The Carer Digital - Issue #127

Care Worker Vaccine “Policy” Lawful

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

There are clearly no winners in our lead story Sadly there are losers - that being staff who lost their jobs for taking a stand and refusing to take a vaccine

The sector has of course over all lost out since the policy exasperated an already critical staffing issue

Providers have to act on information available to them at the time and as the ruling declares the operator “believed its policy of (subject to medical exemption) only employing vaccinated care home staff would save lives” In simple terms it was acting in the best of faith-based on data coming from the government and experts at the time

The ruling added that the company never proposed vaccination by force ” That came later on November 11, 2021 when the government introduced mandatory vaccine policy I have very mixed feetings about this ruling - “a foot in both camps” As stated last week I sat in on a very distressing seminar where operators and front-line workers were asked to share their experiences of life in a care environment at the very height of the pandemic Staff really were in an impossible situation

However one has to ask the question “How do you get healthcare workers to do something as personally intimate and publicly important as getting vaccinated?"

Mandating Covid-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment raises several complicated ethical and practical issues with operators staff residents and their families It was the most impossible of situations which has led to tribunals as we see in our lead story to debates and court cases surrounding the isolation of residents and family access and an exodus of staff many of whom according to reports are unlikely to return

Findings from a survey of National Care Forum members on the impact of the mandate in care homes reveal that policy had come at a great financial cost and was quite simply the wrong policy at the wrong time

Those participating in the survey said on top of the thousands of pounds spent trying to implement it, it had also brought an “enormous extra workload” for organisations and had been “very damaging” to staff morale

Other results revealed the negative impact around recruitment with 94% of respondents stating they thought the policy had made this more difficult

And in March this year the government reversed its get vaccinated or get out policy

Our lead story also reveals that the fallout is gathering pace the launch of a petition to Apologise Reinstate Compensate Care Workers Forced Out by Vaccine ‘Mandate’

Where will this lead?

Well in October this year a New York state Supreme Court judge ordered that city workers who were fired in for refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate must be reinstated and receive back pay Judge Ralph Porzio said in a ruling issued on Monday that a city-wide order requiring workers be vaccinated was capricious and arbitrary and had violated the state s separation of powers doctrine

“It is time for the City of New York to do what is right and what is just,” Judge Porzio said

The order stemmed from a lawsuit filed by 16 employees of the New York City Department of Sanitation who were fired in February for failing to comply with a vaccine mandate

After the case the lawyer who brought the case on behalf of the New York workers said “We just defeated the vaccine mandate for every single city employee,” So this very contentious issue is I suspect set to dominate 2023 despite the tribunal’s ruling

Another story which took my I was a damning report by the Select Committee on Adult Social Care which calls for better funding a national long-term plan for the sector and the appointment of a Commissioner for Care and Support

The report calls on the government to make adult social care a “national priority”, which is anyone in the sector would say is long overdue

We were delighted here at THE CARER to welcome an exclusive article from Baroness Andrews Chair of the House of Lords Adults Social Care Committee which you can read on page 8

The festive season is now upon us so once again we urge you to send in stories of your festive celebrations (see page 5) for our Christmas hamper competition) and please do continue to share your stories of awards 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 in every day improving the well-being of the residents!

Care Worker Vaccine “Policy” Lawful Tribunal Rules

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

The employment tribunal ruled that the workers had not been fired without good reason ruling that healthcare firm had the 'legitimate aim of minimising the risk of death and serious illness amongst residents and staff and such a move was necessary in a democratic society

“CHOICE

OF THE INDIVIDUAL”

Employment Judge Neil Maidment said: Barchester Healthcare was seeking to minimise the risk of death putting genuine value on the saving of any resident's life

Any contrary attitude from a care home provider might have been regarded as disturbing '

Judge Maidment acknowledged that the reason for sacking the workers while unusual was genuine and substantial and said the company 'believed its policy of (subject to medical exemption) only employing vaccinated care home staff would save lives Adding that the company never proposed vaccination by force

It was at pains throughout the introduction of the policy to reaffirm that it recognised vaccines could not be mandated, that vaccination was the choice of the individual that consent had to be given freely and consent to future vaccinations could be withdrawn at any stage

Vaccination was not at this point in time mandated by law but vaccination was not physically forced upon any of the claimants

'Whilst they would not have judged it as a free choice given the obvious implications of a loss of employment it was a choice they had 'The tribunal concludes that any interference with human rights in the circumstances of this case was proportionate

MANDATORY POLICY

GOVERNMENT

The government introduced a mandatory vaccine policy on 11 November 2021 whereby CQC registered care homes could only use staff to provide care who were able to prove that that they had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (or are medically exempt)

Care staff across England were told that they must have had their first vaccination by September 16 2021 to meet the November 11 cutoff

However, in March this year the legal requirement for health and social care staff to be double jabbed was removed following an exodus of staff

The U-turn followed a public consultation where 90% of responses supported the mandate removal PETITION

LAUNCHED

The row surrounding vaccinations and adult social care workers continues and is gathering pace

Earlier this week a petition was launched demanding the reinstatement of care workers who were forced from their jobs for declining to take a Covid vaccination, and as also called on the government to apologise and compensate care workers who left the sector

An estimated 40,000 social care workers left their jobs as a result, which the petition says has proved disastrous for the care sector and those it supports”

The sector now has 165,000 vacancies, with 500,000 members of the public waiting for assessments care or reviews The situation is grave and urgent, not least as without a functioning care sector the NHS will collapse

The petition was launched by democracy campaign group #Together who have written an open letter to Steve Barclay new Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Helen Whately Minister for Social Care and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

THE LETTER READS:

Dear Steve Barclay, We ask you to urgently address the injustice of the estimated 40 000 social care workers forced out of their jobs due to the Covid vaccine mandate We now have 165 000 staff vacancies in the sector 500 000 people waiting for assessments, care or reviews on top of a £3 7bn funding gap that has brought many local care providers to the brink of collapse

Throughout most of 2021 there was clear evidence that Covid jabs did not prevent transmission and the Department of Health and Social Care warned Sajid Javid that his ‘mandate’ policy would result in upwards of 40 000 care staff leaving the sector Unfortunately on 11 November 2021 workers who had not already been forced out were sacked Many lost not only their jobs, but also their pensions

In financial terms the cost of the mandate policy to the care sector was profound The Department of Health and Social Care calculated that

each employee lost to the policy would cost £2 500 to replace in recruitment, induction and training costs alone This policy has left care providers with an estimated bill of upwards of £100 million

Without a functioning social care system, the NHS will collapse In the NHS we have ever-increasing waiting lists for operations and longer waits in A&E due to the lack of beds This in turn leads to longer ambulance waits There are an estimated 13 000 patients in hospital beds medically fit to be discharged but with no care package due to the lack of care workers and fewer care home beds This situation is unsustainable and unacceptable Lives are at risk

Please do the right thing: Apologise Reinstate Compensate

1 Apologise

Thousands of workers forced out of the sector feel thoroughly insulted undervalued and bullied by the events of the last 18 months or so An official apology from the Government that the previous policy was a mistake is a simple but essential step To return to the sector workers will also need reassurance that this can never happen again

2 Reinstate

We are aware that reinstatement in privately run care settings will mean individual employers taking staff back As Secretary of State, you can use your influence to encourage and if necessary, legislate for the action required

There is evidence of individual care homes still ‘requiring’ Covid jabs as a condition of employment which is legally questionable This underlines that in addition to the need for clarification of the legal position for job applicants and employers in the sector an awareness campaign encouraging reinstatement of the lost care workers should be a priority

3 Compensate

We believe many care workers can be attracted back given a suitable apology however with a cost-of-living crisis and taking into account the stress lost earnings and likely costs incurred by those workers forced out it would be reasonable to offer a financial incentive – in addition to competitive pay

We the undersigned urge the Government to do the right thing: apologise to the approximately 40,000 care sector workers it forced out, encourage their reinstatement, and compensate them

Grief and Dementia

As human beings grief is how we respond to a significant loss in our lives It is a deeply painful experience to go through and the agonizing feelings grief rouses in us are often felt much more profoundly during seasons that bring heightened emotions to the surface such as Christmas a season that is supposed to bring family and loved ones together But you do not have to suffer alone With it being Grief Awareness Week, we want to discuss the complex role that grief plays in Dementia caregiving and the emotional journey we embark on when coming to terms with gradually losing the pieces of a person we love

RIDING THE FIRST WAVE - DIAGNOSIS

When a loved one is diagnosed with a Dementia accepting what this means for the future and adjusting to the drastic changes a diagnosis like this brings like any traumatic news is a process It is natural to become overwhelmed experience surges of despair and feel intense anger at how unfair things are These are all completely reasonable feelings to have and we want to normalise talking about them There are two key themes of grief connected to Dementia that peo-

ple experience: anticipatory and ambiguous It s important that we recognise these grieving symptoms in ourselves and those around us when they arise Identifying what we are feeling is the only way to understand how to cope with them

ANTICIPATORY GRIEF & DEMENTIA

Anticipatory grief is experiencing grief for losses that haven’t yet happened but we anticipate them happening in the future After a Dementia diagnosis both the person diagnosed and their loved ones are likely to experience feelings of dread For example many children of parents diagnosed with a Dementia dread their mum/dad not being able to recognise them as their daughter/son anymore and vice versa

In addition there is the fear of the unknown Anxieties are fuelled by thoughts of what parts of us will be lost, and how quickly or severely this might happen

AMBIGUOUS GRIEF & DEMENTIA

Dr Pauline Boss pioneered the term ‘Ambiguous Loss ’ Ambiguous loss causes trauma and “frozen grief” or “grief limbo ” We experience ambiguous grief when someone we love is physically present but psychologically parts of their former self are absent For example, when the person living with a Dementia is physically here but no longer able to connect during conversations in the same way they used to before their diagnosis

HOW TO LIVE WITH GRIEF

Evolve Care Group s Clinical Lead Karen Tidy movingly described the impact grief has on relatives and caregivers She told me a story about the wife of a family member who is supported to live with their Dementia in one of our homes Recently, the effects of her husband liv-

ing in a care home had taken its toll Although her husband is still physically here, the grief caused by his Dementia and the loss of her role as his wife carer and friend is massive This supports what Dr Boss writes about ambiguous grief feeling like an ongoing trauma because there is no answer As human beings we need closure so it makes our grief confusing

While supporting our family members will always be our team's priority we want to support their loved one s needs too We underestimate the effects separation has on relatives from their family members Karen continues And how the effects of loss of control and feelings of guilt have on those who love them most ”

From experience Karen was able to recognise the symptoms the grieving wife was expressing and knew how to support her A little time and compassion from the team can make a whole difference If they feel listened to supported and embraced within the new home where their loved one resides, then it may just ease the grief, enable them to mend and give them a sense of belonging home and love rather than the intense feeling of separation ”

When your loved one moves into one of the Evolve care homes you become a part of our family just as much as they do Evolve's community gives everyone who is a part of it a place to come and be supported Our team will always be here trying to ease your grief in any way we can

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Everyone s story is different and it s easy to feel like you are completely alone in your grief journey when constantly having to make brave decisions for someone you love and miss It can feel like a neverending cycle of loss Even if you feel they are irrational or unjustified your feelings are valid and help is out there There are people ready to listen and support you to come to terms with what you are experiencing As well as speaking with our team, we have provided other resources below that offer support for Dementia grief

Dementia UK: Call 0800 888 66 78 or email direct@dementiauk org Support line www alzheimers org uk/dementia-connect-support-line

Cool Fun as Newstone House Residents Get their Skates On

Residents from Newstone House care home had fun on the ice thanks to an invite from the organisers of a community skating rink in Sturminster Newton

Joan Drake, Winnie Marriott and Roni Cattell enjoyed a half-hour private session on the opening weekend of the Christmas season in the Dorset market town

They were guests of community coordinator Jacqui Wragg and joined by Newstone House Companionship Team members Karlene Horswill and

Maggie Crosbie

Karlene said: “A lot of planning was involved to ensure our residents could have this lovely experience The rink is often fully booked so we were very appreciative to be offered the session

There was even some live musical accompaniment featuring songs from the film Frozen sung by ‘Elsa’, aka Kylie Large

Afterwards Joan said: “I have never skated before in my life This was so much fun

And Winnie added: “I haven t smiled like that for such a long time It was so enjoyable, thank you everyone ”

Local Care Home Hosts Live Jazz Band

Residents and guests at Chorleywood Beaumont care home in Chorleywood enjoyed an afternoon of delight when a live Jazz performance took place at the home Local band Chorleywood Jazz performed a selection of Christmas sounds including their own rendition of Jingle Bells in the homes Terrace Restaurant

Residents joined in with the singing and clapped along as the band performed Guests were invited to sample festive home baked treats and delicious cocktails

Registered

The

It

Cheryl

Customer Relation’s Manager, Samantha Neal said, “Our residents and guests had a wonderful afternoon singing along with the wonderful performers We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at Chorleywood Beaumont as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents and this was one of our favourites!” “We are very grateful to Chorleywood Jazz and a special thank you to Christine Deeley who arranged for the band to play We decided to fund raise at the event and we will be donating all the proceeds to Christ Church and the wonderful groups they host for older people in our community ”

One resident John said I love music and especially jazz so when I heard we were having a Jazz event I couldn’t wait It was a fantastic day both myself and my daughter enjoyed it

Appointed For New Stafford Care Home

needs of the intended service users It will give much-needed options to service users and their families and will allow them to remain locally

Falcon House which is expected to be completed in February 2023 will have six large en-suite bedrooms, three lounge/communal areas, a private garden, an assisted bathroom and kitchen and small office on the ground floor with staff facilities on the first floor It is being developed in partnership with family-owned builders Seddon Group

Cheryl said: “I am really pleased to have the opportunity to manage Falcon House, a brand-new service that will offer local people the chance to remain in their own community close to family and friends

“It is both exciting and challenging to be developing a new service and I am looking forward to building a fantastic staff team and working with commissioners ahead of welcoming service users early next year ”

Cheryl has completed Autism Champion

and will be delivering this to all staff joining the service

The creation of Falcon House is a direct result of discussions with local commissioners who have worked closely with the development team to ensure it meets the

Andrew Shelton-Murray Chief Executive of the ECHO Group said: Cheryl is a client-focused and motivated professional who offers a holistic approach to care communication and relationship building Her aim is to enhance the lives of the people being supported and she is the perfect choice for our new Falcon House service ”

Written by Evolve Care Group Writer, Beth Tingle (www evolvecaregroup com)

Cheryl Maitland has been appointed as Registered Manager at Falcon House a new £1 75 million six-bed care home for adults with a learning disability being developed by the ECHO Group

home, situated just off Hawksmoor Road in Stafford, will form part of a wider residential development and will offer support to six people with learning disabilities and other complex needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, physical disabilities or distressed behaviour which is challenging to support

is creating around 20 jobs for local people, including NMC registered enthusiastic and self-motivated nurses

qualified as a Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities from the University of Wolverhampton in 2016 after working as a Support Worker for five years She has gained experience in both hospital and community settings supporting people with learning disabilities autism and additional complex needs

training

Sam Hurst, Care Co-ordinator Lucy England and Kitchen Assistant

Government Fails to Prioritize Care Sector During Energy Crisis

Care England has today expressed disappointment at the Government s decision not to prioritise the care sector in its support from electricity and gas

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

It is deeply concerning that the Government has overlooked protecting care homes in the event of planned blackouts This is at odds with the treatment of the health sector with hospices being prioritised With the National Grid warning of winter blackouts amid the energy crisis as a result of gas supplies from Europe being insufficient due to the war in Ukraine, the Government has a responsibility to ensure that some of the most vulnerable in society remain protected The vehicle to achieving this is by placing care homes on the list of industries to be prioritised in such an event Whilst we recognise the support that has been tabled by Government to support care homes including the Energy Bill Relief Scheme more must be done The Welsh Government has issued a new grant scheme to support energy efficiency improvements and decarbonisation across Residential Social Care providers, which will help the

sector deal with the cost of energy crisis What is preventing our Government from acting pragmatically

According to the Department of Health and Social Care, the care sector is not explicitly eligible to be prioritised for electricity under the Electricity Supply Emergency Code (ESEC) It is likely not technically feasible to prioritise most provider sites as they will not be large enough to have a discrete feeder i e the property s electricity supply cannot be isolated to that one property However hospices remain on the list

Martin Green continues: In the absence of being deemed a priority sector we must now look to local systems to ensure they are as resilient as possible during the colder months We encourage all providers to ensure they have robust business continuity and contingency plans in place and have registered with the priority services register through their energy provider Care providers may well have to send more people to hospital only accentuating the current issue of hospital backlogs ”

Christmas is Coming - Your Chance to Win a Luxur y Hamper

Yes Christmas is coming and we here at THE CARER are offering care homes the opportunity to win a luxuRY SCoTTiSH HAmpER packed with festive goodies!

Remember afternoon tea week? We do! That wonderful and quintessentially British tradition so loved in care homes This year we put up an Afternoon Tea Week” prize inviting care homes to share the celebrations for afternoon tea week with us

We were overwhelmed with the response we received we are delighted to say care homes all over the country sharing their activities menus stories and celebrations which filled 5 pages in our digital issue at www thecareruk com/carerdigital114

With the lucky winner being Hutton view care home in Brentwood

So we are launching our Christmas competition and once again a delightful luxury Scottish festive hamper is waiting to be delivered to a care home who pushes out the boat to celebrate Christmas All you have to do is briefly tell us what you did at your home to celebrate Christmas menus and decorations details of any festive events you held Christmas fundraising activities or details of the homemade traditional tasty delights you create with a couple of photographs and perhaps quotes from residents and we will pick a winner!

That’s it! We will be picking a winner on Friday December 30 and hopefully will be dispatching a luxury hamper to a lucky winner the very same day! Simply email your entry to nominate@thecareruk com

APPG on Dementia Responds To Results for Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab

A paper published on Wednesday 30 November in The New England Journal of Medicine has shown that lecanemab, a drug being tested in people with early Alzheimer’s disease, showed a statistically significant reduction in cognitive decline – changes in thinking and memory associated with Alzheimer s disease – and removed amyloid a protein associated with the disease from the brain

The paper also suggests further studies to evaluate how effective and safe lecanemab are ongoing The paper was then discussed at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer s Disease conference in San Francisco also on Wednesday 30 November

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia is a cross-party group of Parliamentarians chaired by Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, with secretariat support provided by Alzheimer s Society The group is united by a shared interest in dementia Debbie Abrahams MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, said:

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia is hugely excited by this week s ground-breaking news that lecanemab can slow cognitive decline for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer s disease This is the first time a drug has been proven to do this providing hope for the future both by slowing cognitive decline and by offering the potential for months more with families and loved ones ‘Trial results indicate that lecanemab reduced cognitive decline by 27% and slowed down decline in quality of life for people with dementia and their carers by up to 56% It could also delay decline of memory and thinking skills of people with mild Alzheimer’s by over 7 months ’ It s also important to acknowledge that this drug won t help everyone We need to see investment in research that develops better detection and diagnosis of other diseases that cause dementia as well as how to treat and support people in the later stages of dementia ’

The APPG has long campaigned for increased funding for dementia research last year releasing the Fuelling the Moonshot report which called on the Government to fulfil its 2019 manifesto commitment to

double dementia research funding as soon as possible ‘As such, the Government’s recommitment to the National Dementia Mission on Monday was extremely welcome

‘However people will only be able to access and benefit from promising new treatments if the Government prioritises early diagnosis As we argued in Fuelling the Moonshot investment in dementia research must be directed towards the development and implementation of novel methods for early diagnosis, such as blood and other biomarkers Ensuring there’s wider access to PET scans will also be vital in this regard

‘We expect to hear a decision on whether or not lecanemab is approved as early as 2024, but because of the timescales for NICE review of the drug the NHS is suggesting that the earliest we could see it being used is 2026 In the meantime, then, we must ensure that the healthcare system is ready for treatments coming down the line

To give drugs like lecanemab the best chance of working it s vital that people with Alzheimer s are diagnosed as early as possible in their disease progression Right now the backlog in memory assessment services and shortages in the NHS workforce mean dementia diagnosis rates in England are below the national target

This could result in people being denied access to potentially life-changing treatments if and when they become available We can’t let this happen ’

This is a potential tipping point for Alzheimer s therapies but we can only make the progress that s needed if dementia is prioritised politically

‘As well as delivering Dementia Mission funding the Government must bring forward its promised 10-year plan for dementia as soon as possible to recover dementia diagnosis rates and ensure the 900 000 people living with dementia in the UK aren’t left behind ’

Nurse Lewis Joins the Santa Run for Hunters Creek Care Home in Boston

and the comradery at the end of the run Ever the dedicated nurse it wasn’t long before Lewis was back in his uniform for a nursing shift at Hunters Creek where residents were eager to hear about the run and his Santa escapades

The

Home Manager Rachel French said Not only is Lewis an amazing nurse, he also literally goes the extra mile for his community We are all incredibly proud of him! Lewis is a kind and caring nurse but most importantly he is fun and always manages to make our residents laugh When the run was over Lewis was back on shift bringing his own particular magic to Hunters Creek Well done Lewis ”

Resident Of The Day: Luxur y Cheshire Care Home Reintroduces Initiative Designed To View Care Offering Through The Eyes Of Its Residents

A luxury Cheshire care home will be reintroducing its Resident of the Day’ program as it looks to build upon its person centred approach to care with each resident encouraged to explore the system of care and provide honest feedback

Priesty Fields Care Home in Congleton has reintroduced the scheme which selects residents throughout the month to spend a day learning about the care they recieve – ensuring the dedicated care team can refine its approach to meet the needs of those in receipt of care

Residents can now make an appointment to review the care plan and offer any feedback or comments that they feel may enhance their overall experience – which ultimately creates a transparent environment of mutual understanding The process is ongoing and reviews take place monthly in line with residents room numbers whilst family members are also encouraged to get involved with care plan reviews

Inclusivity is at the heart of Priesty Fields, so the ‘Resident of the Day initiative will serve to establish a level of independence and control among the residents, who have a strong voice when it comes to shaping their care experience The day focuses on officially updating records with choices and preferences likes and dislikes and staff allocating quality time to spend with each resident – helping to further

Organisers

ing the residents through our Resident of the Day initiative we re able to establish what would make a real difference to them and their experience at Priesty Fields This level of insight is invaluable and helps us ensure that the needs of each individual are always met ”

Located in a green residential area close to Congleton s town centre

Priesty Fields includes 78 spacious en-suite bedrooms along with a gastropub farmers market cinema spa salon gym library private dining room garden lounge and GP office

The home is operated by the Handsale care group, which oversees the management of eight residential and nursing care homes across England, Scotland and Wales The group prides itself on empowering its staff to provide outstanding care by putting wellbeing and community at the centre of its operations

Rishi Sodha concluded: “We have worked tirelessly to create an inclusive care culture here at Priesty Fields and I feel like this initiative embodies just that We also value the opinions of the residents’ families and their feedback helps further develop our understanding of their loved ones and also puts their mind at ease knowing they are receiving the highest standard of care We look forward to seeing the effects of this new initiative and hearing any new ideas that residents have ”

Altogether,

Woodpeckers

develop meaningful connections

Rishi Sodha Care Director at Handsale said: Here at Priesty Fields we want to ensure our residents receive the highest quality of care and believe the best way to achieve this is through transparency By involv-

Debbie Abrahams MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, comments on the results for Alzheimer ’s drug lecanemab

Nurse Lewis Chirimuuta who works at Hunters Creek Care Home in Boston put on his fabulous red Santa robes, warmed up with the VFitness Team and took part in the Boston Santa Fun Run 2022 on Sunday 11 December to help raise funds for the Boston community and surrounding villages

cold damp foggy weather didn’t deter Lewis who put his best foot forward and set off from Central Park for the 5K trek with a few hundred other Santa s Lewis passed several Boston landmarks including the Stump (twice) ending his Santa run at the Christmas Market in Market Place Lewis finished in good time and enjoyed a complementary mince pie

of a charity that provides gifts of chocolate to less fortunate children at Christmas have thanked residents at five Colten Care homes for their support

The Chocolate Elf praised the efforts of residents staff and families at Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst Kingfishers in New Milton and the Lymington homes Belmore Lodge, Linden House and Court Lodge for collecting more than 100 selection boxes and advent calendars

The voluntary group distributes donations to children across Hampshire through contacts in local councils children s homes charities youth services hospices and women s refuges

Representative Pete Orme who visited Woodpeckers to pick up the gifts gathered by Colten Care said: Thank you so much to the staff residents and families Every single donation is truly going to transform a child's day and in some instances their whole Christmas

the five homes gathered 45 selection boxes, 56 advent calendars and other donations of chocolate coins tubs and bars to help with the charity’s work

resident Jean Slater said: “How wonderful it was to help with this Children will always eat chocolate

Lords Committee Challenges Government To Urgent Reforms In Adult Social Care

We all want to live in the place we call home with the people and things we love

Social Care Future

A House of Lords report published earlier this month warns that the continued invisibility of the adult social care sector as a whole is increasingly damaging to both those who draw on care and who provide unpaid care at a time of increasing need rising costs and a shrinking workforce

After hearing from a range of witnesses including disabled adults and older people carers service providers local authorities and academics the Adult Social Care Committee s report A “gloriously ordinary life : Spotlight on adult social care sets out a new approach to adult social care which calls on the Government to commit to a more positive and resilient approach to adult social care based on greater visibility for the whole sector, as well as greater choice and control for disabled adults and older people and a better deal for unpaid carers To achieve this means that the Government must:

1 Make adult social care a national imperative by: delivering realistic, predictable and long-term funding delivering a properly resourced plan for supporting a highly valued workforce building skills and remedying low pay

• establishing a powerful Commissioner for Care and Support to strengthen the voice and identity of the sector;

• finally and fully implementing the principles of the Care Act 2014 rooted in wellbeing choice and control; ensuring that the voice of social care is loud and clear within Integrated Care Systems

2 Prepare for the future by: recognising that more people will be ageing without children

• investing in better knowledge and data to inform better policy

3. Ensure people who draw on social care have the same choice and control over their lives as ever ybody else by: enabling disabled people and older adults a genuine choice as to who supports them and access direct payments more easily; providing accessible housing and assistive technology to achieve inde-

pendent living working with social care staff to promote the skills to co-produce care

• enabling people to determine who supports them and what relationship they want with their family and friends

4 Caring for unpaid carers by providing:

easier access to, and an increase in Carer’s Allowance;

• more flexible support for carers who work including the implementation of Carer s Leave;

• more support from health and social care professionals to identify them signpost support and ensure that they get it

Baroness Andrews, Committee Chair, said:

In this report we have revealed the impact that the invisibility of the adult social care sector as a whole has on the way we perceive and provide for adult social care Our recommendations are intended to bring those who draw on and provide unpaid care into the daylight and that starts with changing the perceptions around care providing the realistic financial and workforce strategies that are long overdue and planning for a system responsive to present needs and resilient for the future

“All that will help the unpaid carer now so often at risk of poverty and ill health with a better future But we want a better present for them too – and our specific recommendations for their support will deliver that ”

See exclusive comment from Baroness Andrews on the following page

Pen Pals for Meadows Park Care Home in Louth

Meadows Park Care Home in Louth was delighted to receive a sack full of letters sent from the year 4 children from Grimoldby Primary School

Residents were overjoyed to sit down in the homes comfortable lounge and read the lovely words the learners had written The letters brought back happy memories for many of the homes residents who recalled a time when mail was the most prominent form of correspondence

Residents looked back fondly at the excitement of receiving a letter and finding a cosy spot to sit down and savour the content They also remembered carefully steaming off the stamp to add it to an ever-growing collection Letters meant so much to their generation and made them feel warm and special They now plan to write back to the children

and are looking forward to sharing their own stories and making new friends

Activities Coordinator Paula Byram It was amazing to receive the letters our residents really enjoyed reading them We have now sent them letters in return and are looking forward to hearing back from the children Hopefully this will be the beginning of a long and happy relationship”

Home Manager Zoe Randall said, “The festive season is a magical time of year and a perfect occasion to look back and remember family Christmases Young people and older people have a lot to offer each other and sharing stories through letter writing is a wonderful way to connect ”

A few weeks on from the Autumn Statement which brought a twoyear delay to the implementation of the social care cap there is no better time to be talking about adult social care The figures of failure are haunting: 165 000 unfilled posts in social care 2 2 million hours of care lost in the first three months of this year Several millions of disabled adults and older people living with some form of unmet need Adult social care cannot be easily fixed The title of our report A gloriously ordinary life’, expresses in the words of one of the many experts by experience that we heard our ambitions for sustainable change after years of failure and broken promises Adult social care must be recognised as a truly national service capable of transforming

By Baroness Andrews, Chair of the House of Lord s Adult Social Care Committee

lives by delivering greater independence and respect and reflecting ambitions for a life well lived

We are far from that To quote the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, then Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, the invisibility of adult social care is deeply entrenched and in this report we reveal what that means for the lives of those who draw on care or provide unpaid care - the millions of carers who save the country an estimated £132 billion and yet who continue to live at risk every day of financial emotional and physical breakdown

The relationship between the people who draw on care and those who unpaid provide care and support is at the heart of this report What improves the life of one will make a better life for the other Furthermore, we must create a more resilient social care system that is not based on the assumption that families should and can provide care and support for each other - a model that will be unlikely to hold for the future as two million or more people age without children in the next decade

What will make the real difference inevitably is a realistic sustainable and predictable funding settlement across the whole of adult social care, together with a national workforce plan for the sector

But our report argues for other changes Critically assumptions and attitudes must change, replacing the usual language of ‘burden’, crisis’ and dependence with a more positive narrative which celebrates and invests in the transformational power of adult social care - not just as the essential component of a world class health service but a national service in its own right which strengthens people families and communities

In our report we show that co-producing care with those who draw

on it providing more choice and control and understanding what is meant by ‘independent living’ - thanks to better ways of delivering personal assistance alongside overdue housing and technology solutionscan lay the foundations for a more resilient and efficient service for everyone

To do more, and to make better policy, we need to know more We simply don t know enough about the scale conditions and impact of adult social care Without that we cannot universalise best practice introduce better systems of navigation or design better care

And to raise the profile of social care we recommend for example creating more national focus to give greater voice and agency to the sector in the form of a Commissioner for Care and Support This new role, held by or shared with someone who has lived experience of social care will raise status challenge failure and be the national champion that so many witnesses urgently asked for

All this and many more detailed recommendations including for better financial support for unpaid carers and ranging from facilitating employment greater respect for their expertise to stronger partnership and recognition will enable the friends and families of those who draw on care to choose for themselves how best to manage their caring responsibilities and to look after themselves too We continue to expect too much of them while giving them too little, even though they face higher costs and barriers while receiving the lowest benefits That must change

Our focus has invariably been to create an adult social care service that is more sustainable kinder more equitable and more efficient We were poignantly asked: “When is the help coming?” - to which our answer is: if not now – when?

The kakarikis name means small parrot and comes from the Māori language with kaka meaning parrot and riki meaning small MHA Aigburth, in Oadby took on two birds in October when a staff member couldn t get on with them

Lillie the female bird started to lay eggs and the home welcomed the arrival of three new birds

The birds have now come away from the parents and are located on the ground floor of the home, with Lillie and Norman on the first floor

“The arrival of the three birds is like a breath of fresh air at the home Our residents love them and spend a lot of time looking out for them and sometimes even just babysitting them

The birds are great they can now fly from their cage to other parts of the floor and it’s amazing seeing the reactions of residents when they spot them

“Sometimes they just come and sit near or on the hands of residents and it lifts their mood up in an instant

One of the birds was hand reared by a resident and is called Eric so there is a big connection between them and the residents

They do have a calming effect on residents something we didn t know at the start but are so happy with the outcome

Lower Meadow Donates 20 Christmas Dinners to Stratford-Upon-Avon Community

to give something back to those really struggling this Christmas

Residents at Leicester home have been kept busy with the arrival of three Kakariki birds

Jade Bown, deputy manager said:

Sir Chris Whitty Warns of Increased

Dementia Risk Due to Air Pollution

Launching a report on air pollution England s Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty, has warned of the growing body of evidence linking poor air quality and an increased risk of developing dementia in later life

Current evidence suggests this is because air pollution damages the heart and therefore indirectly damages the brain through reduced blood supply More research is needed to establish whether pollutants enter the brain directly

Although there has been progress in tackling outdoor air pollution over the years it still leads to the equivalent of 26 000 to 38 000 deaths a year in England the report warns, along with health problems throughout life from asthma in children to dementia in older people

For more information read our blog Air pollution and brain health: Government can’t afford to drag its feet any longer”

Gifts Of Thanks From Reigate Care Home

Head of Policy at Alzheimer s Research UK commented:

“We’re pleased to see the growing body of evidence linking air pollution to dementia risk highlighted in Chris Whitty s Annual Report

“Collectively, up to 40% of cases of dementia are linked to factors like diet, lack of exercise and air pollution but while some of these things we can do something about as individuals there isn t much we can do about the air we breathe Senior figures like the Chief Medical Officer must lead from the front and support government-led interventions that can effectively reduce air pollution at scale This is particularly important for those living in the poorest communities which we know are often exposed to the highest levels of air pollution

In October the UK government missed its own deadline to publish updated environmental targets we still don’t know when this will happen Having new legal targets to reduce pollution levels would have put us on a path towards cleaner air helping to reduce the number of people living with dementia in the future The UK government can’t drag its feet any longer This report must serve as a rallying cry to the government to implement both safe and achievable targets in line with World Health Organisation guidelines of 10 µg/m3 PM2 5 by 2030 at the latest ”

Susan Mitchell

ONS Labour Statistics Reveal Health and Social Care Levels Need a New Hiring Approach

Responding to the latest labour market data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Tania Bowers Global Public Policy Director at the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) says:

The continued increase in employment rates between August and October show that the labour market remains tight in the UK despite the fall in vacancies noted between September and November The data shows that job levels remain significantly higher than pre-Covid levels with the three months to November seeing 391 000 more vacancies than the three months before the pandemic (January to March 2020) This suggests that the downward trend in recruitment is in fact the market continuing to stabilise post-Covid, rather than contract in a tough economy When we look into the statistics in more detail it is industries such as accommodation, food services and retail – all of which have noted difficulties as the Cost-of-Living crisis continues to tighten purse strings across the country – which have been hardest hit However sectors requiring highly skilled and trained individuals such as Construction have reported increases in vacancies between August and November These sectors struggled to hire on the scale needed throughout 2022 as a combination of the Great Rehiring and the loss of international talent pools in a post-Brexit environment continue to impact

worker availability and this latest data suggests that talent shortages are very much still acute

It is the demand from across the health and social work sector which raises significant concern given the current unrest in the workforce The sector reported the greatest spike in vacancies in the three months to November With nurse strikes beginning amid pay disputes health and social work is facing a concerning dearth of talent that won’t be rectified by pay increases alone There needs to be a fundamental re-think around how talent is sourced into the sector as well The current inflexibility around framework requirements will only continue to limit the available pool of workers which will exacerbate both the reliance on agency staff to fill immediate gaps ad budget restraints

While the UK s economy is facing continued uncertainty we re facing a recession where skills shortages are still prevalent in a number of sectors The country s labour market is in need of support to become more appealing both to flexible workers and international experts The long-awaited Employment Bill will have a role to play in supporting this but we also feel that the skills agenda needs to be reinvigorated across Government The Chancellor s Autumn Statement revealed some steps to help bolster the UK s skills but action is needed swiftly if businesses are to have access to the staff they need to bounce back

Lakeland Dairies Cocktail Competition Runner-Up: Etheldred House

We here at THE CARER were delighted to be part of a lakeland Dairies Cocktail Competition

THE CHALLENGE

Lakeland Dairies teamed up with wellbeing specialists NAPA to provide an engaging festive cocktail competition for care home residents 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

And we are delighted to announce that one of THE CARER readers Etheldred House care

home part of Excel Care were a competition runner-up!

Lakeland Dairies said “We were amazed by the creativity of the drinks and the lovely illustrations on the chalk board And it was amazing to see the video of the individuals enjoying the drinks – thank you all for sharing this with us!

Both NAPA and Lakeland Dairies are championing great relationships between catering and wellbeing teams so it was great to see this activity come to life Plus, we loved seeing the Smashed Snowman with Millac Gold Double ” Visit www pritchitts com for further information

How I'm Using My Health and Social Care Experience to Shape the Next Generation of Workers

By Sharon Mangoma, who worked as a Care Assistant Manager for 14 years and now teaches

After 14 years working in health and social care Sharon chose to become a further education (FE) teacher to inspire the next generation beginning their careers in the industry

Further education is any formal study for those 16 and over that s not an undergraduate or postgraduate degree Sharon delivers health and social care training in her hometown of Ipswich passing on her real-life experience of working with vulnerable people day-to-day

It might surprise you but teaching in further education has many similarities with working in health and social care So after 14 years of experience in the industry when I moved into FE teaching, I found it a natural fit for my existing skillset When caring for people day-to-day you must be flexible and supportive to adapt to their individual needs – in education, it’s very much the same I even carry out the same mental health checks that I did in my previous healthcare role to make sure my students are in the right headspace to learn

So why did I make the move to FE? After loving working in the health and social care industry for many years I sprained my back and couldn t carry out a lot of the more physical tasks in the same way so I decided to look for new opportunities I wanted a job where I could still use my existing skillset and teaching in FE was the perfect fit It s flexible and something I can even continue after I retire lecturing on an ad-hoc basis I also realised the next generation of health and social care professionals needed more support As a care manager a significant part of my role involved understanding the needs of the individuals we cared for I found myself training new colleagues at work sharing my experiences on the job and helping others to develop essential skills Teaching in FE therefore felt like the natural next step - and I’d already gained the skills needed without even realising

Cherr y Hinton’s Winter Fair

Cherry Hinton Care Home located in Cambridge and part of TLC care group held their annual winter fair on Saturday 10th December

The home organised a local brass band to play Christmas carols and Miniature Shetland ponies to visit the garden and residents in their room The day was finished with the local choir joining with residents families and members of the local community for an hour of Christmas carols

Amber Christou Business Development Manager who organised the event said “It’s so lovely to be able to welcome friends and family into the home to celebrate ahead of the Christmas period Building strong connections with the local community is something we feel strongly about and being able to invite them to the home to enjoy what we have to offer is an added bonus The feedback we received from residents and families was overwhelming and to see everybody so happy and together was simply amazing We are already planning for next years winter fair so be sure to keep your eyes peeled”

The team arranged for local craft stalls to come in so that the residents could browse and purchase gifts ahead of the festive period and the Catering team made delicious mulled wine, hot chocolate and

It was much easier than I thought to make the move to teaching in FE You don t need a degree or any prior teaching experience to start, so I could begin earning right away and complete my teacher training whilst on the job When it comes to teaching in FE, having real life experiences to share with students and contextualise their learning is valuable and really enhances the delivery of the curriculum For example, a story I frequently share to show how important it is to get to know the people you’re caring for is about one of my elderly patients who never settled at bedtime That was until I read their life history and found out that they used to be a nurse who worked nights After learning that we made sure that she was able to stay up at night with staff instead of trying to put her to bed

I see from my students that there are many reasons people choose to work in health and social care from a passion for the industry to their own personal experiences within it For some it s as simple as having a role model for themselves in the industry I find it inspiring to pass on my knowledge and it is largely thanks to role models of my own that I have the opportunity to do so As a young African girl in a foreign country it was really important to see that representation in person I admired my Ghanian teachers and knowing that they were African like me made feel like it was possible that I could be a teacher too As carers, we serve diverse communities and individuals with diverse needs, so awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion issues is essential, particularly if we’re looking to recruit more people into the industry Now, teaching in FE gives enables me to share my skills and inspire other people like me, helping to shape the next generation of health and social care workers

There s no better feeling than walking into a hospital or my local GP surgery and seeing former students I ve taught I would say if you re looking for a job where every day is different and where you get incredible job satisfaction then teaching in FE could be for you You can even do it part-time alongside your current position It s not a role where you need your manager to tell you you re doing a good job – you see this first hand So why not use your skills in a new way to inspire future health and social care professionals?

Visit the Teach in Further Education website for more information: gov uk/teach-in-further-education

hot dogs for everybody to enjoy Shelly Prakash, Home Manager said “This year’s Winter fair was a huge success, it was so nice to see how happy our residents families and visitors were everybody enjoyed the time together Visits from mini Donkeys performances from the Brass band and the Christmas Carols were remarkable with everyone enjoying the food and drink! Cherry Hinton always loves to host events to celebrate all occasions and we are so happy that this year s winter fair was very well attended and a memorable one

Cherry Hinton Care Home host a range of events throughout the year including their big weekend in the summer which involves, stalls, live performances, a BBQ and much more Other events include a monthly memory café for people living with dementia or supporting somebody that is and a monthly ‘anti loneliness event which is called You ve Got a Friend in Me2 All of our events are complimentary and open to the wider community

The home is particularly excited about their Open Day which will be held on Saturday 21st January and will focus on supporting people living with dementia Members of the local community will have the opportunity to take part in a virtual dementia tour bus which allows you to understand how a person living with dementia may feel This will be an opportunity to learn about the homes outstanding care by touring the home and meeting with the team

If you would like to know more about Cherry Hinton Care Home you can contact Amber Christou, business development manager on 01223 2100070 or email bdm@cherryhintoncarehome co uk

The Alzheimer’s Dementia & Care Show The Business Design Centre London 3-4 March 2023

For further information and tickets visit www alzheimersshow co uk At the show - NEW for 2023

Full Dementia interpreters Course–

Now in its 10th year The Alzheimer s Dementia & Care Show is the UK’s leading event for care providers healthcare professionals, families and carers This is an unmissable event for those wanting to learn from leading experts, find practical advice and support resources help and information develop a better understanding of dementia and further professional skills

The show features a fully accredited CPD conference programme with talks from leading experts, family carers and people living with dementia alongside professional advice clinics dementia and care exhibitors and unique individual training opportunities you won t find at any other event Held at The Business Design Centre London on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th March, the doors open at 9 30am each day and close at 5 00pm on Friday and 4 00pm on Saturday One-day tickets are from £18 00 online £23 on the door

Training2Care: Free taster sessions are offered to visitors who will have their ability to speak, see, hear and move impaired to begin to recognise the many forms communication may take for a person living with dementia Only at this event Training2Care are offering individuals the full 1-hour workshop to allow you to experience the complete experiential practical session

Full Virtual Dementia Tour & Training

Experience – Training2Care: As well as free taster sessions this is the only event where visitors can book the complete training as an individual –an 8 minute immersive experience followed by 75 minute de-brief –a ‘must do’ experience for anyone involved in caring for people with dementia

Dementia and Care matters Theatre: The main theatre hosts keynote speakers on range of topics as well

as chaired daily Question Time panels

Talks Hub: A range of practical talks covering dementia and care topics from professionals and exhibitors

CpD Accreditation: Certificates available to professional attendees

Admiral Nurses & Alzheimer’s Society Advice Clinics: Free 25 minute 1-2-1 appointments

leading Dementia & Care Exhibitors: Practical ideas new solutions and resources from dementia and care specialists

For information and tickets visit www alzheimersshow co uk One-day tickets are from £18 00 online and £23 on the door

full-time at a further education college in Ipswich

Hands Off Our Human Rights

Say Care Organisations

To mark global Human Rights Day the Relatives & Residents Association (RR&A) has co-signed a letter to our political leaders calling on them to stand firm on human rights protections in the UK The letter signed by 158 organisations comes at a time when human rights in the UK are at risk due to Government plans to weaken our legal protections The Government s Bill of Rights Bill despite its name would have a detrimental impact on people relying on care services and on the work of care providers

In the context of the cost of living crisis, forcing millions into vulnerability and further discrimination the letter highlights the last thing anyone needs is for a government to strip away our fundamental legal protections

That the Prime Minister recently ‘deprioritised’ the Bill of Rights Bill is very welcome but the threat to rights will continue until the Bill is dropped entirely RR&A say We are against any action which weakens the rights of people needing care We are also concerned that the Bill of Rights Bill would make the work of the already stretched care workforce more difficult ”

Helen Wildbore director of R&RA said: The rights of older people

needing care have been decimated by the Government s mismanagement of the pandemic And now they plan to weaken rights protections and make it harder to hold those in power to account The Government must drop their Bill of Rights Bill and instead focus their energy on repairing the damage of the last three years supporting the sector out of the workforce crisis and ending isolation in care for good ”

THE FULL LETTER

Prime Minister and Political Leaders

Dear

This Human Rights Day as the global community celebrates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) we write with heavy hearts that the UK Government s approach to our domestic law risks taking us further and further away from the legal protection of human rights here at home This Human Rights Day the United Nations is calling for action to counter scepticism of, and rollbacks against human rights by establishing that human rights are never relative and must always be upheld as what unites all of humanity

Our Human Rights Act is built on the foundations of the UDHR Our Human Rights Act sets out each person’s protections, and the responsibilities of those with governmental power to make real the vision of the

UDHR; for us all to live in equal dignity

As we face a cost of living crisis forcing millions of people into vulnerability and further discrimination many having to choose between heating or eating the last thing anyone needs is for a government to strip away our fundamental legal protections

Human rights laws are necessarily uncomfortable for governments because they set limits on the exercise of power limits which are for the benefit of people No UK Government need fear this; and rather than harking back to Magna Carta and rose-tinted history should embrace the fact that our Human Rights Act provides universal protections for everyone and ensures those with public power are accountable

As civil society groups working hard to protect people s human rights and to support people through the cost of living crisis, we want a world in which our political leaders commit to our universal protections not simply those it finds acceptable We call on the UK Government and all political leaders, to share our commitment to everyone’s human rights, and ensure our Human Rights Act is here to stay

Students Support Care Home’s Big Christmas Countdown

Residents

Christmas

The

George Stephenson and John Snow - by College Chaplain Andrew Tinkler began - in earnest in October It was developed with a view to reach out to the local community and to build bonds On recent visits, students have spent time talking with residents playing games and learning more about each other s lives and experiences

Festive cheer is not in short supply at Sherburn House in the run up to Christmas this year due to a full advent calendar of daily events

at Beddell House Care Home have already enjoyed a week full of activities, including putting up the Christmas tree, decorating the home, making Christmas cards and watching Christmas films They were also joined by students form Durham University as part of an ongoing, inter-generational befriending project

carols were sung mince pies enjoyed and young and old spent an afternoon together at this special time of the year

project organised with the University Colleges of

Pauline Bishop Chief Executive of Sherburn House Charity said: We have a full month s worth of daily Christmas activities planned in this December but the students visit and carol service was a real treat and our residents had a fabulous time We’d like to thank the University for taking the time to reach out to us and our residents and I d also like to thank our Registered Manager

Tanya Porthouse for her fabulous work organising so many great activities this year

Andrew Tinkler said: “The project is going really well and it is heart-warming seeing students and residents at Sherburn House chatting with one another and establishing friendships We thoroughly enjoyed putting on the Christmas Carol Service, which gave our students a chance to perform - and the residents a chance to enjoy some shared festive cheer We look forward to more events in the New Year and are really pleased to have been able to work in partnership with Sherburn House to get this project off the ground In the run up to Christmas further events planned by staff at Beddell House include: a Christmas fair

Energy Blackouts Could Lead to Increase

five to cold homes

National energy blackouts this winter would put more than 1 6 million people at heightened risk of a serious injury in their own home because of the poor quality of their property analysis from Centre for Ageing Better reveals

Should the country suffer an energy supply shortage this winter the government has reportedly prepared crisis plans for a series of rolling three-hour power cuts with regions of the UK taking it in turn to go dark in the late afternoon and early evening

Such drastic measures would pose a particular risk for the occupants of the more than 1 6m non-decent homes in the UK with a category 1 falls hazard – around one in 14 of the nation’s entire housing stock

This risk rises in the 660 000 non-decent homes with a category 1 falls hazard that are headed by someone aged 55 and over Falls in the home cost the NHS £374m every year to treat along with additional and substantial social care and other associated costs For individuals they can be life-changing It can mean a lengthy stay in hospital, reduced mobility and independence and, in some cases, the start of a need for carers to help with everyday activities like getting dressed

At the heart of this issue is the fact that too little resource has been committed to ensuring that homes remain safe and warm for the duration of the building’s life The Centre for Ageing Better is calling for: A national retrofit programme to reduce the amount of energy lost

through inefficient homes

An independent one-stop-shop in every community offering trusted advice and support to help people make their homes warmer and safer • Minimum accessibility standards for all new build homes which will help reduce the risks of falls

Over the next 25 years, the number of households with someone aged over 85 will almost double Ageing Better is calling for greater resources to be made available to ensure that homes remain suitable and adaptable for the needs of people as they age

The increased risk of falls within the home are just one of serious concerns particularly for older people that the prospect of an energy crisis winter poses

The Centre for Ageing Better continues to raise the alarm about energy costs with many older people in homes with poor energy efficiency set to pay well in excess of the government estimates of a typical household s annual bill of £2 500 under the Energy Price Guarantee

Older people are already cutting back on energy use more than any other age group despite the health risks this may pose

Cold weather can be deadly but especially so in the UK where around 10 000 people die in cold homes every year The UK has a high excess winter mortality far greater than in much colder European countries such as Norway It is estimated that one in ten excess winter deaths are directly attributable to fuel poverty and more than one in

Ageing Better also has concerns around what support has been considered for older people who have a specific dependence on electrical devices such as medical equipment personal alarms and telephone landlines for their health and security

Holly Holder, Deputy Director for Homes at the Centre for Ageing Better said: The extreme nature of the solutions being used this winter, energy price caps, warm banks and now potentially energy blackouts just goes to show the extreme nature of the cost-of-living and energy crisis we are facing

“The fact that so many people’s homes in this country pose a very real threat to their health highlights the poor quality of housing stock Poor housing can cause or worsen health conditions, reduce a person’s quality of life and can even result in premature death Low-income homeowners, particularly those with health conditions, need much greater support at a national and local level to help them to bring their homes up to basic standards of decency

We are calling for the rollout of a national retrofit programme to make homes warmer safer and more energy efficient This should be supported by a network of ‘Good Home Agencies’ – one-stop-shops in communities that provide local advice access to finance and practical support – the lack of which research shows is a barrier to people making improvements to their homes

Kerri’s

Having been impressed with their efforts Kerri s band have this year been invited to produce a song for

on Sunday 18th December which offers people who have been affected by terminal illness or bereavement the chance to come together The service will include readings, music, and give time and space to reflect on the cherished memories of loved ones who have died

While Kerri and her bandmates were extremely keen to take part again this year they faced a challenge covering the considerable costs of booking studio time and filming a video Marie Curie’s services support so many people in our communities and knowing the benefit this would bring the team at Athena Care Homes were delighted to assist Kerri by covering the cost of the studio time

Kerri said: Athena sponsored the recording of the song The studio time was invaluable and it s freed up resources for us to produce a video which wouldn t have been possible without Athena’s support

It s really great to be able to work for a company which supports their team’s initiatives and the local community as much as Athena does I know a lot of our residents and their loved ones will have experience of Marie Curie’s services so it’s

“Rane’s previous song and the video they produced last year were incredible and I’m so pleased they ve been able to create something even more poignant for this year’s national virtual service ”

The final song called Light within my heart is particularly poignant for Kerri She said: “The words are a collaboration but they re really special to me because I recently lost my Godfather I hope that experience gives our words a real meaning and they are something which people can relate to Light within my heart is now available to listen to on YouTube (https://youtu be/99uskq7BLyo) and will be released on the 9th December on all popular streaming services

All proceeds from the song will be used to support Marie Curie who provide essential nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying death and bereavement

Marie Curie Support Line is available for anyone with any questions about dying, death, bereavement and terminal illness Calls are free on 0800 090 2309 Their Support Line is open seven days a week 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am –5pm on Saturdays and Sundays

The support line will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 10am – 2pm on Boxing Day from 10am-4pm, and on New Year’s Eve and New Year s Day it will be open from 10am – 2pm You can also visit www mariecurie org uk/help/support

Outside of work Kerri Athena Care Home s

Customer Relationship Manager for Amberley Hall and Goodwins Hall in Kings Lynn, has a huge range of varied interests one of which is singing

singing shot her to local prominence during lockdown when she entertained her street and Kings Lynn more widely with live music performances which raised money for local charities

Last year Kerri and her band Rane were approached by the end-of-life charity Marie Curie to produce a song for their virtual Lights to Remember service available online across the East of England

the national virtual Lights to Remember service

great for Athena to be able to support this ” Bronwen Maggs In Memory Lead for Marie Curie in the East of England, said: “Our Lights to Remember services can be a huge support to people facing bereavement and dealing with grief in the lead up to Christmas

Health Leaders Write to Health Secretar y to Demand Greater Focus on Rehabilitation Workforce

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has joined with other members of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay to ensure that the Government s upcoming workforce strategy gives particular consideration to the rehabilitation workforce

The letter, signed by leaders of 34 organisations involved in the delivery of rehabilitation discusses how its workforce are playing a vital role in tackling patient flow and the elective care backlog – in addition to reducing the revolving door between GP A&E and social care services If the Government does not bring forward a national rehabilitation workforce plan then the impact on health will be long-term, and for some, irreversible, deepening inequality and further damaging the economy according to leaders

The letter also highlights that 40% of the population are managing a longterm condition and that these figures are rising To meet this growing demand

there is a need to increase the rehabilitation workforce capacity Karin Orman RCOT’s Director of Practice and Innovation said:

We know the pressures that face the rehabilitation workforce all too well Our survey of over 500 occupational therapists working in rehab earlier this year gave us a worrying insight with 82% of respondents reporting an increase in demand for their support and over 70% of our rehab worker

respondents indicating that their teams were not sufficiently resourced to meet demand

‘We need a workforce plan for rehabilitation that can increase staffing levels and ease the pressure on an exhausted workforce Occupational therapists working, not only in the NHS but also in social care are vital in getting people out of acute settings and supporting people in their communities Safe staffing levels are therefore essential to provide effective and timely rehabilitation to those that need it

Christmas 2022: Army Veteran Builds Nativity Scene at Solihull Care Home

Stan

The

It took the 91-year-old around a week to build the scene which was made from cardboard with a wooden support and a thatched roof and lined with straw Staff at the Home knitted characters including a Baby Jesus Mary and Joseph Angel Gabriel Three Wise Men little donkey and cattle Stan also made Baby Jesus’ manger, and added lights

The finished Christmas scene is now proudly on display in the Home Royal Star & Garter provides daily activities and outings tailored for groups and individuals which tap into interests and hobbies they had earlier in their lives Stan had been a DIY enthusiast Recently he also built a skittles alley for other Royal Star & Garter residents to use

Stan

Both Jayne s parents live at the Home as does her husband s father She continued: It s marvellous We have three parents at Royal Star & Garter and we couldn’t be more grateful It’s absolutely wonderful ”

A nimble-fingered Army veteran has put his creative skills to good use by making a Nativity scene at his care home

Pell built the scene with the help of staff at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull

Home provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia

Stan who was in the Royal Signals for two years to complete his National Service between 1949-1951, said: “I like having something to do it keeps me busy I like doing things and making things

The Wellbeing Team at the Home helped Stan with his project Dawn, one of the Wellbeing Coordinators said: Stan really enjoyed building the Nativity scene He’s already made the skittles alley and in the summer he painted the woodwork in the garden It’s very important for Stan that he keeps busy and active He s a very physical man and these tasks give him a really good sense of purpose – it picks him up tremendously ”

s daughter Jayne said: Dad has always enjoyed his DIY and could turn his hand to anything Now he’s at the Home he’s helped and encouraged to continue with his hobbies It s good that he s physically active and it s good for his wellbeing ”

Look Out for Elderly This Winter Urges Age UK

Age UK is urging to the public to keep supporting the older people in their lives and to stay in touch to ensure they are managing to keep warm and eat well, despite soaring prices

This is the charity says shaping up to be a true winter from hell for many older people, because of the multiple threats to their health and wellbeing Covid-19 and other nasty winter bugs are circulating widely and now to cap it all really cold temperatures are about to set in at a time when we know lots of pensioners have been trying to reduce their energy usage in order to control their bills

And that’s not to mention the impact of strikes on public services and the possibility of energy black outs further down the track

With so many problems to worry about, Age UK is appealing to the public to keep supporting the older people in their lives and to stay in touch to ensure they are managing to keep warm and eat well despite soaring prices

Age UK s most recent research into how people aged 60 and over were feeling about the coming winter showed:

54% of older people (8 8 million) say the cost-of-living increase will affect their health and care needs 52% of older people (8 5 million) are concerned or very concerned about winter 57% (3 million) are worried about very cold weather

In particular, of the people who took part in the survey:

• 20% of older people (3 3 million) are worried that they will not be able to eat enough 45% of older people (7 4 million) are worried that they won t be able to heat their home enough With energy bills rocketing it is understandable that many older people might think they have no option but to turn their heating off this winter In fact polling showed that 62% of older people have had to cut back on heating or powering their home recently to make ends meet However, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a substantial impact on older people s health

As we get older it becomes harder for our bodies to regulate temperature, and it takes longer to warm up as we lose muscle mass Our immune systems become weaker and symptoms of health conditions such as asthma diabetes and arthritis can be worsened by the cold The cold also impacts on the heart and circulatory system increasing risks of heart attacks and strokes People with mental health conditions or dementia which may reduce a person s ability to look after themselves can also be at more risk from the cold weather

Caroline Abrahams Age UK s Charity Director said: We know that rising energy prices will put nearly a third of older households in fuel poverty this winter, meaning older people in approaching 3 million homes will be worrying about how to keep warm as temperatures plummet this week

“Unfortunately increases in the cost of living are coming hard on the heels of the pandemic which severely undermined the health and wellbeing of many older people And now some are telling us they simply don t know how they will get through the difficult months to come This really is shaping up to be a winter from hell

During the winter older people are likely to spend more time at home than other age groups and are much more susceptible to the effects of the cold, particularly if they have pre-existing medical conditions That s why it s so important that they can adequately heat their homes helping them to stay well

“The winter can have an adverse impact on older people s mental health too Darker, shorter days and

less socialising place older people at greater risk of loneliness and isolation which in turn can cause new mental health conditions like anxiety and depression to develop, as well as exacerbating any existing ones

So as winter bites it is important to take action to protect yourself if you are an older person, and it’s a reminder to the rest of us to look out for the older people in our lives

Top tips for looking after health this winter:

Over winter it can be harder to look after your health Supporting the older people in your life to stay well can make a big difference

Everyone aged 50+ is eligible for a Covid-19 and flu jab this winter so make sure you get yours as soon as you are offered Also check which other vaccines you may be eligible for such as shingles (70-79) or pneumococcal (65+)

• Support and encourage the people in your life to keep moving around at home or take up simple indoor exercises especially if they can t get out and about as usual Keeping moving is a good way of keeping warm too For advice for all abilities visit: https://www ageuk org uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/

Eating well is important to keep someone’s strength up and hot food and drinks will help stay warm For top tips on supporting someone at risk of malnutrition: https://www malnutritiontaskforce org uk/eatingwell

• Regularly washing your hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to stop germs spreading It s a good idea to keep some hand sanitiser with you when you’re out and about too

• Wearing plenty of layers is a good way to keep warm in winter If you’re heading out make sure you take some extra layers even if you don t need them immediately

Make sure the heating is on to reach a comfortable level high enough to stay warm at home Only heating the rooms you use turning off radiators in rooms you don t and closing doors will help save energy Closing curtains when it gets dark is also a good way to keep rooms warmer and draft free If you are concerned about unaffordable energy bills Age UK may be able to suggest additional sources of help Call us on 0800 678 1602

• If you are feeling down or out of sorts chat to someone or contact your GP

Keeping our minds active is a great way to support our wellbeing – whatever we enjoy by the way of hobbies and interests Supporting someone to carry on with the activities they enjoy is a great way to stay mentally active

If you are worried about your health, contact your local pharmacist, 111, or your GP who will all be able to offer advice and support In an emergency dial 999

It s important that your home is also ready for winter and to keep you warm so have your heating and cooking appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure they are working safely

Make sure the older people in your life know you re there for them this winter

• Staying in touch can make a big difference to the older people in your life A phone call or online chat or sending a card or gift are all great ways to help lift all our spirits

Offer a hand around the home or collecting shopping or medication, particularly if someone is isolated or worried about going out

Give out these useful numbers: For practical information and advice, Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65 For a cheerful chat day or night The Silver Line Helpline: 0800 4 70 80 90

‘Tis The Season To Be Jolly At Banbur y Care Home

Barchester’s Glebefields care home in Stratford Road

Drayton Banbury OX15 6EH got in the Christmas spirit by Christmas Fayre at Glebefields Carehome for residents Glebefields Christmas Fayre was in full swing with full of artisan foods and unique hand crafted gifts from cakes to cushions, candles and jewellery The home was full of Christmas cheer as guests meandered around the stalls enjoying complimentary homemade mulled wine and mince pies courtesy of Head Chef Bose and the hospitality team We had different stalls available which includes Linda s Blousey Blind DP Creation cards, Essential oils 101 with Jacinta, Louise with Christmas Decorations and Pottery June s Knitted items Janet’s Cakes & Biscuit Bakes, Equilibrium Handmade soft furnishings Oxfordshire Foster Care Association

into the Christmas spirit it’s definitely my favourite time of year ” Jean resident at Glebefields said: “It has been a lovely day It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Christmas spirit I really enjoyed meeting so many new people and wondering the various stalls with my family and grandchildren

Staffs at Glebefields also enjoyed the stalls and many of them bought things from the stalls Dinesh Ricki Devi were so happy and excited to buy things for their loved ones from the stalls

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

Head of Clinical Ser vices Appointed at Orbis Education and Care

New

Orbis Education and Care has appointed Lisa Cowles in a new role for the organisation as its Head of Clinical Services

Orbis is one of the UK s leading providers of specialist schools and homes, supporting children and adults with complex needs associated with autism

Lisa’s new role will see her manage all aspects of Occupational Therapy Speech and Language Therapy Positive Behaviour Support Psychiatry and complimentary therapies

Lisa, from Caerphilly, originally joined Orbis Education and Care in 2012 as an Occupational Therapist herself She was promoted to Head of Therapies in 2018 and was given oversight of a multi-disciplinary clinical team developing new systems and processes to ensure that individuals had access to the appropriate and specific levels of therapies they required

Lisa hopes to draw on her extensive and varied experience at Orbis in her new role She said: “My responsibilities are to ensure the effective delivery of therapies and Positive Behaviour Support throughout

“I aim to increase awareness of the essential role that therapies have within the Orbis model with Positive Behaviour Support becoming truly embedded across the organisation with more colleagues gaining a qualification in it and most importantly to achieve positive outcomes for the children and adults we support

She added that she is delighted to be appointed to this new role

When Chief Operating Officer Kelley Fray informed me that I had been successful in my interview I was overwhelmed I am so passionate about the amazing team that I work with the therapeutic model we adopt and how it can significantly help the individuals we support

“It feels like the last 10 years has been building up to this moment and now I am extremely excited for what the next decade holds!

the organisation to improve the quality of life

the individuals we support reduce restrictive practice and roll out this model from the board to the floor

Speaking of her appointment COO of Orbis Education and Care Kelley Fray said: “Lisa is a highly skilled and loyal employee of the Orbis Group She represents all of the PASSION values central to the Orbis Care and Education philosophy This new role will enable Lisa to use her considerable expertise to ensure the outstanding care and education practice across the Group continues to flourish as we grow and develop ”

tombola BARKS – Banbury Animal Rescue & Kindness Service soft toys stall and Chris & Kay’s Decoupage Pottery General Manager Nisha Shaji said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and our fantastic residents love to get festive so we ve pulled out all the stops It is so lovely to see them all getting

Glebefields 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 Glebefields care home provides nursing care residential care respite care

for

NCF Collaborates with HSJ to Examine Care Sector Challenges

The National Care Forum has teamed up with the Health Service Journal (HSJ) to present a series of dedicated articles exploring the pressing challenges facing the care sector amongst seniors leaders within the NHS

Adult social care is complicated and raises complex emotions amongst professionals and the general public alike

Underinvestment in care services, and the failure of a series of governments to reform social care in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the need to do so has left the sector in a perpetual state of one crisis after another and the knock on affect to the NHS is evident to all

If there is one truth that all NHS leaders have come to understand during the last few years it is that the service’s fate is irrevocably linked with that of the care sector However busy NHS leaders need to develop the deep understanding of the care sector that the current environment demands

To address this the Health Service Journal (HSJ) – an online publication aimed at senior management, decision-makers and policy makers in the UK healthcare industry – asked the NCF to commission a series of articles exploring the current challenges facing the care sector, and to suggest ways in which the NHS could become a more integral partner

Across the week the dedicated articles will be presented on the HSJ website with the first article in the series from Professor Vic Rayner CEO of the NCF sharing her thoughts on why social care should be for people not for profit

Commenting on the collaboration with HSJ, Professor Rayner said: It is essential for NHS leaders to recognise the significance of the

relationship between health and care It can be very easy for care and support to be represented as less important to people and as a consequence less important to fund than other core public services such as health or education but social care is a public service that people want and expect within their communities

We are very excited to be collaborating with HSJ to present dedicated articles from across the care sector that shine a light on the important issues facing social care providers and what more could be done by working closer with our health colleagues to create better outcomes for people

Every day throughout the week there will be a number of articles published on different themes from delegated healthcare by Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Deborah Sturdy to a day in the life of a CEO in adult social care; a closer look at Integrated Care Systems and how this model of integration could be opportunity to join up services to a reflection on the lived experience of someone drawing on health and social care

Party Time for People Living with Dementia

Most people enjoy a good party and those living with dementia are no different

That is why a Braintree care home Activities Manager has taken over running a monthly community social event which provides party time for people living with dementia and their carers

Jo Whitehouse from The New Deanery and St Mary s Court in Bocking explained “The event was originally started by the Alzheimer’s Society and run for many years by community volunteers Glenda Bocking and Gwen Stedman but after Glenda sadly died there was noone able to take it on and re-launch it after the pandemic

I had attended the Joy Birds events with some of our residents and there was no way I could let them fall by the wayside, so I stepped in ” Now called Joy Birds Sonnet Social the parties complete with local entertainers dancing refreshments and a raffle take place on the last Wednesday afternoon of each month at St Mary’s Church Hall in Bocking with Gwen continuing to help out Jo said “I am now getting regular phone calls from people living in the community saying there are not

enough activities like this for them to attend with loved ones who are living with dementia

“At our November event, we had five new couples from the Braintree area joining us

Andrew Whelan, CEO of Sonnet Care Homes, which runs The New Deanery and St Mary s Court said: We provide specialist care for people living with dementia including those with young onset dementia We recognise the importance of living as full a life as possible and focusing on the things people can do and want to do We were happy to support Jo to organise this valuable and fun community event ”

The next Joy Birds Sonnet Social will be the Christmas Party with entertainment provided by Joanna Lee, on Wednesday 21 December at 2pm Entry costs £6 per person carers attend free of charge

Next year Jo is also hoping to start up a monthly Dementia Café at St Mary’s Court which will be open to members of the local community to provide another opportunity for those living with dementia to meet up and interact

For more information, email Jo Whitehouse: jo whitehouse@sonnetcarehomes co uk

Legionella Sampling: Part 1 - What's Your Sampling Strategy?

Sampling of water systems for Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or bacteriological can be somewhat daunting, with thoughts of ‘do I need to sample how to take a sample and ‘where should I send the samples

The Carer has spoken to Roy Sullivan at Water Hygiene Centre Ltd to provide some background on the sampling process

INTRODUCTION TO WATER SAMPLING

The accuracy of the results obtained from water sampling relies principally on ‘doing the basics well’ Whilst it is imperative to understand the; how what why where and when we take water samples these considerations are underpinned by two key requirements

• The sampler must follow the approved technique when sampling from an outlet

As far as reasonable and practicable, think about all aspects of the sampling environment that may pose a cross-contamination risk By following the approved methodology/sampling technique coupled with the adoption of good sampling practice to mitigate factors that may otherwise cross-contaminate the sample taken it is possible to consistently obtain results that accurately represent the water quality within the outlet sampled

SAMPLING PROCESSES

Guidance is available from British Standards and the Environment Agency which both offer practical advice on how to sample and monitor from hot and cold water services (BS 8554:2015) BS 7592:2022 describes how to sample specifically for Legionella bacteria in water systems and laboratory advice surrounding the determination/detection and enumeration of aquatic bacteria is found in Microbiology of Drinking Water – Blue Book

Therefore ‘sampling processes’ may be defined by two parts: Operational considerations when sampling outlets; Laboratory methodologies and associated diagnostics when determining the ‘target organism’ presence

This article will focus on the first part and outline the operational considerations of taking a water sample following the aforementioned British Standards

LEGIONELLA SAMPLING RATIONALE

For legionella sampling, it is advised that water samples are undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of the established control scheme and are not considered a control measure themselves Therefore superfluous sampling (‘fishing for results’) is not advised

The WSG should use Legionella risk assessments to determine when and where to test, which may include the following circumstances; When storage and distribution temperatures do not achieve those recommended and systems are treated with a biocide regime, testing should be carried out monthly although that frequency may be altered

By Roy Sullivan / Authorising Engineer [Water], Water Hygiene Centre Ltd (www.waterhygienecentre.com)

depending on the results obtained;

In systems where the temperature or biocidal control regimes are not consistently achieved weekly checks are recommended until the system is brought under control, after which the frequency of monitoring can be reviewed;

When a nosocomial (a disease originating in a hospital) outbreak is suspected or has been identified;

Where there are at-risk patients with increased susceptibility

For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it is advised in the HTM04-01 that samples are taken every 6 months from outlets in augmented care units Most care that is designated as augmented will be that where medical/nursing procedures render the patients susceptible to invasive disease from environmental and opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other alert organisms

The water outlets to be sampled should be those that supply water that:

Has direct contact with patients;

Is used to wash staff or visitors hands; or

Is used to fill or clean equipment that will have contact with patients or visitors as determined by risk assessment

Although guidance for Scotland Guidance for neonatal units (NNUs) (levels 1 2 & 3) adult and paediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in Scotland to minimise the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection from water does not advocate routine sampling for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

For general bacteriological monitoring it is advised in the HTM04 that routine samples are not necessary as no direct association with the presence of waterborne pathogens Although testing may be considered necessary where there are taste discolouration or odour problems

SAMPLING PLAN

Before water sampling begins there should first be a strategy/rationale for the works and HTM 04-01 Part B Paragraph 10 2 guides in this regard Moreover it is advised that water samples should be taken from the nearest and farthest points on a water distribution system, known as the sentinel outlets

As a minimum samples should be taken as follows:

• From the cold water storage and the furthermost outlet from the tank; From the calorifier flow or the closest tap to the calorifier and the furthermost tap on the hot water service circulating system;

Additional samples should be taken from the base of the calorifier where drain valves have been fitted if safe to do so due to scald and mechanical risks;

Additional random samples may also be considered appropriate where systems are known to be susceptible to colonisation in line with BS7592-2022 guidance

Sampling from outlets at the extremities of a distribution system offers insight with respect to the microbiological quality of water between these sentinel points, thus removing the need to sample

every outlet in between The sampling plan should also consider the need to sample any additional outlets such as those that represent remote parts of the system e g an outlet positioned at the end of an unusually long pipe run COLLECTING SAMPLES

When collecting a water sample, the aim is it should be representative of the sample location at the time of collection; hence the importance of using the approved sampling technique and mitigating any risk of cross-contamination

Equally important is the handling of the sample once it has been taken to minimise change before the laboratory analysis begins Therefore careful consideration should be given to the following: Choice of sampling point;

The possible presence of biocides such as chlorine; Whether or not there is a need to disinfect the sampling point;

• Location & timing of the sample – concerning normal operating conditions & control measures of the system Especially if secondary disinfection is commonplace;

The type & quantity of sample to be taken – considering the requirement for different volume samples dependent upon the target organism For example; Legionella samples are usually collected in either 500ml or 1-litre containers whereas Pseudomonas analysis only requires a 100ml sample and may be collected in a 100ml to 500ml container depending on the laboratory;

• Storage of the samples

Transportation of the water samples

SAMPLING TIPS TO REMEMBER

Sampling can provide valuable information on the efficacy of the control scheme which pre-planned maintenance (PPMs) such as temperature monitoring may form a part However this will only be true if the sampling programme is properly planned and executed following available guidance

Random ‘fishing for results’ is not recommended Sampling should be carried out in response to a specific need with a clear underlying rationale

When sampling has been carried out as a result of a previous loss of control once it’s been accepted that control has been regained then sampling following the original regime should resume – supported by the site-specific Legionella risk assessment and the organisational Water Safety Plan (WSP)

Part 2 - The water sampling technique and the chain of custody associated with microbiological testing will be discussed in next week s CARER Digital

Stockport Care Home Resident Wins Christmas Card Design Competition

Each year Borough Care gives a Christmas Card to every member of staff along with a gift The care provider has over 700 members of staff across its twelve homes This year the organisation for the first time ever invited residents to enter their artworks into a festive Christmas card design competition

Winner Norma Taylor (81) lives at Borough Care s Cawood House in Brinnington and was thrilled to discover her artwork will feature on the cover of the official Borough Care Christmas card Norma was awarded a hamper of shortbread treats (her favourite) and said I was very surprised to win I ve never thought about doing arts and crafts as I didn t think I was very good I m so happy I gave it a try and everyone was so helpful

Speaking of Norma's win Marketing and Communications Manager Holly Shortall said We received lots of amazing entries Norma s artwork captures Borough Care s Life in Colour motto so well and we were impressed with the inclusive way it was created at a peg painting session so that all residents could get involved

Norma created her artwork at Cawood s weekly family and resident art and crafts session which are ran by the home s Activity and Lifestyle Facilitator Leigh Cherie Jones Leigh Cherie wanted to try peg painting as some residents are restricted with hand and eye coordination and also their grip Peg painting made it easy for all residents - regardless of their capabilities - to make their Christmas card designs and Leigh put forward Norma s creation as Cawood s entry Leigh Cherie said Some residents can be apprehensive of their own ability to join in some activities so this will definitely help boost their confidence ’

Westgate Healthcare Announce Supporter

Membership with the Care Workers’ Charity (CWC)

The partnership further enhances Westgate Healthcare’s commitment to supporting their teams across the group and sends out the message that they are all valued and provides the tools to support colleagues during the cost-of-

Westgate Healthcare are proud to become a Supporter Member of the Care Workers Charity further enhancing our commitment to improving the wellbeing of those working in care across the UK

Since 2020 The Care Workers Charity have supported over 6166 care workers across the UK with a total of £3 86 million in Crisis, Covid-19, Funeral and Mental Wellbeing and Health grants

living crisis

Over the past year Westgate Healthcare has provided significant donations to The Care Workers Charity, supporting a more sustainable future for the UK social care workforce

Dr Sanjiv Patel, CEO of Westgate Healthcare said “We are thrilled to be further supporting Care Workers Charity as a Supporter Member By partnering with CWC we aim to provide additional resources of support for care workers across the sector as well as for our own team members We are looking forward to positively impacting the lives of all those working in the care sector

Borough Care a residential care provider with ten care homes in Stockport and two in Staffordshire is delighted to share that resident Norma Taylor has won its Christmas Card design competition

The Care Cap Delay Shouldn’t Overshadow the Immediate Challenges to Social Care Ser vices

Over the past year local authorities (LAs) have been working hard - with their supplier partners - to prepare for the October 2023 care cap deadline However

after weeks of speculation, the government’s autumn statement confirmed that it won t be introduced until 2025

While, understandably, this has been difficult for many citizen groups to accept for service providers the decision to relax the challenging timelines has provided some short-term comfort The extra two years creates much-needed breathing space and could give LAs the opportunity to plan in a more manageable way

However, considering the longer term, the delay has left some LAs in a precarious position There are feelings amongst certain councils that the level of resource committed to preparing for the reforms could have been prioritised differently And against the challenging economical backdrop some LAs are reluctant to invest further While this is understandable it’s important not to lose sight of the bigger picture Demand for adult social care is going to continue

By Julie Tyas, Senior Social Work Consultant, Access Health, Support and Care (www theaccessgroup com)

immediate pressures the unprecedented workforce issues facing social care show no signs of abating

It means LAs will still need to manage citizens care provision with strapped resources As such it s important that the role technology can play in easing this burden is considered when investment decisions are being made Just a few examples of where digital can make real traction is by automating the needs and financial assessment processes enabling online case management brokerage of the appropriate services for individuals and processing payments to care home and domiciliary care providers

Laying the digital foundations now will enable councils to achieve efficiency benefits in the immediate term and bed-in solutions that can be adapted for the reforms as and when they come into effect

It s crucial that government also sets out a clear roadmap to October 2025 That way LAs can effectively build on their existing preparations have confidence in their delivery plan and use the time to best effect

And while the delay might not have been universally welcomed, taking this approach makes it more achievable for LAs, and hopefully, easier for citizens to understand and accept

happen Our residents didn’t need to go anywhere – they could just enjoy the show from the comfort of our lounge

“It was great to see them all participating – shouting out, and singing and clapping along It s visits like this that make Christmas such a magical time ”

Two

And,

the festive spirit

Claire Lousteau, Home Manager at Millway House, said the touring theatre group s visit brought some all-important Christmas magic to the care home which is situated on the outskirts of Weyhill

She said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Eva Long Productions as well as to our wonderful Activities team for making today s pantomime

Eva Long Artistic Director and Founder of Eva Long Productions said: “The residents at Millway were the perfect panto audience We always want to create a fun-filled interactive show and it was brilliant to see everyone getting involved today

Millway House is part of Sears Healthcare and CEO Richard Adams said: What a great way for our residents to enjoy the lead-up to the festive period

At Millway House we are a nurse-led care home so our approach focuses on providing a home-from-home for our residents while we meet their healthcare needs I’m thrilled to hear how much fun they are having

regardless of the reforms and budgets will remain challenging in spite of the increased funding Although the £1bn new grant funding for social care in 2023/24 and the further £1 7bn in 2024/25 may ease

Residents at Millway House have been experiencing a bit of Christmas magic this month in the form of a Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime production

Community theatre group Eva Long Productions visited the Andover care home for a special show designed to provide residents with some entertainment in the lead up to Christmas

actors performed a festive take on the children’s classic fairy tale and everyone at Millway got involved with shouts of ‘Oh yes it is ’ oh no it isn t and it s behind you heard throughout

with a Christmas singalong incorporated into the show, residents could really get into

“Mistake” to Cut Funding for Life-Enhancing Stroke Treatment

Health charities and NHS clinicians have united in a call for the Scottish Government to reverse a cut to the funding of a vital stroke treatment that significantly reduces long-term disability

More than 150 stroke clinicians have backed a call from charities Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and the Stroke Association for the reinstatement of £7m to the national thrombectomy service funding An open letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care ahead of the Scottish Government budget next week, says the 50% funding cut and a recruitment freeze is a mistake

The letter says the savings which amount to less than 0 1% of Scotland’s total health budget will create far greater costs when Scots missing out on the extraordinarily effective medical treatment end up needing longer hospital stays community rehabilitation and social care services

Thrombectomy is a highly specialised procedure that involves physically removing the blood clot in the brain which has caused a severe stroke The treatment is suitable for about 10% of stroke patients People are more likely to walk and talk again return to work and live their lives to the full

The Scottish Government has previously committed to rolling out a

national thrombectomy service, which would see around 800 stroke patients receive the procedure each year It is expected to save the health and social care system up to £47 000 per patient in the first five years – a total saving of £37 6m to the NHS

CHSS and the Stroke Association are jointly calling for the Scottish Government to commit to continuing to fund the service and recruit the staff necessary for a national rollout

Jane-Claire Judson, CHSS Chief Executive, said: CHSS and the Stroke Association are united in our plea to the Scottish Government to stand by its commitment to a national thrombectomy service

It is unthinkable that the Scottish Government will deny Scots a treatment we know will make a huge difference to their lives for the sake of a small short-term budget saving

“Hundreds of Scots who have a stroke each year should be able to trust they will get the best possible medical attention and chance of making a full recovery ”

John Watson Associate Director Scotland at the Stroke Association said:

“Thrombectomy saves brains money and lives It can change the

Charities Say

course of recovery from stroke in an instant, and is one of the most effective medical interventions ever developed

“We understand the financial pressure the Government is under but to cut a service that improves patients lives while saving money would be a serious mistake The current resource crisis should lead to thrombectomy being prioritised, not cut

That is why we alongside CHSS and clinicians at the coal face are calling on The Scottish Government to reinstate its funding for a national thrombectomy service

“The financial savings of having this procedure are undeniably positive but the potential outcome without it could have devastating consequences for stroke patients including severe disability or death

Dr Vera Cvoro Consultant Geriatrician and Stroke Physician Honorary Senior Lecturer at The University of Edinburgh said:

“Thrombectomy is the single most effective treatment we have for stroke Many patients that come to our hospitals with a stroke could benefit from this treatment that prevents disability

This can mean being able to walk again talk again and even going back to work We have the expertise to deliver such treatment and it should be available to all people living in Scotland ”

Crafty Care Home Residents Do their Bit for Dorset Youth Group

Creative

Seven

On the day,

Pamela

colourful and beautiful the stall looked

The most popular item the first to sell out were our woollen robins but all the gifts were lovingly made by the residents, albeit with a little help from the team

“On our return home we set up a table in reception and displayed our remaining items which were snapped up before the display was even finished “Nurses Anneka McQuirk and Sarah Ingram purchased the last of our snowmen and penguins along with other items

“Sarah laughed when we explained she now owned a ‘waddle’ the collective name for a group of penguins on dry land A great day was had by all

While total funds raised remain to be counted, residents were pleased with their immediate tally of £70 on the day

Vicar Andy Muckle said: “We thank all the residents at Brook View who participated in this year s bazaar

Lakeland Dairies and NAPA Launch Sur vey to Help Develop Food-Based Activities in Care Homes

Lakeland

promoting well-being in

the two organisations are inviting anyone involved in preparing food or providing activities in care homes to take part in a short survey The aim is to learn more about how catering teams and activity teams can work together and then use these findings to help create fun fulfilling food-based activities for care-home residents

As part of this Lakeland Dairies and NAPA will develop useful materials for catering and activity teams to use when combining their skills The ultimate goal is to enhance the everyday wellbeing of people living in care homes and the survey will be crucial in helping improve understanding of what really makes a difference when providing food-based activities

The questions for catering staff and activity providers will cover their experiences of and views on working together to provide enjoyable activities involving food It s easy to join in the survey online and it will take no more than 15 minutes to complete Participants take part anonymously, and all the information they supply

remains strictly anonymous Anyone wanting to join in the survey can simply click here https://forms gle/3455mehclRhdfu4d8

“We want as many people as possible to take part in the survey With our friends at NAPA we believe there s a genuine opportunity to enrich the lives of care-home residents through activities with food The findings of our survey will be vital in designing and developing initiatives that achieve thisJean Cattanach, marketing controller, Lakeland Dairies

Lakeland Dairies creates professional dairy products for chefs which have been carefully crafted and treated to have great taste, and to provide 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 www lakelanddairies com/foodservice

Local Care Home Celebrates Start of a New Era

residents at a Dorset care home ran their own craft stall at a church bazaar raising funds to help young people

ladies who live at Colten Care s Brook View in West Moors spent weeks preparing for the event at the village s St Mary s Church They knitted, felted and crocheted an array of seasonal gifts such as sock snowmen and penguins

Brook View resident Pamela Clark and young helper Meadow the daughter of Companionship Team member Rebecca Grimsey ran the stall and chatted to the public

said “We explained to people that we were raising money for our chosen charity The West Moors Youth Group It was lovely to integrate with the public while raising money for a local cause that we knew had suffered during the pandemic as so many did Jo Vardy, another Companionship Team member, said: Many visitors at the bazaar commented on how Christmassy

Cheverton Lodge Care Home in Islington held an afternoon of Mince Pies and Mulled wine to celebrate the start of a new era following significant investment to the home

Visitors were welcomed to the festivities and had an opportunity to view the home’s stylish new interior and take a tour on Friday 8th December 2022

The Mayor and Mayoress of Islington attended the event and The Mayor Councillor Marian Spall made a speech and cut a ribbon to open the event

Head Chef Gulcin and The home s hospitality team provided delicious refreshments and a tasty spread of home baked cakes and mince pies The life enrich-

ment team arranged an afternoon of entertainment and Residents were joined by their loved ones and members of the local community The home’s General Manager and team were available to answer any questions guests had and show them around Earl Elliott, General Manager at Cheverton said “The home is looking better than ever after the recent investment and it was a pleasure to showcase the elegant new interior at the party We had a great time celebrating and thank you to everyone who joined us My door is always open and anyone who couldn t make the event is very welcome to drop by for a cup of tea any other day instead ”

Dairies has teamed up with NAPA, the UK’s leading charity

care services In partnership

Bring Volunteers into Care Homes to Improve Quality of Life says Report

Volunteering can play a vital role in improving both the working and living environment for staff and residents in care homes claims a new report by Royal Voluntary Service

The report, Reimagining Social Care – The Role of Active Citizenship authored by Dr Julie MacInnes Senior Research Fellow at the University of Kent and Dr Allison Smith Head of Research & Insight at Royal Voluntary Service in partnership with Anchor – sets out to explore the contribution of volunteering to social care

The study identifies well-designed volunteer roles can have significant benefits for residents, their family and staff

Overwhelmingly care home staff felt that volunteers add a lot of value’ for residents (94%) and staff (85%) Half cited reducing pressure on colleagues as one of the top contributions of volunteers in social care with 49% stating they freed up colleagues to spend time on care tasks

Almost all (98%) staff currently working with volunteers stated they enjoy working with volunteers and 90% of staff not currently working with volunteers stated they would like to see more volunteers in care

Those not currently working with volunteers identified companionship mealtime support encouraging residents to eat and drink and leading on social activities as the main benefits they could provide For residents the evidence highlights the key benefits of utilising well-designed volunteer roles as improved mood cognitive function and perceived improvements in the quality of care and greater family satisfaction with care The main benefits for staff include improved job satisfaction and reduced levels of work stress

Further findings suggest greater participation of volunteers in social care can support a new care model that puts the wellbeing of residents and staff at the centre The report provides recommendations to care homes and the wider industry for using volunteering to enhance quality of care, support unpaid carers/families improve staff morale and retention and create a pipeline for the future workforce

Data collected from both the UK public and care home staff from Anchor England’s largest not for profit provider of housing and care for older people is highly supportive of the integrated model Reporting not just a staff enthusiasm for volunteers but a public appetite to volunteer – despite or perhaps because of the well documented challenges facing the care sector

According to the research more than a third (38%) of adults would consider volunteering in a care home with 5% planning to do so Interest is higher amongst younger generations, with 52% of those 18-34 years old saying they would consider volunteering in the sector 18% of this age cohort because they are thinking about a career in care

Catherine Johnstone CBE CEO at Royal Voluntary Service said:

“We owe those working in social care and those living in care more support This report sets out the contribution of volunteering to social care with a focus on care homes and our recommendations for delivering on this The pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis continue to disproportionately impact on this sector We want to see the benefits that volunteering has afforded the NHS at this difficult time in terms of extra staff and patient support extended to social care Volunteering in social care can drive a more enriching model of care putting the wellbeing of staff and residents at the centre ”

Sarah Jones CEO at Anchor said

“Social care is highly skilled and specialised and can provide enormous job satisfaction for those working in the sector In addition to the service our colleagues provide volunteers in our care homes play an important role in helping older people live fulfilling lives Crucially, for a sector facing workforce challenges, we have a number of colleagues who began their careers with us as volunteers I very much hope this report helps encourage more volunteering in the care sector to enhance the lives of the people we serve ” There are some challenges that need to be addressed however Nearly half of care home staff referenced a lack of clarity about volunteer roles and variation in how volunteers perform tasks

Reimagining Social Care – The Role of Active Citizenship launches as Royal Voluntary Service continues its commitment to inspire and enable people to give the gift of voluntary service to improve the nation s health and wellbeing, resilience, confidence and connections

Beyond findings the report outlines four recommendations to care homes for utilising volunteering to improve the social care experience for residents and staff

1 To grow volunteer numbers through increasing public awareness and reducing barriers to volunteering in social care

2 To build the demand for volunteers through greater engagement and awareness among staff on the role of volunteers within their workplace and greater input from staff on volunteer training and roles/activities

3 To maximise outcomes for residents and staff through structured programmes that include consistent volunteers sustained & frequent levels of activities and balance in sociable and practical duties

4 To develop careers through well-designed volunteer programs that support volunteers’ progression into meaningful careers in social care

Following the undertaking of the research Royal Voluntary Service aims work with communities to mobilise voluntary action at scale in this sector and to help grow a diverse range of volunteering opportunities in care

Reimagining Social Care – The Role of Active Citizenship is the fourth in the Kickstarting a Volunteering Revolution series of research-led reports by Royal Voluntary Service in which leading voluntary sector experts examine the future of volunteering Previous reports have explored the barriers to volunteering among different groups how volunteering can help counter health inequalities and how it can improve social mobility

Care Home Hosts Christmas Fair and Raises More

Than £950 Along with Visit from Santa and Pony

who

Other staff members really pitched in some made cakes for us to sell, and others took part in the fundraisers to help increase the amount

The home provides residential and residential dementia care for 83 residents

A grotto was set up which included a meet and greet with Santa who was accompanied by a pony which was well received by residents

There was plenty of fun and games throughout the day including a raffle tombola and a name the bear competition Guests included family members of residents along with staff and their family members

Carrie-Anne Broadley one of the activity coordinators said: “The Christmas fair was a huge success and it was a great team effort However a lot of the credit needs to go to Beverley our other activity coordinator as well as Mark

residents

“It was a very busy day, we had around 100 people including residents so it was very successful

“The residents had a great time they are still talking about it and really enjoyed the ponies visit

The funds raised will support our amenities fund we are hoping to use some of it to purchase a tiny tablet and some for other activities

“We are still waiting to see what the final figure was, but we know we have more than £950 which is a great achievement

“I want to thank everyone who came and turned the fair into a success from the staff to family and friends and also our lovely

New Specialist Dementia Care Home for Yeovil

Local people have reacted with delight to the announcement that a new dementia care home is to open in Yeovil after months of campaigning

The home to be known as Chestnut Lodge is expected to open in January and will initially offer nursing care for up to 24 people living with dementia with more rooms becoming available later in the year

Located on Hendford Hill the property was purpose-built as a care home in 2010 and is currently undergoing a comprehensive re-fit by award-winning dementia care specialists Camelot Care

The new manager is Graham Oakes, a well-known local figure – Yeovil born and bred – who is currently serving as leader of the town council Graham originally trained as a nurse at Yeovil Hospital and spent 10 years with the NHS largely in geriatric care before changing track to become a care home manager in 1994 motivated by a desire to deliver ongoing care to the vulnerable people he was supporting Graham Oakes said: We know Chestnut Lodge will be filling a significant gap in care provision for the people of Yeovil, and have already received a high level of interest

“Dementia is a condition that affects so many families and when the decision is taken that residential care is the best way forward for a loved one families want to know they will be supported to live their best life – which is exactly what we intend to do

“We are recruiting a brand-new top-notch team to deliver the best quality care to the people we ll be supporting and are keen to hear from individuals who might like to join us

“Depending on the role experience in the care sector is sometimes less important than the character and motivation of the applicant so anyone who thinks they might enjoy working as part of our team should feel free to contact me and find out more

It was a County Councillor for the area who first broke the news on Facebook receiving a 100% positive response with comments including: “Brilliant news and much needed for health and social care ” from Claire Mcandrew Tailby; “Fantastic news at long last being used for the purpose it was built for from Keith Goad; Great news it s the right choice for the community and the potential new residents,” from Andrew Beamish; and This is brilliant news A care home is so needed from Rose Shire

A Stockton care home held a Christmas fair and raised more than £950 and even had a visit from Santa MHA Reuben Manor organised the fair to help raise funds for the amenities fund which is set up for activities and trips for residents

was Santa for the day and also Maria our chaplain

Also

most

pavil-

services and initiatives 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 the cleaning process and tackle the ongoing resources challenge will also play a key role alongside healthy buildings where the Internet of Things

A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Alongside

A full programme of speakers and topics will be announced in the coming weeks

• SURGICAL WARDS

Meeting key hygiene norms is of the utmost importance in these environments 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

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GOJO provides a straight ‘out of the box’ solution for hand hygiene, incorporating dispensers products accessories and signage as well as training and on-boarding support It also manages installations thereby reduc-

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• COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES:

These environments often have radically different needs from what are traditionally 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

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 professionals always have products on hand when they are needed – even if 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 effective 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 fastactive effective formulas that care for skin state of the art dispensers, and specialist support such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accredited training making us the ideal healthcare partner

For a tailored effective, total solution for your setting or for more information on the benefits of partnering with GOJO please call +44 (0)1908 588444 email

By James Derham (BSc (hons)), Liam Grimshaw (MSc by research, BSc (hons))

The Cleaning Show 2023 returns to ExCeL, London from 14-16 March 2023 to demonstrate the very latest advancements in cleaning technologies and provide unmissable learning and sourcing opportunities for the cleaning and hygiene sector which together with the waste industry is one of the biggest sectors in the UK worth nearly £59bn and employing 1 47m people

The show organised by the British Cleaning Council and Quartz Business Media is set to attract more than 100 cleaning suppliers with the likes of Jangro Numatic Makita UK Karcher UK Nilfisk and SC Johnson Professional among those confirmed to exhibit And with more than 7 000 senior cleaning professionals set to attend from across the contract cleaning facilities management (FM) healthcare hospitality retail and public services sectors it is no surprise that the event has become the largest and longest running exhibition in the UK dedicated to cleaning hygiene and facilities management

a growing list of Europe s leading cleaning suppliers confirmed to showcase their latest technologies and innovations on the show floor The Cleaning Show Conference will also return Welcoming the industry s leading experts the conference will offer a place to discuss and debate the big issues affecting the sector

returning after a successful debut in 2021, the Cleaning & Support Services Association will once again host the CSSA Innovation Showcase The dedicated

ion is designed to highlight and celebrate the industry’s

innovative cleaning products

(IoT) enabled dynamic resource applications will transform operations With a focus on creating the Future of Cleaning businesses and organisations operating throughout the industry can enter their innovations via the CSSA website by 30 November 2022 Prior to The Cleaning Show the CSSA will hold an Innovator s Pitch with a panel of leading industry experts who will review and interview all entrants and select those to be exhibited at the Innovation Showcase itself For further information on submitting an entry, visit https://www cssa-uk co uk/ Registration for The Cleaning Show 2023 will open on 1st November 2022 To register your interest to attend

CLEANING, HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

known as BESA This means that after we ve completed your TR19® Grease compliant clean we can provide certification to demonstrate that you have done everything required of you to protect the users of your premises

There

In the event of a fire, certification will help to demonstrate that you have not been negligent If there should be a fire, and particularly if residents are harmed or negligence is proved, the Responsible Person can face legal proceedings and even if convicted a custodial sentence If you cannot demonstrate TR19 Grease® compliance your buildings insurance provider may also refuse to pay out following a fire

And don t worry about disturbing your residents

ll work with you to establish a time frame to perform your TR19® Grease clean when your kitchen is not being used and your residents are safe elsewhere

For The Cuppas That Comfort

As we enter into winter, we know people seek warmth through the enjoyment of hot beverages with tea remaining the most popular pick on the list of wintertime beverages 1

At Tetley we’re here here to support your staff and residents to feel cosy with a comforting cuppa As the UK s No 1 tea brand in the foodservice industry 2 we are dedicated to going beyond simply providing delicious tea solutions we aim to support all our customers with useful tools, tips and resources to help with your day-today operations

CUPPAS THAT COUNT

Current research shows that 20% of care home residents are dehydrated,3 and this is becoming a leading cause of hospitalisation Therefore, understand just how important it is to keep residents healthy and hydrated while also making the experience enjoyable and the challenge this can face for care providers Did

know? Tea counts towards your daily water intake 4 and so aids with rehydration! Offering resi-

We’ve been serving quality cuppas to the Nation for the past 185 years

Operating globally we source buy and blend the finest tea leaves so you can promise residents perfection with every sip We are also environmentally conscious and committed to operating our business in a way that supports the

At It’s Made For You, we believe that everyone should look forward to tasty safe and nutritious texture modified meals The It s Made For You range is designed for the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework standards and includes valuable nutrition It s Made For You are proud to be Gold Sponsors of IDDSI Our range of meals have been developed to ensure the nutritional content will meet the nutritional needs

Research has shown that

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 comments: “In our experience many of the residents look forward to the desserts They often represent familiar comfort foods and, even if they cannot 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 allowing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste

Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allow-

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

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

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

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

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

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Natural Pain Relief

bination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus peppermint and MSM Reported benefits of BIOFROST® Relief include lasting pain relief, improved joint movements comfort during sleep fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and muscle discomfort and faster post-activity recoveries

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Ser vices Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are natural drugfree topical cold therapy gels for muscular and joint pain chronic arthritic pain, post-activity muscle tension general aches and overuse disorders Easy to use and fast acting, BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels relieve pain reduce inflammation and swelling without drugs and drug-related side-effects

BIOFROST® Gels: BIOFROST® Relief Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

• BIOFROST®

BIOFROST®

Care facilities typically exhibit significant but varied hot water and heating usage patterns which contributes 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 operational energy use over all other measures By increasing 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 understanding 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 implementa-

BIOFROST® Active is a dual-action fast-acting cold gel with heat sensation for effective relief of muscular and joint pain Containing 10 natural herbal extracts (i e Arnica Burdock Roman Chamomile Garlic Watercress Ivy White Nettle Pine Rosemary Menthol) BIOFROST® Active relieves chronic pain releases muscular tension loosens stiff joints and effectively treats back pain Benefits of BIOFROST® Active include easier joint movements, effective pain relief in treated areas discomfort-free sleep fewer cramps and reduced post-activity muscular and joint fatigue

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

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 advert on page 5

Fire Doors are an imperative part of fire safety and are considerations of the design and maintenance of any building but especially residential Article 17 –RRFSO states fire safety provisions (includes fire doors) must be maintained in a suitable condition order

If you are the Responsible Person it s 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 in the long term financially beneficial by halting 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 prevent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time-consuming, repetitive need for repainting

For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield com or visit www yeomanshield com or see the advert page 10

tion 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 suited 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 expectation 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 sustainable applications today to get you on the right path towards net zero operation

Visit https://adveco co/sectors/healthcare/ or see the advert on page 15

Penile Retraction and Incontinence

As

Renray Healthcare has been producing high quality furniture for over 50 years and is one of the UK s largest and leading suppliers to the healthcare sector

With

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Facing Soaring Energy

Facing unprecedented energy costs and an increasingly pressing climate crisis care home operators are all aiming to minimise energy consumption According to the Carbon Trust the care sector spends over £400 million on energy each year and after heating and lighting it is irrefutable that appliances are a main contributor to this figure For any care home, laundry is a key service area and one that is absolutely critical to maintaining infection control Thankfully, whereas you can’t turn down the heating in a care environment, or turn off the lighting there are ways in which you can significantly reduce the energy consumed by your laundry function Forbes Professional helps care home operators source the most energy water and user efficient laundry solutions whilst advising on all relevant WRAS and industry requirements When choosing dryers, it is notable that care homes are increasingly turning away from gas appliances due to increasing running costs and safety concerns This is all the more notable now that changes to industry requirements are necessitating considerable investment in order for gas appliances to meet the current standards Forbes would generally recommend that electrical appliances should be the product of choice with heat pump dryers enabling astounding cost and energy savings Miele’s new heat pump commercial dryers are particularly highly rated for their safety functionality and energy efficiency They employ a highly efficient and economical filter system and heat exchanger to keep run times low and enable an energy saving of up to 60% when compared to vented dryers Additionally these heat pump dryers do not require any make-up air

which enables the laundry function to be installed in the basement or in a central location within the care-home and saves on costly vent-ducting Due to the effective interaction of the Miele filter system and the maintenance-free heat exchanger fluff cannot clog the heat exchanger or adversely affect the exceptional drying efficiency

With regards to washing machines only a commercial washing machine will suffice in a care environment as only these machines will meet the WRAS requirements for Fluid Category 5 Forbes recommends using Miele commercial washing machines as they are highly energy and water efficient whilst delivering both thermal and sluice disinfection As an illustrative example based on an electricity cost of £0 34/kWh and three machines being used four times/ day for five years, Miele machines can realise a running cost saving of £9 529 when compared to another industry brand

Auto-dosing equipment also provides a great solution for ensuring that the right amount of detergent is dispensed for each cycle; minimising waste optimising the wash cycle and saving both money and time

Forbes Professional provides a range of options for commercial laundry equipment including auto-dosing equipment as well as Miele commercial laundry machines All of their products are available on a purchase rental or lease basis, with access to a comprehensive service that includes installation, commissioning, usertraining and a multi award-winning repair and maintenance response

Working

combat counterfeiting and grey market activity

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

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions

Fall

The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition Our anti-bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors

Features include:

Connects directly to most nurse call systems

High Quality anti-bacterial Floor Sensor Pad Large Size Pad Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm Options (sold separately): Anti-slip mesh for hard surface floors See the advert on this page for further details or visit www fallsavers co uk

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 technology as a familiar part of our daily lives At Medpage we have harnessed these advancing technologies 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 safeguard 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 systems that deliver cost effective performance

Our new sensor pad controller the MPCSA11 has been included into numerous falls management projects 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

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

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

A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recommends “fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a per-

Lotus

stressed also this

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 sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one zone whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative “zone” Each “zone” can operate different call tones warning lights or other methods to alert when help is required

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

Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

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 technologyenabled care

Four of the field’s leading providers and thought leaders explored the key factors driving 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 leveraging 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 independently 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 reactive legacy solutions and devices falling short when it comes to falls management?

We recently conducted a survey of social care providers that identified 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 especially 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 leveraging 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 digital 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 interoperable 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 personalised, 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 better 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 others 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 matter 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-centred 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 gather 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 meaningful 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 outcomes 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 complete 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 guarantee 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 possible 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 com

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

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

PROTECTION

Protect your business

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 complete 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

RISK

Reduced 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

RETENTION

Improve

staf f retention

Using electronic care systems to change the focus from the administration to the delivery of care helps

stage engage more with service users

Additionally providing smart tools like care planning and eMAR software 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/dislikes and how they correspond to a wide range of activities can be recorded

EVIDENCE

Demonstrate quality of care deliver y

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

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

AutumnCare contains a customisable Dashboard to provide Managers with a snapshot of what is occurring across the care service at any point in time

WONDERING HOW TO GO DIGITAL?

AutumnCare provides specialist digital care planning and eMAR software 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

Website uk autumn care

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

Reminiscence 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 continues to explore the ever-present opportunities that technology provides to make life for the elderly more enjoyable

Court Longwood Braemount Hillview Netherton Green and Parklands have been travelling around the world from the comfort of their armchairs thanks to Oculus, a virtual reality technology 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 technology 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 Oculus to enhance the life of the residents especially those living with dementia Dr Sanjeev Kanoria Founder and Chairman of Advinia Healthcare noted that It is wonderful to hear how these experiences have allowed the Residents to reminisce with their families and each other and enabled them to become more engaged and involved, particularly during these challenging last couple of years ”

Intelligent Care Software (ICS)

The CAREAudits System

CAREAudits apps and systems evolved via an associated company Kern Systems were Ken Newlove director and founding member had been developing and deploying paperless systems for EPoS and Finance in the private and public sectors since 1999

Back in 2014 the team had more than 50 years experience in IT and software development as well as having been heavily involved in the third sector with a trustee of three charities a director of a business directly involved in the care market and a consultant in a £10 million turnover charity and interim CEO and Chair at an adult hospice

Working in the Care Sector the team recognised in 2014 the sector was becoming overwhelmed with

administration driven by ever increasing legislative compliance requirements and controls and pressurised by ever increasing costs The CAREAudits apps evolved from their desire to give something back to the Care Sector; to develop systems that genuinely reduce costs and increase efficiency as well as improving accountability and quality And above all a system that would be easy to install and use by everyone

THE CAREAUDITS SYSTEM

The CAREAudits app and Web Portal Auditing Tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland by all care service providers in numerous locations There are thousands of carers checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits Training and Maintenance as well as service users quality and wellbeing and now Corona Virus Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK

says “We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are

The system allows care providers to audit or check just about everything and manage areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in it s Web Portal Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system

Natalie Lawrence at Yorkare Homes says It s a paperless system 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 checking that it’s been checked actions required by whom by when including full resolution management Each CAREAudit also scores the answers so manage-

ment 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 minutes

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

Christie & Co Analyses Transactional Healthcare

Market In Inaugural ‘Care Market Review’ Report

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 increases and the funding landscape It also includes an operator survey which gives an insider view on occupancy and 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 technology 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 reasons, 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 fiscal 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 company expects the burden on the self-funded client base to increase OPERATOR SENTIMENT

SURVEY

Christie & Co interviewed a cross-section of local and regional

providers in the UK to gain insight into some of

operational challenges they re facing

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 prepandemic 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-pandemic 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 sector 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 operational 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/newsresources/publications/care-market-review-2022/

the

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Care

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 beneficial 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 purpose

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

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 workbook 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 obligat on 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 accreditation 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 Alternat ve Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www eden-alternative co uk

Global assists clients throughout the U K who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase development and refinance

We have organised over £1 8bn for clients in the past 30 years providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt ease cashflow and develop businesses further

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Every proposal is individual and deserves to be treated that way, so we hope you will allow us to be of assistance to you and call us to chat through your plans and requirements I am sure we will be able to tailor a facility to your requirements

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