The Carer Digital - Issue #131

NHS to “Buy Beds in Care Homes” To Accelerate Hospital Discharge

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

According to the president of Royal College of Emergency Medicine up to 13 000 NHS patients accounting for up to 13% of hospital beds, are “medically ready to leave hospital but have to stay because there is nowhere else for them to go

This is nothing new! Bed blocking is a major problem within NHS hospitals across England Each year thousands of patients remain in hospital beds facing a delayed discharge until the necessary next stage of their care becomes available

the fact that it was not has compounded the growing problems in the NHS and social care

The crisis in social care can also be seen as an opportunity, unlikely though that sounds which requires a clear vision of social care as a fundamental public good in its own right and not as a poor relation to the NHS

That will involve making work in social care an attractive progressive career option Unfortunately now it is undervalued in terms of esteem and pay

Radical changes needed if the high rates of turnover and vacancies are to be reversed The message needs to get across that working in social care can be a rewarding desirable profession with a clear career path

Editor Peter Adams

A delay may be non-availability of a temporary or permanent space in a care home or rehabilitation unit or a smaller community hospital or lack of a supportive care package for their return home But as we all know it is nothing new, and while news that funding is to be made available to care homes to free up hospital beds, it does once again another smack of crisis management

The issue has to my mind been getting progressively worse in recent years and as the NHS comes under scrutiny we often hear of “ad hoc” funding being released followed by ad hoc promises of reform Could this have been a crisis avoided? Once again Mike Padgham of the Independent Care Group puts it succinctly when he says My biggest regret is that it didn t come sooner – we and others in the sector have been warning for months, if not years, that social care was in crisis and particularly since the pandemic struggling to survive “An extra £250m, whilst welcome, is not going to touch the surface in terms of tackling the overall crisis And my major fear is that it will get bogged down in bureaucracy as the £500m to aid hospital discharge announced last September has become”

And herein lies the problem We saw a promise of £500 million to aid hospital discharge in September - what has happened since?

In September the announcement had its critics, since it was unclear whether the £500m is genuinely new funding from the government or will come from an NHS budget that was already under strain due to increased energy costs and pressures due to staffing issues and remuneration

Personally I think there should be accountability with promises with a timescale of when said promises are delivered with a follow-up statement in the House of Commons to confirm the promise has been honoured!

That is particularly so with former Health Secretary Teresa Coffey’s £500 million discharge fund

When it was promised in September it should have been delivered in September and

We here at THE CARER are delighted to announce our media partnership with premier event organisers Draw Events organisers of The Alzheimer s Dementia & Care Show taking place at the Business Design Centre in London on March 3 and 4th

As well as media partner The Carer team will also be exhibiting at the show

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 The show features a full conference programme with talks from leading experts, carers and those living with dementia alongside professional advice clinics dementia and care exhibitors and unique individual training opportunities you won’t find at any other event

We are currently in negotiation with all the regional and national care shows and hoping to exhibit at almost all of them, so please do watch this space for announcements of our future partnerships

Tradeshows are a wonderful opportunity to engage with the sector packed with all the latest innovative products and services plus seminars by sector experts and organisations plus the most important of all of course feedback from you those in the frontline working on a day-to-day basis

So as I say please do watch out for future announcements and I would urge you to attend as many shows The offer rare invaluable insight into the care sector and how it moves forward in the coming years!

One more thing of course please do continue to share your stories of awards and any 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!

I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk com

NHS to “Buy Beds in Care Homes” To Accelerate Hospital Discharge

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

DISCHARGE HUBS TO FREE UP BEDS

The government is immediately making available additional £50 million in capital funding to expand hospital discharge lounges and ambulance hubs Ambulance queues in some areas are made worse due to a lack of physical space - the new money will create new ambulance hubs where vehicles can manoeuvre more easily to avoid delays handing over patients The funding boost will also expand discharge lounges in NHS trusts - areas where patients can be moved out of acute beds while they wait to be discharged freeing up beds in the meantime

The Health and Social Care Secretary outlined a series of further measures to address current pressures facing the NHS over winter, including long waits for emergency care and delays to discharging patients who are medically fit to leave hospital

These include 6 areas trialling innovative long-term solutions to free up hospital beds and make sure patients get the right care at the right time which could be rolled out across the NHS if successful

URGENT ACTION TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON NHS

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said The NHS is under enormous pressure from COVID-19 and flu and on top of tackling the backlog caused by the pandemic strep A and upcoming strikes this winter poses an extreme challenge

I am taking urgent action to reduce pressure on the health service, including investing an additional £200 million to enable the NHS to immediately buy up beds in the community to safely discharge thousands of patients from hospital and free up hospital capacity on top of the £500 million we’ve already invested to tackle this issue

In addition we are trialling 6 National Discharge Frontrunners - innovative quick solutions which could reduce discharge delays moving patients from hospital to home more quickly

These ideas include dedicated dementia hubs new offers of provision for rehabilitative care and creating effective data tools to help manage demand for discharge of medically fit patients - giving them the help they need to live comfortably in the community after a hospital stay

The new measures follow the Prime Minister s speech on building a better future where he set out one of his key promises that NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly £14 1 BILLION INVESTMENT OVER NEXT 2 YEARS

Minister for Care Helen Whately said: Getting people out of hospital on time is more important than ever It s good for patients and it helps hospitals make space for those who need urgent care

We’re launching 6 Discharge Frontrunners to lead the way with innovations to help get people out of hospital and back home

Winter is always hard for the NHS and social care and this year especially with flu in high circulation That s why we provided the £500 million Adult Social Care Discharge Fund earlier in the winter

As well as helping people right now we re looking ahead to make our health and care system work better next winter and beyond These problems are not new but now is the time to fix them for the future

People eligible for a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine are advised to take up the offer as soon as possible to protect themselves and others and reduce pressure on the NHS

In total, up to £14 1 billion additional funding will be invested by government over the next 2 years to improve urgent and emergency care and tackle the backlog - the highest spend on health and care in any govern-

ment s history £7 5 billion of this support is for adult social care and discharge over the next 2 years which will also help deal with immediate pressures

The government is also continuing to grow the NHS workforce, with around 42 000 more staff than a year ago including over 10 500 more nurses and almost 4 700 more doctors TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Care campaigner Mike Padgham gave a mixed reaction to news saying every penny of funding to help the situation in social care was valuable but he was worried it was too little too late

This extra funding is very welcome and we hope that it will get to the frontline of social care very quickly to boost capacity in the social care sector and aid the speedy discharge of people in to the community,” he said

My biggest regret is that it didn t come sooner – we and others in the sector have been warning for months if not years that social care was in crisis and, particularly since the pandemic, struggling to survive

An extra £250m whilst welcome is not going to touch the surface in terms of tackling the overall crisis And my major fear is that it will get bogged down in bureaucracy as the £500m to aid hospital discharge announced last September has become

“We urgently need the NHS to be given the go ahead to purchase care provision directly from care providers which will speed up the process significantly

He was concerned at reports that in some places health trusts might resort to using hotels to provide care for people discharged from hospital

I desperately, desperately hope that that is not the case, he said It would be setting an extremely dangerous precedent in discharging patients into places that have not had the rigorous inspection that properly-regulated managed and staffed care and nursing homes have had

“Panic measures such as these suggest to me that the Government doesn t have a properly thought out plan for tackling the crisis in care

Those of us delivering care on the frontline know what needs to be done and have the expertise and knowledge to do it We are happy to discuss it with the Government if they will listen

“The Government’s announcement today, whilst welcome, is another very small sticking plaster on the problem when what everyone really needs to see is a proper sustainable root and branch reform of the social care sector

“We are seeing that the NHS is unsafe and that social care is broken We cannot go on any longer

We need urgent measures to tackle the 165 000 staff vacancies within the sector and then a longer-term strategy to create parity of pay and working conditions between NHS and social care staff

“We have been warning for more than a decade that governments of all political persuasion were failing social care and for the past two years that we were reaching crisis point

“We need to see at the barest minimum the extra £7bn a year our Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt has previously said was needed by social care, just to stand still CRISIS “YEARS IN THE MAKING”

Professor Vic Rayner OBE CEO of the NCF said: The emergency funding is indeed welcome This is a situation where care homes can and do make a real difference, enabling people to leave the acute system, gain support and rehabilitation and then continue their journey home This is already happening in many parts of the country and the additional fund-

ing will make this happen at pace However in the rush to discharge it is important that the strategic lessons are learned

This is a response to a crisis that is years in the making There are a number of core things that need to happen to ensure this makes a difference and does not divert the problem to a cliff edge a matter of months down the road

We are calling on the government to turn this crisis into an effective care response and we will apply these 5 principles to the PM and his team:

1 Care providers must be at the ICB decision making table Care organ sations have a strategic role in ensuring communities and people get the care and support they need It should not be possible that a localised health and care crisis is discussed without the people who can provide part of the solution at the table This latest round of commissioning must be strategic and embed the posit on of care providers as equal partners from here on in High quality care provision to support people back to independent living cannot be viewed as a tap that can be turned on and off This obsession with a ‘just in time spot purchase approach to having capacity in the system when you need it has to stop We have advanced information and data already available about communities their needs and what capacity we have in both acute and care settings Health leaders must use it; plan prepare and create an equal partnership between health and social care

2 Fund the discharge at a level that enables care providers to pay their staff a wage that reflects their expertise and skill in enabling people to build back confidence health and resilience to enable them to return home or to continue a fulfilling life within a care setting The long term impact of underfunding care means both high levels of vacancies but also high levels of movement and an increasing cohort of people who can no longer afford to work in care

3 Plan for March 2024 – not March 2023 Do not let this funding drop disconnected into the bubbl ng morass of crisis, hold onto the fact that it is addressing a long term problem and anything that works for today must contribute to a solution for tomorrow There may not be enough money but make a plan, provide some certainty to enable organisations to take on new staff to invest in new facilities and to develop their in-house rehabilitative resources Without th s long term vision all of this money will be swallowed into short term fixes such as over reliance on agency staff or the prioritisation of hospital patients over those with urgent needs in the community

4 Wrap the rehabilitative resource around the individual It must not be the case that people move from hospital either back home or into a care setting, without the necessary support from sk lled physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers They need to get the support that they would have had to enable discharge from hospital to be applied to them moving from a care home back home Otherwise, we are just moving the person without properly supporting their needs

5 Invest in prevention People do not want to go into hospital People want to stay at home However the delays in assessment the inability for social care funding to address anything other than acute needs the challenges around accessing primary healthcare and the long delays in waiting lists all contribute to the crisis that we find ourselves in right now High quality social care at the time where people need it in the place where they need it, is the way forward for communities across the country The fact that we do not have this is the crisis that we should be really concerned about

2023 – A Year of Opportunity and Challenge for Social Care Providers, says RWK Goodman

The challenges and opportunities facing the social care sector in 2022 will continue and build in 2023 says the market-leading Health and Social Care team at the law firm RWK Goodman CQC IN THE SPOTLIGHT

In 2022, CQC announced that in January 2023 it would implement changes to the way it assesses providers This has now been delayed until later in the year to allow them to test and develop the proposed changes There are says RWK Goodman Partner Mei-Ling Huang, plenty of other measures providers will need to address

“During the pandemic, CQC introduced the practice of completing remote monthly reviews of services and then deciding whether to request further information or cross the threshold and inspect This practice will continue for now and there is no indication that CQC will not continue its practice of responding to risk Unfortunately this means that if it decides to inspect there is a high likelihood that it will find problems

“CQC is also focusing on winter pressures Currently, it has said it wants to create more capacity for hospitals to discharge to adult social care by increasing the number of providers with a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding rating It has stated that they can do this by inspecting providers with ratings of ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ where their evidence shows there has been improvement This will be a relief to many whose services have languished with negative ratings but providers should be sure that they are truly ready and be prepared to show hard documentary evidence of improvement before inviting the inspectors in

As some of the changes CQC is proposing for 2023 are technologically based in the spring CQC will focus on implementing and testing that technology and ‘being confident that [its] new regulatory approach is ready to launch In the past it has taken CQC a lot longer than anticipated to roll out new tech and we are sceptical about whether the proposed online solutions will streamline the inspection process effectively

CQC has indicated that it will be launching its new online provider portal in the summer of 2023 enabling it to gather evidence in a ‘new and structured way It is aiming to use the portal to carry out assessments towards the end of 2023 However IT projects can be tricky at the best of times so it remains to be seen whether this will be imple-

mented in the summer and how effective it will actually be MARCH OF AI

The adoption of new technologies will gather pace in 2023 presenting new challenges and opportunities, says RWK Goodman Tech Partner Carl Selby

“There will be a continued push towards digitisation on all aspects of care and record keeping along with an increase in providers offering AI and machine learning tools to enhance and supplement care and diagnostic processes, as well as matching carers to residents Also, I expect virtual and augmented reality offerings to increase giving care providers new and exciting opportunities to provide therapy and entertain residents The rise of the Metaverse is upon us!

“However progress will come with an increased focus on data protection from the Information Commissioner Data security will continue to be important but expect the ICO to look more carefully at what personal data care providers are collecting and why, the lawful basis used to justify processing and transparency of communication to data subjects ”

INCREASED RENTS

Care providers with leased premises and facing rent reviews or looking to lease new premises via a sale and leaseback structure should prepare for higher rents, says Rob Walton, a Commercial Property Partner at RWK Goodman

“Many leases have rent reviews linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) In previous years where inflation has been low this would have had only a minor impact on rent increases With RPI now in double figures care providers may be facing steep increases in rents and shorter timescales in between reviews

“Whilst there is little that can be done if a care provider is already locked into a lease save for seeking to negotiate with the landlord there is more opportunity on a new lease or lease renewal

Ideally tenants should be looking at open market rent instead of index-linked reviews If that is not possible, care providers should seek to negotiate a lower and upper band known as a Collar and Cap This will limit the level of the rise and from a landlord s point of view give reassurance of a minimum rent increase in the event of RPI falling in the future Whilst landlords may resist there will be pressure on them particularly with sale and leaseback deals which should prompt negotiation

WORKFORCE CHALLENGES WILL CONTINUE TO PREVAIL DURING 2023

Recruitment is more challenging than ever with an estimated 165 000 vacant roles in the care sector and no Government strategy to fill the gaps says James Sage Employment law partner and Head of Health & Social Care at RWK Goodman

“Many providers are currently unable to expand or meet existing

Councils need to ensure any care visits they arrange give enough time for care workers to do their job properly the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said

The warning comes after Warrington Borough Council was found to have allocated 15-minute care calls to more than 300 people in the region, despite national guidance stressing these were ‘not usually appropriate

In one case, which led to the Ombudsman s wider investigation care workers had sometimes stayed for just three minutes despite the family paying for the full visit

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said:

At the heart of this investigation are people often vulnerable who rely on care visits to give them the dignity and quality of life they rightly deserve

We are increasingly looking at complaints from a human rights perspective – and councils need to consider the rights of service users to have a private life when commissioning or delivering care Councils also need to make sure that the care they arrange is sufficient to meet people s needs When looking at visits which may require care workers to dress, wash or feed a person, 15-minutes is rarely enough

The portfolio comprises 438 high quality beds, of which 400 have en suite bathrooms with five homes in

and one in

Morris Care enjoys a strong local reputation for delivering high acuity care and has established good working relationships with the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups The vendors have granted a licence for the homes to continue to trade under the Morris Care brand for three years and the operational management team of Morris Care will transfer to Welford Healthcare, which will manage the homes, on 35-year lease

demand for their services due to a lack of staff and this is likely to continue A recession and redundancies in other sectors such as retail and hospitality could provide some short-term respite but it will not be a long-term solution Any benefit may also be offset by increasing numbers of care staff leaving the sector due to the cost-of-living crisis

Some providers have awarded significant pay increases this year to help attract staff and we see this trend continuing next year, particularly in the high-end private market and the not-for-profit/charity market However those providers unable to fund staff pay increases due to reliance on public funding rates that fail to keep up with increasing costs and wage pressures will be at a disadvantage in the recruitment market ”

Staff retention will continue to be a key priority for all leadership teams in 2023 A recent RWK Goodman poll of 121 care providers revealed that 19% of providers had turnover rates of over 40% and 7% had rates of over 50% which is not sustainable

James adds: “Providers will need to have robust and effective recruitment processes in place to create a positive candidate experience and avoid losing candidates during the process which has been a significant problem this year with stiff competition for candidates The first 90 days of employment is the highest risk area for staff attrition and perfecting the onboarding process will be key to retaining staff with a greater and sustained focus on engagement, training, communication and peer support during that time

A greater focus on culture wellbeing flexible working and learning and development will also be key to retaining staff in 2023 ”

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING AND THE TRANSACTION MARKET

Bank lending remains readily available but with tighter terms says RWK Goodman Corporate and Banking Partner Claire Wheatley and Corporate Partner Hazel Phillips

Banks continue to see the Social Care sector in a positive light and are keen to make funds available to established providers wanting to expand or build new homes

“However, as for all finance, margins along with the base rate have increased which has impacted the loan-to-value and interest cover ratios Expect terms to be set with more headroom ”

Appetite from private equity for the sector appears to be recovering following the political upheaval in the Autumn of last year

Sellers need to be realistic about the price and terms they can achieve given the increase in the cost of debt energy costs and workforce issues Those looking for an exit should take expert advice from sector-specific agents and corporate finance teams to ensure they obtain the best terms possible Price needs to be carefully balanced against the credibility of the offer received with close attention being paid at the offer stage to the financial backing of the buyer and speed with which they can execute the transaction

In the case investigated by the Ombudsman a family initially complained about the care workers from an agency commissioned by the council not staying for the allocated time when visiting a relative with dementia, and about inaccurate invoices provided to them During the investigation into that complaint, the Ombudsman became concerned about the 15-minute care calls the relative was receiving

The Ombudsman used its powers to widen an investigation when it appears other people may be affected by similar issues This led to the Ombudsman finding 313 other people in Warrington had also been receiving these short calls

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman remedies injustice and shares learning from investigations to help improve public and adult social care services In this case the council has agreed to pay the family £500 for the distress it has been put through

The Ombudsman has the power to make recommendations to improve processes for the wider public In this case the council will investigate a 10 per cent sample of the people currently receiving 15-minute care calls to see if this is enough to meet their needs Should this sample review identify anyone who should not be receiving such calls the council will carry out a full review of all 313 cases

terms

Julian Evans Head of Healthcare at Knight Frank commented: We are pleased to have advised Morris Care on the sale of their best-in-class care home portfolio to Impact REIT The transaction is a credit to the Morris family and all staff associated with the care business, in providing a first-class service which has been created over the past 25 years The business is now under the excellent management of Welford Healthcare

Despite an uncertain political and economic climate this transaction is yet another endorsement for the robustness of UK healthcare real estate ”

Knight Frank is seeing record volumes of capital was being deployed into UK healthcare and within the last six weeks alone has transacted on c £500M of healthcare assets

Property adviser Knight Frank has sold a portfolio of six care homes

which were owned and operated by Morris Care Limited to Impact Healthcare REIT The purchase price was £56 million which will partly be paid in cash and partly with an issue of Impact shares

Shropshire

Cheshire

Government Unveils New “Energy

Bills

A new energy scheme for businesses charities and the public sector has been confirmed today (9th January), ahead of the current scheme ending in March The new scheme will mean all eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024

This will help businesses locked into contracts signed before recent substantial falls in the wholesale price manage their costs and provide others with reassurance against the risk of prices rising again

The government provided an unprecedented package of support for non-domestic users through this winter worth £18 billion per the figures certified by the OBR at the Autumn Statement This is equivalent to the cost of an increase of around three pence on people’s income tax

Scheme” for Businesses

associated with higher energy usage; these firms are often less able to pass through cost to their customers due to international competition Businesses in scope will receive a gas and electricity bill discount based on a supported price which will be capped by a maximum unit discount of £40 0/MWh for gas and £89 1/MWh for electricity Energy Bill Discount Scheme summar y

The government has been clear that such levels of this support unprecedented in its nature and huge scale were time-limited and intended as a bridge to allow businesses to adapt The latest data shows wholesale gas prices have now fallen to levels just before Putin s invasion of Ukraine and have almost halved since the current scheme was announced

The new scheme therefore strikes a balance between supporting businesses over the next 12 months and limiting taxpayer s exposure to volatile energy markets with a cap set at £5 5 billion This provides long term certainty for businesses and reflects how the scale of the challenge has changed since September last year

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: My top priority is tackling the rising cost of living –something that both families and businesses are struggling with That means taking difficult decisions to bring down inflation while giving as much support to families and business as we are able Wholesale energy prices are falling and have now gone back to levels just before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine But to provide reassurance against the risk of prices rising again we are launching the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme giving businesses the certainty they need to plan ahead Even though prices are falling I am concerned this is not being passed on to businesses so I’ve written to Ofgem asking for an update on whether further action is action is needed to make sure the market is working for businesses

From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6 97/MWh automatically applied to their gas bill and a unit discount of up to £19 61/MWh applied to their electricity bill except for those benefitting from lower energy prices A substantially higher level of support will be provided to businesses in sectors identified as being the most energy and trade intensive – predominately manufacturing industries A long standing category

For eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier the government is announcing the following support: From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 all eligible nondomestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6 97/MWh automatically applied to their gas bill and a unit discount of up to £19 61/MWh applied to their electricity bill

This will be subject to a wholesale price threshold, set with reference to the support provided for domestic consumers of £107/MWh for gas and £302/MWh for electricity This means that businesses experiencing energy costs below this level will not receive support

Customers do not need to apply for their discount As with the current scheme suppliers will automatically apply reductions to the bills of all eligible non-domestic customers

For eligible Energy and Trade Intensive Industries the government is announcing:

These businesses will receive a discount reflecting the difference between a price threshold and the relevant wholesale price

The price threshold for the scheme will be £99/MWh for gas and £185/MWh for electricity

This discount will only apply to 70% of energy volumes and will be subject to a maximum discount of £40 0/MWh for gas and £89 1/MWh for electricity

The Chancellor has also today written to OFGEM asking for an update in time for the Budget on the progress of their review into the non-domestic market He has asked for their assessment of whether further action is action is needed to secure a well-functioning market for non-domestic customers following reports of challenges certain customers are facing including in relation to the pricing and availability of tariffs standing charges and renewal terms, and the ability of certain sectors to secure contracts Businesses in England will also benefit from support with their business rates bills worth £13 6 billion over the next five years a UK-wide £2 4 billion fuel duty cut a six month extension to the alcohol duty freeze and businesses with profits below £250 000 will be protected from the full corporation rate rise with those making less than £50 000 – the vast majority of UK companies – not facing any corporation tax increase at all

How to Sensitively Handle Different Dietar y Requirements Within a Care Home Environment

By Aarti Popat, Registered Manager of Watermead Rose (Macc Care) - https://macccare com/

and needs This will ensure that the residents have communicated clearly about their needs, and to guarantee nothing has been missed that could present an issue at a later date By including everyone in the planning process and adopting a person centred approach means that a menu can be created for each resident that is bespoke nutritious and well balanced It s important to remember that dietary planning also includes snacks and beverages ensuring there are a wide variety of tempting treats for everyone in the home to enjoy Food is fuel, but it should also be something that the residents look forward to EDUCATE CARE HOME STAFF

Ensuring that care home staff are educated about different dietary requirements is paramount and can help to prevent mistakes especially around allergies and cross contamination that could potentially lead to a medical emergency in some severe cases It also helps to be educated on different cultural and religious beliefs that might affect dietary needs as this can allow workers to engage in meaningful conversations with residents by showing they have an understanding about their choices which could lead to residents opening up and interacting with staff who would otherwise not BE FLEXIBLE

It is important to be flexible and willing to make changes to accommodate the dietary needs of residents as ageing has no straight trajectory with resident’s needs changing all the time If a resident has a new dietary requirement, be willing to adjust ensure that they are receiving the appropriate nutrition For example, as dementia progresses, people may experience difficulties with using cutlery, recognising food, or their taste may change meaning their dietary needs change too

Handling dietary requirements in care homes can be a delicate task but it is an essential aspect of providing high-quality care for residents By prioritising the dietary needs of residents care homes can not only improve their overall health and well-being, but also help foster a sense of respect, inclusivity, and community among the residents

South Shields Centenarian Receives 100th Birthday Message from King Charles III

Mary is

only

Staff at Ashlea Mews organised a spectacular party for Mary to celebrate her triple-digit birthday where everyone enjoyed a delicious cake and a vintage performance from local singer Christine Rosemand The highlight of the birthday celebrations was receiving a very special card signed by King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilla She commented Well this is lovely I ve had a happy life I think the secret to looking young is that my little bit of make-up goes a long way!”

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

In her early life Mary attended St Bede s school South Shields and worked in an ice-cream parlour until meeting her husband who was also in the ice-cream business After marrying the couple moved to Whitley Bay where they ran the family business (pictured above) before returning to South Shields when their son was born Later Mary was a familiar face working at their family’s Espresso Bar, Staiano’s, Frederick Street South Shields which was there for many years Through marriage Mary is related to former Doctor Who star, Peter Capaldi, who was her husband’s second cousin

A video of Mary receiving her card from King Charles III is available on facebook

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

Full Dementia Interpreters Course–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

Mary Capaldi from Orchard Care Homes’ Ashlea Mews South Shields celebrated her 100th birthday last week (3rd January) with a special delivery from King Charles III and a vintage themed party for her friends and staff at the home Royal anniversary cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter The delivery of these messages is arranged by the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace continuing a tradition which goes back to 1917

amongst

a small group of centenarians who will receive a card from King Charles III after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 but before his official Coronation on Saturday 6 May 2023

Orchard’s Ashlea Mews provides specialist and dementia residential care along with short-term respite care and has been home to Mary since October 2022 Vicki Yeoman, Home Manager at Orchard’s Ashlea Mews, said, “It was wonderful to celebrate Mary s special day with her All the staff and people at Ashlea Mews had a fantastic time and joined her in singing along to songs from her era, which brought back special memories for all Seeing her face when she opened the King s card was wonderful – she had such a big smile on her face!”

Research Reveals 72% of Carers

Run Out of Money Before Pay Day

Alternative Futures Group (AFG) has called on local authorities for fair care pay rates following research from its recent employee survey that found that nearly three out of four employees (72%) run out of money regularly before pay day

Other key findings included

• 53% need to borrow money or use credit cards to cover essential living expenses such as food and bills

65% are concerned about their financial position 61% are working overtime to top up their salary 51% are unable to pay all their bills on time

• 47% (nearly half) say that they will need to leave their role to secure better pay AFG a not-for-profit care provider is already subsidising rates of pay for employees from its reserves with local authorities being called on to pay a rate

that allows AFG to consistently pass on the Real Living Wage, year after year To make this position sustainable AFG is currently appealing to all local authorities to provide increased rates for 2023 and beyond Ian Pritchard Chief Executive of AFG comments

It s shocking and saddening to read the results from our recent survey What many fail to realise is that although care providers like AFG are trying to pay real living wage and better than national minimum wage to all its employees many of the local authority rates for their services are well below these rates We invested £2 4m from our reserves this financial year in our employees salaries to top up the rates we are receiving from local authorities We call on both Central Government Local Authorities and Commissioners to stand up and do the right thing by paying carers fairly and acknowledge the amazing work they undertake in looking after those they support ”

Bridgwater Care Home Team Wins Regional Dementia Carer Award

order to produce personalised care-plans observing residents likes and dislikes and getting as much information as possible from them as well as including views from family and friends

The judging panel concluded: This team work really well!

Paul Teasdale, director of Camelot Care who run Avalon, said

Judges praised Avalon for the quality of their teamwork highlighting how they work therapeutically to understand the feelings of the people

The judges said: They work in a person-centred holistic way and know the residents very well

The team was also praised for the way they talk to each individual in

We are delighted with this news and want to pay tribute to every single colleague whose contribution helped earn this highly-coveted award “They are an outstandingly hard-working and caring bunch of people, and thoroughly deserve this independent recognition

We wish them every success in the national awards but they re already winners as far as we’re concerned ”

The care team at Bridgwater s Avalon Nursing Home has been named as Dementia Carer of the Year for the South West beating off stiff competition from the rest of the region in the sector-leading Great British Care Awards and will now go forward to the national awards event being held in Birmingham on 17 March

with dementia who they support

The Covid-19 Inquir y – How Might You Get Involved?

The UK-wide public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is now getting into gear and it is expected to begin hearing evidence this summer The inquiry is an important opportunity to secure political accountability and useful and timely recommendations for the future Covid-19 has affected all of us, so the inquiry is likely to be especially long running and wide ranging There will be a particular focus on the health and care sector so readers of ‘The Carer may well have a role to play

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THE CARE SECTOR FROM THE INQUIRY?

The UK Covid-19 inquiry formally began at the end of June 2022 when its finalised terms of reference were published A key theme in the terms of reference is the pandemic response of the health and care sectors including exploration of the impact on care workers and the management of the pandemic in care homes and other care settings

In the six months since that time, three inquiry ‘modules’ (i e staged investigations targeted at different subjects) have been launched These will address: (1) resilience and pandemic preparedness; (2) political and administrative decision-making; and (3) how healthcare systems responded to the pandemic All three investigations may be relevant to the care sector We will learn more about Module 3 at an initial hearing on 28 February 2023 and further preliminary hearings in Modules 1 and 2 will also take place this spring

In her Opening Statement of July 2022 the Chair Baroness Hallett made clear there are plenty more modules to come one of which is likely to cover the care sector specifically The precise scope and timetable for these remains unclear

Finally people who suffered during the pandemic will be at the heart of the inquiry s work and it will be rolling out ways (like this invitation) of capturing their experiences – including in care settings WAYS

OF BECOMING INVOLVED

You or your organisation may be called upon to participate in the UK Covid-19 inquiry The Chair or her lawyers can do this by sending you a formal request to provide documents or witness statements Those with relevant evidence to give who resist being involved may receive a section 21 notice directing them to contribute or face serious consequences

You or your organisation can also volunteer to participate if you believe you have a valuable perspective

By Nick Wrightson, Partner in the Public Law team at Kingsley Napley LLP (www kingsleynapley co uk)

to contribute to a particular module Whereas the role of information providers and witnesses tends to be limited to submitting evidence and answering questions those who wish to be actively engaged in a particular module can apply for formal ‘core participant’ status This confers special rights, such as the opportunity to make opening and closing statements access documents disclosed by the inquiry and ask questions at hearings

You may wish to stay abreast of the news coming out of the inquiry in order to monitor the likelihood of being drawn in, as well as to assess the potential benefits of volunteering to play a part Seeking legal advice early on is highly recommended to help inform your calculations Once interim reports start to be published you may find them interesting, relevant and useful

If you are a potential witness or someone keen to see particular lines of enquiry pursued by the inquiry you might consider contacting the inquiry s lawyers to outline what you think you might contribute and seek guidance on whether this would be welcome If you want to be a core participant your chances will undoubtedly be improved if you: (a) apply when the inquiry asks you to; and (b) club together with others who speak for similar interest groups or experiences – possibly through representative bodies like Care England or the National Care Association rather than going solo

IMPORTANT FIRST STEPS TO TAKE

If you think you or your organisation may have a role to play in the UK Covid-19 inquiry (voluntarily or otherwise) it is important to start thinking ahead

In particular, make sure now that all the potentially relevant documents and information under your control are carefully preserved and to the extent possible get them organised so they can be accessed and analysed when the time comes

Since this inquiry may last several years key staff are likely to move on Consider documenting their recollections and explanations now, therefore or else make provision for them to provide input in future

Public inquiries sometimes only give 2-3 weeks to respond to requests for documents and witness statements and they take a dim view of excuses involving previously available information or personnel becoming inaccessible

If you hold a lot of relevant material or are highly likely to become involved consider allocating resources to dealing with the inquiry now for example assigning management responsibility funds and staff

Finally speak to a public inquiry specialist Potential witnesses and core participants should seek legal advice and representation to understand their roles and the opportunities and risks associated with their involvement

Care Home Pays Tribute to Talented Resident Artist

A care home in Poole has celebrated a resident s lifelong love of art sharing his talents among their Christmas card distribution list

Upton Bay Care Home in Hamworthy Dorset has been home to resident Malcolm Watts for almost eighteen months Throughout his life Mr Watts aged 74 has been a keen self-taught artist experimenting with a multitude of media but always finding his way back to watercolour

Capturing the most idyllic scenescapes of picturesque surroundings, Malcolm s eye for fine detail and appreciation of natural beauty led him to paint hundreds of images over his lifetime

The home digitalised one of Malcolm s winter themed paintings featuring a red-breasted robin perched upon a snowy landscape highlighting a moment in time so associated with Christmas

Printing over 100 copies Upton Bay signed sealed and sent the card to a multitude of community colleagues neighbours and resident families

Recipients hearts were warmed by the image description on the reverse where tribute was paid to Mr Watt’s artistry

Karen Grant, activity coordinator at the care home, commented, ‘We are privileged to have such a talented artist reside with us, and felt it would be a brilliant way of celebrating his gift ’

In an age when Christmas cards are more of a formality we wished to send something truly personal to all the people who have helped build Upton Bay into the home it is today We have received such wonderful feedback from recipients one even informing us it brought a tear to her eye

Charity Seeks Volunteers to Boost Dementia Awareness in South Asian Communities

Alzheimer

People from South Asian backgrounds are more likely to develop dementia than the general UK population It s not fully understood why this is, but certain cultural and social factors, as well as a higher risk of other health conditions like heart disease and stroke may play a role

Recent reports have highlighted delays in seeking and receiving a dementia diagnosis for people from South Asian backgrounds as well as worse long-term health outcomes There is also under-representation of people from South Asian backgrounds in medical research studies meaning their findings are not representative

To tackle this, the UK’s leading dementia research charity is piloting a scheme to recruit people from South Asian communities across Leicester to become Dementia Community Champions Volunteers receive training about dementia, brain health and risk factors for dementia, and taking part in research Training will be delivered by a partnership between Alzheimer s Research UK and local Leicester charity South Asian Health Action After their training Champions will then receive ongoing support to share knowledge and information about dementia with their communities through their day-to-day interactions as well as talks and events

The project is seeking people from South Asian backgrounds to take up this volunteer role and test out this approach No prior knowledge or experience of dementia is needed to take up the role as volunteers will receive full training and support as part of the scheme Most importantly, volunteers will need a passion for raising awareness of dementia and a proactive attitude to seek out opportunities to champion dementia information in communities

Almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia and over half of people in the UK know

At present while there are treatments that can help the symptoms there are currently no treatments available in the UK to slow or stop the diseases that cause dementia Alzheimer s Research UK is dedicated to bringing about life-changing preventions, diagnosis and treatments for the condition As well as funding pioneering research the charity works to challenge the way people think about dementia and reduce health inequalities

Jess Tobin Information Services Manager who leads the project at Alzheimer s Research UK said:

Tackling health inequalities around dementia is vital to so that everyone can benefit from research breakthroughs We are excited to work with Dementia Community Champions who can help spread information within local communities reducing stigma around dementia and working to improve representation in research studies After this pilot scheme, we hope to roll the programme out to other communities across the UK building a network of Champions Kirit Mistry Chair of South Asian Health Action said

“We are delighted to be partnering in the pilot of the Dementia Community Champions scheme having seen the impact of dementia on our community across Leicester Becoming a Dementia Community Champion is a valuable way to support and empower others through growing understanding of dementia and ways to look after brain health Regardless of how much you currently know about dementia we encourage people to step forward who are passionate about raising awareness of the condition in their community

Potential volunteers can find out more and apply at www alzres uk/DCC, or enquire by email dcc@alzheimersresearchuk org or calling 0300 111 5 111

s Research UK is offering people from South Asian communities in Leicester the opportunity to sign up to become Dementia Community Champions to help build awareness and understanding around the condition

someone affected by the condition The condition most commonly caused by Alzheimer s disease, affects people’s ability to remember, think, plan and communicate

Chancellor Responds to Lords Adult Social

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has responded to a letter sent by the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee to him, and Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in November which said that the Autumn Statement left many questions unanswered, both in terms of the breakdown of the funding that has been made available for adult social care and the Government s strategy and vision for adult social care

The letter expressed disappointment that the Autumn Statement made no reference to unpaid carers and asks what targeted support has been made available for those who provide the backbone of our health and social care systems Mr Hunt responds "Alongside the additional funding made available for adult social care

and discharge the government are maintaining the remaining funding from the £1 7billionSpending Review settlement for the Department for Health and Social Care to support system reforms and progress the proposals in the People at the Heart of Care white paper The government recognise that reforms to the social care system will be crucial to building long-term resilience in the sector

The Chancellor has now set out a detailed response to Baroness Andrews Chair of the House of Lords Adults Social Care Committee concerns and can be viewed here: https://committees parliament uk/publications/33389/documents/181357/default/

Walfinch Named as Finalist for National Home Care Awards

Walfinch the national homecare provider has been named as a finalist for the Home Care Awards – People Provision Performance 2023

The Home Care Awards 2023 are supported in partnership with the Homecare Association and welcome Domus Recruitment to the Home Care Awards as Headline Sponsor Walfinch now joins 34 companies and franchisees on the short-list an increase of nearly 100% compared with 2022

Walfinch launched in 2019 to help meet the massive demands for home-based care With an ageing population, Walfinch was established to provide a valuable quality service in a growing industry, which enables franchisees to have a genuine chance of making a meaningful contribution to their community

Amrit Dhaliwal CEO Walfinch comments: “We want to make a difference and provide a service that is nationally known for its dependability, consistency of service quality and for its flexible range of care services To be nominated for a Home Care

Award is an absolute honour Although our business has only been established for a few years our team’s combined experience is huge and to be named as a finalist is a testament to their hard work and commitment to providing quality care

The care that you would want for your own mum

Winners of the Home Care Awards will be announced at a celebratory lunch and awards ceremony on Wednesday 22 March 2023 at the National Conference Centre (NCC), Birmingham

Government to Introduce Minimum Staffing Level Requirements During Industrial Action

The government’s new anti-strike legislation to enforce “minimum service levels” in key public sectors including the NHS has drawn a furious reaction from trade unions

Legislation to be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks will set minimum safety levels for public services during industrial action and set out measures for employers to take legal action against unions if they are not met

Business secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement: ‘Industrial action is disruptive for everyone – from people relying on essential services to get to work or care for their family to hard-working business owners whose sales suffer It also costs those striking at a time when family budgets are tight

‘As well as protecting the freedom to strike, the Government must also protect life and livelihoods While we hope that voluntary agreements can continue to be made in most cases, introducing minimum safety levels – the minimum levels of service we expect to be provided – will restore the balance between those seeking to strike and protecting the public from disproportionate disruption ’

Sharon Graham the general secretary of the Unite union said: “Yet again Rishi Sunak abdicates his responsibility as a leader Whatever the latest scheme the government comes up with to attack us unions will continue to defend workers ”

Unison s head of health Sara Gorton said: The public and health staff would welcome minimum staffing levels in the NHS every day of the week That way, people wouldn’t be lying in agony on A&E floors or dying in the backs of ambulances

“But limiting legal staffing levels to strike days and threatening to sack or fine health workers when there

are record vacancies in the NHS show proper patient care isn’t what ministers want

The government is picking ill-advised fights with NHS employees and their unions to mask years of dismal failure to tackle pay and staffing ”

Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said: Health leaders share the government’s concern that in the event of industrial action there should be minimum levels of staffing in place to make sure that the most vital services can continue to run and that patient safety is not compromised This is why they work closely with local trade union representatives to agree reasonable exemptions to where strikes are expected to take place

Feelings of being over-worked under-appreciated and burnt-out are all too common on the frontline of the NHS currently and this is understandable given the various pressures they face There are rising waiting lists and treatment backlogs a vacancy crisis with 133,000 posts unfilled, under investment in the NHS s estate and infrastructure and NHS pay that has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living

“This new legislation will not change that as it does not address the fundamental concerns facing NHS staff Instead it could be seen as an attempt to silence workers in their hour of need and to sweep the problem under the rug

“If the government is serious about supporting the NHS and ensuring people get the care they need, it must be prepared to negotiate meaningfully with the unions on pay The reports of a one-off payment for staff and possibly backdating any pay deal for 2023/24 are a promising sign Also, the government must invest in the workforce plan it has already promised the NHS so that it can escape the perpetual cycle of winter crises defined by waves of further critical incidents and strikes which benefit no one ”

Pyjama Day at Cloverleaf Care Home in Lincoln

Team members at Cloverleaf Care Home in Lincoln made residents day when they arrived for work in their nightwear for the home’s pyjama day The aim of the day was to simply for everyone to enjoy a relaxed fun occasion after the busyness of the homes Christmas and New year celebrations

PJ day brought a cosy element to Cloverleaf and made residents laugh out loud They all agreed chatting to team members in their nightwear was hugely entertaining and made the day feel extra comfortable and relaxed Residents found it funny to be supported by care staff in their pj’s or being served lunch by a team member in a fluffy onesie

Home Manager Katie More said Coming to work in pyjamas made for a happy relaxed day here at Cloverleaf! As always my amazing team went out of their way to make sure residents enjoyed the dayand they did! It was lovely to see everyone laughing smiling and joining in some light-hearted banter We always have fun here at Cloverleaf ”

Regional Manager Caroline Greaves said What a unique way to come to work! Residents enjoyed seeing staff in their nightwear it made them laugh! Katie and her team are always doing something novel for residents to enjoy - another successful day at Cloverleaf

The Golden Oldies Helping Care Home Residents Beat The Winter Blues: Music

Lovers Share Their Favourite Feelgood Songs

It’s well known that music can lift the spirts and research even shows that it can support good mental health According to recent research by Bupa:

Eight in 10 UK adults say music is their go-to for enhancing their mood

Two thirds of Brits say music is integral to their personal health and wellness journey

Three quarters of UK adults say music has helped them through stressful times in their life

So with Blue Monday fast approaching residents at Dean Wood Bupa Care Home in Brighton have compiled a playlist of their favourite feel-good songs From Doris Day to Dolly Parton Dean Wood’s playlist shows how many forms of music can ignite joy – and the important role it plays in helping to unite us

Dean Wood Bupa Care Home’s top 10 feelgood songs:

• 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton

Madame Butterfly – Maria Callas

• Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head – B J Thomas

On the Beautiful Blue Danube – Johann Strauss II Stuck in the Middle with You – Stealers Wheel

The Locomotion – Little Eva Que Sera Sera – Doris Day

Yesterday When I Was Young – Dusty Springfield Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas

• A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square – Vera Lynn

Two of the home s residents Dina and Dorothy - both aged 100are big music fans, but the songs that bring them the most joy are very

different Dina loves nothing more than dancing to Dolly Parton’s hits Jolene and 9 to 5 whereas Dorothy s feelgood song is waltz piece On the Beautiful Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II

Some classics feature on Dean Wood’s list, including 89-year-old Ted s favourite Raindrops Keep Fallin on my Head by B J Thomas 80-year-old Val s choice, Madame Butterfly by Maria Callas, and The Locomotion by Little Eva chosen by Babs aged 86

Resident Karen, 59, who lives with dementia, knows this all too well Karen has a wide taste in music including everything from heavy metal to Elvis – however she crowned Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle with You as her favourite feel-good song

Julie Mullen Resident Experience Manager at Bupa Dean Wood Care Home, champions music as an integral part of life at the home, as she loves seeing how music can help bring residents out of their shells and foster connection Music can be a moving outlet for us all but especially for those living with dementia

Speaking about the effect of the home s regular music therapy sessions, Julie explains: People who may not have engaged with activi-

ties all week will attend one of our music sessions and end up smiling back at you

Along with hosting local entertainers three times a week for musical performances Dean Wood has its own musical therapy club run by activities coordinator Jack Redhead Jack brings expertise from his master’s degree in music encouraging all residents to take an instrument and join in as he plays songs on his guitar

Once a fortnight a choir visits to sing with residents, which always goes down well Family members of the residents are welcomed to enjoy the choir’s performances together with their loved ones

BENEFITS OF MUSIC FOR THOSE WITH DEMENTIA

Fran Vandelli, Dementia Lead for Bupa Care Services, shares why singing and music is so beneficial for all of us as we age – and especially for those living with dementia

Music can be incredibly powerful if used in the right way and can provide an important outlet for expression particularly for those living with conditions like dementia that can affect communication skills

Along with reducing agitation and anxiety music can help to engage us as we age, encouraging us to form and strengthen bonds with those around us which can be really useful at times if emotions feel more difficult to manage or process Music doesn’t just provide social benefits it can also:

Give a source of stimulation

• Help improve posture and coordination

Help improve lung function

• Help keep your brain active

Create a soothing environment

In some cases, offer a safe alternative to medication for the relief of anxiety

Help process feelings

Boost confidence and provide a sense of achievement

Support memory recall

• Help retain speech and language skills

Boost morale for both the person living with dementia and their caregivers

Apprentice Oscar Finds His Vocation

Whilst doing an IT course at college he took a part time job in a kitchen doing pot wash and enjoyed it I liked the whole kitchen environment – I d always liked cooking, I did GCSE ”

He decided to develop his interest in catering and went on to get a position as Apprentice Chef in a hotel restaurant Then the pandemic struck “I heard the news of the lockdown on the radio and knew the restaurant would shut We cleaned everything down and that was it

This was when Oscar came to help out at Lilian Faithfull Care’s Resthaven care home in Stroud and he has stayed ever since He has no regrets “I’m glad it happened It’s a lot better here I didn’t realise that care home cooking was like this to be honest They never tell you about these places at school or college I thought it would all just be frozen food I was really surprised everything was fresh – I didn t expect that at all The quality is just as good as the restaurants ” Lilian Faithfull Care is a charity with 76 years experience of providing care support and a home for life for people in Gloucestershire Proudly caring for over 250 remarkable residents across five care homes and guests at two adult day hubs in Cheltenham and Stroud “I enjoy the hours [at Resthaven care home] It’s a lot

As part of the course he spent time in the kitchens of three Lilian Faithfull Care homes; It s really helped me working for different chefs and seeing different ways of doing things ”

Part of the chef s training at Lilian Faithfull Care involves learning the techniques needed to prepare meals for residents who have swallowing difficulties Oscar now makes the individual purees and then pipes them to recreate the dishes on the menu When I first did it I was surprised what you can do with it when you are taught properly how to pipe it ”

Oscar was able to complete the majority of his apprenticeship within his normal working hours which has made it manageable Over the course has passed the two theory exams and put in plenty of preparation for his practical exams One of them was to create a main course and dessert from scratch in

Community Integrated Care Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

appointment:

Jim

In his three years as Chief Finance Officer he has navigated Community Integrated Care through some of its most challenging periods including Covid-19 and the current cost-ofliving crisis He has also played a key role in the development of Best Lives Possible the charity s vision and strategic plan for the next five years

Libby

“Throughout Jim’s time with our charity he has demonstrated the incredible qualities that an organisation of our size scale and ambition needs in its CEO – judgement composure and vision Most importantly his values have always been aligned with those of our charity and his decision-making has always reflected the best interests of our people

Speaking of his appointment Jim says: “It’s a very proud moment to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of this incredible charity The last three years have been a great honour and I’m really looking forward to working alongside our exceptional people to deliver the next chapter of our organisation s proud history

“The challenges in our sector are well documented, and my focus from day one will be to face these head on to deliver the Best Lives Possible for the people we support and our colleagues ”

Apprentice Chef Oscar Balgobin found the career he loves by a happy accident and is now a Chef at Lilian Faithfull Care s care home in Stroud

the provider HIT Training’ which are an apprenticeship provider for the UK s hospitality and catering industry

One of the UK’s largest social care charities Community Integrated Care has this week announced the appointment of Jim Kane as its new Chief Executive Officer

Since late 2019 Jim has served as the charity s Chief Financial Officer and will succeed Mark Adams who stepped down from his role in September 2022 as CEO

brings a wealth of leadership experience from the health and social care sector having held director-level roles at Interserve Healthcare and Virgin Care prior to joining the charity

Raper, Chair of Community Integrated Care’s Board of Trustees, said of Jim’s

Piecemeal Funding Won’t Fix Health and Care Pressures says LGA

The Local Government Association said piecemeal funding is no substitute for a strategic approach to the pressure on hospital beds

The government is to spend up to £200 million buying thousands of extra beds in care homes and other settings to help discharge more hospital patients and reduce the strain on hospitals and Health Secretary Steve Barclay has also announced £50 million additional capital funding for hospitals on Monday as the Government comes under intense pressure to alleviate the crisis in the NHS

Cllr David Fothergill Chairman of the Local Government Association Community Wellbeing Board said: “A decade of consistent underfunding of social care and underinvestment in community health services has led us into this crisis and it will not be fixed through tacked-on funding that fails to address any of the root causes of this situation

“Councils recognise the immediate issue of pressures on hospitals and the desire to expand capacity through use of care home beds It is important that any beds purchased by the NHS must be clearly earmarked as short term recovery beds and have full wrap around support to support people to get home as quickly as possible The NHS should also agree the purchase of such beds and how the wrap around sup-

port will be provided with local councils so that there is a consistent approach to the local care market It is vital that there is agreement about funding the ongoing support for people if the NHS funding of a place is time limited

This piecemeal allocation of funding is no substitute for a strategic approach to the pressure on hospital beds which requires a much broader range of actions to prevent admission streamline discharge for those that do not need social care and focus on capacity to support recovery

“It is disappointing that so much of the current narrative on social care implies it exists solely to ease pressure on the NHS and is failing to do its job Many people rely on social care to support them to live independent and fulfilling lives and the continual focus on supporting the NHS, important though it is, places these vital services at risk Until the Government presents social care as an essential service in its own right – valued equally highly as the NHS – we will continue to lurch from one sticking plaster to the next “We have consistently said that £13 billion is needed for social care so that its many pressures can be addressed and councils can deliver on all of their statutory duties This is the level of investment needed to ensure people of all ages can live an equal life and reduce the need for hospital treatment in the first place ”

Soon to Open Whitby Care Home Welcomes Mayor at Topping Out Ceremony

A major milestone has been reached at The Mayfield Care Home Whitby’s new luxury care home which will provide residential and dementia care and create 65 jobs locally

The 66-bed home is being developed by LNT Care Developments and will be operated by Cromwell Care a family-run business that is focused on providing the highest quality of hospitality and care for its residents

The LNT team was joined by the Town Mayor of Whitby, Cllr Linda Wild, Scarborough Borough Council’s Councillor for Mayfield, Cllr John Nock, Cromwell Care s CEO Tobyn Dickinson and The Mayfield Care Home s General Manager Adam Kane The final roof tile was held by the team to mark this special occasion as the build moves into its final phase

Councillor Wild said, “As the Mayor of Whitby, the community is at the heart of everything I do, and The Mayfield Care Home will undoubtedly become a significant

part our local community It was an honour to visit the home and meet the team We witnessed a hugely impressive building which will bring important jobs to Whitby, as well as much-needed accommodation for elderly people in Whitby and the surrounding area We are looking forward to working with them in the coming months and years The Mayfield Care Home team is passionate about the meaning of quality of life and I could see that in the team s experience and focus and the design and layout of the building ”

Tobyn Dickinson said, “I’d like to thank The Mayor of Whitby and Councillor Nock for joining us for our Topping Out Ceremony – it was an absolute pleasure to welcome them and give them a tour of our home The Mayfield Care Home is coming together well and I m sure our future residents will love everything we have to offer The home will become a key part of the local community There is a significant shortage of care home beds in Whitby, and we look forward to helping improve this situation ”

Six Ways To Combat Loneliness In The

Elderly All Year Round, Not Just At Christmas

More than 2 million people aged 75 and over live alone in England, and while there is often a heavy emphasis on making sure elderly people don t feel the struggle of loneliness during the festive period, it’s essential that they feel connected and cared for all year round not just at Christmas

With this in mind Stewart Mcginn, Managing Director at Baycroft Care Homes recommends a number of ways you can help protect your elderly loved one s emotional and mental wellbeing combating loneliness and ensuring that they feel involved

REGULAR VISITS

There is no better way to combat loneliness in your elderly relatives than to dedicate spending some quality time with them Whilst life can sometimes feel hectic, giving an hour of your time each day or taking a trip out together on the weekend for a few hours, can make all the difference This is especially important if you are the sole carer for an elderly relative as the chances are this is the only interaction they will have in their week

PHONE CALLS

A convenient and easier way to check in with your elderly loved ones and provide them with some company is with a phone call Whether you are telling them about the events of your day or simply being an ear to listen to them this is a great way to ensure they feel connected Phone calls are a great solution if you are busy often as they are more flexible; you can call your elderly loved one while commuting to work (if on hands-free) in the supermarket or waiting to pick the kids up from school

COMMUNITY-LED GROUPS

From a book club to a bird-watching group or even a weekly coffee catch-up you can research the surrounding area to see if there is a community-led group your elderly relative can join This will allow them to engage with others of a similar age make friends experience new hobbies and enjoy getting out of the house for an hour or two

CONSIDER A CARE HOME

If your elderly parent or family member struggles with living alone and due to circumstances cannot move into your home a care home can be a great option Many care homes have an extensive range of activities on offer have meals provided (so that they don’t need to worry about cooking) and will allow your elderly relative to have companionship with other residents in the home

LIGHT EXERCISE

Exercise can be beneficial for a number of reasons, from releasing endorphins that will make the senior person feel good, to increasing their overall flexibility and strength Depending on the elderly person’s mobility, you could encourage them to get involved in a number of low-intensity sports that have a social aspect Some examples include light swimming and chatting between lengths lawn bowls with a local team or simply just taking a leisurely stroll for some fresh air and a change of scenery with a local organised group

HELPLINES FOR SOMEONE TO CHAT TO

Whether it s a customer or a neighbour if you know someone elderly that has expressed they are feeling lonely and don t have any family or friends to talk to - you can recommend using a befriending service This service allows them to ring the helpline and be connected with a volunteer befriender for somebody to talk to and have a friendly conversation with

them progress professionally The company was awarded ‘The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work for 11 consecutive years which I was very proud of “I am extremely passionate about working for an organisation that cares about its employees and volunteers as much as its residents and their families Hartford Care’s values of care comfort and companionship along with its home from home ethos resonated with me, and my role demonstrates the importance Hartford Care is putting into building a positive culture It s crucial for me to work in an organisation where you can see the impact you have and I want our teams to enjoy coming to work, feel supported and be empowered to do a good job which in turn gives our residents the best care possible Kevin Shaw, Chief Executive of Hartford Care, comments: “Our company has always been dedicated to supporting our team members and Gemma’s appointment strengthens this commitment Recruitment and retention are two of the biggest challenges in the care sector and these will be Gemma’s immediate areas of focus ”

Hartford Care has appointed Gemma Melhuish to the role of People and Culture Director This newly created position enables Hartford Care to build on its positive company culture by strengthening employee relations and cultivating a team ethos that affirms Hartford Care’s three core values of care comfort and companionship while promoting productivity and growth Gemma began her career in the NHS on an HR graduate training programme gaining experience across primary secondary and mental health hospital trusts Upon completion of the programme Gemma became Charted Institute of Personnel and Development qualified and completed a master’s degree in HR After seven years as Head of HR at West Middlesex University Trust she transitioned to the charity sector as Director of HR for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, a position she held for six years Gemma is also a trustee at GlassDoor homeless charity Gemma says During my time at Rainbow Trust Children s Charity we created a positive working culture by truly valuing our people, listening to them and helping

State of Social Care the “Worst it’s Been for Many Years – Boss of Care England

Britain’s social care system is in one of the worst states it’s been in “for many many years according to the chief executive of Care England the leading representative body for independent care providers

Speaking to Newcross Healthcare s Voices of Care podcast Care England s Chief

highlights the enormity of the challenges facing the sector and lays out his vision for what needs to be done to prevent its wholesale collapse

On any one day there are about 160 000 vacancies across social care It s also interesting to note how many people are considering leaving the sector And of course not only is it a very complex and challenging role but we ve all just been through a global pandemic and social care was on the very front line of that And I think a lot of people are starting to think about whether or not they can go on because of the stresses that they encountered during the COVID crisis ” With the NHS currently facing its toughest ever winter as hospitals grapple with a twindemic of increasing flu and Covid admissions

times

it’s vital to understand the interdependent relationship between the NHS and social care

If social care collapses the NHS would collapse Social care provides a lot of support to people particularly those with long-term conditions and it also helps them live well and manage those long-term conditions If you didn’t have social care you d have a lot of people who would suddenly go into crisis and then require acute care ” Responding to a recent YouGov survey commissioned by Newcross Healthcare which found that 27% of care workers are likely to leave the sector over the next 12 months Professor Green argues that social care needs to be regarded as a profession with a proper pay structure and clear career pathways to ensure that people are paid what they are worth for doing a difficult and complex job

Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Workers Strike for Improved Pay

Trade

In December, Unite members voted with an average 87 percent majority across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for strike action

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that prime minister Rishi Sunak needs to show leadership:

If proof were needed of the determination of NHS workers to fight for a better deal it s here in the 87 per cent vote recorded in the Trusts in Northern Ireland

“In the absence of a functioning Stormont Executive, prime minister Rishi Sunak needs to show some

leadership bang some heads together make sure that we can get back to negotiations and offer NHS workers in Northern Ireland a better deal ”

Lead regional officer for Unite in health in Northern Ireland Kevin McAdam confirmed the union s members would be joining the picket lines with members of other health unions with a first 24-hour action set for January 26

Subsequent strike dates which Unite has notified to employers are February 16 and 17 and February 23 and 24 He said:

Unite s nearly 4000 health members in Northern Ireland have returned a 87% rejection of the imposition of a below inflation pay award to health workers in the region

In the absence of action to address our members pay claim we have been left with no alternative but to notify employers of strike action ”

Executive Professor Martin Green

worsening ambulance waiting

and industrial action by nurses and ambulance drivers Professor Green says

Hosted by healthcare expert Suhail Mirza the podcast episode featuring Professor Martin Green is available now alongside previous episodes in the series on Newcross Healthcare website https://www newcrosshealthcare com/voicesofcare as well as onYouTube Spotify Apple and a range of other podcast platforms You can see the full episode here https //youtu be/0rN7YQYHGoY

Health and social care workers in Northern Ireland are to join a 24-hour strike planned for later this month in a bid for better pay

union Unite said that 87% of its healthcare workers across Northern Ireland s five trusts and the ambulance service voted to take industrial action on 26 January February 16 17 and 23 24

The announcement comes as talks as discussion with the UK health secretary failed to make any progress on the 2022/23 pay claim

Hiring International Workers For The Care Industr y

By Sacha Wooldridge, Senior Associate, Birketts’ Immigration Team (www birketts co uk)

Securing an Exit visa can take months and require that you’ve recruited the worker via a Government approved recruitment agency or your UK business and employment contract have been vetted and approved with their Embassy This might mean writing additional terms into your employment contracts e g the provision of return flights back to their home country of nationality

DEBT BONDAGE

Many are alarmed at the cost of UK visas – the UK visa system is one of (if not the) most expensive immigration systems in the world with visas costing up to £9 000 per worker Visas for the relocation of a family of four to the UK (worker and dependent spouse and two children) could cost nearly £20 000 in visa fees alone Relocation flights accommodation etc would all be payable in addition

Debt bondage in the care sector has been widely reported and it s therefore vital that businesses undertake their due diligence when working with agencies to avoid falling foul of the regulations

These are great options to explore before proceeding with an employer sponsored visa, and will significantly save on costs, as they can be obtained by the individual without company support or investment

ROLES ELIGIBLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

If the candidate doesn’t have any alternative visa route, sponsorship of a Skilled Work or a Health and Care visa may be the only appropriate option

To be eligible for visa sponsorship the role must be: working for a UK health and care sector employer that s been approved by the Home Office (i e an approved Home Office immigration sponsor licence holder) and a NHS Foundation trust or Local Health Board; or

• A person providing regulated activities per the Health and Social Care Regulations 2014; or

The crisis in Social Care staffing is well documented and the sector now has an estimated 165 000 job vacancies

The recruitment challenges felt after Brexit, exacerbated by the pandemic have resulted in the hiring of international workers no longer being exclusive to large multi-centre care groups but increasingly independently owned care homes and services – with many now reporting that the benefits outweigh the additional costs WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

RED-LIST COUNTRIES

UK social care providers are subject to the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England to ensure international health and care workers [are recruited] in an ethically responsible manner This code includes a restriction to ensure that there is no active international recruitment from countries on the red list unless there is an explicit government-to-government agreement” Countries that businesses can freely recruit from however include Malaysia Philippines India and Sri Lanka

The red list includes Nigeria, Pakistan Bangladesh, Ghana and Nepal Kenya is on the Amber list meaning no active recruitment should take place there either

EXIT VISAS

Even if a UK visa can be secured for an applicant from a Green-list country you need to be aware that some countries e g the Philippines have an additional Exit Visa processes for their citizens This process has been implemented to ensure the protection of workers and that the overseas employment contracts meet minimum standards

Visa fees are payable in full, up-front, prior to the individual moving to the UK – business are therefore often concerned to ensure that the recruit is fully invested in the process with some seeking to split the costs of the visa and relocation with the individual Where businesses are recruiting from less economically developed countries many applicants won’t have the funds to pay for visa costs in advance and it’s not uncommon for businesses to enter in to a clawback arrangement with workers In theory there is no problem with this However advice should be taken to ensure organisations aren t falling foul of legal restrictions and agreements are carefully drafted

Businesses can also be reassured that an employee on a sponsored work visa in the UK is only permitted to work for their sponsoring employer and there are restrictions on self-employment or any secondary employment

VISA PATHWAYS

Many businesses will assume that they have to sponsor a work visa for the individual to enable them to work in the UK however applicants may be eligible for alternative visa routes These include:

- EU Settlement status (EU nationals resident in the UK prior to the end of the Brexit transition period)

- Youth Mobility visa (a 2 year visa enabling work for individuals under the age of 30 of certain nationalities e g Australia, New Zealand Canada)

- Dependent visa (if they have a British partner or their partner holds their own visa to be in the UK)

- Student visa – for those working part time hours

- Graduate visa

CQC registered; and be paid the minimum salary or the going rate for the type of work

The individual must also be able to meet and evidence a minimum English language proficiency requirement (reading writing speaking and listening)

Previously only Senior Care Workers were eligible for sponsorship but in February 2022 the list of eligible roles was expanded to include; nurses residential day and domiciliary care managers care workers and home carers and senior care workers In February 2022 – Care Workers were added to the UK s Shortage Occupation List

COMPLIANCE

Businesses are reminded that if they recruit international workers and sponsor work visas that they will be undertaking to the Home Office to maintain certain records and ensure reporting standards are kept throughout the contract of employment Failure to meet sponsor duties could see the licence revoked and any sponsored workers returned to their home country

A common issue is that many businesses don t appreciate that a change in business ownership triggers Home Office reporting and that could inadvertently leave them with illegal workers and open to hefty financial penalties

CONCLUSION

Overall whilst the UK visa system is now seeing far broader engagement from care sector organisations of all sizes, the process undeniably requires substantive investment both financially and to an extent in resource to ensure compliance and longevity

Care South Residents Certainly Celebrated The Festive Season with Plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship

From Christmas parties

visits from Father Christmas and eating delicious traditional Christmas dinners residents at Care South s 15 care homes celebrated the festive season with plenty of Food Fun and Friendship

All homes started the festive season with a friendly inter-home Christmas carol competition with Castle Dene and Dorset House winning joint first place Each home was challenged to produce the best Christmas carol video which was then judged internally at Care South with both home s doing a brilliant job – but there had to be a winner (or two!)

Dorset House took the competition to the next level by re-writing the lyrics of a classic Christmas carol After an intense discussion of which song would be chosen residents decided on 12 days of Christmas’ Residents and the Dorset House team switched the lyrics to includes things in their everyday lives which made it quite personal Once it came to recording everyone got dressed up in their best outfits with local friends family along with Vicar Tess Muddy Boots Nursery and Maggie from Great British Bake Off all joining in

Castle Dene took a more classical approach as residents all donned their best festive outfits to perform jingle bells with tambourines Residents showed a huge amount of unity and put on a great performance Residents at Castle Dene had a Christmas party with family and some class entertainment from Tony Edwards that ended in a sing-along to all the Christmas classics They also tucked into a delicious buffet with residents helping by making and decorating cakes for it

Residents at Fairlawn were also busy making the most out of the festive season They started their celebrations by going to watch the Wizard of Oz pantomime at Barrington’s theatre which they all thoroughly enjoyed Residents also joined a great Christmas party that was filled with all sorts of fun such as a rein-

Buxton House residents celebrated the Christmas period by taking trips to Sherbourne

their Christmas

and watched a Christmas carol performance from the staff, as well as enjoyed a wonderful visit from Father Christmas

to take in all the beautiful lights and displays Residents also made pomanders

At Alexandra House, residents had a very merry and wonderful Christmas day They started the morning with a visit from Father Christmas whose helpers handed out individual presents to each resident which made each resident feel very special They then enjoyed an amazing Christmas dinner with family and friends that was accompanied with a delicious celebratory Christmas pudding washed down with an array of sherries and wines

Fremington Manor Kenwith Castle Talbot View Wickmeads Maiden Castle House Fern Brook Lodge Elizabeth House St Ives House Beauchamp House and Sussexdown, all Care South care homes also took part in the festive celebrations with fabulous Christmas parties, wonderful entertainment, and delicious baking

Christmas is always a special time for residents in our care Everyone can get involved in group activities and their family friends and loved ones can come along and join in which makes a huge difference With no restrictions in place this year it is so good to know care homes are once again filled with Christmas festivities chatter and laughter From enjoying festive trips out to seeing old friends our care homes were able to fully embrace the festive spirit and enjoy plenty of Food Fun and Friendship

Chris Golding Head of Marketing and PR commented

pantomimes

deer game a snowball fight and an exciting Christmas raffle Christmas day at Fairlawn was nothing less than special as residents each received a personalised stocking from Father Christmas himself which was followed by a delicious traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings

Garden Centre

for

tree

Underfunded Social Care Struggling to Help Mitigate Growing Demand on NHS says LGA

Underfunding in adult social care is significantly contributing to the crisis within the NHS says the Local Government Association (LGA)

While the government has announced additional funding toward social care to help alleviate NHS pressures this fall significantly short LGA say of £13 billion needed to help towards a sustainable NHS

Cllr David Fothergill Chairman of the Local Government Association s Community Wellbeing Board said:

Councils care providers hospitals and wider health services are together working incredibly hard during this hugely challenging winter to get people discharged from hospital and home with the correct support as soon as they can However, this process is increasingly difficult with rising demand for social care and community health care, workforce shortages and budgets under significant pressure

“A sustainable NHS depends on a sustainable social care system Instead the social care system is suffering from long-term underfunding and high vacancy levels across the workforce inevitably impacting on social care s ability to help mitigate the demand facing the NHS – whether that’s supporting people out of hospital or preventing their admission in the first place

Additional investment in community health services including therapies that can support recovery is also urgently needed

Recent additional funding announced by the Government for adult social care is a step forward but falls significantly short of the £13 billion we have called for to address the severity of the pressure facing social care services Comprehensive funding of adult social care will not only alleviate pressure on the NHS but will mean thousands of people are able to live an equal life and are less likely to end up in hospital at all

Dorset Care Home Opens Richmond Retreat In Honour of Former Resident

A popular Sturminster Newton man has had a therapy room named after him at the care home where he lived for several years before his death

Team members at Colten Care s Newstone House were saddened to lose longterm resident Graham Richmond, a retired BBC cameraman, in 2021 Born and brought up in London, he became well known in his later years as a classic car enthusiast exhibiting regularly in his adopted Dorset town

After his passing Graham s family made a donation to the home prompting discussions to start about the idea of creating a Richmond Retreat room

Companionship Team Leader Karlene Horswill said: Graham s family very kindly donated £5 000 with a hope that we would purchase something to benefit our residents at Newstone House

After a few meetings we all agreed we should use the money to not only benefit our residents but as a tribute to Graham as well

Many people including our residents have described him as a sociable knowledgeable and very witty man who is sorely missed

“The Richmond Retreat is a sensory based room that promotes well-being and

relaxation for our residents living with dementia

“The family were very supportive with the decision, and we added little touches of some of Graham’s favourite things such as being outdoors bird song and his love of living in Sturminster Newton ”

The room includes mood lighting pictures of waterfalls and plants comfortable seating bird music a picture donated by local artist Charlotte England and a largescale wallpaper photo of Sturminster Newton Mill

Karlene added: We are hoping the room will be enjoyed by our residents and we welcome their families to come and experience the space with their loved ones too

Residents and team members came together for an official opening of the Richmond Retreat with a toast of wine and a ribbon cutting

Resident Gillian Glennie said: What a lovely space I feel very relaxed and the picture of the Mill is very impressive ”

Opened in 2011 Newstone House is rated Outstanding by care sector regulator the Care Quality Commission

Why the UK Care Sector Needs Overseas Workers

It s well-known there is a skills shortage across the UK Vacancies within care are at their highest level in 10 years and the sector is struggling to fill them The demise of free movement due to Brexit and the pandemic has caused a drastic drop in the number of workers coming from the EU the go-to employment talent pool for the industry

The current picture for the UK care sector skills shortage looks bleak, exacerbated by a demoralised, overworked and underpaid workforce leaving the sector In 2022, there were 165,000 vacancies within care, an increase of 55% from the previous year With 1 in 10 positions unfilled care managers will have their work cut out for them to fill the gap

Before Brexit the care sector relied on EU nationals to fill positions In 2019/2020, before the end of the transition period migrant workers from the EU accounted for 113,000 jobs in the sector, 7% of the total Without them, vacancies would ve doubled that year

subsequent uneven recovery means that the transition to the new system is exacerbating the skills pressures faced by employers

Fortunately there is still an appetite amongst carers from abroad to work in the UK According to the Skills for Care report 11% of new starters in the UK went on to get a job in adult social care And while the sector had been reliant on EU migrants 90% of migrant workers in the UK care sector are now from non-EU countries

UK employers who want to hire skilled individuals from abroad are faced with a myriad of additional legal and bureaucratic hurdles These include applying for and managing a sponsor licence to hire from outside the UK, audited by the Home Office and new hires requiring a UK work visa To be eligible for the Skilled or Health and Care work visas each applicant must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their registered employer

Obtaining the necessary licences certificates and visas is time-consuming confusing and expensive with cash-strapped employers having to pay the Home Office recruitment agencies consultants and visa experts to verify the legitimacy of the foreign worker and their skill set A lot of companies won’t or can’t bother leaving them without vitally needed workers and overworked existing team members

For the first time, in February 2022, after successful lobbying and the experiences throughout Covid, “care workers were added to the shortage occupation list which is the HO s visa-eligible list of jobs Overseas workers that meet the salary threshold of £20,480 can come to the UK to work in a carer position, but they still need to have a licensed employer to sponsor them

To overcome carer shortages in the sector these procedures should be simplified for both employers and job seekers cutting red tape and being able to match the best person to the open roles

Once taught how to navigate these procedures we believe that quality non-UK applicants will help save the care sector in its time of crisis connecting potential applicants from across the globe with unfilled positions in the UK in a process that is fair and balanced and that promotes diversity and skills wherever possible The issue here is not immigration but integration, which is currently hampered only by bureaucracy of borders

the most vulnerable members of society Ambient which provides care and support services in more than 110 locations across the UK, is currently live with the system in 33% of its mental health settings

The Access HSC care planning software will digitise 90% of the care planning pathway replacing handwritten documents to enhance the accuracy and accessibility of information and reduce the amount of time spent on administrative tasks The system will be rolled out nationally to all services which includes mental health learning disabilities and older people s support by the middle of 2023 as part of Ambient’s ambitious digital strategy

We are absolutely passionate about providing the best quality care and support to people in our services," said Lee Hodgson, Chief Information Officer at Ambient Through our partnership with Access HSC we expect to see a substantial reduction in operational costs and increased efficiency, as well as an improvement in quality and oversight of services

Meanwhile Access HSC care compliance software will help monitor and manage governance regulatory compliance care audits and clinical compliance allowing managers to easily identify if essential checks and audits are up to date

At the locations where Access Care Compliance has already been rolled-out Ambient is seeing 100% audit returns as data no longer needs to be entered manually demonstrating the ease of using the system locally and the efficiencies made

Another benefit of the flexible and configurable care planning software is that it allows plans and timesheets to be securely shared with clients’ families carers and healthcare professionals through a mobile app “Being able to share information with families will help them to feel assured that their loved ones are being well supported as they have sight of the personalised care they are receiving explained Lee

The software also features an electronic medication administration record (eMAR) functionality which gives prompts and instructions when medication is due records when medication is given and flags up if medication has been missed This will reduce the chance of missed medication or errors and support continuity of care

As the system will be live across the three different care portfolios, it was important that the system could be configured to suit the needs of different teams and the people they support "We were a little nervous about taking on a digital system but have been amazed at just how easy and intuitive the system is to use said Kayleigh Brown a team leader in a supported living service for people with learning disabilities in Norfolk The biggest benefit so far has been just how much time using the system saves by not having to go from manual file to manual file to add or update paperwork which means we can spend so much more time providing personalised support to people

The care planning and compliance software is also improving the efficiency and increasing the value of interactions that care and support teams have with each other and with the people in Ambient services

I can look at the services I manage and see immediately if they are on track and are up to date with activities " said Sue Brown a locality manager in Norfolk " It saves endless phone calls and unnecessary physical visits At the touch of a button I have all the information at my fingertips and can make better use of my time by having focused conversations with care and support teams "

Looking to the future Ambient will continue collaborating with Access HSC planning to pilot its Assure digital telecare product to provide unobtrusive home monitoring in its supported living environments for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs to support them to love more independently "Choosing Access HSC was an obvious choice as they're the most experienced in the sector and their tools are helping form the backbone of our digital transformation ” said Lee “The tools and services we are now using will help us retain our expert staff improve quality and efficiency And most importantly it means care and support teams across the UK can spend more time with the people we support "

Local Care Home Get On Their Blue Suede Shoes

It

General Manager, Louise Lambert said “Lots of our residents are big

fans and love his music We ve had a fantastic day finding out about his early life and what influenced him, he was such an incredible talent ”

The

Our

Ashcombe House care home in Worting road Basingstoke was transformed into Graceland to mark what would have been Elvis Presley s 88th birthday on 8 January

is estimated that Elvis has sold over one billion records worldwide so to honour the undisputed King of Rock & Roll the staff and residents enjoyed a fantastic day of music fun and dancing

Elvis

afternoon Continued with Anthony Allgood from Reminisce

Entertainment who put on his ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and got the residents ‘All shook up’ with a medley of Hits and dancing that Elvis himself would have been proud of!

Joyce Chalke resident said: “I love a lot of Elvis’s songs Listening to all his old hits has brought back so many memories and Tony has been fantastic singing and dancing and even doing requests

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

Ambient Support a registered UK charity and care provider has gone live with digital care planning and compliance software from Access Health Support and Care (HSC) to help them improve care for the people they support who are often some of

According to Renate Winkler Managing Director of Guardian Carers “A high number of our carers come from the EU Before [Brexit] people did not use to check what sort of settlement VISA or passport carers had but now there are more checks Winkler went on to say, “If there aren’t enough carers to fill the roles, there will be a rise in prices and a longer waiting time for care

The end of EU freedom of movement and the introduction of a new Points Based Immigration System (PBIS) was always going to be a challenge for social care The disruption caused by the pandemic and the

by Daliah Sklar, CEO & UK immigration solicitor, DRSI Global (www drsi- global co uk/)

Dementia UK Bolsters Support for Families Ahead of Anticipated Rise in Helpline Contacts

alone The ‘Living with dementia’ guide contains practical and emotional support and is an extension of the fantastic work carried out by Admiral Nurses on our Helpline clinics and online resources

A

and support following the Christmas period

With data also showing that January was the Helpline s second busiest month of 2021 Dementia UK is calling on the public to download its free ‘Living with dementia’ guide which contains vital practical and emotional advice life hacks information and top tips The charity s specialist dementia nurses people living with dementia and their families and friends have shared their expertise on a number of topics including diagnosis coping with behavioural change, family dynamics and finding care options

Dementia UK will also be raising awareness of its free Helpline and virtual clinics through a nationwide advertising campaign between January and March 2023 The campaign has been designed to focus on parts of the country where there is a demand for more support for people with dementia and encourages people to reach out to Dementia UK’s Helpline, virtual clinics and its team of over 400 specialist demen-

“If you love someone living with dementia, you’re living with it too, and we understand the challenges that individuals and families face every day We’re launching this campaign as we know people often reach out to the dementia specialist nurses on our Helpline and clinics after Christmas In January 2022 we saw a 17 per cent increase in contacts on the previous month

We want to let families living with dementia know that they are not

37-year-old Liz who lives in Brighton is supporting the campaign as her grandad Sam who is 100-years-old and lives in a care home has Alzheimer s disease When Sam was living at home he would become distressed around dusk Sam was experiencing sundowning – a term used for changes in behaviour that occur in the evening and can lead to agitation or anxiety over time Liz didn’t know what was happening or how to help until she heard about Dementia UK’s Helpline

Liz said: When I heard about the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline it was like a beacon of hope Living with dementia is a terribly lonely and isolating experience Before I phoned Dementia UK s Helpline our family had been totally lost and unable to understand how best to help my grandad Within minutes of speaking to an Admiral Nurse, I felt a wave of relief come over me – it was great to speak to someone with the knowledge and experience to help us

I would urge people to download the Living with dementia guide and use the great tips within it It can be scary taking that first step but this expert advice can help you provide the best possible care for a loved one and help them live well with dementia

Download the ‘Living with dementia’ guide at www dementiauk org/together

Bear the Cockapoo Charms Residents at Richard House Care Home in Grantham

tia nurses

Dr Hilda Hayo Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO at Dementia UK said:

Bear the adorable Cockapoo completely charmed Residents at Richard House Care

Home in Grantham when he visited with his human the home s Care Manager Karl Piddington Smith

Home Manager Emma Johnson said “The joy animals bring to the residents is just wonderful to see and supports studies that consistently show the benefits of interacting with pets in care homes Not only do they support good health and welfare they just brighten the day for everyone Care Manager Karl Piddington Smith Bear is now a frequent visitor here at Richard House Our residents love him and he is equally delighted to be fussed over Bear is

Abicare Chair Responds to Prime Minister's Speech

It was good to see Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce NHS waiting lists and ensure people get the care they need more quickly

It is well-known that the lack of social care provision is part of the issue for releasing hospital throughput Providers are unable to find staff and do not have the capacity to deliver the current volume of care required which enables patients to return home I have a five point response for Rishi Sunak & Steve Barclay:

1 Release the sponsorship licence constrictions for carers –we are so desperate none of us should have to pay Make the Data and Barring service free – there are so many added costs we have to incur before a member of staff can join us The demand is so high it s necessary to release the barriers I am not advocating we don t do the checks, rather I am advocating making them easier for us to complete

2 Stipulate that all Local Authorities pay providers in advance for the care they commission - we see providers struggling with cash flows spending vast amounts with banks when it could be a simple accounting transaction with a monthly statement to account for credits and debits due We spend a great deal of money on releasing cash to pay our carers what they need when they need it

3 Review the use of funds - I was part of a meeting with the DHSC where we were informed that £70m was to be allocated to training commissioners This does not make sense Surely an individual needs care a provider provides care and you can use a map to see where your providers are and who best to provide to each individual!

Furthermore according to an NHS source there is now a plan to recruit an inclusion and diversity manager in certain hospitals - I question whether this is the most pressing use of NHS funds in the current climate We need to get the money to the workforce on the frontline and consider technology to support efficiencies

4 We need a social care secretary - health and social care whilst intrinsically linked need to both be devel-

oped independently to really resolve our challenges The problem with having one role is that health care will always take priority & receive the funds first We need funds for both Spending on social care earlier in a vulnerable person’s journey can reduce NHS spend later down the line Money spent on wellbeing social prescribing and social care can help prevent vulnerable adults’ decline in health which is an ultimate saving on the health care budget For example prevention of falls with some simple checks from a social care visit can reduce hospitalisation for the elderly and therefore pressure on the hospital ambulance staff A&E staff and finally hospital beds If three of the key reasons for hospitalisation are isolation poor nutrition and poor meds handling improved social care is key to addressing these

5 Social care is going to have to change the way it pays for care provision- currently paying for only the care call leaves the carer vulnerable and out of pocket; they can be out for 12hrs but only receive 8hrs pay Strategic commissioning will help this but a 12hr shift in any other sector is paid as a 12hr shift - this is not the case with social care You cannot always plan for short drive times and clients being close together because of the changes in your client base and the need to get people out of hospital Local Authorities who have densely packed urban conurbations can keep their client base closely structured but any rural communities will struggle and a carer should receive pay for every hour they are on the road Local Authorities don’t currently factor in enough for this they should be paying shifts In short we need the social care services to be in line with the government s ambition I had a requirement for a neighbour over the Christmas period – I phoned our local social services on the 30th December and finally got a call back on the 4th of January This was an elderly lady in a crisis - how can that constitute an urgent response? The money given to help with winter pressures needs to be available for longer than March 2023 there needs to be a short medium and long-term plan if we are to see significant changes The NHS should sit outside the political arena; it is too precious Every government must have the same commitment to the NHS its standard of care and being fit for purpose We used to have the best healthcare system in the world which I feel is sadly no longer the case, but with increased funding, good use of the money and an injection into the workforce I can see a way forward We are doing our part here at Abicare offering Care Hotels as a solution to support hospital throughput These have carers 24/7 who offer full reablement services and provide community interaction and company for everyone who uses the service They are a great example of a short-term, interim solution whilst we address the longer-term issues

New CEO Takes the Reins at Elizabeth Finn Homes

funds that we can spare go to support those facing poverty across the UK through the work of Turn2us I am honoured and excited to be joining such an impressive and purpose-led organisation ”

Olivia Curno will join as the Chief Executive of Elizabeth Finn Homes at the end of March 2023 Having been a Board Trustee of Turn2us for six years before stepping down to apply for this role Dr Curno is ambitious for the future of Elizabeth Finn Homes and of its residents She has a long history of involvement in the charity sector currently as the Chief Executive of sight loss charity Vision Foundation which prevents avoidable sight loss and fights for the inclusion and empowerment of blind and partially sighted people Prior to this Dr Curno headed up fundraising and communications at children s mental health charity Place2Be and autism research charity Autistica “Elizabeth Finn Homes is an exceptional organisation ” says Dr Curno It s a leader in quality care with 100% of its homes rated outstanding or good by the CQC and stunning reviews from residents and families It s an award-winning employer offering unrivalled career opportunities It has unique heritage properties in beautiful grounds across England and to top it all everything it does is driven by a bigger social purpose It invests first in homes and staff to ensure a best-in-class experience for residents and families, but any

Dr Curno is passionate about addressing the issue of financial insecurity in the UK and bringing the work of Turn2us and Elizabeth Finn Homes closer together Before joining the charity sector she was a researcher and lecturer in evolutionary biology and remains a Board Trustee of Helen Bamber Foundation

Thomas Lawson Executive Chair for Elizabeth Finn Homes and Chief Executive of Turn2us comments

I would like to thank Jonathan Crisp for his excellent work and stewardship as interim Chief Executive during which time we have seen occupancy grow It is great to welcome Olivia who will do an amazing job in leading Elizabeth Finn Homes forward into its next chapter Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable and add renewed focus to delivering excellent service to our residents so they can live their lives to the full

operates nine care homes across England and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the charity Turn2us

by Elizabeth Finn a pioneering philanthropist who set up the Distressed Gentlefolks’

Anne Marie Perry, Chair, Abicare responds to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's speech on Social Care

Elizabeth Finn Homes part of the anti-poverty charity Turn2us has appointed Dr Olivia Curno as its Chief Executive who will take up the position in the Spring

Elizabeth Finn Homes

Founded

Aid Association in 1897, originally based in her London home

Patients Encourage Public to Get Flu Jabs as Hospital Cases Soar

NHS patients from around England have joined health chiefs in pleading with the public to get their flu vaccines after being hospitalised with the virus

It comes as the latest data shows there were 5,500 patients in hospital with flu last week and more than 9 000 patients with COVID

The resurgence of flu this winter has meant the NHS has seen a continued rise in flu inpatients which have soared to their highest this winter with 5,500 people in hospital with the virus last week

The number of patients with COVID-19 in hospital also rose to an average of 9,390 patients last week, up by almost 1,200 on the week before

While almost 20 million people have had a flu jab including four in five over 65s and more than 17 million people have had a COVID booster there are still a number of eligible people who are yet to take up their winter vaccinations and are therefore at increased risk of serious illness

NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening Steve Russell said: “It is both heart-breaking to hear the stories of those who have been hospitalised with flu and heart-warming that they received such brilliant care from NHS staff and quite possibly had their lives saved by the flu vaccine

“With hospital cases for flu at their highest yet this winter with 5 500 beds occupied by patients with flu and more than 9 000 patients with COVID last week the message is clear – anyone who has been invited for a flu vaccine but yet to take it up should come forward now – it is not too late and I would urge you to book an appointment at your local pharmacy GP or via the National Booking Service as soon as possible Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “There has been a dramatic increase in hospital admissions for flu and we are seeing the highest levels of hospital admissions we ve seen in at least a decade There are currently over 5,000 hospital beds a day taken up by flu patients, compared to just 50 this time last year

“This week I have visited hospitals and emergency departments to see first-hand the operational action taking place to ensure patients are receiving the right care and I continue to work closely with NHS England to prioritise this issue

“We are already taking action with up to £14 1 billion additional funding in the autumn statement over the next two years to improve urgent and emergency care with an extra £500 million to help get fit people out

of hospital quicker freeing up beds and getting ambulances back on the roads

If you are eligible the best thing you can do to protect yourself and ease pressure on the NHS is to join the 19 9 million people that have had their vaccine

Those eligible for the flu jab include all people aged 50 and over health and social care workers people aged six months and over and considered at risk due to another medical condition, as well as pregnant women and children aged two and three

Children are able to receive their vaccination via a nasal spray and are encouraged to get the vaccine to not only protect themselves but reduce transmissions to others at risk

Flu cases in hospital jumped up by almost a half (47%) last week as staff in NHS 111 answered a near record number of calls

New figures for the week leading up to New Year s Day showed there were 5,105 patients with flu in general and acute hospital beds, up from 3,479 the previous week

The NHS has prepared extensively for winter and industrial action with plans already in place to manage rising demand including around the clock system control centres additional bed capacity more mental health support for ambulance services and community falls services

Those eligible for the flu jab are:

people aged 50 and over those aged between six months and 49 years with a specified health condition some secondary school-aged children two and three-year-olds pregnant women primary school-aged children those in care homes

people who are carers, as set out in the Green Book frontline healthcare workers frontline social care staff who do not have access to occupational health schemes household contacts of people with weakened immune systems

Noroviruses: Outbreak Management and Disinfectant Choice

Also returning after a successful debut in 2021, the Cleaning & Support Services Association will once again host the CSSA Innovation Showcase The dedicated pavilion is designed to highlight and celebrate the industry’s most innovative cleaning products 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 (IoT)

A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Alongside

of speakers and topics will be announced in the coming weeks

GOJO experts in skin health and surface hygiene were recently exhibiting at the 14th annual Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference, where healthcare professionals were invited to join GOJO THE INVENTORS OF PURELL - and the hand sanitiser category itself on stand 37!

The team of GOJO Healthcare Support Managers offered support and advice on their total solution approach to infection prevention in healthcare facilities highlighting the company s ability to help hygiene standards across all areas and situations within hospitals and healthcare facilities

GOJO showcased its role as a specialist partner in healthcare hygiene by focussing on three areas with specific need:

• SURGICAL WARDS

Meeting key hygiene norms is of the utmost importance in these 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

•

ACUTE AND GENERAL WARDS

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-

ing the staffing impact of changing suppliers

• 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 A full programme

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

CATERING FOR CARE

Supporting People to Eat and Drink Safely

There are a growing number of residents who have Dysphagia a medical condition which relates to difficulty in swallowing solids or liquids The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists describe Dysphagia as: a serious issue and swallowing difficulties have potentially life-threatening consequences It can result in choking, pneumonia, chest infections, dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss It can also make taking medication more difficult Swallowing difficulties can result in avoidable hospital admission and in some cases death It can also lead to a poorer quality of life for the individual and their family This may be due to embarrassment and lack of enjoyment of food which can have profound social consequences Care homes and care agencies need to ensure they understand the risk and the solutions, with clear policies, training and diligence to underpin safe care There has been much progress in recent years in this area not least of which is expecting the same standard of choice and food provided to them as for any other dietary need Consideration for malnutrition risk also goes hand in hand with those who have swallowing problems if food tastes change or consumption reduces for nutrient dense foods

IDDSI which stands for International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative was a safety framework introduced in 2018 and required to be implemented from April 2019 to help ensure safe food textures It consists of 8 Levels from thin fluid to regular food IDDSI org remains the primary source of information to enable sites to train and audit against this framework For safe textures to be provided care teams need to know what good looks like

and how to assess and support residents safely and to enable catering teams to produce food and drink which meets the IDDSI Levels If a care team member is supporting a person in their own homes they may also need training in food modification or at the very least understand what safe is and how to test safe texture Some care homes or agencies choose to procure or recommend ready modified foods whilst others produce their own food and some chose a hybrid of both Either way food needs testing for safe texture

Supporting people to eat and drink safely is a wider issue affecting all aspects of care from identification of dysphagia through to assessment and support It encompasses the safety of the food and drink describes in the IDDSI framework This entire area requires an understanding of the standards available to meet this as stipulated in the Eating Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework (EDSCF) which provides 6 levels of training and competency from basic awareness for non-hands on care or catering teams through to nurse level assessment and support for residents Care homes need to select training and learning opportunities that meets both the EDSCF and IDDSI and as there is no accredited training (although some very good providers) organisations need to identify the best way of training the teams and demonstrating competence and impact which in itself can be hard to judge without specialist help and support from key individuals

Support organisations such as the NACC (National Association for Care Catering) can help care homes and agencies to achieve this area and simple solutions such as the IDDSI app on phones provide a free resource that can help

Anglia Crown – Adding Warmth to the Colder Months

ing

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-

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

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

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

Sophie Murray specialises in Nutrition and Hydration in her role as Quality Improvement and Regulatory Partner for Signature Senior Lifestyle

For The Cuppas That Comfort

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

3 and

becoming a leading cause of hospitalisation Therefore understand just how important it is

keep residents healthy and hydrated while also making the experience enjoyable and the challenge this can face for care providers

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

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

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® Active Dual-Action Cold Gel with Heat Sensation combining cold with heat to treat back pain

BIOFROST® Relief provides instant pain relief and activates body s own healing through an optimal com-

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

Ontex

Incontinence experts Ontex's iD for Men Level 4 pants are just one of the solutions available as part of the iD range

Providing

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

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-

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

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

Penile Retraction and Incontinence

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

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

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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