The Carer Digital - Issue #135

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

The government announcement that it is to make £15 million available to support international recruitment is most welcome but is it enough?

The sector is experiencing horrendous staffing issues which have been going on for years, and it is not only the care sector, the hospitality sector is experiencing similar issues Migrants have historically made a significant contribution to many of the UK s economic sectors including hospitality transport and storage and of course health and social work

Over the years we have reported and published many articles and observations from industry experts surrounding staffing issues and the impact staff shortages were having on existing staff

Just after the pandemic broke in July 2020 the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee launched an inquiry examining workforce burnout across the NHS and social care As part of the inquiry it considered the increased pressures brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resilience of the sectors to cope with high levels of staff stress

In its report published in June 2021 the committee found that burnout was a widespread reality in the NHS and had negative consequences for the mental health of individual staff which impacted their colleagues and the patients that they cared for It said that although there were many causes of burnout chronic excessive workload was a key driver In particular it highlighted evidence from NHS Providers which revealed that 92% of NHS trusts had concerns about staff wellbeing stress and burnout following the Covid-19 pandemic

Noting this and other evidence, the committee said that workforce burnout had become an “emergency” which

would not be resolved unless there was a “total overhaul” of workforce planning It also stated that understanding the scale and impact of workforce burnout could only be achieved with a metric for staff mental health and wellbeing that covered the NHS and social care sector

Therefore the committee recommended that the DHSC extend the NHS staff survey to cover the care sector

Additionally it recommended that the NHS staff survey and any equivalent social care survey included an overall staff wellbeing measure The committee argued that this would help employers and national bodies to better understand staff wellbeing and help them to act based on that understanding

The government published its response to the committee in February 2022 saying that it agreed that monitoring staff wellbeing was essential to understand the factors that impact wellbeing

However, and most disappointingly, it argued that the structure of the adult social care sector differed “substantially” from the NHS and said that it did not consider an extension of the NHS staff survey to social care to be the most suitable measure Instead it committed to increasing engagement with the workforce and to working with employers sector representatives and local government to explore options for national or local surveys with the sector

Whilst I stand to be corrected I don t think we are any further down the line I am not aware of any increased engagement with the workforce or employers and it begs the question that whilst the £15 million is most welcome in an effort to alleviate chronic staffing shortages would it make a dent?

Once again we will be putting out a media alert and hopefully have some expert opinion on the subject in the coming week

I also noted that the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia has launched a new inquiry into barriers to dementia diagnosis, with a particular focus on rurality and deprivation

We are at The Alzheimer s Dementia & Care Show taking place at the Business Design Centre in London March 3 and 4th A topic very close to my heart as regular readers will know my own mother had a very aggressive form of Alzheimer’s way back in the 80s sadly dying within 2 years

of diagnosis

I was therefore very disappointed to see that during the Covid-19 pandemic dementia diagnosis rates dropped from 67 6% (January 2020) to 62 5% (December 2022) Since then diagnosis rates have stagnated and vary significantly across England

From 10-24 February, the APPG invites evidence submissions from people living with dementia (or carers with significant involvement in helping someone access a diagnosis) via a survey on diagnosis I would strongly urge as many participants to submit as possible

At trade events I do hear some very difficult stories of people with dementia accessing care, getting a quick and accurate diagnosis is crucial to receiving the correct care

I haven’t got access to complete up-to-date figures but I do remember reporting a couple of years ago that the total cost of care for people with dementia in the UK is £34 7billion and is set to rise sharply over the next two decades, to a staggering £94 1billion in 2040

These costs are made up of healthcare costs (costs to the NHS) social care costs (costs of homecare and residential care) and costs of unpaid care (provided by family members) and social care costs are set to nearly triple over the next two decades to £45 4billion by 2040

But speaking from experience there is an additional cost - a huge devastating emotional cost to having a family member suffering dementia We reported in July last year that over half of family carers of a person with dementia say that they have reached crisis point in the last year and one in five carers report that they have had to admit loved ones to A&E due to a lack of support

This lack the support puts an impossible drain and families their ability to work and pay taxes and a further burden on the NHS so once again I would urge people to take part and get their submissions in to the APPG before February 24

And please follow us on Twitter We have hit the magic 10 000 followers, we are delighted to say, and we want to get that up to 20 000! So please do follow us and encourage as many of your followers in the sector to follow us as well!

I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk com

Editor Peter Adams

£15Million Drive to Support International Recruitment for Social Care

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

The £15m recruitment drive announcement comes as social care services face an absolute crisis over record vacancies with unfilled jobs increasing by more than 50 per cent in a year according to data on social care workers which revealed least 165 000 vacancies across adult social care providers at the end of 2021-22

Examples of how funding could be deployed include:

• helping providers attract overseas candidates a shared recruitment resource that looks at the whole region needs

• providing an advice or checking service for sponsorship licence or visa applications helping new arrivals to access affordable housing

• helping international recruits with solutions to work travel requirements for example helping them gain a UK driving licence

• developing pastoral support such as buddying schemes

RANGE

OF SUPPORT MECHANISMS

The government says that: Although international recruitment has the potential to fill thousands of vacancies we recognise that many providers find it difficult and experience a number of different barriers

This fund is being established to provide employers with a range of support mechanisms so that they are able to take advantage of the benefits presented by international recruitment It is also designed to help ensure an ethical approach to recruitment and employment practice and that international recruits are provided with a range of support to help them make an effective transition to working in England ”

Our aim is to promote collaborative arrangements which reduce administrative complexity and burden particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) providers For example the local support arrangements may offer providers help with identifying overseas candidates completing sponsorship licence and visa applications onboarding and ongoing support for international recruits

This fund is being established to provide employers with a range of support mechanisms so that they are able to take advantage of the benefits presented by international recruitment It is also designed to help ensure an ethical approach to recruitment and employment practice and that international recruits are provided with a range of support to help them make an effective transition to working in England ” DHSC intends to distribute the grant through a lead local authority which will act on behalf of all the local authorities in the partnership and in collaboration with local care alliances and local providers

GRIDLOCKED SYSTEM NEGATIVELY IMPACTING EXPERIENCE

In October 2022, the independent regulator of health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its latest annual assessment of health and social care in England warning that the system was in gridlock and this was having a huge negative impact on people s experience of care It also reported that: people in need of urgent care were at increased risk of harm due to long delays in ambulance response times waiting in ambulances outside hospitals and long waiting times for triage in emergency departments large numbers of people were stuck in hospital longer than they needed to be due to a lack of available social care people’s inability to access primary care services was “exacerbating the high pressure” on urgent and emergency care services

The CQC attributed these issues to staff shortages and the struggles to recruit and retain staff across health and care

The CQC said that the funding announced by the government to help retain and recruit more care workers was welcome but said that there needed to be more focus on long-term planning and investment Therefore it called on the government to provide funding and support to integrated care systems so that they could “own and deliver a properly funded workforce plan” that offered staff “better pay rewards and training linked to career progression”

MORE OVERSEAS PEOPLE TAKING UP POSTS

According to Skills for Care workforce figures since care workers were added to the SoL in February 2022 and able to come to the UK on health and care worker visas more people had arrived to take up posts

Between February and August, 11% of workers who were new to the role had arrived in the UK within the year compared with 5% pre-pandemic Last October a survey revealed that aa estimated that between 10 000 and 15 000 people had moved to the UK between January-October 2022 to take up care worker roles The Skills for Care report suggests that as the policy is relatively new more employers will begin using this route to recruit once they have met requirements, such as becoming a licensed sponsor

In August 2022 the government announced plans to make it easier for care workers to gain new roles by introducing a skills passport and qualification so employees don t have to repeat previous training Further details of the Governments recruitment drive can be found at https://tinyurl com/27dcz98p

A Guide to International Recruitment

There is the making of a perfect storm brewing in the care sector The UK population is ageing – with the number of over 85’s set to increase to 3 1million by 2045 and estimates suggesting this growth could be especially rapid between now and 2025 The number of years we can expect to spend in good health is also in decline, meaning the need for care provision can only increase However, care providers are also facing a significant shortage of workers and there are currently 165 000 vacant positions in the UK

So how do we deliver care to the growing number of older people who need it? International recruitment is a solution many are looking to but with an increasing number of hoops to jump through it can be hard to know where to start and how to ensure you are able to get the staff you need

SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY PARTNERS

A lack of familiarity with the process and a fear of making mistakes during the application process have been stated as significant factors in many employers avoiding it entirely Although changes to immigration rules post-Brexit have increased the paperwork for employing EU nationals the government has introduced several measures to make things easier including visas and exemption from the Immigration Health

Surcharge which could save most workers £624 a year It has also added care staff to the official Shortage Occupation List, introduced a £500million fund for training and career development in the sector and made changes to qualifications

The overall cost of recruiting a single worker from overseas can vary substantially depending on the decisions you make on how to manage the process either internally or through a recruitment partner A key factor to note is that recruitment agencies should never charge applicants to match them to roles so if you choose to engage an agency to assist you with offers to work for free you should make sure they are not charging the applicants as this is contrary to best practice

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

As with many things, preparation is key Before deciding to take the route of recruitment from overseas, it s sensible to make sure the correct preparations are in place Check that your applicants will be able to

Returning

by Suleman Sacranie, Founder of Care Hires (https://carehires com/)

get a sponsorship licence This won’t be possible if you have any unspent criminal convictions for immigration or certain other crimes or had a sponsorship licence revoked within the last 12 months You will also need to demonstrate that your organisation can monitor sponsored people and manage the process internally

You ll also need to check if the job is eligible for sponsorship Alongside the salary requirements sponsored employees must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional and the role they fulfil will have to be for a Home Office approved UK health and care sector employer

Following best practice is always a good way to ensure success and one of the key things we recommend for successful overseas recruitment is to adopt a robust ethics policy A code of ethics based on principles laid out by the World Health Organisation is available from and recommended by the government Following this code will ensure that your approach is transparent and safeguards the interests of the applicants involved

Some of the main points to follow include that staff must not be recruited from countries on the Government s red list they should not be charged and that they should have the level of English proficiency sufficient to work in their role All new overseas applicants should also be offered appropriate support and induction which may include a pre-employment placement

PLAN FOR SUCCESS

Although the process may be intimidating especially for smaller care providers there is no reason you cannot successfully recruit from overseas By taking your time planning carefully and ensuring you are following the best practice you have every chance of success

Agencies and legal advice can make the process easier if you are willing and able to take on the additional financial costs

Before your recruits get to the UK, ensure you have prepared thoroughly for their arrival and be willing to invest time in them to help them settle and integrate into their new roles and lives The more supported a new employee feels the more likely they are to feel happy and settled in their new environment The process may be frustrating at first but as with most things the more you do the easier it becomes Navigating the pending staffing storm will only be successful if we can find ways of managing and balancing permanent staff from the UK and overseas as well as supplementing the workforce with temporary staff As experts in our field connecting care providers and staffing providers we have a unique vantage point to the benefits of a joined-up approach Technology can go a long way to help with this but ultimately staffing is all about people remembering this through every stage of the recruitment process will ensure we weather the storm together

The Favour: Kent Social Care Worker Cares For Former Head Teacher

A retired head teacher at a Kent care home is being cared for by a former student while also assisting another caregiver with their Open University studies

Dorothy Latham, a resident at The Old Rectory, a branch of ACI Care that specialises in residential respite and dementia care is continuing to teach the next generation despite retiring from the profession almost 30 years ago

Starting her career in 1955 Miss Latham joined Baldwins Hill as a primary school teacher for Surrey County Council before later moving to Kent County Council to teach at Dymchurch County Primary School where she met Kayleigh who now cares for her at The Old Rectory

Despite working in education continuously for 56 years, Dorothy still affectionately known as Miss Latham is still passionate about teaching and educating As well as seeing a former pupil on a daily basis, she also mentors Registered Manager, Kelly Parker helping her with a history degree at the Open University

During her expansive career Miss Latham was appointed head teacher of Dymchurch Infant School a senior lecturer at Christchurch College of Higher Education (now known as Canterbury Christchurch University) and later became headteacher of Dymchurch County Primary School, once the two local schools amalgamated again

Alongside her work, Miss Latham also spent time educating herself and spent a year at the Cambridge

Institute of Education to study Advanced Primary Education before studying at university where she gained a first class BA in psychology – specialising in children s memory and learning – and graduated with a Master s degree, dedicating one day a week from her work to her studies

After retiring, Miss Latham kept herself busy and went on to lecture at Canterbury Christchurch University for a year and later worked as a school inspector She then got a position with the Ministry of Education assessing classroom assistants who had completed a special diploma at university before fully retiring at the age of 77

Now aged 88 and residing at The Old Rectory care home Dorothy likes to read history magazines, work on her laptop, write letters to friends and is currently working on her biography

Speaking of her career, she said: “I can't think of one single best moment in my career – I had many happy and jolly occasions Teaching is very rewarding it gives you a good feeling when you know you have helped children to achieve but now being cared for by a former pupil is lovely and it has a proper family feeling about it ”

Kelly said It s lovely to see Miss Latham so passionate about her career even now after all this time She has devoted her whole life to education and continues to offer a helping hand and I m lucky that I get to experience it first-hand It s something we both look forward to, and find really rewarding ”

New Inquir y into Barriers to Dementia Diagnosis Launched by All-Party Parliamentar y Group on Dementia

Call for people with dementia and their carers academics and health and care professionals to share their experiences and insights of dementia diagnosis

Today the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia has launched a new inquiry into barriers to dementia diagnosis with a particular focus on rurality and deprivation

During the Covid-19 pandemic dementia diagnosis rates dropped from 67 6% (January 2020) to 62 5% (December 2022) Since then, diagnosis rates have stagnated leaving many without access to the care and support a diagnosis can bring Diagnosis rates also vary significantly across England, with a 70 6% diagnosis rate in South Yorkshire and South West London s Integrated Care Systems (ICS) compared to 52 4% in Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS

From 10-24 February the APPG invites evidence submissions from people living with dementia (or carers with significant involvement in helping someone access a diagnosis) via a survey on diagnosis The APPG will also accept submissions from academics professionals working in the NHS social care public health for an NHS local authority or for a VCSE via their call for written evidence

Previous research by Alzheimer s Society has shown that rurality and deprivation are key factors in this diagnostic variation (1) Through its new inquiry, the APPG will build on this evidence by gaining a better understanding of contributing factors and potential solutions to variation in diagnosis rates with a view to providing recommendations to central and local Government based on intelligence gathered

The APPG on Dementia is a cross-party group of Parliamentarians chaired by Debbie Abrahams Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, with secretariat support provided by Alzheimer’s Society The group is united by a shared interest in dementia

Debbie Abrahams MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, said: “I m excited to launch the APPG s latest inquiry on barriers to dementia diagnosis today which will specifically investigate regional

barriers to diagnosis like rurality and deprivation As the Government presses ahead with its Levelling Up agenda, it s vital we develop our understanding of these regional barriers to ensure everyone can access a timely and accurate dementia diagnosis regardless of where they live ”

Right now too many people are waiting too long to get an accurate dementia diagnosis Since the Covid-19 pandemic dementia diagnosis rates have fallen significantly and failed to rise back up More than 30,000 additional people are waiting for a diagnosis now compared to pre-pandemic levels with some left to cope alone For us to stand a chance of improving care and support post-diagnosis, we need to ensure we have data to demonstrate the scale of barriers to diagnosis and that everyone who needs a diagnosis gets one as soon as possible

“I really encourage everyone to participate in our inquiry in the next couple of weeks – we have a survey specifically designed for people living with dementia and their carers, and a call for evidence for academics, professionals, and other stakeholders too We d love to hear from you so we can ensure we gather as much evidence as possible ”

Fiona Carragher Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer s Society said:

“It’s concerning that there are still drastic differences across England in diagnosis levels While there are ongoing efforts to improve diagnosis rates the national 66 7% target has not been met since the start of 2020 We must remove the current postcode lottery of dementia diagnosis – so that everyone who needs one can access one regardless of where they live The sooner people with dementia get an accurate diagnosis the sooner they can access the support they need

The APPG s crucial inquiry will help us understand at a deeper level the barriers across the country so that we can tackle them head on People with dementia and carers sharing their experiences of diagnosis will play a huge role in helping us to do this

The Folding Lady Puts Best Foot For ward for Charity

Friends of the Elderly the charity which runs care homes day care services and a grant giving service for older people living on low incomes throughout England has announced that Sophie Liard known internationally as ‘The Folding Lady’ is putting her best foot forward and running this year s London Marathon in aid of the charity

Sophie chose Friends of the Elderly as her cause due to her strong family ties with the charity Sophie grew up visiting Friends of the Elderly s care homes and knows the charity well as her Mum Gran and Aunt have all worked for the charity In fact her Aunt Cheryl Rothschild is currently the charity s Director of Care Homes and her Gran Ann Essam – who is in her eighties – is an Activities Co-ordinator at Redcot residential care home in Haslemere

When Sophie discovered that Friends of the Elderly also provides grants to vulnerable older people as well as running care homes and day care centres she said she it was the right charity for her to run The London Marathon for

Sophie said: “Friends of the Elderly has always been a special charity to me I have wonderful memories of visiting their care homes with my Mum and Gran when I was a young teenager I have always loved that

the charity goes above and beyond for its care home residents providing them with beautiful sensory gardens and other important extras

I still visit now and my youngest son and I have been on a few care home excursions with Gran and the residents They are great days out and we always have so much fun I love the atmosphere in the homes they have such a family feel and there’s always so much going on ”

The Folding Lady is well into her training schedule and has a trainer –Sophie Bankes from Stable Fit in Guildford – to help her every step of the way She said “My trainer Sophie is amazing she has put together a great training programme and I can already feel how far I have come

The London Marathon is fast approaching and it’s not long until Sophie crosses the Start Line on Sunday 23rd April

“I’m determined to be race ready for the big day I’m so excited to be able to take part and help raise vital funds for a charity that is so close to my heart

“When I realised that as well as running care homes the charity is also doing such wonderful work in providing grants to vulnerable older people living in poverty it made running the Marathon for them even more important Sophie concluded

Time Capsule Buried at New Cleveland Care Home

Aspirations to cure dementia and coronavirus were among the ambitions listed by schoolchildren in a time capsule they buried at the site of not-forprofit later living provider Anchor s new care home in Saltburn on 8th

February

The head boy and girl of Skelton Primary School Nathan Dewing and Erika Jordan and Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Stuart Smith joined Anchor at their Skelton Court care home in Skelton-in-Cleveland to bury a time capsule ahead of its opening next month (March 2023) The school filled the capsule with descriptions of the future many of which featured flying cars and their job hopes and ambitions, which also included YouTubers and future stars Descriptions of what the last few years have been like and what they enjoy doing were also part of the contents

Those who discover the time capsule in years to come will also find photographs and documents relating to the new Anchor development which will offer first class residential and dementia care for up to 65 residents

Details about Anchor England s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life a pin badge, a brochure for the home and information about the home manager, Beverley Grimes, were also included

Lonia Krywiczanin, deputy headteacher at Skelton Primary School, said: “Working on the time capsule has been a great project for the children and their reflections have been thought-provoking inspiring and entertaining

“It s been a wonderful opportunity for them to engage with different generations and understand the importance of older people in the community I am particularly heartened to think of our pupils making a

A FULL TURNKEY SERVICE

difference in this world by discovering cures for diseases such as dementia

Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Stuart Smith said: “The contents put forward by the pupils at Skelton Primary School offer a fascinating snapshot of life in the early 21st century I would love to know whether predictions about our future world such as flying cars will seem crazy or completely normal when this time capsule is found!

“I look forward to the opening of Skelton Court and the provision of care and support it will offer to older people in Redcar and Cleveland particularly those living with dementia and their families Anchor is a well-established and trusted care provider and Skelton Court is a welcome addition to the care home offering in Redcar and Cleveland ”

Linda Green Director of Care Services at Skelton Court said:

We were thrilled to welcome the children from Skelton Primary School to our new state of the art care home

At Anchor helping people enjoy later life is our passion and we are delighted to be bringing a new home to the area Proudly not-for-profit, we work hard to meet the needs and expectations of our residents and every penny is reinvested into our properties services and colleagues We make sure our carers can thrive in a rewarding job of which they are proud with a real living wage, industry-leading training and support to ensure best practice at all times career progression and a range of benefits

“As such we know we can offer older people and their families peace of mind that they will receive high quality care and support as well as warmth and understanding from people who really do care We are passionate about the little things because we know they make a big difference

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How Is the Future of Health and Social Care Being Shaped by Technology?

The modern world has undoubtedly been revolutionised by the development of technology, so it is no surprise that the health and social care sectors have also been impacted However the question is not how technology has already changed these industries, but how it will continue to do so

Technological advancement has provided educational tools for health and social care providers as well as benefits for patients who access these services Even with the current developments in these sectors, the influence of technology on health and social care will continue to alter the facilities that service users have access to, and hopefully for the betterment of society

WHAT IMPACT DOES TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY HAVE?

To properly comprehend how technology could impact health and social care going forward we need to understand its current influence For example technology is responsible for some of the communications within this area of work as well as electronic recording systems that health and social care professionals use

The effects of Covid-19 on society meant technology played a more prominent role in the delivery of healthcare services, especially when in-person consultations became a safety concern To combat this more healthcare services such as consultations became available via telephone enabling service users to access the resources they needed without unnecessarily risking their health with the pandemic

Social media is common in society and is now affecting these sectors as well It is being used as a method of communication to form online communities, which help both patients and their families to aid each other by sharing their experiences and the information they have This is especially relevant if it is concerning chronic conditions

At this point in time an array of potential applications are being considered with the ability to be implemented in the future For example the possible uses for virtual reality and augmented reality could increase the engagement of patients in their recovery processes as well having other uses within these sectors

THE POTENTIAL FOR VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED REALITY

The evolution of technology has resulted in the development of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), both of which have been incorporated into elements of health and social care Through this, treatment options now exist to help service users with their recovery from a range of conditions

Engagement within physiotherapy can increase with the addition of virtual reality and augmented reality as it can provide a distraction from pain during treatment This can make the likelihood of patients completing their treatment increase

Physiotherapy without this advancement can be seen as repetitive and tedious whereas technological support can make it more interesting In one instance virtual reality can be used in a game the patient can partake in that incorporates their exercises into the rules By providing this distraction from their pain whilst the exercises are completed the service user is less likely to stop the treatment process

There are also applications for virtual reality and augmented reality in the future, which are currently being trialled One of these is the inclusion of virtual reality into exposure therapy Exposure therapy is when a person is in a safe environment and is introduced to triggering or anxiety-inducing stimuli

Currently the use of virtual reality within exposure therapy is being trialled with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) although this is not the only use Despite this it must be noted that this method cannot be used in all instances For ethical reasons, not all traumatic experiences can be aided through the use of virtual reality and augmented reality

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

In health care in particular, the introduction of automation and robotics has the potential to aid in numerous areas With hygiene being a matter of utmost importance robotic and automation involvement can make the healthcare sector more efficient and therefore provide more patients with the services they require Sanitisation can take hours especially when done by humans which can prevent staff from conducting their other duties In contrast, robotics can potentially complete these tasks at a faster rate whilst healthcare professionals engage in other responsibilities Not only does this mean locations and equipment can be reused quicker, but it also means more people can access the facilities due to the reduced time it takes to make them usable again

As for its role in medical procedures robotics and automation can operate within surgical environments

Whether it be minimally invasive or open surgeries robotics and automation can be used alongside surgeons to help patients in various ways Whilst it can help with open surgery the introduction of robotics has meant this type of procedure is not always necessary However, be aware that minimally invasive surgery is

not available for all patients

When a minimally invasive procedure is conducted, it involves a surgeon controlling specific equipment to complete the necessary alterations to the body This equipment is inserted into the body via a small incision, which can be a few millimetres long Surgeons can have reduced levels of precision and control when using surgical techniques that are more traditional making this technological development an advantage for patients and professionals alike

Blood loss is usually lessened when a patient undergoes a minimally invasive procedure and they have smaller and less noticeable scarring Their recovery period within a hospital can also be reduced In contrast open surgeries involve larger incisions so the surgeon can operate, which results in more time required for recovery once the procedure is complete

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET CAN HELP PATIENTS

With its ability to reach so many people, the internet and social media have provided a way to form online communities which can help patients and those who support them

Interactions between service users on the internet enable people to exchange information and advice specifically concerning a condition they or people they know have

This can provide a sense of community and lessen feelings of isolation Not only does this communication allow people to share their experiences with a condition and therefore support each other, but it also enables carers to find support and advice from others who understand their situation

Whilst the internet can provide a sense of community, it can also help to educate service users and their families Health and social care experts can develop their presence online and gain credibility within the online community giving them the chance to share information and deconstruct common misconceptions that people may discover

With the lack of professional reviewing that can occur online especially on social media incorrect or inaccurate information can be posted and shared, which provides the risk of this knowledge being used by people before accessing health and social care facilities Health and social care educators who have an online presence can help to rectify misinformation, enabling service users to make informed decisions about their care

THE GROWTH OF REMOTE HEALTHCARE

Whilst face-to-face interactions with health and social care professionals can have many benefits they are not always practical for service users to access Specifically with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic more distant health and social care solutions had to be utilised One of these solutions is telemedicine

Telemedicine is when healthcare is provided to service users through technological means and it enables people to access these services globally This involves a range of options including but not limited to remote information monitoring and prescriptions being gained electronically

To monitor information various apps and devices enable professionals to gather and examine data from a distance Chronically ill patients who are unable to access services face-to-face can have their information monitored by medical professionals in other locations Remote patient monitoring allows this data to be obtained continuously and grants medical professionals access to this information whilst the patient remains elsewhere

On a smaller scale some devices allow people with diabetes to track the amount of glucose in their bodies Even Fitbits, whilst not healthcare specific, can track data such as the heart rate of the wearer

Though health and social care facilities may be local for some people accessing them can be disruptive to someone s routine Instead of using the facilities directly which can be time-consuming people can utilise healthcare providers and their services online and continue with their day whilst still gaining the help they need

Sometimes, healthcare can come with geographical barriers for service users who live in more remote locations Using health and social care services can also be difficult for people with mobility issues who may find travel difficult However, telephone consultations or internet communications, which can use platforms such as FaceTime or Zoom enable people to access the providers they need from a more convenient area without worrying about travelling

Though technology has already made huge advancements in health and social care settings its potential developments can still completely alter how these services are delivered and how providers are educated Not only can this give aid to more people but future applications can possibly reduce or prevent problems that are unfixable with what we can currently access

Despite the leaps in technology and their impact within the health and social care sectors, there is still the need for trained professionals to deliver the services people need Numerous health and social care courses can be undertaken to develop skills within this area, including apprenticeships and diplomas, which can help people begin their careers in the industry as well as reach their goals such as with management training With the opportunities available within this field a health and social care qualification can bring you into this technologically advancing world where the staff still play a crucial role in delivering the services their patients require

RMBI Care Co.’s National Clinical Governance Lead Obtains Queen’s Nurse Award

Jordi Sirera National Clinical Governance Lead at RMBI Care Co has achieved the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse by The Queen’s Nursing Institute The Queen s Nursing Institute (QNI) is a registered charity dedicated to improving the nursing care of people in their own homes and communities

The title demonstrates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities and a shared professional identity

Jordi Sirera says: “Those who know me well would say that I am very passionate about upholding the reputation of nursing in social care To become a Queen s Nurse I had to complete an in-depth application form with various references from Registered Nurses that I support, line managers and residents The Queen s Nurse Institute then reviewed the application and following a strict selection process, they awarded me the title These initiatives help me to provide better leadership to the nurses as well as to progress in my career ”

Jordi became a Registered Nurse back in 2014 and has extensive experience in social care At RMBI Care Co he has worked as Senior Nurse Deputy Manager and Clinical Lead before becoming the National

Clinical Governance Lead He also has a degree in forensic anatomy and pathology

To Jordi the best thing about being a nurse is the satisfaction he gets when residents achieve positive outcomes thanks to his commitment “It could be something simple such as having a nice chat with a resident or something more complex, such as liaising with different teams to ensure residents receive the best nursing care Jordi also reflects on the complexity of his duties: “Most of the time, you are on your own ” he says “You make your own clinical decisions about the care of residents based on your knowledge training skills and the facts presented and you have to be confident in your actions in order to obtain the best results ”

Dr Crystal Oldman CBE Chief Executive of the QNI said: On behalf of the QNI, I would like to congratulate Jordi Sirera and welcome him as a Queen’s Nurse Queen s Nurses serve as leaders and role models in community nursing, delivering high quality health care across the country The application and assessment process to become a Queen s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for patients their families and carers We look forward to working with Jordi and all other new Queen’s Nurses who have received the title this year

Article by Abbie Christelow on behalf of Access Skills (www accessskills co uk)

NHS Confederation Responds to the NAO Report on Mental Health Ser vices

Responding to the new National Audit Office (NAO) report on the progress in improving mental health services Sean

Duggan chief executive of the mental health network at the NHS Confederation said:

“Healthcare leaders and their teams have been working flat out under extreme pressure and against a backdrop of thousands of staff vacancies to ensure patients get the care they need

This report highlights the progress that has been made in transforming mental health services and serves to show how investment can reap reward however it also points to the ongoing challenges

Demand is still spiralling and the knock-on effects of the pandemic on the mental health of the population still continue to

reverberate with services severely stretched With around 1 5 million people on the mental health waiting list the government must continue to fulfil its commitment to increase mental health staffing numbers in its promised and long overdue NHS workforce plan

“This rising demand has also meant that the movement towards parity of esteem in mental health services has been hindered On this issue healthcare leaders would welcome clarity from the centre on what achieving full parity of esteem should look like as well as a clear roadmap for how to get there Without this, health service leaders simply cannot measure the progress made in mental health services against that in physical healthcare ”

The Alzheimer’s Dementia & Care Show

The Business Design Centre London 3-4 March 2023

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

For further information and tickets visit www alzheimersshow co uk

At the show - NEW for 2023

Full Dementia Interpreters Course–

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

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

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

Advice Clinics: Free 25 minute 1-2-1

appointments

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

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

Runwood Homes Care Assistant Pledges to Swim 10 Miles for Dementia

Bekki a Care Assistant at Woodbury Court care home in Essex and her best friend Abby have pledged to swim 10 miles for dementia

Over the course of the month

Bekki who works at Woodbury Court and Abby will be swimming 10 miles each, or more, to raise funds for the Alzheimer s Society

The pair have received tremendous support from the community and so far have raised an impressive £282 for the charity

Commenting on her personal and professional experience with dementia, Bekki said: “Dementia is something that is very close to us and something that has impacted my family in different ways The

money we raise will help people affected by dementia get the support they need and will fund research that will help to hopefully one day find a cure

According to figures published by the Alzheimer’s Society around 900 000 people live with dementia in the UK, and this is projected to rise to 1 6 million people by 2040

Home Manager at Woodbury Court Mel Oliver said: “I am so proud of Bekki doing the swim for Dementia She is such a kind caring and compassionate member of the team and is very dedicated to our residents

Bekki is a true inspiration for doing this and I hope the wider community will sponsor her ”

Tackling Recruitment and Retention Issues in Social Care

By David Ashton-Jones, Managing Director

The adult social care sector is crucial for the UK and a big contributor to the nation’s economy adding an estimated £51 5 billion annually and employing around 1 5 million people There are also millions of people throughout the country that rely on this care to support them or their loved ones in their everyday lives

The sector as a whole has always faced challenges with recruitment, with this being amplified in recent years with the Covid-19 pandemic cost of living crisis and Brexit

According to the most recent Skills for Care report the sector has around 165 000 job vacancies which is a 55% increase from 2020/2021

As leaders within the care industry, we must do all we can to support our workforce and encourage more people into the sector This includes us changing the tried and tested methods of recruitment and looking for new ways to attract talent into the sector and ensure they feel supported enough to then stay

Recruiting from overseas

In February 2022 care workers were added to the shortage occupation list and the Health and Care worker visa route, and at Homes Together one of the ways we have tackled the industry and country wide skills shortages is by looking further afield for our team members

We have just been awarded a sponsor licence which will allow for us to recruit people from other countries more easily Following this we are in the final stages of recruiting four people from the Philippines for an initial three-year contact where we will also be providing all the necessary training as well as supporting with housing Widening the talent pool for potential applicants can support care teams and the people in their care

Listening to feedback and giving back

We have over 130 colleagues at the Homes Together group and are always keen to gain feedback from them meaning that staff at all levels can share their thoughts and feedback We ensure that everyone feels they have the chance to raise any queries within their roles and we can address them as soon as possible This way of working with our staff has led to our decision to launch a completely new division which will

ensure we can provide additional focus to support staff and help them navigate an ever-changing everchallenging care landscape

Our team are enthusiastic about serving the practical social and emotional needs of Service Users and always go above and beyond It’s vital that we’re appreciative and understanding of pressures staff may be facing and responding to their concerns in order that colleagues feel valued and supported in their roles

One of the things we did for our team at Christmas was to offer all of our staff members a Christmas hamper that included everything for a full Christmas lunch for a family of four taking some of the monetary pressure off the occasion Some may see it as a small gesture but we know from the constant conversations we have with staff that direct actions such as this are appreciated

Implementing staff training and wellbeing programmes

The wellbeing of our team and our service users is at the heart of everything we do It is essential to have a workforce that is supported with ongoing training so they can fulfil their role to the best of their abilities and help the people in their care live their life to the maximum

Each of our team members are given training and career development plans that include health and safety training, first aid awareness training, food hygiene training and safeguarding challenging behaviour training

Commitment and ambition are rewarded with tailored support packages training and opportunities for career progression Making the support package relevant to the individual rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach can also encourage a positive culture and appeal to potential applicants - highlighting that it is a career and not just a job

Looking after the team s mental health is just as important as training and development a study by GMB Union revealed that 69% of carers agreed that their work was causing them stress or impacting on their health which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic

At Homes Together we work hard to try and combat these stark statistics as part of our employee benefits package all of our team has access to the Bupa Employee Assistance programme providing support and practical advice on issues that might be impacting their wellbeing These kinds of resources allow staff to have face-to-face telephone or online counselling and expert support on both personal and work-related issues when and if they need it

Looking to the future

Care providers must ensure they are investing in their teams in training and in wellbeing support so their people feel valued, appreciated, and comfortable in their roles In order for us to be able to provide exceptional care now and for future generations we must ensure that nurture and support the talent within the sector and those looking to join

Dorset Care Home Residents Strike Up Pen Pal Friendships

The beauty and value of handwritten messages has begun bringing joy to residents of two Dorset dementia care homes

It follows a pen pal exchange agreed between Colten Care’s Fernhill in Longham and its sister home The Aldbury in Poole Team members at the homes shared respective lists of residents who said they would like to participate

First to put pen to paper has been Fernhill

Resident Doris Smith known as Dori said that she had not had a pen pal since she was a teenager

“Dori said she had two pen pals at that time one she wrote to in America and one in this country said Ann Marie Knight from Fernhill s Companionship Team “She told us she would love the idea of having a new pen pal and receiving letters back

Ann Marie said it was a similar case for resident Elizabeth Wilson, adding: She remembered writing to a girl who lived in Canada when she was a teenager The girl had been on a school exchange over here and that’s how they met and became pen pals

For Fernhill residents Gwen Jellis and Joan Vohra this is their first ever pen pal relationship

“They were both very excited to be writing and anticipating receiving replies ” said Ann Marie “Our residents put together some thoughtful notes full of positive messages

Seeing the smiles all round clearly showed they appreciated the beauty and value of handwritten letters

“We are planing to invite The Aldbury residents to Fernhill for lunch so they can get to meet and chat with their pen pals in person

“Hopefully this can be the beginning of a blossoming friendship, moving it off the page and into time spent face to face

At The Aldbury, Companionship Team members Melissa Siat and Cara Duroe both spoke of the benefits of the initiative

Cara said: “We chatted to quite a few residents and they all said how wonderful the idea is Valerie and Bill Sharp told us they both had pen pals in America as children which was organised through their school

Melissa said: “We’re loving this new project with Fernhill as writing skills improve memory help with dexterity and emotional wellbeing and keep our residents sociable ”

The Aldbury resident Joan Perrin said: I hope to have a pen pal who shares the same hobby of ballroom dancing so we can write about a common interest

Fellow resident Joyce Holden was especially pleased with a card sent by Doris Smith at Fernhill as the pattern matched her favourite blanket and she remembered meeting Doris at a garden choir performance at Fernhill last summer I m so pleased she chose me to be her penpal friend said Joyce

Waterfield House Care Home in its Fifth Year Sponsoring Local Football Team

Rob Barton, Manager for Hadleigh Brettsiders U15’s Football Club, said:

“Having a business within the community that can support youth football by sponsoring their kit is valuable

The team is self-funded and the donation received to fund their kit is amazing not only do the team get to wear a kit that represents the club it also represents a local business showing community spirt and support Its huge contribution to help the team survive

The continued support that Runwood Homes gives is much appreciated, on behalf of the players, coaching team and parents, we can t thank you enough!

of Homes Together discusses how the group is navigating the current recruitment challenges within the industry and building a strong workforce.

Greensleeves Care Home Celebrates Residents at Surprise Awards

days they often don t realise how much they brighten our days in return

“We have built a lovely community of residents during the home s first year which continues to grow and we wanted to acknowledge this From ‘most creative and most kind to best sense of humour and ‘making the best floral displays’ – each resident brings their individuality to the home and this is something we celebrate in our approach to care ”

The full list of winners is as follows

Best smile – Beryl

Best hair – Betty

Most punctual – Gwenda

Best singer – Janet

Most kind – Jean

Buckler s Lodge a Greensleeves Care Home in Crowthorne, held a surprise awards evening earlier this month which saw residents winning awards from most compassionate’ to ‘biggest film fanatic ’

Residents’ friends and families were invited to watch the ceremony which was held in the home s bistro area, adorned with a red carpet and stage

Aimee Hallcup Activities co-ordinator said: Our residents were all thoroughly surprised by the event, many even cried happy tears when receiving their awards!”

Now approaching its first anniversary Buckler s Lodge welcomed its first residents in March 2022 married couple Peter and Gwenda who respectively received the most insightful and most punctual awards at the event

Rachel on receiving the best dressed award said in her speech “Wow, I didn’t expect this, I’ve never received an award before! Thank you for nominating me and for coming ”

Another resident Christine said “the staff are the ones that deserve the awards

The only mishap, a broken wine glass, proved to be a comedic moment as Keith a resident said: it wouldn’t be an awards ceremony without some broken glass

Debbie Rapson Home Manager said: “The idea for the awards came about as we wanted to celebrate our residents and show our appreciation Whilst it is our job to care for our residents and brighten their

Most creative – Jean

For always wearing the most colourful clothes –Keith

Best sense of humour – Laurene

Most warm-hearted – Maureen

Biggest film fanatic – Neil

Most compassionate – Pam

Most insightful – Peter

Best dressed – Rachel

Most caring – Stella

Best floral displays – Christine

Best newcomer – Betty

Latest NHS Reforms Will Not Succeed Until Government Fixes Longstanding Problems

Major new reform of the NHS will not work until Government addresses multiple chronic issues in the service says PAC in a report released today

The case has not been made for what improvements Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) will bring to patients and by when

ICSs are the latest attempt to bring NHS and local government services together to join up services and focus on prevention But the Committee says the reforms will founder if the major systemic problems in the NHS are not addressed by Government at a national level: the elective care backlog has breached seven million cases for the first time; major workforce issues have hamstrung both the NHS and social care; constantly increasing demand; a crumbling NHS estate; and limits on funding

These challenges require national leadership but there is a worrying lack of oversight in the new system and crucial national projects like the NHS Workforce Plan and capital funding strategy are repeatedly delayed – what the Committee calls ‘paralysis by analysis’ The cost of overdue maintenance has reached £9 billion –£4 5 billion classed as high or significant risk – and there are questions about who gets to keep proceeds of any assets sold under ICSs

Not enough is being done to focus on preventing ill-health and not enough joint working between government departments to tackle the causes of ill-health The failure to ensure adequate NHS funded dental

care risks creating more acute dental health problems

Public Accounts Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier MP said: Far from improving the health of the nation staff shortages and the dire condition of the NHS estate pose a constant risk to patient safety But Government seems paralysed repeatedly rethinking and delaying crucial interventions and instead coming up with plans that do nothing to address the fundamental problems of funding and accountability

“The ICS reforms have potential but there is no clear responsibility for ensuring that social care is properly integrated with health care or that patients will see the difference on the ground Changes will not succeed if they are imposed on the NHS in its current state Government needs to get a grip on the wider full-blown health and social care crisis it allowed to develop from long before the pandemic ”

Anne Marie Morris MP said: Everything changes yet nothing changes ICSs are the latest iteration of a plan to organise the NHS and integrate health and social care While the ambition is right the tool kit simply isn t there to deliver on it As one of the biggest spending departments funded by taxpayers, more transparency is needed to show what, how and by when the taxpayer will see not just an improvement but a health and care system that works and is truly there when it s needed

Singer Visits Care Home to Sing for Her Dad and Residents

A professional singer from Preston popped into Fleetwood Hall Care Home to entertain the residents – and surprise her dad

Susan Armstrong s father Ken was among the audience listening to her rendition of popular songs from the 1950s and 1960s

Ken 91 said: “It was a real treat to see Susan perform again and I was so proud to hear her singing in front of all my fellow residents We had such a lovely day ”

Susan has performed in many venues across Blackpool Manchester Chester and Cumbria over a 30-year career During lockdown, she regularly sang for her elderly neighbours throughout their socially distanced games of bingo

She said: “I love singing and spreading the joy of music It was extra special for me to pop into Fleetwood Hall Care Home to sing not only for the residents, but for my lovely dad

The staff at the home do an unbelievable job of looking after him and also looking after us as a family Singing some of the residents’ favourite songs was a great way to give the home my thanks and appreciation for everything they do

Joanne Warren Manager of Fleetwood Hall Care Home a residential and dementia care home in the heart of Fleetwood in Lancashire, said: Susan was a great hit with our residents and it was particularly touching watching her singing to her dad

“When she arrived she heard another one of our residents singing the Beatles hit song Yellow Submarine and she surprised him throughout the performance by singing it and dedicating it to him Lots of our residents got up to dance too

“After she had finished singing, Susan chatted to all our residents and asked them for their song requests ahead of her next visit We can t wait to have her back ”

Resident Josie Watts 84 said: “I kept getting up to dance and to sing along It was absolutely wonderful and I didn t want Susan to finish the show ”

Fellow resident Roland Hanley 88 said: I was really pleased I put on my dancing shoes because I couldn t stay sitting down Sue was marvellous and I had great fun singing along to her songs She has a great voice

Taking Care Of Fire Safety

By Rob Yates,

All buildings have their own specific requirements in terms of fire safety and risk assessments are the primary method of ensuring that a fire alarm system meets those needs Care homes are no different although the nature of the elderly occupants and their mobility issues need to be a particular focus in selecting an appropriate method of protecting the occupants and the care home itself from the threat of fire

In the majority of buildings evacuation plans are a core element of fire safety procedures and while this is also true of a care home, the fact that it may be impossible to evacuate some of the residents has a direct impact on the requirements outlined in the respective standards In BS5839-1, for example the following clauses need to be considered:

If occupants need assistance from staff to escape and there are more than 10 sleeping persons the system should be addressable

Residential care premises should be provided with automatic connection to Alarm Receiving Centres (ARC)

Signals to Alarm Receiving Centres cannot be delayed from residential care homes

ADDRESSING THE SPECIFICS

Given all of the above it is easy to appreciate that early detection of a fire incident is particularly important in a care home Many care homes operate with older conventional fire alarm systems Picking up on the first point, these need to be upgraded to addressable systems to enable the location of an incident to be identified quickly In doing so it is important to consider the options in terms of cost implications associated with this migration Some systems will require replacement of not only the devices but also reconfiguration of the wiring into a loop Others do not thereby offering considerable savings in installation costs

The ability to identify the location of an incident quickly can be further enhanced through powered floor repeater panels allowing the situation to be reviewed without needing to go to the location of the main fire panel The ever-increasing use of cloud-based technology (see final paragraph) can take this a stage further with apps available which allow monitoring of fire safety on a mobile phone

In many applications delays in sending a fire alarm signal to an ARC are often deliberate to allow time to investigate to see if it is a false alarm or of a scale that can be tackled safely with a fire extinguisher

However as is clearly stated in the British Standard this is not the case in a care home

Turning to the issue of false alarms, as indicated in the extract from BS5839-1, the requirement is for a

maximum of 1 false alarm per 20 detectors annually Obviously zero false alarms is an even better scenario in an application where an alarm can cause panic confusion and considerable disruption Systems are now available which will provide a guarantee of no false alarms with multi-criteria detection technology which detects a fire incident quickly without being impacted by deceptive phenomena such as toasters or steam Crucial to this is drift compensation whereby the sensitivity of the detector is automatically adjusted to reflect the build-up of dust or dirt without importantly affecting response times

CLOUD-BASED TECHNOLOGY

Increasingly, as in so many of our day-to-day activities, the internet and the cloud are becoming pivotal in the latest fire detection solutions Digitalisation has made significant advances in terms of ease of use of fire safety systems User interfaces are becoming ever more graphics-based with the swipe click drag and drop approach so familiar from our mobile phones

Online portals can provide an overview of a care home s fire safety or for those organisations operating a number of facilities, across all connected sites Multi-site dashboards can provide locations of all sites in one place with a status bar indicating the respective status of each in real-time with a simple colour-coded approach to identify sites where problems may be occurring

Interoperability is a phrase that has been around now for some time in terms of building management systems and it is gathering momentum as digitalisation increases This is the potential to connect multiple systems which can then compliment each other An example would be a CCTV camera able to zoom in on a fire location or record the operation of a call point while a lift can report return status or louvres can be automatically activated in the event of an alarm activation to aid smoke ventilation

Care homes offer their own specific challenges in terms of fire safety By understanding those challenges and adopting a fire safety approach which reflects them, residents and the buildings themselves can be effectively protected

Helps 89-Year-Old Simon Deal with Dementia

PORTRAIT drawing is helping a Teesside care home resident come to terms with his dementia – and he is now holding classes to help others with the condition

89-year-old Bryan Raine – who prefers to go by Simon – moved to Mandale House Care Home on Acklam Road Thornaby in November 2022 after he was diagnosed with dementia

Since then he has been using drawing to explore his feelings and help his memory With a preference for portraits Simon has been sketching fellow residents as well as everyday objects such as a pushchair and trees

He has also started teaching the care home’s activities coordinator, Ella-Mae Storr who has set up art classes for Simon to pass on his knowledge to other residents and staff

Simon said I know I have this thing called dementia and I get foggy and confused The drawing helps me to express how I’m feeling which really helps Seeing my drawings on the board helps to remind me of when I drew it ”

Ella-Mae said: Sometimes Simon gets a bit distressed but when we draw together it helps him to feel calm and centred

He loves using his imagination and creativity and it s really great that he wants to share that with his fellow-residents and staff ”

Simon s love of art came from his mother who he says had a real talent and taught him how to draw

Simon recalled: “My mother was an excellent drawer but only pursued it as a hobby, as young ladies in those days weren t allowed to do it as a job so growing up I learnt it from her

“I never thought about doing it as a profession and I ve always seen it as a hobby to express myself I was a surveyor I have a daughter who I’ve tried to teach but she’s never taken to it Instead she knows

how to milk a cow as she has her own farm whereas I don t

“My favourite thing to draw is portraits but I’m not as good as my mother I envy her in all her work She s brilliant She had a real talent in drawing

“I’ve never taught classes until I moved to Mandale House, where I ve been working with the activities coordinator and we now sit and draw together and are planning on teaching staff members and residents who are willing

“I enjoy teaching people how to draw so they learn something new as it’s so simple to look at something picture it and to draw it down in your own artistic touch

The care home staff are now planning on exhibiting Simon’s work, as well as that of those he teaches during the weekly art classes

Simon added: “I’ve never seen any of my drawings exhibited I would love for my work to be displayed in our home especially staff portraits for us all to see our creations ”

Tracy Hill home manager at Mandale House Care Home said “Living with dementia can be incredibly difficult but staying mentally active can be a great help in relieving stress improving wellbeing and helping individuals cope with the disease

For Simon drawing has been a great benefit and he has been loving his one-on-one arts sessions with our activities coordinator, Ella-Mae

Now he is very excited about passing on his passion skills and knowledge to others

Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland for Siemens. He has over 30 years’ experience in the fire industry.

New Coalition to End Carer Poverty Launches

A dedicated coalition of 94 organisations has come together in an effort to lessen the financial hardship experienced by millions of unpaid carers across the UK

The Carer Poverty Coalition which includes a mixture of charities and local organisations, aims to build awareness of carer poverty and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on unpaid carers and improve the limited financial support available to them Crucially, the coalition will also look at what carers need to support them to continue with paid work alongside their caring role, for as long as possible

The group is being led by Carers UK the national charity supporting and representing those with an unpaid caring responsibility for someone who has a disability illness mental health condition or who needs extra help as they grow older

Carers UK research released last autumn revealed that one in four carers (25%) was cutting back on food or heating to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis rising to 35% of those receiving Carer’s Allowance – the main benefit of £69 70 a week for those caring 35 hours or more each week A significant number of carers were also using food banks – 8% of those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance New data suggests that close to one million people in England are claiming Carer’s Allowance

The coalition is campaigning to see a benefits system that better supports people providing high amounts of unpaid care, along with changes to help carers stay in paid work for longer while caring A small steering group of current and recent former unpaid carers is providing insight and comments on major policies and plans

On behalf of the Carer Poverty Coalition Helen Walker of Carers UK said:

“Everyday across the UK the work of unpaid carers helps hold society together – however providing care to family and friends limits their ability to earn a full income and adds extra costs and strain that they would not otherwise have

Too often due to a lack of recognition and support unpaid carers end up falling into poverty or find themselves in precarious financial positions as a direct result of their caring role

As a coalition we believe carers deserve better There is a clear moral as well as economic argument for supporting unpaid carers to live on a decent income and for supporting those able to continue with paid work whilst caring to stay in work We hope Government and policy makers will see this too

Abby Jitendra, Principal Policy Adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said:

Caring for a family member or a loved one shouldn t leave you locked in poverty but at the moment far too many of the over 4 million unpaid carers in the UK are being left without the support they need It s not right that 29% of unpaid carers are living in poverty, a significantly higher rate than those without caring responsibilities and the gap is getting wider

“The act of caring is hugely valuable to us as a society and to the people being cared for but this isn t reflected by our social security system which should be ensuring that nobody has to go without essentials Carers deserve better and as a nation we must do better which is why this coalition is so important ”

Chris James Director of External Affairs at Motor Neurone Disease Association said:

Unpaid carers play a crucial role in society but their contribution too often goes unrecognised and in many cases, leads to financial hardship In a recent survey, we found around half of carers of people living with MND have faced financial difficulty as a result of their caring role That s a worry they should not have to be dealing with at such a difficult time Carers make great sacrifices to provide care and support to their loved ones – they in turn need support That s why the MND Association has joined forces with 90 organisations to call on the government for carers to receive improved financial support and more opportunities to remain in work ”

Oadby Care Home Residents Beat Winter Blues With Visit From Feathered Friends

Residents at RMBI Care Co Home Devonshire Court in Oadby were all of a flutter this week when some friendly feathered visitors came to visit Elvis a Eurasian eagle owl and Fletcher a tawny owl delighted residents who were only too happy to give them a stroke

Delighted resident Derek said: It was a lovely visit as we got to hold and stroke these beautiful birds They certainly put a smile on

everyone s faces!

Home Activities Coordinator Fiona Collins said: “We wanted to do something new and fun for our residents to ward off the winter blues, so we invited these beautiful creatures to our Home It was a fantastic way of bringing nature and the outdoors into the home on a cold winter’s day!”

Home Care Hit Hardest By Cost-Of-Living Crisis, Says Boss of Leading Care Company

fuel prices cost of living less young people driving or being able to afford to own a car or having a driving test, and delays in driving tests

So I think a multitude of reasons have hit home care more

Responding to the findings of a recent YouGov survey for Newcross Healthcare which found that 27% of care workers were considering leaving the sector Ms Summerson acknowledges the extent of the staffing issues but suggests there is no quick fix

We need to find a way to more positively promote social care and all it does and to involve our workforce better But that’s incredibly hard to do - especially at times when it s so pressured and getting their time on anything but direct care is really difficult ”

As a qualified social worker I m quite passionate about the roots and values of true proper social care and what it should give rather than just be a prop for NHS and hospitals and acute care

Because it s about building healthy communities healthy resources so that hopefully people don't draw on the NHS as much ”

The rising cost of fuel and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis in home care says the boss of one of the UK s leading care companies

Raina Summerson the group CEO of Agincare which operates 21 residential care and nursing homes around the country and provides community-based care and support services told Newcross Healthcare s Voices of Care podcast:

“When you look at the direct care delivery, it's never been as bad Home care is certainly the hardest hit and I think that is a lot to do with

Ms Summerson who has worked in social care since 1989 says education is key to improving the sector’s public image but that schools and colleges needed to do more to dispel negative perceptions

“It s incredibly important to get in at a younger age To me, it should be part of our schooling About awareness of social care what it offers as a career what it offers society the different routes because it's so multifaceted

Elsewhere on podcast Ms Summerson discusses the Government s recent decision to delay the introduction of the cap on personal social care costs until 2025 and why she believes it s vital for social care to

be properly funded

Funding is always important I think it s important in terms of accountability as a society - where what and how are we prepared to fund social care because that illustrates how important we see it to our society and people that work in it people that might need to draw on it

You can t reward the workforce to work in it and work in it well and be rewarded and recognised for that being a really important job if you re not funding it properly and you re trying to get away with people being paid a lower wage ”

Asked for her reaction to Newcross Healthcare’s research which found that 55% of respondents said they would be happy for taxes to be raised to pay for social care Ms Summerson says:

I felt that last year through post-COVID the public generally was better prepared to pay for social care to look at it being something they pay taxes towards in a clearer way I think there has been some raising of that awareness If people are touched by it or they just learn a little bit, they say, ‘absolutely, that value is there, we need that and let s commit to it and let s fund it better

Hosted by healthcare expert Suhail Mirza the podcast episode featuring Raina Summerson 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 podcast here: https://youtu be/EgyNbT6d12I

North-East Care Home Leads The Way In Excellence With Highest Inspection Rating

A Peterhead care home has achieved the highest possible rating in its most recent inspection

Allandale House in the north-east was rated Grade 6 by the Care Inspectorate for being “innovative and sector leading” and was commended for providing outstanding care

A fantastic achievement for its staff who work tirelessly for their residents inspectors found significant strengths in all aspects assessed praising them for their warmth, kindness and compassion The home was also recognised for extremely high satisfaction rates expressed by families staff and visiting professionals

Allandale provides care for 32 people living with mental health issues and has built up strong roots in the local community which has enhanced residents’ emotional wellbeing and social networks, making it truly feel like a home from home

Staff s efforts here were praised highly, including thoughtful ideas to keep spirits up during the pandemic such as a visit from Peterhead Football Club for residents missing their usual game fix and taking part in Creative Care’s initiative to showcase the talents of their service users to things like being supported to make regular trips out to local shops restaurants and places of interest such as going to watch the fishing boats

Sarah Wright, Home Manager, Allandale House, said: “This inspection means a huge amount to us, par-

ticularly as throughout unprecedented times we’ve been able to come out and maintain great gradings

The commitment loyalty of staff and the absolute passion for care that they show is incredible For us this is more than just a care home - it is our residents home Our purpose is to actively build a caring community and a home in which our residents can live life to the fullest giving them choices and a voice it s lovely for that to be recognised in this way

“We are proud of the links we have built up with the community in Peterhead and the amazing work that our staff do to maintain and enhance these We love to get involved in local events galas and causes that mean so much to the local people and it’s so important for us to be a hub at the centre of our community This makes such a difference and plays a big part in both our residents independence and their wellbeing We love that the town is really on board with us and their ongoing support has been amazing, particularly with all our events and fundraising efforts ”

Christopher Allan Managing Director of Carers Limited that operates Allandale House added “The staff at Allandale House work incredibly hard to provide a wonderful service for all our residents and it is fantastic to have this rewarded with the best possible rating Our leadership team in particular were cited for an excellence in care embedded throughout and Sarah s compassion and enthusiasm in leading by example is exemplified through all staff at all levels ”

Sale Care Home Resident Knits For New Born Babies

A resident at New Care s Ashlands Manor Care Centre located on Ashlands in Sale put her knitting skills to good use making an assortment of cardigans and hats for new born babies at Wythenshawe Hospital

Olive Lumb aged 94 loves to knit and wanted a challenge so she decided to knit some essential items for the neo-natal department at her local maternity ward

Olive created a basket named ‘Completed Baby Knits’ and got to work When the basket was full to the brim she liaised with the care home s wellbeing and activities coordinator who arranged a visit to the maternity unit so that Olive could hand deliver her gifts in person

Olive says: “I really enjoy knitting and it was great to be able to knit for the newborn babies at Wythenshawe Hospital I was thrilled to deliver the cardigans and hats to the neo-natal ward and meet with some of the nurses who said the items would be greatly appreciated Olive’s son Ian Lumb who accompanied Olive to Wythenshawe Hospital adds: “Mum

is a talented lady and loved by all She is naturally very caring and wanted to do something to help others and the family are so proud of her and what she achieved It was wonderful to be by mum’s side as she gave her gifts to the nurses at Wythenshawe Hospital

Debbie Winstanley, wellbeing assistant at Ashlands Manor, concludes: “We encourage all residents to continue with their hobbies and interests as well as try new ones with the aim of stimulating and retaining independence both of which are so important Olive loves to knit and it was lovely to see her busy during the day making the cardigans and hats for the newborn babies

“She was determined to hand deliver the items to the maternity ward and it was a pleasure to organise this for Olive The hospital staff welcomed her with open arms and could not thank her enough for her kind donation ”

More Than 86 Million Covid Vaccination Appointments Booked Through NHS Online System in First Two Years

More than 86 million Covid vaccination appointments have been arranged using the NHS s national online booking system since its launch two years ago

The national booking service which is managed by NHS England launched in January 2021 to allow people to book their Covid vaccine online and via the 119 phoneline

The service is easy to use and the NHS is urging anyone under 50 who is yet to get their booster, or those eligible that haven’t come forward for an autumn booster to book an appointment by the end of this week Sunday 12 February is the last day of the autumn booster campaign and will also be the final day that 16 to 49-year-olds who are not considered at risk will be able to get a booster following updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)

Vaccine appointments can be arranged using the online national booking service which was integrated with the NHS App in December 2022 Around one in eight vaccination bookings (over 12%) are now made using the NHS App

In October 2022, it was also expanded to include bookings for free NHS flu vaccinations at pharmacies, with more than 207 000 flu jab appointments arranged using the service in the last three months

The busiest day so far for the service was 8 June 2021 when Covid jabs became available to 25 to 29year-olds and a total of 1 031 295 appointments were made in 24 hours This equates to almost 43 000 bookings an hour and over 700 every minute

Helen Clifton, Executive Director of Product Delivery at NHS England, said: “Back in early 2020, no-one could have envisaged that we were about to design and create a system of this scale in such a short timeframe, so we’re immensely proud that the National Booking Service has enabled millions of people to book their jabs quickly and easily

“The fact that it’s now being used for flu vaccinations is not only testament to its success, but also a great

example of existing digital services being adapted and enhanced to meet the needs of patients

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said: “Vaccines save lives Thanks to the efforts of hardworking NHS staff and volunteers over 140 million vital doses of Covid vaccine have been delivered in England and the National Booking Service has played a crucial role in making it quick and easy to get vaccinated

“The service has been a huge success and is a fantastic example of how the NHS can make use of technology to improve health outcomes and streamline the experience for patients

If you are eligible for a vaccine – whether it s your first dose second dose or booster – book yours now The booster programme will be closing in England on 12 February so please do not delay ”

NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: This is the final weekend of the winter covid booster campaign and also the last chance for any adults under 50 without underlying health conditions to get a booster if they have not yet taken up the offer following updated JCVI advice

“If you are yet to get a top-up dose that you are eligible for, I would strongly encourage you to make the most of the protection on offer from the NHS while it is still available and give yourself and loved ones protection and peace of mind for the year ahead ”

The online national booking service also includes other components such as a check-in app to help stewards book people in at a vaccination centre and a service to allow people who have had their vaccinations overseas to get an appointment to have this recognised

A prioritised version of the service has also been provided to 119 call handlers so that when the service is extremely busy those people who prefer to book via the call centre are prioritised

Everyone eligible for a Covid vaccination can book either online via the NHS App or by calling 119 You can alsofind a walk-in vaccination site, where no appointments are necessary

Essentials for a Successful Care Business

UK Care Week is an inclusive industry-defining event with insightful seminar sessions live product demonstrations and interactive features to equip you with the skills and knowledge to improve quality of care and care environments you provide We’re all set to raise the bar for the social care sector and celebrate the talent of care professionals at the NEC Birmingham on the 22&23 March 2023

Running a care business has become increasingly challenging in recent times With the cost-of-living crisis recruitment challenges and chronic underfunding by local authorities many providers are exiting the market Come and hear Martyn Dawes Social Care Consultant and Paula

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Also taking the stage will be Nadra Ahmed CBE, Executive Chair of National Care Association of National Care Association Adam Purnell Director of Social Care, Institute of Health and Social Care Management, Jayne Connery Director/Founder Care Campaign for the Vulnerable Kate Terroni Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care The Care Quality Commission and Amrit Dhaliwal CEO of Walfinch Care Homes

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Raising the standard of stair climbing solutions

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact, easy to use, powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings

Offering innovative designs, all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces, for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition, all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer’s warranty

LibDems Set to Force vote on Abandoning SNP’s National Care Ser vice Plan

MINISTERS are being urged to change course and abandon plans to create a new National Care Service for Scotland, with the Liberal Democrats set to force a vote on the plans

The proposed National Care Service would bring adult social care, and possibly other areas such as children s and drug and alcohol services under one national body, set up in a similar way to the NHS

However concerns have been raised by opposition parties trade unions local authority leaders concerning a lack of clarity in the legislation with the new service to be established using a “co-design” process once the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill is passed

Responding to the findings of the Scottish Parliament’s Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee that the National Care Service Bill

could set a dangerous precedent risks undermining the role of Parliament” and “letting down” those it’s supposed to help, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “The Scottish Government must withdraw this legislation immediately and recognise that they have got this wrong It is nothing short of a ministerial power grab of social care

To address the systemic problems with social care Scottish Liberal Democrats believe we need national standards and entitlements to drive up the quality of care and to reward staff with better pay and conditions

This billion-pound bureaucracy is the last thing we need The money must be moved instead to frontline services and staff who are firefighting on every shift

Cinderella Finally Goes To The Ball As Rugeley Home Put On Panto For Residents

The cast of Cinderella was made up of staff and one resident from MHA Brar Hill House

A Rugeley home had the opportunity to put on a show for residents in the form of a pantomime

Staff at MHA Briar Hill House had been planning to do a panto since September last year but due to covid outbreaks at the home they were unable to do so

With the outbreak situation completely eradicated the home was finally able to put on a show for residents

The home provides residential and nursing care for 36 residents and chose Cinderella as the performance with six staff members and one resident playing the individual parts

The story was narrated by the home's chaplain, Karen and enjoyed by all including family members of the residents

Nina Varndell activity coordinator said: The panto has been in the pipeline for a long time but due to some restrictions we were unable to organise it

“Everyone had a great time, especially our star of the show and lone resident in the cast Janice

“After we finished, she asked if we could do this on a weekly basis, so it shows she had a great time

“There is always a bit of a lull after Christmas so it definitely helped to raise the spirits of everyone here at the home

The family members of residents were also very impressed with the performance and gave a lot of positive feedback

We are already planning our next show which will be Aladdin and I am confident it will be as if not more successful than the Cinderella performance

New Toolkit to Support Safer Recruitment in the Care Sector

Social care employers are now able to access a new Better Hiring Toolkit which has been launched by the Disclosure and Barring Service

Safeguarding experts including the Better Hiring Institute Disclosure and Barring Service and Skills for Care (amongst others) have collaborated together to produce the first of its kind toolkit The toolkit aims to provide an essential guide for care sector employers making it easier for them to make informed, safer recruitment decisions

Helen Badger, an employment partner at Browne Jacobson who specialises in the health and social care sector said:

“Given that those employed and volunteering in the care sector are entrusted to look after some of the most vulnerable in society the toolkit recognises that a robust and safer approach to sharing effective references and conduct information is the earliest opportunity organisations have to prevent people who may be unsuitable from fulfilling those roles

Whilst sharing effective references and conduct information across the sector is not a new concept many employers have experienced challenges in obtaining and providing this information ”

THE TOOLKIT INCLUDES INFORMATION ON:

• Legal responsibilities

• How to gather references and conduct information

What to do with the information received

• How to share references and conduct information

It also provides case studies based on real life scenarios and a FAQ section covering legal considerations and data protection

IT IS HOPED THAT THE BETTER HIRING TOOLKIT WILL:

raise standards in the care sector provide a one-stop shop for industry best practice

• encourage an increase in sharing information – including Barring referrals

Helen Badger added: Given some of the difficulties employers in the sector face during the recruitment process including refusals by previous employers to complete reference requests, or provision of insufficient information or even failure to provide evidence of conduct it is hoped that the new toolkit will encourage better and more timely sharing of information This in turn should speed up the recruitment process which given the current staff shortages experienced by the sector can only be a positive thing

A copy of the toolkit can be accessed for free at https://uploads ssl webflow com/606081693 43bd79aa75af204/63b8098333420ab930cfde06 BetterHiringToolkit-Care pdf

Birthday Celebrations at Knutsford Home as Resident Turns 100 with Partner by His Side

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate at a Knutsford based home following the 100th birthday of one of the residents

Alan Wilson celebrated the landmark with his son Paul and daughter in law as well as his wife, Margaret who recently moved into the home To mark the occasion the home which provides general nursing and nursing dementia care for 61 residents organised a surprise party for Alan and his family

He received plenty of gifts, with champagne, balloons and a birthday cake to complete the party as well as a telegram from the King

Lynne Morrilly activity coordinator said Alan had a really nice day celebrating his birthday and had a huge smile on his face throughout

the day

“Having Margaret move into the home has been great for him especially as they have been married for 64 years

“They are both living on the same floor and it s so nice to see them together

“Alan’s family were very impressed with the celebrations and enjoyed the day with the rest of us

“The family have planned a meal out for Alan and Margaret once their daughter Melanie comes back to the UK

Everyone had a great day all the staff members got stuck in and sang ‘Happy Birthday when Alan came into the room

Priorities For Operational Success Within The Care Home

By Nicola Whittaker, National Account Manager at Miele Professional (www mielecarehome co uk)

ment and what needs to be the focus for long term operational success Here are three key areas that were highlighted

1 INFECTION PREVENTION

Infection prevention has always been crucial within the care industry; however the pandemic forced care homes to implement and adhere to increased hygiene measures to help manage infection outbreaks Consequently 91% of respondents have experienced challenges with changing rules and regulations and are on the brink of information overload Despite this 88% believe that these changes have had an overall positive impact and as a result will continue to focus on infection prevention methods to achieve operational success

2. RECRUITMENT

The care industry suffered with recruitment and retention issues long before the pandemic yet staff turnover is rising - unfortunately this is at a time when people are increasingly needing care services

Whilst the pressures of the pandemic have eased its lasting impact on the care industry can’t be overlooked with many carers finding it difficult to remember life before Covid-19 Last year Miele Professional conducted research with senior care professionals to find out what they expected the future of care to look like in a post-Covid environ-

According to 37% of the survey respondents Covid-19 had a direct impact on staff working hours causing ‘burnout’, additional stress, and influencing workers to leave the profession 81% of senior care professionals claim that staff shortages are moderately to extremely challenging and there isn t any expectation that this will get better anytime soon

3 QUALITY OF LIFE

Isolation, visitor restrictions and shielding were implemented within

care homes to better protect residents from the transmission of Covid-19 but this came at a cost Nearly a third of respondents agreed that quality of life for care home residents declined substantially throughout the pandemic as they were not given the experiences they needed to live life’ Both short and long term the value of life needs to be at the heart of the care industry with one forum participant commenting it s about the quality of life not longevity” Now more than ever carers play an important role in helping facilitate this through the organisation of activities in tandem with ensuring infection prevention protocols are followed to keep residents both safe and engaged

Download the Future of Care report by Miele Professional to learn more at www mielecarehome co uk/content-library

Sir Ed Davey Chats to WWII and Iraq Veterans During Surbiton Care Home Visit

Sir Ed Davey has visited Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton

The Kingston and Surbiton MP and Liberal Democrat leader, met residents at the care home which provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, and is within his constituency

He also spoke to the charity s members of staff to discuss the challenges faced by the social care workforce today

During his 90-minute visit on

Monday, 6 February, Sir Ed was given a tour of the Home and newly refurbished garden by Royal Star & Garter Chief Executive Andy Cole OBE and

He then sat with staff in the Home’s newly built garden room to discuss issues surrounding adult social care

Sir Ed said: Royal Star & Garter is one of the most amazing care homes I have ever visited Seeing the fantastic quality of care given to extraordinary people who have served and sacrificed for this country underlines the value of good social care ” Royal Star & Garter Chief Executive Andy Cole said afterwards: We were delighted to welcome Sir Ed and show him around our Home in the heart of the Surbiton community Residents enjoyed chatting to him and he enjoyed taking part in the activities We are also grateful that he sat with staff and listened to their thoughts and concerns about the state of social care

Cramlington Care Home Staff Experience First-Hand

What It Feels Like To Be A Resident

Staff members at RMBI Care Co Home Scarbrough Court in Cramlington

Northumberland recently took part in an innovative training programme called Experiential Learning Through this induction staff had the opportunity to experience first-hand what it might feel like to be a resident and receive personal care and support whilst living in a care home

They were presented with various challenges such as wearing a wet incontinence pad throughout the training session and assisting each other with personal hygiene (washing face and neck ) The activities were carried out twice to demonstrate poor and good practices The aim was to help give them a better understanding of how residents should be cared for and develop a greater sense of empathy in their roles

Julie Smith Scarbrough Court s Training Manager said: All staff at our Home at every level have been through this training It’s part of our induction process We feel it makes such a difference when we get to experience being in the residents shoes rather than to read or hear about it It really emphasises staff s understanding of all individuals’ needs

As part of the training session staff members also took part in a variety of scenarios such as:

• Being pushed in a wheelchair with artificially impaired vision

Being supported to eat a meal by another trainee

• Having their face and neck washed by another trainee

Being left on their own in an empty room whilst unable to move from their chair

The programme was first launched in 2014 and has been refined and expanded with different scenarios in recent years Louise Bateman Group Human Resources Director at RMBI Care Co , says: “Learning through experience can be very powerful; this programme has become a vital tool in supporting new staff members to empathise with residents and to care with compassion We want to ensure that we recruit individuals not solely upon their technical skills or abilities but on the basis of their values and attitudes to care ”

Stacey Hunter one of Scarbrough Court s Activities Coordinators said: This training emphasises the importance of being in someone else’s shoes and treating others the way you want them to treat you

How Can Technology Help Health and Social Care Professionals Provide Truly Person-Centred Care to the People They Support?

egardless of geographical location, health and social care fields cross the world are governed by care standards which dictate that residents must receive person-centred care and be involved in every aspect of the care they receive

With the needs of residents in the health and social care setting being so diverse and complex, organisations supporting people with specific needs cannot aspire to achieve this best practice by applying a one size fits all rule when it comes to the technology they need to use to manage both the care and operational sides of their business There is a substantial amount of published literature depicting how different types of technologies can positively ssist organisations in the health and social care industry to enhance ependence and quality of life for residents, clients and patients

Equally few articles in the information technology rubric balances these views by focusing on evidencing the drawbacks of using certain information communication technologies in this field

In her article: “Ethical Issues and the Electronic Health Records (EHR)”, published in The Health Care Manager magazine in December 2020

Layman Elizabeth PHD student highlights the inconsistency of positive evidence about the use of EHR for disadvantaged persons in the care setting According to Layman (2020) if not used appropriately this type of technology can also come with some disadvantage which includes residents or clients not knowing who their information will be shared with; in some cases the accuracy of the information recorded about a service user is found to be incorrect Service users do not seem be able to have access to their electronic records

Over the past decade the issue around the use of technology in the health and social care industry has also been the centre of interest for Government and health care regulatory agencies Indeed (Jennifer Martin 2019) the ex-Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Inspector Director in her quest to review the strength and weaknesses of the EHR systems used in the health and social care field provided us with a very insightful blog published on the GOV uk website on the 23rd July 2019 Her work on the evaluation and review of a number of EHR technologies assisted decision makers to see that the majority of available electronic health recording systems did not have adequate functionalities For example a major issue related to the lack of ability to give access to specific information to relevant audiences without breaching data There is also very limited evidence of EHR systems enabling residents and their families to access electronic files without the input of a staff member Despite some of the drawbacks highlighted in the digital literature it has been widely acknowledged that achieving effective sharing of information and capturing all essential aspects of an individual s needs without using technological tools proves very challenging Hence the Government and health regulatory agencies and such as CQC NHS and Nice are supporting and will be ultimately requiring the implementation of EHR technology in health care settings A recent review of such systems (Jennifer Martin, 2019), demonstrated that there has been some improvement regarding the sharing of information using EHR systems over the past few years Professional 3rd parties involved in the care of residents or patients are able to access electronic files However the risk of data breach for these systems appeared high as not all systems could enable the professionals to see only what they needed The review of the literature on the use of technology in health and social care highlights the

importance for leaders making decisions about the tools to be used to achieve best practice and personcentred care; to make themselves familiar with systems and functionalities that will enable them to have the service users at the centre of their care Interestingly most literature and recommendations for best practice on this topic point to systems being able to share information effectively (Kharrazi et al 2018)

Leecare’s senior leadership team is passionate about continually improving program functionality to ensure service users remain at the centre of the care they receive The team has continually kept abreast of latest technologies and Government requirements and what is required to ensure best practice worldwide

With this in mind

Leecare s Platinum6 software has been especially designed to make information sharing easy, with an emphasis on the connection between the care of the resident, staff and the organisation Particular care has been taken in developing P5MyCarePlan - our resident centred app By directly enabling service users to inform service providers the information in assessments and care plans is not solely related to the clinical observations of nursing staff but also reflects more accurately the preferences views and feedback of the person receiving the care and support

P5MyCarePlan App also enables residents to review their care plan and what staff have written about them as well as add information that populates directly into their care plan in their own time

If the resident wishes for a family member to also have access to their information a login can be created for them so that they can contribute to providing feedback regarding the care of their loved one or just be updated about new events

Having this tool made available to residents facilitates a truly person-centred care approach as it promotes adaptability and flexibility giving room to the resident to request changes as and when their needs change, and communicate this to staff members in real time

Ensuring that residents and service users are able to easily communicate their needs is also paramount to providing person-centred care Therefore choosing a technological tool that is not just user friendly but adaptable and accessible is essential if staff are to fully capture all of their resident’s different needs

Leecare P5MyCarePlan can not only be used on different type of devices, such as mobile phones and tablets but service users can also use touch screens to write their feedback or utilise voice recognition if they are unable to write Staff are then able to receive the information and take immediate and effective action Dr Caroline Lee, CEO and founder of Leecare Solutions stated in her article entitled: “Keeping residents and families connected-supporting Self Determination” which was published on the 5th July in Hello Care Magazine: Caring requires us to be vigilant – to know every wish and need watch out for cues for change and to know what we need to know But obtaining the information directly from the person the care impacts, using technology, a system linked App, ensures our care is not only about the Standards, or public demands or legal responsibilities but is real and can be followed through onto the ground where it is needed most

Residents Revel in Music and Light Experience

Fifth Care Home Site Acquired by Boutique Care Homes

Boutique Care Homes have announced the acquisition of a new care home site in Hythe Kent the second in recent months enhancing the providers pipeline of new homes

Boutique Care Home have successfully acquired the

Call for National Tariffs for Social Care Ser vices

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for national tariffs to set the price of social care packages to end the current unfair squeeze on providers

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says setting such national tariffs would protect care providers and give them a fairer price to deliver services

The call comes after the President of ADASS Sarah McClinton admitted that “Councils have squeezed down prices paid to providers over many years”

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: It is good to see the president of ADASS give this honest account of what is happening to care providers

The price paid by local authorities to care providers has been squeezed and squeezed for many years to the point where it no longer reflects anything like the true cost of looking after people in their own home or supported living or in care and nursing homes

The end result is that providers are being pushed out of the market especially with the added pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic dire staff shortages and spiraling costs

He said he understood the pressures on local authorities who had themselves been chronically underfunded by successive governments

“The current funding regime is brutal and unfair with government cuts hitting local authorities hard and pitting them in a fight with providers to buy care at the lowest possible price,” Mr Padgham added

This is the worst possible scenario in which to provide care for our oldest and most vulnerable people Low fees, combined with the Covid-19 pandemic the current staffing crisis and rocketing costs are combining to push providers to the edge of survival ”

Alongside a national minimum wage for care staff the ICG is calling for national tariffs to be set which all care commissioners had to adhere to when buying care packages

At the moment we have a postcode lottery of care with providers paid different fees up and down the country,” Mr Padgham added “This sets providers against local authorities when we should all be working together to provide the best care National rates would remove the need for local negotiations which are both timeconsuming and divisive

These suggestions were part of the Five Pillars of Social Care Reform document which the ICG published last autumn It sets out what the ICG believes are the actions required to save the sector

Care Home Crowned Chocolate Cake Champion

Barrogil House Care Home in Fife celebrated victory in a culinary competition to make the best chocolate cake

Residents created a magnificent old book which they decorated with all the landmarks they associate with Kirkcaldy including Ravenscraig Castle and the Dysart coat of arms

Barrogil House is part of the Holmes Care Group which operates twenty-two homes across Scotland The competition was open for all the care homes to enter and attracted strong entries all around

‘The local area’ was chosen as the theme to encourage residents to reminisce about the place where they live

Entries were then assessed based on the level of participation residents had in making and decorating the cake

Barrogil House pipped Auchertool s Camilla House who made a buffalo masterpiece to the top prize Although as the standards were so high both homes have been invited

to an evening meal at Christies Scottish Tapas in Dunfermline, whose managing director judged the contest

The Holmes Care Group regularly arranges competitions as part of their mission to provide outstanding care and support to the elderly Activities provide residents with independence and enable them to live happy and healthy lives

Iwona Sobczak, Manager of Barrogil House, said

The residents loved sharing their memories of Kirkcaldy and had great fun making the cake It tasted delicious as well!

Yvonne Manson, Head of Dementia and Lifestyle

Enhancement at Holmes Care said All the cakes were brilliant and picking a winner was so difficult Everyone should be incredibly proud of their efforts I m already excited to see next year s entries!

Nor wich Care Home Worker Walks 10,000 Steps a Day to Support Charity

A care home support manager from Norfolk has accomplished an impressive feat on her feet after raising over £400 for charity by walking 10 000 steps a day throughout January

Mollie Hunt, regional sales support manager at Ivy Court, Norwich, raised the money for Age UK after deciding to show that physical activity is important at any age

Mollie completed the steps locally walking around the home and its gardens where she was supported by staff residents and their families

Age UK provides companionship advice and support for older people who need it Mollie approached them with her idea which they supported by posting about the challenge on their Facebook page and sharing her

posts They also provided her with official merchandise including a water bottle and vest

Mollie said: At Ivy Court we try to do one charitable event per month It was also an opportunity to help shift the Christmas bloat so I thought what better way to raise money for charity and to be active!

One family member said: “10,000 steps a day is a lot, but I believed Mollie could do it What a wonderful way to raise money for such a welldeserved cause to improve life for the elderly ”

In total Mollie raised £410 and presented a cheque to Holly Harrington fundraising and events coordinator at Age UK at the end of January

Dementia Care and Washroom Design

How can washrooms help suppor t independence for those living with Dementia? Chrissie Rowlinson, marketing manager from Dudley Industries shows how washroom design and dispenser choice can help make washrooms a less confusing space

Alzheimer s Research UK reports that over 944 000 Britons currently live with dementia and, by 2030, the number will exceed a million For those responsible for washroom design in the care sector this rising trend presents important challenges

Such washrooms will typically see a variety of users so they must accommodate different demands They must satisfy all the usual conditions – safety, accessibility and ease of maintenance, for example – but as the population ages it s increasingly important that they meet the needs of users living with dementia and similar cognitive impairments

DESIGNING FOR USABILITY

The various steps involved in wetting hands applying soap rinsing and drying all demand thought observation orientation and the ability to recall in which order tasks should be performed For people with dementia this may be especially difficult in an unfamiliar environment

The challenge may be further complicated by the fact that people with dementia often struggle to distinguish similar colours A typical washroom, featuring pale-coloured dispensers on pale-coloured walls, does little to help them

However, good design can remove key barriers to usability The Alzheimer’s Society reports that using sharply contrasting colours is helpful Intelligent use of colour and signage can eliminate much of the visual ‘noise’ that users can find so disorientating and in a washroom colour can draw attention to key items such as soap- and towel-dispensers

Washroom dispensers are available with high-contrast coloured wall-plates The equipment then visually stands out from the surrounding wall, cutting through most distractions to guide users in the right

direction This can be particularly helpful when items are situated close together (e g a soap-dispenser above a basin beside a towel-dispenser) This saves the user from having to walk or queue at any stage in the washing process, so there is less chance that he/she will lose track of what should happen next

COLOUR CHOICE

To reduce the risks of distress designers can also consider the pacifying effects of certain colours Blue is often regarded as a particularly restful choice so white dispensers set against blue wall-plates are a good option They offer high contrast while promoting calm

Designing in this way also permits a kind of guidance through colour-coding

The same colour can be used for all functional items, such as toilet roll housings soap dispensers paper towel dispensers and so on Provided that each is presented in a logical order colour-coding can then lead the user on a simple journey through the facilities

The same journey can also be aided by colour-coding in accompanying signage or posters that explain with visual examples how to use the facilities provided It can also be enhanced with colour-coding on the floor; for example by using coloured tiles or strips to indicate a logical path through the washroom from basin to dryer to exit

Such cues help users to build visual associations and to develop a sense of familiarity both of which can reduce the risks of anxiety and promote more regular and effective hand-washing

LIGHTING AND SAFETY

Many older people suffer from restricted vision so adequate lighting is essential particularly if colourcoding is a feature of the room s design Moreover lighting should cast no strong shadows across floors and walls, since they may be mistaken for obstacles and interrupt users’ progress through the room NOISE

Finally people living with dementia may be more easily startled by sudden noises so paper towel dispensers offer a safer quieter choice than hand-dryers They may also be better suited to residential premises where it’s important to minimise disturbance at night

Beaucare Select St Fillans Care Home For Activity

Afternoon as Part of 30th Anniversar y Celebrations

The people living at St Fillans Care Home were treated to a floristry session by equipment and hygiene supplier Beaucare last week after being selected by the company

As part of Beaucare s 30th Anniversary celebrations this year the company decided to give back to some of their long-standing customers by offering them a choice of prizes

As a long-term supplier to Excelcare Beaucare offered one of their homes to receive an activity afternoon of their choice

Instead of making the choice internally Excelcare decided to share the offer with their homes ask them to put forward an activity idea and submit them to the team at Beaucare to pick a winner!

In their response the team at Beaucare said they wished they could grant every home s activity wish but eventually declared St Fillans Care Home in Colchester as the winners

Their wish was to have a floristry class for the people who live there as they

enjoy arranging flowers and having a visual creation to admire! Floristry sessions also help to stimulate a person's senses and in turn boost a person s wellbeing

Their prize was recently awarded, when a florist arrived at the home to host the session Rather than bringing fresh flowers with her the florist decided to use imitation flowers so the colourful arrangements people made could be cherished forever

The florist helped residents to make their colourful creations and showed examples of some arrangements people could take inspiration from Residents enjoyed taking part chatting with their friends and sharing connected memories throughout the session

At the end of the activity everyone had a colourful creation they could keep!

The people living and working at St Fillans would like to thank Beaucare for choosing St Fillans and facilitating an enjoyable afternoon for residents

Fo further information visit www beaucare com or contact Emily Lamb Senior Area Sales Manager 01423 873666 sales@beaucare com/ELamb@beaucare com

Dedicated Duo Promoted at Brookfield Care Home

A Nab Wood care home has promoted two of its dedicated team members to joint deputy managers

Brookfield Care Home is one of five homes owned and run by Czajka Care Group, and Helen Larkin and Adelajda Przykaza have worked for the family-run business for a total of more than 10 years

Ada started her career in care as a care assistant and progressed through the ranks over the last six years whilst gaining valuable support and training from Czajka Care Group Ada said: “I started working in childcare at my son’s school but moved across to adult care which I have found much more rewarding

I love supporting our residents and their families and helping in any way that I can From the everyday personal care aspect of my role, to administering medications and helping with activities and organising events every day is different I really enjoy chatting to our residents about their past and understanding what makes them feel comfortable and at home I feel proud to play a part in our residents’ lives and am looking forward to my new role which will see me supporting our team s development whilst continuing to care for our residents ”

Helen said: I started working in care when I was 16 whilst studying for a BTEC in social care at sixth form college Over time I have gained more responsibilities,

and alongside my daily care and medication roles I have worked hard to progress in my career

I help welcome and settle in new residents when they move to Brookfield Care Home, support team training, look after the care plans and supervise newer team members but my most admirable skill is my tea making abilities! Every situation is made better with a good Yorkshire cup of tea and I like nothing more than catching up with our residents and their families over a brew!

“The people I work with are like one big extended family and to see so many smiling faces and contented residents makes this job worthwhile My new role will see me continue to make sure all our residents are safe, secure and well cared for whilst also taking on more managerial responsibilities

Konrad Czajka, managing director at Czajka Care Group, said: “Ada and Helen are prime examples of what makes a brilliant carer – it s not a job for them it’s a calling Ada and Helen are ever so popular with our residents and the team at Brookfield Care Home really value their support and guidance

Both thoroughly deserve their promotions as they continually deliver excellent levels of care whilst being highly organised, caring and dedicated ”

The UK Sepsis Trust and Marie Curie Collaborate on Clinical Tool to Help Vulnerable Patients

The UK Sepsis Trust and the end-of-life charity Marie Curie are announcing a new collaboration on a clinical tool that will help ensure vulnerable patients continue to receive the best care possible

Marie Curie Nurses Healthcare Assistants and doctors cared for more than 45 000 terminally ill people last year including many who are living with cancer

People with a weakened immune system – such as terminally ill and cancer patients who have recently undergone chemotherapy – are more at risk of contracting sepsis

The Sepsis Trust UK CEO Ron Daniels said: “Sepsis is a life-threatening condition arising when the body’s response to infection causes organ damage

“It affects around 245,000 people in the UK every year, claiming 48,000 lives and people with cancer –particularly those who have recently undergone chemotherapy – are one of the groups most at risk

“That’s why it was critically important for two leading charities – one providing services to people with terminal illness and the other aiming to improve outcomes from sepsis – to come together and collaborate in the production of clinical tools and training to ensure the very best care be delivered to these vulnerable

Julie Pearce Chief Nurse at the end-of-life charity Marie Curie said:

“When someone has a terminal diagnosis they will be living with that diagnosis for a period of time and will experience symptoms which need to be managed

Our aim is to enable people to live well until the end of their life and to remain as comfortable and active as they can be This means being able to spot when a person’s condition has deteriorated due to an infection which makes them feel very unwell

“This new tool supports professionals to be aware of sepsis, to identify it and treat it The result for people with any terminal illness including cancer is they will have more quality time with the people that are important to them right up until the end of life ”

The tool has been supported by the production of a poster which encourages the use of The Sepsis 6 Care Pathway in community settings

Opera Will Translate Experiences of Dementia into Powerful Performance

The one-act operatic exploration aimed at fostering empathy and reducing stigma around dementia is led by University of Exeter s research programme Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) and is the university s first ever Arts Council of Wales funded project

The opera entitled Y Bont/The Bridge seeks to harness the fusion of instrumental music and the human voice in creating a sensory piece that portrays what dementia sounds and feels like to the audience This act builds on IDEAL s previous success with arts-based work including the recent play, then documentary film, ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ Professor Linda Clare Chief Investigator of the IDEAL programme said “Using performance is a powerful way to bring our research findings to life and convey aspects of what it can be like to live with dementia or support someone with dementia We learn a great deal too when audience members share their insightful reflections on what they have seen and heard

It s a huge privilege to have a talented group of artists engaging with our work and translating it to enhance public awareness about dementia ”

The opera s cast and crew spoke with IDEAL s project involvement group Action on Living Well: Asking You (ALWAYs), which is made up of people who live with dementia and carers, who provided insights into their unique experiences of living with dementia and its effect on families This coupled with the creative team’s local discussions, has resulted in the creation of an opera that communicates lived experiences

The librettist and director of the opera Marian Bryfdir said:

Singing and music especially in the form of an opera can often express an extraordinary range and depth of emotion Dementia by its nature hinders the expression and communication of innermost anger grief or even joy and happiness

“That was my starting point for Y Bont/The Bridge – to illustrate the frustration experienced by many living with dementia due to a lack of sensitivity experience and knowledge from those around them

Echoing the director’s desire to change attitudes through the opera mezzo-soprano Deborah Lea said

We want to create an impactful and sympathetic production which will highlight awareness of dementia and promote understanding of not just the disease but how we treat those who are affected by it ”

As a part of the Arts Council of Wales s Create grant the IDEAL team is running free community workshops and an innovative photography project as part of their ongoing research into living with dementia A workshop entitled ‘How can we improve living with dementia?’, will be held at each venue on the day of the opera performance

Ian Smith a photographer who has worked extensively with people living with dementia and their carers from Dementia Actif Gwynedd will be documenting the creation of Y Bont/The Bridge and curating a photographic exhibition which showcases relationships and images captured by members of the Caernarfon group These will be on display at the Ucheldre centre from 28th February to 31st March

Dafydd Rhys Chief Executive Arts Council of Wales said:

“We are proud to be able to support this operatic project and the community work taking place in Anglesey and Gwynedd The arts play a major role in reducing social isolation for those living with dementia and providing them and their carers with enriching cultural activities We can also learn from projects like these on how to make spaces and activities more accessible and dementia-friendly It is a fantastic example of how groups and organisations can work together to highlight the positive benefits the arts can have on health and wellbeing ”

Y Bont/The Bridge will be performed in English at the Ucheldre Centre Holyhead on 31st March and in Welsh at Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor on 1st April The score has been created by acclaimed composer Dr Edward Wright whose previous commissions include Botany a choral work for Llandudno Arts Festival Space to Think for Electroacoustic-Wales and Polarities for symphony orchestra and electronics

The English language show on 31st March opens at 7:30pm and the Welsh language performance on 1st April starts at 7pm Tickets for the English show can be purchased from Ucheldre Centre’s website, and for the Welsh language premiere on Pontio s website

The Residential & Home Care Show 2023

The Residential & Home Care Show is making its annual return as the UK s leadership event for delivering outstanding care at ExCeL London on 26-27 April 2023

The event offers two days of high-quality educational content the opportunity to speak to leading suppliers in the health and social care sector, and explore what products and services suit your business needs It is a chance to regroup network with like-minded peers and equip you with solutions to current challenges seen within the sector The two-day event will be jam-packed with knowledge advice and inspiration

Free for all care professionals to attend the CPD accredited educational programme will be delivered over five theatres exploring a variety of topics including:

Recruitment and retention:

Health and social care experts will provide you with advice on topics such as employee engagement and how to effectively recruit according to your business needs Explore digital marketing technologies overseas recruitment and the importance of staff retention

Workplace culture and staff wellbeing: understand how to adopt strategies and best practice models into your workplace culture to aid to development and confidence of staff

Digital transformation

You will receive insights and advice on how to make the most of the digital transformation process and implement an efficient, cost-effective digital solution for your care home Business development and regulatory updates:

•

You will be able to access sessions on planning and implementation of strategies that will help increase the profitability of your care home and hear updates from local authorities to ensure your business complies with the latest regulations

Integrated care systems:

You will gain a deeper understanding of how the NHS and social care services will be working together to provide a higher quality of care

Residents’ health:

There will be a variety of sessions dedicated to residents health including long covid, diabetes and dementia care REASONS TO ATTEND:

• Free for all care and healthcare professionals

Earn up to 12 CPD points

Take away practical advice and solutions that can be implemented into your own organisation

Join thousands of other Owners, Directors, Senior Managers all

opportunities

Waltzing Through Life: Aberdeenshire Care Home Couple Celebrate 71st Valentine’s Day Together

An Aberdeenshire couple are celebrating their 71st Valentine’s Day together John (Jack) and Christena Ogilvie will celebrate 14th of February for the first time at Meallmore Group’s Grove Care Home located in Kemnay, after moving in together at the end of last year

John, 92 and his wife Christena, 88 fell in love seven decades ago after locking eyes with each other across the dancefloor in Meigle John had been playing the bagpipes for Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret and afterwards went to a local dance in his full regalia with a couple of friends

After spotting Christena, he asked her to dance The connection was instant and the next day Christena got the bus to Alyth where John was waiting for her at the Square The doting couple dated for the next year before getting engaged and then were married in 1954 at Ruthven Church Perthshire

John and Christena have three children together Moira

John Angus and Calum Grant They also love being grandparents and great-grandparents to their three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren

Sharing tips on their long and happy marriage, the couple

have said the key is to always be considerate and respectful to each other and to always love each other unconditionally

The loving pair have always been devoted to each other and have very rarely argued They still like to do almost everything together

Since moving into their new home at Grove Care Home, the couple are inseparable and always spend time together in their shared room reminiscing over old stories and enjoying each other’s company

William Narvaez Care Home Manager said: John and Christena are a wonderful couple and we are honoured to have them stay at Grove with us Their marriage is a great example of true love and their energy is infectious to everyone around them

“After all these years every morning their faces light up when they see each other and you can really see and feel the love they have for each other; it brings such happiness to everyone at Grove ”

The team at Grove have arranged a special Valentine s Day date night for the couple with a lovely meal to celebrate

Care Home Residents Share their Secrets for “Long and Happy Relationships”

Cherry Hinton Care Home, located in Cambridge and part of TLC care group asked their residents what are the secrets to a long and happy relationship’? ahead of valentines day which falls on Tuesday the 14th February this year Here are just some of their responses:

“Always be kind and take your partner out” – Louis, 91

Don t boss them around it is important to spend time with friends and have your own hobbies Be open and communicate with each other always” – Beryl 83

Honesty is the best policy show love everyday and not just valentines day” – Barbara, 97

Its important to show your partner how much you love them maybe with a gift or a meal cherish your time together” – Marion, 88

“Avoid talking to other women, if you want to be happy Happy wifehappy life – Ananda 91 a trick or two’ from them and apply it to their own relationships

Abbie McMahon wellbeing coordinator said

“It was so lovely to hear the residents stories as they reminisced their loved ones and shared their valentines traditions It was so heart-warming to hear that the love for their partners is still just as strong as it was all those years ago Some of our residents were married for over 60 years so I thought it would be great to get their advice for the younger generation We all deserve love and happiness, and I think its important to take advice from our elders who have experienced very long and happy marriages”

Valentine’s Day: Love is in the Air at Royal Star & Garter

Married couples at Royal Star & Garter s three Homes have celebrated Valentine’s Day together

The charity has couples in each of its Solihull Surbiton and High Wycombe Homes and made it a day to remember for them on Tuesday 14 February

Royal Star & Garter provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia

At Royal Star & Garter in Solihull, WWII and Navy veteran Harry 98 and Sue 96 were treated to a romantic meal The couple met on a rambling weekend and have been married for 72 years On the day they enjoyed a lunch together and exchanged cards and gifts arranged by staff There was also a Valentine s lunch for all residents in the dining area which had been decorated with hearts and bunting

At the Surbiton Home, 91-year-old Bob, who served in the Army, and Rosemary, 89, enjoyed a private

meal together The couple met at a health food company where they worked getting together in 1970 and marrying 12 years later

In High Wycombe Neil and Betty also enjoyed a romantic meal together

The couple met when Betty 94 started attending a judo club which 88-yearold Army veteran Neil taught at They wed in 1969 and have been married 53 years

At Royal Star & Garter Valentine s Day also celebrates friendship and family so that everyone feels involved The Homes also put on Valentine-themed activities ahead of the special day These included shortbread and card-making in Surbiton and arts and crafts and live music in Solihull

In High Wycombe staff also arranged for husbands and wives of residents to come in for lunch with their loved ones in the Home’s private dining area Staff also bought flowers for the couples to exchange

Feeling the Love as Local Care Home Celebrates Valentine’s Day

feel special Eileen Tucker a resident at Ashcombe House said: I have had a fantastic afternoon the singer was superb and I ve really enjoyed myself Ashcombe House provides a 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

Care Home Residents Celebrate Valentine's Day With Special Couples Lunch

Signature at Parklands Manor, a care home in Chertsey hosted a romantic Valentine s Day lunch for its three married couples one of whom have been married for more than 70 years Ron and Joan Harrison both residents at Parklands Manor and two married couples each enjoyed a three-course meal set in a beautifully decorated room They were joined by three residents who were enjoying a lunch date with colleagues working at the care home

Aged 19 and 20 respectively Ron and Joan met on October 3 1949 at a local dance class held above the fire station in Egham, the town where they both lived It was love at first sight and the night they met saw them dance all of that s night s dances together

They got engaged in 1951 and married in 1952 Their dates consisted of going for walks and cycling for miles on one occasion making a 120-mile round trip on a tandem bike down to the coast Their wedding was a typical small affair with around 30 guests and a reception at Joan s parent s house

Joan was working in an office and Ron was an apprentice in the aircraft industry

During their early years of married life they lived with Joan's family due to their financial situation When their first child a daughter was born in 1955 the council gave them a flat They had another daughter in 1958 and now have two grandchildren and one great-grandchild

Jenny Davies, General Manager at Signature at Parklands Manor said: We are so happy to have Ron and Joan and all of our residents who are part of our family here at Parklands Manor They are a lovely couple and an inspiration to us all

“Ron and Joan and all of our couples here clearly love being with each other their love for each other is very evident and are always by each other s side We particularly love seeing them go for their daily walks around our garden, a pastime they have shared since meeting

The Valentine's Day lunch was a chance to celebrate love and commitment Ron and Joan were just one example of the enduring love that can last a lifetime

Neath House Residents Share Some Love Advice This Valentine’s Day

The people living at Neath House Care Home in Milton Keynes are celebrating Valentine’s Day this year by sharing some ‘lovers’ advice’ with the younger generations

With Valentine s Day upon us the team at Neath House asked the people who live there if they had any advice for a long and happy love life This question prompted conversations among the team and residents so they asked everyone to write down their lover’s advice on a piece of paper and pose for a picture holding it

Residents of the care home are full of wisdom and love sharing life advice with the younger generations whenever they get the opportunity, so they were excited to reveal their lessons learned in love

Residents enjoyed taking part in this activity and as they wrote down their advice they shared connected stories and memories from their lives This included stories of previous relationships and lessons they learned as well as advice about what made the long-term relationships with their partners so successful

Lifestyle Coordinator Fiona who has been happily married for 30 years said her secret to a long marriage is having your own interests Everyone enjoyed listening to the advice and having a laugh in the process

It was a heart-warming day sharing advice for all the lovers out there and reminiscing together Happy Valentine s Day from everyone at Neath House!

Tech Provider Makes Levy Donation Pledge to Help the Health and Social Care Workforce Recover from the Impact of Pandemic

The Access Group has completed a levy donation pledge to help the health and social care workforce recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a company-wide commitment to invest in people and skills As part of the pledge which opened in March 2022 the Health Support and Care division (HSC) arm of the company has invested £100 000, helping to alleviate workforce pressures by enabling 86 health and social care apprenticeships across the country

The investment is part of the apprenticeship levy scheme, which aims to encourage work-based training in particular sectors by making large organisations set aside money for apprenticeships Employers can use the funds to pay for accredited apprenticeship courses and larger employers are also allowed to spend some of their funds on their supply chain Funds that aren’t used by the employer within two years expire and are passed back to the government

In July last year the Health and Care Committee noted that Care England reported that 95% of care providers were struggling to recruit staff and that 75% of providers were struggling to retain their existing workforce In October the CQC s State of Care report said that in the first three months of 2022, 2 2 million hours of homecare could not be delivered because of insufficient workforce capacity With job satisfaction a huge factor in the departure of many health and social care workers the funds are intended to help organisations ensure more people join stay and progress within the industry

However with £3 5 billion of levy funds unused since 2019 the scheme has faced criticised from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), UKHospitality, techUK, and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) The trade bodies recently called for the government to widen the scheme and create a broader skills levy that can be spent on a wider range of high-quality, accredited courses For example, shorter, more targeted courses or more tailored upskilling programmes including functional and digital skills

Steve Sawyer Managing Director Access HSC said: “We welcome discussions about reform to the apprenticeship levy scheme as we are keen to maximise the impact of the funds and make apprenticeships more accessible However in traditionally tech-poor sectors like social care the scheme is already making a positive impact with apprenticeships playing a crucial role in improving job satisfaction and ultimately staff retention with unhappy and unfulfilled staff more likely to move into other roles

As we have seen in health and care where the money is helping to address some of the issues that have contributed to an already depleted workforce I hope more organisations can benefit from being able to recruit more staff and upskill their existing teams ”

Working with 75 000 customers across commercial and non-profit sectors The Access Group invested the money into its own apprenticeship schemes as well as sharing it with 25 organisations from across health and care supporting them to recover from the impact of the pandemic To date, Access HSC has supported care homes with apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 to level 5 (which is equivalent to a foundation degree) Benefactors of the financial support include residential care providers, Burrow Down Support and Home2Home with Care; and domiciliary care provider Hamble Valley Care

Each month Access HSC transfers funds to a range of care organisations The money allows them to work with apprenticeship providers of their choice to deliver employee training and support At the beginning of the process the apprenticeship providers worked with the various care organisations and their employees to understand which apprenticeships were right for them Individuals of all ages are now being trained as part of the programme, covering qualifications from Levels 2 to 5, which ranges from GCSE to foundation degree level

Steve Sawyer added: “When we first explored the potential of this opportunity we took the decision to make the investment available to all organisations not just our customers ensuring it can be used effectively by those who need it the most Our approach aligns with recent comments made by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who outlined his commitment to apprenticeships and explained how the department will be working with local leaders on prioritisation

The financial impact of the pandemic caused many training budgets to be weakened or scrapped altogether With one in four care workers reportedly thinking of leaving the profession apprenticeship schemes give people the skills and structured career paths that help improve staff retention and recruitment at a crucial time for the sector

Find out more about how the Access Group supports various initiatives here: www theaccessgroup com/hsc

War Hero Receives Ambassador for Peace Award 70 Years On

A GLASGOW veteran who fought in the Korean War has received an Ambassador for Peace medal following his service there in 1953 92-year-old Andrew Glassford was overwhelmed when his son and grandchildren surprised him with the award for his time with the Black Watch regiment in Korea where he fought in the famous Battle of the Hook

Now a tenant at Bield s Loch Laidon Court in Glasgow, Andrew travelled for seven weeks by ship to Korea after he had carried out his national service training at Fort George in the Highlands Andrew was heavily involved in the battle and was struck by bomb shrapnel which damaged a large part of his shoulder He was quickly airlifted to Japan for treatment before returning to Korea to fight He said: “To be part of the Black Watch regiment and play a role in the Korean War is something that still makes me very proud so, when I found out I was honoured with the Ambassador for Peace award it was a very special moment

“Over my two years in the national service across Korea and Kenya there were highs and lows but I wouldn t change any of it it was a meaningful experience and one I will always be incredibly proud of “To now have a medal to remind me of my time there and to thank me for my service to South Korea is of course a huge honour

A skilled tradesman, Andrew undertook an apprenticeship in building before his time in the war On his return the industry had slumped leading to Andrew qualifying in a second trade – carpet weaving He

subsequently returned to the building trade and became a joiner in the early 70s

Since his retirement, Andrew enjoys spending time with his son Paul daughter-in-law Helen and grandsons David and Matthew, with whom he reflects on memories of his life and his late wife Margaret – who he was married to for 60 years

The recent award makes it Andrew s fourth war medal adding to his African Campaign Medal Korean Campaign Medal and United Nations Medal Andrew’s grandson Matthew read the citation from the Korean Embassy when presenting the award Andrew added: It was a very special occasion to be surprised with the award by my close family and a brilliant start to 2023 ”

The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953 North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union whereas South Korea was supported by the United States and other allies including Great Britain Ambassador for Peace is a title presented by the Universal Peace Federation to individuals in recognition of their peace-making merits

Andrew now spends his days relaxing cooking spending time with friends and family and watching his favourite old cowboy movies in his flat at Bield’s Loch Laidon Court in the east of Glasgow Bridget Heenan Retirement plus Manager at Loch Laidon Court said: Andrew is a true inspiration to staff and tenants at the development We are all extremely proud of his achievements and over the moon to see him receive this deserved award

Experienced Care Provider To Run Ducklys Care Home

Duckyls Farm near East Grinstead has joined the portfolio of experienced Kent based charity care provider Diagrama Foundation

Duckyls Farm the established care home near East Grinstead is now part of the Kent based charity Diagrama Foundation which has a wealth of experience supporting vulnerable children young people and adults to live their best life

Residents their families and the Duckyls Farm care team were contacted by letter to advise them about the change of ownership and to explain what being part of the charity Diagrama Foundation would mean for everyone who lives, works or supports Ducklys Farm The letter from David McGuire, Chief Executive Diagrama Foundation explained that continuity of service is key to Diagrama Foundation s plans as they take over ownership and management of the home and assured staff residents and their families of the high standards of care that Diagrama will provide The letter also shared, plans for the Chief Executive to meet everyone as

soon as possible to answer their questions and assured them that close working with the Duckyls staff and Managers coupled with the experience that Diagrama has of caring for adults with learning disabilities will make the transition as smooth as possible

Diagrama Foundation s experience in the care sector spans a Supported Living Service across Bromley for thirty-five adults with learning disabilities, three homes for twenty-three adults with learning disabilities in Orpington a fifty-bed care home for the elderly with nursing and dementia needs in Essex and a fostering and adoption service in the southeast

David McGuire, Chief Executive, Diagrama Foundation, said “Everyone at Diagrama Foundation is delighted that Ducklys Farm is now part of our family and are looking forward to getting to know the residents their families and the care team We appreciate that change can be unsettling so we are committed to making the transition as easy as possible and our team will spend time sharing what to expect from our person-centred approach to care ”

Essential Insurance Covers For Your Care Home

often determined by best practice to ensure the resident or patient is as comfortable as they can be Unfortunately, this means mistakes can creep in A single mistake can result in a negative impact on your patient whether that be from medical treatment or advice This can lead to a potential claim for medical malpractice

Medical malpractice cover is not only a legal requirement to anyone providing professional healthcare services but also offers peace of mind by covering the cost of any losses that arise from defending and settling a claim This means that during a claim your business can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible

BUILDINGS AND CONTENTS INSURANCE

As a care home owner or manager you will offer a variety of services to meet the needs of your residents

Typically the care you provide is likely to vary with anything from basic care and accommodation through to respite end-of-life and specialist care for dementia patients

Providing the very best care for your residents will be at the heart of everything you do but the care you deliver is not without risk and therefore having the right insurance in place is something that should be high on your list of priorities Not only does your insurance need to be tailored to protect the care services you provide but you also need to consider the regulatory bodies you adhere to protection for your staff as well as covering the premises and its contents

Here are some covers you must consider

LIABILITY COVER

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) states that all care and nursing homes require insurance and without it they are unable to operate The mandatory insurance requirements from the CQC are Public and Employers Liability cover Any additional covers will depend on the type of care facility you own Public Liability Insurance will cover the cost of compensation to third parties in the event of death bodily injury, or damage to their property, which occurs because of your business activities, for example, if a resident s family member slips on an upturned carpet

Unlike Public Liability Employers Liability cover is a legal requirement for anybody employing staff including volunteers It covers you financially for any compensation costs or legal fees that may occur because of company negligence Employers Liability Insurance will also cover you for employees that have long left your business and may only now bring a claim against you

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Your carers will be skilled in what they do and usually have several qualifications, but their decisions are

Of course your business is home for your residents or patients Ensuring ample furniture is provided should be a necessity If they are accidentally damaged, you may need to replace them The building itself is just as important If for instance the premises suffer a flood how would the building hold? In extreme cases such as a fire or explosion a total rebuild may be necessary which would cost a considerable amount

Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing damage to the structure of your property and provided that accurate sums insured are declared it should cover the cost to rebuild the entire property Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen It includes everything you would take with you if you moved premises for example your furniture kitchen appliances and computing equipment

ARE YOU AT RISK OF UNDERINSURANCE?

If a business is underinsured in any capacity it could leave them with a financial burden should a claim be made While large corporations may be able to recover from the financial losses incurred because of underinsurance small to medium sized businesses may feel the effects of the loss more keenly owing to their sometimes already tight profit margins

Underinsurance may happen for many reasons e g using out of date estimates of your building sums insured, having inadequate or unrealistic indemnity periods, or not reviewing your level of cover as your operating models change

The most effective way of overcoming the risk of underinsurance is by talking to an experienced and knowledgeable insurance broker

The friendly team at Barnes Commercial can review your policy and make sure you have the correct level of cover in place

Send an email to enquires@barnesinsurancebroker co uk or call 01480 272727 to make an appointment

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Hidden Costs Of Caring For The Environment

Every care home needs hot water From basins to baths and showers, catering and wash down Most facilities will run successfully on a system based around gas-fired water heaters unless a new build in which case the preference is to move to electric water heating to take advantage of the increasingly less dirty grid This does have implications for running costs with electricity on average costing as much as 3 8 times that of gas So why change things? The simple answer is net zero and the need to be more sustainable Because of the ubiquitous need for hot water which can account for as much as 30% of a building s daily energy demands, addressing how it is secured is one of the best ways of making active carbon savings today

Deploying either heat pumps or solar thermal as a renewable to provision the initial preheat is the most logical approach Where problems and unnecessary costs can quickly arise is when existing gas-fired top up’ water heating is replaced with like-for-like electric which can lead to gross system oversizing Domestic hot water (DHW) systems for

Consort Claudgen Includes Wi-Fi

Enabled Heaters in LST Range

Consort Claudgen s low surface temperature heaters range now includes heaters that are Wi-Fi enabled These heaters connect directly to Wi-Fi and heating can be controlled from the digital control panel on the heater or Consort Connect app Features include a 7-day timer with 24 heating periods per day lock function open window detection and custom automations Users can also view the energy consumption statistics of all connected heaters Additionally, LST heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensor have a self-learning control ability which uses in-built occupancy sen-

sors to detect and learn a user’s weekly presence in a room It then creates a heating schedule and automatically warms the room according to the detected or predicted occupancy When the room is unoccupied, the heater will conserve energy by switching to a setback temperature or frost protection mode

BIM objects are available for download from Consort s website 01646 692172

sales@consortepl com

www consortepl com

See the advert on page 23 for further informa-

Rosehill Furnishings

• Chairs which have been tested for bariatric use

Their upholstered chairs can be supplied with antimicrobial vinyl and wood finishes for hygiene and infection control

Models are available with arms to assist people getting up and down from their seat

Made to order products in a huge range of colours and finishes to fit in with your existing décor Lounge chairs side chairs and coffee tables which are designed to enhance your communal areas

commercial properties should be designed to accurately meet a business needs At Adveco our application design team has a thorough knowledge of residential care understanding the peak hour and length of the peak which are the starting point for determining demand and ensuring the hot water system is correctly sized

This demands a bespoke approach as every facility is different The number of rooms facilities such as basins showers deeper baths and guest mobility, all impact on the sizing The physical constraints of the property from plant room and roof space to noise levels all impact technology choices Adveco can advise on this sizing and provide accurate monitoring to ensure applications are fit for purpose and future proof As a result decisions to move to more sustainable operations are optimised and do not leave properties facing unwarranted capital or unexpected new operational costs from going green https://adveco co/sectors/healthcare/

See the advert on page 15 for more information

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Natural Pain 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

Rosehill are proud to have a long-standing history within the furniture industry It s their unique history and knowledge of the market which sets them apart from the rest They re committed to quality and their standards have continued to excel over the last 40 years

The expert team at Rosehill understand the market and can tailor your order to suit your exact requirements With over four decades experience in the industry, you can feel at ease knowing that you re in safe hands They take pride in the quality products they supply which are built to last while also being great value for money

Rosehill have experience working with healthcare organisations who require durable and comfortable seating for their patients and staff Rosehill specialise in seating and tables for care home lounges dining rooms visitor and waiting rooms wards staff rooms and FF&E packages

Options include bariatric seats anti-microbial vinyl and fabrics for hygiene and infection control high back chairs with head support and armchairs

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

High back chairs with head support and wingback models

Dining chairs and armchairs with stylish and durable tables in a range of shapes and sizes

Bedroom furniture with fitted items in high quality finishes

• Outdoor furniture and benches

Complimentary breakout modular and office furniture for staff areas and receptions

Their furniture is available in a variety of styles and is designed and manufactured to help you provide a safe and comfortable seating option for your staff patients and visitors Their range is high quality and built to offer great comfort, and durability for furniture that lasts

Browse their wide range of furniture for your care home clinic ward or waiting room online at www rosehill co uk or call 0161 485 1717 to request a brochure or discuss your requirements with their helpful sales team

See the advert on page 23 for details or visit www rosehill co uk

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are natural drug-free 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 sideeffects

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 combination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus peppermint and MSM Reported benefits of BIOFROST® Relief

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 3

Raising the Standard of Stair Climbing Solutions

The Stair Climbing Company is one of the leading providers of powered Stair Climber solutions which have been specifically designed to assist those struggling with mobility and independence issues facing people with disabilities

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact, easy to use powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings Offering innovative designs all of the company s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition all of its Stair Climber s come with a two year manufacturer’s warranty

The Stair Climbing Company maintains one main

mission; to improve quality of life through its range of highquality and custom devices with built-in seats The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair carrier model is designed to cater to individual customers’ specific needs and works with all stair types

Furthermore the company provides Stair Climbers for all ages making them suitable for everyone, and offers a free assessment for customers

If you would like to find out any more information please see the details below:

T 01787 379160

www thestairclimbingcompany com

See the advert on page 11

Focus Games - Enjoyable & Effective Training

Introducing Aquarate

Aquarate

into

saving

hot and cold drinks

• Commercial dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleaning

Up to 5 day battery life with low battery indicator

Spill detection with immediate alerts so you can react fast

Get in contact to book a free demo Hydracare

Technology starts at as little as 40p per resident per day Let’s look after our loved ones!

www aquarate com

The New “Jolly Journey” from Little Islands

The new “Jolly Journey” from Little Islands is designed to simulate an oldfashioned travel carriage featuring real wood panelled wall brass luggage racks ornate wall lights and table lamp, opposite-facing seating for four including cushions, ‘First Class antimacassars and period memorabilia

The Jolly Journey creates a familiar and stimulating environment for ‘passengers to return to their fondest memories sparking conversations of time gone by Reminisce about travel and holidays with loved ones and friends over afternoon tea in your exclusive cabin, then maybe top it off with a jolly good Sing Song on the way home

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

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 b a suitable condition and wo g

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

tation of Yeoman Shield

Protection 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

Our Journeys begin with Steam Train rides through Britain, with other destinations being planned as the World opens up again Bespoke Journeys can also be created just let us have your ideas and we’ll see if we can fit them in with our filming schedule

In just one day our Little Islands Team can efficiently install and furnish your opulent First Class Carriage pod with all accessories and footage All we require is 2 5M of clear wall space a power socket and good access, to create your very own Jolly Journey

For more information please contact Little Islands: 01828 869802 or see the advert on the front cover

A kitchen refurbishment can cause a massive disruption to your home and residents and can prove to be overwhelming But don't worry - Inox Equip has you covered with their temporary commercial catering facili-

CLEANING & INFECTION CONTROL

Mask and Outbreak Guidance Updated in Care Settings

Guidance on the use of face masks in all care settings and on outbreaks in care homes has been updated to give settings the flexibility to ensure ongoing COVID-19 measures are proportionate

Previous guidance stated that face masks in care settings should be worn at all times and that care homes should seek advice from a local health protection team in the event of COVID-19 outbreak but this change now enables providers to further utilise their own skills and knowledge on appropriate measures

Since the guidance change last month providers are able to make risk-based decisions on when face masks are used and care homes can initiate their own outbreak risk assessments to make decisions about which outbreak measures make sense for their individual settings Decisions around masks will be based on factors like the risk to specific individuals if the setting is in an outbreak or the preferences of the individual receiving care Support remains available from health protection teams and other local partners for care homes when needed

Testing guidance has also been streamlined for small care homes to reduce the number of tests staff and residents need to take in the event of an outbreak This, alongside new flexibility for rapid response testing in these settings is in line with the latest public health advice

Social care settings will continue to be equipped with free personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep staff and people receiving care safe over winter and protected against COVID-19 where necessary

Minister of State for Care Helen Whately said: The darkest days of the pandemic are thankfully behind us But it doesn t feel like that for people living in care homes or being cared for at home, when many of the people they see are still behind a mask

So much of what we communicate is through our expressions our

faces and our smiles – especially for people who are deaf or hard of hearing Many rely on lip reading and face masks don’t make the job any easier for care workers either

That’s why we’re making this change We want care agencies and residential homes to decide what s best for the people they look after I hope this means thousands of people who are looked after by care workers will get to see a smile this Christmas

Care providers are now able to adopt a risk-based approach with decisions on the use of face masks balanced with the risk of infections spreading and considering any risks or benefits that arise from their use Care homes can make use of new flexibility in the updated guidance on outbreak management and in all circumstances should

ensure visits between loved ones are supported with each resident able to have at least one visitor even in an outbreak Outbreak measures should only be implemented if at least 2 of the cases of COVID-19 are linked and should be proportionate to factors specific to the care home such as if it s well ventilated easy to keep some parts isolated and how vulnerable people in the home are to COVID-19

Providers should continue to ensure adherence to guidance and be able to evidence this to the Care Quality Commission when asked

People receiving care can ask for staff to wear face masks, and staff should of course work in whatever way will make the person they are caring for most comfortable

Vaccination remains the best defence against flu and COVID-19 and with both viruses circulating this winter it is vital that all those eligible –including care workers – come forward to top up their immunity and protect themselves and those they care for

It is important that care workers and care recipients are protected against illness so that staffing and visitation levels can be maintained and care services can be kept safe this winter – this is why the government has supported care workers to get vaccinated by enabling them to be eligible at the same time as people receiving care Social care workers and others eligible this winter can book their appointments for both a COVID-19 autumn booster and flu vaccine via the National Booking Service or by contacting their GP

Free PPE for COVID-19 needs is available until March 2023 as previously announced, and providers will continue to be able to order this from the PPE portal

See the infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID19 supplement for guidance on the use of face masks in all care settings and on outbreaks in care homes at https://tinyurl com/y3vycett

The Cleaning Show 2023 to Focus on Latest Industr y Trends with Stellar Line Up

With commuters returning to the workplace hitting a post-pandemic high expectations of a cleaner safer and more hygienic working environment mean the responsibilities of cleaning and hygiene professionals and facilities managers across the country have intensified In light of this the UK’s leading event for the cleaning and hygiene industry The Cleaning Show 2023 has announced some of the industry’s leading suppliers and manufacturers that are confirmed to exhibit when the event returns to the ExCeL London from 14-16 March 2023

GREENER CLEANING SOLUTIONS

Attendees at The Cleaning Show will be left feeling confident that the industry is striving for change – specifically when it comes to sustainability – when a multitude of exhibitors will have the opportunity to demonstrate how they are putting environmental concerns at the fore

THE LATEST IN CLEANING TECHNOLOGY

Whilst sustainability is a clear priority for business owners across the industry emerging developments in cleaning equipment technology are accelerating the work done by cleaning professionals in a timely manner driving efficiency especially in hospitals or football stadiums where the scale of operation is much larger TECHNOLOGY SPARKS INNOVATION

Manufacturers

The technology on display will also highlight how advances are helping some of the sectors most important business s function

Maintaining infection control

Responding to the growing need for service providers, products and new innovations in the FM & PPE industries, this year’s event will also see an increased focus on the solutions and technologies driving growth in the sector – valued to be worth over £50 billion in the UK

Commenting on this year’s line-up Jim Melvin Chairman British Cleaning Council said: The cleaning hygiene and waste sector is one of the ten biggest industries in the UK and it is important that this resonates at The Cleaning Show which brings the industry together to celebrate its crucial work

The Covid-19 pandemic changed so many perspectives on cleaning PPE and importantly the roles of cleaning and hygiene operatives so I am certain that the line-up of exhibitors will be a hit with attendees as more businesses look to improve the safety of staff in the workplace And, as we enter the winter months where viruses have an environment to thrive, it is even more important to keep our key workers and the public safe healthy and well ”

Registration for The Cleaning Show 2023 is now open To register for your free pass to attend and to find out more about this year’s event visit https://cleaningshow co uk/london/

Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection

Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry Angloplas range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product reducing levels of bacteria such as

and mould by up to 99 99%

CLEANING & INFECTION CONTROL

Noroviruses: Outbreak Management and Disinfectant Choice

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

Enteric virus (EV) outbreaks are prevalent in the care home community with 73% of cases of outbreaks in weeks 43-44 in 2022 attributed to them (UKHSA, 2022) Typically spread via contact with faeces infection can spread easily via surfaces, food and close contact from someone with the virus (NHS UK, 2021) Norovirus is a small, non-enveloped virus that’s very difficult to destroy with traditional disinfectants owing to its small size and external capsid structure (GOV 2012)

It is vital to choose a disinfectant that is efficacious against Noroviruses Chlorine-based products (bleach NaDCC tablets and chlorine dioxide) lose efficacy in soiled conditions where Noroviruses are prevalent This means that they require an additional detergent cleaning step prior to use in order to still maintain efficacy An excellent alternative is peracetic acid (PAA) which outshines chlorine-based products because PAA is not hindered by soiled conditions PAA is widely used in the food industry water treatments agriculture and many other high-level industries Independent studies have shown that 85 – 250 ppm peracetic acid was effective in reaching 99 99 % reduction in viral particles with a contact time of 1 – 5 mins It was also found that even in the presence of synthetic faeces 85 ppm peracetic acid with a contact time of 1 minute was not hindered by soiling (Girard et al 2015)

edencleen from Cleenol

Over the course of our history we at Cleenol have always produced products that offer a perfect balance between cleaning performance and efficiency with an attention to reducing the environmental impact that our products may carry edencleen our latest brand reaffirms our commitment to our credentials for environmental guardianship and represents an evolution of what has been an integral part of our DNA Edencleen has been designed to reflect in part our vision for a cleaner safer world that touches not only the environmental aspects of sustainability but has as an aim a social ambition to leave the planet in the safe care of and for future generations As such with edencleen Cleenol looks to ensure transparency in our approach which may on occasion result in some counter intuitive elements

The range covers the essential needs to cover 80% of daily cleaning and include: a washroom cleaner and toilet gel cleaner and urinal deodoriser an all-purpose surface sanitiser, a degreaser and a washing up liquid a no rinse floor degreaser, a window cleaner and a laundry detergent and fabric softener edencleen products have been developed around the following principles

and ingredients

RSPO certified palm oil derivatives

No animal der ved products

Cruelty free

Minimal petrochemical derived products

No parabens, formaldehyde, CMI/MIT, triclosan phosphates chlorine bleaches, optical brighteners, quaternary ammonium compounds

VOC free and phosphate, EDTA NTA free

Recyclable / recycled packaging

100% bio-based surfactant - made by using bio-based ethylene oxide which is manufactured from biomass

ethanol

Bioethanol naturally derived acids sugar-based surfactants bio-based solvents low impact preservatives

Combining carefully formulated products, with appropriate packaging using recycled material or recyclable componentry, the range s mostly colourless liquid and low fragrance usage are designed to convey a transparency and straightforwardness of our approach which will be a hallmark of all edencleen products and associated services

Careful use of enzymatic formulations and more traditional chemistry brings a portfolio of products that s finely attuned to delivering effective cleaning which when used as instructed helps maintain a neutral environmental impact edencleen s new range represents just the start to a fully refreshed solution to meet the most demanding of customers expectations See the advert below for further information

With Care Home Providers Facing Soaring Energy Costs, Forbes Professional Advises On How To Optimise Laundr y Room Efficiency

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

For more info, contact: www forbespro co uk; 0345 0702335; info@forbes-professional co uk

Cash’s Labels- “The Name Behind the Name”

At Cash s we aim to capture reinforce and communicate our clients brand equity through quality and innovation from design to distribution

Our product range fully caters for the needs of both small and large retailers and brand owners alike comprising of woven and printed labels woven badges care labels branded and promotional swing tags garment accessories packaging and barcoding Our ground breaking labelling and security technologies

are also able to provide an unrivalled level of protection to our customers' brand by assisting to combat counterfeiting and grey market activity

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

The Professional Division of Miele Appoints Marketing Manager to Oversee Operations in Great Britain and Ireland

The professional division of Miele appoints Marketing Manager to oversee operations in Great Britain and Ireland

The professional division of Miele an industry leading manufacturer of commercial laundry and dishwasher appliances has appointed Egizia Maria Felice as Marketing Manager for Great Britain and Ireland Felice will be responsible for overseeing the marketing management of the hospitality care and service (HCS) sector as well as growing their laboratory, medical and dentistry (LMD) sector

Felice brings six years of experience in marketing and communications to her new role with previous

marketing roles at Oxentia a global innovation consultancy and academic publishing house Oxford University Press Her specialisms include strategic communications for international development agencies as well as marketing for academic research and publishing

Commenting on her appointment Felice said: “I have always admired the inherent quality of Miele products and its ethos of immer besser (ever better) so being able to join the Miele Professional team is a fantastic opportunity

As the organisation is dedicated to becoming the leader in sustainability within its industry one of my targets is to build relationships with businesses who also have sustainability at their core and to showcase how Miele s innovative technology can support their journey

Simon Venni County Sales Manager at Miele Professional commented: We re thrilled to have Egizia on board to lead our marketing team We’re excited to see how Egizia s broad range of perspectives will support us in reaching out to new customers

Are You Up To Date On Food Shortages That

May Impact The Catering In Your Care Home?

Everyone s acutely aware of current labour shortages but what about product shortages that may impact the food you’re offering to your residents? Planning to use products that are in short supply may mean you re faced with even higher food costs

Food procurement experts, allmanhall, provide some insight to help you plan to mitigate and to tweak your menus if needed

Like all of us UK farming is being impacted by a multitude of factors including spiralling costs The NFU has warned of a looming threat to UK food security In particular there s a risk of product shortages in the following energy intensive sectors:

Eggs - there are 4 9 million fewer hens laying eggs in the UK today compared to 2019 down 13% from 42 7 million to 37 8 million

Glasshouse grown produce including tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumber are likely to see production levels fall to their lowest levels on

record

Pears - UK pear production is at its lowest level since records began Fears of crops rotting in fields due to a lack of temporary seasonal labour compound the problem

Furthermore UK pork prices are up 40% year on year, largely due to high energy high feed costs and reduced herd sizes

This insight can be helpful when planning your menus and how to make the most of already-squeezed budgets For more expert analysis and other useful resources why not take a look at allmanhall co uk allmanhall are achieving up to 16% food cost savings for Care groups in the UK As well as catering procurement they can help with incontinence products PPE and other frequently bought products For larger items allmanhall can support you by running a tender and ensuring the best value Visit www allmanhall co uk or see the advert below for further details

Helping to Keep Your Patients Safe at Mealtimes with It’s Made For You Softer Foods

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

Our range of meals have been developed to ensure the nutritional content will meet the nutritional needs of your patients whilst they follow a texture modified diet Research has shown that up to 50% of people with dysphagia are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition There could be numerous reasons for this including a reduced appetite or the inability to consume large quantities of food in one sitting Our range of ‘classic’ and mini meals can help to ensure your patients are getting the most nutritional value from the food they consume The use of pre-prepared It’s Made For You meals can also be a practical time-saver and bring

peace of mind to the person with dysphagia as well as their carer

The range includes over 60 tasty dishes including chicken, beef, lamb fish and vegetarian recipes We also offer a tasty selection of desserts, and breakfast options as well as mini meals for those with smaller appetites Each meal is easy to cook in either the microwave or oven and promises to deliver delicious and tasty mealtimes every time

At It s Made For You we offer a delivery service that cares making it easy and convenient for our customers to eat delicious meals which can be delivered directly and safely to their homes This helps them if they cannot leave the house or go to the shops Plus, people love to use our service as they can rely on a regular delivery of good quality and safe meals directly to their door, by a friendly local Oakhouse Foods delivery driver Find out more at www Itsmadeforyou co uk

FOOD AND DRINK

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

Dietary requirements in care homes can be diverse and varied and it is important to handle them sensitively in order to ensure that residents receive the nutrition they need whilst respecting cultural and personal preferences

As a care home that manages two kitchens using one specifically dedicated to vegan and vegetarian food we’ve found there are some key tips for handling different dietary requirements which are as follows

CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE DIETARY ASSESSMENT FOR EACH RESIDENT

This should include information about allergies cultural and personal preferences and any medical conditions that may affect the resident's diet This assessment will help you to understand the specific needs of each resident and ensure that they are receiving the appropriate nutrition Double checking and being thorough not only protects you as a care provider, but also helps to ensure that residents are happy, and their preferences and needs are fulfilled

OFFER A VARIETY OF OPTIONS

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

To accommodate residents with different dietary requirements it is important to offer a variety of options at mealtimes This may include vegetarian vegan and gluten-free options as well as dishes that cater to cultural preferences This ensures that all possibilities are covered, preventing someone from being upset or unable to eat at a mealtime where nothing suitable is offered

CONSULT WITH RESIDENTS’ AND THEIR FAMILIES

It can also be very useful to consult with a resident s family about their loved one s dietary preferences 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

Anglia Crown – Adding Warmth to the Colder Months

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

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

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a wellbalanced, 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 allowing for additional choice Items

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

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

VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

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

All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details

Dementia Care: Communicating with People Living with Dementia Who are Struggling to Express Their Needs

By Dr Rachel Daly, Practice Development Admiral Nurse Consultant at Dementia UK (www dementiauk org)

language Taking the time to be with a person who is struggling to communicate is one of the greatest gifts to give them Remember that all behaviour is communication, and it is our job as professional carers to TRY HARD to understand and help them If you have a question on helping someone living with dementia you can always contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk org

T Take a moment Look around, what might be wrong? What might that person want or need? Give them your time

R Reactions - is the person reacting to you another resident the temperature, a noise or something else in the environment?

Y Yearning - is the person yearning for something? Are they hungry or thirsty? Are they bored? Do they miss their family? Do they need a hug?

H How can you find out their needs and emotions?Are they sad stressed, anxious, fearful confused, happy, or in pain?

Some people living with dementia may have problems communicating and expressing their needs which can leave them feeling very frustrated

For anyone providing support to a person living with dementia thinking about ways to help the person communicate with you could be beneficial Are there picture cards to hand to help the person recognise a picture of what they need (for example the toilet) and point to it, even if they cannot say the words? This helps them to express their needs and wants to their carer

Some people can write fluently long after their speech has gone Others may communicate through touch facial expressions or body

A Activities and meaningful occupation - how can you engage the person in a way that gives them some sense of choice control or fun? What did they like doing when they were younger? Would they like to plant some bulbs go for a walk or visit other residents? If the person is walking, consider why -are they looking for something or someone? Maybe they have a sore bottom from sitting too long

R Repetition - restate and use their words Reassurance - take the time to calm them down and remember they might feel frightened

D Dos, Don’ts and Distractions - Do: Smile be kind and get on their level Use more non-verbal communication like touch gestures

Otiom - Dementia Tracking System

Of the estimated 850 000 people in the UK living with dementia roughly 50% will wander with purpose and become lost during their condition When someone with dementia is reported as a missing person the police treat it as a high priority and put a lot of resources into finding that person as quickly as possible Technology can play a big part in preventing people with dementia from becoming lost and GPS technology has proven popular

Otiom is the only device of its type that is a registered class 1 medical device and has therefore undergone a rigorous testing protocol to comply with the European Medical Device Regulations

Otiom Offers peace of mind and freedom allowing people to move more freely It s a game-changing addition to the support of carers with a growing number of people living with dementia globally

Advantages include the ability to track indoors and outdoors low cost low maintenance superior battery life and improved communication stability We offer Otiom to both care homes and private users Otiom has been developed over several years backed by extensive research in the field of dementia It is the result of a collaboration with relatives, caregivers and people with dementia

Since Pentland Medical launched Otiom exclusively in the UK we have worked extensively with the Alzheimer Society and Alzheimer Scotland At the time of writing we are testing Otiom with the Alzheimer Society and expect to be listed as an official partner on their website in due course

Visit www pentlandmedical co uk or scan the QR code in the advert on this page for further details

pictures smells and show objects (like the juice box) to enhance understanding

Don t: be too loud too fast or use too many words Don t argue and remember that it is not important to correct them if they believe something to be true(like they need to go home to their mum) Distraction techniques can work well Ask them to tell you about their mum look at pictures or have a cup of tea together give a hand massage or play some music and dance with them if they are able

Music can be a wonderful therapy for people living with dementia and for it to be most effective it needs to be tailored to the individual

Find out as much as you can about the person through Life Story

Work which helps to ensure that our care always honours the person as an individual For example what job did they do? Did they have children? Do they have a religion? What are their hobbies? This is often called Person-Centred Care or Person-Centred Practice Ask the person (if they can communicate) ask their family check their records and note it in the care plan so you can share it with all your colleagues

Think about how the music you like might differ from your friends your partner or your family How can it affect your mood? That will be the same for your residents Some might like jazz or classical music whilst others might prefer music related to their religion If you find a favourite or something that calms them then make a note and use it in situations that they might find stressful If you find a tune that distresses them make a note of that too to help your colleagues to remember not to play it when they are around Music can be used passively (to listen to) or actively (for singing and dancing) – try it out always remembering to keep it personal to the individual

DEMENTIA CARE AND TRAINING

W&P Training

complement our full set of Care Home Policies and Procedures

SUPORTED LIVING / LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICIES

Designed for Supported Living and Domiciliary providers that deliver CQC regulated activities to adults with Learning

Disabilities and/ or Autism W&P’s Policies and Procedures for Supported Living Services will assist with your CQC compliance

Looking for Supported living Policies with NO Personal Care?

Visit https://www wandptraining co uk/policies-and-procedures/non-registered-care-policies/ W&P s policy and compliance team are constantly scanning and reviewing all the statutory websites and regulatory publications to track the very latest developments in the Health & Social Care Sector

Policies and Procedures are updated every 4 months or immediately if there is a critical change to regulation good practice guidance case law outcomes or just feedback from customers

To find out more about what we offer go to www wandptraining co uk or see the advert on page 2

Memor y Lane Games - An Extra Pair of Hands for Carers

Available to assisted living environments fully branded and personalised the Memory Lane Games app features reminiscence quiz games on hundreds of topics including places, hobbies, animals, history and food

The games are designed to be frustration-free and to trigger memories and conversation not to test

Improving resident wellbeing

Consistent with providing person-centred care our games encourage a sense of identity and connection and can be easily incorporated into personal care plans Our library of games has something for everyone but unique games can also be made using a resident s own memories and photographs creating a truly personalised and powerful experience

“Always on hand even on the night shift ” Northamptonshire Registered Managers Network

Improving family connections

Our app has proven to be effective at creating joyful meaningful connections between families Useful when used to prepare a resident for their family visit as well as during where they can be used as a conversation starter Games can be played and new memories made with the whole family on a topic everyone enjoys, even the grandchildren!

Calming and distracting agitated residents

Carers are able to effectively reduce agitation, aggression and distress as well as deliver personal and

therapeutic care more easily by initiating game play and allowing the app to provide respite

Alerts & Reporting

Our back office system captures and analyses game play data to alert deterioration against clinical data sets A sudden drop in game play performance for example could indicate a UTI This data is also used to generate a Reminiscence Journal’ (pictured) which can be created at the touch of a button and incorporates information on what the resident has played how long for and what they have enjoyed along with recommendations for future game play These can be sent to families and included in personal care plans ensuring everyone around the person living with dementia is aware of what they are positively engaging with

With no IT integration required the benefits to residents and carers can be realised immediately

Improved resident and staff wellbeing improved quality of family visits and a differentiated care home business

Our real-world case study covers how personalised gamification with Memory Lane Games can be used as part of a treatment plan to calm and improve quality of life for someone with severe dementia

Contact us today to receive a copy and find out more

Helpforcarehomes@MemoryLaneGames com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Navigating the Cost of Living Crisis Without a Cost to Care Standards

Sadly, we are all too familiar with hearing that our care sector is under pressure and that we are facing a challenging time as predictions point towards a recession At a time when we have 165,000 unfilled vacancies across social care and staff retention is as much of a focus as recruitment we are also facing higher costs for energy and essentials that aid us in delivering the care that residents need Now more than ever we need solutions that can save both time and money reducing the admin workload of stretched staff and helping budgets go a little bit further

As in many other areas of our modern lives technology has a big part to play in helping to navigate the cost of living crisis without compromising standards of care Care home administration software has the ability and potential to benefit care providers at all levels of the organisation but especially care home managers and carers Where the needs of residents are paramount solutions to saving time and costs need to be found elsewhere in the care home environment and one area where few would argue would be in reducing the administrative burden

The adage ‘time is money’ can feel overused but it still rings as true now as when it was coined While we all find ways to make budgets go that little bit further saving time can be a highly effective way to achieve this Utilising software capabilities to streamline the workload frees up staff to focus on the delivery of care instead of time-consuming admin Automation within software can also make normally time intensive tasks such as filling gaps in the rota much quicker [FH2] It’s easy to underestimate how much time can be saved as each individual saving seems so small but taken together shortening these repetitive tasks can have big implications Direct messaging of staff from the rota for example is saving CoolCare customers about 11 hours per month

The CAREAudits System

CAREAudits apps and sys-

tems 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

by Fiona Hale, Managing Director of CoolCare (www coolcare co uk)

alone – that’s nearly 1 5 admin days per month per care home Identifying these gaps earlier also prevents the need for emergency staffing from agencies which can come at a premium – stressing already tight budgets

From a business perspective, ensuring that care providers' time aren’t monopolised by admin makes a lot of sense Staffing is one of the biggest investments and costs for any business so having technology in place that helps them to perform their role more effectively is a wise investment on its own Where care home management software can automate and reduce admin carers have more time to spend with residents helping to deliver compliant staffing requirements If a member of the team needs to spend hours in an office on admin tasks, then additional team members are needed to ensure compliance, adding extra cost to a shift which could otherwise be used to help with energy and food costs

The cost of living crisis is not only affecting care home staff at work Where home financial pressures are mounting the stress can make it hard to focus fully on work no matter how hard an employee tries Capabilities and integrations within care home administration software to enable earned wage access give staff the ability to use their pay in a flexible way which works for them and their own financial situation Having access to forward rotas and vacant shifts also allows them to pick up additional work and money when needed Supporting staff through the crisis is also of benefit to staff retention, encouraging them to stay with the business and ensure standards of care are maintained for residents long-term and avoiding the need for recruitment in the midst of a staffing crisis

Technology has a key role to play in helping the care sector navigate the current financial climate Whether that s through reducing the admin burden streamlining roles or offering greater staff flexibility and benefits However, it’s just as important to tackle the challenges together enabling staff to feel supported in their roles so that we weather the storm together and continue to deliver exceptional care

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 management can monitor improvement Steven Tegart from Talbot Group likes reporting and says I wish all my other systems were as easy to extract data for management reports as the CAREAudits

Excel links

The system has over 120 example audits to select from CAREAudits apps are extremely easy to use and care providers can easily add or edit their own audits in minutes ensuring simple management of everchanging 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 CAREAudits apps are a part of the Care Plus Innovation Group Priory Park Hull HU4 7DY Info:- visit www careaudits co uk email apps@careaudits co uk or call Ken Newlove operations director on 01482 238887

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

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

TIME

More time to care

Carers never have enough time to care but going digital can provide more

There are so many time-consuming tasks such as writing care notes completing paper assessments filling in charts preparing handovers and countless other administrative tasks

Going digital can automate many of these tasks and enable recording care interactions in real-time ensuring nothing is left undocumented and saving time that can be better spent providing care

CONTROL

Better Control

Controlling paper-based systems can be an onerous job It generates reams of paper that can easily be lost copied and potentially fall into the wrong hands

Digital care systems are safe and accessible, maintaining the security and confidentiality of your data This is difficult to achieve with paper because sensitive information must be locked away when not in use per

GDPR

Furthermore, digital allows you to determine who can access and what via permission controls Staff only see what they need to see based on their role AutumnCare has a number of tools that assist in maintaining security and confidentiality including this lock screen functionality for use in medication administration rounds!

PROTECTION

Protect your business

Social care is a highly regulated industry and going digital can help you safeguard your business With multiple regulatory bodies such as the

CQC CIW Care Inspectorate RQIW Local Authorities and Safeguarding

Teams not to mention families and the justice system Any of whom can make enquiries or perform inspections at any time and without notice

Going digital makes it easy and efficient to evidence the quality of care you provide In addition as a digital system has a complete audit trail you can be assured the information you are providing is accurate and 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

Additional cost benefits include savings on printing paper stationary

and confidential waste bin collection These costs all add up very quickly and are enhanced by the savings in the administrative overhead

Furthermore going digital reduces paper use and the carbon footprint of regular deliveries Therefore, going digital can help you become more environmentally friendly

RISK

Reduced risk

Manual systems carry many risks It is challenging to manage, analyse and keep data and there is a lack of security Going digital with your care planning and eMAR can significantly reduce your risk

Using inbuilt alerts ensures that nothing is missed whether that s a care plan change or a fall report Using an eMAR will help reduce medication errors and ensure that the 6 Rs are always met

Going digital also allows the collection of data at the point of care which can be analysed to identify trends and risks and demonstrate corrective action

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

RETENTION

Improve staf f retention

Staff recruitment and retention remain long-standing challenges for the care sector and many factors contribute to the successful retention of staff

Morale is a crucial factor in retaining staff Using electronic care 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

Because any changes can be affected at the point of care, updates become a true reflection of the care (rather than a delayed update at the end of a long shift)

This information is then easily accessible by other system users, supporting a personalised care experience

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

For example, the CQC states that the care provider should look to embrace technology that helps monitor care delivery During an inspection, under the Effective key line of enquiry (KLOE), question E1 3 asks

How is technology and equipment used to enhance effective care and treatment delivery and support people’s independence?

Digital care plans are the best way to achieve this!

VISIBILITY

Improved visibility

Electronic care systems ensure that managers have real-time access to notes and information to instantly understand the care provided and help identify changes that need to be made to improve the quality of care

On an electronic care system it is much easier to see what is going on if you are contacted out of hours or on the go A digital system allows you to log in remotely to see what has been happening across the entire care service at a glance

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

USERS

Happier ser vice users

Last and by no means least going digital can make your service users happier

Digital systems enable you to spend more time caring and less time on administration

There are benefits to happy service users including positive reviews from family and friends which may help grow your service

WONDERING HOW TO GO DIGITAL?

If you re unsure of how to get started in your digital transformation

AutumnCare can help!

AutumnCare provides specialist digital care planning and eMAR 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

AND SOFTWARE

G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution

Genee is a UK leading manufacturer of innovative technological solutions Genee plays an integral role across all major industries including health care to support patients residents and staff

Having supported Care Homes through the pandemic The GTouch Wireless Care Home Solution is one of Genee’s most impactful solutions yet The solution includes; the G-Touch Interactive Screen Electric Mobile Trolley and a Wireless Battery Pack Its portability specially designed and simple to use interface as well as its multitude of applications are specifically built for residents and staff in mind

The G-Touch Interactive Screen is an engaging resource for residents and staff Available in 55’ , 65’’ and 75’’, the touchscreen itself has durable and toughened safety glass that can be easily cleaned The large screen provides for spectacular viewings of videos TV shows and movies In addition the size of the screen encourages residents to participate in interactive activities

With built-in 2x15w front facing speakers and an HD video conferencing camera provides the perfect communication tool to video call families, friends, and other care homes With the built-in PC and Android 8 0 operating system the user interface software is easy to use As soon as the touchscreen is turned on the system loads into a tablet style of multiple icons containing the software and Apps used daily without the

need for a PC-style login The included software also helps residents with health issues, including Dementia and Alzheimer’s

A solution that benefits all! The Electric Mobile Trolley is better suited than a traditional wall mount or trolley The mobile trolley can be electronically adjusted by height and offers 90-degree angle adjustment from horizontal to vertical ensuring easy accessibility at different chairs and wheelchair height The four lightweight and strong steel integrated castors include locking brakes for safety

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

The G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution comes with 5 years onsite warranty as standard with no additional costs Our dedicated team will bring the equipment to the care home assemble and install the solution and test everything on site We will also support you with free online training to ensure your Care Home gets maximum use of this incredible solution

Get in touch +44 (0)1902 390 862 sales@genee-group com www genee-group com

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

Blaucomm s Nurse Call Messaging Service (NMS) is the market leading solution to remove the dependency on noisy nurse call panels and pagers, through its intelligent software which delivers the alerts straight to the care staff who need them

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

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

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

Care operators are constantly recognising Blaucomm NMS for its reliability and dependability to their care operations, which is why we’ve been chosen time and time again over other solutions

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

NMS:

“We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic company with a reliable product

We have a range of nurse call systems at different sites and the NMS system integrates to them and allows us to compare response times between sites

In addition the integration to Person Centred Software is revolutionary We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens!

To find out more about Blaucomm NMS visit www blaucomm co uk/healthcare

Ssee the advert on the front cover for more details

Hartford Care Joins Forces with Sensio in UK First to Reduce Risk of Falls in Care Homes

or computer If further information is required an anonymous snapshot of the incident is shared so the team knows whether they need to attend or if the resident is moving around safely It s also possible to see the current status and position for all residents in their rooms at a glance from a single screen without compromising their privacy

Kevin Shaw Chief Executive at Hartford Care comments: “It’s a very exciting prospect to be the first care home in the UK to be trialling RoomMate This is ground-breaking technology which could help our entire industry develop and evolve; I am looking forward to seeing the impact this will have on our already exceptional resident care ”

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions

Hartford Care has teamed up with Sensio, a Norwegian company specialising in room sensors and advanced care technology to minimise the risk of resident falls in a four-month trial at its Hartford Court care home in Portsmouth – the first care home in the UK to trial this pioneering technology Sensio’s flagship solution RoomMate is proven to reduce falls, along with tracking sleep patterns and showing when people are waking or getting up during the night Privacy is ensured with an anonymised infra-red 3D sensor rather than the use of cameras and the sensors can detect many movements, from the resident sitting up in bed to them getting up from a chair or leaving the room so appropriate action can be taken by team members Importantly RoomMate can also alert carers if the resident is calling for help when they may otherwise not be able to reach their call bell

The RoomMate sensor ultimately reduces the need for nightly visits, so residents can sleep better with less interruptions In Scandinavian care homes where the technology is already being used falls have reduced on average by 60% across its 8 000 daily users

The technology works by an alarm being raised by the sensor if there is movement within a resident s room The care team can then check what kind of an alarm it is via the RoomMate app on a phone tablet

Johan Anstensrud Chief Executive at Sensio comments: We are delighted that the residents and staff at Hartford Care will reap the benefits from our revolutionary safety sensor RoomMate For years it has proven to be a success in Scandinavia preventing falls injuries and ailments and giving more time for personal care I am looking forward to continuing this exciting journey also in the UK, together with Hartford Care

Hartford Care is governed by three core principals – care comfort and companionship; and its philosophy of care is completely focussed on providing a safe and comfortable lifestyle for its residents and carers in a quality home setting

Hartford Care’s head office is based in Basingstoke Hampshire Established in 1908, its care homes are located in Bristol Berkshire (Burnham and Maidenhead) Devon (Sidmouth) Dorset (Poole) Hampshire (Barton-on-Sea Four Marks Hythe Portsmouth, Winchester and Woodlands), Isle of Wight (Bembridge Ryde and Shanklin) Oxfordshire (Witney) and Wiltshire (Downton)

Find more details about Hartford Care’s awardwinning care homes, while more information about Hartford Care Group Limited is available at: www hartfordcare co uk

Find more information about RoomMate and Sensio at www sensiocare com

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

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Silent Running - Tranquility in Care Homes

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-

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

Lotus Care Technology

The NurseAlert pressure mat has been one of the most successful floor pressure mats due to it being non slip and carpeted which makes it feel very natural under a residents foot Lotus Care Technology Ltd have many other fall saving devices that can give you peace of mind whilst caring for this at risk of falls

Having many years of experience in fitting and maintaining

Nurse Call Systems helps the guys at Lotus Care Technology understand that every home is different and has different needs They can specify not only the best system for the environmental factors in the home but also take into consideration the best products that will make your carers and nurses jobs that little bit easier

Visit www lctuk com for details

stressed also, this creates a happier workplace where morale is greatly improved staff are retained and CQC ratings improve Clearly the positive ramifications of a quiet Care Home run deep Get in touch today to find out how we can help your home become a quieter calmer, and more tranquil environment

For more information email us at: info@c-t co uk

• Nurse Call Systems

• Fire Alarm Systems

• Door Access

Nurse Alert Mats

Designed to combat the problem of residents who are inclined to walk undetected, the Nurse Alert Mat can help protect residents especially at night that are at risk of falls and accidents

When connected to a Nurse Call system or the mobile Floor Sentry Monitor it will then alert staff, sounding the alarm with a small amount of pressure thus enabling staff to investigate

• Staff Attack

• CCTV

• Infection Control

• Dementia Care

• Electrical Contracting

In addition The Floor Pressure Mat has a heavy non slip backing, It comes professionally sealed so can easily be cleaned for liquid spills and is fully serviceable

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

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

For further information see the advert on this page

PROFESSIONAL AND RECRUITMENT

Apprenticeships Partnership Could Help Create ‘Managers Of The Future’ For Care Sector

The co-founder of an award-winning management transformation programme believes a new class of apprenticeships could help create managers of the future for the care sector

Laura Ashley-Timms, Chief Operating Officer of Notion, believes apprenticeships that increase people management capacity in learners could be transformational for the future of care sector management

Speaking at the start of National Apprenticeship Week

Laura says:

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) now requires a specific ratio of manager level staff to patients in each care setting

But there is a shortage of care workers with the required Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care This reduces capacity in care settings which means hospitals are unable to discharge patients into those appropriate care settings, which increases demand for NHS beds If more care workers were able to access that qualification via an apprenticeship, it would increase care setting capacity and alleviate pressure on the NHS

“These areas are strategically important for the UK economy and for UK society as a whole Creating more and better managers especially in the adult care sector has the potential to relieve pressure on the NHS

Announcing their partnership, Qdos Training Ltd and Notion have been working together to integrate

STAR® Manager into their management and leadership apprenticeships that are the first to fully embed Notion’s innovative (and now research-backed*) Operational Coaching™ and management approach into selected Level 3 and 5 management and leadership apprenticeships

The partnership is initially focused on three apprenticeship programmes, Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor Level 5 Operations / Department Manager and Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care

Speaking of the partnership Laura Ashley-Timms said:

We ve always wanted to partner with a quality apprenticeship provider because we see apprenticeships as a powerful way of unlocking untapped talent and potential within organisations of all types Qdos Training is an exceptional provider and has a very impressive programme completion rate Deborah Johnson, Engagement Director at Qdos Training, says of the partnership:

We share Notion s absolute passion to create the managers of the future Most of us are accidental managers’ and may not have ever been shown how to manage people let alone learned how to communicate in a way that invites the highest levels of collaboration in the workplace STAR® Manager is a unique approach that enables our apprentices to put into practice the people management and leadership theories they re learning The programme enables them to be more than just managers and instead become brilliant people leaders

STAR® Manager was recently subjected to one of the largest academic studies of its type The study, carried out by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Government s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy found statistically significant proof that the programme improves retention rates and transforms management capability at scale in as little as six months

Website: https://starmanager global/what-is-star/

Contact: hello@STARmanager global

The Eden Alternative is fundamentally a modern philosophy of care’ which at its core is designed to enhance the wellbeing of residents and staff in care settings, the quality of their lived experience and their fulfilment

It aims to build a truly positive culture; underpinned by close partnership working between residents the team and family members

It is also designed to empower members of the care team to think innovatively about practice to enhance their fulfilment and strengthen retention

It is worth spending 10 minutes to see the Eden Alternative in practice https://youtu be/qK3vTbckZMw

How does it work? It provides training to Care Homes management and staff and encourages Homes to train their own ‘in house trainers to run the programme if they wish

The philosophy is designed to develop a positive and vibrant culture empower members in developing a care partnership and help

c A series of relevant Eden Video clips

d An Eden course questionnaire to assist learning

e Development of an individualised project that candidates work

Providers to deliver on their ambitions

How long has Eden been going? Eden has been running such training in over 20 countries on 5 continents for nearly 30 years and started in the USA It began operating in the UK in 2005

Eden UK runs both face-to-face training and online courses which both lead to the accreditation of candidates as Certified Eden Associates of which there are over 2 000 in the UK and 20 000 worldwide

The Certified Eden Associate Courses The online course runs over 6 weeks x 1hr each week covers the same material as the 3-day Eden Associate courses and comprise 5 elements:

a 6 Online live 1-hourly tutorials running weekly

b Working through the Eden Associate workbook

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance

Why Apprenticeships Are Crucial For Tackling Workforce Shortages Across The Care Sector

Care providers across the country have unfortunately become accustomed to workforce shortages As a recent report on health and social care workforce from the Health and Social Care Committee showed 95% of care providers are struggling to recruit staff and 75% of providers are finding it hard to retain their existing workforce This is compounded by the fact that these roles are typically paid less than 80% of the wider economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has further affected the sector s ability to recruit and retain staff – during this time the working conditions of social care workers suffered as they battled with long hours restrictive working conditions and an increased risk to their health

And on the ground these staff shortages can lead to increased frontline pressures burnout and job dissatisfaction They can also impact the quality of individual care – in October 2022, the CQC’s State of Care report said that in the first three months of 2022 2 2 million hours of homecare could not be delivered because of insufficient workforce capacity

So how can we encourage more people to pursue what can be an extremely rewarding career in care and stay in the sector?

APPRENTICESHIPS

If we are going to reverse the trend and increase the percentage of people joining and staying in social

By Steve Sawyer, Managing Director, Access Health, Support and Care

care we need to incentivise careers in the sector and create a positive environment for people to work in Doing so will improve job satisfaction – a huge factor in the departure of many health and social care workers as reported by the Nuffield Trust

At the Access Group one of the ways that we are promoting career pathways in social care is through the government’s Apprenticeship Levy Scheme, which aims to encourage work-based training in particular sectors Working with 75 000 customers across commercial and non-profit sectors we invest the money into our own apprenticeship schemes as well as sharing it with organisations from across health and care, supporting them to recover from the impact of the pandemic

The Health Support and Care division (HSC) of the company has invested £100 000 since March 2022 alleviating workforce pressures by enabling 86 health and social care apprenticeships across the country Benefactors of the financial support include residential care providers Burrow Down Support and Home2Home with Care; and domiciliary care provider Hamble Valley Care alongside a range of other care providers using the additional resource to enhance skills of new and existing staff thus providing them with more opportunities to advance their careers

As we see it apprenticeships play a crucial role in improving job satisfaction and ultimately staff retention, with unhappy and unfulfilled staff more likely to move into other roles They also motivate the next generation of talent to pursue a career in care encouraged by the support and opportunity to upskill in the sector

Admittedly apprenticeship schemes aren’t a silver bullet to the ever-growing workforce crisis but they are a positive step in the right direction to support a sector that we all value and depend on More information can be found on The Access Group s website at www theaccessgroup com