The Carer Digital - Issue #143

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

A report by Warwick University highlighting that government support during the Covid pandemic postponed a financial crisis in the care sector, as opposed to preventing it, will come as a surprise to nobody

As discussed in last week’s issue I recently attended a Future of Care seminar earlier this month which had some of the adult social care sector s leading organisations taking part

The report confirms all what they said, and highlights several significant issues particularly the withdrawal of support as the pandemic subsided The report rightly points out that while the pandemic had peaked, the financial impact was ongoing and the withdrawal of support at that time created significant issues for operators

Mike Padgham CEO of the Independent Care Group rightly says that: “Whilst we got some help during the worst of Covid-19 that stopped far too quickly Since then the extra costs associated with the pandemic combined with huge increases in energy and utility costs and the ongoing staffing challenges have all pushed the sector deeper into the abyss ”

The report highlights how care staff increased working hours often unpaid I have in past comments highlighted the seminar I sat in on in 2021 and listened to some harrowing stories from operators and frontline workers on how they managed to get through the storm, sleeping on camp beds, or even staffroom settees as opposed to going home and passing on any potential infections to their own families

The hard work and dedication and sacrifice wasn’t highlighted enough then and frankly it isn t highlighted enough now except within the sector

And I think the fact that the government has cut £250 million from its promised workforce fund adds insult to injury

I do remember reporting that social care workers would need a 41% pay rise to achieve parity with their NHS equivalents, in a report that examined the reasons behind the current workforce crisis in the care sector

The report entitled Unfair To Care – 2022/23 developed by Community Integrated Care in partnership with job evaluation specialists Korn Ferry provided an in-depth examination at the reverberations that low pay and the recruitment crisis creates on care workers and people who draw on social care, revealing that at current government rates of investment it will take 23 years - an entire generation - for social care

support workers to receive equal pay for equal work

We are receiving many releases now that the sector is moving towards addressing remuneration issues within the sector but this cannot of course be done without further government support I think most people would agree the government has taken the sectors goodwill for granted for far too long!

In another report on page 15 I note that the Government has announced its decision to delay the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards beyond the life of this Parliament as part of wider plans to reform and improve adult social care set out in its paper Next Steps to put People at the Heart of Care

For all intents and purposes this means that a decision on whether or when to implement the LPS will not be taken until after the formation of a new government

I am today putting out an alert on the implications of this very complex issue and we very much hope to have some expert input in the coming issue(s)!

We are also exhibiting next week at The Residential & Home Care Show at London’s ExCeL (April 26 and 27), so please do pay us a visit - we always welcome feedback!

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

Care Sector’s Post Pandemic Struggle

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

Highlights

The two-year study into the financial impact of COVID-19 on the UK care home sector was conducted by Warwick Business School University College London and the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) and was funded by the Economic Research Council

Key findings include:

The care home sector was hit with a huge economic shock at the start of the pandemic, due to a large drop income caused by high mortality rates and reduced admissions as a result of the virus

• Without Government support, the study estimates that the fragility of the care home sector going into March 2020 would have placed the businesses that provided 60% of all care home beds at risk of financial collapse

• Because there was no plan in place to deal with the financial impact of a pandemic on the care home sector and because government had very poor data about the finances of the care home companies there was a risk that money which was designed to support the pandemic response would leak out in the form of profits and dividends

During the first year of the pandemic aggregate profitability (operating profit) of for-profit care home businesses increased by 3%

A quarter of the 460 companies in the study paid out £120m in dividends – an increase of £11 7m or 11 per cent on the previous year

A group of 25 companies that paid out a combined £30 6m in dividends received a total of £21 7m in Government grants

To cope with the economic shock of the pandemic care home businesses reduced their costs including staff costs Combined with the lack of direct government support for care workers this meant that staff worked longer and harder and some experienced increased financial hardship as a result of their care work

Some 50% of companies saw a reduction in the number of care staff employed during the first year of the pandemic

Most care home staff worked harder and longer - 95% of survey respondents reported increased workload and 82% said their working hours increased

Four in 10 of the care home workers surveyed reported financial problems related to working in care during the pandemic

Although Government intervention averted financial collapse of the care home sector during the first year of the pandemic this crisis was not averted merely postponed

WITHDRAWN SUPPORT CONTRIBUTES TO CURRENT DIFFICULTIES

Marianna Fotaki, Professor of Business Ethics at Warwick Business School and co-author of the study, said The decision by Government to end financial support for care home companies after the peak of the pandemic had passed, even though the financial impact of the pandemic was clearly not over, has likely

contributed to the current financial and operational difficulties experienced by the sector ’

David Rowland Director of the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) and co – author of the study said, This study shows that there are major lessons which government needs to learn to ensure that the care home sector is much better equipped to respond to future pandemics

The lack of planning for the predictable economic shock in the care home sector caused by the COVID virus without doubt impeded the government’s response It also caused additional and unnecessary stress for care home operators, staff, and care home residents at what was an unimaginably traumatic time for everyone involved ’

“MORE EVIDENCE OF NEGLECT”

Mike Padgham CEO of the provider organisation The Independent Care Group (ICG) says the report provides more evidence of the neglect of the care home sector

The report says what we have been saying for a generation that social care has been so chronically under-funded that it was in a perilous state even before the pandemic

Whilst we got some help during the worst of Covid-19 that stopped far too quickly Since then the extra costs associated with the pandemic combined with huge increases in energy and utility costs and the ongoing staffing challenges have all pushed the sector deeper into the abyss

Care and nursing homes have been closing and homecare providers handing back contracts or ceasing to operate Those providing local-authority funded care have been particularly badly hit

When we surveyed our members earlier this year a frightening number said they feared for the future

Mr Padgham added Given the cutbacks the sector has suffered for decades there will be further closures within the sector

We appreciate that local authorities and the NHS are suffering financially themselves and that it is down to Government to properly fund the sector We must address the low pay issue in the sector too and achieve parity with NHS staff

Far from increasing funding the Government confirmed last week that for example £500m earmarked to help train the social care workforce has been halved to £250m

FUNDING CUT

Meanwhile, funding promised for the social care workforce in England has been halved

Funding had pledged to invest ‘at least £500 million over the next three years’ in its ‘People at the Heart of Care’ white paper in December 2021 however this was earlier this month reduced to £250 million

The Department of Health and Social Care said this money would back a ‘call for evidence in partnership with Skills for Care on a new care workforce pathway and funding for hundreds of thousands of training places, including a new Care Certificate qualification’

Making the Most of the International Recruitment Fund

By Tijen Ahmet,

Care providers need to act quickly to secure their share of the £50 million International Recruitment Fund which is only available across England until 2024 This fund has been created by the Government to help ease the costs of hiring from overseas and cut unnecessary red tape and whilst it might seem like a short-term solution to the longstanding issue of crippling staff shortages, care providers should seek to understand exactly what it covers to maximise the opportunity

88 per cent of home care operators and 87 per cent of care home providers have reported recruitment challenges

These challenges have been caused by a multitude of factors including the end of free movement following Brexit, the lasting effects of the global pandemic, poor longterm planning from the Government and the cost-of-living crisis are piling pressure on the sector As a result existing staff are having to take on more internal responsibilities as the scope of their role stretches potentially placing those who need care at risk The Health and Social Care Committee predicts that if staff shortage trend continues 500 000 jobs will need to be filled by 2030

The International Recruitment Fund plans to alleviate these pressures and can be used for administrative costs that will help facilitate a person s move to the UK including support with sponsorship licences and worker visa applications In addition it can also be used to help with the logistics of

Martineau

settling the employee in a new country including finding them affordable housing helping to pay for a UK driving licence, DBS check or National Insurance number

The funding will be granted by local authorities who, in collaboration with care partnerships, will distribute it to care providers in their areas Care providers should therefore proactively reach out to Local Authorities to ensure that they will be considered for funding as while a £50 million sounds plentiful with thousands of care providers across the UK competing over the same pot it ultimately may not stretch too far The first round of funding has already been allocated across regions with the South East and North West assigned £2 5 million and £2 million respectively

The Fund itself is not unlimited and the government is yet to announce further measure beyond 2023 if at all This means it is vital to for care provider to understand the the financial support available to them to increase the chance of being successful Care providers should consider seeking professional immigration advice to help their international recruitment drive to ensure that the legal immigration requirements are met first time to avoid costly mistakes

The International Recruitment Fund is intended to give the sector a boost by cutting bureaucracy and unnecessary complexity within the process The biggest hope, however is that it attracts the talent that the sector so desperately needs by making the positions more appealing if employers can help with settling an employee once they have relocated While the Fund will certainly go some way to support the sector in the short term more needs to be done to ensure there is a long-term strategy that will lift the burden from the sector and help to end the shortage

Poetr y Winner: Spring Ever yday by Jean Aves, Brampton Manor

Brampton Manor family Jean is a long-time resident of Brampton Manor and her heartfelt poem was a reflection of the love and care she has experienced there

Winning the competition and receiving her certificate was a special moment for Jean, and she was thrilled to be able to share it with her fellow residents and team members

We invite you to read her inspiring poem below

SPRING EVERYDAY

By Jean Aves – Brampton Manor

Brampton Manor here we go again

What more can I possibly say

Again I am taxing my brain

To find something more that just may

Be enough to fully explain

Boutique Care Homes recently held the Boutique Poetry Competition that invited residents and team members to compose a poem based on Spring/Easter that incorporated our eight core values

They were thrilled to receive many beautiful entries, but one in particular stood out - Spring Everyday by Jean Aves from Brampton Manor Brampton Manor say Jean s poem expresses her gratitude and joy for being part of the wonderful family at Brampton Manor Her words capture the essence of our core values and remind us of the beauty of springtime

"Joy was delighted to receive her winners certificate She expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the recognition and shared how much it meant to her to be a part of the

The joy that I feel everyday

To be part of this wonderful family

What can I possibly do

To repay the kindness and care

From the wonderfully loving few

To the residents who are well aware

Of the devoted staff waiting to renew

Their duties each day of their care

It’s like spring everyday

I thank God when I pray

For finding this glorious place Brampton Manor you are my spring

business immigration expert at law firm, Shakespeare

(www shma co uk)

We Must Work Collaboratively to Help Sustain the Sector Says Care England

Care England has issued a raft of measures to the sector aimed at reducing costs and curing complexities to create efficiencies

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says: “It is vital to remain pragmatic in these challenging times and this latest initiative is something we hope will help go towards stabilising the adult social care market Care England and Hft’s Sector Pulse Check 2022 report found that the adult social care sector is on the precipice We know that fee levels are the principal determinant of a sustainable market and recognise the financial pressures facing Local Authorities which according to the Local Government Association will see a further 9% increase in the cost of Social Care in 2023-24 this is of course off the back of 2022-23 inflation which equates to around 14% for care providers

On top of this the Government requires Local Authorities to utilise funds from 2022-23 through to 2024-25 to move toward the Fair Cost of Care As such, any Local Authority that is offering uplifts less than inflation is unable to meet this requirement and is consequently failing to achieve the required reform objective The solutions Care England has highlighted to system partners, including care providers and local decision-makers, can be implemented with relative ease to improve the financial position of care providers, in addition to fee uplifts, to help meet this obligation with minimal cost impact to Local Authorities, or which can be funded via its current funding allocation from central government ”

The Independent Providers Support Briefing is available on the Care England website and contains a host of measures which cover key issues afflicting adult social care providers

THESE MEASURES INCLUDE:

Recruitment and Retention – Employee referral reward and recognition app Care Friends has been proven to recruit and retain staff longer for half the costs of traditional recruitment methods and introduce more new and loyal individuals to the sector

• Energy Costs – Care England instigated support for care providers with energy procurement by consolidating buying power for energy which is delivering up to 36% savings and has helped to recover £3 5m in VAT and CCL charges as well as providing articles and briefings outlining practical steps that can be taken to minimise and save on energy costs

VAT – Care providers are currently unable to recover input VAT, unlike most UK businesses Care England continues to run webinars on how care providers can recover VAT through restructuring and is encouraging providers to ask their respective Local Authorities to support VAT recovery and use the information provided to recover VAT where possible

Procurement – Care England is offering procurement support by combining purchasing power with other care providers to achieve economies of scale

Fees – Care England has produced materials designed to help navigate the complex process of challenging Local Authority annual fee uplifts and the options open to providers

Personal Budgets – Information for care providers to understand the part they play in contributing to Local Authority fees offered and maintained below the cost of care

Martin Green continues The Government will be injecting £7 5bn into social care over the next two years

but the reality is this figure leaves far less than is needed to address the catastrophic inflation experienced let alone wider measures such as discharge or funding new packages of care ”

“We must work collaboratively over the coming months to help sustain the sector We acknowledge the financial position of Government and Local Authorities and hence why we are offering the above solutions beyond a fee uplift which can have an equally significant inflation-busting impact on care providers and support sustainability, which can be legitimately funded via the current Government financial settlement ” However Local Authorities must recognise the role they play in perpetuating the unsustainability of the sector Care providers have historically continued to accept residents at rates below the actual cost of providing care This has led Local Authorities to set personal budgets at fee levels that are simply unsustainable

A new reality must be imposed where care provider costs are brought into the conversation with a Local Authority when setting personal budgets Care England is keen to help build bridges by broadening the conversation with commissioners and demonstrating that provider engagement should not wholly be about fee negotiation once a year In the interim the measures outlined in our Independent Providers Support Briefing would bring about immediate relief to a struggling sector equal to that of a 5%-10% uplift in care provider fees ”

Hundreds of Thousands Set to Receive Spring Covid Jabs this Week

There are more than 725 000 chances to grab a jab this week as the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme opens up its spring offer to all those eligible

More than 320 000 people have already booked an appointment and the first of these will begin receiving their vaccinations from today

Around five million people in total are eligible in line with JCVI advice, which includes over 75s those aged five and over with a weakened immune system and older adult care home residents

NHS staff have already begun administering spring booster doses to care home residents over the last two weeks

The NHS has issued 1 25 million invites so far and a further one million people will be asked to book a vaccine appointment this week if they are yet to do so

It is the first time that millions have been sent their initial invitations through the NHS App where they can also book an appointment as the NHS continues to expand its technological capabilities

Text messages emails and letters will also be sent to those without the app or not actively using it

The health service – now in its 75th year – has administered more than 144 5 million covid jabs over several vaccination campaigns since Maggie Keenan became the first in the world outside of a clinical trial

to receive the vaccination in December 2020

NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening Steve Russell said “The covid vaccine still has a crucial role to play in protecting those at greatest risk of severe illness from the virus including those with a weakened immune system as well as all aged 75 and above

It is great to see that around 320 000 people have booked in to get a jab with around hundreds of thousands of further slots available across the country this week alone

“The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has delivered almost 145 million vaccine doses since December 2020 and staff will not stop in their efforts to give people extra protection I would urge anyone eligible for this extra protection to get their spring covid vaccination at the earliest opportunity and give yourself peace of mind this summer Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “As we enter spring it s important to remember immunity from Covid vaccines wanes over time From today, a further one million people will be invited to top up their protection against the virus

“For the first time invites to book a Covid jab are being sent via the NHS App – a fantastic example of how we’re using technology to make it easier for people to access health services With over 3 000 vaccination sites across England, it couldn’t be easier to get your jab when

invited so please do not hesitate

“The offer of a first and second dose of vaccine to healthy adults will also be ending on 30 June and I strongly encourage anyone who has not yet come forward to join the nearly 43 million who have already received both doses ”

This latest vaccination is being offered to those considered most at risk, following advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online Alternatively they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site

The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June

Anyone who turns 75 before then is eligible

Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date following recent advice from the JCVI After 30 June the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk usually during seasonal campaigns

There will be around 3 000 sites across England with the majority of appointments being delivered in communities by pharmacies and GPs

Local Dementia Care Charity To Open A New Activity Centre In Springlfield, Chelmsford

In line with their strategy to help more people and loved ones living with dementia, small Essex based charity, Essex Dementia Care is expanding and will open a new activity centre at the Springfield Parish Centre

The new Every Day Counts group will be held every Tuesday from 11am to 4pm and the grand opening will take place on Tuesday 2nd May 2023

EDC have invited all their existing clients families and associates to attend the opening ‘Taster Day’ to enjoy some fun entertainment and a buffet lunch It will be a chance to view the new facility and to chat to the EDC team to find out all about the new group and the other services they offer the community

Senior Manager for EDC, Kelly Bleasdale says “We have high hopes for the new activity centre and are looking forward to the opening We presently run Every Day Counts groups at Sandon and Broomfield in Chelmsford

but these are nearly running at full capacity

The Sandon group meets on a Wednesday and Broomfield on a Friday, so Tuesday is a perfect day to offer new and existing clients Our ‘Every Day Counts’ groups support people in the early stages of dementia helping them to retain existing skills and to stay active in the community Our clients are kept busy with many types of activities including artwork crafts games Music and Movement’ singing and dancing and much more There are also plans to have some days out to places of interest when the weather warms up ”

The Springfield Parish Centre is located at St Augustine s Way CM1 6GX Springfield Chelmsford Call 01245 363789 to reserve a place at the ‘Taster Day’ on 2nd May 2023 Visit the website at www essexdementiacare org uk to read more about EDC services

CQC Updates “Plan and Approach” for Transformation

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued an update on its complex transformation programme” and evolving inspection strategy

This outlines the regulator s work so far in 2023 and sets out what health and care providers and others can expect for the rest of the year, including the new regulatory approach engaging with providers reorganising CQC s operational teams and work on assessing local authorities and integrated care systems

THESE CHANGES WILL:

• Introduce a new regulatory approach for health and care providers, integrated care systems (ICS) and local authorities

Establish a new Regulatory Leadership team to shape CQC priorities and drive improvement

Change how CQC s operational teams are structured to better deliver its regulatory activity

Deliver a new and improved provider portal

CQC s strategic ambition is to drive improvements across the health and care system helping to tackle health inequalities This has not changed

CQC had planned to introduce their new regulatory approach this month However following a full review of their timeline this will now happen later in 2023 This is to ensure that improvements can be made as smoothly as possible, as providers continue to experience persistent pressures

LISTENING TO FEEDBACK

Having listened to feedback CQC is taking time to work in partnership with their stakeholders and to be clear around what is and is not changing This is so that providers can be clear about their requirements and have time to prepare for changes

CQC is currently doing more testing of the changes already released and taking feedback into considera-

tion before extending changes to other services to ensure providers will be able to adapt to them smoothly

They will continue to develop their new approach and in addition to their regular inspection programme, will prioritise their:

National programme of inspections in maternity services

‘People First’ resource which aims to help all elements of the urgent and emergency care (UEC) pathway

Monthly reviews of services

During this period providers will not see any changes to their local relationships with CQC Over time, providers will engage with their local teams in different ways

NEXT STEPS

CQC will continue to implement the new approach in phases, ensuring each phase is properly implemented before moving to the next

From spring they will focus on making sure the technology they require is in place and testing it with providers and checking that their new regulatory approach is ready to launch

Because services are under pressure CQC will minimise the changes they make and focus on mainly internal priorities

In summer CQC will launch their new online provider portal in stages and with support and guidance

Towards the end of 2023 CQC will gradually start to carry out assessments using the new assessment framework

This will be powered by new integrated assessment teams and supported by new technology CQC will provide regular updates and more detail during the year

Halcyon House Shop Named in Honour of Former Staff Member

Residents at Halcyon House in Formby are enjoying the use of a newly opened shop stocked with essentials that they may need in their day-to-day lives

Carer Liam Brown put his creative skills to excellent use to create the shop, following the residents expressed wishes to have somewhere where they could buy toiletries, stationery, snacks and anything else they may need in their day-today lives

Liam explained “We recently had a new storage facility put in which meant that we had a store room that was unused

I built the entire shop took over the course of a week spending about two hours every day on it after my shift finished I was given a small budget of £150, so I removed the existing door and installed a barn-style door in its place I also put in a shutter so it can be kept locked when it’s not in use, and added a counter-top and some shelves which I manage to salvage from around the home

The shop is named Stevenson’s Shop in honour of Chris Stevenson a carer who sadly recently passed away after working at the home for 15 years

Manager AnnMarie Roberts says Our lovely carer Chris is very much missed She loved a boiled sweet and was always putting her lip balm on so she would have loved the shop It symbolises many of the things she loved to do For example, she enjoyed a good chat with our residents, and they use the shop as a way to catch up with each other as well It is a lovely way for us all at Halcyon House

to reminisce about the happy times we have had with her ”

Resident Mary Kent added It was the little things that Chris always remembered that made her so special and dearly missed ”

On the shop opening Chris children said It s so nice to see how well thought of our mum was at Halcyon House A big thank you from our family to her work family ”

The residents were given the opportunity to propose their thoughts on what the décor of the shop should be A 1940s-50s theme was chosen and the shop features typical posters from that era on the walls and a vintage till which it is hoped will help the residents reminisce about shopping and shops they use to visit when they were younger

Open twice a week the shop has proven popular with the residents since it was announced in the house’s newsletter, bringing the things they need to just a stone’s throw away

Resident Freda Gore said “Knowing everything in in walking distance for both me and my husband is comforting

AnnMarie added We are all so grateful for Liam and all his hard work He is always full of new and interesting ideas and makes a great difference to our residents who miss him greatly when he is not in It was a lovely thing to do and helped bring some comfort to us all at Halcyon at a difficult time Exciting times ahead, as we never know what new feature or activity he will come up with next!

Care Home Open Week Returns with Inaugural ‘Great British Care Cycle Relay’

Championing Social Care a volunteer-led group of leaders from across the social care sector has announced it will be hosting Care Home Open Week from 26th June to 2nd July this year with a packed agenda aimed at encouraging communities to engage with care home residents and the exceptional care professionals that care for them

To celebrate the length and breadth of care homes across the country participating in Care Home Open Week the inaugural Great British Care Cycle Relay will travel from the North to the South visiting care homes along the way that are at the heart of each community across the country

The relay will fly the Championing Social Care flag high passing on a travelling 'baton' between care homes throughout the week to reach a landmark destination in London The relay is expected to attract some of the largest participation of its kind with care teams, suppliers friends and supporters, along with some able residents cycling short routes between each participating Care Home Further details will be shared in due course along with information on how to take part in this milestone event

Once again Care Home Open Week will provide homes with the opportunity to show what facilities activities and services they can offer and will also showcase the career opportunities available in the sector and encourage communities to support and volunteer for their local service

STANDOUT EVENTS AT CARE HOMES THIS YEAR INCLUDE EVENTS FROM KEY PARTNERS:

1 MUSIC FOR DEMENTIA, founded and funded by The Utley Foundation, is leading Thank You Day on 2nd July focusing on musical activities which will have a special emphasis on the unsung and often unseen army of carers Over the past two years, 15 million people have taken part in this chance to say thank you for everyone and everything that makes our communities great places to live in and to get connected with the people they live alongside all year round

2. EDEN PROJECT COMMUNITY’S The Month of Community is a time to celebrate everything that makes our communities great It began in 2021, in recognition of so many wonderful community initiatives taking place around the same time of year A whopping 20 million people took part in 2022 and we hope you ll join us in 2023!

1750 care homes have already signed up to participate in the event with a record 4 000+ homes expected

to participate this year 40 MPs are already planning visits to local care homes The week-long activities are aimed at encouraging communities to engage with care home residents and the exceptional care professionals that care for them

Niharika Noakes Championing Social Care Director says: Last year s Care Home Open Week really succeeded in highlighting the incredible value of the social care sector to society and the special relationships between care homes residents and local communities We’re excited about making Care Home Open Week 2023 even more successful than previous years and are targeting record numbers of Homes across the country participating and even more MP visits ”

Sarah Metcalfe MD of Music for Dementia adds: Music for Dementia is delighted to be involved in this year s Care Home Open Week We hope that through participating in musical activations on Sunday July 2nd more people become aware that music can build connections, relieve anxiety and bring back memories Music is also great at creating moments of joy – and we very much expect Care Home Open Week to be a joyous event from start to finish Victoria Verbi Head of Campaigns at the Together Coalition adds: “We are so pleased to be working in partnership with Championing Social Care and that Sunday 2nd July of Care Home Open week will be dedicated to Thank You Day! We ll be inviting all care homes to open their doors and say a great big thank you to the unsung carers and heroes who work tirelessly every day, using the power of music to spread joy and appreciation ”

The 2022 event received record engagement from care homes and MPs with 2 400 care homes taking part and 105 MPs and ministers attending a local care home during the week including Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab

80% of the care homes who participated in Care Home Open Week 2021 agreed that the event helped promote their facilities, activities and services 68% of the participating care homes also agreed that the event encouraged greater community engagement and volunteering Interested participants can register for Care Home Open Week 2022 or learn more by visiting https://championingsocialcare org uk

Poole RNLI Visit is Wish Come True for Ex-Olympic Hopeful Yvonne, 106

One of the UK s oldest people a former elite swimmer born halfway through the First World War enjoyed a wish come true when she revisited the RNLI College in Poole a favourite place for trips with her family and friends

As well as being Poole’s first national swimming champion 106-year-old Yvonne Glover was a hydrographer who spent much of her career measuring water depths and checking for hazards in Poole Harbour

She even has a harbour buoy named after her near Brownsea Island and the Wych Channel Glover s Buoy

Born in Boscombe in 1916 Yvonne used to swim between the ferry and quay when she was a girl

She was a member of both Bournemouth and Poole swimming clubs and competed at county and national level becoming a backstroke champion in 1932 and narrowly missing out on a place at the Berlin Olympics in 1936

Now living at Colten Care s Bourne View care home in Poole Yvonne expressed a wish to carers that she would love to see the harbour and college once again so they made it happen for her Team member Julie Wathen said: “Yvonne was talking to us about her life experiences and said she would really love to go to the lifeboat college s first-floor restaurant for coffee and look out over the harbour

I thought we could do better than that and asked the RNLI if she could have a personal tour as well

“They were only too happy to agree and their longest serving volunteer, Tony Scutt, very kindly provided a wonderfully informative two-hour tour

“Yvonne was delighted She was able to see the training pool and learn how it can be set to replicate

rescues in different conditions such as rough seas and night times

“She heard how crews are trained to cope with capsized lifeboats and descend into seas from height

“She said she had never learned so much about it and found it all fascinating

After watching footage of a lifeboat launch filmed in rough seas off East Anglia Yvonne spent time in a training simulator

Julie said: She experienced what it must be like to battle through rough seas to a burning ship following the path of a helicopter avoiding collisions with smaller vessels and keeping watch for survivors in the water ”

Yvonne then fulfilled her original wish for a coffee upstairs in the college restaurant looking out over the harbour

Tony continued to talk with us and answer our questions said Julie “Yvonne asked where the lifeboat crews came from and recalled a time before the RNLI when local fishermen - and she named some of the fishing families - used to man the lifeboats

“We compared the training pool to the swimming baths she used to compete in and Yvonne recalled that she also used to swim in the harbour when she was younger from the ferry to the quay

We also watched training exercises being conducted on the jetty below us

During her career as a hydrographer Yvonne worked for three consecutive harbourmasters at Poole In retirement she continued to visit the RNLI College with family and friends for special occasions such as birthdays

Julie added “Yvonne had a beautiful morning courtesy of the RNLI It was a real pleasure and privilege to help make her wish come true She is a lovely lady with an amazing sense of adventure who still enjoys being out in the fresh air and loves water ”

Yvonne who has always lived locally said: For me the most exciting part of the morning was the simulator It was thrilling We had a wonderful trip I’m amazed how the RNLI has grown over the years ”

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 month 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

NHS Confederation Responds to RCN and UNISON Pay Ballot Outcomes

Responding to the outcome of RCN and Unison member ballots on the government s pay offer Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“While it was positive to see that UNISON members have voted in favour of the pay deal it is therefore disappointing that the RCN and its members have voted against it We must now await the views of other unions in the coming days and weeks

“This mixed outcome leaves the NHS in limbo at a time when it desperately needs certainty NHS leaders will be anxious about the impact it will have on patient care and their efforts to bring down waiting lists

“The cumulative impact of the strikes has already seen the cancellation of over 300 000 appointments and operations and this number will swell following the junior doctor strikes this week The prospect of months of further strike action will be a cause of

PROVIDING

YLISH

great concern

“NHS leaders and staff have planned and prepared well for the strikes to date and have worked closely with local union representatives to ensure they do all they can to deliver safe care and minimise disruption to patients

But local services have been greatly stretched and a laserlike focus on maintaining patient safety in emergency and critical care and other areas has come at a cost to patients and families on elective and diagnostic waiting lists

“NHS leaders understand the pressures facing staff and the context that’s led to industrial action We know these decisions are never taken lightly and are bound up in multiple factors beyond pay alone But this latest development following the RCN vote will lead to more uncertainty We will now have to await the views of other unions before we can know where this will go next

Over Half a Million Doctor Appointments Now Cancelled Due to Industrial Action

MORE than 200 000 appointments and operations were cancelled in last week’s doctors’ strike

It takes the total above half a million since stoppages began in the winter NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Today s (April 17) figures lay bare the colossal impact of industrial action on planned care in the NHS

“Each of the 195 000 appointments postponed has an impact on the lives of individuals and their families and creates further pressure on services and on a tired workforce – and this is likely to be an underestimate of the impact as some areas provisionally avoided scheduling appointments for these strike days

Our staff now have an immense amount of work to catch up on hundreds of thousands of appointments all while continuing to make progress on tackling the backlog of people who have been waiting the longest for treatment We have now seen nearly half a million appointments rescheduled over the last five months and with each strike, it becomes harder

While our staff are doing all they possibly can to manage the disruption it is becoming increasingly difficult and the impact on patients and staff will unfortunately continue to worsen ”

Responding to the publication of statistics by NHS England detailing the impact of the industrial action taken by junior doctors Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“NHS leaders will not be surprised by the number of appointments and operations postponed due to the recent strike action With over 201 000 appointments and operations postponed from last week s action this

takes the total number of cancellations across all strikes so far to well over half a million This strike action is going on much longer than expected and will have long-term consequences for patients

“Over the four days of the junior doctor industrial action the NHS prepared extensively and managed to cope relatively well Our members reported good levels of cover being provided by consultants SAS doctors and other healthcare professionals NHS leaders and staff worked closely with local union representatives to ensure the delivery of safe care and minimise disruption for patients

However we should not underestimate the impact on patients whose operations and appointments have now been put back NHS leaders continue to be greatly concerned by the prospect of further strike action and this will inevitably harm our efforts to reduce waiting lists

“If there are to be further strikes it is vital that derogations are set out as soon as possible and before further action takes place so leaders can ensure safe levels of staffing particularly for urgent and emergency care Otherwise, it will be tougher for NHS leaders to plan and mitigate the effects of strike action meaning that the impact of any disruption could be far worse than what we have already seen

The latest developments following the RCN and Unison ballots have left the NHS in an uncertain position We must now await the views of other unions before we can know where this might go next

“We continue to call on the BMA and the government to negotiate and reach common ground on pay so patients staff and leaders alike can see an end to this dispute

Bring Joy and Connection to the Lives of Older People

Alive Activities have been engaging Care Home residents training carers and connecting communities for over 13 years With person-centred care at the heart of everything they do all their offerings are tailored to the people that they work with Alive are experts in bringing meaningful engagement to older people From training to activity audits gardening to intergenerational links find out how Alive can support you and your residents

TRAINING

Alive offer a range of inspiring training courses on topics that they know to be essential in providing person-centred care Training from Alive will give your staff the confidence and ideas to cater for individual needs and interests They also offer bespoke courses, including coaching programmes, which will be uniquely built with you to cater for your home s specific requirements In person or remotely a common theme throughout all of Alive’s training is encouraging the “whole-home approach” to activities; giving all staff

the skills to engage ALIVE ON DEMAND

Alive s newest service Alive on Demand is designed to assist Care Home Staff in providing meaningful engagements both in group and 1-2-1 activities It is a dementia-friendly video streaming platform with supporting materials including quizzes and crafts, that easily transforms each topic into well-rounded activity Designed to spark conversation and evoke memories you can easily search for topics of interest or use the filter options to select videos by level of dementia and duration For those living with more advanced dementia Alive offer “calming videos designed to immerse in relaxation and calm

“It is like having an activities expert in your back pocket!”

For more information to book in a demo or discuss training options please call 0117 377 4756 or email info@aliveactivities org Visit www aliveactivities org to find out more

Critical Care: Recruiting International Workers in the UK Adult Care Sector

With almost 165,000 vacancies in the adult care sector unfulfilled care homes and home care providers are turning to the international workforce to plug critical gaps within their organisations However gone are the days when care homes could rely on the steady arrival of skilled workers from the EU to fill these crucial roles

Employers now face a myriad of specific immigration laws that make hiring from abroad more complex In the face of these new challenges there are important steps and hurdles that care homes need to be mindful of when recruiting from overseas

A LICENCE

STEP ONE - GETTING

If you’re looking to hire skilled workers from overseas, you will first need approval from the Home Office by way of a Skilled Worker Sponsor License (licence) Applying for a licence can be complex, so it is important that you have a dedicated legal expert guiding you throughout the process Once you have secured a licence you can then sponsor skilled workers to carry out the necessary work within the UK

To secure a licence, you will need to submit a suite of corporate documents including for example your latest annual accounts corporate bank statement, Employer’s Liability Insurance Certificate and VAT registration certificate as well as your CQC registration Other pieces of evidence need to be disclosed such as confirmation that the company has robust HR processes in place that will ensure compliance with the strict reporting and monitoring requirements placed on all

sponsor licence holders Care organisations also need to have appointed key personnel from within the business to manage the sponsorship system

On top of all these requirements a payment fee of £536 for small or charitable sponsors and £1 476 for medium to large sponsors is required

STEP TWO - GETTING KEY TALENT IN

It usually takes the Home Office around 8 weeks to process a licence but can take longer depending on the capacity of the sponsor licence processing team at any particular time and complexity of the particular application Whilst there is an option to fast-track the application, it is subject to availability – and also costs an additional £500 When hiring more than one non-UK national the costs can start to quickly add up

Once a licence has been granted potential new staff will need to meet several criteria to be able to work in the UK This includes a minimum skill level minimum salary level and they must meet an English language requirement As background checks are likely to be required for care staff roles they will need a criminal record certificate from their current country of residence and a tuberculosis test if they are from a listed country

Typically a skilled worker using this route will need to be paid a salary of £25,600 (rising to £26,200 on 12 April 2023) or the ‘going rate’ for the role whichever is the higher However there are exceptions to this when an individual can be paid a lower salary This would include for example if the job is on the Shortage Occupation List or if the individual qualifies as a new entrant to the profession GETTING OVER THE LINE

The Government recognises the shortage in care home workers, which is why it launched the Health and Care Worker Visa in August 2020 This visa allow medical professionals to come to the UK to do an eligible job within the NHS an NHS supplier or a role in adult social care

The programme fast tracks the visa process for those entering the

UK gives access to support from a dedicated Home Office team and reduces visa fees such as the exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge It s key that when hiring any overseas employee you are doing so through this visa programme

As with other visas applicants can stay in the UK on a Health and Care Visa for up to 5 years, after which they will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or British citizenship thereafter making the Health and Care Visa a pathway to settlement

Retention is as important as recruitment Making sure your existing overseas employees are applying for ILR or British citizenship is key to avoiding unexpected shortages and demand pressures

From February 15th 2022 a number of other care sector roles including care assistants and support workers, were added to the Shortage Occupation List meaning that applicants are able to be paid a lower salary and still qualify for a Health and Care Visa

THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Whilst these reforms are unquestionably helpful to the care sector in providing short-term relief we do not know for how long they will remain in place The shortage facing the industry increases month-onmonth so there may be more relief plans put in place to help stem the problem We re seeing this already in the form of an additional £15m from the Government to boost support for international recruitment within adult social care across this year and next

The UK s immigration rules are complex and the application process can be overwhelming Speaking to a business immigration specialist before embarking on the process would be a wise step to ensure recruiting from abroad is a smoother process and avoid mistakes that may lead to a swathe of unnecessary costs, fees and administrative burdens

Care homes and providers are working tirelessly to deliver the best care service to the UK population The Government must take further action to make foreign recruitment more accessible and cost-effective so that the industry is able to focus on delivering the world-class care that our country is renowned for

As Energy Prices Surge, Wolf Laundr y Offers Assistance To Care Homes

Commercial laundry expert Wolf is tackling the cost-of-living crisis within the care industry by providing expert personalised advice, comprehensive consumption figures and additional training

Barnsley-based Wolf Laundry has more than 30 years experience within the laundry sector and provides bespoke commercial laundry equipment across the UK to heavy users including care homes universities and holiday parks

Recognising the energy cost pressure facing the care home market Wolf Laundry is working with clients to help them better understand usage and educate them about the cost savings that can be achieved by switching to gas

Wolf Laundry research showing figures for their Primus Dryer range reveals electricity rates reach £9 18 for a 24kg capacity load of laundry but in contrast the same brand of the machine holding an identical capacity fuelled by gas was almost half the price costing £4 92

Joshua Brown Director at Wolf Laundry, said: “We aim to provide the most transparent information to help our clients make the best choices for them We cannot deny that right now gas is much more cost efficient but we re working with customers to help them understand the options

“We’ve recently rolled out a training programme for the care home sector focusing on achieving optimal hygiene as efficiently as possible We re working on a one-to-one basis with several care homes to help them find an efficient long-term solution

“We appreciate that our customers are making difficult choices about energy bills and trying to balance

that with long term sustainability targets Together we re able to come up with bespoke packages to suit a client's particular business requirements and our customers are really welcoming this helpful and transparent approach ”

Providing a comprehensive range of the best commercial laundry equipment on the market Wolf Laundry stocks washing machines dryers and finishing equipment as well as its own range of detergents and other products to assist with infection control

Joshua added: “In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, and with spiralling energy costs the price of a load of laundry is increasing “With care homes running on fine financial margins, ensuring each load of laundry is cost-effective can be one of key factors as to whether they can stay open or are at threat of closure It’s as stark as that ”

One of Wolf Laundry s care home clients have the Schulthess W range washing machines installed

Steve Holroyd, Secretary of Warmest Welcome Care Homes, said:

The information that Wolf has provided us with helps us make the best choices and for us that s still electric, but the consumption figures have shown us what else we should be considering right now in regard to how much each load of washing costs and how much that could change throughout the cost-of-living crisis

With costs rising we were able to consider everything very carefully to ensure that we can save money where necessary and ultimately have additional resource for other needs within the care home

For further information call today on 0800 840 9598 or visit www wolflaundry co uk

G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution

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

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

Don’t just take our word for it The Dove Haven Care Grouphave said the following:

We have recently implemented the Genee Interactive touch tables into our homes with great results!

Our residents really enjoy playing on the touch table singing karaoke as well as solving puzzles and completing quizzes individually or in a group environment We find the table really improves the mood of our residents and helps them work and play together around the touch table at the same time They are great in aiding our residents living with sensory impairment and encourages their general rehabilitation and independence We have been able to increase activity time and availability without increasing our staff’s workload

The difference that these tables have made is amazing! Residents have embraced the technology and every day we find new ways to use it The benefits of the Interactive tablehavebeen shown to improve residents' mood and greater physical, social and cognitive activity, and positively impacts on relationships with care staff friends and family With the table being portable it does not restrict where it can be used The service users are attracted to it due to the size of the screen and the portable aspect of it When service users are having 1:1 time with our activities co-ordinator other service users are watching and

wanting

to get involved

The table is easy to use and can be used by all ’’

The G-Touch Wireless Care Home Solution comes with 5 years’ on-site 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

Interested to find out how affordable we are? Get in touch today and reference the code ‘#TheCarer’

+44 (0)1902 390 862

sales@genee-group com

www genee-group com

Angela Barnes, Head of Business Immigration at Napthens (www.napthens.co.uk), explains the key steps to take when hiring care home staff from abroad

Taking Care of Fire Safety

By Rob Yates, Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK & Ireland for Siemens (www.siemens.co.uk)

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 cloudbased 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 Multisite 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

Government to Delay Implementation of LPS “Beyond Life” of Current Parliament

The Government announced on 5 April 2023 that it had taken the “difficult decision to delay the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards beyond the life of this Parliament as part of wider plans to reform and improve adult social care set out in its paper “Next Steps to put People at the Heart of Care”

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is the existing scheme for the assessment and authorisation of deprivations of liberty and was introduced to protect the human rights of those individuals who lack the mental capacity to consent to being deprived of their liberty Following the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Cheshire West the UK Government introduced the 2019 Act with the view to repealing DoLS and replacing it with the LPS Unlike DoLS (which only applies to arrangements in care homes and hospitals and to people aged 18 and above) the LPS would apply in all settings and also to anyone aged 16 and over

In a letter addressed to stakeholders the UK Government confirmed that it would be delaying the implementation of the LPS “beyond the life of this Parliament” in the wake of the release of its plans for adult social care “Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care” on 4 April 2023 The next UK general election must be held by January 2025 at the latest

The DHSC said in the letter that although the implementation of LPS has been delayed it plans to publish a summary of responses to the LPS consultation “in due course” which will set out further information about the feedback it received

Responding to the government s decision VoiceAbility chief executive Jonathan Senker pointed to the seriousness of this issue

The government s decision is an unacceptable blow to the thousands of people who are being unlawfully deprived of their liberty ” he said “This means people are held in places they don’t want to live or face

restrictions on where they go without a legal basis for doing so

“Imagine not being able to leave the place you live in even to get some fresh air or to go for a walk in the park? Or being separated from your family spouse or partner without an explanation that you understand as to why, or lacking any effective way of challenging this The current system is failing thousands of people right now and isn’t fit for purpose ”

Mr Senker added: “Urgent change is needed to protect people’s rights The government must work with local authorities now to ensure people’s voices are heard and their rights respected ”

As the sector will be continuing to use Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) for the immediate future, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is calling upon the DHSC to listen to the sector and make improvements to the current scheme, based on the changes that would have been introduced with the LPS The funding that was earmarked for the implementation of LPS should also be made available to the sector in order to refresh the application of the MCA across health and social care Access to Best Interest Assessor refresher training, which has not been readily available whilst awaiting news on the timetable for implementing the LPS, needs to be prioritised

BASW is also asking DHSC to work with their colleagues across Government to remedy the existing injustice regarding non-means tested legal aid for challenges to DoLS authorisations DHSC needs to work with colleagues across Government to remedy the injustice whereby challenges to DOLS authorisations attract non-means tested legal aid whereas other challenges do not for example where someone is awaiting a standard authorisation and an urgent authorisation has run out

Exhibition to Display Art by Carer and Residents at Local Care Home

Southgate Beaumont care home in Southgate will be celebrated the creative talent/ of one of their care assistants and a resident by holding an art exhibition

Rosalind Simpson resident at Southgate Beaumont displayed a selection of her sculptures Inspired by Greek mythology Including a piece called Phoenix rising – in memory of late husband and Regina Skridailiewe – Care assistant who took up painting during lock down exhibited her paintings in acrylic and oils of local land marks including Forty Hill

Residents their loved ones and members of the local community came into the view the art work and the response was amazing everyone enjoying

the art set in a beautiful location at Southgate Beaumont Grade 2 listed and historical building Refreshments and snacks prepared by the home s hospitality team were served accompanied by a glass of fizz to toast the success of the event

Zoe Grindley Life enrichment coordinator at Southgate Beaumont said:

“Art is very popular with everyone who lives at Southgate Beaumont and creative activities are always a favourite The art exhibition was very special event for us and we were honoured to be able to display the beautiful artwork and to welcome people from the community to enjoy viewing these wonderful pieces ”

Raising

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

People in Deprived Areas Receive Less Care When Dying at Home

People from the most deprived areas of England who die at home are left with less NHS care such as 50% fewer outpatient appointments in the final months of their lives compared to those dying in the most affluent areas new analysis reveals

The number of people dying at home in England rose by a third during the pandemic, from 117,000 per year on average to 156,000, making it more important than ever that people have access to the right care outside of hospital at the end of life However, this new research shows how the pandemic exacerbated stark differences in service use between different neighbourhoods for things like planned treatment and medication for those dying at home But even as numbers dying at home rose sharply a higher proportion overall had an interaction with their GP practice at the end of life

The research published by the Nuffield Trust provides the most detailed analysis of end-of-life care before and during the pandemic in England to date Using data from NHS England the research tracks 24 million people across hospital data GP records and death certificates It looked at which services were used and received in the last three months of life by people who died between June and February in the year before Covid-19 emerged and by those who died between June 2020 and February 2021 as the pandemic raged

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

- Disparities in care based on levels of deprivation in different places are a longstanding problem for people who die at home They persisted or worsened during the pandemic People who died at home in the most deprived areas received 2 2 interactions with their GP on average before the pandemic compared to 2 7 interactions for people from the most affluent areas This gap widened to 3 3 interactions compared to 4 2 during Covid-19 There was also a large gap in the number of outpatient appointments and this too grew during the pandemic

- On average people in the most deprived areas were prescribed 50% fewer medications to manage their pain and symptoms compared to people in the most affluent areas, and this gap remained stable during the pandemic

- The proportion of people with at least one general practice interaction in the last month of life rose from 64% pre-pandemic to 75% during the pandemic and the number of interactions per person also increased However, the patient representatives we worked with warned that a lot of time could be spent trying to access services and more contacts may not equate to higher quality of care

- 38% of people who died at home during the pandemic were prescribed at least one medication to help manage their symptoms compared to 34% before the pandemic This increase is probably a sign that people’s needs were being met although our patient representatives warned communication about what medications did and how to use them could be lacking

- We also found ethnic inequalities in access to care The increase in medications prescribed was larger among White people and people of Mixed ethnicity received less medication during the pandemic

- The proportion of people who died at home receiving planned hospital care fell during the pandemic from 5 3% to 4 8% This reflects wider trends to deprioritise and delay planned treatment but for those at the end of their lives delay would often have meant never getting help

Much more work needs to be done to develop measures to tell us about the quality and outcomes of end-of-life care and to understand people s experiences Local integrated care boards must use data from a range of health and care services to address the longstanding inequalities we found, and ensure services are in place for people to die at home as well as possible

Commenting on the research Nuffield Trust Deputy Director of Research Sarah Scobie said:

“It is deeply unfair for people to experience disparities in care access and quality at the end of life a time when all people deserve support and dignity Without proper care people will be living their final days in pain and discomfort, and poor care has long term impacts on families and those left behind

Our findings highlight the significant health needs of people approaching the end of life as well as evidence of unmet need and inequalities in access to care We are continuing to see much higher numbers of people dying at home than before the pandemic raising important questions about whether community services are able to cope It is essential that both access to and the quality of that care continue to be monitored to understand the ongoing implications for individuals and their families and loved ones

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 under one roof and utilise the networking opportunities

Meet and talk with 200 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services

Build relationships between residential care providers nursing homes domiciliary care providers NHS local government the voluntary sector and suppliers

Learn from over 100 expert speakers who will share key case studies best practice examples and deliver important panel discussions with sector leaders and successful care business providers Register at www residentialandhomecareshow co uk/tcu23

Care Home In The Heart Of North Nor wich Opens Its Doors To New Residents

Thousands of people drive or take a bus every day on their way into and through Norwich from the northern side of the city But many are unaware of a specialist residential care home nestled within the local community

Thomas Tawell House has been a care home on

bright, inviting and comfortable spaces Specialist flooring and colourways are used in the home to support residents with sight impairments which helps them in finding their way around the home Outside is a private, welcoming, accessible garden area designed to promote a sensory experience for the residents to enjoy Ellie Johnson is the manager at Thomas Tawell House: Our home is in such a lovely position in Norwich Many people don t realise we’re here but when they come to see us they see what a lovely setting it is and what we have to offer We’re planning on lots of events and activities to welcome people to visit us and find out how we can support them with their short term or longer term care needs ”

Lack of Capacity in Health and Care Systems Drives Huge Increase in Demand for Occupational Therapy

Almost nine in 10 (86%) occupational therapists reported an increase in demand for their services between November 2021 and November 2022 according to a new report from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Four in five (79%) occupational therapists believe this increase in demand is because of a lack of capacity elsewhere in the health and care system The same proportion attribute it to people s needs becoming more complex because of delays to care and treatment

According to the report which looked at responses from over 2 600 occupational therapists throughout the UK about the state of the workforce other reasons for increased demand in occupational therapy services include:

people accessing services struggling more with activities because of delayed intervention (66%)

people accessing services having increased mental health needs (54%)

lack of availability of carers (52%)

a broader range of referrals being received (42%)

In addition, almost four in five (78%) of those surveyed said their team wasn t big enough to meet demand and more than half (55%) said that long-standing recruitment issues meant the services they were providing weren t meeting people s needs

This is creating a huge amount of pressure for occupational therapists and other staff in multidisciplinary teams in all settings such as hospitals and care homes Almost seven in 10 (68%) said they felt under too much pressure at work, while just under two-thirds (63%) said they were too busy to provide the level of care they would like Almost half

(48%) of occupational therapists intend to leave their current role in the next two years because of work-related stress

One respondent even went as far as saying the ‘services are unsafe and will collapse ’

Another respondent said: Our profession can offer so much to patients and yet we are continually having to compromise on care due to lack of staff and poorly staffed teams due to vacancies [ ] New services and teams want occupational therapists – they value us and our clinical expertise and skills but there aren t the occupational therapists to fill those teams ’

Despite the challenges and frustrations the vast majority of respondents felt positive about their experiences of the profession with almost all (93%) describing occupational therapy as a rewarding career and almost nine in 10 (86%) saying they would recommend it as a career to others

RCOT Director of Practice and Innovation Karin Orman commented:

‘Our report shows how closely the different parts of the health and care system need to work together and how dependent they are on each other It’s positive to see the value of occupational therapy is being recognised but it s deeply shocking to hear occupational therapists say they fear the services they’re providing are unsafe We need to ensure occupational therapists are able to deliver their services safely and efficiently to those who need them This means filling all vacancies and having enough staff available to meet demand

Recruitment and retention of occupational therapists is already a huge issue and with an increase in demand driving more pressure at work often with little to no support from managers this will continue

to be an ever-growing problem

We want to see more investment in the workforce including more occupational therapists in leadership roles and we want leaders in the government and NHS to recognise that investment in health and social care will not only benefit everyone s health but could ultimately help boost the economy We hope that this will be reflected in the forthcoming NHS workforce plan for England ’

RCOT s recommendations for political and health and care leaders include: expand the occupational therapy workforce to ensure staff are available to fill current and future vacancies invest in the occupational therapy workforce and multi-disciplinary teams to ensure workers are properly supported in their roles recognise that investment in the NHS and social care is critical to a healthy population and therefore economic growth

The full report is available at rcot co uk/workforce23

Occupational therapists work with adults and children of all ages who have a wide range of conditions, helping them overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities They look at relationships between everyday activities – occupations – alongside the challenges and environment Then, they create a plan of goals and adjustments targeted at achieving a specific set of activities The plan is practical realistic and personal That could mean helping someone overcome challenges learning at school, going to work, playing sport or simply doing the dishes

Care South Gifts VIP Experience to Bournemouth Care Home Resident and Care South at Home Client

A resident from Care South s Castle Dene care home in Bournemouth and a client from Care South at Home Bournemouth were delighted to represent the not-for-profit charity at AFC Bournemouth’s player kit sponsor evening on Wednesday 12th April hosted at Vitality Stadium

The evening was possible thanks to Care South’s sponsorship of Illia Zabarnyi a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as a defender for AFC Bournemouth and the Ukrainian national team Resident from Castle Dene care home Eileen attended the event with Ian a client of Care South at Home Bournemouth accompanied by staff members Lesley Wheal and Jane Legg They were delighted to attend the event which started with a welcome drink on arrival followed by a two-course meal and coffee Prior to dining, there were photo opportunities and conversation with Illia Zabarnyi Care South s sponsored player Jimmy Glass, a former professional footballer who played for England as a goalkeeper was the event host for the evening and conducted a number of player interviews, as well as presenting a fun quiz for all Simon Bird Chief Executive Care South said What a fantastic experience this was for everyone both Ian and Eileen and our two team members Jane and Lesley who kindly accompanied them Care South is delighted to be a partner with AFC Bournemouth together we run numerous on-going initiatives which allows residents home care clients and staff to get involved in a variety of activities including meeting

players coffee mornings walking football and visits to Vitality Stadium

The partnership enriches the lives of residents’ and clients in our care and this is just another excellent example of that ”

Lesley Wheal Activities Organiser at Castle Dene commented There are no words to describe how incredible the evening was It’s always great to see the AFC Bournemouth team especially as we have such a fantastic partnership with its Community Sports Trust Team, which makes regular visits to our home and interacts with residents in our care

It was such a wonderful experience to attend the kit sponsor evening and seeing Eileen and Ian interact with Illia Zabarnyi just added that special touch to the evening It is an experience that I m sure won t be forgotten ”

Resident from Castle Dene Eileen commented: I had an absolutely wonderful evening I would have never expected to meet the players firsthand Everyone was so lovely and it was wonderful interacting with the players, especially Illia ”

Client Ian from Care South at Home Bournemouth added: It was great fun and a fabulous evening I enjoyed meeting the players as I have seen their shirt numbers on the television but it was great seeing their faces and putting their numbers to faces It was a great evening getting to see and meet a mixture of players from Steve Fletcher to Illia

Recognii Offers New Way To Entertain Residents With Later Stage Dementia

The first film created especially for people living with later-stage dementia is offering care homes an inexpensive and accessible new way to entertain residents ‘Treasure Box’ by Recognii is an hour-long series of uplifting, plot-free and visually engaging short clips, all set to some of the nation’s best-known music, songs and theme tunes

Each scene has been designed to capture short attention spans and specially adapted to overcome the common visual and cognitive processing problems associated with the condition

The company s founder Sarah Harrison says Treasure Box was designed to be an essential resource for dementia care providers providing safe engaging entertainment for communal relaxation areas or a flexible tool for more focused one-to-one or group activities

She explained: Treasure Box can be enjoyed as a complete film but there are also deliberately slow transitions between each of the clips to allow for sensory readjustment and to give staff time to pause the film and reminisce or chat with residents about what they have just seen ”

Recognii contains the sort of content the company s research showed had most universal appeal among sufferers, from happy children, appealing animals and gentle humour to musical interaction, the natural world iconic people and places, puppetry and lots more

Treasure Box is available on USB stick for use in Smart TVs and laptops and also in traditional DVD format They retail at £23 99 for the USB stick or £19 99 for the DVD

Dr Lucy Pollock gerontologist and author of bestselling ‘The Book About Getting Older’, said: “This is just lovely Treasure Box is the sort of thing that can be watched over and over by people living with significant dementia In the same way that small children like replaying their favourites these images with music become very soothing with familiarity Even those with significant dementia can find repeated routines comforting

To accommodate the visual processing problems experienced by many people with advanced dementia the team took a deliberate approach to the way the content is filmed

Sarah explained: To make everything as visible as possible we filmed against plain backgrounds with high colour and tonal contrast and predominant use of red and those primary colours research shows are most easily recognised We also took care not to feature unnecessary detail busy patterns shadows or reflective light sources ”

Each plot-free clip contrasts strongly from the last to draw wandering attention back to the screen and in keeping with the visual approach, music and vocal arrangements are simple and dialogue is kept to a minimum

Disingenuous to Link Excess Deaths with Strike Days, says BMA

Responding to reports in the Telegraph linking a rise in excess deaths with the last round of junior doctors’ strikes in England Professor David Strain BMA Board of Science chair said:

Any increase in excess deaths is a concern but it is wholly wrong to say that the strikes are the root cause; the two events might have happened at the same time but correlation is not causation and any statistician worth their salt will confirm it is impossible and potentially dangerous to attribute the rise to a single cause We have been concerned about preventable and excess deaths across the health and social care system for some time which is one of the reasons why we are taking the action we are in a bid to reverse the impact of sustained under-resourcing

What is clear is that these data have been used in a premature and highly selective manner to imply that the strikes caused the increase in the excess deaths It also completely ignores the fact that there were no strikes in Wales, and yet the excess deaths were higher there than in England over the same period This is

frankly irresponsible While the Government accuses the BMA or putting politics before patients, this analysis is playing politics with patients’ lives by wrongly linking excess deaths with industrial action and being used to further undermine and attack junior doctors It will require the data to be rigorously analysed to find the underlying causes of this increase in excess deaths across England and Wales and without such study it is impossible to say what impact the first round of strike action may or may not have had “The BMA can reassure patients that their safety remains an absolute priority and those who need lifesaving care will get it During these strikes consultants and SAS doctors have safely stepped in to cover urgent and emergency care The BMA has a jointly agreed system with NHS England in place to ensure patient safety in the event of extreme and unforeseen circumstances We met with NHS England four times per day during the strikes to monitor the situation in the first round and have the same system in place currently ”

Care Home and Hospice Team Up to Provide Nursing Support to Residents and Community in their Own Homes

A Hertfordshire care home has donated vital funds to support a hospice s work providing expert nursing support in people s own homes

Signature at Bentley House in Hertford has donated £1 162 to Isabel Hospice a Welwyn Garden City charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care to hundreds of people across eastern Hertfordshire each year

The money donated by the care home is enough to cover the cost of a week s worth of two-hour visits from Isabel Hospice s Hospice at Home team, which offers advice on symptom control and specialist practical nursing care to people in their own homes, or usual place of residence

The donation adds to an ongoing collaboration between Bentley House and Isabel Hospice who provide specialist nursing care to Bentley House residents

The hospice is also embarking on lasting support to team members at the care home through delivering expert training sessions covering end-of-life nursing care

Whilst the hospice s services are free of charge to those who need them guaranteeing its future care provision means the hospice must raise £7 million every year through donations fundraising events and income generated from its 16 shops across the county

Cassie Hinton Client Liaison Manager at Signature at Bentley House said: We regard Isabel Hospice as a close community partner and are delighted to support them in any way we can

“Whilst we have previously provided donations to the hospice’s golf days and lights of love service we were keen to provide this additional support as part of their fundraising objectives

Their Nursing team have supported our residents in need of hospice care and we are hopeful we can further extend our work together by assisting the hospice should they need to move people they support into a care home setting ”

Donna Barton, Isabel’s Community, Corporate & Events Fundraising Manager, said “At Isabel Hospice we passionately believe that every person nearing the end of their life deserves the skilled compassionate care and support that the hospice is able to provide

We are therefore incredibly grateful to our friends at Bentley House for this generous donation which will ensure those who rely on us can access our free services whenever and wherever they need them, whether that’s at our Inpatient Unit, in people’s own homes, or in a care home setting ”

How Social Care Workers Can Support Those Who Are Grieving

By Lianna Champ. Lianna has over 40 years’ experience as a grief and funeral care specialist and is author of practical guide, How to Grieve

In your working life as well as caring for the day-to-day physical needs of your service users you will naturally find yourself providing support and care on an emotional level too As a carer you will develop a unique relationship and bond with each of them You will be instrumental in their welfare on many levels and will often find yourself supporting them through a loss

The value of your ability to help comes from a place of empathy and understanding of what a person is going through therefore you need to have an understanding of grief and the physical and emotional effects

Each loss we experience is totally unique to each of us and even though we may share similar emotions to others we do not follow the same pattern Grief is incredibly personal and even though we may remember how we felt at the time of our own losses we cannot and should not compare our own loss experiences with someone else s This just minimises the importance of the other persons feelings and hijacks their experience and can cause them to withdraw and isolate

Grievers are often pre-occupied with their loss and this can present as lack of concentration, forgetfulness, disrupted sleeping and eating habits and even having little accidents like banging into things also nausea and headaches If their grief is ignored it can have a negative impact on their physical and mental wellbeing and can even lead to depression if left long enough

Your position as a carer is privileged You may be the only confidante and safe haven for your service users to open up to where they have no fear of judgment or criticism

Encourage your service user to talk about their relationship and share their memories Often the intense sadness can be lifted in the times we

share our happy memories We then remember and return to grieving This is normal and healthy and the more they feel able to share their sadness the lighter it can become and the easier it is to open up when they feel overwhelmed • eat well - little and often is good It is easy to neglect their nutrition at this time but diet is important in keeping them physically well and supports positive brain function rest and sleep when they need to take in fresh air and, where possible take some gentle exercise Even if we have to force ourselves, we always feel that little bit better afterwards Working thorough grief is physical as well as emotional create rituals for remembering This helps to hone the love through memory When we have rituals we have something positive to focus on that we know we have to do

If you know a service user is grieving and you feel awkward starting the conversation its good to start with a question which evokes a happy memory -

Ask them how they met their special person

What was the thing they loved best about them

What didn’t they like - this usually raises a smile )

Talk about photos they may have in their room and this will open doors to other significant relationships in their life

Talk to the service user about how they themselves would like to be remembered and ask if there are things about their loved ones that they would like to be able to do or loved ones that they can incorporate in their own words, thoughts and actions

If you find yourself comforting a someone who has suffered a significant loss, remember, don’t jump in straight away with your own experiences Listening is one of the most important things you can do to help anyone We are so used to people planning what they are going to say to us when in conversation instead of really listening to what we are saying to them A good way to do this and to stop your mind wandering is to repeat their words in your head as they say them If they feel heard that someone has shared some of their pain it gives a softness in their grief and they can feel the benefit of sharing a really important emotional communication Become a truly great listener – it will change your life and could make you very, very popular

Alpacas Say ‘Hello’ to Care Village Residents

Residents at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme have enjoyed a springtime start to remember with a special surprise in the form of a pair of alpacas popping in for a meet-and-greet, and a stint working in the reception

Teddy and Carlos both aged four made themselves at home at the Lower Street care village mingling with their hosts taking tea in the onsite bistro and learning about the town’s history with a tour of the integrated Belong Heritage Gallery They then took-up a front-of-house post offering a warm welcome to visitors

The furry guests quicky forged friendships with Belong s customers and colleagues who provided an abundance of love and cuddles whilst taking the opportunity to ask their owners questions and provide their own amusing tales of past antics involving animals

Resident Margaret Paling, 98, said: “They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” and Janet Boulton 89 added Oh they re lovely! They re so well behaved – can they move in with us?!”

Emma Palin experience coordinator at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme said: “What a fantastic afternoon we’ve had! To see our customers’ faces light up when the alpacas came in was truly magical

In previous years we ve hatched our own chicks and ducks and for this Easter we wanted another experience involving everyone; we even introduced our new friends to those who are confined to their beds Animals provide an affectionate, sensory experience which offers emotional benefits to our customers allowing them to feel connected in a way they might not always feel with people It s been a great success ”

An 84-year-old care home resident had a birthday wish come true on a Salisbury building site

John Parfitt who lives at Braemar Lodge in the city’s Stratford Road donned a hard hat hi-viz jacket and tough boots for the chance to sit at the controls of a digger and a dumper truck

The visit was a hands-on opportunity to check progress on the Colten Care home s forthcoming extension Stratford Court

In his working life, Watfordborn John did a range of jobs

hence his interest

supervision he was thrilled with the visit

Like A Champ.

Scotland to Delay National Care Ser vice Vote

The first vote on a new national care service for Scotland is to be pushed back until after the Holyrood summer recess

In a letter newly appointed Social Care Minister Maree Todd said this would allow for “compromise” to be reached with its critics

Under the changes adult social care – and potentially other areas including drug and alcohol services and children’s services – would be taken out of the hands of local authorities and given to newly formed regional care boards which would ultimately be responsible to ministers

The Parliamentary process would originally have seen a debate and vote on the Stage 1 general principles of the bill taking place by this month

However, calls to pause the Bill came from members of three Holyrood committees as well as from trade unions charities and professional bodies

The MSPs said there was too little information in the proposals to allow them to scrutinise them properly

Maree Todd MSP says in her letter the Scottish government remains committed to delivering a national care service to improve quality fairness and consistency of provision that meets individual’s needs But she adds We wish to use the time ahead of the Stage 1 debate to find compromise and reach consensus with those who have raised concerns during the Stage 1 scrutiny undertaken so far

She adds: We see value in continuing engagement and co-design activities through summer before moving to the next stage of the Bill ”

Ms Todd says the government will hold a series of regional forums to allow ministers and officials to engage directly with people affected by the proposals They will also, she says, continue to work with key partners to codesign the national care service over the summer

Opposition political parties say the government should now abandon the plan Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said

“This is a last-ditch attempt to buy some time for support that’s never going to emerge The National Care Service is a billion-pound bureaucratic ministerial power grab- it needs scrapped not salvaged

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are the only party to have stood up against these flawed proposals from day one The Government s plans would consume gargantuan amounts of money and time without addressing the problems at the root of social care

This is money that needs to be spent on frontline services and staff who are firefighting on every shift

”Scottish Conservative social care spokesperson Craig Hoy MSP said it s time to stop kicking the plans into the long grass and redirect the spending into local care services

Every stakeholder has lined up against these proposals to centralise care services but still the SNP refused to listen ”

Physio Sessions Transform Life of Scottish Pensioner

WEEKLY physiotherapy sessions have completely transformed the life of an elderly resident who regained significant mobility – after being told he would never walk again

When Martin Birkhans, 86, arrived at Cramond Residence in Jan 2022 he had resigned himself to a bedbound future following a medical diagnosis

Martin persevered with frequent physio sessions – which are offered at the 74-bedroom care home by Balanced - and is now able to walk with the help of a zimmer frame, giving him a degree of independence that he thought he had lost forever

The improvement in Martin’s mobility enabled him to spend Christmas Day at his daughter’s house despite earlier fears he would be forever confined to his bed

At first, the Balanced team just aimed to get Martin standing independently but after seeing his progress they kept adapting his goalsetting to strive for as much mobility as possible

Nicola McIntosh Physiotherapist at Balanced said: “While initially assessing Martin I noticed that he had some limited movement in his ankles, knees, and hips

After starting off with some bed-based exercises to maintain this movement in his ankles and hips we decided to see if with the help of a stand aid, we could progress this movement firstly to standing

and then to walking

Martin was initially sceptical of his physiotherapists’ ambitions to increase his mobility so dramatically However as his range of movement grew so too did his determination to defy all odds and walk again Benedicte Aarseth Physiotherapist at Balanced said: “At every turn we were surprised by just how quickly Martin was progressing – he smashed every goal we set for him

It s been very rewarding for us to work with Martin but for him the development has been life-changing ”

The pace of Martin’s progress has been remarkable and has even moved some of the care home staff to tears

Martin said “One of the carers who first helped me move in saw me about a month later, by which time I was walking with my zimmer frame

“When she saw me walking down the corridor using only a frame she broke down into tears as she couldn t believe I had made so much progress in one month

“I am very grateful for the time and effort put in by the physio team to help me walk again Had I moved into a home with less dedicated physiotherapists I might still be bedbound – but Nicola and Benedicte were willing to try and help me and their belief and work have really paid off

Cramond Residence enjoys an exclusive partnership with Balanced, Edinburgh s premier physiotherapy provider All their sessions are personally tailored and focus on aiding mobility and independence so that residents can live their daily lives with as much autonomy as possible

Christian Daraio Client Liaison Manager and Registered Nurse said: “Martin’s story is incredible and highlights just how important personal care plans are to ensure that every care need is identified and fully met We look forward to continuing to work with Martin and seeing him develop further”

The Value of Care Home Workers: Recognizing and Supporting Essential Staff

Article by Greg Whelan Product & Marketing Director Wellell UK Limited

for nurses

Working in a care home is a challenging job that requires physical mental and emotional strength Caregivers provide care for vulnerable elderly and sick people which can be stressful and painful at times In this article we will discuss the challenges that caregivers face at work and we will also look at how innovation and new products can help reduce the burden on carers care home-owners and managers, and contribute to the growth of the care home industry

Teams comprise of many elements that can help to make a team great the individuals within the team their passion for their chosen vocation the thought of helping others and feeling they have made a difference on a daily basis but also the systems and medical devices that can transform their daily duties; permitting them more time to care and less time on resource hungry processes especially at a time where care workers are generally in high demand across the UK with the much publicised staffing shortages

*According to the ONS there were almost 1 5m estimated open job adverts as a daily average during December 2022 Using data from the jobs search engine Textkernel it said healthcare accounted for almost 190 000 or 12 7% of all vacancies Healthcare also accounted for the two occupations with the largest number of job adverts nationwide with 31 870 adverts for support workers and 21 170

With such an undeniably high number of job vacancies in the sector the need for smarter systems that reduce the burden on each carer and the care homes in which they work, is essential for the future of the profession and the care home industry

Innovation is crucial for the future of care Manufacturers such as Wellell Inc can through their products help care home owners and managers to reduce the burden on carers with new tools to make their job easier and improve the quality of care for residents

With innovative products such as Wellells all-in-one Optima Turn Mattress”, offering automatic continuous patient turning for pressure injury prevention and healing the management of limited staffing resources can be made easier, helping to maintain those great care home teams and aiding staff retention Afterall a happy healthy workplace leads to a happy healthy workforce and as the ONS has identified the need for carers is outweighed by carers currently available in the UK marketplace

Empowering Positive Action Within Care – Care Roadshows 2023

Care Roadshows are returning in 2023 arriving in Glasgow Birmingham Liverpool London and Cardiff Registration is now officially open and welcomes senior professionals within the care sector particularly those working with older adults

Each show includes free access to an exhibition including between 40-60 exhibitors and entry into a series of seminar and panel discussions that cover topics such as dementia technology vs human connection and raising the profile of the care sector The events also offer fantastic networking opportunities and the chance to improve the performance of your care practice or business

Founder and Managing Director Emma Barrett shared “Care Roadshow has grown greatly since its launch back in 2011 The 2022 Roadshows reached record breaking visitor numbers and we are anticipating an even higher growth rate in 2023 ”

“This year, we’ve set our mission statement as empowering positive action within care It s about time we stopped talking about changes and started taking immediate action We hope to bring influential members of the care community together at our events in an intimate setting where positive conversations can take place

TRUSTED CARE STAMP

With over 100 events targeting the UK social care sector it is very difficult for care providers to choose which events to attend Broadway Events the company who run Care Roadshow have recently joined forces with CloserStill Media (who also run social care events) to launch a Trusted Care Event stamp The stamp indicates events that are focused on improving the sector and wanting to make an active difference within social care You can read more about this here

There is great anticipation for the release of the Care Roadshows 2023 programme Register for your free ticket here to be the first to know when programmes are relased

Dates of the 2023 shows:

Care Roadshows Glasgow – Hampden Park Stadium – 18th April

Care Roadshows Birmingham – Villa Park Stadium – 23rd May

Care Roadshows Liverpool – Aintree Racecourse – 25th May

Care Roadshows London – Epsom Downs Racecourse – 17th October

Care Roadshows Cardiff – Cardiff City Stadium – 14th November

Follow this link to find out more: www careroadshows co uk

Innovative Care for Older People Project Celebrates Success

Northumbria University researchers are celebrating a key milestone in the development and delivery of an innovative new programme designed to improve care for older people

Northumbria University developed the Enhanced Care for Older People (EnCOP) programme in partnership with the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Ageing Well Network, to understand the workforce development needs and challenges associated with caring for older people

The project provides education resources networking opportunities career development and research centred on high-quality evidence-based care It was designed for those working with older people in health and social care settings – from community case managers care workers and speech and language therapists to social workers physiotherapists nurses doctors paramedics social prescribers and pharmacists

The first cohort of 50 health and social care professionals to undertake the new programme have now graduated and in recognition of the success of the programme to date it was also named as a finalist in the Innovation in Clinical Education category at the Bright Ideas in Health Awards

Dr Claire Pryor Assistant Professor of Adult Nursing from the University s Department of Nursing

Midwifery and Health said: It s an important milestone to see our first cohort graduate from the programme and to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award It was a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of the project and the hard work of both those involved in developing the programme and those who have now successfully completed it

As we are seeing more people than ever before living longer the need to develop and implement sys-

£1.75

tems which support health and social care professionals to provide the best possible care for older people has never been more important

“While older people are the biggest consumers of care they are also the group most likely to have unmet needs But we are helping to provide a solution by defining and providing guidance and best practice around what the workforce needs to be able to better support and care for them ”

Lesley Bainbridge Clinical Lead NENC ICB on behalf of the NENC Ageing Well Network added: “We re delighted to have made so much progress with the EnCOP project and to have been recognised for our work but there is still more to be done

Regionally and nationally there are multiple organisations keen to become involved Our ambition is to grow the scale of our collaborative work in order to improve the health and wellbeing of our ageing population, whilst exploring the significant opportunities for change, workforce development and research ”

Sue Tiplady, Assistant Professor of Adult Nursing at Northumbria University, commented “EnCOP is a great way to raise and celebrate the value and profile of working with older people For too long older people care has been seen as a less attractive option for people to work in with little recognition of the knowledge skills values and attitudes that staff require to care for the diversity and complexity of older people

It s time for staff to be proud and celebrate that they work with older people

Million Stafford Care Home Officially Opened by Vice Lord-Lt

Falcon House a new £1 75 million six-bed care home for adults with a learning disability, developed by the ECHO Group, has been officially opened by Mr James Thomas Leavesley DL, the Vice LordLieutenant of Staffordshire

The home, situated just off Hawksmoor Road in Stafford, forms part of a wider residential development and will offer support to six people with learning disabilities and other complex needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder and physical disabilities

The creation of Falcon House is a direct result of discussions with local commissioners who have worked closely with the development team to ensure it meets the needs of the intended service users It will give much-needed options to service users and their families and will allow them to remain locally

Cheryl Maitland Falcon House Manager said “We were very proud to welcome Mr Leavesley to Falcon House to perform the official opening of this exciting development

“Falcon House will provide a much-needed facility in the heart of the Stafford community

“It is so important that people with complex care needs are supported to live in their local communities, take control of their lives and achieve the most positive outcomes possible

Mr James Thomas Leavesley DL the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire said: “It is an honour to have been asked to open this fantastic facility Service users will receive the best care possible from the extremely professional team at Falcon House alongside the brilliant accommodation it provides

Legends of Entertainment and Sport Call for the Voices of Older People to be Heard

Legends from the world of entertainment and sport are supporting charity Independent Age in calling for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing

Footballer Sir Geoff Hurst, radio DJ Tony Blackburn, choreographer and theatre director Dame Arlene Phillips actor Don Warrington and TV chef Rustie Lee have added their voices to the campaign that calls for everyone to be able to feel part of society as we age

In a video launched yesterday (Monday 17 April), the well-known faces urge the government to appoint a commissioner to act as a champion for older people in England They also challenge the misconception that everyone in later life is enjoying a comfortable retirement as the stars spell out the hidden reality that more than 2 million older people are living in poverty, with many more struggling to make ends meet due to the costof-living crisis

The video will be shared as part of an event in Westminster today where Independent Age, a national charity focused on supporting older people facing financial hardship has joined with other charities and organisations to invite Members of Parliament to find out more about a Commissioner and show their support for the campaign

Dame Arlene Philips 79 has recently been honoured with an Olivier award She said:

“I have been one of the lucky ones, as now in my 80th year, I am still working in a job that I’m passionate about and wake up every morning wanting to go to work which I believe has gone a long way in helping me stay fit and healthy and inside feel younger than my chronological age

From communicating with my fellow older generation I ve learned of the truly distressing struggles of finding enough money to eat keeping the heating on finding anyone who’s going to help you when you can no longer do things for yourself

There are so many things that people need when they are ageing that are mostly ignored and many feel nobody is listening We urgently need someone dedicated who cares and will listen This is affecting more than 2 million older people in the UK and it needs looking at now A Commissioner for Older People and Ageing is urgently needed Someone to look into all of the issues that getting older puts on people, particularly when the country is in crisis

Tony Blackburn, 80 holds the title for being the longest serving radio DJ and hosts a Sunday show on BBC Radio 2 He said:

“I personally am aware that in this country there is ageism I luckily haven t come up against it although I think sometimes it’s forgotten that older people bring experience

Recently with the cost-of-living crisis and the price of electricity in particular I ve been really moved by watching the news and seeing older people not being able to heat their houses

Older people sitting there with blankets around themselves It really really shouldn t be like that in this country, there should be much more help Something’s got to be done about it ”

Sir Geoff Hurst 81 who scored the winning goal in the 1966 World Cup and has just finished an audience

with’ theatre tour said

“I’m supporting the call for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing because from what I ve seen and heard over the last few months the impact of the cost of living is absolutely disastrous for older people I hear stories of people eating just one meal a day or not having the heating on in their homes These things are happening every day and it’s absolutely unbelievably difficult for older people to survive under these circumstances ”

Rustie Lee 73 who can regularly be seen cooking up Caribbean dishes on TV said:

“It’s so important for everyone who is struggling at the moment to know that someone is looking out for them It s shocking that for so many older people in the UK a hot meal has become an unaffordable luxury We all deserve the basics and more as we age which is why I m happy to support the call for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing ”

Don Warrington 71 who plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in hit BBC drama Death in Paradise said:

“I think things creep up on you gradually as you age and that is the thing about ageing Not fighting it necessarily but also not surrendering to some idea of ageing ”

MORE ON THE CAMPAIGN

Currently 11 million people in England are aged 65 or over In less than 20 years over 17 million (1 in 4) people will be over 65

If created a Commissioner would ensure that the long-term needs of people in later life and the challenges faced by the population as they age are considered in policy and practice across all government departments The role would work alongside the Older People s Commissioners for Wales and Northern Ireland to help make the UK the best place in the world to grow old

The campaign has the backing of more than 70 organisations who signed up to a consensus statement which launched in March this year It is also backed by the public In a recent YouGov poll commissioned by Independent Age nine in ten (89%) of people aged 65 and over said they would support the creation of a commissioner

John Palmer, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said:

We hear from older people every day who are sitting in cold dark homes and only eating one hot meal a week as they simply cannot make ends meet anymore This is dangerous and shouldn’t be happening in modern Britain

We are incredibly grateful to Sir Geoff Tony Dame Arlene Don and Rustie for supporting our call for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing and shining a light on the issues older people in poverty are experiencing every day

“It has never been more important for older people, who often tell us they feel invisible and like their views are ignored to have an independent champion at the heart of government who can ensure that none of us are left out of the conversation as we age ”

Care Home Residents Visit The Local Garden Centre

Staff and residents from Barchester s Austen House care home in Lower Earley, Reading had a fantastic time visiting Henry Street Garden Centre where they all enjoyed seeing the beautiful flowers and choose some for our garden Residents and staff had a brilliant time visiting market stalls looking at the colourful and lovely flowers doing some shopping and at the end relaxing with a delicious cake and a cup of tea/coffee or hot chocolate in the cafeteria General Manager, Seva Hashimova said: “We absolutely love being able to take our residents out and it makes us so happy to be able to access different

locations like this It has been a fantastic day and we ve all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves ”

Marigold resident at Austen House said: We have all had the most wonderful time visiting the Garden Centre It is so lovely to be able to visit places like this and soak up the atmosphere I especially enjoyed relaxing in the cafeteria with a delicious carrot cake and a cup of hot chocolate chatting with my friends and admiring the flowers ” Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents interests and abilities

Social Care Charity Partners with Liverpool British Music Experience Museum for Exclusive Online Event

People who access care and support across the UK are invited to take a trip down musical memory lane during an accessible online workshop hosted by the British Music Experience Museum and Community Integrated Care, one of the UK’s largest social care charities, on Monday 24th April at 2pm

The event will be free for people who access care and support to join through Community Integrated Care s inclusive online activity platform www WhatTo-Do co uk

Taking inspiration from their latest exhibition that celebrates 70 years of the Official Single Charts facilitators from the British Music Experience will invite people to share their favourite music-related memories, dance along to some of the greatest pop hits from the past 70 years and learn more about musical history

Abi Woods Education and Visitor Experience Leader at the British Music Experience Museum said “We are excited to host our first “What to Do” activity session – we hope to bring a fun and interactive music experience to users accessing the event from all over the UK

“The history of British Pop Music is rooted in accessibility As broadcasting and technology developed over the 20th Century more people were able to listen to and be involved in music regardless of their social and economic backgrounds As the UK’s Museum of Popular Music and a registered charity, our goal is to

advance the education and appreciation of the art science and history of British music ”

We are delighted to be partnering with Community Integrated Care a fellow charity with the goals of accessibility and inclusivity at its heart ”

Sam Turner Digital Inclusion Manager at Community Integrated Care said, “We are really looking forward to having the British Music Experience join us to share their latest exhibition and explore the power of music with people who access care and support across the UK ”

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for like-minded people to come together reminisce and share their love of music from across the decades Particularly as excitement is building for Eurovision next month, I’m sure the session will be a hit with the many pop enthusiasts across our charity ”

Created by Community Integrated Care www What-To-Do co uk was designed to provide people who access care and support with a range of interactive and engaging online activity sessions every day from boxercise to drama The platform has even hosted special guest sessions with the likes of Strictly Come Dancing s Vincent Simone, and Liverpool FC Women’s star, Gemma Bonner, creating life-changing experiences for people in the social care sector

Find out more and keep up to date with all of the latest opportunities at www What-To-Do co uk

Continence Care in Residential Care Settings

Incontinence presents as a common problem for a considerable number of people in adult social care and describes an accidental or involuntary loss of urine or faeces

It is common among elderly people however many elderly people feel ashamed and embarrassed about incontinence concerns This can mean they are often very reluctant to ask for help For people who need incontinence help this can really impact the quality of their life and overall well-being

Women are more often affected by incontinence with 75% of those over 65 reporting urine leakages

For elderly people in care homes, 30-50% of them will need incontinence care 60-70% of people living with dementia or Alzheimer s disease will be incontinent Incontinence is a symptom of underlying problems which with assessment and investigation can be identified and treated Even when a remedy is not achievable optimum methods of incontinence management can produce social continence', helping to lessen embarrassment and maintain patient dignity

According to the British Geriatric Society the main causes of incontinence are:

Urge incontinence (detrusor overactivity) In this condition the patient is unable to prevent involuntary bladder contractions which cause urgency with little or no warning of incontinence The sufferer may respond to this urgency by frequent visits to the toilet day and night Urge incontinence is often made worse by anxiety or fast bladder filling for example after diuretic medications

• Stress incontinence (pelvic floor weakness) A small leakage of urine occurs on physical exertion such as standing lifting coughing or sneezing and rarely occurs during sleep at night This is the commonest cause of incontinence in middle aged women and is seen in some men after prostatectomy

Overflow incontinence (retention of urine) The patient will have a large post-void residual urine volume and may complain of continuous dribbling incontinence or symptoms like stress incontinence Recurrent urinary tract infections are common and the condition is made worse by constipation or anticholinergic medication

Overflow incontinence can be caused by diabetes and some types of nerve damage It also occurs in men with prostatic obstruction

Outflow obstruction This almost always occurs in men who may complain of difficulty in starting micturition, poor urinary stream and dribble after micturition, perhaps with a feeling of inadequate emptying

Functional incontinence (e g poor or painful mobility, loss of dexterity, impaired communication mental confusion and depression) Incontinence is due to inability to reach and use the toilet

Residents in long term care settings have special needs and the standard of continence care provided varies between each area and between homes and requires specialist products to help those suffering with continence issues

MANFRED SAUER UK

Since 1976 Manfred Sauer UK Ltd has provided a range of innovative urology and continence care products to help sufferers of urinary incontinence But unlike other providers their effective and user-friendly products are often designed and tested with input from end users and healthcare professionals

Listed below are some of their products all available on prescription

SHEATHS

Manfred Sauer offer five different types of urinary sheath to facilitate the drainage of urine away from the body into a drainage bag

LEG BAGS

Manfred Sauer supply four main types of leg bags with varying capacities:

• Discreet Thigh Bag can be worn high up on the thigh area and hidden under clothes Bendi Bag is ideal for wheelchair users who can sometimes find toilet access difficult

Comfort Leg Bag range comes in a variety of materials from velvet smooth real cotton and flock backing

Children s Bag with smaller capacity and proportions

CATHETERS

When performing ISC you need something that is simple to use soft and flexible Manfred Sauer s IQ-Cath male female and paediatric single-use catheters are ready for use immediately and the protective sleeve on the male and paediatric catheters facilitates a no-touch technique

NEPHSYS BAG AND BELT SYSTEM

For people who have had a Nephrostomy NephSys can drastically improve their lives As well as providing a secure and sterile solution the system is comfortable and discreet

Contact Manfred Sauer s helpline team on 01604 595 696 or visit www manfred-sauer co uk for more information about each product or to order a free sample

MoliCare® Celebrates 40 Years of Incontinence Protection, Ever y Day

MoliCare® the global incontinence brand is celebrating 40 years of supporting people carers and healthcare professionals with solution-based pads pants and skincare products The product range has been designed to help the everyday needs of those living with incontinence and bladder weakness, with the care of the skin at the heart of the MoliCare® brand

Incontinence is a condition that affects 1 in 4 women in the UK For a condition which is so common there is still a sense of embarrassment and isolation that leaves people feeling lonely and unsupported In fact 68% of those living with incontinence feel that it has had a negative impact on their quality of life and just over half believe that urinary incontinence is a taboo subject Therefore it is vital that there is an increase in societal support as well as a wide range of simple solutions for people living with incontinence

MoliCare® has developed a range of pads and pants which feel like underwear Over the last forty years the brand has continued to focus on protection security, and comfort as the core criteria for its product performance MoliCare® believes in plain talking backed up by their healthcare professional expertise to create simple solutions for people living with incontinence

MoliCare® continually strives to address the needs of its customers; from nurses through to care givers family members and people living with incontinence

They have developed an easy to remember acronym - ‘SAS - to simplify the product selection process

S – Style There are various styles such as large and small pads, or complete pull up mobile pants to suit various levels of mobility There are also products for men and women based on anatomical differences and urine flow

A – Absorbency MoliCare®’ s droplet guide makes selection straightforward

S – Size, MoliCare® s in-depth sizing guide ensures that products selected are a comfortable and secure fit HARTMANN, the company behind MoliCare®, continues to invest in and develop in their products This

includes the introduction of new technology to the MoliCare® Premium Form range of large shaped pads that now features a new absorbent core known as ADL (Acquisition Distribution Layer) The ADL layer contains super absorbent polymers treated with Citrate which neutralise the urine, for better skin health In addition the ADL layer now features a new channel set within the pad to help to distribute urine Both innovations improve the feeling of dryness by over 70%, again demonstrating MoliCare® s commitment to skin care

As part of MoliCare®’s holistic approach to incontinence the brand has developed a range of specialist skincare products which are skin friendly pH balanced and are gentle on delicate sensitive skin Used together MoliCare® provides a complete skin care and incontinence management solution

Amy Jaworska MoliCare® B2C Channel Manager comments; as a global manufacturer and expert in the field of Incontinence and Bladder Weakness, we are delighted to be celebrating 40 years of the MoliCare® brand supporting people living with incontinence

MoliCare® invests in the research design and development of our premium incontinence products to ensure they meet the highest quality reliability and protection for people living with incontinence We also support loved ones carers and healthcare professionals alike with the right support for the people they care for, because the individual s wellbeing and quality of life is at the heart of everything we do

MoliCare® is a leading global brand of incontinence products manufactured by the HARTMANN Group MoliCare® works in partnership with Healthcare Professionals to develop clinically effective products advice and innovative Home Delivery service solution packages to meet lifestyle needs

For more information and to order please call 0800 028 9470 or Visit www hartmanndirect co uk/incontinence-products

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

CYBER SECURITY

Why You Should Consider A Cybersecurity Strategy In Your Care Facility

cure so review your current security strategy to ensure that you have the proper policies and best practices in place to meet any required standards or obligatory regulations This should include a review of your security operations network and data security to check that you are protected from exploitation and have prevention and monitoring procedures in place

Carry out a cyber security assessment to identify the types of attack that you may be vulnerable to and assess how prepared your business is to respond to an incident Consider your ability to detect malicious activity, the procedures you have in place to contain an attack and what your incident response process is

Create a best practice guide to help prevent your exposure to cyber threats and share with all employees This should include the use of strong passwords which are updated regularly Software and systems should also be checked regularly, and updates actioned when due The use of two-factor authentication when available should also be implemented

employees for a coordinated calm and fast reaction to an unexpected cyber event

Cyber attacks are on the increase and the healthcare sector is one of the most targeted industries According to a recent survey conducted by email security firm Agari 67% of healthcare organisations in the UK have suffered a cybersecurity incident over the last 12 months Of all healthcare cyber incidents in the last year 48% have been the result of malware or viruses introduced to the network by third-party devices

To help protect your care home or care facility from the threat of a cyber related incident we recommend putting a robust cybersecurity strategy in place to sit alongside your insurance programme You should create a cyber risk assessment and action preventative measures including a best practice guide This will help to reassure your employees customers suppliers and any third parties that you are as ready as possible in the event of a cyber threat

To identify areas of weakness or vulnerability you should assess the security of your information or data Prevention is always better than

Ensure you are following the most up to date guidance on GDPR and that your data protection officer has all the latest information It s a legal obligation of any business to ensure appropriate and proportionate security is in place to protect any personal data held, to safeguard the rights of individuals You must also report any data breaches to the ICO within 72 hours of discovery

Provide your staff with Cyber Security Awareness Training so they can spot suspicious looking communications understand how hackers get in and the importance of strong passwords Educating your entire organisation helps to minimise potential attacks and can also help to reduce internal security incidents It’s also a good idea to create a robust reporting procedure to ensure that all employees are aware of any potential or recent Cyber attacks

With more of us working from home, you should make sure your remote working methods are protected and procedures are adhered to by all

Put together a business continuity plan and share with key

Your immediate response to an event will be key to the overall impact on your business Consider how you will contact everyone that may have been affected as a result of a data breach to help retain your customer database customer confidence brand reputation and trust

Don t wait until you have experienced a cyber attack to put measures in place be proactive and help protect your business now We can help you to develop a robust cyber security strategy as part of your complete insurance programme managing your exposure to cyber risks

Speak to us about arranging cyber liability insurance or carrying out a cyber risk assessment by calling us on 01480 272727 or emailing enquiries@barnesinsurancebroker co uk

Find out more about cyber liability insurance at www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk/cyberliability

FOOD AND DRINK

Discover The Power Of Chefs’ Most Trusted Bouillon*

With 25 years' expertise in special diets and nutrition for the elderly Chef Preston brings you the latest insights on providing nutritionally dense dishes for residents

Meanwhile two Michelin-starred Chef Tom has developed a range of classic recipes with a modern seasonal twist, each utilising products from the Knorr Professional Bouillons range in a different way

Knorr Professional s Bouillons are available in Powder Paste and Jelly formats offering chefs versatility and flexibility in usage and application plus consistent depth of flavour every time

Chefs Tom Kerridge and Preston Walker have joined forces with Knorr Professional Bouillons to launch a new training hub for chefs This new online platform The Base contains exclusive recipes video tutorials and training tools that will help other professionals working in Care Homes to improve their skills in the kitchen

Anglia Crown - Popular Dishes for Ever yone

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 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 accom-

Chef Preston Walker said: I m so proud to be partnering with Knorr Professional Bouillons to create and share recipes and tips that will genuinely help improve the skills of chefs working in this exciting sector GET

panied 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

Nutritional Support for Effective Diabetes Care for Older People

Diabetes currently affects a whopping 4 9 million people in the UK And with the condition more commonly prevalent amongst the elderly population catering to those with medical conditions such as diabetes is incredibly important

Effective diabetes care for older people requires nutritional support to help maintain healthy blood sugar level and reduce the risk of complications However Bidfood has recognised through customer insight that catering for diabetes within the care sector is especially challenging as care homes continue to operate under tight budgets and are feeling the impact of rising food costs

Consistently creating nutritious and delicious meals tailored to residents’ individual requirements isn’t always easy especially when you are juggling time budgets stock levels and the skill level of your staff So to help navigate these challenges Bidfood has launched Caterers Campus an online learning platform exclusive to Bidfood customers that takes the hard work out of supporting your team – so you have more time to focus on your residents

Designed by our chefs for your chefs the specialist diabetes module includes understanding the causes and symptoms how to cater for diabetes as well as inspiration to help with menu planning all to aid and equip care home staff with the right information and guidance they need Made up of over 30 chapters the unit also features a knowledge test at the end to really make sure everything has sunk in

To accompany Caterers Campus we ve also devised a comprehensive guide to help carers support residents with diabetes Packed full of advice our guide will fill you with confidence when discussing diabetic care with your team members and residents

Bidfood’s Culinary Development Chef for the care sector Wayne Wright has put together a full seven day meal plan to help inspire those in the care setting when catering for diabetes Here are some of his top tips:

* Be careful with the carbs try to not overdo it by adding in too many

* Make healthy swaps like whole grain sweet potatoes wholemeal flour and lean cuts of meat

* Instead of adding sugar and salt for flavour add herbs spices lemon and lime juice

* Lastly, remember to keep an eye on the portion sizes

See the advert on the previous page for further information

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Gain Valuable Insight With Adveco For Gas To Electric Decarbonisation Of Care Homes

Care homes intending to replace existing gas-fired domestic hot water (DHW) systems with more sustainable electric technologies as part of a decarbonisation strategy should invest in data gathering first recommends hot water specialist Adveco

Live Metering is a simple to install non-invasive onsite service provided by Adveco that generates consistent six minute data 24 hours per day from existing hot water systems to accurately understand actual usage including critical peak demands and their profile shape Adveco s specialist engineers will visit to fit the meter and assess the site The data will then be processed and a report generated with design recommendations for a replacement system that meets the exact needs of the building

The most consistent issue we see in healthcare hot water systems is oversizing whether through lack of understanding of application design or concerns over providing suitable back up to ensure system continuity The result of oversizing is always the same, unnecessary capital costs for system supply and installation, and ongoing excess operational costs associated with higher energy demands and therefore greater carbon emissions As the

Is Your Care Home Ready for its 2023 CQC Inspection?

care sector seeks to adopt greener building operations, replacing old gas-fired systems with like-for-like electric is another guaranteed way to gain an oversized system If the replacement system is oversized operational costs climb as the price of electricity per kW remains high Should demand exceed a building s available amperage of electrical supply project installation costs will inevitably soar or even stall the project This can be avoided by understanding your actual hot water demands and designing the replacement to meet those specific needs This is why accurate data is so valuable

The recommended replacement design by Adveco will show carbon reduction and outline new operational costs Accurate to the actual demands of the property live metered designs avoid excess capital costs associated with oversizing and ensures operation within the limits of the existing electrical supply of the building

Organisations which opt to purchase the recommended replacement system from Adveco will receive a 50% refund on the cost of implementing the initial Live Metering service

Talk to Adveco about booking metering at your property https://adveco co/products/live-metering/ See the advert on page 6 for further details

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

T&S Grab Rails

As we age or face physical challenges our mobility becomes limited and basic tasks can become challenging Our company specializes in providing high-quality support rails in both stainless and mild steel catering to a wide range of

Our Animal World

Our Animal World is an educational and therapeutic mobile zoo providing both informative and therapeutic experiences for care homes disabled residencies hospices parties schools and events in Suffolk, Norfolk Cambridgeshire, Essex, North and East London

Laura runs all the sessions and is a fully qualified teacher with significant SEN experience and an Animal

Assisted therapist diploma

Animal visits to care facilities have shown specifically to decrease the agitated behaviours of residents who have dementia and can help combat depression ADHD schizophrenia loneliness autism and PTSD Therapy increases residents social interactions too

Our Animal World are set apart from other similar companies by their purpose-built van which houses 16 individual animal enclosures Each has their own

light source and heat source as required We can also add our 6m x 3m gazebo to the back to extend the spacethis allows up to 30 different species to be brought out in one go This allows Our Animal World to pull up anywhere without the need of going into a venue, although for most care homes we usually set up in a communal area such as a café or lounge

Our Animal World houses over 40 different species of animals including a variety of reptiles amphibians invertebrates mammals and birds We are insured for up to £10 million DBS checked exotic vet and council checked and licenced by Mid Suffolk District Council For the full list of animals or more information visit www ouranimalworld com email us info@ouranimalworld com or call us on 07519 340 788 See the advert on page 5 for details

For any care home, the laundry process is critical to maintaining stringent hygiene standards and is therefore service area that will be closely evaluated upon inspection by the Care Quality Commission In order to ensure that your care home has efficient and CQC compliant procedures in place Forbes Professional advises that imperatives go beyond the need for commercial laundry equipment that provides the requisite disinfection

The CQC state on their website that for care homes to achieve their Good rating there is an expectation of a designated room for storage and managing laundry They will also require that ‘laundry processes follow national guidance and correctly manage’ and clean ‘used and infectious laundry to minimise risk of infection Efficient segregation of clean and soiled laundry is essential at all times with a clean and dirty flow system to

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 be maintained in a suitable condition order

If you are the Responsible Person it s imperative you appoint a competent person to assist in meeting your duties under the fire safety order to ensure fire safety measures including fire doors are kept in working order

Yeoman Shield’s Fire Door Services can help to take the guess work out of fire door maintenance by providing fire door inspections condition reports, remedial work and fire door installation all carried out by FDIS and/or FIRAS accredited team members Having a good maintenance routine will dispel some needs of fire door replacement therefore being more cost effective

ation of Yeoman Shield Fire ction products can also be in the long term financially beneficial by halting impact damage from the start eliminating many repairs in the future and again will extend door lifecycles

Installing Yeoman Shield door protection products such as door protection panels door edge protectors and PVCu glazing bead units will not affect the integrity of the fire door as all products have been tested in situ to the current standard required

Vulnerable frames and architraves can also be protected from impact with Yeoman Shield to prevent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time-consuming, repetitive need for repainting

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

Joerns Healthcare Ups the Anti with Next Generation Stand Assist

Joerns Healthcare s new Oxford Up is a uniquely designed active manual stand aid supporting assisted standing seated transfers and patient rehabilitation Previewed at the Moving and Handling People Conference and OT Show in the latter half of 2022 it commanded a lot of interest and positive review from those who matter

The Up will form part of the Oxford Professional series complimenting the already established Switch Journey and Ascend stand assist solutions Suitable for clients who require some assistance when standing but are able to participate and contribute effort to the process the Up can also be deployed as a useful rehabilitation aid

Manufactured using a combination of steel and aluminium framework the Oxford Up meets or exceeds all applicable design and regulatory standards and unlike other stand assist products it quickly and conveniently dismantles into three separate components This significantly eases storage requirements and facilitates onward transportation in the boot of a car

Reassembly takes a matter of seconds and the Up is ready for use again

Owing to its unique and robust design the Up successfully achieves a safe working load rating of 200kg (31st) Careful attention to component geometry including the single upright mast section, allows for a fully contained footplate, ensuring patients have no risk of toes overhanging the edge and potential conflict with the rear castors or foot opening pedals

Injury reduction fall prevention and ergonomic principles were fundamental considerations during the development phase A large multi-point push handle aids manoeuvrability for the care giver and the foot push pad a common feature on Oxford Professional series products provides a means of generating forward momentum when moving a patient Optimum positioning of the swing-away moulded seat pads and knee support help ensure comfort for the patient Adjustable leg opening allows closer access around furniture promoting improved patient positioning and general ease of use

High-grade castors offer excellent manoeuvrability across many floor surfaces and ensures a smooth and comfortable transfer for both the patient and carer The centralised singular upright mast when compared to comparative products with dual seat posts results in softer transitions over room thresholds and different floor types It effectively serves to dampen the vibration felt through the seat pads culminating in more comfortable and less disconcerting transfers for patients Where additional seated support is required the Oxford Deluxe Standing sling (With Clips) is fully compatible with the Up and available in three standard sizes: small medium and large

please contact

Surestop

Making a home safe secure and comfortable can be difficult for those with cognitive impairments long term injuries or medical conditions that cause mobility issues

One of the biggest risks to the home is water damage A brass stopcock is the last line of defence from water damage They are often inaccessible or in a hard-to-reach location What s more they are susceptible to seizing up If someone is unable to turn off their water in an emergency or when they leave their home even a small leak could cause significant dam-

Just Bowl

When residents enter a care home their daily routine inevitably changes and consequently several forms of physical activity are no longer possible One such activity that is synonymous with older adults is bowls Sadly for many residents when they enter a care home they will no longer be able to enjoy a roll up on a sunny afternoon However the Bowls Development Alliance is helping to change that by introducing Just Bowl into the care sector Just Bowl is a fun easy to play form of bowls that can be used in care homes rehabilitation centres and just about anywhere else Ian McCombes the Just Bowl Manager explains ‘We work with our partners to offer a bespoke training package which is supplemented by our exclusive equipment We provide aftercare support and guidance to ensure that Just

C&S Seating Ltd

C&S Seating Ltd have provided postural control equipment to residential homes, hospices, medical equipment services and NHS trust hospitals nationwide since 1991

With 9 different sizes of T-Rolls and Log Rolls in a removable and machine washable Waterproof Titex or Soft Knit material These rolls are used to control posture and position of the body in either supine or side lying Our Knee & Leg support wedges are available in 2 sizes

C&S Seating Ltd is the sole manufacturer of the

age to a property

Surestop is a unique device, which works on water pressure No electrics or batteries, enabling the safe management of water use With a flick of the switch, the Surestop instantly turns off the water to a sink toilet, bathroom kitchen, or the entire property

It is easily installed and a low-cost safety measure that should be considered in every property

The Surestop can be installed by itself or with a remote switch

The Surestop is WRAS approved and is limescale resistant so will never seize

A Surestop is peace of mind for you and your home

Telephone 0121 280 1685

Email enquiries@surestop co uk

Bowl is being utilised to its full potential

The team have also been working with Sheffield Hallam University to conduct research to identify what impact Just Bowl has had on residents The findings showed that Just Bowl encouraged inclusivity as 83% of the participants had a disability and 75% of the participants were aged 81-101 years of age It also helped to increase physical activity levels with research showing the average levels increased by 40 minutes per week Just Bowl also created a sociable and fun atmosphere as residents were able to bond whilst playing the game which subsequently lead to an improvement in mental wellbeing and happiness and a reduction in anxiety

Additionally the research established that exercise self-efficacy increased following participation in Just Bowl which suggests that participants felt more confident in their ability to be physically active

For further information on Just Bowl please visit us at UK Care Week at stand E40 or contact Ian on 07741873233 or ian@justbowl org

Alternatively see the advert on the front cover of this issue

Alternative Positioning Support – also available in two sizes which has removable side cushions and middle pommel for when more control of the abducted lower limb is required

Our popular and vibrant range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 colours provide a softer alternative ideal for the colder seasons and are designed to fit snug over our waterproof rolls for maximum protection and comfort Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit www cands-seating co uk to request or download a brochure, pricelist or order form, request an individualised quotation speak to an advisor or to place an order

See the advert on page 19

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

have been trading since 1846 and have built up a reputation for superior value for money quality personalised and non-personalised items for many different outlets

We supply to Nursing and Residential Homes Schools

Scout Cub Guide and Brownie Groups as well as to the small or large business entrepreneur Our range of Designer name tapes add a professional look to garments crafts or other hobby items

Many of us have loved ones relatives or friends who need specialist care in a Nursing or Residential Home

Do you know someone who struggles to find shoes or slippers to fit? Cosyfeet the specialists in extra roomy footwear can help Wider and deeper than anything on the high street their British designed footwear is expertly crafted to fit and flatter extra wide and swollen feet

Now spring has arrived Cosyfeet s newest collection boasts a fabulous range of styles in a choice of delicate powder blues fresh florals and bright colours to see you through the season in style Get ready for the bright and breezy days ahead with supportive fabric styles so you can walk in cotton-soft comfort there s also a great selection of ontrend but comfy sandals Discover their new Sport

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

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy

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

BIOFROST® Gels:

BIOFROST® Relief Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

BIOFROST® Active Dual-Action Cold Gel w th Heat Sensat on comb ning 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 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

Skopos has 50 years experience of supplying specialist contract fabrics and soft furnishings to Care interiors With new collections launched each year many Skopos fabrics are antimicrobial coming under the umbrella of Skopos ProtectPlus including waterproof upholstery options (specifically for care) soil and stain resist fabrics and printed fabrics for all types of Care environments Skopos can offer a fabric-only service or a full service; with site measure product manufacture and installation The Skopos team produce approximately 25 000 made-up items each year including bed-throws cushions and pairs of curtains all manufactured by a highly-skilled team of machinists cutters and pattern makers; items that are delivered and installed into different contract environments

BIOFROST® Active is a dualaction 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

blackout/dimout fabrics

With a target reduction of energy consumption at the forefront of everyone s agenda Skopos are also pleased to have included a new wide-width double-sided blackout lining into their core offer As an optional choice on all Skopos made-up curtains the Reflection lining can be used in 2 different ways depending on the environment it is specified for On the most-part in the UK the lining will be used with the silver side facing inwards towards the room minimising any heat loss through the curtain With the silver side facing out the lining helps to reflect heat thereby keeping the room cooler The lining can facilitate a substantial reduction in energy bills

Skopos also offers a Bespoke design service for statement interiors that are unique to your environment or brand

In this busy environment clothes and personal items can easily get misplaced if they are not named otherwise this can become very stressful for the resident, relatives and the Care Home itself

Our woven clothing name tapes are extremely robust and are sewn on to garments to ensure that they stand the rigorous washing processes necessary Self-adhesive labels are easily applied to name shoes and books and make marking treasured items effortless to most other non-fabric items

We have recently introduced several new items such as magnetic name tags and personalised hi-vis jackets along with updated gifts such as personalised mugs and mousemats Check out the ad on page 9 for our offer code

Visit www cashslabels com

As with all Skopos prints customers are able to order designs across base-cloths for upholstery, curtains and bedding Qualities include waterproof upholsteries velvets drapery linen-effect qualities and

For samples of any of our collections www skoposfabrics com or see advert on page 5

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 high-quality and custom devices with built-in seats

The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair 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 15

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 selflearning control ability which uses in-built

Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are more importantly built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies including hand hygiene cleaning training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem

As a result a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market including antimicrobial technology 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 MRSA E Coli Legionella Salmonella and mould by up to 99 99%

For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags

You can order Angloplas products directly from its website by going to www angloplas co uk and clicking Hospital Health and Hygiene or by using the Quick Response code

Haigh Engineering

Haigh Engineering is excited to share the success of the latest iteration of bedpan machine, Panaway DS, following its initial roll out across multiple healthcare facilities The feedback received from both users and facilities managers has been overwhelmingly positive and we are pleased to see that the Panaway DS is delivering great value for money through improving sluice room up time and the niche but critical matter of ensuring patient waste disposal compliant Users consistently commented on the Panaway DS s ease of use and dependability when it comes to disposing of medical pulp items and patient waste With the intuitive interface and easy-to-follow instructions sites can perform routine maintenance tasks in house reducing the need for specialist technicians allowing for more efficient timely and cost-effective maintenance Additionally the backward compatibility of the machine has made

the transition from older models seamless with little or no need for costly sluice room re configuring and staff retraining

Facilities managers have been particularly impressed with the Panaway DS s focus on ensuring sluice room up-time With simplified installation maintenance costs and Haigh's well known product reliability the Panaway DS helps departments hit challenging SLAs that are critical to keeping the ever present infection risks associated with waste management under control With the alternative being washing bedpans pots and bottles with steam and hot water high energy costs are meaning that the benefits of bedpan macerators have never been greater Haigh s online cost calculator has been an eye opener for many customers seeing just how many thousands of pounds a year they benefit from by using these types of machine instead on top of the core infection prevention benefits

Complementing Haigh s movables approach to sluice room equipment Panaway DS is proving to be the logical step forward for existing and new customers alike meeting the demanding needs of everything from busy NHS acute wards to private elderly care sites where immobile at risk residents require the highest standard of care The team at Haigh Engineering is looking forward to continued developments in providing our clients with the best for the sluice room

If you would like to find out Haigh's Panaway DS can improve your site please contact the team on info@haighmed com or call 01989 763131 - Option 2

www haighmed com

Buyer Beware Specify CHSA Accreditation

By Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (www CHSA co uk)

Buyers and users of cleaning and hygiene goods and services in the care sector need products that are fit for purpose They need to know product claims are legitimate, realistic and relevant and that ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’ They also want to do the ‘right thing’ and move towards environmentally and ethically sustainable solutions But those working in the care sector already have many challenges to deal with, including staff shortages, higher demand and tighter budgets Low-cost solutions are tempting but buyers lack the time, resources and expertise to audit their cleaning and hygiene suppliers and the products they manufacture and sell The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association represents manufacturers and distributors supplying cleaning and hygiene products in the UK Our Accreditation Schemes can provide the solution Our Standards, Your Guarantee

The commercial pressures we all face today are immense Interest rates have steadily increased in recent months and the Bank of England may have to go further to control inflation The war in Ukraine continues It’s impacting the cost of energy, which may have stabilised but is still relatively high This adds to the pressure on care homes, increasing their need for low-cost solutions At the same time it is hugely increasing costs for our members particularly our manufacturing members The opening up of the Chinese economy is also hitting prices Its growth rate may not have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels but the rapid opening up has put pressure on raw materials, driving up the cost

Balancing these economic pressures with delivering good quality fit-for-purpose products is not easy In the past the unscrupulous squared the circle by cutting corners A few sheets shorter or a little narrower with the soft tissue Thinner plastic for the sacks Lower absorbency for the cotton mops Our Accreditation Schemes were set up specifically to protect buyers of cleaning and hygiene products from this type of sharp practice and over the 26 years since the establishment of our first Scheme their impact has been impressive

There will always be rogue traders operating outside our Schemes who are more interested in making a quick buck than in trading ethically It’s a problem made worse by the pandemic, particularly when it comes to cleaning chemicals Extraordinary claims were made for these products, for example that they kept an area clean and sterile for days if not months The truth is different A product may keep a surface sterile for days but only in laboratory conditions with very specific testing protocols In the real world inhabited by people it’s not possible New methods of application were also developed Misting was proposed as quick and effective, but the truth is it is more suited to applying cleaning chemicals in operating theatres than care homes These claims are still made today

The fog created by these misleading claims is now being added to with all sorts of environmental claims that often amount to nothing more than greenwashing A typical example is claims of biodegrability Given the right conditions everything biodegrades into its natural elements but it could take thousands of years The claim means nothing without information on conditions and timeframe Chemical-free cannot be true because everything on earth is comprised of chemicals Non-toxic is meaningless The toxicity of a cleaning product relates to its effect on humans when in direct contact In the real world this depends on what they are for and how they are used For instance, toilet bowl cleaners tend to have higher levels of harmful chemicals than all-purpose kitchen cleaners but because of where and how they are used there is no increased risk to the user

How are hard pressed buyers in the care sector supposed to navigate these challenges and get fit-for-purpose product with good environmental credentials at the right price?

We can help Setting and maintaining standards is in the DNA of the CHSA We set up our first Accreditation Scheme in 1997 and now have six They are for manufacturers of paper-based products plastic-based products cotton-based products and cleaning chemicals for general manufacturers and for distributors of cleaning and hygiene products

The Schemes integrity is maintained by the Independent Inspector In 2022 he conducted more than 139 audits In the process, he inspected over 1,500 labels, tested over 507 product lines and physically tested 4 170 individual products

Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice, which incorporates the Competition and Markets Authority s Green Claims Code It requires them to “maintain a high standard in the conduct of its business”

The combination of our Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means ever y member:

• Trades ethically and sustainably; Provides quality, fit for purpose products; and Makes sure what s on the box is what s in the box

Our advice to buyers who want to avoid these problems is simple ‘Be cautious ’

1 Be sceptical It if sounds too good to be true it probably is

2 Ask for supporting evidence The manufacturer should be willing and able to show you data sheets or other relevant evidence to support claims

3 Ask for the CE declaration and any other test reports to show conformance to specification

4 Buy from a reputable supplier with a track record

5 Finally specify CHSA Accreditation Our Standards Your Guarantee

Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR

Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!

Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers® The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad This results in less work for nursing staff improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices

Benefits include:

Safer for patients; less work for staff

Bed and chair pads ava lable One monitor works with two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems

A variety of opt ons including: Call button Pager

Floor sensor mat

Wireless door/w ndow exit alerts

TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR

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

MONITORING

Medpage Falls Management Products

Medpage is a family ran company with a huge heart and resources gathered over our 38- year trading history The majority of the technologies we design manufacture and distribute originate from enquiries received from healthcare professionals and personal family care observations Our product portfolio provides a wide variety of care solutions for epilepsy, dementia, senior care special needs and sensory loss

Our latest innovation currently in use in several Hospitals presents an effective fall monitoring detection and reporting solution The MPCSA11 is a complex software driven sensor monitor made to be user and operator friendly This device has already proven successful in hospital and care home trials by reducing patient falls while also reducing false positives from a safe

patient The device can monitor and interact with up to three sensor products: bed and chair occupancy pressure pads PIR movement detection sensors and proximity signal products

In use a patient or resident rising from their bed would be considered a falls risk but what if they are simply moving to sit in a chair close to their bed? A standard bed monitor would raise an alarm alerting care staff, who would arrive to find the person safely seated The MPCSA11 would only generate an alarm if the person was out of their bed or chair for a selectable time duration Learn more www easylinkuk co uk/mpcsa11

See the advert on page 5 got details

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 person s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope, as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing 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 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

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Mainteno is a complete cost-effective CAFM software solution designed to simplify the day-to-day maintenance of any organization Whether you're managing planned maintenance or dealing with fault repairs Mainteno streamlines every aspect of the maintenance management process saving you time and money With Mainteno, you can keep everyone in the loop and archive all your communications and documentation in one place, allowing for total control of your organization's assets The software also seamlessly incorporates asset management and tracking for added convenience

Mainteno s interface was designed with practicality in mind allowing basic operation to be learned in minutes and making it easy to become a power user in just one afternoon Despite its elegant usability Mainteno is surprisingly affordable with no set-up fee or lengthy contracts

Mainteno adapts to any organization's maintenance needs and offers a FREE TRIAL so you can see how it can benefit your organization before committing Try Mainteno now and experience the time and cost savings it can provide for your facilities management With Mainteno, you can enjoy a complete CAFM software solution that simplifies your maintenance processes and saves you money, all while providing the flexibility and ease-of-use you need to stay productive

Visit www mainteno com

Digital Employee Recognition Scheme Increases Morale and Productivity

Terryberry offer an all-in-one benefits reward and recognition platform including milestone and service awards lifestyle savings salary sacrifice cycle to work 24hour GP helpline and pension contributions in an easy-to-use platform

It is commonly accepted that workplace morale is intrinsically linked to productivity and retention With the current cost-of-living crisis rocketing basic food and energy bills Terryberry is helping UK businesses ride the storm

The 360 Employee Recognition software and platform incorporates four aspects into one integrated digital hub: employee benefits milestones and service awards social recognition and wellness

The employee benefit section allows managers and HR staff to incentivise staff through a range of benefits from private healthcare life insurance and GP helplines employee perks such as retail discounts and wellbeing schemes such as cycle to work schemes

We all want to know we re doing a good job; positive recognition bolsters self-esteem and super-

chargers dopamine It s a win-win scenario: employees feel good will stay in their jobs and continue working hard Managers benefit from a happy workplace with staff who feel valued and will go the extra mile

The last section is wellness with Terryberry offering services to support an employee s physical mental and financial wellbeing Through support with Mental health and wellness to online gym classes and help with managing your finances

The 360 Employee Recognition software and platform offers HR departments and business leaders an integrated digital hub to look after the basics: everyday workplace morale with customised calendar events for Christmas Birthdays and retirement occasions This leaves more times for managers to come up with valuable team building sessions whether that s in the boardroom or in the pub!

To start prioritising your employees’ wellbeing today, see the details below

T +44 03448262008

www terryberry com/gb

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

workflows were a key factor in their decision to select PASS

Self sufficiency: With a relatively young IT literate workforce they were keen to work in an environment where they could make simple changes to their digital care management system inhouse without having to go back to the supplier each time

They therefore particularly liked the Document Builder function in PASS which gave them the option to build and customise documents and assessments themselves

THE IMPACT

everyLIFE technologies was founded on a passion for empowering care agencies to deliver the highest standards of personalised care easily and efficiently

Through a secure cloud-based digital care software solution PASS was designed with the input of the industry and now supports over 80 000 people With complete care plans, care plan tracking, care records and online as well as offline alerts we work to make critical data accessible secure and usable for your team

THE COURT NURSING HOME BENEFITS FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF PASS

As well as offering care for older people The Court Nursing Home also supports those with dementia, learning disabilities, mental health conditions physical disabilities and sensory impairment Amongst their staff they employ four registered nurses

WHY PASS?

In moving from paper to digital Court Nursing was seeking a solution that would allow them to streamline their working practices and realise improved operational efficiencies

Flexibility: The powerful core functionality of PASS, along with its flexible approach that supports customisable alerts documents assessments and

With the introduction of PASS Court Nursing has benefited from:

Realtime access from within PASS to their service user s GP records without having to contact the surgery or pharmacy

All of their service users documents stored electronically together in one place

• Ability to create and populate documents from within PASS

• Creating their own bespoke documents

• The Smart Observations function within PASS, making use of the Fluids observations feature for example

"GP Connect has provided continuity of care between ourselves and the GP, giving us access to up to date notes regarding the care of our users

In short PASS GP Connect helps us to cut out the middleman meaning that as nurses we can work more efficiently giving us more time for direct patient care

Rebecca Knight Registered Manager For further information visit www everylifetechnologies com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Don’t Get Lost On Your Digital Journey

The next 12 months is going to see big changes in the residential care sector With around 50% of homes still using a paper system to plan and record care, The NHS Transformation Directorate have big ideas which whilst exciting are daunting to those without the proper tools to make these ideas a reality

So where to begin? Finding the right software provider might appear to be the ideal starting point Will the provider meet all your requirements within budget and customise the software to fit with your own processes? It s only once you have made this decision that your journey will really begin

There is little information and guidance out there on how to implement a new system into a residential care setting, where do you start? As with any journey you need a route plan

unique to our customers and are committed to working together to provide the best service for them We understand that the care landscape is always changing and improving, whether via new processes or new technologies We keep up to date with what our sector needs to ensure we are providing the best and most cost effective service possible

Again, let’s ask: So where to begin? Now we know the answer Find a system provider who will share their experience and knowledge with you and get you to your final destination smoothly and safely

From implementing systems into homes for over 20 years we not only know how to help plan your journey, but we ll be there as your co-pilot too Every step of the way So jump on board and get ready to take off!

For further information on the Blyssful Cloud Care System visit www ablyss co uk

Getting Digitisation Right, Ever y Step Of The Way – Top Tips From The Access Group

Care providers across the UK are digitising their records and processes to free up time improve safety and care quality and even staff satisfaction

When selecting and implementing a piece of care software it is easy to be wowed and carried away by all the advanced features, the impressive analytics, the powerful automation and all the potential that unleashes

However, unleashing that potential requires successful selection, implementation and ongoing use of the system

Care providers often tell us that the involvement ‘buy-in’ and enthusiasm of staff across their care services was crucial to achieving this

Here are a few tips on what to do help you get this right at each stage of the process

SELECTING A SYSTEM:

People working in different roles can offer very different perspectives For example a care worker may spot potential flaws and issues or hidden benefits that might not be apparent to management until it is too late

Create a working group involving staff from different roles within your organisation especially those that will have day to day use of the system you are procuring

You don’t need to involve everyone of course, just at least one representative from each role in your service that will have direct contact with the system you are selecting

From these working groups, draw up a checklist of your must-haves and red flags from your new system It doesn’t need to be an overly complex or extensive piece of work that saps your time and causes delays You just need something that outlines:

What our key goals/objectives are – what we want to get out of using this piece of software

Any key functionality or features any system we choose must have

Any characteristics of a system that we feel would not be a good fit for us BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION:

Once you’ve chosen the right system it is crucial to communicate regularly and openly with everyone across your care services Make it clear why you are implementing this new system, which should come out of your list of goals and objectives

How will it benefit service users, your care service and staff themselves? How will it enable them to provide better care and make their jobs easier or less stressful?

Communication should be two way Be open to questions and concerns from staff Listen as they may have thought of a potential hurdle you haven t spotted yet Respond because often these concerns are shared by colleagues and addressing them properly will help people feel comfortable and confident about the change in ways of working

DURING IMPLEMENTATION

During the implementation of your software maintain the approach to communication outlined above You should also identify ‘champions’ people who are especially enthusiastic about the software and the change it brings Often it s best if champions are care workers especially when care workers are using the software directly

These champions should not only act as an advocate of the software to colleagues, but also as a person who can confidentially hear the concerns or challenges that people are having and work with management and/or the software supplier to address them

YOUR NEXT STEP:

If you want to learn more about the full range of care software available to you then we can help At The Access Group we provide a complete ecosystem of care management software with everything you need to improve efficiency safety and care quality in your services

Contact us for an informal conversation whenever you are ready

See the advert on the facing page for further details

The CAREAudits System

The CAREAudits compliance auditing tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous locations by all care service providers Carers and managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits Training and Maintenance as well as service users quality and wellbeing

The system allows care providers to audit or check just about everything and manage all areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in its Web Portal Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system Management see in real time exactly were best to focus their attention and resources and how they are meeting their compliance requirements

The system has over 150 easy to use example audits to select from which you can easily add to or edit your own audits in minutes ensuring simple instant updates of ever-changing requirements App care 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 its own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring

The UK has seen a rise in Social Prescribing Services with many NHS Trusts and local authorities now offering services that connect patients with community activities and voluntary groups

Social prescribing is an alternative to traditional healthcare models, which aims to improve health outcomes by connecting people with the wider community It is also a preventative treatment that can be used alongside other treatments to reduce the need for medication

Social prescribing is one of the most effective ways to provide healthcare to people struggling with mental health problems and it s a practice that has been growing in popularity for the past few years However it s also a relatively new field and there aren t a lot of people who have been trained in this area

If you re looking for a new job or are planning to retrain a career in social prescribing this article will give you an overview of what s involved and how to get started

WHAT IS SOCIAL PRESCRIBING?

Social prescribing is a form of community-based health care that helps people with social or emotional problems improve their health and well-being It involves the assessment of someone's needs, matching them with appropriate services and then supporting them to use those services effectively

Social prescribing has been shown to help people access the right support at the right time and can help to reduce the use of acute services It also improves outcomes for patients as they are more satisfied with their care and experience fewer repeat visits to the hospital or A&E

Social prescribing is a way of helping people access services and support they need but may not know about or have the confidence to access alone It can be used as a treatment for people with long-term conditions or mental health problems such as depression or anxiety Social prescribing can also address loneliness and isolation amongst older people in the community

Social Prescribing is an opportunity for GPs and other health professionals to work with local organisations, such as community groups and voluntary organisations, to help their patients improve their health and well-being The aim is for patients to maintain good health by accessing meaningful activities and meeting their needs

There are three main components: the person who makes the referral; the link-worker who helps the individual choose what kind of help they need and where to find it; and the activity itself

One of the biggest challenges in social prescribing is finding people who are knowledgeable qualified and willing to do it It s also important that they have a good understanding of their local area as well as being able to work with other agencies and professionals

Social prescribers are trained to assess the needs of their patients and connect them with services that can help them address those needs

It s a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on not only physical symptoms but also mental health financial stability and other factors

If you re interested in becoming a social prescriber yourself there are three steps you should take:

1 Learn about social prescribing and its principles so that you can understand what it means to be a social prescriber and how it differs from other approaches to healthcare

2 Complete an accredited training course from Need2Succeed this will ensure that you know what your role as a social prescriber is and how best to serve your community

3 Look for opportunities within your area or network with others working toward similar goals this will help you build a support system while also helping others become interested in social prescribing themselves!

If you d like to learn more about our online distance learning courses or specialist training opportunities don t hesitate to contact us today!

Visit https://need2succeed co uk/national-qualifications/level-3-certificate-in-social-prescribing

& RECRUITMENT

Appreciating Our People

By Jarrod Kelly, Consultant and Trainer, Meaningful Care Matters (https://meaningfulcarematters com)

Without a doubt, the success of a team rises or falls on the people who make up that team Of course, there are other factors which can affect a team’s success; lack of resources, understaffing and a stretched budget to name a few I ve seen teams pull together in incredibly tough circumstances and hit goals or targets that seemed almost impossible I ve also seen teams who are over staffed and very well resourced yet they struggle to achieve even the most basic targets that their roles demand

In the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace Dr Paul White found that 79% of employees who quit their job cite lack of appreciation as a key reason for leaving Why is it then that so many managers and leaders fail to show meaningful appreciation to their teams? Well in my experience most are trying to show appreciation in one way or another but it is often completely ineffective A failure to understand how to appreciate people well can be frustrating for the leader and soul destroying for the team members

Here are four tips to help make sure your appreciation hits the mark

KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL

Some people respond well to a small gift but others just want to be told they’re doing an amazing job I know people who feel on top of the world when their boss sets aside a few minutes to have a coffee with them and show an interest in their life It won t be the same for everyone but an effective leader will take time to learn what makes their individual team members feel valued

MASS APPRECIATION HAS LIMITED EFFECT

Saying well done to your whole team is great and we should do it but it doesn t acknowledge the achievements or contributions the individuals have made In some cases where there are one or two lazy team members, it can actually lead to resentment from their high performing co-workers Why should lazy employees be rewarded in the same way as hard-working ones? Don t fall into the trap of thinking that a gesture of mass appreciation (like a staff Christmas party) will make the whole team feel valued

THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURNS

What works today will be less effective tomorrow

For example if you give your team members a £100 gift card at the end of the year to say thank you it’s likely to be well received the first year If you do it again the next year they’ll be appreciative but not as much as the year before By the third year they’re expecting that £100 gift card and it s now considered an entitlement rather than a bonus Make sure you mix things up so appreciation remains unpredictable and comes as an unexpected surprise rather than a scheduled entitlement

GIVE APPRECIATION, NOT JUST RECOGNITION

Recognition is given for a job well done What about appreciating someone for who they are not just what they do? This is much less common but so much more powerful It might sound like this; I so appreciate the enthusiasm and life you bring to the team We really value your energy, and the team would be poorer without you Comments like that don t just make people feel appreciated they buy loyalty like you wouldn t believe

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

Do you have team members who struggle to work together?

Often it can seem team members are poles apart and have different objectives. As we ’ ve worked in the care industry over recent years, we ’ ve found the Ever ything DiSC tools to be a game changer for teams

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

Meaningful Care Matters can assist in developing leadership skills in a person- centred, feelings first, and emotion- centred way MCM is the only health and social care provider registered internationally as a partner with Everything DiSC It has Leadership Coaches ready to support individual needs in becoming aware of emotional intelligence factors to enhance leadership skills.

Ever ything DiSC helps people to understand themselves and appreciate the differences in other team members We may have different motivators and stressors, varying priorities, ways of interacting and working styles

Check out the three tools we can use to help your team work together in a more cohesive way

How

does it work?

Each participant completes an online questionnaire which then produces a comprehensive personalised report helping us to tailor the training to your team’s needs Contact us today to discuss how we can help you through individual coaching via Zoom or group training sessions in person using the Ever ything DiSC tools

Contact us today to find out how we can help your team admin@meaningfulcarematters.com

01273 242335

Check out more information on our Website: www.meaningfulcarematters.com/coaching-tools/

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Braemar Finance Business Barometer – Care Homes

Braemar Finance recently conducted its latest Business Barometer research which examines current Care Home sector trends and the view of business-owners about a range of issues, from the cost of doing business to recruitment and retention

In this piece, we get under the skin of the data to find out more

COST OF DOING BUSINESS

The cost of energy has had – by some distance – the most impact on Care Homes’ income with 56% selecting this option Staff pay rises (16%) supply costs (12%) and fuel increases (10%) are the next most cited

Unsurprisingly 89% of Care Homes said they were taking measures to reduce their energy use, including, in order of most popular measures:

Turning off the lights overnight

Replacing equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives

• Looking at alternative heating and energy sources

Lowering the heating

Changed energy supplier

Insulating your building

Unfortunately, a quarter of Care Homes confirmed that they had considered closing their business as a result of rising costs and 33% said that they had made redundancies because of the impact of rising costs

Seven out of 10 firms surveyed admitted to passing on additional costs to their customers either partially (60%) or fully (10%)

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Looking at staff vacancies and the impact of the recruitment and the retention crisis 61% of Care Homes replied that they currently have a

vacancy to fill the highest of all the professions polled A further 49% said they ve struggled to fill vacancies in the past 12 months

When asked how long it took to hire a candidate results indicate it typically takes up to four months:

Less than a month

Sixty percent of Care Homes say there is a skills crisis in the sector and a similar number are currently finding it more difficult to fill vacancies

Looking ahead to recruiting in the future, respondents said:

I won’t have a problem recruiting adequately skilled staff 33 50%

I will struggle to recruit because there is a skills gap in my sector

43 00%

I will struggle to recruit because there is a skills gap in my region

10 50%

I will struggle to recruit because there is a skills gap in the UK

13 00%

THE UK’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

The majority (93%) of Care Home businesses surveyed responded that they were either very (43%) or somewhat (50%) concerned about the UK s current economic performance Despite this 16% expected to expand in the coming 12 months against 21% who think they will contract; 62% hope to stay the same – only 1 5% think they ll close their door permanently

The Eden Alternative - What Is It?

The Eden Alternative is a modern philosophy of care 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

How does it work? It provides training to Care Homes manage-

ment and staff and encourages Homes to train their own ‘in house trainers to run the training

Eden has been running 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 online course run over 7 weeks x 1hr each week using the same material as the 3-day Eden Associate courses and comprise 5 elements (online training with Eden trainers digital workbooks video clips assessment of learning and development of a project to develop implementing innovative ideas)

Over nine in 10 (91%) of respondents confirmed they d been impacted by rising inflation and 70% admit it s likely they ll apply for funding within the year

THE ENVIRONMENT

Despite the economic headwinds they re facing 67 5% of Care Homes are working to limit their environmental impact and 77 5% have considered climate change and other environmental factors within their business plans

82% believe that they can help tackle climate change and a further 18% believe they can achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

NEW TECHNOLOGY

Half of respondents are looking to invest in new technologies over the course of the next year and 65% of Care Homes stated they feel keeping up-to-date with modern technologies is a key differentiator for customers and a reason they may choose their Care Home over a competitor 80% of Care Homes are confident about being able to keep ahead of technological developments within the profession

Braemar Finance has been established since 1992 and offers a range of tailor-made finance solutions to the Professions, including Care, Dental, Veterinary, Optical, Legal, Accountancy, Medical, Pharmacy and Funeral

For more information visit https://www braemarfinance co uk/care

Courses run continuously and a new one starts at the beginning of each alternate month e g March May July etc

For Homes or Services that choose to become an Eden Accredited Home annual validations of how Eden features with the life of the Home/Service are undertaken In recognition of the progress achieved by the care provision, an award of Platinum Gold, Silver or Bronze can be achieved

Eden UK is based at 11 Plantation Terrace Dawlish Devon EX7 9DS and can be contacted on 01626 868192 or 07483359472

The key advantages to the Eden approach are:

• It improves occupancy

It improves recruitment and retention

It improves team and resident wellbeing

Geoffrey Cox LLb MSc ,

We shall at the Health Care Plus show at Excel London on 26th-27th April 2023