Tailored learning journeys and programmes • A flexible blended approach of one to one, in house, classroom, practical assignments and online assessment methods • Training that will lead to higher quality of care delivery • Training led by tutors and assessors who are specialists in health and social care • Level 3 diplomas that are accredited to Highfield Qualifications T : 0121 794 1532 or 07384 698553 W : www.stepuptrainingandcare.co.uk E : info@stepuptrainingandcare.co.uk STEP UP Training and Care An inspiring approach to care As experienced Care Home practitioners we provide training to care home teams in sustainable innovation and positive leadership that empowers people to embed companionship, partnership working and vibrancy to build enriched quality of life into care homes Develop a culture of care with wellbeing and positive
at its
Find out which apprenticeship pathway will work best for your busi ness with Connect2Care’s See the Opportunity toolkit which can be downloaded for free Visit https://connect2care net/resources/see the opportunity/
training programme Discover how to replace loneliness, helplessness and
As an Eden Home builds its reputation upon the quality of life it offers to the people that reside there it follows that occupancy improves As a programme that empowers staff and focuses on their wellbe ing It follows that staff retention improves With a positive culture a motivated and dedicated workforce It fol lows that positive innovation becomes more possible sustainable and continuous
Commenting on the research Jill Whittaker Managing Director at Connect2Care said: Since the pandemic began staff shortages have been rife across a wide range of sectors, culminating in the ‘Great Resignation of 2021 And the care sector is among the hardest hit Yet while most care operators see the value in training when it comes to attracting and retaining staff, too many believe they don’t have the time to invest in this But with the sector continuing to strug gle with staff shortages they can t afford not to “As well as playing a role in attracting and retaining valuable team members apprenticeships have always been one of the best ways to unlock skills quickly and fast track staff into positions where they can make a real impact New flexible training models under consideration by the Government are set to make this process even quicker For example, front loaded training will be invaluable in helping apprentices to hit the ground running and operate efficiently for their employers from the very beginning
It is a training programme which leads to accreditation and focuses in detail on 7 domains of wellbeing 10 principles and is particularly designed to address instances of loneliness, helplessness and bore dom Geoffrey Cox The Eden Alternative Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www eden alternative co uk
WHAT IS IT
The Eden model is built on what people say they want in a Home or a workplace which therefore attracts residents and team members alike
It is however effective You can try without obligation
Workforce Challenge - The Eden Alternative – A Modern, Proven Model of Care for Staff and Resident Wellbeing
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 53 EDUCATION AND TRAINING
When demand for services increase it follows that viability improves As a cohesive cultural progression programme it follows that inno vation, modernisation and positivity increase
Validated Eden Alternative associates can benefit from continuing support from our expert team WHY DO
Connect2Care has released a toolkit answering common questions about apprenticeships with advice on how businesses can maximise them through flexible training options
The 6 weekly sessions are run online with a workbook with links for further optional reading or viewing and should not be a burden to busy Homes teams and managers
THIS?
Following the Great Resignation of 2021 when employees around the UK left their jobs in record numbers a new survey has revealed that 100% of care managers continue to find it hard to retain staff Yet while almost 90% believe that further training investment would help with recruitment and retention, less than 40% of care businesses offer apprenticeships to staff at all levels Over a third have been deterred from offering training opportunities for new and existing employees due to the time investment needed A further 37 5% of care managers are put off by the risk that an employee would leave after completing their training even though more than 90% of people working in the sector have said they would be more likely to stay in a role if their employer invested in their train ing from the outset
Having a mix of adults and young people in classrooms can change the dynamics of a course in very positive ways too You can t teach life experience and so adults regularly act as mentors to school leavers often in an ad hoc informal manner while young people without falling into stereotypes here will often help their older classmates with the digital skills that have become so important in so many roles within care homes and clients houses
Automate the entire hiring journey Easy to use tools such as interview sched ules and onboarding workflows enable you to improve processes reduce time to hire and greatly enhance the candidate experience There s more! Your new employees profile will automatically be created on your Care Control hub!
EASY SHARING Increase your job exposure and attract the best candidates With one click post your job on our very own integrated careers website FindMeACareJob co uk You can even share your application form on multiple job boards, social media channels and your website No more copy/pasting job specs! If you’d like to learn more about how our recruitment module could benefit your business, please call us on 01822 738100 to speak with a member of the Care Control team
MOTIVATED BY COMPASSION
Never lose track of a candidate again! Seamlessly track candidate interaction as well as request references and complete full DBS checks all stored within your candidate’s profile
CANDIDATE AUTOMATION
Care
DEVELOPING LIFE LONG LEARNING College lecturers can walk the walk and talk the talk because they’ve usually worked within the care sector That means they have the knowledge skills and experience necessary to help to develop the courses that care providers need to train their staff at all levels throughout their careers helping businesses to “grow their own” recruits Being anchor institutions within their communities means that colleges are ideally placed to help fill the skills gap within the care sector And adults returning to education are a key part of that mission With The Skills They Need To The Social Care Sector Is The Best Solution To The Recruitment Crisis
JOB APPLICATION BUILDER
Save time and build your own job application with Care Control s custom form builder and store templates ready for the next vacancy
To help address the skills gap Scotland s further education colleges with the help of Scotland s national college skills agency the College Development Network (CDN) recently developed and launched the Introduction to a Career in Social Care course which can now be studied at 18 of Scotland s 24 colleges MIXING THEORY AND PRACTICE Colleges work hard to tailor their courses to fit employers’ needs Today courses include plenty of case stud ies site visits and extended work experience placements so that students understand the roles within the care sector which will help to reduce turnover and increase retention in the long run helping to address the skills gap
TALENT POOLS Fill roles faster by streamlining the hiring process of all your talent pools Become more efficient as processes are automated Gain greater visibility of available talent across all vacancies with our simple scoring system
Recruiting adults isn t about simply filling the void in entry level jobs Instead adults will often bring with them experience from supervisory or management roles within their previous careers helping to fill skills gaps at all levels throughout the care sector
Control - All-in-One Recruitment System PROFESSIONALS & RECRUITMENT PAGE 54 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
Here at Care Control we are empowering customers to execute a more structured hiring process to improve efficiencies and overcome the challenges that recruitment presents
By Jonny Rees, Head of Professional Development at the College Development Network (www cdn ac uk)
Adults returning to education can bring a wealth of skills and experience to roles within the care sector Often they’re motivated by their own experiences of care whether it s having been cared for themselves or having seen the high quality support that relatives or friends have received Just like young people who enter college care courses straight from school adults returning to education want to give something back to their communities The pandemic has shone an even brighter spotlight on why it s important to have a strong care sector LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER
The size of the skills gap in the care sector is startling Skills Development Scotland estimates that 17,100 roles will need to be filled by 2024, while Skills for Care’s latest figures reveal that there are an average of 105,000 job vacancies on any given day in England Filling that gap means the care sector needs to cast its net far and wide to find recruits Attracting the attention and interest of school leavers, and ensuring their par ents are informed about the rewarding and potentially life long career that can be forged in caring is indeed a valuable use of resources Young people are a recognised and important stream of talent and skills for the sector However it is essential that the care sector taps into the pool of adults who are either considering or are in the process of returning to education They include people who may have left the workforce to start a family people who have been sick or injured but have now recovered or simply people who did not get the chance to study at college earlier in their lives and now want to gain the knowl edge skills and experience they need to start a new career
Enter
Why Equipping Returning Adult Learners
SMART SCREENING
By using our all in one recruitment module organisations will be able to clearly evidence to regulatory bodies their full recruitment process
JJ Recruitment has the large database of well qualified applicants with experience in the health care industry such as health care assistants senior carers and nurses from overseas We also have an expert team of solicitors for the necessary legal pro ceedings and advices WHY JJ? We have very minimal processing fees • We assist you to get a sponsorship license Qualified and experienced candidates from over seas Tel: 01704 808227 www jjcarerecruitment co uk admin@jjrecruitment co uk In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse? THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114 | PAGE 55 PROFESSIONALS & RECRUITMENT Global assists clients throughout the U K who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase development and refi nance We have organised over £1 8bn for clients in the past 30 years providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt, ease cashflow and develop businesses further From helping clients make their first purchase through to allowing groups to grow significantly in size we assist at every stage of your business expansion Every proposal is individual and deserves to be treated that way, so we hope you will allow us to be of assistance to you and call us to chat through your plans and requirements I am sure we will be able to tailor a facility to your requirements Call us on 01242 227172 or e mail us at enquiries@globalbusinessfinance net Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance Please mention THE CARER when responding to Padvertising. lease mention THE CARER when responding to advertising.
By Tom Draper, Employment Partner at Freeths (www freeths co uk)
Buckle in for a whistle stop tour of some of the current employ ment law considerations business es in the care sector are grappling with including some tips on how to avoid an HMRC National Minimum Wage investigation and your obli gations to your workers in respect of their working hours With ongoing staffing shortages in care homes there is a height ened risk that workers will be working extra hours to ensure that residents and vulnerable service users cared for properly This cre ates legal risks for employers regarding payment of the national minimum wage and under the Working Time Regulations
As recently highlighted in the media there are currently over 100 000 vacant roles in the care sector
STEPS TO MITIGATE RISK
National Minimum Wage (NMW): One glance at the current news headlines is enough to see the ongoing issue of the disparity between wages and the cost of liv ing However little attention has been given to the substantial rise in the NMW which came in April or the cost and risks this may cause employers
A R E Y O U A C A R E H O M E O W N E R W I T H S T A F F V A C A N C I E S ? G E T I N T O U C H N O W ! Apply for a sponsor licence allowing you to employ foreign workers Fill your staff vacancies with skilled foreign workers Switch your part time foreign student employees into full time work permit holders Let us help you to navigate your recruitment and immigration needs We have access to skilled workers already in the UK ready to be employed by you CONTACT US : 020 8571 6889 0121 525 8899 I N F O @ G L S S O L I C I T O R S . C O . U K W W W G L S S O L I C I T O R S C O U K
uk
Identify workers whose salaries are close to NMW; keep a record of hours worked for all employees, this is a legal obligation and would need to be provided if HMRC ever come calling; each pay period whether that be weekly or monthly consider the hours worked by the workers in question and calculate whether it sits above NMW include deductions made from salaries for things like un form or training as these can inadvertently reduce a worker s salary below NMW
CONTACT
The NMW regulations are com plex so you should and always take professional advice if you are unsure about how to calculate the NMW Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR): Unhelpfully there is a dif ferent legal definition or time worked” under the NMW regula tion and working time under the WTR
• 11 hours uninterrupted rest per day; and 24 hours uninterrupted rest per week (or 48 hours uninterrupted rest per fortn ght) Employers must also take all reasonable steps to ensure average working time does not exceed 48 hours per week (judged over a 17 week reference period) and there are heightened obligations for night workers While employers are able to agree an opt out from the 48 hour working week if a worker is regularly working over 48 hours per week then it could cause concerns that the worker is not receiving adequate rest breaks under the WTR With workers often being asked to work longer hours due to the current labour shortage in the sector it is sensible for employers to have renewed focus on these issues
In order to recruit foreign skilled workers whether they are already within the UK or directly abroad your company needs to be regulated by the UKVI (UK Visas & Immigration) This involves being licenced by the UKVI so that your business can successfully recruit for eign workers without fear of being fined or breaching any immigration rules set by the UK governments stringent policies
National Minimum Wage and Working Time: The Legal Issues
Some 78% of providers who responded to the exclu sive survey carried out by the ITV News in conjunction with the UK Homecare Association said recruiting carers is the hardest it has ever been Many describe being at a breaking point Out of the respondents 95% said they are unable to take on all the new clients in need of their help 2 years ago a relative of my friend with care homes in Lincolnshire came to see me He knew I was an immigration lawyer He was distraught and on the verge of packing it all in The issues? ’We can’t find the workers nobody wants to work full time as they will lose their tax credits’ the British workforce are just not interested nobody wants to relocate to the sticks to work for us His plea “Harjap help me” my solution? ‘have you thought about recruiting foreign workers? Or students already in the UK who are already working part time in the sector? he did it and today his staffing problems have been solved So how do we go about doing it? The UK Immigration system can be complex but with the right guidance can be navigated to benefit the care sector
For those aged 23 & over NMW now sits at £9 50 per hour This means that the NMW does not only cause concern for employers in relation to hourly paid workers now anyone engaged on a salary of around £20 000 £24 000 who is regularly working extra hours could now pose an NMW risk Workers need to receive the NMW for each pay period they work meaning that if they are paid week ly they need to receive at least NMW for all the hours they work each week All hours worked in addition to a worker s contracted hours will be considered when calculating if NMW has been paid so it only takes a few additional hours to cause problems
The key difference is that the definition of working time for WTR purposes is wider Working time for WTR includes time where the employee is at the employer s dis posal such as where a worker is on call if the worker must be at a set location such as the workplace Under the WTR employers must ensure that their workers are provided with the following rest breaks:
Many potential employees are already within the UK on various types of visas however and may already be working part time (20 hours a week) for you in order to work for you they would need to be successfully sponsored by your company through your sponsor licence This would involve making a complex application to the UKVI and in essence ask ing them for permission for you to employ the worker full time Once permission is granted you then have the benefit of a full time employee tied down exclusively to your com pany for at least a 5 year period This is often referred to as a ‘Work Permit If you wish to employee multiple foreign workers then we would need to convince the Home Office to grant you an appropriate allocation under the terms of your licence Under this licence you can also recruit carers and nurses from abroad The solution to current staffing crisis is clearly to recruit foreign workers and it is not as daunting as peo ple often make out There are many specialist firms of lawyers who can do the whole process for you and you can also save on hefty recruitment fees of employ ment agencies If you urgently need staff then you should definitely consider applying for a UKVI sponsor licence in order to employ qualified foreign workers and help your business grow No business should be turning away / down work due to a staffing problem which has a solu tion Harjap Singh Bhangal is a Director at Immigration Specialist firm GLS Solicitors (Global Legal Solutions) and is often seen on Sky News BBC News and is referred to as the Immigration Guru US: 020 8571 6889 0121 525 8899 info@glssolicitors co www glssolicitors
• at least 20 minutes when working more than six hours a day
PAGE 56 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 114
co uk Are You A Care Home Owner with Staff Vacancies? PROFESSIONALS & RECRUITMENT
