The Carer Digital - Issue #124

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

Part of my duties here at RBC Publishing is to help out on one of our sister titles for the hospitality and licensed on trade

This week I attended my first demonstration at the ripe old age of 64! It took place outside the Houses of Parliament and then moved on to the Treasury

Further details of the process can be seen here http://catererlicensee com/hospitality sector stages third demo to make its voice heard/

The point of the demonstration was to lobby the government to change course on its disastrous approach to the hospitality and on trade sector which all trade leaders say is destroying the industry and will see a bonfire of businesses going bust in the New Year

The sector has been lobbying successive govern ments for years surrounding high taxation and other policies which they say are stran gling businesses

My point is successive Prime Ministers Chancellors etc have not taken a blind bit of notice!

Hence the reason as you will see if you click on the link the sector took to Parliament Square and the Treasury with chefs banging pots and pans bar staff bringing cocktail shakers waiters and waitresses bringing bells and whistles all to make as much noise as possible and get noticed

We have to ask ourselves is that what it really takes to try to get action?

As we see on our front page the sector is pleading with the government Save Social Care

And again as set out above the adult social care sector has also been lobbying succes sive governments for years and successive Prime Ministers Chancellors Health and Social Ministers have taken precious little notice

Independent Care Group chair Mike Padgham rightly points out that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt when chair of the government s health select committee recognised the funding shortfall in adult social care saying that the sector needed an extra £7 billion a year just to stand still

It would be outrageous of the Chancellor now to renege on his previous beliefs and deny the sector the vital funds it needs

I also noted the comments made by Care provider Alliance Chair Nadra Ahmed who said: Social care should be at the top of every Member of Parliament s priorities it sits

at the heart of communities up and down the country and it changes peoples lives

The CPA has called on the government to make clear that there will be no delay to the planned timetable for reform and that rather than kick the reform can further down the road (which let s face it they all have a habit of doing ) they grasp the urgency this fiscal event and escalate it to the top of the table

As anybody within adult social care will tell you significant issues are facing the entire sector which include recruitment and retention challenges (currently one in ten posts remain vacant) inadequate funding with the gap being in excess of £7bn (which as stat ed above the Chancellor recognised) unsustainable energy increases and the rising costs of living

No single autumn budget is going to fix any of that The sector needs long term and sustainable funding and while I don t envy any government minister trying to tackle that issue the fact that successive governments have kicked the can down the road has cre ated many of the issues the sector faces today So I for one would most certainly add my voice the plea Save Our Social care

In recent weeks we urged care homes to send in and share your activities on Remembrance Sunday inviting you to share residents experiences and any events undertaken to commemorate British service members who have died in wars and other military conflicts since the onset of World War I

And you did not disappoint us so we here at THE CARER are so very grateful for all the inspiring uplifting and contemplative stories and comments you sent (see pages 18 20) Thought provoking and deeply humbling!

And soon we will be returning to the festive season so once again we urge you to send in stories of your Christmas celebrations (watch out for a prize we are putting up) awards and any other birthday celebrations fundraising sports events singing and dancing you name it we are receiving them at the moment all feelgood stories which highlight the dedication commitment and devotion staff display every day improving the well being of the residents so well done and please do keep them coming!

I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk com

“Save Social Care” Message Sent to Government

Under present rules councils responsible for social care are allowed to increase their bills by 2 99% including a 1% levy for social care

If a local authority wants to raise bills any further it must hold a local referendum

However under new proposals expected to be revealed in tomor row’s autumn statement, the maximum amount councils can increase bills without holding a referendum is expected to rise to 4 99% to help pay for social care

Should this proposal be confirmed most councils are expected to take advantage of the freedom to charge residents more

CHANCELLOR

“REMEMBER YOUR PREVIOUS WORDS”

In a plea to the Chancellor, Mike Padgham, Chair of the provider organization The Independent Care Group (ICG) urged Jeremy Hunt to remember his previous words on social care and invest in it

“For the care of millions of older and vulnerable adults and the wider survival of the NHS it is vital that Mr Hunt addresses the crisis in social care tomorrow,” he said

When he was Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee Mr Hunt said social care needed at least an extra £7bn a year just to stand still We want him to remember that and to remember that this Government promised to fix social care in its 2019 manifesto We must not be let down again ”

He said providers understood that the Government was facing difficult financial decisions but said care could not wait any longer

“Social care has waited more than 30 years for proper investment and reform and must not be made to wait any longer Mr Padgham added

“We can all see from the queues of ambulances and the patients waiting in hospital beds that a lack of social care is hitting NHS care and that cannot go on Investment in social care will enable providers to employ the staff they need to provide care free the gridlock and support the crumbling NHS ”

The ICG says more than 30 years of neglect and under funding has left social care on the brink of col lapse with Covid 19 chronic staff shortages and the cost of living crisis turning the situation critical Care and nursing homes are closing and homecare providers are struggling through a shortage of staff

FEES NOT

KEPT

PACE WITH TRUE COST OF CARE

Sam Monaghan Chief Executive of the Methodist Homes (MHA) the country s largest charitable care provider said: “A year ago we were hopeful with plans announced to reform the social care sector improve funding and make it fit for the future This week it is likely the Chancellor will scupper those hopes with the announcement that reforms are being delayed and grants to local authorities reduced

“This is a Chancellor who, while Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee said the sector needed billions of pounds of additional investment every year just to stand still and urgent reform if we re to meet future needs It is time for Jeremy Hunt to turn his words into actions

The expected announcement of the delays is to the detriment of older people their families and those who care for them Continued rising costs energy prices rocketing low wages for care workers and now uncertainty for the future means we have a sector that is at breaking point with the risk of homes closing due to being financially unsustainable

“For far too many years fees paid by local authorities and health bodies have not kept pace with the true cost of care something the Fair Cost of Care reforms should have addressed We are losing valuable col leagues to retail and hospitality because we cannot meet their wages due to this gap in funding

As a sector we need stability and funding which meets our true costs the needs of those we care for and recognises through higher wages the skills of those who do the caring

“Without these reforms stability and funding we cannot help and support the NHS as we would wish by being there for more older people and preventing them from needing hospital care

It is time for the Government to stick to their plans for social care reform and come good on their promis es for older people

EXPECTED CARE CAP DELAY

The introduction of the government s controversial care cap may also be delayed according to reports the government may delay the introduction of the cap for two years

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is understood to have suggested an indefinite delay to a cap on personal care costs promised by previous Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government but ‘accepted a postponement of two years’ after being warned cancelling it would be damaging politically

The £86,000 lifetime costs ceiling was due to be introduced next October, but a proposed delay means the ceiling on costs would not feature on spending plans in the Autumn statement furthermore delaying the cap would save the government an estimated £3billion a year

LOST

DECADE OF SOCIAL CARE

The news has angered charities and older people s groups Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said If the Chancellor does announce that he is kicking it into the long grass probably to disappear alto gether it will mean we have endured a lost decade or more where social care is concerned

“Millions of older and disabled people have had to put up with inadequate services over that period and committed care staff have soldiered on despite miserly terms and conditions

“Whether the proposed cap is delayed or abandoned or is implemented as currently planned, it is no sub stitute for a proper process of reform that ensures everyone who has care needs receives a decent service tailored to their individual needs

With perhaps two years until the next general election there s a responsibility on all political parties to make up for lost time and get serious about improving social care

“It is likely to require a decade long plan but the sooner we start the sooner we’ll get there and please no more airy political promises that have no chance of being kept ”

“MUST

NOT ROLL BACK CARE CAP”

The Alzheimer s Society insisted the Government “must not roll back on the care cap”

Associate director of advocacy Mark MacDonald said: “This social care reform was a crucial first step to tackle catastrophic care costs limiting the amount people had to pay towards their care

People with dementia are the biggest users of social care at least 70% of care home users have dementia and this delay would be a damaging blow at a time when many of them will be struggling with bills and need action on the cost of care too

GRIM INEVITABILITY

Silver Voices director Dennis Reed said There is a grim inevitability about the likely delay in implement ing the social care cap; the history of the last decade has been one of proposed legislation being suspended and then scrapped, leaving the social care crisis to get worse

At least 1 6m people are living without the care they need and there are 165,000 job vacancies in the sector

Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

Campaigner Hails Constructive Minister Meeting

A social care campaigner has described as constructive a one to one meeting with Social Care Minister Helen Whately today

Mike Padgham said he was optimistic that lines of communication between social care providers and the Government could improve “I think it was a positive meeting We discussed a lot and I came away feeling that the minister had listened to the concerns of care providers and that we can hopefully strengthen lines of communication going for ward said Mr Padgham Chair of the provider organisation The Independent Care Group (ICG)

It was extremely useful to get a one to one meeting with the minister and to tell her face to face the serious issues that care providers are enduring at the coalface

“We previously met 17 months ago and I was at pains to point out just how much the situation had worsened in that time I accept that the min ister cannot change everything overnight but I stressed that many providers are hanging on by their finger tips

We desperately need to get more funding into the sector to raise staff pay and address the staffing crisis and to help smaller providers who do not enjoy the same economies of scale as their larger counterparts We have to ensure there remains a mixed market in the sector

“I was also keen to stress that the sector is facing the dangers of a two tier social care service contrasting providers who mainly take private paying clients and those who rely on public sector funded clients ”

The two discussed the severe social care staff shortages with Mr Padgham urging the Minister to extend the window of opportunity for care providers to employ care assistants from overseas At the moment a 12 month period during which providers can employ staff from overseas is due to end next spring There is no such deadline for employing nursing staff

Mr Padgham urged the minister to further help overseas recruitment by introducing incentives like reduced council tax for key workers

They also discussed the role of the Integrated Care Boards

“The minister asked what my experience of the Integrated Care Boards was like and I had to tell her that I was dismayed at the lack of social care representation on them ” Mr Padgham added

“I stressed that social care wants to work with its partners to tackle the crisis ease pressure on the NHS and provide people with the care they need

Way back in 2001 the Department of Health published a document called Building Capacity and Partnership in Care I think it would serve the Government well to revisit that document

“We also discussed improving commissioning, including longer term contracts the direct purchasing of beds from the NHS to the provider and the ongoing bugbear of meeting duplication of requirement from the CQC local authorities and the NHS

It was extremely useful for our regional organisation The Independent Care Group from North Yorkshire to get a one to one conversation with the minister

I would describe it as constructive the minister listened to the concerns we have and that is progress I would describe the minister as one of the most receptive I have met, but time will tell ”

He has invited her to visit a care provider in North Yorkshire to see the pressures firsthand Mr Padgham also presented the Minister with a copy of the ICG’s Five Pillars of Social Care Reform docu ment which sets out what it believes are the actions required to save the sector

The five pillars are:

Ring fence a percentage of GDP to be spent on providing social care to those who already receive it and the 1 6m who can’t get it

Create a unified National Care Service incorporating health and social care

Set a National Minimum Wage per hour for care staff on a par with NHS

• Set up an urgent social care task force to oversee reform

Fix a fair price for care cost per bed and cost per homecare visit

Welcoming Experience for Japanese Resident in Bridgwater Care Home

A Japanese woman who has been living in the UK for nearly 30 years has been enjoying a cultural experience day organised by her care home in Bridgwater to enable her to revisit her native heritage

Seventy three year old Fumiko Mackintosh is the newest resident to move into specialist dementia care home Avalon where staff arranged a Japanese themed wellbeing day to help her settle

After a morning shopping trip one of Fumiko s favourite pastimes the highlight came in the afternoon with a special visit for Fumiko from fluent Japanese speaker Lulia Marton a friend of Avalon and daughter of the home’s deputy manager

Fumiko was delighted to have the chance to talk in her native lan guage and also enjoyed writing in Japanese with her young conversa tion partner

Lulia who also speaks fluent German is in Year 11 at The Castle School in Taunton and has studied Japanese privately for four years, prompted by a love of Japanese cul ture

A special bonus for Fumiko was a home made Katsu curry, which Lulia had prepared especially for her visit

The

Professor

Avalon’s activities co ordinator, Lisa Priddice, said “Fumiko liked it so much she had tears of joy in her eyes and she was smiling the whole time

This was a really special time for Fumiko who thoroughly enjoyed celebrating her culture with Lulia talking with her about her early days with her beloved husband and about Osaka where she grew up ”

Fumiko emigrated to England in 1995 with her husband Terry Mackintosh, who had been working as an English teacher in Japan The pair returned to the UK after a major earthquake and spent most of their married life in Axbridge where Fumiko worked as a secretary

Lisa Priddice said: We always make sure we find out as much as we can about our residents’ life stories because being able to converse with them in a meaningful way about their memories is such an impor tant part of dementia care

“Fumiko is fluent in English and has lived here for many years but her Japanese roots are still an impor tant part of who she is She really enjoyed her special day and is looking forward to more visits from Lulia in the future ”

about their

It was great to hear about the

and passion

and speak to Chelsea and Mercy about the journey they are on with their course They spoke passionately about the support they re getting both at a senior level and day to day Credit must go to Royal Star & Garter for this I recognised a commitment at the top to grow their own staff and to invest in individuals

Chief Executive Andy Cole said: ”It was a privilege to welcome Professor Sturdy to our Home and I was pleased to show her the person centred care provided by Reggie and her fantastic team Nursing Associates will play a vital role in the sector going forward so I was really happy that Professor Sturdy spoke to Mercy and Chelsea about their SNA journeys, and how important the programme is to them ”

Home Manager Reggie Ballos said: We are proud of the award win

Garter, and we were delighted to have Professor Sturdy come to

The Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England has visited Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe

Professor Deborah Sturdy OBE was given a tour of the state of the art Home meeting residents and seeing the nursing and dementia care on offer She also talked to staff, including a Lead Healthcare Assistant about to start her Student Nursing Associate (SNA) course and another who is about to complete it

Professor Sturdy visited the 74 room Home on Thursday November 10 and was given a tour by the charity s Chief Executive Andy Cole Head of Care Quality Walter Chikanya and Home Manager Reggie Ballos She later said: It was great to see such good care happening in such a lovely place

Sturdy also spoke to Chelsea Batchelier, who has just begun her two year SNA course and Mercy Sharp who is nearing the end of her Nursing Associate studies Royal Star & Garter was one of the first care homes in the country to accept Nursing Associate placements and is now actively supporting staff to qualify in their own right After her visit Professor Sturdy said: “It was truly heartening to meet so many fantastic people and hear

commitment

for social care

Nursing Associate programme

ning care provided at Royal Star &

our High Wycombe Home to see the work we do meet residents and speak to staff Professor Sturdy was appointed Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England in 2020

Ewa Ruskowiak of Edensor Care Home and who was nominated for a Great British Care Award, beat eleven other nominees in her category, to win the Ancillary Worker Award

‘Ancillary Worker Award’ is awarded to someone who offers an excellent person centered service to clients and demonstrates dignity and respect through ancillary services and Ewa s win allows her to attend the National Finals, on 17 March 2023 at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham

Ewa Ruskowiak, a Domestic at Edensor Care Centre, said, “I felt so happy as I could see that people believed in me and I have never had that recognition before I felt very special ” And the domestic team at

Edensor commented Eva is a beautiful person through and through she treats every single resident as if they are family She uses her magic fairy dust to bring everything to life She is one in a million and we are so very proud of her ”

Lindsey Milliken Deputy Manager Edensor Care Centre said “Ewa’s compassionate care delivery over fifteen years definitely requires recogni tion She is kind, caring and compassionate to all our residents and is in the true sense an unsung hero Although as a domestic she does not deliver hands on care, she proves to many that ancillary staff can make a real dif ference to resident s lives

Only 1 in 5 of England’s Largest Councils

Confident of Setting a 2023 Balanced Budget

Only one in five of England’s largest councils are confident they can meet their legal obligation of setting a balanced budget next year with a new sur vey revealing the extent of planned service reductions due to soaring infla tionary pressures

Council leaders warn that ‘everything is on the table’ in reducing local services if the Chancellor does not spare councils from further cuts and pro vide more funding for local government in Thursday’s Autumn Statement as they grapple with £3 5bn of additional costs this year and next

The survey carried out by the County Councils Network (CCN) finds that in order to make up the shortfall and stave off bankruptcy councils are likely to have to reduce economic growth projects their spend on climate action and reduce adult social care packages and support for young people They are also likely to reduce other essential everyday services such as bus route subsidies waste centres and streetlighting This comes off the back of coun cils seeing a reduction in spend each year between 2010 and 2018

The survey which received a 90% response rate asked councils about the impact inflation and demand were having on their budgets over the next two years and reveals:

Only one in five (22%) of councils are confident of preventing financial insolvency next year if there is no additional suppor t in the upcoming Autumn Statement

Councils are legally obliged to set a balanced budget unlike the NHS meaning they must use their reserves or cut services if spending exceeds their funding

This is because councils are grappling with £3.5bn of additional costs this year and next due to inflation and rising demand; more than double the expected rise

Even if local authorities raised council tax by 3% and the Chancellor does not reduce their budgets further those councils face a funding gap of £821m In addition they face £700m of extra costs for their capital expenditure over this year and next which is for one off projects such as new buildings and roads

At a time when economic growth and levelling up is a key aim of the new government, councils say they will have little choice but to cut back on growth related activity

Almost two thirds (65%) of respondents said it was likely or very likely that they will pause or cancel some economic growth and major road projects as well as routine road maintenance, whilst 81% said it was likely or very likely they would have to pause or cancel projects such as building new leisure centres and bus or train station improvements In addition, 78% said it was likely or very likely they would have to scale back climate change action

Ser vices for the elderly, vulnerable people and children could be scaled back

In total 72% of councils said it is likely or very likely they would tighten eligibility for adult social care services, and 56% said they would likely have to reduce reablement and community based adult social care services In addition 63% would scale back school transport services with almost half 44% councils said it is ‘likely or very likely’ they would have to cut support packages to young people with special educational needs with 45% reducing the number of children s centres and youth services Highly valued ever yday ser vices would also see reductions, unless fur ther funding is made available

In total, 75% of respondents said it was ‘likely or very likely they would cut some or all bus route subsidies which enables services to run on uncommer cial routes Almost two thirds 63% said it was ‘likely or very likely’ they would turn off an increased amount of streetlights or turn them off at certain periods in the night Over half (56%) of councils also said they would likely reduce the number of libraries and (53%) household waste recycling centres or cut their opening hours

The release of today’s questionnaire follows CCN publishing a document with the Society of County Treasurers and LG Futures last month which pro jected councils’ funding pressures over the next 18 months due to inflation and demand You can download it at file:///Users/macminiali/Downloads/CCN Analysis Budget Analysis 2022 24 UPDATED 1 pdf

With inflation soaring this current year significant shortfalls have opened up in every single county authority s budget To address this CCN members are using their reserves this year but these can only be spent once and are viewed as a very short term solution

The CCN says that many of its councils are facing a cliff edge where even making substantive cuts to frontline and highly valued services may not be enough to prevent them from issuing a Section 114 notice For all of its member councils difficult decisions over what services to reduce will have to be made with many likely to offer just the bare minimum in local services

The CCN has written to the Chancellor to outline the scale of the challenge facing its members which calls on the Treasury to maintain existing 2021 Spending Review commitments for local government at the very minimum and not propose any reductions However the councils say that the government needs to go further to support councils to cope with rising inflationary costs by increasing direct funding or reprioritising existing spending commitments

Cllr Sam Corcoran Labour Vice Chairman of the County Councils Network said:

“The next two years are shaping up to be some of the most challenging for councils in recent memory After a decade of austerity and with inflation soaring if the Chancellor does not spare councils from further cuts and provide more funding for local authorities everything is on the table when considering which vital services to cut

This County Councils Network budget survey paints a clear picture of what will happen if we do not receive more funding to address inflationary and demand pressures Councils will have little choice but to reduce vital everyday services and those for the most vulnerable in society as well as economic growth projects and those aimed at tackling climate change Reducing these all create a false economy that stores up problems for the future

“Even these decisions will not be enough with less than one in five councils confident of setting a bal anced budget next year without further support This is why it is vital that the government recognise the value in supporting councils with investment in local government allowing us to continue vital economic growth and climate action supporting people to stay outside of hospital settings, and provide vital services people rely on every day

The Carer - Fire Risk/Safety in Care Homes

by Kevin Irwin, Chartered Member of Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (CMIOSH), Arinite Health & Safety (www.arinite.co.uk)

premises relies on layers of protection such that if one of the protec tive layers fails the other layers should hopefully mitigate for the fail ure

The layers of protection may be; fire prevention which coincides with staff training fire detection and warning systems, • the compartmentation of the building to prevent fire spread which includes fire doors

• fire suppression systems smoke ventilation effective plans to evacuate people from the affected part of the building maintenance programmes for building services assessment of how individual can be safely evacuated, staff training in evacuation plans and the use of evacuation equip ment

• emergency escape lighting etc

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS

‘HARD’ VERSUS ‘SOFT’

some residents may use the exits unsupervised and be exposed to the risk of falling on stairways or wandering onto roadways

Evacuation aids may not be suitable for all residents or may not be capable of being used on all types of beds

While a fire at night when residents are in bed and there are gener ally less staff on duty is often seen as the worst case scenario, fre quently though the daytime residents gather in lounges to chat and watch TV

PERSONAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) rarely consider how individuals can be evacuated from such situations

The ‘soft’ issues therefore of how individuals can live fulfilling lives but also can be safely evacuated in the event of a fire must be given sufficient importance during any assessment

under £1 million with £100 000 costs for failing to assess the risks to a resident smoker who was being treated with paraffin based emollient creams which can be flammable when allowed to build up on skin clothing or bedding Sadly the resident died while smoking unsupervised outside in a garden shelter

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVE

The objective of a Fire Risk Assessment is to look at the premises and the people who use them

It s about understanding the potential risks then improving the fire safety precautions to keep people safe

The fire safety of residents in residential care homes and similar

ISSUES

Many times Fire Risk Assessments concentrate on the hard issues such as fire alarm adequacy and maintenance, fire doors, emergency lighting building maintenance and often insufficient attention is given to the soft issues

To be fair fires in care homes can generally be attributed to human error or equipment misuse or failure

However, residents of care homes are individuals and have unique and frequently changing characteristics Issues that would seem to be straight forward in other environments can be complicated in a care home environment For instance all exit doors releasing from a locked position in the event of a fire alarm would appear to be a common sense provision until you consider that

Given the current conditions with many residential care homes suf fering shortages of staff or have problems recruiting new staff it is important to assess the capability of the staff available to be able to effectively conduct evacuations of any fire affected areas of the home

An evacuation assessment may consider the number of staff avail able the dependence of the residents to be evacuated and the num ber of bedrooms or size of the area to be evacuated and should be considered as part of the Fire Risk Assessment

However the number of residents and their individual dependence on others changes constantly and so the evacuation assessment should be reviewed regularly

Fire Risk Assessments are often seen as an annual one off event conducted (hopefully) by a competent person

Fire Risk Assessments should be an ongoing daily exercise conduct ed by all staff as they go about their daily routine

Deputy Manager at Whitstable Care Home Celebrates 20 Years

working at the home

Speaking after his achievement he said: When I joined I never thought I would still be here after 20 years

Tim

The

My experience of working for MHA has been great and I do feel it s a mix ture of the staff the atmosphere at the home and the residents which has contributed to me being here for 20 years

“The home is a very positive place to work we all get along with each other and seeing residents happy is what keeps me going and I can’t see myself going anywhere else ”

The deputy manager of a Whitstable based care home celebrated his 20 year work anniversary with the home and says seeing the residents happy is what keeps him going

Bailey started working at MHA Bradbury Grange when he was 16 and joined initially as a member of the kitchen team He then climbed the progression ladder and moved into the care depart ment, starting off as a care assistant, senior care assistant, a residential sup port lead and then deputy manager

home provides tailored residential and residential dementia care for 50 residents who Tim says are a huge reason as to why he still enjoys

The Economy Needs a Healthy Social Care says Care England

Care England has called for immediate and long term investment in the adult social care sector ahead of the Government s planned fiscal statement on 17 November

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England, says:

In addition to providing invaluable services to people who draw on care or support, the adult social care sector plays a central and often overlooked role in our economy Without a substantial invest ment increase in the sector the Treasury hampers its ability to reprimand ongoing pressures within the NHS This will not only cause health services to suf fer but will also have detrimental knock on effects on the wider economic health of the nation The Prime Minister has been clear that the Government will always support the NHS and that the NHS will continue to be prioritised as difficult decisions are taken on spending Yet, it is not possible to have a healthy NHS without a healthy social care sector Whilst we recognise and appreciate the financial pressures currently faced within the NHS address ing those within social care is a prerequisite for a well functioning health and social care system and must be prioritised by this new Government in the upcoming fiscal statement

The planned fiscal statement on 17 November will set out the UK s medium term fiscal plan to put pub lic spending on a sustainable footing reduce Government debt and restore stability

Care England has written to the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP Chancellor of the Exchequer to detail the scale and severity of the issues facing adult social care and set out our key asks for the sector princi pally relating to energy funding and our invaluable workforce

Care England has called for the following to be recognized within the forthcoming statement

The reforms to adult social care including the cap on care costs changes to the social care means test and Fair Cost of Care must not be delayed and the original timeline adhered to Commit to further measures of support for the adult social care sector beyond the 31 March 2023 dead line of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme

• The Government must immediately commit to Government funding increases to reprimand the current approximated £7bn funding gap

The introduction of a fully funded ten year work force plan akin to that of the NHS where career progression pay and rewards are identified Martin Green continues: The Chancellor under stands the scale of the issues facing the adult social care sector following his time as both Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care and as Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Now is the time to instigate real change and shift the focus towards a sustainable future for the adult social care sector, which, represents 6% of total employment and contributes in excess of £50bn per annum to the economy in England The wellbeing of the sector is fundamentally intertwined with the sustainability of the UK economy As Departmental spending is reviewed amid challeng ing economic circumstances with the focus on try ing to resolve the problems within the NHS the social care sector continues to be seemingly over looked The adult social care sector is fundamental to national infrastructure by enabling meaningful lives for thousands of older people and working age adults with disabilities and also in supporting both the NHS and the UK economy as a whole ”

WE NOW SUPPLY A WIDE RANGE OF FURNITURE

Christie & Co Analyses Transactional Healthcare

Market In Inaugural ‘Care Market Review’ Report

providers in the UK to gain insight into some of the operational chal lenges they re facing

agency staff usage from some of healthcare’s leading operators

TRANSACTIONAL ACTIVITY

Christie & Co reports strong demand for care home opportunities throughout the UK, with a 78 per cent increase in completions from 2020 to 2022 and deal numbers significantly ahead of pre pandemic levels This year, offers sat at an average of 101 per cent of asking price, underlining that strong investor appetite with competitive bidding is commonplace Christie & Co noted however that with the changing macro economic landscape the trend moving forward will be driven by a number of factors including the availability of capital and the alignment of vendors pricing expectations relative to prevailing market conditions

New instruction levels increased by around 30 per cent from 2020 to 2021 and they continue to grow as operators capitalise on the buoyant market conditions and strong values achieved

The company notes that its most active buyer type over the past five years has been independent operators with one or two homes which, on average transacted on 41 per cent of deals in the sector So far in 2022, corporate operators and investors have made up 33 per cent of deals while first time buyers made up just 7 per cent a fall of 9 per cent since 2018 which is reflective of the increasing funding challenges for first time buyers the regulatory burden of the CQC and the increase in quality, higher value stock on the market

Thanks to a competitive marketplace and the increased use of tech nology in care homes which can allow for some operational work to be conducted remotely buyers are increasingly looking further afield with almost half (48 per cent) of deals in 2022 concluded to buyers who live over 100 miles from their target business A large number of deals were concluded in and around urban centres yet there has been an increase in the number of care homes transacting in rural and coastal areas

CLOSED CARE HOMES

Over 1 500 care homes ceased trading between 2015 and 2020 This was not solely linked to CQC ratings as over 40 per cent of care home closures in 2020 had ‘Good’ ratings and were closed for a range of rea sons, including margins and cost pressures

A record 31 per cent of the care homes Christie & Co sold in 2021 were on a closed basis 56 per cent of these were sold for ongoing healthcare use, whilst 26 per cent were sold for residential conversion The number of closed care homes sold dropped to just 13 per cent in 2022 however an increasing proportion (80 per cent) of these closed homes were sold to care home providers

LOCAL AUTHORITY FEE RATE INCREASES

When analysing local authority fee rate rises across the UK in the fis cal year 2022/23 Christie & Co found that fee increases fall short of inflationary cost pressures in the sector There was a large disparity between fee increases throughout the UK from 3 1 per cent to 12 8 per cent with an average residential fee increase in England of 5 4 per cent and nursing fees rising by 6 8 per cent Going forward the com pany expects the burden on the self funded client base to increase

OPERATOR SENTIMENT SURVEY

Christie & Co interviewed a cross section of local and regional

With resourcing placing a huge strain on care home operators 52 per cent of respondents said that they have a widespread use of agency staff Those that have obtained a sponsorship licence to recruit staff from abroad have been able to tap into new markets for their recruitment needs and this has been successful for many However with over half of providers still having to use agency staff to fill their rotas business costs are increasing further

While 43 per cent of operators said occupancy has returned to pre pandemic levels for 57 per cent occupancy is still recovering There is a wide variation in occupancy trends across the UK with many smaller regional operators saying that their homes are largely back to pre pan demic levels and larger providers generally reporting lower overall average occupancy rates Positively though the majority report good enquiry levels which suggests that occupancy rates will continue to re build during 2023

FUNDING LANDSCAPE

The report concludes with a look at the funding landscape written by commercial finance specialist Christie Finance which has seen 8 33 per cent fewer funded deals in the sector this year as operators look to their portfolios to expand or restructure existing debt The average loan size increased by 5 8 per cent, which suggests that funding in the sec tor is evolving to provide more refinance to buy or expand

First time buyers making offers on care businesses fell from 48 per cent in 2021 to 45 per cent in 2022 due to the perceived difficulties in raising finance This area of the market has been more challenging as the recognised lenders retrench to service existing operators with proven track records

Rob Kinsman Regional Director Care at Christie & Co comments “The last couple of years have presented the sector with huge opera tional challenges but it is heartening to see that investor appetite has fully recovered We have confidence that the entrepreneurial nature of the sector will ensure the transactional market continues to thrive despite the growing economic headwinds ”

To read the full report visit www christie com/news resources/publications/care market review 2022/

Darlington Care Home Recognises Staff ’s Long Ser vice

Tracy said: “I like working at Wilton House because I enjoy seeing the smiles on everybody s faces I class both residents and staff as my work family ”

A celebration buffet was attended by colleagues and residents at which Fiona and Tracy were presented with gifts and

Steve Massey, operations manager at Popular Care, which owns the 35 bed home said: We wanted to recognise not only the long service of Fiona and Tracy who are fantastic members of the Wilton House team but also what staff do all year round to support and care for our residents

Wilton House is a very special place it has a caring dedicated and very settled staff team and there is a beautiful, homely atmosphere, which is enjoyed by

Fiona said: “I like my job there is great interaction with both the staff and residents Also there is a nice atmosphere when you come into work on a morning ”

Steve added: It is hard at the best of times in social care to keep the same staff, but Wilton House has a great track record of retaining staff and ensuring residents are familiar with the people who are looking after them “Fiona and Tracy epitomise Wilton House s commitment to delivering a personalised care plan for each resident that encompasses their emotional and physical needs and wellbeing as well as their goals personalities and interests ”

Lakeland Dairies Festive Cocktail Competition Open For Entries

Following the success of last year s inaugural Lakeland Dairies Festive Tipples cocktail competition the contest has returned for 2022 and is now open for entries

Jean Cattanach marketing controller Lakeland Dairies comments: We had a truly fantastic response to last year s competition We were so delighted to see care homes enjoying a fun and entertaining Christmas activity using our deliciously versatile Millac Gold Double that we have bought it back for a second year In 2021 we awarded Russell Churcher Court care home first place for their beautiful drink collages and exceptional creativity and we can t wait to see what exciting ideas this year’s competition will bring ”

THE CHALLENGE

Lakeland Dairies have teamed up with wellbeing specialists NAPA, to provide an engaging festive cocktail competition for care home resi dents Together they are challenging care homes to host a cocktail party whilst at the same time encouraging residents to participate through designing their own cocktail WIN

The winning entry will receive a Lakeland Dairies activity pack, including a cocktail shaker, Relish Aqua Paint set and a case of deli cious Millac Gold Double Every entry will also receive a helpful roll of piping bags ENTER Simply ask residents to draw paint or make their cocktail and email the designs

To support care caterers even further, Lakeland Dairies have also released a fortified recipe and activity resource Fortified Focus: Festive Tipples The resource demonstrates how to deliver fortified food and drink in a delicious appetising and engaging way

It is packed with delicious alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktail recipes The drinks are fortified with Lakeland Dairies 100% Dairy Skimmed Milk Powder which is full of the goodness of milk and rec ommended by dietitians for fortification because it has the ideal combi nation of protein and calories

FORTIFIED COCKTAIL RECIPES

Each recipe has been carefully created by Lakeland Dairies a regis tered dietitian, and a specialist care home chef Together they have

successfully overcome some of the enormous challenges faced by care caterers when fortifying drinks namely that of how to devise recipes which are high in protein and still delicious to consume PROTEIN

&

CALORIES

Dietitian Rachael Masters who worked on the project comments: “As dietitians we promote 100% dairy skimmed milk powder for fortification because of the protein content An ideal milk powder for fortifying would have at least 50 calories and 5g protein per heaped tablespoon (15g)”

Lakeland Dairies 100% Dairy Skimmed Milk Powder exceeds dietit ian’s ideal requirement from a milk powder for fortification as it has 55kcal and 5 5 g of protein in a single heaped tablespoon

Lakeland Dairies creates professional dairy products for chefs which have been carefully crafted and treated to have great taste and to pro vide a longer life for added convenience in busy kitchens With a proud heritage in dairy farming, Lakeland Dairies is a 100% farmer owned and managed dairy co operative whose products are made from high quality milk from the lush green pastures of its 3 200 family farms Claim the free fortified recipe and activity resource here https://bit ly/3xW0ttL

Every entrant who requests the guide will receive a free roll of Millac piping bags

F lakelanddairiesfoodservice

T @lakelandFS #festivetipples

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has today launched its first Care Market Review 2022 report which analyses the transactional healthcare market in the UK: looking at buyer appetite transactional activity and investor demand local authority fee increas es and the funding landscape It also includes an operator survey which gives an insider view on occupancy and

A celebration has been held to recognise two staff who have notched up 40 years service between them, at Wilton House care home in Darlington

Fiona Proctor who is head housekeeper and Tracy Jaques who is a kitchen assistant have both worked at the home which is in Wilton Close for two decades

flowers

residents, visitors

and colleagues alike

With the Chancellor now due to deliver his Autumn Statement within days new polling commissioned by Age UK has found that the UK public is strongly in support of retaining the triple lock Seventy five per cent of adults equivalent to forty million people think the Government should keep it, rising to 91 per cent of over 60s, according to the research

This polling also found similar, very high levels of public support for benefits such as Pension Credit being increased in line with inflation to help those on the very lowest incomes Seventy three per cent of all age groups rising to 77 per cent of the over 60s agree with Age UK’s call for benefits to be uprated in line with prices from next April Unless this happens the Charity is warning that millions of the poorest pensioners children and families will be plunged below the bread line and forced into deep hardship

The research also found that a third of older people (35 per cent of over 60s) said they would be less likely to vote Conservative in a general election if the Government breaks its manifesto commitment to increase the State Pension by the triple lock Certainly, there is no doubt that many older people feel passionately about the importance of this commitment: when Age UK surveyed its older campaigners dur ing the summer about their priorities for the incoming Prime Minister

this clearly came top alongside help with the cost of living

The Charity says it is deeply concerned about the impact on older people of a decision to water down or abandon the triple lock because this would deliver a devastating real terms cut to the State Pension still the main source of income for the majority of older people at a time when the prices of everyday items are rising quickly Without the knowledge that this important safety net will kick in from April, many older people simply won t have the confidence to keep their homes warm this winter and Age UK fears that the threat of an unaffordable bill in the spring could mean that hundreds of thousands won t even try seriously jeopardising their physical and mental health

Caroline Abrahams Charity Director at Age UK said: “At Age UK we are hearing some deeply concerning stories from older people about the drastic measures they are taking to save money for example, preparing coffee with hot water from the tap so they don t have to boil a kettle, and regularly eating a handful of biscuits rather than preparing a proper meal Our biggest worry is that as the weeks go by and prices for everyday items continue to rise, growing numbers of older people will resort to strategies like these putting their health and wellbeing at risk

“If it’s this bad for some older people now how will it be for them in

Carer Scoops Coveted National T itle

The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 12 000 residents living in Barchester’s 248 care homes and private hospitals across the country Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and Carer of the Year to Dementia Care Champion and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’

More than 2 900 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK All entries were a very high standard and Mira Lazovic is over the moon to have been named the national winner beating hundreds of other nominees to the coveted title

Mira Lazovic said: I am so very honoured to win this award it was such a shock when they called my name at the awards ceremony I work with such a great team at Chorleywood Beaumont and I am so grateful for all their support, this award is for all of us!

Mira Lazovic’s win was announced at a special national award ceremony which took place to cele brate the outstanding achievements of Barchester’s many exemplary staff members who have all wit nessed first hand the hardest 18 months in the his tory of social care General Manager Ramona Stanciu said: “This is an amazing achievement and the whole home is so proud of Mira Mira is so dedicated to her role and our residents She always goes above and beyond her duties to help others and make people happy

January or February when our weather is usually at its worst Christmas is over and there is nothing to look forward to? One of the reasons why we think it is so important that the Chancellor restores the triple lock is that it would provide older people with some ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ in the spring giving them the confidence, we hope, to keep their heating on through the winter

“Yet for significant numbers of pensioners who rely on benefits like Pension Credit to stay above the breadline, and Attendance Allowance to meet some of the costs of disability, restoring the triple lock will not be enough They also desperately need the Chancellor to raise these and other benefits in line with inflation otherwise they will fall further behind financially with dire consequences we fear in some cases

It s hard to believe this is where we are today in 2022 facing the prospect of a depth of hardship among our older population of a kind we thought belonged firmly to the past But it s real and it is vital that Ministers face up to it To govern is to choose they say so we fervent ly hope that at the Autumn Statement the Chancellor chooses to do the right thing and acts to protect older people on low incomes If he does he will clearly have the vast majority of the public cheering him on ”

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.

Mira Lazovic at Chorleywood Beaumont Care Home in Chorleywood has beaten all the competition to be crowned National Hospitality Champion of the year in the Barchester Care Awards 2022

Nearly Half a Million Vulnerable and Elderly People Have No Social Contact Apart from Care Worker

Nearly half (49%) of care workers report they have had at least one patient whose only regular social contact is them according to a shocking new YouGov survey into the state of UK care Given that the King s Fund estimates there are 988,000 UK care workers, this would mean 485,000 of society s most vulnerable whose only link with the wider world is their care worker: a staggering epidemic of loneliness

The same survey commissioned by Newcross Healthcare demon strates that it now more important than ever for the vulnerable and elderly to have this last line of defence as the cost of living crisis bites A quarter of care workers surveyed (25%) reported that patients have stopped turn ing the heating on The study also found that 23% of care workers have patients who cannot afford the correct food or nutrition and 22% cannot afford necessities altogether

This alarming news comes at a time of crisis for the care sector with the YouGov survey also reporting that over a quarter of care workers (27%) are considering leaving the sec tor in the next 12 months in addition to the 50 000 that have already abandoned the sector according to

Skills for Care

Co founder & COO of Newcross Healthcare and Nurse Michelle Gorringe said I have seen first hand through my career the impact carers make especially with so many who have no other contact Chronic under staffing means that care visits are shortened or do not happen making the situation worst As a society, we don’t recognise the work social care workers do enough and this just shows another element of the vital work they do for our vulnerable and elderly Care workers are very special peo ple who can transform someone’s day with a touch or a smile” CEO and Co founder Stephen Pattrick Added We need to do more as a society to recognise care workers, ensuring our appreciation is equal for both those working in social care and the NHS Care workers are the last line of defence for thousands, and without them, the NHS simply would not be able to cope That s why we are doing all we can to encourage more people to come and work in the sector through wellbeing support and high quality learning and development

Care Village Arts Strategy Recognised with National Award

A collaborative project aiming to tackle loneliness amongst older people liv ing at Belong Newcastle under Lyme care village has been recognised with a national award win commending the positive impact on participants wellbeing as well as the strategic creative approach to caring for those living with demen tia

We Belong Together (WBT) was devised through Belong's partnership with Liverpool s contemporary arts centre the Bluecoat to support customers resid ing at Belong care villages when government intervention placed them in lock down limiting social interaction Critically acclaimed artists ran weekly virtual sessions with tenants using a range of art forms including ceramics sound and storytelling

The initiative has been crowned winner at the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) awards taking home the Year of Creativity Award Judges were impressed by the increased wellbeing experienced by those involved and more widely Belong s use of creativity and arts as part of its approach to dementia care They praised the village team as ‘truly dedicated to thinking creatively trying new things and involving everyone every day Emma Palin experience coordinator at Belong Newcastle under Lyme said: "We're thrilled to accept this arts award both for us and for the Bluecoat Their workshops gave our customers something to look forward to during a very challenging time

"Our belief is that activities are more than just a way to keep customers entertained; it's about providing opportunities for purpose or to keep people connected supporting them in meaningful occupation where they can contribute their ideas The arts in particular are a vehicle for enhancing wellbeing and fostering

relationships both of which have tremendous health benefits as seen during

Betty Ritchie Participation Manager at the Bluecoat added We are thrilled that We Belong Together has received the Year of Creativity Award from NAPA WBT gave us the opportunity to connect and engage in meaningful creative activity with Belong tenants at a time when in person activity wasn't possible Thanks to our artists Brigitte Jurack Alan Dunn and Gav Cross for their imagina tive and innovative approaches to running remote sessions, Belong for their amazing enthusiasm and commitment and to the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England for the funding that enabled us to deliver this project "

Since 2019 Belong s customers have worked closely with artists commis sioned by the Bluecoat to promote wellbeing through creative pursuits and evaluate the use of arts for people living with dementia The partnership commenced with artist residen cies' which initially saw artists working in Belong villages leading an array of art forms, ranging from story telling and sculpture to sound art and dance

The award win coincides with the launch of a new circus exhibition at the Belong Heritage Gallery the 17th century listed building integrated within the care village housing a range of displays to inspire and enthuse residents to explore art and heritage as well as a creative studio and special needs potter s wheel Paying homage to Philip Astley, father of modern circus, the experience invites visitors to take a trip down memory lane with memorabilia from bygone eras of circus entertainment as well as residents own handmade earthenware

the lockdown

Moving an Elderly Relative into Your Home? Ease

The Transition with Simple Cost-Effective Tips

As the cost of living crisis looms over us as we approach winter, many families will be facing the tough decision of whether it is financially sensi ble and safer to move an eld erly relative into the family home With this comes a host of new chal lenges to navigate for both the welcoming family and the eld erly relative who is being moved homes

Renaissance Care is a nation al care home provider and is well versed in providing hous ing transition support for elder ly people moving into its facilities and can offer some practical tips on easing that adjustment for both parties

Jozi Stables care home manager with Renaissance Care said: It can be a challenging time for families when they are transitioning a rel ative from independent living into an existing family home environment and something we are very aware of when residents come to stay with us at our care homes

It s often a journey that all members of the family have to embark on and it’s very normal for there to be teething problems along the way However there are easy and effective ways that you can ease this transition to make the journey ultimately enjoyable for all involved

RETAIN A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE:

Elderly relatives who have lived alone for many years have their own routine, their own social commitments and their own needs for person al space So it s really important to make sure when moving a relative into the family home that these rights are respected Relatives should

be able to come and go to their existing commitments as they wish freely and without judgement It can be easy to become overprotective but it is important to continue to promote and support your relative’s independence Set clear boundaries from the outset on what they would like your help with and what they can manage on their own and stick to these there s no harm in reviewing these often but it s impor tant not to fuss and overstep the mark

ROUTINE IS IMPORTANT:

Moving an elderly person into a hustling bustling family home can be overwhelming the noise, the pace and the routine are all quite unfa miliar Try and make sure the relatives routine is implemented and blended into the running of the family home, this might look like earlier dinner times adapting meals to suit the palette of your relative chang ing the TV schedule and quieter evenings if they are early to bed It is important to ensure your relative still has choice and you support them with their choices and routine

SMALL ADAPTATIONS ARE EASILY MADE:

Making your home a safe environment that encourages independence can seem like a daunting task but actually there are so many products available on the high street and online that making small changes is very achievable Ergonomically designed kettles that are suitable for elderly people as well as specially designed crockery and cutlery and apparatus that can assist with getting dressed are all readily available and can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of someone elderly moving into the family home At Renaissance Care and across the care sector we encourage risk enablement meaning that if the bene fit outweighs the risk then the behaviour or task isn t modified so encouraging elderly people to continue making their own cups of tea is just one example of this

REASSURANCE:

Often elderly people feel that they have become a burden on their family so providing consistent reassurance to the relative is very important If it helps to take away the sense of being looked after, let your elderly relative contribute financially to the home it might only be

£20 but it will give them a sense of ‘paying their way’ something heavily engrained in their generation

HEALTH MONITORING:

Often such a big upheaval can lead to elderly people experiencing depression and low moods and so it is really important to keep an eye on your loved one and monitor behaviours and be aware of any changes in their baseline health It’s normal to have the odd day here or there where you’re not feeling 100% but if it becomes a constant, it's time to flag your concerns to your elderly relative and if you can the family GP

CREATE A QUIET SPACE:

It might seem obvious but creating a small space with home com forts that the relative can escape to for some quiet time can be invalu able This can simply be putting a TV in their bedroom so that they can watch their own programmes without the interruption of family life

Jozi continued: It s really important to remember that your elderly relative is used to their independence their home comforts and their own space try and replicate those conditions in certain spaces within the home so that there is an escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy household Most elderly people enjoy being around others but just like anyone else they need time to recharge and unwind and we should be respectful of that

"Sometimes it’s beneficial for both parties in the newly combined household to take a break that s where respite stays are an invaluable resource for families to call on it can be a short weekend stay a week or two

“This is a big transition for everyone involved and it’s okay to take time adjust and adapt it might not happen overnight There are also valuable resources available through Alzheimer s Scotland Health and Social Care Scotland and from your local GP practice ”

Renaissance Care Homes owns and operates sixteen homes located across Scotland and currently provides care provision for 700 residents throughout the UK

Time Capsules Mark the Opening of Abbeyfield Independent Living Scheme

Nolan

drawings, poems, stories and videos from local schoolchildren describing and illustrating what living in Heathfield means to them as well as contributions from local societies and clubs The capsules also included coins stamps a shopping receipt front pages of national and local papers published on the day they were sealed as well as a soil

commented: We are extremely excited to bury the time capsules and have enjoyed working with the Heathfield community to ensure its contents are truly representative of what it is like living in this thriving market town After the last couple of years everyone has had, it has been a fun and positive focus to bring the community together even more Holdenhurst has long been a part of the community and local people will continue to play an important role at the affordable housing scheme We thought of no bet ter way to commemorate this by burying a time capsule

of Abbeyfield

“Over many years, the site has been a facility for older members of the community and in its most recent incarnation Holdenhurst regularly hosted the local Age UK day centre lunches We hope the new building will be similarly used by local community groups ”

was

The

by a launch party for its tenants members of the Heathfield community and those

have played a role in the development as well as the time capsule featuring a performance from

Virtual Reality Technology Helps Residents Take a Trip To Some Of The World’s Most Beautiful Places

The VR headset offers Residents the opportunity to visit renowned tourist sites whilst sitting comfortably in their Homes The headsets track head movements, allowing the wearer to explore a 360 degree representation of an environment just by looking around The view experienced by the headset wearer is also displayed on a tablet so Carers and family can share and chat about the content which might include places familiar to the resident or parts of the world they’ve never encountered before Advinia Health Care (www advinia co uk) says the introduction of virtual reality tech nology is in response to the impact the pandemic has had on residents who have expressed their desire to travel around the world In response Advinia introduced

Reminiscence

enjoyable

From sky diving in Dubai to a tour of the Grand Canyon in Arizona Care Home Residents in the UK are living their travel dreams Residents in Advinia Health Care homes, Newcarron Court Longwood Braemount Hillview Netherton Green and Parklands have been travelling around the world from the com fort of their armchairs thanks to Oculus a virtual reality technol ogy

Oculus to enhance the life of the residents, especially those liv ing with dementia

Dr Sanjeev Kanoria Founder and Chairman of Advinia Healthcare noted that It is wonderful to hear how these experi ences have allowed the Residents to reminisce with their fami lies and each other and enabled them to become more engaged and involved particularly during these challenging last couple of years ”

therapy is proving to be particularly effective for people living with dementia, and this is a fantastic example of how we can utilise modern technology to help them to unlock treasured memories and engage with others , ” he further explains

Advinia is one of the UK's largest care providers and has for some time now been engaging in groundbreaking technological advancements to provide the best care for residents With a vision to create a better everyday life for its residents Advinia contin ues to explore the ever present opportunities that technology provides to make life for the elderly more

The Abbeyfield South Downs (ASD) has marked the official opening of its affordable rental development Holdenhurst by burying two time capsules

Local MP Huw Merriman accompanied by Holdenhurst tenants and the Abbeyfield South Downs CEO Nolan Taylor buried the capsule under the iconic Monkey Puzzle tree on Mill Road in front of the building, on Friday 4th November It included items that illustrate what it is like to live in Heathfield in 2022, as well as the history of the building, donated by individuals and organisations from around the local community ASD is a registered charity that offers care enabled housing for older people from the local community is part of the worldwide Abbeyfield Family and its network of over 350 care homes sheltered living schemes and independent living complexes, supporting over 8,000 residents Abbeyfields South Downs invited schools community groups businesses and residents of the town to contribute content for the capsules, including photography of Heathfield,

sample taken from the grounds of Holdenhurst in an airtight vial The time capsules are marked by a plaque and will be dug back up in 50 years time

Taylor Chief Executive

South Downs

burial

followed

who

entertainer Chris Jacobs

Councils Warn Care & Nursing Vacancies

Future carers and nurses could be held back from realising their poten tial and risk stifling economic growth if proposed cuts to community learn ing courses goes ahead councils warned

Local leaders should instead be given more freedom to bring together employers jobseekers and training providers to ensure vacancies can be filled by local people with the right skills and qualifications

The Local Government Association which represents more than 350 councils across England and Wales say next week s Autumn Statement is an opportunity to reverse plans to curtail adult learning provision which supports health and wellbeing and helps build local communities

These include courses such as family learning and healthy eating, help ing residents manage their household budgets studying English or learn ing digital skills GPs also use them as a social prescribing tool to help those experiencing loneliness and depression

Many adults including those with the lowest qualifications low confidence those out of work for some time including for health reasons or who want to change career use these first steps courses to engage in learning and with dedicated support go on to further learning to fill skills gaps in in demand roles including teaching, social care, nursing and many others

Councils say the current plans which are intended to focus activity solely on achieving employment for all learners, will have unintended consequences for the Government’s ambition for growth, as it will reduce local options for people looking to increase their skills and manage life s challenges

A separate report by the Heseltine Institute for the LGA also sets out how the national approach to adult skills is too fragmented and complex for learners and employers to navigate with councils and combined authorities best placed to join this up and fill the gaps

The report found that whilst government investment has focused on level 3 Free Courses for Jobs provi sion (A level or equivalent) there are millions of adults who are locked out of progressing to this higher level training because they do not have a Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) It recommends a more balanced funding approach and a far more joined up system locally including devolving more powers to respond

quickly to new labour market trends including digital net zero and automation, whose impacts will vary from place to place

With 80 per cent of the 2030 workforce in employment now the report says in work training is vital to achieve economic growth by providing increased financial incentives for employers to invest in skills alongside local support for businesses to help translate these skills into productivity gains

However the Adult Education Budget has been halved in recent years and is set to be reformed into a new Skills Fund The LGA said the Government should allow councils and combined authorities maximum freedom to plan this successor Fund with employers including those lead ing local skills plans training providers charities and others This would help identify and encourage more adults into learning and onto good jobs fit for the future

Cllr Kevin Bentley Chairman of the LGA’s People and Places Board said

“Growing the economy will not be easily achieved if we cannot provide the routes to jobs of the future

Our rapidly changing labour market means we need to be investing more now to give people the right skills and qualifications to keep up with demand, whether it be in new green technologies or providing the next generation of teachers nurses and care workers

“Every area has its own unique mix of jobs, qualification levels, unemployment and vacancies, which a one size fits all national approach to tackling our looming skills deficit will not solve

“Councils know their areas best and need the right funding and powers to help prepare a workforce fit for the future This includes extending to all councils the ability to fully manage adult education budgets in their areas

“Providing people with the means to upskill and increase their opportunities, including encouraging older people and those with little or no qualifications into work will be ultimately how we boost growth spread prosperity and help to level up the country ”

Signature at Coombe Hill Manor Donates £3,000 to Kingston Hospital Charity to Create a Tranquil Space

Signature at Coombe Hill Manor has generously donated £3 000 to Kingston Hospital Charity to create a tranquil space in one of the side rooms on the hospital s orthopaedic ward improving the quality of experience for some of the hospital’s patients and their loved ones

This generous gift made by the local luxury care home will meet the costs associated with creating this tranquil space It is hoped the works to this room will be undertaken during the spring of 2023

The aim is to create a calming and more homely space for patients who benefit from being cared in one of the side rooms These are often patients who have advanced dementia or who are dying The senses of sight smell and sound are used to help create a calming natural sanctuary, which feels far removed from the clinical hospital environment

Each of the tranquil spaces created incorporate softer lighting and a skylight above each bed as well as artwork and a noticeboard for pictures and cards They also incorporate comfortable furniture, aroma diffusers and often Bluetooth speakers to add to the tranquil ambience

Signature at Coombe Hill Manor s involvement in the project arose through a meeting at the Kingston Chamber of Commerce where they first heard of the hospital s partner charity s commitment to raise money to create tranquil spaces on each of the side rooms in its orthopaedic ward

In honour of their support the tranquil space when completed will include a plaque acknowledging the care home s contribution

Commenting on the new project, Tracey Shaw, Fundraising Manager at Kingston Hospital Charity said

“We are thrilled to be working with important community partners such as Signature at Coombe Hill Manor care home The Tranquil

Spaces project is important in improving the quality of experience for patients and their families who benefit from being cared for in one of these rooms These are often patients coming to the end of their life or who have advanced dementia We rely on the support of our local community to help us deliver the best possible care through projects like this This work simply couldn't happen with our NHS funding alone So we are hugely grateful to Signature at Coombe Hill Manor care home for their support, and we look forward to working together and our relationship flourishing

Speaking about the care home s contribution towards the tranquilli ty room project Jane Knight Client Liaison Manager at Signature at Coombe Hill Manor, said:

We re delighted to be supporting Kingston Hospital and its partner charity to create a tranquil space on its orthopaedic ward As a fellow provider of elderly and dementia care support in the community we know the incredible difference these innovative approaches can make in people s lives

“Supporting our local community is also a key mission of ours and we are always looking for ways in which we can contribute to our wonderful area Kingston Hospital is one of those crucial pillars to the community that helps so many people every single day We re delighted to further build our relationship with the hospital and thor oughly enjoy their visits to Coombe Hill Manor”

Family

These

With

From 11am 4pm people aged 65 and over will be welcomed into Excelcare homes listed in the graphic to seek refuge from the cold and enjoy a hot drink

The warm banks in each home are situated in communal areas such as lounges and dining rooms so guests will also have the opportunity to engage with people who live and work in them This will provide some welcomed com pany to elderly members of the community especially those who live on their own or struggle with feelings of loneliness

Building on an established relationship with Kingston Hospital Signature at Coombe Hill Manor were eager to contribute and follow ing a visit to the hospital decided to meet costs associated with cre ating a tranquil space

run care provider Excelcare has announced that a selection of their care homes in Essex will be opening warm banks for people over the age of 65

warm banks will be free to attend and offer a safe haven for people to seek warmth and relaxation when in need

the current cost of living crisis crippling families across the UK and the temperature steadily dropping as we approach winter Excelcare has launched their warm bank initiative to provide support to an age group that are most likely to feel the harsh effects of the cold and rising energy costs

Helen Bennett Regional Operations Director of Excelcare homes in Essex said “it’s a pleasure to announce the opening of our warm banks in care homes across the region Providing a safe space for people who are in need this winter is some thing

Care Homes Face Being ‘Vilified’ if Patients Given Visitor Rights

Care home residents may soon have the legal right to see visitors however the care sector has expressed concern that faces being “vilified” on this issue when we re trying our very best

While visiting restrictions in England’s care homes have been lifted, some care homes still do not allow visitors and according to The Times the government is now contemplating introducing legislation to make it happen Speaking to the Times Care minister Helen Whately said she is determined to fix” the issue around visiting amid reports some residents are still being denied quality time in person with loved ones as a precaution against the spread of coro navirus

The Times has reported that options to address problems could include introducing legislation giving res idents or patients a right to receive visitors or legislation telling the health watchdog the Care Quality Commission, to inspect visiting policies when rating care homes or hospitals Nadra Ahmed the chair of the National Care Association branded called for the Government instead to fund the sector properly highlighting the ongoing issue of staff shortages She told BBC Radio 4 s Today programme: I think it s really disappointing that we re looking at another piece of legislation in relation to the care home sector

“And I think it will be really important for people to understand that we’re probably one of the most legis lated against parts of the sector

“I would always start from the point that the wellbeing of every individual in our care service that we sup port is enhanced by a visit and pre Covid that is what happened We had open visiting This is a conse quence of Covid that we have to go with the guidance that we do” she said A spokesman for the department said: Our guidance clearly states that residents in care homes should be able to have at least one visitor in all situations

“We will continue to work with health protection teams to ensure the advice they are giving to care homes is proportionate and reflects Government guidance

We urge all trusts and care homes to follow the guidance and ensure they are facilitating these visits, which play a crucial role in the wellbeing and care of patients and residents

“The Care Quality Commission is able to take regulatory action where there are concerns that safe and proportionate visiting is not being facilitated

Referring to her personal experience Ms Whately told The Times: “No one can be in any doubt now how much visits matter

The darkest days of the pandemic are thankfully behind us but I m still hearing from families (who are) being stopped from visiting loved ones

I know how it feels I didn t know if I would see my mum alive again when she was very ill in hospital in the summer

I remember well the feelings I had at the time: grief mixed with frustration and even anger at a system that seemed to lack humanity ”

Campaigner Nicci Gerrard argued Covid 19 had shown why people should have a legal right to see their loved ones in their time of greatest need

The co founder of the charity John’s Campaign said those with special needs such as dementia should have the right to have their essential caregiver wherever they go

Speaking on the Today programme: “There are lots of complicated things around the edges, but at the centre there s this clear message that people should not be separated from those that they love during times of their greatest need

And Covid has shown why that needs to be enshrined in law It s very easy to sweep away these human rights ”

Local Care Home Community Knit And Natter Project Delivers Warming Blankets

Residents from Longueville Court care home in Orton Longueville Peterborough have been very busy over the past few months knitting patches to create some lovely warm blankets

The animal loving Longueville Court weekly ‘Knit and Natter’ group invited friends from around the local community to join them in creat ing knitted squares Then after sowing each donated patch together Activities Assistant; Karina Dunn and the ladies from Longueville had the enormous pleasure of hand delivering an array of colourful blan kets to the furry residents of Acorn Lodge Kennels and Cattery in Eye Peterborough We hope the blankets will keep them nice and warm throughout the winter months ahead

General Manager Constantin Ulian said We started this project to firstly give our knitting residents a goal to achieve and in support of this wonderful animal centre, and secondly to open our doors to new friends, those who enjoy a good knit and natter over a cuppa The project has been such a success we look forward to continuing the group and expanding its members If you know of any organisation that would like us to knit for them please do get in touch

Longueville Court care home is run by Barchester Healthcare one of the UK s largest care providers which is committed to delivering high quality care across its care homes and hospitals Longueville Court provides residential nursing and dementia care

Legal View: Staying In The Green When It Comes To Employees

By Gareth Matthews, employment law partner at MLP Law (www.mlplaw.co.uk)

they are awake and working requires payment by law

In a similar vein, time spent training or travelling between sites counts as working hours whereas commuting does not

There are some scenarios where employers inadvertently pay staff less than minimum wage An example would be if the employee is required to buy their own uniform and this is deducted from their pay

It’s important for care home managers to ensure that they place proper emphasis on national minimum wage compliance given that there is often little opportunity to pay staff over this rate

WORKING

There are many legal considerations for care home managers and operators not least those regarding the safe and lawful employment of their staff Care employment, particularly in residential nursing care, can present a complex issue due to the nature of the work Shift pat terns, absences and meeting the duty of care can all make managing employees tricky

So what do residential nursing home managers need to be aware of in order to stay in the green?

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

Like all employees all care workers are entitled to be paid at least the national minimum wage for all the hours they work In 2021 a Supreme Court decision rules that carers who work sleep in shifts are not entitled to be paid for the time they are asleep only the hours

TIME REGULATIONS

Every individual is subject to restrictions on their working time hours and breaching these can have serious consequences for employers The rules include a maximum 48 hour working week (although staff can choose to opt out of this which should be agreed in writing) a min imum 11 hours’ rest in each 24 hour period, at least one uninterrupted period of 24 hours in each seven day period and a 20 minute unpaid rest break when working for six hours or more

In special circumstances you can require staff to work above this level but you must give the equivalent time off as compensatory rest to make up for it TIME

OFF FOR DEPENDENTS

arers have a right to unpaid time off during working hours to care for or arrange care for, their dependents This is generally a short term measure designed to enable carers to deal with an emergency or unexpected disruption rather than a long term solution to their responsibilities outside of work

Other rights exist where more long term solutions are required such as parental leave for up to 18 weeks (unpaid) or the right to request flexible working arrangements SICKNESS, INCLUDING COVID AND ISOLATION

Staff who are unable to work due to illness or injury are entitled to statutory sick pay from the fourth day of any absence, for a maximum of 28 weeks Employers are entitled to request evidence (usually a doctor’s ‘fit note ) for absences of more than seven days

Like many other employees carers are not generally entitled to paid time off to attend medical appointments with the exception of ante natal appointments Temporary rules covering Covid absences have now been removed meaning carers are no longer required to self iso late if they have Covid 19

Difficulties can arise where employees attend work despite being unwell with Covid 19 or any other illness for example if they do not want to lose earnings If an employee is sent home from work by their employer, after declaring themselves to be ready and able to work, they may be entitled to full pay

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Employers must ensure the health and safety of their employees This should typically include things such as having an effective health and safety policy managing risk assessments and providing appropri ate training

There are lots of opportunities for risk within most care and nursing homes! Risk of injury may arise out of many types of tasks, including manual handling use of chemicals and cleaning products exposure to contagious illness and so on You should identify and assess each risk, and put a plan to mitigate them in place

While running a care or nursing home comes with its own specific challenges the law applies in the same way as it does for any other business if you are unsure of your obligations or want to discuss your employment law needs the best thing to do is to seek expert advice from an employment lawyer

South East Care Group Champions ‘Wear it PINK!’ Day to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer

Residents and staff at a South East care group were left over joyed following the success of its fundraising competitions and activities to raise awareness of breast cancer to mark Wear it PINK!’ Day 2022 one of many educational projects championed to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Nellsar a family run group of 13 homes throughout Kent Surrey and Essex were among the millions of people across the country taking part in the awareness month to support life changing research for breast cancer providing literature on the importance of self examination and championing early detection as a means to save lives

Throughout the awareness month the Know Your Breasts booklet as well as other guidance leaflets were distributed across the 13 homes reaching 900+ staff members all residents their families friends and more utilising this vast network to reach out and educate an incalculable number of people of all ages

supported ‘Wear it PINK!’ day, which has been running for 20 years

a dash of nail varnish or glamming

up in hot pink from head to toe the family run care group encouraged staff, residents and families to come together and further promote the importance and benefits of self examination and early diagnosis though engaging activities such as fundrais ing games raffles sponsored walks and auctions Viv Stead Recreation and Well Being Manager at Nellsar said “Our motivation for such a big initiative was to impact as many lives as possible We wanted to use the resources throughout the business and reach out to as many staff residents friends and family members as possible

“Breast cancer is a profound issue and one that we are deter mined to ensure doesn t go unnoticed It affects millions of peo ple every year which meant we felt morally obliged to get all of our staff and residents on board through a month long campaign of education and fundraising activities All our residents and staff fully embraced the insight, togetherness and enjoyment the month had to offer coming together to raise awareness for such a wonderful initiative All in all the month was an overwhelming success and I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped spread such an important message for an incredible charity that is so close to our hearts

Barnet Council Gives Residents Greater Say in Shaping Adult Social Care

Barnet Council has committed to giving residents and community groups a greater say in designing its adult social care services, after councillors voted last night (14 November) for the Engagement & Co Production Strategy and Charter for Adult Social Care

The strategy which was tabled at the Adults & Safeguarding Committee held at Hendon Town Hall, was co designed following extensive engagement with those with lived experience of adult social care as well as community organisations and local professionals working in the field The strategy aims to increase the level of input and direction local people can give in developing and transforming the adult social care serv ices the council provides Barnet’s Adults and Safeguarding Committee Chair, Cllr Paul Edwards, said: “We are committed to being a caring council that listens to and works with our residents before making decisions that impact them “This strategy and charter set out how we will step up our ambitions and aspirations to engage and co

design adult social care services more extensively with a truly diverse range of voices and views

“By engaging directly with a wide range of people who have experience of drawing on adult social care, we can ensure that resident involvement is high quality meaningful and inclusive This will improve the quality of care we can provide

The new strategy and charter will build on the work already underway with residents local organisations and experts as work together to understand shape and improve adult social care

“Adult social care is one of Barnet’s largest sectors worth £300m to the local economy annually and employing 10 000 people The borough has more than 80 registered care homes and 70 registered home care agencies

If you have experience of adult social care in Barnet and would like to get involved and have your say please contact us on engage adults@barnet gov uk ”

On Friday 21st October, Nellsar also

to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now Whether it was

Remembrance 2022: Royal Star & Garter Veterans Take Part in Ser vices at Cenotaph and in the Homes

Councillor Nicola Nardelli In High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire Council s Armed Forces Champion Councillor Mimi Harker, attended and gave a reading In Solihull members of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS) and Queen Alexandra s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) attended

Four residents from the charity s Surbiton and High Wycombe Homes attended the service in London Services were also held across Royal Star & Garter’s three Homes in Solihull Surbiton and High Wycombe on Armistice Day 11 November Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia

The Armistice Day services at the Homes featured buglers and readings Residents observed the two minute silence at 11am and poppy wreaths were laid At Surbiton the service was attended by

Among those from the Surbiton Home to attend the National Service at the Cenotaph was Connie, who served in the Women s Royal Naval Service during WWII She has reg ularly attended Liberation Day services in the Netherlands for decades, but this was her first time at the National Service Army veteran Michael is a resident at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe and was joined at the Cenotaph service by his daughter Sarah She said: Dad used to work nearby at the Ministry of Defence so being here brought back so many memories for him It was really special for me to be here with him It s creating shared memories we can talk about together I’ll be able to share with the family and they ll be pleased to know he had this lovely opportunity

In the run up to Remembrance celebrated artist Lucy Freud visited the Surbiton Home to lead special painting classes with residents In Solihull, residents visited the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire where they laid a wreath And in High Wycombe resi dents made poppies out of tissue paper

Residents in all three Homes took part in Remembrance activities such as poppy and wreath making

This year Royal Star & Garter’s Remembrance campaign ‘They gave their all for us highlighted how young some of the charity s residents were when they joined the Armed Forces and looked at how Royal Star & Garter is able to give back to them each day through its award winning care

To support the They gave their all for us campaign go to: www starandgarter org/gavetheirall

Rotherham Care Village Marks Remembrance Day with a Visit from the Royal British Legion

The residents of Moorgate Care Village in Rotherham had a reflective and respectful Armistice Day when they were visited by volunteers from The Royal British Legion

The Care Village which comprises Moorgate Croft Moorgate Lodge and Moorgate Hollow offers residential respite nursing and dementia care received a poignant remembrance service from Branch The Royal British Legion The Last Post was played and the two minute silence allowed residents to honour loved ones who served in the armed the forces

This is the third time Royal British Legion volunteers conducted the Remembrance Day service at the Care Village an annual tra dition which began when residents were prevented from attend

ing public services due to the Covid 19 restrictions

For residents and staff unable to attend the main service on Sunday, the occasion gave them the chance to participate in the community s Remembrance proceedings and show their grati tude first hand

Sam Sheppard operations coordinator at Moorgate Care Village said: The Royal British Legion has been visiting us for a few years and it was lovely to have the volunteers here again to provide such a special service

“The visit means a lot to our residents with many of them remembering family and friends who lost their lives serving in the armed forces ”

Ashcombe Residents Remember The Fallen On Armistice Day

As

with personal ties to the military and many who have experienced conflict either at home or abroad so it was important to us to mark November 11th and honour the contribution of everyone involved in the World Wars and in subsequent conflicts “The poppy display is absolutely amazing and im really proud of the hard work the residents put in Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities

Goldenley Residents Make Potter y Poppies for Their Remembrance Garden

Remembrance Day is an important day across the Excelcare family each and every year It s a day of significant importance that is very dear to many of the people who live in their homes

Across the group, many residents served in the war, had close family and friends who were affected by it and memories of what life in the war was like so they always honour the day and encourage people to get involved in activities that pay respect to the people who lost their lives

At Goldenley Care Home in Benfleet the people who live there recently made some clay poppies to display in their remembrance garden This is an activity they take part in each year before Remembrance Day so they can keep adding to their colourful outdoor poppy display Hazel from Peacocks Pottery Barn came along to help during the event and share her wisdom about pottery

Throughout the session, people enjoyed painting the clay poppies in a bright red before adding some detail with black As they painted the poppies people were shar ing stories that the activity brought back Some people talked about the loved ones they lost during the war, whilst others shared stories about what it was like to live through the war and serve in it

It was an emotional day recalling memories from the past but everyone enjoyed painting the poppies for their garden

Hazel then took the finished designs away to her studio to fire in the kiln and will return them in time for Remembrance Day during which people will place them in their remembrance garden

Across the family Excelcare will be honouring Remembrance Day with pride and taking part in a two minute silence to remember those who served our country Lest we forget

Veterans from Royal Star & Garter were among those to attend the National Service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday on 13 November

Kingston Mayor Councillor Yogan Yoganathan and Deputy Mayor

Barchester s Ashcombe House Care home in Worting road commemorated the signing of the Armistice Day agreement on the day that the guns finally fell silent They joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two minute silence at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month

well as marking Armistice Day by wearing poppies and observing the national two minute silence, residents knit & natter group have been busy knitting poppies to make their own display which is situated on the Worting road for all to see

Louise Lambert General Manager at Ashcombe House said: We have many residents

London Home Holds Remembrance Day Ser vice with Family Members of Former Residents Part of Ser vice

A London care home held a Remembrance Day service and invited family mem bers of residents who had passed away in the last year to join for a moment of reflection

MHA Lawnfield House, in Willesden hosted the service which was led by chap lain Rosamond Stokes

The home provides dementia care for up to 41 residents and prepared handmade poppies and wreaths which were used for the service

As part of the service family members of residents who had passed away were given forget me not seeds to plant in memory of their loved ones

Carmel Collins activity coordinator said: The Remembrance Day service was very peaceful and it was something that we all really enjoyed at the home We followed the service on TV and joined in with the two minute silence which

was observed by all the residents

“The atmosphere was very emotional and you could see the residents were very relaxed and enjoying a moment of reflection

“A lot of our residents remember the war and the significance of Remembrance Day, and you could sense that in the way they were on the day

“It was very quiet, and I do think a lot of them were going through that period of their lives in their thoughts

“Residents and family members lit a candle during the service and it was a very moving experience

It was a beautiful experience and one that we all enjoyed

The significance and importance of Remembrance Day is something we hold in high regard at the home and will continue to do so

Wartime Memories as Dorset Care Home Residents Join Community Parade

Residents from a Dorset care home joined their community’s Remembrance parade to honour the service and sacrifice of those who have died in conflict

Pamela and Trevor Clark and David Vincent represented Colten Care s Brook View home at the event in West Moors

David who served in the Navy as an engineer said he was thrilled to be invit ed to attend the parade down to the Petwyn war memorial David said “It’s very important to me to remember those who have lost their lives in battle

It was wonderful to see so many people of all ages also showing their sup port ”

An old military jeep that featured in the commemoration reminded Trevor of his time as a young child growing up in the village of Warboys near Huntingdon Trevor said: I remember when I about five years old and the Americans from the nearby base would give us children from the village rides in their jeeps around the fields

They also would offer lifts to anybody who needed it so that they could stay in favour with the villagers ”

Tunde Zsiko Brook View s Customer Advisor who accompanied the residents at the commemoration said: While this was a sombre occasion it was lovely to see our residents reminiscing ”

Presentation Of Local Care Home Remembrance Wreath

Barchester s Tixover House in Rutland had the pleasure of welcoming His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness to the home to col lect a handmade remembrance wreath lovingly created by their residents for presentation at the service of Remembrance on 11th November in the grounds of Oakham Castle This will mark the day when the guns fell silent and the armistice was declared

Dr Sarah Furness meet with resident representatives; Heather and Renira who working with the homes Activities Lead Nicola Blevins Twose and fel low residents of Tixover House designed, and created their wreath to show respect for the diversity of those who died in the First World War and the conflicts that followed

Nicola explained the ladies wreath design is a circle of Remembrance and Hope’ representing the most famous Red poppy inspired by the fields of poppies that grew where many of the battles were fought

The Black Poppy commemorating the contributions of black African and Caribbean communities to the war effort of service people and civilians

The Purple poppy remembers animals that have been victims of war Animals like horses, dogs and pigeons were often drafted into the war effort and the White poppy that focuses on achieving peace and challenges the way we look at war

General Manager at Tixover House care home Ive Alexander said: We have many residents and staff with personal ties to the military and many who have experienced conflict either at home or abroad it is important to us to mark November 11th and remember the contribution of everyone involved in the World Wars and in subsequent conflicts It was wonderful to have His Majesty s Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness visit the home today to collect our homemade remembrance wreath, having it form part of the many commemorative tributes on display at the forthcoming Rutland com munity remembrance events is a great honour ”

To all those who have fallen it’s with grateful thanks for your sacrifices We the residents and staff of Tixover House Care Home will never forget those who have lost their lives to save others

Seas of Red as Colten Care Residents Honour the Fallen

Residents at Colten Care homes in the south have knitted sewn cro cheted painted and sculpted thousands of poppies as heartfelt tributes for Remembrance season

Many of the handmade works feature in outdoor hanging displays designed to prompt visitors and passers by to stop and reflect

As well as poppies homes have held arts and crafts sessions in which residents including many service veterans have painted pictures on the theme of wartime sacrifice and shared their thoughts and memories with each other

Residents at one home Amberwood House in Ferndown spent two months preparing an exterior floral ‘waterfall’ made entirely from the ends of recycled plastic bottles

Companionship Team Leader Kirsty Richmond Cole said: It soon became apparent that the residents were addicted to creating the poppies and they started a factory line which consisted of stations for painting the first coat, drying with a hairdryer, adding a further coat, painting the poppy centre further drying and then top coating

“When they were all ready I spent three evenings in the rain drilling holes in the poppies erecting the chicken wire attaching the poppies to the wire with paper fasteners and creating the display The finished result was worth it and amazing

Marjorie Hutchings, one of the residents involved in the artwork, said: “Creating such a large display was so enjoyable It is beautifully eye catching considering it is all made out of recycled plastic

In Salisbury, the finished display at Braemar Lodge in Stratford Road num bered more than 1 900 handcrafted poppies

While most were made by residents, families, staff and close community contacts the home also received donated poppies from as far afield as Scotland

Resident Delia Bailey said: “I am an avid knitter so was delighted to have been part of this project I started to knit poppies in August and made 140 in total The display looks splendid and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it ”

The home s Customer Support Advisor Tanya Williams said: We were com pletely overwhelmed with the response to our call for poppies including so many from friends in the community and anonymous donors “It has been a labour of love but the finished display has far exceeded our expectations ”

St Catherines View in Winchester collected nearly 1 500 poppies after it

reached out to the community to help with a dis play

Among those who responded to a Facebook plea from Companionship Team Leader Laura Sheldrake was a lady Jackie Jenkins who lives in Yorkshire

Chris George, chairman of the Royal British Legion Winchester Branch who visited the home to see the display, said: “It is important that everyone gets the opportunity to be able to remember our fallen heroes and Laura and her team have made sure that this can happen for the residents of St Catherines View

“It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to the home and to meet some of the residents at the home, a very humbling experience

In the New Forest, team members at Belmore Lodge in Lymington filmed residents sharing their wartime memories

Footage of the discussions was shown to an audience gathered in the lounge prompting Lauren Cooper Companionship Team member to say: “It was incredibly reflective and moving ”

One relative Gill Knight who was present said: I think it is great what they have done here I heard the residents talking about their memories and it was just so special ”

Belmore Lodge also invited residents to make clay poppies and produce their own paintings on the sub ject of Remembrance

Among activities at other Colten Care homes residents at Bourne View in Poole painted poppy images on pebbles for distribution in the neighbourhood, Whitecliffe House in Blandford held a poppy themed colouring competition with local schoolchildren and Newstone House in Sturminster Newton wel comed the Shroton Ukulele Band to play at a British themed Remembrance afternoon

All 21 Colten Care homes hold annual services of Remembrance in line with wider Armistice Day commemorations

A key aim is to honour veterans living in each home and families with cur rent serving personnel

At some homes including Brook View in West Moors Dorset residents are invited to join official parades and services taking place in the community and to lay wreaths

Residents Share Evocative WW2 Memories

Remembrance Day has a special significance for many of the resi dents and day guests at the charity

s

Irene Kettley aged 94 lives at Faithfull House care home in Cheltenham and was eleven when war broke out

I had just won a scholarship to Parliament Hill High School [in London] but then me and my older sister were evacuated to a village in Middlesex The village school had just one classroom for children aged 5 14 When there weren t any raids we came back to London ”

up

Looking back it was a different world Brian Knight, who is currently at Faithfull House care home in Cheltenham for respite care was six years old when the Second World War broke out

“I remember the outbreak of war and I was interested in it all I got a weekly magazine called The War Illustrated which I kept for many years ”

“My home was in Plymouth As a major Naval town it did come under attack When the first war raid began I was at school and I ran home to check on my Grandmother who was on her own and blind The school was frantic

Later I was re evacuated on my own to North Devon to Barnstaple Girls Grammar School My mum and two sisters followed on At Grammar School I was given a grant of £15 a year which was given in three lots I bought a bike for £5 and it was my pride and joy I used to cycle to the seaside with a friend ”

Before the war my dad s factory made toys for Woolworths and during the war they made tools for armaments He also worked as a firewatcher in London ”

My eldest sister who was the beauty of the family was one of the first to marry a GI She moved to America and I didn’t see her for many years

“I say my O levels, I did ok, but I’d missed well over a year of school due to the war

Irene got a job as a telephone operator and at the end of the war got a transfer back to London “There was a feeling of relief at the end of the war we thought rationing would end but of course it didn t for a long time ”

In the following years Irene was promoted to work at the Houses of Parliament “It was a tiny little pot hole of a switchboard but I worked their very happily

In April 1941 there was a major blitz on Plymouth I have never lost the image in my mind s eye of seeing a house with flames coming through the windows Brian fled with his mother and grandmother to stay with family in Plympton “This was in the middle of the night when the bombs were still falling Most of our street was flattened The war really came home to me then ”

There was a Polish Naval unit based in Plymouth at the Aggie Weston’s hostel On Monday evenings they showed American films and invited in children of the dockworkers so I saw my first Frankenstein and my first Abbott and Costello films It s always left me with a warm spot for the Poles ”

There was a large park near us and in 1944 it suddenly filled with tents, full of American Army personnel Afterwards we knew it was the preparations for D Day I remember the garish American comics being handed around and the fights between the black and white soldiers I remember being very excited about the D day landings and telling my grandfather that it was taking place I ve subsequently been to Normandy and seen some of the landing sites for myself and Omaha beach where the Americans took such heavy losses

During the war Brian took the 11plus and got a place at Grammar school Before his A levels he took the civil service exam and despite

his headmaster saying You won t get that he passed! After complet ing his 2 years National Service in the RAF, he worked for 38 years at GCHQ

Margaret End remembers her childhood in the Gloucestershire village of Naunton through the Second World War

I remember during the war a lot of foreign troops were billet ed in our area The Americans were at Guiting Grange My father organised whist drives and dances in the village and the troops came in coaches ”

The German planes had a dif ferent sound to the British ones They came over in droves We had to make sure the house was in black out We used to stand in the dark on the lawn and watch them go over and I remember mum saying I wonder who is going to get it tonight’ There weren’t many shelters in Naunton Our dining room was strengthened extra wood to prop up the ceiling and we would sleep downstairs ” At the time Margaret was a pupil at Pates We did have underground shelters at Pates just in case ”

My father was headmaster of Naunton school A school from London was evacuated to our village along with two staff The school wasn’t big enough for everyone so the village hall and another building were used to help accommodate them

Margaret was 14 when the war ended “I can picture listening to the news on the radio in the living room at home and hearing Churchill announce ‘ and we are no longer at war with Germany ”

After the war ended things remained the same things were still short petrol was still short and we still had rationing You did what needs must ”

These memories alongside the experiences of many residents and day guests, will give special resonance to commemorations being held in each of Lilian Faithfull Care charity s homes and day hubs for Remembrance Day

Reigate Beaumont Veterans Attend Armistice Ser vice of Remembrance

another

and was

in

The service took place at the

the Borough It was a memorable morning starting off with the welcoming hospitality of The Hatch in Redhill where our residents could stay warm while waiting for the proceedings to begin Once the program started, the residents were able to have a fantastic view of the service Front row seats as one resi dent commented with a smile

Over the past few months the residents have been getting to know one

“To

Pramojil

”

Runwood Homes Care Home Drapes Exterior in Poppies to Mark Remembrance Day

poppies

The project started in July involving many family members friends and the local sur gery to help create knitted poppies to mark Remembrance Day

The final product was unveiled last week with the help of the Shipton on Stour fire brigade who placed the long draping poppy net over the entrance to the home Low Furlong will be participating in a variety of Remembrance Day themed events to pay tribute to past and present heroes

Overall, the community, residents and family members managed to knit over 400

Leanne, Home Manager at Low Furlong care home, said: “‘This project was important for many reasons as it bought residents staff relatives and our friends together It was important because it provided meaningful engagement for residents; we look to ensure that their days and activities are purposeful and that residents have ongoing projects they can get excited and involved in as well as day to day entertainment Remembrance Day is so important to all of us at Low Furlong We have known and cared for many heroes over the years and every year we like to mark the opportunity to thank them and all others for what they have done for us ”

Artist Lucy Freud Leads Poppy Painting Classes at Veterans’ Care Home

Celebrated artist Lucy Freud led painting classes for residents living at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton

She visited the Surbiton care home on two occasions for art classes which focussed on Remembrance

Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, and also has Homes in Solihull and High Wycombe

Lucy is daughter of famed painter Lucian Freud and the great grand daughter of eminent psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud

During the first session Lucy helped residents paint a field of poppies using acrylics In the second session residents painted a sunset and silhou

ette

Arts and crafts play an important part in life at Royal Star & Garter s Homes with activities led by dedicated Wellbeing Teams Research shows painting can boost mental health and wellbeing, increase cognitive function and enhance motor skill and co ordination

Lucy said: I was amazed at just how talented some residents are at the Home their paintings were beautiful Painting focuses the mind and is very meditative, and I could see that with the residents during the sessions ”

Resident Vera said: I didn t know I could paint! I enjoyed the session and think Lucy is a wonderful teacher

Lilian Faithfull Care In the run

to this year

commemorations three residents at Faithfull House care home in Cheltenham share their evocative memories which brings his tory to life Take a read of their stories

Low Furlong care home in Shipston on Stour have worked alongside the community to create a beautiful wave of poppies, to honour those who have lost their lives at war

Five of the residents at Reigate Beaumont in Reigate are Veterans and they were extremely honoured to be invited by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to attend the Council s Remembrance Sunday Service in Redhill on Sunday 13th November

Shaw’s Corner War Memorial

Redhill

attended by The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead Cllr Frank Kelly and Councillors of

and been exchanging stories about where they served Two of the resi dents even served in the same regiment at one time It is wonderful to hear the residents recall significant times in their lives such as when they served for their country sharing these memories with other residents and staff When asked after the service today about how he felt William a resident at Reigate Beaumont said: I haven t been able to attend a service like this for a long time and to be able to come today was really special I feel very fortunate

Kurian, General Manager at Reigate Beaumont said:

be able to arrange outings such as the one today for our residents that reside at Reigate Beaumont is very important to us Especially for our five veterans that served so many years ago

Care England Publishes State of Social Care and Support Report

Care England has collectively published a report on the current state of social care in England

Professor Martin Green Chief Executive of Care

England says: We require a 1948 moment for adult social care to establish a long term and sustainable future that will be to the benefit of all citizens and the economy It is clear that the reforms introduced under the Johnson administration are a starting point but are by no means going to ‘fix social care’ and the current reform proposals may well be kicked into the long grass again The sector stands ready and willing to support the delivery of a much needed reform agenda that will deliver a clear funding strategy for social care whilst also developing a range of careers and opportunities that will provide high quality care and support local economic development

The health of the UK economy cannot be separated from the health of the social care sector the two are fundamentally linked The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) briefing The State of the Social Care and Support Provision in England

highlights the key issues currently afflicting the social care sector These issues include, but are not limited to:

Rising cost of living

• Lack of funding to Local Authorities to adequately raise fee rates for social care

Impact of financial pressures and uncertainty Unmet need is unacceptably high and rising

The key message from the report is that immediate government investment is needed now Without sub stantial reform and investment to support that reform, achieving long term sustainability is impossible in the current economic climate The implication of continued governmental inaction is continued market instabili ty Provider failure will impact significantly on both the NHS and Local Authorities who will be unable to commission care and support packages from providers whilst of course preventing care providers from enabling those who draw on care on support to enjoy their rights to live purposeful lives as active members of families and communities

Martin Green continues: The report is another red flag to the Government that we need help and invest ment, and we need it now If the reforms are going to be kicked down the road again, the 2019 Conservative party manifesto is as good as broken What further evidence does the Department of Health and Social Care require that our sector is fundamental to the fabric of society and needs support? Quality social care cannot be delivered on a shoestring ”

Social Care Charity Showcases Ground-Breaking Volunteering Programme at Number 10

Representatives from social care charity, Community Integrated Care, joined Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) teams and delegates in a spe cial reception at Downing Street on Tuesday (8th November), to show case the life changing impact of the charity s pioneering volunteering programme

Hosted by the Secretary of State for Digital Culture Media and Sport the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP the reception saw RLWC 2021 repre sentatives and Rugby League teams from across the world come together to celebrate the UK s staging of the biggest best and most inclusive Rugby League World Cup in the sport’s 127 year history Partnering with the RLWC 2021 in 2020 Community Integrated Care created the world first Inclusive Volunteering Programme which has since given more than 350 people who have support needs such as learning disabilities autism and mental health concerns the platform to grow in independence, discover new passions and make friends through volunteering Most recently, this has included volunteers having the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet HRH the Princess of Wales at the England Men’s and Women s double header fixture at the DW Stadium With the volunteers participating in unique projects that are designed around their personal dreams and aspirations, and receiving specialist mentoring and support via the charity’s Inclusive Volunteering team,

the Inclusive Volunteering Programme represents a unique model of changing lives through sport

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care said From volunteers advising the World Cup organisers on how they can make their events more accessible to a 10 year old aspiring rapper who has autism creating a song with a hit making producer our Inclusive Volunteering Programme continues to break down barriers and create amazing, life changing experiences for everyone taking part

“We were delighted for the opportunity to share our achievements at Downing Street and proud to join members of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 to champion inclusion and celebrate the tournament I’d like to say a big thank you to all our wonderful Inclusive Volunteers and col leagues for getting involved and contributing to the programme and also to Rugby League World Cup 2021 and Sport England, who have made these experiences possible ” Oliver Thomason Sports Inclusion Coordinator said Visiting number 10 was a fantastic experience As someone with a learning disability I was really proud to represent our charity at Downing Street and share how important disability inclusion is I also met so many amazing people and shared the work of all our volunteers across the Rugby League World Cup 2021 they’re all superstars ”

Social Care Reform 'Cannot Wait' Says National Care Provider Alliance

It is grossly irresponsible for the government to assist widespread speculation in relation to the fate of adult social care reform says National Care Provider Alliance

The promises and commitments on reform were made to the millions who receive care and support unpaid carers and those who work in the sector Social care should be at the top of every Member of Parliament’s priorities it sits at the heart of communities up and down the country and it changes peo ples lives

The Care Provider Alliance has called on the government to make clear today that there will be no delay to the planned timetable for reform and that rather than kick the reform can further down the road they grasp the urgency this fiscal event and escalate it to the top of the table Investing in people is the responsibility of any government that has fairness at its heart This government must ensure people can live the lives that they want contribute to their communities and add value to the economy There can be no delay social care reform cannot wait MPs’ post bags and the media have rightfully been full of stories that outline the very real trauma associated with delays to social care reform Each and every

person struggling to access the care they need for rehabilitation day support care at home palliative care residential care or supported living can tell you that prop erly funded reform is the only way forward

CPA Chair, Nadra Ahmed says “The plans as they stand are not sufficient to cre ate the kind of step change that people are calling for however doing nothing and this delay will only accelerate the pain further exacerbating the structural instability across the sector The delay impact on us all including the NHS who will also bear the brunt of our unfunded social care system ”

This position is reflected in recent reports from the CPA and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)

CPA report on The State of Social Care and Support Provision highlights the key issues facing the entire social care sector including workforce recruitment and retention challenges with one in ten posts vacant, inadequate funding with the gap being in excess of £7bn and the rising costs of living adding to the structural instability

The ADASS Autumn Survey indicates that more than 9 in 10 (94%) adult social services directors in England do not believe they have the funding’ or ‘workforce’ to meet care costs of older and disabled people in their area

Brampton Manor Donates Generously to Community Food Bank

Staff

them

ter

The

all too

more and more

From Care Assistant to Home Manager at Dorchester Care Home

Maiden Castle House a Care South home situated in Dorchester has announced the promotion of Ashley Smith from Acting Home Manager to Home Manager

He started his career at Maiden Castle House as a Care Assistant and thanks to Ash’s dedication and commitment has progressed to take over the running of the home as Home Manager

Simon Bird, Chief Executive Officer at Care South said: “We are very pleased that Ashley has been promoted at Care South s Maiden Castle House care home He brings a wealth of experience and knows the home very well after starting his care career at the home Ashley has invaluable skills and has demonstrated his ability to manage a successful business in the care industry His experience and knowledge are very beneficial for residents and staff at this wonderful home and we have enjoyed seeing

As

The

Patisserie

Tixover

Ashley develop and drive Maiden Castle House to where it is now We look forward to seeing him flourish in his new role as Home Manager

Ashley Smith Maiden Castle House Home Manager added “There is nothing better than seeing happy residents and the memories and friend ships you make with them Every day I look forward to challenges the day may bring I have worked here for a third of my life so I am particularly passionate about the home continuing to be as successful as possible I am a positive person that is always looking forward to the future and all the exciting journeys you can embark on ”

When Ash isn’t working at the home he is a proud dad to twins Archie and Myla He loves to spend free weekends adventuring with them and is a keen runner and sports person

For the first time in seven decades, Tixover House in Rutland marked the King’s birthday on November 14th with a right Royal Tea Party attended by a very spe cial guest

His Majesty’s representative within the county it was an absolute pleasure for the home to welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness to join us and witness her plant a tree on our residents’ behalf in recognition of King Charles III birthday

chosen tree is a ‘Royal Medlar Apple’ whose fruits, once fermented are rich in potassium calcium phosphorus magnesium and iron The home has registered its planting as part of The Queen s Green Canopy with the location open to visi tors

Chef Claudia Sleight and the homes hospitality team whipped up a tasty selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, walnut and cherry scones, pas tries and cakes for the occasion all washed down with pots of tea Ive Alexander General Manager at Tixover House said: “Our residents love a

party and they love the Royal family so they all enjoyed the tea and cakes to mark the King s birthday for a lot of us it was the first time we ve ever celebrated a King s birthday but some of our residents do remember the previous Kings Dr Sarah Furness raised a toast to His Majesty for a long, and joyous reign fol

lowed by three cheers to the King from our residents staff and fellow guests including friends family and members of the local community Party guests were entertained with uplifting songs from the 1940s and 50s courtesy of the sensa tional female vocalist Nicky Downs who had everyone singing and dancing throughout Tixover House would like to thank Dr Sarah Furness and send a big ‘Happy Birthday’ to King Charles

House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare one of the UK s largest care providers which is committed to delivering high quality care across its care homes and hospitals Tixover House provides residential, nursing and dementia care for long term and residents on respite breaks

Newmarket based Brampton Manor Care Home made a special visit to the Newmarket Community Day Centre to take along much needed food donations for the most vulnerable living in the local community Having collected the wide variety of items over several weeks, Wellbeing Manager Harry MacDonald and Admissions Manager James Chandler lovingly delivered the donations to the valuable community foodbank and spent some time with New Market Day Centre staff and vis itors

Newmarket Day Centre is a much needed local resource in the heart of the town offering vital services for those that need them with the donations the centre can re stock their shop and make sure that anyone struggling this winter have access to food and supplies as we enter win

Veronica Fixe the Newmarket Day Centre Manager was delighted fol lowing the substantial donation:

A very generous donation from Brampton Manor I am overwhelmed by the generosity shown by the staff and residents This means so much to those in the local area that are already finding it hard coming into winter our food bank allows those in need to come along, have a coffee and take vital items with them if they are struggling

at Brampton Manor have been ensuring that the home and the res idents living at the care home are at the heart of the local community and to be able to contribute to the Centre s food bank was very important to

Brampton Manor s Wellbeing Manager Harry MacDonald was

aware of the challenges facing people across the community: We all know how the cost of living crisis has pushed

people to the brink in terms of money bills and everything that comes with that to be able to donate to the centre was incredibly important to us at Brampton Manor as we continue to support the local community

Social Care Charity and Rugby League Join Forces to Tackle Discrimination in Schools This Anti Bullying Week

As the UK marks Anti Bullying Week 2022 (14 18 November)

Community Integrated Care the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and the RFL are engaging more than 15 000 primary school children on the importance of inclusion

Community Integrated Care, the national social care charity that is the Official Social Care Partner of the sport and tournament has creat ed ‘We re On The Same Team’ (www TheSameTeam co uk) a pioneer ing free primary school education programme Using the influence of sport and the experiences of players in the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League it powerfully helps to tackle preju dice before it is formed

This campaign comes at a vital time Office of National Statistics data have revealed this month that reported disability hate crimes have increased by a shocking 44% this year By encouraging pupils to work together and see the potential in others On The Same Team supports positive attitudes in young people now and aims to shape change in the generations ahead

The sport and Community Integrated Care are encouraging many more schools to pledge to participate in On The Same Team this year as part of their Anti Bullying Week action plans With the week urging

everybody to challenge bullying when they encounter it the resource provides vital assistance to schools to win hearts and minds and set a positive culture

We re On the Same Team is fully aligned to Key Stages 1 and 2 It provides teachers with a compelling learning experience, featuring

inspirational videos and class challenges with a full suite of resources that enable easy delivery in classroom or assembly settings Schools can register for their pack for free at www TheSameTeam co uk All schools that participate in the programme receive certificates for their learners and have the opportunity to win exclusive prizes from sports equipment experiences and Rugby League World Cup signed memorabilia

Lewis Webster, Sports Inclusion Manager at Community Integrated Care says, “Bullying affects millions, every day It doesn’t have to be this way we can all make a stand ‘We’re On The Same Team’ is the perfect way to challenge bullying this week Our campaign is uniquely impactful, having been co produced with people who access care and support and developed alongside experienced teachers and head teachers It is simple to adopt accessible and full of fun

“We want as many young learners as possible to benefit from this brilliant campaign The schools that have taken part already have seen first hand the impact the campaign is having both teachers and pupils alike Bullying has a long lasting impact but by getting children to see the potential in others and themselves we can tackle it together

Care Home’s Quarter Centur y Celebrated with Classical Concert

British films included The Full Monty and the Spice Girls movie Spice World

Home Manager Theresa Sales said: “Over the years Avon Cliff has been home to many residents and their families and a happy place for staff to work in

Violinist Jennifer Curiel and horn player and pianist Kevin Pritchard played a selection of popular pieces much to the delight of the audi ence

Resident David Small said The music was beautiful It felt as though we were at the theatre, not in our dining room ”

When Avon Cliff opened in the autumn of 1997 Tony Blair was still in his first year as Prime Minister and Bill Clinton was in his fourth as US President It was also the year that saw the deaths of Diana Princess of Wales and Mother Teresa while popular

It was a joy to invite our residents their families and members of the local community to join us for our celebration Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening

The home’s Clinical Lead Emma Williams recently appointed after a decade of nursing in the NHS

Reflecting on her move to Avon Cliff from the NHS Emma said: I didn t know the home that well but I had always thought of Colten Care with fond memories I knew it was a nice environment to work in They have that reputation When I started to look for another job it was the only place I looked at I am enjoying the role as it s very different to what I have done before

Southern Contracts for Industrial Laundr y,

Cleaning Equipment

Working closely with care homes, both national and family run we also supply and maintain appliances for the NHS the leisure and marine industries local authorities and schools and colleges We are very proud of our heritage and are a third generation family run business founded in 1964

With

at their heart, utilis ing technology to enable positive change

Prior to The Cleaning Show all entrants will be invited to present at the CSSA’s annual Innovator’s Pitch where they will have the opportunity to appear in front of a panel of leading industry experts who will review and interview the candidates The panel will offer entrants the chance to bring their innovation to life and demonstrate their passion for the product/service Entrants will be expected to provide a concise overview of the key benefits why and how the innovation exists together with supporting evidence or insights on its success to date Those successful will be invited to exhibit at The Cleaning Show 2023, London

Among the big trends anticipated to take the spotlight the theme of sustainability will return to help operators minimise their impact on the planet Cobotics and the evolution of robotic technology to support

Among those selected to appear at the 2021 CSSA Innovation Showcase was the ICE Complete Autonomous Cleaning Range which comprised of vacuum cleaners scrubber dryers and sweepers in vari ous sizes, suitable for a whole host of environments Joining them, Ecobreeze Smart & Pure’s IoT

the cleaning process and tackle the ongoing resources challenge will also play a key role alongside healthy buildings where the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled dynamic resource applications to transform operations For further information on submitting an entry, visit https://www cssa uk co uk/

Speaking about the CSSA Innovation Showcase Paul Ashton Chairman of the CSSA said: The CSSA Innovation Showcase represents the Future of Cleaning and provides genuine insight for our members and the wider industry into how we can use innovation to create positive change We specifically focus on highlighting ways our membership can tackle the operational challenges being faced with the evolution of customer demands There is no doubt that technology has a key role in the future provision of safe clean environments

Hassle -and Stress- Free Bath Adaptations - Without Delay

Bath time it should be relaxing but if a client needs care support it is fraught with risk unless a major adaptation is undertaken

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

The core Aqua Liberty system uses suction technology to firmly attach to ANY bath 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 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

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 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 For

Free Online PAT Testing Course

amount of electrical equipment we now have in our homes makes sense Both employers and employees are responsible for inspecting and maintaining electrical equipment in the work place So you should encourage all staff to do the course

What equipment do you need?

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 ”

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 ”

Find out more about Aqua Liberty and book your free no obligation assessment here: https://www aatgb com/aqua liberty/

Jolly Trolley Brings Therapeutic Activity and Entertainment to Patients That Are Isolating

in treated areas, discomfort free sleep, fewer cramps and reduced post activity muscular and joint fatigue

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are usable stand alone or alongside other pain relieving therapies (i e medication physiotherapy etc ) BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are suitable for people of any age, including elderly and disabled people living independ ently or in nursing care

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are Class 1 Medical Devices made in Finland

Win Health Medical Ltd: T: 01835 864864866 / E: biofrost@win health com W: www win health com See the

What records to keep

As a result of the pandemic many have found their working environment has changed dramati cally You may no longer allow people/contractors on your premises PAT Testing is straightforward to do and can be easily managed in house Our free course will show you how you can PAT Test and what’s more the HSE say any competent person can do it!

How do you access the free PAT Testing Course?

It s simple just go to www onlinepattestingcourse co uk Here you will be able to access the course, you just need an email address to sign up The course is made up of short modules and is simple to follow Who should do the course?

Probably everyone should do the course, as it shows you basic electrical equipment safety; which given the

Any competent person can PAT Test however you will need to use a PAT Tester that give you and outcome Pass or Fail It s great if the PAT Tester has readings as well but they are not essential

How often should I PAT Test?

Frequency of PAT Testing is dependent on your Risk Assessment You need to include the routine inspec tion & maintenance of electrical equipment in your Risk Assessment and the risk should determine the fre quency Factors affecting the frequency include What the electrical equipment is How often ts used

Where its used Who uses it Want to discuss further?

You can call us on 01392 364933 or email sales@parker bell co uk We are always happy to help! See the advert on page 11

The Jolly Trolley® is an essential for any care establishment as t pro motes soc al interaction between the service users and their carers This innovative system is fully mobile and battery operated allow ing res dents who may be unable to leave their rooms to also be includ ed with ease 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!

Chester Park Megan Allan, Activities The fact that we can upload what is relevant to the specific Individual 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 addit on to our care home from staff and residents thank you

Pennine NHS Trust Beech Ward we have been able to provide therapeutic act v ty & entertainment with ease to patients that are isolat ing To see what the Jolly Trolley® can do for you call us for a free demonstration on 0800 093 8499 See the advert on the front cover

Raising the Standard of Stair

Climbing Solutions

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

The Stair Climbing Company offers

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

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

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 WHAT

STAFF?

ABOUT CARE HOME

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

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

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

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 ”

Consort Claudgen launches Consort Connect app

Consort Claudgen have launched Consort Connect app which allows users to have complete control over their heat ing remotely via their smartphone or tablet The app is free and downloadable from Google Play or Apple Store It can control Consort’s Wi Fi enabled heaters and SL heaters connected to an SLPBWIFI wireless controller It gives quick access to four operating modes and provides a 7 day timer with twenty four heating peri ods per day It is easy to set up and users can configure the settings of all connected heaters on

the app Users can also view the energy consumption statistics Other features include a lock function open window tracking and response capability, and custom automations There is a self learning control ability utilising occupan cy and temperature sensors however this is only available on the SLPBWIFI controller and Consort heaters with Wi Fi and occupancy sensor

For more information, contact our sales at 01646 692172 or visit www consortepl com or see the advert on page 6

50 Years of Design Excellence. 50 Years of Skopos

these

Skopos offer a full range of fabrics including upholsteries plus made to measure curtains bed ding and cushions for Care Interiors To request a quote for new curtains bed throws and cushions for Care please contact our sales team 01924 436666

For free samples of our Anniversary Designs please log onto our website www skoposfabrics com Skopos Fabrics Ltd are dedicated to design, serv ice and best performance Our full service or fabric only option provides choice for our customers, with expertise in design, make up (curtains, cushions and bedding), fitting and installation

Sustainable & Cost-Effective Hot Water For Care Homes

Care facilities typically exhibit significant but varied hot water and heating usage patterns which con tributes to the current 40% tally of UK greenhouse gas emissions generated by the built environment

To help achieve climate neutral building stock by 2050 the industry is being challenged to reduce opera tional energy use over all other measures By increas ing the use of renewable energy supply and prioritising on site renewable energy sources the hope it to reduce both carbon and bills

Sustainability comes with a cost Whether in the form of new build projects or and far more likely the refurbishment of existing yet ageing facilities under standing the necessary capital investment operational savings and payback periods is going to be key Addressing the efficiency of domestic hot water (DHW) systems whether through the implementation of heat pumps solar thermal direct electric water heating or even simple modernisation of existing gas appliances helps care facilities meet sustainability goals in a practical and cost effective manner It also delivers improved year round conditions for staff and clients in care providing access to spaces better suit ed to delivering medical care and assisted living

For buildings already on gas and that rely on large amounts of DHW a large proportion of current UK care and nursing home properties solar preheat is the preferable option For new build properties the expec

tation is for specification to default to a mixture of heat pumps and direct electric afterheat New system approaches including prefabricated packaged plant rooms also provide for better use of the spaces that already exist without the need to undertake expensive and disruptive building projects This is especially valid as demands for beds continue to increase, placing new demands on care facilities

Adveco can help achieve emission reduction targets With more than 50 years of specialised expertise in designing, supplying, and servicing hot water systems to the nursing and care industry, Adveco is the single resource you need for independent expert technical guidance on choosing and developing bespoke sus tainable applications today to get you on the right path towards net zero operation

https://adveco co/sectors/healthcare/

2022 marks the celebration of 50 years for Skopos fabrics! As a tribute to this milestone, throughout this year, we will be looking back at some of our favourite designs over this half century The 50th Anniversary Collection will see some of these authentic landmark designs reborn using contempo rary design production techniques The evolved designs will be developed in line with current trends for use within contract interiors today Each month

Renray

Malnutrition Amongst Older Adults

Rachael

Malnutrition amongst the elderly can impact on an individuals’ physical and mental health and overall quality of life in both the short and longer term Malnutrition simply means ‘poor nutrition’ and can refer to a range of nutritional concerns Usually in the con text of older people malnutrition is characterised by low body weight or weight loss suggesting that affected individuals are not eating well enough to maintain their health and wellbeing

Although the negative impacts of malnutrition can start within 2 5 days of poor intake in an older adult the associated unintentional weight loss may not be noticed until weeks or even months later when that person s biological functioning has been severely nega tively impacted SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

or could be more gradual It

with a range of long term conditions such as dysphagia (swallowing problems) cancer chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia and physical disability In the short term it can also lead to a weaker immune system increased risk of pressure sores poor wound healing and muscle weakness which can lead to falls and fractures

WHAT CAN CARE HOME CATERERS DO?

Care home caterers are in a unique and advantageous position to be able to positively influence their resi dents risk of malnutrition through providing enticing and nourishing food in their menus

Create a ‘high energy, high protein’ menu for those identified at risk of malnutrition which includes fortified meals snacks and drinks with added cheese milk powder butter and cream

Always use full fat foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese Make fortified milk to increase protein and energy intake by adding 4tbsp milk powder to 1pint full fat milk Use this milk in your high energy high protein meals and in drinks for residents who have been identified as at risk of malnutrition

• Consider offering a ‘lighter’ option at each mealtime for those who find large meals overwhelming and who would benefit from a little and often approach Offer enticing snacks along with the tea trolley such as cakes and biscuits, and milky drinks and fortified smoothies

Ensure

•

Venditti RNutr from allmanhall (www allmanhall co uk) the leading independent food procurement specialist, highlights some of the signs of malnutrition amongst the elderly and offers nutritional advice on its prevention

Typical signs of malnutrition include weight loss which may be sudden

is often associated with ill health hospital admission and a general loss of interest in food Other more subtle signs include clothes and jewellery becoming looser and dentures suddenly not fitting It is also associated

FOR CARE

The autumn and winter months are a busy time for anyone in the care sector and it is important that all residents have a chance to enjoy warming nutritious food at every mealtime

Mary Wedge, Business Development Manager at Anglia Crown com ments: In our experience many of the residents look forward to the desserts They often represent familiar comfort foods and even if they can not face the main course will often go straight for the pudding

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a well balanced nutritional diet including choices that do not contain gluten Our Crown Choice and Advantage ranges include some fifty eight dishes including our new autumnal warming Ginger Chocolate Chip Sponge and delicious comforting custard that goes with almost any hot dessert Our Crown Choice cold dessert includes the perennial favourites such as Chocolate Cake whilst our Crown Advantage range also offer ‘reduced sugar’ desserts All individual Crown Advantage desserts come in packs of eighteen, whilst the Crown Choice desserts come in packs of 3 and 6 allow ing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allow

There’s

ing for additional choice Items such as our Carrot Cake or Vanilla Cheesecake can be accompanied by whipped cream garnished with sea sonal fresh fruit

Our hot desserts are high in energy our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense options and when served with custard provide over 250 kcal per serving Our cold desserts of 250 kcal and above also meet the energy guidelines in the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Nutrition and Hydration Digest (2017) requirements VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

At Anglia Crown we pride ourselves with the array of vegetarian and gluten free dishes that we offer including an impressive range of desserts This was recognised with us being named at the Vegetarian Wholesaler of the Year 2022 at the VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg n Care Catering

All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes

Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details

CLEANING & HYGIENE

Partner Up for Healthcare Hygiene with GOJO at IPS 2022

37 Join GOJO THE INVENTORS OF PURELL™ and the hand sanitiser cate gory itself at the 14th annual Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference stand 37 This year the event takes place at the Bournemouth International Centre from 17th 19th October 2022

At the show the team of GOJO Healthcare Support Managers will be offering support and advice on their total solution approach to infection prevention in healthcare facilities They will highlight the company’s ability to help hygiene standards across all areas and situations within hospitals and healthcare facilities GOJO will showcase its role as a specialist partner in healthcare hygiene by focussing on three areas with specific need:

• SURGICAL WARDS

Meeting key hygiene norms is of the utmost importance in these envi ronments but the harsh products used to do so can really take their toll

on hands In contrast using PURELL Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub offers a gentler way to meet EN 12791 standard

• ACUTE AND GENERAL WARDS

GOJO provides a straight ‘out of the box’ solution for hand hygiene, incorpo rating dispensers, products accessories, and signage as well as training and on boarding support It also manages instal lations thereby reducing the staffing impact of changing suppliers

• COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES: These environments often have radi cally different needs from what are tradi tionally catered for in healthcare packages GOJO takes these specificities into consideration and offers specially adapted products for example locked dispenser units and foam sanitiser so they can only be opened by trained personnel in demanding environments, for example Its ‘train the trainer’ programme allows all staff to be trained on product use, whatever shift they work Personal formats can also be supplied so healthcare pro fessionals always have products on hand when they are needed even if

Countering Unseen Fire and Water Risks

Behind the scenes in a care setting the safety and wellbeing of service users partly depends on expert clean ing of kitchen and laundry ductwork as well as clean, safe water, ad Gary Nicholls, MD or duct cleaning and legionella risk experts Swiftclean, explains

No matter how healthy your kitchen kitchen extract ductwork must be regularly cleaned in order to remove the grease deposits that arise from cooking People often think that this grease layer must be really thick in order to pose a fire risk However the specification TR19® Grease which governs kitchen extract hygiene issued by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) requires for grease layer to be controlled with in an average of 200 microns This is about half the thickness of an average business card Anything more than this thin layer represents a significant fire risk The only solution to this problem is a reg ular complete removal of the grease layer by specialist TR19® Grease cleaning A second frequently overlooked fire safety cleaning task is for removal of dust fibre and lint from laundry extract ductwork Tumble dryer fires are surprisingly frequent especially in their extract ductwork The drying process resulting a significant buildup of ductwork deposits which are highly flammable and should be regu larly removed to eliminate the fire risk Cleaning in accordance with TR19® also issued by BESA it s the most

their work is off site

Chris Wakefield Managing Director UK & Ireland GOJO Industries Europe Ltd comments: We know the key to increasing hand hygiene compliance is to ensure that the right products are available in the right places at the right time We are constantly innovating to keep people and places healthy This means formulating products that are not only effec tive at killing germs but that won’t irritate hands that must be repeatedly cleaned throughout a shift ‘Ensuring that the products are available when and where they are needed be that personal bottles of hygienic hand rub or dispensers positioned in optimal locations And last but not least developing solutions with the environment in mind For example from 2023 we plan to move to RPT refills; all collapsible refills will be made from recycled materials as well as being recyclable

‘Widely used in the NHS, PURELL® is a trusted brand in healthcare facilities around the world Our solutions encompass fast active, effective formulas that care for skin, state of the art dispensers, and specialist sup port such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accredited training mak ing us the ideal healthcare partner Come and meet the team at IPS 2022 to find out how we can support your facility ’

For a tailored effective total solution for your setting or for more infor mation on the benefits of partnering with GOJO please call +44 (0)1908 588444 email CustomerExperienceUK@GOJO com or visit www GOJO com

effective way to remove these If you have a mechanical ventilation system you will almost certainly have fire dampeners installed where the ductwork passes from a side room to a corridor to reinstate the compartmentalisation provided by an internal fire resistant wall Fire dampness comprise a set of steel louvres which normally remain open to allow the flow of air through the ventilation system but which automatically close in the event of a fire to delay it spread These must be 'dropped tested' at least every twelve months, in accordance with BS: 9999, to ensure that they will close if needed Any that fail must be repaired and re tested

Ductwork cleaning and fire dampness testing a specialist task and should be conducted by technicians with appropriate competence and training TR19® Grease contains advice that property manager should choose as a member of BESA's Vent Hygiene Elite (VHE) scheme to provide these specialist services VHE members like Swiftclean can also provide post clean certificate certification which insurers are increasingly expecting to see, especially in the event of a fire, to demonstrate the property owners or managers compliance with the regulations Care must also be taken in ensuring that the water system is free from Legionella bacteria

The elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to Legionnaire s Disease the potentially fatal disease caused by Legionella You are legally required to always have a current Legionella risk assessment, which must be updated if there are any changes at all to the water system, owner ship of the property or designated Responsible Person

The water system must be managed in accordance with L8 the approved code of practice issued by the HSE If you need any assistance which with legionella control you should choose a certified member of the legionella control Association to help you Visit www swiftclean co uk for further information and advice

Introduction of Peracide™ from Sky Chemicals to Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust

INTRODUCTION

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 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

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

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

RESULTS

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

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 DISCUSSION

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to the participants at DBTH for engaging in this trial and to the laboratory team who performed the necessary assays

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

REFERENCES

Lee

Carol Scholey (RGN, BSc (hons)) Liam Grimshaw (BSc (hons) MSc by Research)

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 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 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 The Health and Safety Executive states that we never assume that any dust is safe and that all uncontrolled dusts are potentially hazardous 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 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 For more details contact commercial@sebo co uk

FLUID INTAKE

Revealed: How to Create Dementia-Friendly Documents, Posters and Signage DEMENTIA CARE

Dementia causes the loss of cognitive functions such as memory and reasoning It affects more than 55 million people worldwide with almost 10 million new cases each year Living with dementia can be extremely difficult given that its effects can vary by nature and severity from person to person

Alzheimer s disease, the most common form of dementia, is thought to contribute to 60 70% of cases worldwide Though researchers are working tirelessly for a cure it continues to evade them However there are plenty of ways that we can make life easier and more comfortable for people liv ing with dementia

Print specialists Solopress have taken a look at how you can improve your inclusivity by ensuring your documents posters and signage are optimised for people living with Alzheimer s

KEY FINDINGS:

• Reseach shows that the use of colours can help enhance the memory of people living with Alzheimer’s

Therefore bold contrasting colours can help to properly convey a mes sage but intricate patterns and colours can be confusing Associating different shapes with different deas concepts or decisions within your design can make your message easier for people living with dementia to understand

• Sans serif fonts like Arial in size 14 and above are easiest to read block capitals are not recommended as these can be difficult to differentiate between

Pictures can be helpful to ensure your message cuts through Photographs are preferred to drawings or artists versions

Avoid making your signage using reflective materials reflections can be confusing to people with dementia

• By using durable materials you can ensure the long term efficacy of your sign

COLOURS

Known to be one of the most powerful tools of communication colour

has a huge effect on the human brain and has the potential to trigger emotions and memories In fact academic research has shown that the right colours can help enhance the memory of those living with Alzheimer’s one of the most common forms of dementia

Dementia can affect how a person views colours particularly how they differentiate between certain colours As a result, colours with a high level of contrast are easiest for people living with dementia to digest; for exam ple implementing bright or bold colours throughout the home can help separate objects

With this thought in mind use bold bright contrasting text when designing dementia friendly documents Ease of access comes first so avoid loud patterns and stripes; these designs can be confusing and dis orienting Think simple vivid colour combinations

SHAPES

Dementia affects people in different ways and can even cause halluci nations If your signage or text must differentiate between two distinct ideas choices or options shapes can be a good way to highlight the dif ference between the two concepts

Changing the overall shape of your signage is a subtle but effective way to create dementia friendly print Shapes associated with positive or negative feelings were found to reduce confusion amongst people with dementia, preventing them from becoming confused or lost in hallways containing those shapes TEXT

Given that dementia can affect one’s vision and ability to understand text any message used in your document must be as easy to read as pos sible Font sizes are crucial to ensure your work is easily readable with at least size 14 recommended If your content contains a lot of information, break it up into reasonably sized chunks so that it is simpler to digest Dementia experts in the NHS warn against using block capitals as these can be more difficult to read particularly as dementia can cause visual impairments Both upper and lower case letters should be used for read ability as some people living with dementia will be able to recognise the

shape of a word before actually understanding its meaning

Think about how your document will be viewed Alzheimer s Society recommends using sans serif fonts for websites or digital content as they are deemed more readable on screen Staying consistent with your fonts is also helpful multiple fonts can make the interface and content confus ing for someone living with dementia

PICTURES

Pictures can play a vital role in helping dementia patients to communi cate more effectively by encouraging further memory retention Looking at photo albums and family pictures has been proven to play a vital role in engagement for people with dementia reducing feelings of isolation and helping strengthen personal relationships

As a result implementing pictures throughout your work or signage can be a great way to stimulate readers brain functions ensuring that your message cuts through Pictures can be particularly helpful for people with late stage dementia given that word based communication may not be possible Dementia can strip people of the ability to properly read and speak so the use of pictures and images where possible can really help consolidate your messages

Glen Eckett Head of Marketing at Solopress (www solopress com)

comments: “Dementia is an awfully cruel syndrome one which has the potential to strip people of their dig nity and personality However inclu sive design practices can go some way towards helping people living with dementia maintain some of their dignity With the above tips, any company can ensure that its resources are accessible and under standable for people living with dementia

Memor y Lane Games - Reminiscence Games To Trigger Positive Memories For Those Living With Dementia

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 tech niques 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 agitation all of which are so valuable in the care of those living with a condition which doesn’t have positive outcomes 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 professionally 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 communication and socialisation, not to test

SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL

Beneath its simplicity the Memory Lane Games app is a powerful tool Carers families and friends are able to enjoy interactions generated by playing the games with those in their care and can even create person alised quizzes using old family photos and create questions such as “Mum where did you go on your first holiday?" or “Where did you get married?”

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 residents game play: highlighting changes in 7 clin ical 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 immediately 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

Helpforcarehomes@memorylanegames com

Encouraging the Independence of Dementia Patients Through Colour and Design

colours make doors easier to see against the neutral tones on the walls In contrast staff areas and supply cupboards should be painted in the same colour as the walls so that they blend in and become less obvious helping to avoid any unauthorised access

Calming colours

For many, dementia can affect a patients’ ‘biological clock’ which means they often get confused when determining the time of day This means they can struggle to understand when it is appropriate to go to bed Incorporating calmer colours in the bedroom area, using blackout blinds, and adding softer golden lighting helps to instil a sense of calm and relaxation and encourages a more stable sleep routine that they can initiate themselves

Hazard perception

Implementing strategic design techniques can heighten the awareness of potential hazards and reduce occupant risk For example, if items such as radiators are designed using stronger colours that contrast against the walls, it will make them more noticeable and reduce the chance of them being walked into or leant against and in turn, minimise burn risk Features such as light switches and signage can also be more easily identified if a coloured border is painted around them

Promoting independence in individuals is essential to instilling a sense of self worth, and the colour and design of a room can play a significant role Here, Dawn Scott at Dulux Trade delves into how care home managers can best plan living spaces to make sure they are as effective and enjoyable as possible for those occupying them

According to the Alzheimer ’s Society, 70% of care home residents are thought to have dementia or severe memory problems It is therefore crucial that care home managers understand how colour and design can support those with the disease and place residents’ needs at the centre of interior designs

occupants’ wellbeing, care and crucially independence Here s how:

Consider colour and contrast to aid navigation

Up to 75% of people over the age of 75 have vision problems As we get older, our eyes become more opaque and this makes it more difficult to differentiate between hues It is therefore essential that contrasting colours are utilised in living spaces as they act as visual cues and ensure there are clear visual differences between surfaces

The Dementia Friendly Colour Palette advises that soft tones are used for main walls, with only small hints of colour to create a sense of calm (think 60YY 83/062, 70YR 75/075, 30YY 68/024 and 70RR 64/034) For feature walls like the front of the living room and kitchen serving areas make sure more saturated colours such as yellows (43YY 74/339), muted purples (70RR 43/104), muted oranges (38YR 40/290) and teals (50BG 19/144)are used to contrast with the lighter main walls as this makes them stand out and draws the eye for maximum visibility

When it comes to doors that lead to regularly used rooms like bathrooms and living spaces, bolder shades should be considered such as navies (52BB 08/128), sage greens (90GY 29/121) and burgundies (54RR 09/276) These

To aid wayfinding further, it’s important to avoid high sheen flooring as this can appear wet or slippery to dementia patients, meaning they may not feel comfortable walking across it Similarly, dark flooring can often be perceived as a hole, and bold patterns or stripes can give the illusion that the floor is not flat or unstable, creating a sense of anxiety amongst those using these spaces The best option is to keep floors plain and ensure that they contrast with the walls and skirting to keep all surfaces easily identifiable

Upholding their autonomy is key, but with so many complex needs, knowing how to sustain dementia patients’ independence can be challenging To help, Dulux Trade together with the British Research Establishment created a Dementia Friendly Colour Palette which aims to bring colour to every room both figuratively and literally

The palette was born out of years of experience in design and a wealth of dementia research and knowledge with partners from Loughborough University and the Halsall Lloyd Partnership also involved in its conception The evidence based design principles it is founded upon assure designers that it is optimised to create an environment that champions

Keeping memories alive

Arguably the most important way of allowing a dementia patient to retain their independence is through involving them in the process It is vital that their living spaces are a reflection of them by surrounding them with décor that inspires a sense of homeliness and nostalgia

We recommend using familiar or favoured colours For example, to recreate the front door of a childhood home by painting their bedroom door the same colour It is also important to include some personal items on shelving near the entrance, such as an old house number, family photographs or ornaments from their home so the resident can quickly identify it as theirs

For more ways to design living spaces for those with dementia, and to find out more about Dulux Trade’s offering for aged care and Dementia, visit: www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/en/content/occd

Photo cred t: BRE

Photo

Photo credit: BRE

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

Blaucomm s Nurse Call Mes i S i (NMS) i the market leading solution to remove the dependency on noisy nurse call panels and pagers through its intel ligent software which deliv ers the alerts straight to the care staff who need them

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

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

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

ENS Intercall Medicare SAS and TeleAlarm Care operators are con stantly recognising Blaucomm NMS for its relia bility and dependability to their care operations which is why we’ve been chosen time and time again over other solutions

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

“We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic compa ny with a reliable product

We have a range of nurse call systems at different sites and the NMS system integrates to them and allows us to compare response times between sites In addition, the integration to Person Centred Software is revolutionary We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens! To find out more about Blaucomm NMS visit www blaucomm co uk/healthcare

Medpage Falls Management Products

Care technologies have advanced at an amazing rate over the past decade The digital age is a place where we all live and all use tech nology as a familiar part of our daily lives At Medpage we have har nessed these advancing technolo gies into products to support Social Care and Independent Living Medpage brand products are designed to provide affordable user friendly care support products for domestic and professional care Our new wristband activated door egress alarm is a perfect example of how advanced technologies are transformed into a system to safe guard people prone to wandering Simple to install suitable for single or multiple residents, the system allows residents to remain mobile, while providing an alert to carers if they attempt to leave the building through a monitored door Further details available at www easylinkuk co uk search Doorwatcher

Medpage have supplied Care Residential Homes and Hospitals with fall prevention and detection alarms for more than 25 years From basic bed and chair exit detection alarms to more complex cordless sensor pad systems with nurse call integration we supply quality sys tems that deliver cost effective per formance

Our new sensor pad controller the MPCSA11 has been included into numerous falls management proj ects in Hospitals and professional care establishments The system already proven to reduce care costs allows a patient with mobility to transfer from their bed to their chair or to visit their washroom, without alarm notifications to carers, providing the transfer is completed within a selectable time Failure to return within the selected time will result in alarm notification to carers, either by pager, nurse call trigger, or ward wall mounted alarm receiver

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Quiet and calm care homes ensure that resi dents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment

Similarly carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surround ings particularly those suffering from dementia these can be fluctua tions in ambient temperature, light, and of course noise Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and exter nal sources for example telephones ringing loud conversations in cor ridors and call bells sounding often one of the largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort in residents

A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unan swered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recommends “fit ting 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 per

son’s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a number of methods to reduce their impact in a care home These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call In these circumstances dementia suffer ers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one zone whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative “zone” Each “zone” can operate different call tones, warning lights or other methods to alert when help is required

Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil envi ronment for residents Pagers have been around for many years are a relatively simple and cost effective measure in reducing the levels of noise and can be added to most Nurse Call systems Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning e medication etc Many Courtney Thorne clients are now utilising the “Go” app with their Nurse Call sys tem With the Go app nurse call alarms are delivered imme diately and silently straight to the handsets alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely disturbing the rest of the resi dents in the home

Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

How The Digital Revolution In Care Is Delivering The Best Outcomes For Residents

Technology is at the heart of the government s new health data strate gy which includes an aim to increase digitisation in social care by 2024 But why wait? At Bupa our digital transformation is already underway Digitisation is essential for the future Technology enables carers to spend more time on the most important part of the job; face to face qual ity care for residents Making processes more efficient with technology offers the opportunity to provide truly personalised care One example of this is in dementia care where there are many opportu nities to incorporate technology For example Richmond Villages Willaston is a specialist village for people in the early stages of dementia where they re able to maintain a level of independence supported by homemakers At night residents are acoustically monitored and staff are alerted if there are unexpected noises or movement which might indicate someone is unwell or in difficulty

Technology has the power to change how we work in care settings more widely Care staff have always filled out paper notes throughout their shifts including details about medication wellbeing and feedback from the res idents As everyone will know it’s time consuming and inefficient and reduces the time that can be spent talking to residents and building positive long term relationships

But across Bupa Care Services we’ve introduced handheld devices which allow carers to record every interac tion with residents in real time freeing up capacity for real high quality care It also means that staff can record more detailed up to the minute accurate notes with more information about each resident s mood what they chatted about or what activities they had been enjoying

G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution

Genee is a UK leading manufacturer of innovative technological solutions Genee plays an integral role across all major industries including health care to support patients residents and staff Having supported Care Homes through the pandemic The G Touch Wireless Care Home Solution is one of Genee s most impactful solutions yet The solution includes; the G Touch Interactive Screen Electric Mobile Trolley and a Wireless Battery Pack Its portability specially designed and simple to use interface as well as its multitude of applications are specifically built for residents and staff in mind

The G Touch Interactive Screen is an engaging resource for residents and staff Available in 55 ’ 65’’ and 75’ the touchscreen itself has durable and toughened safety glass that can be easily cleaned The large screen provides for spectacular viewings of videos TV shows and movies In addition the size of the screen encour ages residents to participate in interactive activities With built in 2x15w front facing speakers and an HD video conferencing camera provides the perfect com munication tool to video call families, friends, and other care homes With the built in PC and Android 8 0 operating system, the user interface software is easy to use As soon as the touchscreen is turned on, the sys tem loads into a tablet style of multiple icons containing the software and Apps used daily without the need for a PC style login The included software also helps residents with health issues including Dementia and Alzheimer’s A solution that benefits all! The Electric Mobile Trolley is better suited than a traditional wall mount or trol

By Rebecca Pearson, general manager for Bupa Care Services (www bupa co uk/care services)

Another step change is that this information can be accessed by residents’ families This helps build up a full picture of what life is like in the home and how their loved ones are doing day to day

There s no doubt that we re all getting more tech savvy, and why wouldn t we utilise it our care settings too? It s what families expect to see and increasingly it will be what our residents expect too

That s why it s so important that we lay the groundwork now But most importantly technology is helping our people get back to what they love Our people tell us they want more time to care That s why they came into this profession So it s up to us to make this happen

Compliance infection control and quality standards will always be top of the agenda Electronic medical records systems are designed to reduce the time it takes to administer medications safely and improve clinical outcomes with a joined up service that all health professionals can access This also makes it easier to refer back to previous notes to look for patterns with residents full medical history available at the touch of a button

All of our monitoring processes are also now stored in our digital quality and compliance solution which has been rolled out in each of our homes and villages It helps our home managers carry out quality monitoring and make swift changes to day to day processes if needed And regulatory partners can also be updated with the click of a button

But it s not just about quality or compliance There are a wealth of games apps and tools designed to support older people while making it fun and interactive For example for those with dementia a memory game app can help enhance the time they spend with loved ones

Ultimately it s the human connection that is at the heart of our digitisation journey As residents adjust to a new life and environment or deal with dementia it’s the people caring for them that bring fun and laughter back into their lives Technology allows us to foster this human connection and ultimately get more out of our time together

ley The mobile trolley can be electronically adjusted by height and offers 90 degree angle adjustment from horizontal to vertical ensuring easy accessibility at different chairs and wheelchair height The four lightweight and strong steel integrated castors include locking brakes for safety

The Wireless Battery Pack removes trip hazards and provides a helpful portable solution Simply add the lightweight battery pack to the trolley and easily move the touchscreen from room to room

The G Touch Wireless Care Home Solution comes with 5 years’ on site warranty as standard with no additional costs Our dedi cated team will bring the equipment to the care home assemble and install the solution and test everything on site We will also support you with free online training to ensure your Care Home gets maximum use of this incredible solution Get in touch via: +44 (0)1902 390 862 sales@genee group com www genee group com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

How Data is Transforming Social Care: The Roundtable

The UK is embracing a new era of data driven social care reform Digitisation and datafication are enabling enhanced visibility unlocking a new paradigm of proactive person centred care How is data enabling this transformation what are the stumbling blocks and what strategies are necessary to create a new digital roadmap that leads to better outcomes?

Stuart Barclay UK sales director of fall detection and remote monitoring supplier

Vayyar Care recently chaired a live roundtable discussion with key players in the social care sector to explore the power and potential of technology enabled care

Four of the field s leading providers and thought leaders explored the key factors driv ing change in social care The conversation brought together Alyson Scurfield, CEO at TSA, Paul Berney, CMO at Anthropos, Claire Aldridge, Strategic Contract Manager at Millbrook Healthcare Group and Tim Barclay, CEO at Appello to share their visions for the future and how they are leverag ing data to truly transform care

STUART BARCLAY:

Thank you all for being here Alyson can you tell us about the need demand, and market readiness for data driven social care and digital transformation?

ALYSON SCURFIELD, TSA CEO:

First, I’d like to thank Vayyar Care for bringing us together for this important discussion I m delighted to be here

As part of the advisory body for technology enabled care in the UK I m passionate about the power of data to transform care enhance lives and deliver better outcomes for people and communities Using data to provide better care is at the heart of what we do at TSA

We ve been talking about this since early 2019 pre COVID and identified three cornerstones data people and partnerships as the key drivers of transformation to enable true preventative care We’ve had a bird’s eye view of the process of change that s impacting services and communities across the UK

We learned that we re data rich but intelligence poor We need to give people relevant data insights that they can use to make more informed decisions and carry out better care planning not only for family members and frontline workers but also to allow care recipients themselves to play an active role in managing their own self care Technology is delivering better outcomes for people It s the glue of transformation and we’re starting to prove it

Data can drive better outcomes enabling people to live longer inde pendently in the place of their choosing The scene is set for true health and social care reform

STUART:

Let’s talk about the journey from analogue to digital How are reac tive legacy solutions and devices falling short when it comes to falls management?

We recently conducted a survey of social care providers that identi fied falls management as the primary drain on resources 69% of respondents said that falls are the most common reason for responder visits But more than a quarter of those callouts turn out to be false alarms, putting a huge strain on staff

A big part of the problem is that the vast majority of fall detection solutions on the market aren’t practical Take cameras for example Most care users do not feel comfortable with video cameras invading their privacy at home

CLAIRE ALDRIDGE, STRATEGIC CONTRACT MANAGER, MILLBROOK HEALTHCARE GROUP:

In the past, caregivers had to deal with so many false alarms, espe cially when it comes to fall detection Reactive legacy solutions like buttons and cords are useful only if they’re within reach and the resi

dent is conscious, mats are often unreliable and break frequently, and wearables have to be charged while the care user must remember to put them on

At Millbrook we’ve recognised that historically the sector hasn’t been using data as smartly as we could and that s something we re keen to address That’s why we’re partnering with companies like Vayyar and Anthropos who share our vision so that we can start lever aging data to get the best outcomes for our service users and help them feel secure about using the technology

We’ve adopted a digital first approach meaning that we’re phasing out all analogue devices Our goal is to start leveraging data to get the best outcomes for our service users

We want to capture the full benefits of technology to overcome the problem of false alarms and use it to predict and prevent crises

It’s an exciting time right now and there s plenty of new tech coming on board We want to be sure that Millbrook is at the forefront of change and innovation in the sector

ALYSON:

False alarms have made people weary and wary of technology that wastes valuable time and resources With all new technologies, we need to give people confidence that they meet rigorous standards and have fully proven themselves

TIM BARCLAY, APPELLO CEO:

The transition from analogue to digital has been going on for the past seven years One of the good that the TSA and the industry s momentum have helped us to understand is that this isn t just about replacing a device that signals analogue with a device that signals digi tal It’s an opportunity for a step change to business models service models and the outcomes you deliver because there is so much more power and capability in a digital environment We have more digitally connected customers than anyone out there and proven solutions to choose from We’ve put digital infrastructure into more than 25,000 apartments and scores of case studies of people who were considering the journey and now have accessed proven innovative solutions

We’ve gone out of our way to make ensure that we are as interoper able as possible We have transition models both commercial and technical, to help the transition from analogue to digital We’re not just moving from one box to another that would be missing the point The transition to digital can deliver services in a more effective, person alised and meaningful way for the end user and that doesn t mean at a higher cost You can deliver better services at a lower cost through more intelligent use of the digital capabilities that technology enabled care has to offer

STUART:

Our survey also revealed that 90% of service providers acknowledge that frontline staff are spending too much time on administrative tasks More data should really mean less paperwork for staff What’s more 88% of providers agree that more data about how long users spend at home and their activity would help deliver more personalised care

And that leads to our next topic: outcomes How can we use data smartly to reduce the burden on overworked caregivers and ensure bet ter care?

TIM:

It’s worth contextualizing the word data It s not reams of information that need to be analysed It s data delivered simply and sensibly Data is machine driven pieces of insight that can be easily shared in a digital form

We must be able to deliver single nuggets of information that care providers can act on Simple messages like I m OK clearly delivered on a dashboard can make an enormous difference to the productivity of frontline staff

PAUL BERNEY, CMO AT ANTHROPOS:

It s the job of the connected care platforms like Anthropos and oth ers, to process, manage and analyse the data Ultimately, care providers are only interested in the intelligence that will allow them to make better informed care decisions

They re only interested in the end product the insights That s our job and we do it best when we know the desired care outcomes Then we know what insights we need to identify We take the data and divide it into four basic categories environment daily routine and behaviour patterns physiological wellbeing and safety and security Then we take all that data and turn it into intelligence But we can only do that when we know what the goals are, what insights we need to provide and what actions are required When you have a platform can reveal behavioural changes, you can step in and take preventative

action Then you can make a real difference to someone’s life, no mat ter stage of the care journey they re at

STUART:

You touched there on the importance of the joined up care journey Ultimately it s collaboration that enables the delivery of person cen tred predictive care According to our survey, almost 80% of service providers agreed that sharing behavioural data is critical to unlocking personalised outcomes We need to change the norm so that we can start working together cohesively as suppliers to support service providers in collaboration with TSA But let s get more specific

What insights have been unlocked by the behavioural data you gath er and how do you share them with key stakeholders?

PAUL:

We’re good at integration and that’s because we understand the importance of working together I ll give you an example We got an alert that showed that a resident hadn’t started her morning routine within half hour of her regular pattern and then the data revealed she had been up several times to go to the bathroom This is a person with long history of UTIs so the platform could identify this wasn’t the norm for her and sent an alert It s then up to the care provider to decide if it s necessary to take action or just to keep an eye on them

STUART:

You’re absolutely right Data sharing is the key to cohesive meaning ful and fruitful partnerships between technology suppliers platform providers and frontline caregivers Sharing behavioural data that reveals mobility, physical and mental health, and potential medical conditions is critical to unlocking personalised care and optimising out comes That applies both to overall care management and to the risk factors of falls

PAUL:

Exactly, and that’s why our customers want Vayyar Care Managing falls more effectively through better communication is at the top of our priority list when it comes to care management

Passive falls monitoring is so important because we all understand the drawbacks of wearables

We want to give people confidence that they’re buying into a system that s gone through exhaustive evaluation and testing because if you’re going to make a care decision based on data, you need com plete confidence in the quality of that intelligence

ALYSON:

Achieving the best results through focused insights and intelligent data sharing is all about partnering with the right people Collaboration is paramount in terms of providing better outcomes We want to help people feel secure about using technology as a reliable resource and that’s a team effort We’re partnering with leading tech and platform providers like Vayyar Care and Anthropos who share our vision and want start to using smart tech much more wisely We need to guaran tee that our partners deliver the best quality adhere to the highest safety standards and like us are committed to putting the service user at the heart of everything they do Above all, we’re committed to the quality standards framework which includes ethics and continuous quality of care

Come visit the TSA website We ll put you in touch with organisations that have loads of case studies to show how we’re making this possi ble We also have a list of certified members that we can guarantee are delivering this partnership approach and are delivering quality service

STUART:

Well that brings us to the end of our roundtable on how data is transforming social care I d like to thank you all for being here and sharing your insights and experience As the social care sector expands it s clear that local authorities across the UK need to embrace new sensor technologies, leading edge platforms and above all, fresh best practices if they re going to continue to put people at the heart of care

If you d like to discuss any of the issues raised in this roundtable or connect with any of the contributors please email Stuart Barclay directly:

stuart barclay@vayyar

The CAREAudits System

CAREAudits

Back

SYSTEM

Natalie Lawrence at Yorkare Homes says “It’s a paperless sys tem that runs alongside our existing client records system helping to make our whole operation paperless ” CAREAudits ensures management and staff are aware at all times of what needs check ing that it s been checked actions required by whom by when including full resolution management Each CAREAudit also scores the answers so management can monitor improvement Steven Tegart from Talbot Group likes reporting and says I wish all my other systems were as easy to extract data for management reports as the CAREAudits Excel links

The system has over 120 example audits to select from CAREAudits apps are extremely easy to use and care providers can easily add or edit their own audits in minutes ensuring simple management of ever changing requirements App auditors can use CAREAudits with virtually no training it s that simple The Care Auditor s Hands Free Operation guides the user through each audit each question and answer with it s own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care provider’s expert Users can download the app for a free trial and be up and running with the full system in min utes

AND SOFTWARE

10 Reasons To Go Digital With Electronic Care Planning and Medication (eMAR) Systems

TIME

More time to care

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

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

CONTROL

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!

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

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 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

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

AutumnCare Mobile allows staff to perform clinical assessments and capture notes at the point of care for increased accuracy and care recipient involvement

RETENTION

Improve staf f retention

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

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

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?

Digital care plans are the best way to achieve this!

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

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 serv ice at a glance

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

PROTECTION

Protect

your business

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

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

Additionally providing smart tools like care planning and eMAR soft ware to reduce the administrative burden will decrease staff stress

QUALITY

Improved quality of care

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

EVIDENCE

Demonstrate quality of care deliver y

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 WONDERING HOW TO GO DIGITAL?

If you re unsure of how to get started in your digital transformation AutumnCare can help!

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

Contact Chris Sharman

Email c sharman@autumn care

Call 0800 009 2121

, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

New Digital Right to Work Checks for British and Irish Workers

Employers will from 1 October 2022 need to adopt new digital right to work checks for British and Irish nationals or revert to cumbersome manual in person checks

It will says Gavin Webster at Vialto Partners (www vialto com) no longer be possible for employers to rely on virtual right to work checks introduced by the Home Office under its Covid 19 concessions for these individuals The likelihood of inadvertently employing an undocumented worker is very low but the impact could be high If procedures are not properly fol lowed employers have no statutory excuse against employing an illegal worker and could face substantial fines and other sanctions

The Home Office’s right to work guidance was altered in April 2022 to allow digital identification verification for pre employment checks Back then, it felt slightly academic as the government had not certified any providers to conduct those checks Whilst digital certification isn’t mandato ry and indeed it is still possible to conduct physical in person checks the move is designed to give the Home Office and employers the reassurance that checks are well managed

Right to work checks reduce the risk of employing a person who does not have the right to work in the UK for instance where an earlier work visa has expired They are conducted in good time before or on the first day of employment and repeated when work permission is due to expire for example after three years of a Skilled Worker visa When conducted properly and in line with the Home Office s prescribed checks they also give employers a statutory excuse against a civil penalty of up to £20 000 per illegal worker in the event they are found to be employing someone illegal Without them an employer can be fined even if they had no chance of spotting that for instance a UK passport was a fake While the risk of employing an illegal worker may be no higher for the care sector than others, the risk of detection probably is even where an employer had no chance of spotting a fake document The care sector has always been of interest to the Home Office, more so than other health providers and some other sectors Historically, these checks have typically been undertaken manually and in person imagine being sat with HR

on day one of employment handing over a passport so they can check your face against the photo and then take a dated and certified copy

The global pandemic and resulting changing working patterns have seen right to work checks change Manual checks are no longer available for peo ple with biometric residence permits biometric residence cards or an e visa for example those with pre settled status or a frontier worker permit That means the vast majority of people who are neither British or Irish pass port holders need to be checked against the Home Office online service normally using a share code provided by the prospective employee

For UK and Irish nationals employers are currently still relying on the temporary ‘COVID 19 adjusted right to work checks which allow checks to be conducted via video call as opposed to in person, with original docu ments

That will change from 1st October 2022 however when it will no longer be possible to rely on this concession and the Home Office wishes employ ers to conduct these checks via an authorised Identification Service Provider with accredited Identification Documentation Verification Technology AI TECHNOLOGY

Since April several government certified technology providers have emerged including our own right to work app Many of these platforms use AI technology to scan and read documents together with selfie digital photo graphs of new employees and will automatically record the name and date of birth of the individual pictures and the date of the check Checks can easily be conducted from anywhere in the country Whilst the Government would encourage employers to use an authorised Identification Service Provider with accredited Identification Documentation Verification Technology it is not essential Manual in person checks can continue but for large employers working across multiple locations that will prove cumbersome and time consuming The use of this technology does require the human touch Employers must satisfy themselves that a compli ant check was conducted, that the person in the selfie is not an imposter, and if names differ, they must establish why for example a recent marriage Checks must be retained for the length of employment plus two years

The Importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the Care Sector

Upskilling and staying on top of best practice and techniques is essential in the Care sector as it directly impacts on safety and standards When you invest in CPD, you re ensuring care workers have the skills, knowl edge, and confidence to carry out their role safely and provide the best possible care Having gained qualifica tions and landed a job in the care industry should be the start of the learning journey rather than the end of it

There is a strong link between CPD and staff retention and motivation CPD is mentioned in the NHS Long Term Plan as a strategy to motivate staff to stay in role and equip them with the skills to advance their professional practice Skills for Care found that 94% of employers with a low staff turnover cited investing in learning and development as one of the main activities contributing to workforce retention

Online learning is now the expectation for learning and development at work

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Key Employment Considerations For Care Home Providers

With

1 NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

Care homes are often inadvertently paying their staff less than the National Minimum Wage and so leaving themselves at risk of claims for compensation by their staff and of being fined

Whilst the principle of the National Minimum Wage is a simple one that someone who works for one hour is not paid less than a set amount for that hour s work the calculation for determining whether or not someone is paid the National Minimum Wage is complex The issue is compounded as care homes commonly provide their junior staff with an hourly rate of pay equal to or only a little above the National Minimum Wage

The calculation requires an understanding of precisely what constitutes time spent working This can be far more than simply the time someone is rostered on shift and may include for example time spent handing over before or after a shift working while on a sleep in or while receiving training An understanding of what payments a member of staff is required to make that will reduce their pay when cal culating whether or not they are paid the National Minimum Wage is also required Here payments by staff for their uniforms or training fees for example need to be considered

2 WHISTLE BLOWERS

All care home providers work hard to encourage their staff to make it known when they have identified health and safety issues, have suspicions of neglect or abuse or have any other concerns about the provision of care at their care home

Having made their concerns known and so blown the whistle’, it is widely known that the law states that the staff member may not be subjected to any detrimental treatment as a result of them blowing the whistle’ However, commonly care home providers leave themselves at risk of such a claim as they fail to ensure that the whistle blower s colleagues who may well have taken umbrage do not stop treating their colleague fairly and

People – Our Greatest Asset!

By Amanda Bewert OT (Australia) | Managing Director, Meaningful Care Matters

I hear all too often about the shortage of skilled staff working within the health and social care sector All too often experienced and well thought of team mem bers burnout and leave the service or care sector com pletely This is felt more keenly as it is more than just needing to replace a staff member but it is the loss of that person’s skills abilities knowledge of the organisa tion systems and processes and knowledge about the individual needs of the people who are being support ed and cared for

When organizations and businesses consider their assists usually they list their tangible or fixed assets such as buildings and equipment but it is the human assets (people) that are the most important part of any

with respect 3

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

By Lee Ashwood, Employment

Director at Freeths LLP (www freeths co uk)

As care home workforces become more and more diverse, the likelihood of a language other than English being spoken in a care home increases Care home providers want the best for their residents in terms of com fort and safety of course Sometimes this leads to an enforced requirement by a provider that English is spoken at all times by their care home staff or at least in certain circumstances However the law against discrimination is wide ranging and bans on speaking a language other than English in the workplace can often fall foul of it 4 POOR PERFORMERS

With care homes struggling to recruit and retain staff and care home managers already busy it is often easier to overlook a poorly performing member of staff than it is to deal with them Setting aside the potential risk to the health and safety of residents failing to deal with a poor performer can greatly affect the morale of their col leagues with them possibly leaving as well leading to allegations of there being a difference in treatment and so discrimination

However as employment law does not prevent poor performance being dealt with swiftly and efficiently care home providers have no reason not to act, having first taken advice 5 PART TIME EMPLOYEES

Time and again it is overlooked by care home providers that the law states that part time employees must not be treated less favourably than their full time colleagues because they are part time

This issue comes to light when, for example, care home providers reward their full time employees with addi tional time off, the right to refuse overtime or even the opportunity to choose their shifts In doing so, care home providers put themselves at risk of a successful claim for compensation from a disgruntled part time member of staff

GET IN TOUCH FOR ADVICE

As a specialist lawyer for the Care sector, Lee supports individuals as well as businesses of all sizes including many small medium or well known organisations He is an experienced litigator and provides pragmatic advice based on the objectives of his clients

organisation particularly when considering the health and social care sector WHY ARE PEOPLE THE GREATEST ASSET OF ANY SERVICE OR ORGANISATION?

They are the face of the service Ultimately people within your team are responsible the for the provision of care and services to the people you support They are integral to meeting not only regulatory compliance requirements but are also the face of your service and organisation Engagement = Productivity The more engaged team members are the more productive they are too People who are satisfied challenged and motivated are far more likely to be engaged and committed helping the service and organisation to achieve their purpose and objectives Skills and knowledge While all team members must possess specific competencies and skills related to their role some skills and knowledge are irreplaceable or take many years to develop This includes knowl edge of specific people being cared for and understanding of organisations’ cultures, systems, and work pro cedures

The message of being valued and respected doesn t come from memos sent to staff They watch to see if the leadership walks the talk Lip service can only go so far; management can t just say they value their work ers They must show it in real terms

If we understand that people are our greatest asset then we must ensure that we invest in their health and well being too In turn people who feel valued and appreciated will go the extra mile for the people we care and support, and the organisation See the advert on this page for further information

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Workforce Challenge - The Eden Alternative – A Modern, Proven Model of Care for Staff and Resident Wellbeing

WHY DO THIS?

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

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 wellbeing It follows that staff retention improves

With a positive culture a motivated and dedicated workforce It follows that positive innovation becomes more possible sustainable and continuous When demand for services increase it follows that viability improves

As a cohesive cultural progression programme it follows that innovation modernisation and positivity increase

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

The 6 weekly sessions are run online with a work book with links for further optional reading or viewing and should not be a burden to busy Homes, teams and managers

It is however effective You can try without obligation

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

WHAT IS IT

It is a training programme which leads to accredita tion and focuses in detail on 7 domains of wellbeing 10 principles and is particularly designed to address instances of loneliness helplessness and boredom

Geoffrey Cox

The Eden Alternative Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www eden alternative co uk

In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse?

JJ Recruitment has the large database of well qualified applicants with experience in the health care industry such as health care assistants, sen ior carers and nurses from overseas We also have an expert team of solicitors for the necessary legal proceedings and advices

WHY JJ?

We have very minimal processing fees

We assist you to get a sponsorship license

Qualified and experi enced candidates from overseas Tel: 01704 808227

www jjcarerecruitment co uk admin@jjrecruitment co uk

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 relationships at its heart, with our 6 week online training programme. Discover how to replace loneliness, helplessness and boredom with wellbeing, companionship, and meaningful activities, in just one hour of training a week

Validated Eden Alternative associates can benefit from continuing support from our expert team

Sign up today and join the care evolution Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www.eden alternative.co.uk

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

As recently highlighted in the media there are current ly over 100 000 vacant roles in the care sector Some 78% of providers who responded to the exclusive survey car r ed out by the ITV News in conjunction with the UK Homecare Associat on sa d recruit ng carers is the hard est 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 L ncolnshire came to see me He knew I was an immigra tion lawyer He was distraught and on the verge of pack ng 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 Brit sh work force are ust 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 h s staffing problems have been solved

So how do we go about doing it?

The UK Imm gration system can be complex but with the right guidance can be navigated to benefit the care sector

In order to recruit foreign skilled workers, whether they are already within the UK or directly abroad your compa ny needs to be regulated by the UKVI (UK Visas & Immigration) This nvolves being licenced by the UKVI so that your business can successfully recruit foreign work ers without fear of being fined or breaching any immigra tion rules set by the UK governments stringent pol cies Many potential employees are already w thin 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 spon sored by your company through your sponsor licence Th s would involve mak ng a complex application to the UKVI and in essence asking them for permiss on for you to employ the worker full time Once permission s grant ed, you then have the benefit of a full time employee tied down exclusively to your company for at least a 5 year per od This is often referred to as a Work Permit If you wish to employee multiple foreign workers then we would need to conv nce the Home Office to grant you an appropriate allocation under the terms of your licence Under th s licence you can also recruit carers and nurses from abroad

The solution to current staffing cr s s is clearly to recruit foreign workers and it is not as daunt ng as people often make out There are many special st firms of lawyers who can do the whole process for you and you can also save on hefty recruitment fees of employment agencies

If you urgently need staff then you should definitely consider applying for a UKVI sponsor licence n 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 solut on Harjap S ngh 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”

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Care & Nursing Staff Turnover – Eliminated! Commitment – Increased!

Imagine a situation where you would have little or no worries about staff walking away and having a team that are very committed to your organisation

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

By hiring overseas staff through the Sponsorship Licences Government Initiative (We can help you if you don t have a Sponsorship Licence yet)

WHY WOULD THE STAFF BE COMMITTED AND LOYAL?

According to the legal arrangement of their visa (right to work in the UK) all these overseas staff are obligated to stay at your organisation for 3 5 years otherwise they lose their immigration status and are liable for deportation to their country of origin

This makes them committed and legally bound to stay and work with you

PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS

Someone might say this sounds too good to be true What happens if the staff is not happy? The reality of the matter is that a very small

percentage will not work out but that is where we come in

Firstly we preselect the staff that we feel will blend into the culture of your organisation Secondly we will supply you with the tips that ensures a better settlement procedure for overseas staff Finally we are at hand through the continual coaching and mentoring program to identify sticky areas and work with you on getting a mutually benefi cial solutions

WHY WORK WITH US?

Purer Health Care Agency has been specially designed to help reduce the high staff turnover and its associated cost and disruptions as well as help overseas candidates obtain a better economically enhanced life This way we serve a business social and economic pur pose

HOW WE DO THIS?

We have conducted a robust background screening conducting Criminal Checks Identity Checks Work Reference Checks and Family History Checks Hence all our staff have been prequalified and have

Five Things To Know About Data Breaches

Data breaches involve unautho rised access or the disclosure of sensitive, confidential or otherwise protected data This may be per sonal information, such as health or financial accounts trade secrets or intellectual property There are cur rently strict regulations in place in the UK to protect data and reduce the risk of a data breach occurring

However there are always exceptions to the rule and busi nesses should be aware of what they need to do if a data breach occurs

Data Breaches which is defined by Article 4 of the UK GDPR Failure to protect against this can attract maximum fines of up to 4% of the annual worldwide turnover or £17 5 million This is dependent upon which figure is

higher ”

the appropriate qualifications and checks that exceed the required UK standard to safely and effectively function as Nurses & Care Assistants

Here are some more advantages of working with us

No Flights/Travel Obligation

No Accommodation Obligation

1 Week induction and orientation course for all staff (The idea is that from the first day the employee comes to work ready to hit the road running )

Free continuous personal development mapping for all staff

What next

Give us the opportunity to help you eliminate your staffing issues by reaching us on:

T: 0203 287 5125

E: ukadmin@purerhealthcareagency com W: purerhealthcareagency com

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A BREACH

James Martin advises that there are a number of things that potential defendants can do in the event of a data breach: While there are actions that businesses can take this will very much depend on whether the alleged breach is accepted or if the allegations are disputed

If there is a breach there is a right to compensation as set out within Article 82 of the UK GDPR The level of compensation will depend upon the circumstances surrounding the alleged breach and the infor mation that has been released The Court will also consider what effect if any the breach has had on the affected party For example a breach related to the sharing of medical or financial records will be regard ed as serious ”

When it comes to actions that can be taken James advises: “In all types of cases due to the complex issues involved, it would be advisable for any Defendants to obtain legal advice at an early stage Where it’s accepted that a breach has occurred, it would be beneficial to try and reach a compromise with the affected party(s) at an early stage to avoid having to incur the costs of dealing with litigation ”

HOW TO AVOID A BREACH

Aisha advises that there are a number of key initiatives that can be put in place by employers to miti gate the risk of a data breach: “Organisations must have in place physical organisational and technical security measures to ensure adequate protection There should also be an emphasis on ensuring employ ees throughout the organisation are trained on what is expected of them when handling personal data and training logs can be kept to document this

When it comes to the security measures that will enable businesses to control data and how it is shared Aisha adds: Organisations are expected to carry out regular tests of the security measures that are in place to identify any areas of weakness If an area is identified the measures should be updated accordingly

“When acting as a data controller it’s important to note that businesses will remain ultimately liable for any acts or omissions of any processors who are appointed From a due diligence perspective basic checks can be undertaken to ensure that the processor can keep the personal data protected in line with the standard set by Article 32 of the UK GDPR ”

Aisha Akhtar, a Solicitor in the Corporate and Commercial team, and James Martin, an Associate Solicitor in the Commercial Dispute Resolution team, at Blacks Solicitors (www lawblacks com), share their advice on data breaches, and what businesses need to be aware of if a data breach claim is brought against them

GDPR AND PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION

According to Aisha Article 32 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) outlines and estab lishes the minimum level of security that an organisation must have in place to protect personal data She comments Within this there is a specific emphasis on the ability to protect against Personal