The Carer Digital - Issue #144

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

We at The Carer are exhibiting at the Health Plus Care Show at London s ExCeL today April 26 and tomorrow April 27 We are in The Residential and Home Care halls S11 - S16 Stand: A64 so if you are planning to attend this vibrant show please do pay us a visit my colleague David Bartlett who is manning our stand!

The show’s primary focus for this year is providing tips and solutions on addressing the recruitment and retention in social care, and, as our lead story confirms the sector really is running out of road with staff experiencing burnout and deciding to leave the sector

I have often said trade events like this are a wonderful opportunity for those at the coalface in social care to share their views opinions and experience

Ordinarily as editor I am there to listen and report your views Unfortunately I am unable to attend this event but David is there over the next couple of days so please do make yourself known We do like to think we are the major voice for the sector We do cover a wide range of topics, including legislation policy changes, best practise in care delivery, plus the latest innovations products and services, but it is your views, opinions and achievements we take great pride and pleasure in sharing

I would be very interested in your views on our lead story regarding the hard hitting report by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) I often say these reports hard hitting powerful warnings to the government This government and indeed any government needs to be constantly reminded of its responsibilities and obligations

My point is that the sector it s operators supporting organisations think tanks industry observers and experts have all been warning this and successive governments of the dire need for investment and a clear future strategy

As editor of this publication for the past 15 years we have reproduced numerous warnings from all sectors of the industry referred to above

In simple terms as many observers have often stated the sector is broken held together by the dedication and hard work of operators and their staff, supported by the many suppliers of products and services to the sector who, without their expertise, would find it very difficult to operate if not impossible

Throughout my time as editor I have reported on a patchwork of solutions, crisis management to a severely underfunded and overstretched industry

These short term headline grabbing solutions may win a few votes in the short term However I repeatedly hear that it is a long term commitment particularly in funding that the sector needs

That requires leadership in particular from the government and the sector needs to

carry on what it has been doing over the years by constantly lobbying, producing reference based hard hitting reports such as this - never despairing, always in the arena snapping at any governments heels, and never letting them off the hook for a moment!

Which is why we always invite contributions

We want to share your views, your opinions and suggestions so please do keep them coming Change I am confident will come at some stage!

For our issue for Wednesday May 10 we are hoping to include a supplement surrounding the King s coronation and how the care sector celebrated

So please do tell us and let us share how your care home/ environment celebrated this historic occasion

We want to hear about your themes activities and costumes plus menus and anything else you can think of let s make this a right royal supplement to remember! editor@thecareruk com

Editor Peter Adams

T ime to Act to Save Social Care says ADASS

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

The roadmap proposes how care and support could be transformed in England, focusing on 10 key areas for change: from improving housing options for those of us who are older or disabled tackling the chronic social care staffing issues including pay and conditions to supporting carers and making care more affordable

CHANGES NEEDED

It charts what needs to be done in the next two years, what changes are needed in two to five years and longer term over the next ten years to ensure that everyone who needs care and support can access it whoever they are and wherever they live in England The report also includes examples already in train that are improving care and support for people

The report was commissioned by Sarah McClinton departing president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and has been developed by social care experts Kate Jopling and Dr Anna Dixon They studied research and thinking about social care reform from the past ten years and synthesised it into a practical action plan for change It’s being presented to adult social care leaders at the ADASS Spring seminar today a conference to discuss the challenges leaders face in the coming year against a backdrop of the biggest crisis social care has ever faced caused by years of under-investment “DECADES OF FALSE DAWNS”

Sarah McClinton, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said After decades of false dawns on reforms and funding never in my professional career have I seen the adult care system so close to breaking point Millions of people are in pain or distress because they aren t getting the care they need and family and friends picking up the pieces are being pushed to the edge

“We ve been trying to patch-up social care for years, but we ve run out of road We need to act now to save social care We don’t expect the Government to wave a magic wand, but we do need the political will to invest in a long-term plan to ensure good care is available to everyone everywhere

“And the Government must back local leaders and local people to take charge of fixing care in their communities because they know what s needed What’s impressive in this report is that despite the odds we ve faced – the pandemic the cost-of-living crisis chronic underfunding –

local people are showing what s possible But they need the backing of the whole country to make it happen everywhere ”

The report highlights changes that can be made today at a local level (p 13) many without the need for huge amounts of money It also showcases innovative programmes around the country already providing solutions to some of the toughest challenges in improving care and support for people

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT

Report author Dr Anna Dixon said The good news is this report shows that when it comes to care and support we all want the same thing: a fair system that enables everyone to live in the place we call home with the people and things that we love in communities where we look out for one another doing what matters to us

Report author Kate Jopling said: “We know where we want to get to Now is the time to act; for everyone to take responsibility and have the courage to say care and support is important to them

FIX SOCIAL CARE “ONCE AND FOR ALL”

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: There have been many false starts and empty promises over the years when it comes to care reform, but this new report rightly observes that a fairer and more effective system is required to help the millions impacted by ineffective care or in some cases no care at all

This is the latest in a series of recent reports from organisations involved in social care all of which reach many similar conclusions

Government would do well to pay attention to this groundswell of opinion about the need for fundamental reform while also acknowledging its responsibility to properly fund the system give support and rights to our brilliant care workers and live up to the promise to fix social care once and for all ”

BROKEN PROMISES

Silver Voices director Dennis Reed said After promising to fix social care once and for all this report reveals the extent of betrayal by the Conservative Government of older people and all those who need social care support

Radical action is needed by the next government to stop the social care system breaking down completely, with social care 'deserts' developing across the country

As a minimum in the necessary revamping of social care there should be a universal entitlement to free personal care on the same basis as the NHS, care workers' pay should be raised to the same levels as equivalent NHS jobs and at least £15billion extra is required each year to resolve unmet demand

Shadow Care Minister Liz Kendall said: “Thirteen years of broken Tory promises has left our care system on its knees with record staff vacancies and millions of older and disabled people without the care and support they need

How Carers Care

By Lewine Mair, author of ‘ Tapping Feet: A Double -take on Care Homes and Dementia’

In last week’s editorial in The Carer Peter Adams mentioned that the government had probably taken the care sector s goodwill for granted for too long

Haven’t we all? People assume that carers love what they do and that they wouldn t be doing it if that were not the case Yet whether or not we are sufficiently appreciative of their often-underpaid efforts is another matter

It was some months after my husband, Norman, went into his home

I called it Farrow Hall for the purposes of my book that I had a rude awakening about how dependent such places are on the caring community And how uneducated I was when it came to their everyday to do lists

On a morning when I had made a casual comment to Alphonso the head nurse about the residents looking particularly smart he gave a bemused smile at my seeming assumption that everything had fallen into place automatically

Mrs Mair he said do you have any idea how long it takes to get them dressed in the mornings?

I did not The nearest experience on which I could draw revolved around my husband’s exploits in the months before he went into the home He would get up three or four times in the middle of the night and ask for anything from his golf clubs to a gun (There was no gun )

Alphonso said that there were days when residents who had been woken at six o’clock would still be getting dressed several hours later By way of an example he added that if a carer who was helping someone to put on his shoes disappeared

for a second to check on a resident in the next-door room he could return to find that the first individual was back in his pyjamas and tucked up in bed Norman by all accounts was a prime example of someone who could make for chaos Given half a chance he would trawl through his neighbours’ sock and sweater drawers before deciding what he wanted for himself

It was through playing the piano in Farrow Hall by ear rather than reading a concentration of notes that I was able to take in rather more about all the very different roles involved in the smooth running of the place

Most of the dementia and Alzheimers’ patients reacted to tunes from the musicals (hence the book’s ‘Tapping Feet’ title) while all the residents were guaranteed to perk up with the clattering of the coffee trolley and the arrival of one more friendly member of staff

Meanwhile when it came to the visitors there was a collective fondness for the man who, when he came to see his mother, would greet each resident in turn on the way to his mother s seat (He even knew their names ) Along much the same lines there was a gentleman who would never fail to pull up another chair for his wife s friend a woman who seldom had any visitors of her own The way those visitors contributed to the overall mood was a lesson in itself

On to the staff Doctors nurses cooks and carers seemed to work as a team and I doubt I ever saw a congregation of carers standing in a corner and complaining about their lot One of them had a story to tell which spoke volumes for the care home sector overall

Before coming to work at Farrow Hall she had held a senior post in a famous Edinburgh department store where, not long before she left, she had won herself a luxury holiday for two in the Bahamas for a clever idea for the shop s latest venture into on-line shopping

The company had offered her promotion as well but she had turned it down on the grounds that she needed a bit of a change

Why? Because she had always wanted to work in a care home I do not know whether she would have left her previous job at five o clock on the dot but, at Farrow Hall, this smiling soul was very obviously a resident-watcher rather than a clock-watcher

Lewine Mair is an acclaimed sportswriter and author Her new book Tapping Feet: A Double-take on Care Homes and Dementia is out now with a third of profits from each sale going to the Head for Change Charity

Avnish Goyal Receives CBE at Buckingham Palace

Chair of Care England and Hallmark Care Homes Avnish Goyal was awarded a CBE in her late Majesty’s birthday honour’s list and visited Buckingham Palace to receive the honour at a formal ceremony on 20th May 2023

Avnish founder of family-run care provider Hallmark Care Homes, received the national honour for his services to social care and philanthropy and was presented the title by The Princess Royal He was also recognised for his work during the pandemic with the largest representative body for social care Care England The Care Workers Charity and volunteer-led initiative; Championing Social Care

Avnish started his career in care in 1997, and became Chair of Care England in 2015 Since his appointment he has supported the sector in various initiatives such as campaigning for better funding for social care and the appointment of a commissioner for older people

He helped found The Care Workers Charity 13 years ago, of which he is now a patron to provide financial care and professional support to care workers In 2021, the Hallmark Care Homes Foundation which he chairs gave a three-year grant of £78 000 to support The Care Worker’s Charity’s mental health support service which enables care workers to access free counselling He helped set up and is chair of Championing Social Care, which seeks to shine a light on the great work of the social care workforce through a series of annual events

In 2018, he established the Care Sector Fundraising Ball which is the only dedicated fundraising event for the sector The sell-out event to date has raised £750,000 for care charities and the black-tie fundraiser returns this September 30th at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane London In 2020 Avnish Goyal and his wife Anita were appointed as Alzheimer s Society Ambassadors supporting the charity s life changing work to support people affected by dementia

Avnish Goyal said: I m deeply humbled to be recognised by her Majesty, the Queen in her special Platinum jubilee year for my work in social care and philanthropy as we celebrate our own silver jubilee for Hallmark Care Homes I joined the sector because I wanted to make a difference and I knew I had something to offer Over that time I ve worked hard with my brothers to establish a care company we can be proud of by delivering high quality care to residents in beautifully designed award-winning care homes and driving quality and care standards in the sector I have enjoyed working with Care England and numerous charities which support and promote our caring and committed workforce I’m delighted that my work has been recognised at the highest level I know that this honour will act as a further catalyst to take my work in soial care and philanthropy to the next level Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, said “In his

role as Chair of Care England, and through the high-quality services provided by Hallmark Care Homes Avnish Goyal has made an outstanding contribution to the care sector and he has always been a powerful advocate for high-quality care and innovations that improve people s lives Avnish s contribution to society goes far beyond his work in care, and through his philanthropy, in the UK and internationally through his work with the Hemraj Goyal Foundation he has transformed the lives of thousands of people Everyone at Care England and throughout the care sector, will congratulate Avnish on his well-deserved appointment as a CBE

Karolina Gerlich Chief Executive Officer of The Care Workers Charity said: “I’d like to say a huge congratulations to Avnish for his well-deserved award We thoroughly appreciate all the support Avnish and Hallmark Care Homes’ Foundation have provided in raising awareness and grant giving to the Care Workers Charity It’s important to Avnish that he leads by example and gives back to the sector that he works in and we really respect

Upcoming Coronation is a Historic Moment to Share!

The upcoming coronation of King Charles III is a historic moment for the United Kingdom, and for those living in adult care homes it is a particularly special occasion This momentous event is an opportunity for care homes to come together and celebrate, creating a sense of community and shared heritage

One way to celebrate this important day is to choose a theme for the festivities This could be based on a particular era or style such as a medieval banquet or a vintage garden party Alternatively the theme could be based on the coronation itself, with decorations and costumes inspired by the traditional regalia and ceremonies associated with the occasion

To really get into the spirit of the day, care homes could create a special menu based on British cuisine or dishes from the commonwealth from the traditional to the exotic

For those who require special diets there are plenty of delicious and nutritious alternatives that can be enjoyed by all

Parties are always a fun way to celebrate special occasions and the coronation of King Charles III is no exception Care homes could organize a variety of activities such as games, music, and dancing, to get residents in the party spirit For those who are unable to participate in physical activities there are plenty of other ways to join in the

celebrations, such as by dressing up in costumes or enjoying a special afternoon tea Speaking of costumes another way to get into the spirit of the coronation is to encourage residents to dress up in traditional British attire, such as bowler hats, waistcoats and long coats For those who require assistance with dressing care home staff can help to create the perfect look ensuring that everyone looks and feels their best on this historic day

Overall the coronation of King Charles III is an opportunity for those living in adult care homes to come together and celebrate their shared heritage and culture By organizing themed menus parties costumes and other activities care homes can create a sense of community and joy that will be cherished by residents for years to come

For our issue for Wednesday May 10 we are hoping to include a “supplement surrounding the King s coronation and how the care sector celebrated

So please do tell us and let us share how your care home/ environment celebrated this historic occasion

We want to hear about your themes activities and costumes plus menus and anything else you can think of, let's make this a right royal supplement to remember! Contact us at editor@thecareruk com

NHS Employers Letter to the Secretar y of State for Health and Social Care

NHS Employers have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care ahead of the proposed industrial action by the RCN for the period 30th April to 2nd May 2023

NHS Employers chief executive Danny Mortimer said:

“In recent days NHS Employers has asked the RCN to revisit the strike action it has planned for 30th April to 2nd May 2023

This is because we have received legal advice including from lead counsel that indicates that the six month period in which industrial action can be taken expires at midnight on 1st May

2023 The RCN has however rejected our view

Given the concern that the RCN may be asking its members to take strike action which does not enjoy legal protection I have this afternoon written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asking him to intervene and to seek the view of the courts as to whether the notices of action issued to relevant NHS organisations for 30th April to 2nd May 2023 fall within the law governing industrial action ”

Supporting Employees With Mental Health Issues

By Helen Badger, partner at Browne Jacobson (www.brownejacobson.com) and specialist in employment law within the social care sector

Recent research by the Care Quality Commission has highlighted that the range of challenges faced by health and social care staff during the pandemic has impacted on their mental health and wellbeing

These have included: increased workload, witnessing serious illness and death at unprecedented levels and feelings of guilt about not being able to do more In June 2021 a report by the Samaritans identified healthcare workers as one of five groups whose suicide risk may be exacerbated as a result of the pandemic

The impact of staff burnout stress and staff leaving the profession can be seen in absence and recruitment data The ONS sickness absence rates show that workers in care had one of the highest rates of sickness absence at 3 8% (compared to 2 2% across all groups) Equally, at the end of June 2022 there were more than 132,000 vacant posts in the health and care sector, which was a vacancy rate of 9 7%, the highest it has been for 5 years Further, mental health issues in the workplace are estimated to cost £1652 per employee per year

Given these statistics it is important to consider what employers can do to spot support manage and help staff in a social care setting who are showing signs of suffering mental health issues

The first step is to ensure that managers and HR colleagues are alive to the warning signs of poor mental health Training managers to spot the warning signs which may include uncharacteristic behaviour lack of engagement decreased productivity and withdrawal from social situations Frequent and regular engagement with employees will also assist to help staff feel valued and supported as well as building rapport so that they are more likely to be open about any difficulties they may be experiencing Managers should also deal with concerns or issues that arise in a

timely manner rather than letting them rumble on Be sure that employees know who they can raise concerns or worries with and encourage managers to be more visible in the workplace Managers also need to be proactive Where there are concerns that staff are struggling due to poor mental health consider a referral to occupational health at an early stage There is often a temptation not to ask too many questions, but that approach is not helpful to the employer or the employee The more an employer understands about an employee’s health and its impact on their ability to do their job, the more it can do to support that employee and prevent long-term absence from occurring

Care home managers and owners should also have in mind that an employee s mental health condition may be a disability if it has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person s ability to carry out their day-to-day activities (which is wider than work activities)

Employers are under a duty to make reasonable adjustments for its disabled employees to remove disadvantages they may suffer in the workplace Examples of adjustments may include changes to duties or working hours or working patterns Engagement with the employee and with occupational health will be vital in knowing what support can be offered If the employee is not disabled but struggling to manage a health condition, workplace adjustments might support them to stay in work or to return to work from periods of absence It is in both the employer and the employee’s interests to find ways to help them remain at work

Owners and managers should also consider the impact of mental health on an employee s conduct and/or performance The disruption and uncertainty of the pandemic the cost of living crisis and ongoing staffing crisis in the care sector will have had impact on employee performance Fatigue anxiety and trauma are all contributing to the workforce being more vulnerable than it ever has been

Where an employee s performance or conduct slips employers should consider all relevant factors before moving to a formal process While employers need the workforce firing on all cylinders to minimise the impact of high vacancy numbers it is important to recognise that many care home employees have been through a lot in the last three years and will need tolerance and understanding to avoid making a staffing crisis worse

Where an employee is not performing or is behaving badly employers should consider whether there are any external factors contributing to those issues That is not to say that employers cannot expect their employees to perform and behave appropriately but they should engage with the employee obtain medical advice at an early stage and consider making reasonable adjustments before issuing sanctions It is important to remember that there is a person at the end of the process Therefore, if a formal process needs to be followed consider the wellbeing of the person concerned and asses what support will be required, such as extra time to reach objectives or allowing the person to be accompanied by their spouse/partner at any formal meetings Where an employee’s performance or conduct is impacted by poor mental health there are no quick fixes and processes will take time Care home managers should consider every decision and step in the context of the employee s mental health condition and how it may be perceived or interpreted Small actions can make a big difference to a vulnerable employee so:

o consider training a pool of mental health first aiders that can be the first port of call for those who are struggling with their mental health o offer a counselling line to employees or at least have a bank of useful resources to which employees can be signposted if they are in difficulty o if you do have to tackle performance or conduct issues, be compassionate in your approach Consider whether it is essential to send letters/emails which might be difficult to receive on a Friday afternoon or just before a holiday – can it wait until the following week?

o consider venue and times of meetings – an employee with depression may find early morning meetings difficult particularly if they have any distance to travel

o Acknowledge that things may take longer and you may have to agree to delays – while this will be frustrating it is often difficult to justify months later why something had to be done and could not be postponed for a week/2 weeks/ a month

Ultimately by investing in employees’ wellbeing you will not only make employees feel valued and respected but will also build trust and engagement This in turn may assist with retention and recruitment which given the current workforce crisis will be an important factor for any health and social care employer

One in Five Adults Wrongly Believe Dementia and Alzheimer’s Are the Same

A fifth of adults wrongly believe Alzheimer s and dementia are the same thing according to research by Care UK

A poll of 2 000 people has revealed the biggest misconceptions about the condition with 17% believing that if a family member develops dementia, it means they will too

Other confusions include it being inevitable with age only affecting older adults and that prevention is possible

Just over a third (34%) always attribute memory loss with the condition while 21% think Alzheimer’s and dementia are different names for the same thing

And a further 14% claim people living with dementia can’t lead a meaningful life

The research was commissioned by nationwide care home provider and dementia experts Care UK which are aiming to debunk these myths and provide vital support to families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the condition thanks to its first-of-its kind new video guide One step at a time – A video guide to navigating dementia

‘Dementia’ is an umbrella term used for a number of conditions – rather than a specific one – that share common symptoms including remembering thinking decision making which often disrupt everyday activities

While Alzheimer s disease is the most common type of dementia that begins with mild memory loss and progressively leads to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment around them

Suzanne Mumford Head of Nursing Care and Dementia Services at Care UK said: “There are plenty of misconceptions when it comes to dementia and what this means for the person living with it and their family Often they come from reading something online or word-of-mouth rather than experts or trusted sources

In reality dementia is a condition that can be managed to ensure those who live with it can continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives and can be supported to still do the things they love ”

That s why we ve launched our latest video guide One step at a time Featuring tips from our experts but also testimonies of residents families, it is designed to help people navigate through the dementia journey from dealing with the initial diagnosis to learning how to live well with dementia It also incorporates advice aimed at carers to help them look after themselves

Just over a third (34%) don t know very much about dementia or have much experience with it

As it emerged 67% admit they should know more about the condition than they currently do – while 68% feel that the public in general should know more

Despite this 72% haven t ever made a conscious effort to learn more about the diagnosis and 23% claim they are unfamiliar with its symptoms

Nearly a fifth (21%) don t know memory loss is associated with dementia and a further 32% are unaware confusion is also a key sign

The internet is where 47% would first go if they had questions about the illness while 34% would seek medical advice

When asked if any of their loved ones have ever been diagnosed with the condition, 36% said yes, with 91% agreeing it was one of the hardest things they ve ever gone through Seeing them become a different person, watching them lose their sense of self and having to be patient

are cited as the most challenging aspects of providing care

Almost two thirds (62%) of those polled via OnePoll are afraid of developing dementia when they get older with more than one in 10 (11%) starting to worry about this in their 20s

But 32% say they have an ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude and, despite people’s perceptions, 43% believe living with dementia isn t always as doom and gloom as it first seems

Suzanne added There are so many ways people can live active and fulfilling lives after being diagnosed with the condition and we find that most people don’t know just how impactful the small changes can be –from diet adjustment to physical and mental exercise

Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Angela Rippon, who is partnering with Care UK to launch the guide, added: I understand the feeling that families experience when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia It s a difficult time, and it s easy to feel powerless and alone

There are numerous common misconceptions about dementia and while it may be difficult to receive a diagnosis it’s important to remember that it can also be the start of a new journey

“I believe that raising awareness about the symptoms of dementia and what it’s like to live with the condition is incredibly important I d like to encourage everyone to explore Care UK s video guide so that we can all work together to make our society more dementia friendly ”

Spotting The Signs Of Financial Abuse Within The Care Sector

By David Jones, solicitor and Director at Hugh Jones (www hughjonessolicitors co uk)

Financial abuse is one of the most common safeguarding challenges within the care sector It has the power to devastate society s most vulnerable and situations surrounding the issue can be extremely complex

What s more it s a growing issue – Hourglass – a charity that works to challenge and prevent the abuse of older people – saw a 73% rise in calls relating to financial abuse in 2022 compared to 2021 Financial abuse can happen to anyone of any age but older people are particularly vulnerable and the abuse often goes unreported

Here David Jones director at Hugh Jones Solicitors explains what constitutes financial abuse how to spot early signs and what can be done to remedy a case of abuse

WHAT EXACTLY IS FINANCIAL ABUSE?

Financial abuse takes many forms As well as the obvious theft and fraud it also includes unduly influencing someone to spend or gift money; threatening them or using someone else s money inappropriately – such as misuse of benefits and direct payments, or not purchasing items for the protected party in a bid to preserve assets

WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF BEING AFFECTED BY FINANCIAL ABUSE?

Individuals lacking mental capacity such as dementia sufferers those with severe learning difficulties brain injuries and mental health illnesses are also among those most likely to be affected There are several key risk factors that increase the likelihood of someone becoming a victim of this type of abuse

Unsurprisingly risk increases with age and elderly people make up a significant proportion of victims within the UK, hence the growing issue within the care sector

Sadly the abuse tends to be at the hands of those closest to the victims and is often carried out by a friend or family member, particularly via a Deputyship Order or Power of Attorney, where a person has a legal authority to access your accounts This is why it can be so difficult to identify and unravel abuse – and

why it is so important for those on the front line of working with the elderly and vulnerable, to constantly monitor for warning signs

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Financial abuse can be subtle and is frequently hard to detect Instinct often plays a huge part in uncovering a case but there are some possible indicators to look closely for such as

• Transfer of property to family member or friend

• Unexplained withdrawals from an account – particularly when the victim is in a care home

Regular transfers between accounts

Money held in someone else’s name

Changes to a will – particularly once an individual s capacity becomes questionable

Signatures on cheques that don t match

• Unpaid bills or care home fees especially when someone is appointed as Lasting Power of Attorney or Deputy

Changes within a home, such as little furniture and fewer electronics or personal items

An individual becoming isolated or diminishing in appearance

The impact of financial abuse is far-reaching As well as anxiety and fear it can lead to withdrawal of the abused from vital services concerns over their credibility and cognitive impairment

Therefore if any of these warning signs sound familiar and you suspect financial abuse you should report the case to the police and, if it is a Deputy or Attorney that is suspected of financial abuse, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)

WHAT STEPS WOULD THE OPG TAKE WHEN PRESENTED WITH CONCERNS?

The OPG protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves about their health and finance – it has a statutory duty to protect people who lack capacity from abuse

Upon receiving a report the OPG will investigate concerns and has the power to obtain bank statements for the protected party If further steps are required and if relevant the OPG will then apply to the Court for suspension, discharge or replacement of the Deputy/Deputies and/or suspension of any existing Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney In many of these cases the Court will appoint a professional chosen by the OPG known as a Panel Deputy to replace the previous Deputy or Attorney

“Extensive Improvements” Result in Good CQC rating for Beccles Care Home

Residents and staff at Black Swan Care Group s Beccles care home are celebrating after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission rewarded the home with a Good rating

The home on St George s Road in Beccles was previously rated inadequate and placed into special measures It was subsequently acquired by Black Swan Care Group in December 2022 CQC inspectors reported seeing significant improvement and changes since Black Swan took over the home The home provides care and support for up to 35 people including support for people living with dementia

Inspectors visited the home on 17th March and spent time speaking to the residents visitors and staff at the home In the report they said: At this inspection and under the new provider we found extensive improvements The registered manager has been instrumental in bringing about many positive changes and much needed stability in the home along with the provider’s support ”

Relatives of residents who spoke to the inspectors also praised the turnaround at the home There have been many improvements The

care is better, and everything is far more positive about the place ”

Staff told CQC inspectors that they felt proud to work at the home I feel proud to work at Beccles care home and for Black Swan The positive changes that have occurred in such a short time are amazing the home looks great all staff seem happy management is well structured and approachable and most importantly, people are safe, happy and living an excellent quality of life

Black Swan has invested heavily to provide significant improvements and renovations at the home Bedrooms and communal areas have been redecorated and a new second lounge area has been created for people to enjoy at the home

Davina Button the manager at the home is delighted with the latest inspection: We have worked so hard to make our home a welcoming and caring place We’re planning lots of events and we want to work with and be a big part of the Beccles community Please come and visit us to have a look around to see for yourselves – our kettle is always on for a cup of tea!

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

Former Care Minister Asks For More Focus on Transforming Care for People with Learning Disabilities and Autistic People

Dame Caroline Dinenage Member of Parliament for Gosport and former Minister at the Department of Health and Social Care has asked the Minister to improve care and reduce the number of people with learning disabilities and autism in mental health in-patient settings

The Transforming Care Programme introduced in 2015, aimed to reduce the number of people with learning disabilities and autism in in-patient mental health facilities by 50%, and to help them live independent satisfying and valued lives outside of hospitals

The programme aims to help people living with a learning disability or autism to have a home within their community, develop and maintain relationships and get the support needed for a safe healthy and rewarding life

Caroline raised the issue that since the introduction of the programme the number of child mental health in-patients with learning disabilities and autism has in fact nearly doubled from 110 to 200 Caroline urged the Minister to refocus efforts to tackle this

In DHSC oral questions, Caroline asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy:

“Its 8 years since the Transforming Care Programme started with a target of halving the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people in in-patient mental health settings by the year 2024 and yet according to the Challenging Behaviour Foundation since then the number of children in these settings has doubled “The average length of stay is 5 4 years and 12 years on from the Winterbourne View Scandal, reports of appalling standards of care are all too frequent

Does the Minister agree with me that people with learning disabilities and autistic people deserve so much better?

The responding Minister, Maria Caulfield, said:

Can I thank my Rt Hon Friend for her work in this place Our priority is always to ensure that both children and adults with a learning disability and autistic people are receiving safe and high quality care

“We have when you include children and adults over 2000 people still waiting to be discharged from inpatient facilities, but that is a reduction of 30% and we are making progress

“I am meeting with individual ICBs to go through their patients that are waiting to be discharged to see what more support we can give to make that happen as quickly as possible ”

PROVIDING PRACTICAL AND ST YLISH TROLLEYS TO

Care Workers Walk More than 1 Million Steps for Prostate Cancer

Four residential care workers have marched their way through March in a bid to raise awareness and cash for Prostate Cancer UK

Members of staff from Colchester based Newlands decided to take on the challenge of walking 11 000 steps a day after one of the individuals supported by the facility was diagnosed with end stage terminal prostate cancer

The quartet walked more than one million steps between them over the month and raised £320 for the charity

Newlands which is a residential service that provides support for individuals with learning difficulties mental health conditions and autism has been Alan Farmcombe s home for more than 30 years The 77-year-old who is a popular character at the facility was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, prompting his carers to raise awareness of the deadly disease

Alan’s love for the Beatles is common knowledge to others living at Newlands who can often hear him humming to some of their hits of the 60s

Laura Shea Sarah Louise Pavitt Elena Mitrea and Victoria Ludwinowicz each walked 11 000 steps each day and had customised t-shirts printed to raise awareness for the cause

Laura Shea, deputy manager at Newlands said: “We’re delighted to have raised £320 for Prostate Cancer UK and more importantly raise awareness of a disease that is often diagnosed too late

The other girls and I have our smart watches and often compare how many steps we have done in a day, so we decided that it was a great way to challenge ourselves by doing 11 000 steps a day

“We’ve been up early most mornings getting the majority of our steps in before we start our working day

“We love having Alan here at Newlands so it’s very sad to see him go through all this treatment for a disease which affects thousands of men across the UK every year

John Godden MBE, CEO at Salutem said “Everyone at the Salutem is very proud of the women at Newlands who have put in the miles for Prostate Cancer UK

The money they have raised will contribute to all the great work the charity is doing to help with early diagnosis and treatment for those with prostate cancer

“We were very saddened to hear the news about Alan and its important as Salutem family we come together and support those who need it most ”

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

Creating Data-Led Legacy In Residential Care

The possibilities of improving the lives of people living in residential care are vast, but data is key to unlocking this, says Rachelle Mills, Director of Par tnerships & Innovation, KareInn (www kareinn com)

If it is the sector’s mission to create better happier more dignified care for its residents then we need to make more impactful use of the data care homes are continually producing to drive innovation forward for better care outcomes

Picture the scene, it’s a familiar one At the end of their shift, the care assistant says goodnight to residents and quickly writes up the shift notes in key handover documents before going home In the night, one resident becomes agitated and the night care assistant, who is new, struggles to calm them down and understand their needs The lever arch folder is stowed away in the admin office and whilst it s easy to see the last interaction digging further to find clues as to why or how this agitation may be happening is not feasible in the moment Whilst the night s events are captured in the handover notes the next morning from the paperwork point of view a pattern is not emerging The day begins again

Leaving a legacy is something many of us hope for – in work with loved ones or in history

In residential care the staff are a huge part of what sets one offering apart from another When those people move on, they leave two kinds of legacy Often residents will feel loss at losing someone they have grown to trust and like so that role needs to be replaced by a person of

the same standard to keep residents feeling equally safe and supported Secondly there is a legacy of collected information on individuals preferences habits experiences and medical needs

Half the care sector still operates using pen and paper and 30% of care homes are still hanging on to an entirely paper-based resident care record system It could be so much more useful if the systems used were more fit for the purpose of collecting information and the repurposing of it to improve care

TREATING RESIDENT RECORDS AS A LEGACY – THE GIFT TO FUTURE CARE

This legacy of information for just one team member could be years long and contain observations noted from caring for hundreds of people When residents leave care or pass away the capture of experiences of their emotional and physical needs doesn’t just have to be a record of the care they have received The information can be structured into data and then used for predicative analysis or insight – it’s a gift for the future care of others, and that’s the legacy we must leave behind

Data is simply information that has been translated into a form that is efficient for movement or processing In the social care sector specifically the information is the input we are already gathering for our residents it might be MUST assessments accident and incident forms or how someone has slept all captured on paper forms during and at the end of the shift The problem with paper is it s hard to draw correlations and spot insights for one resident let alone across hundreds of thousands of people which is the volume needed for things like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to work

Once this information is in a more efficient form for processing we can use tools such as data analysis which deal with huge volumes of data to draw insights and yield learnings

PROCEEDING POSITIVELY AWAY FROM PAPER-BASED RECORDS

As part of its Better Care Fund (BCF) policy framework the Government has allocated £100m to accelerate digitisation in social care, £50m to improve data, as well as £35m for the creation of an innovation and improvement unit This investment is much needed because it encourages the move away from paper-based resident care record

systems Regardless of whether it s a storeroom of lever arch files or a cloud system of care records care assistants and their residents are continuing to generate data and it could be so much more impactful data if the systems used were more fit for the purpose of caring We can’t change the fact that the paper records of the last few generations of care home residents are mostly inaccessible to researchers and scientists but we can proceed positively and change the modern legacy of residential care

GIVING CARE HOMES THE VISIBILITY THEY NEED

If we recorded data effectively the scene of the care assistant we looked at earlier would be very different When they say goodnight to residents they take out their phone and record into a dedicated app noting that one client was agitated because she was missing her pet and that there s a photo of him that helps her stay calm This information is there for the night shift team alongside a picture of the pet so that they can comfort the woman when she wakes up feeling upset

The care assistant also tells their colleagues that another resident has a reduced appetite, again, adding the notes to their personal care record on the app This then becomes a measurable data point against all the other times that meals have been declined When you filter and sort this information a trend could emerge which will then help you action the appropriate care

Care homes and researchers alike get the visibility they need and residents receive better care It s much harder to spot a pattern if its spread over lots of separate sheets of paper but with the right platform in place, it can aggregate the data, providing actionable insight

ICS funding is available to support the wider adoption of digital social care records (DSCR) across England and to ensure data is recorded at the point of care and can be shared between care settings

The information that we are gathering right now for our residents for their families and for the regulator could be put to much better use Now is the time to create and capture better data and create a modern legacy that changes the future shape of residential care We can be the generation that does not miss the opportunity to better utilise information, we can transform it and yield the benefits for the future

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

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

Crisis-Stricken Social Care Sector Needs its Own Workforce Strategy, says Skills for Care

As the Government prepares to unveil its long overdue workforce strategy for the NHS, the boss of Skills for Care, has called for the social care sector to be given its own strategic plan to meet the need for an extra 480 000 workers by 2035

With the latest figures showing there are 165 000 vacancies across the sector Oonagh Smyth chief executive of Skills for Care the strategic workforce development and planning body for social care in England has spoken out about the urgent need to revitalise the country s ageing and increasingly depleted social care workforce

Speaking to Newcross Healthcare s Voices of Care podcast series she said:

“We’re expecting the NHS workforce strategy in the next few weeks

We need the same for social care It’s really important that we have that national conversation

“We know that at a system level the ICBs are responsible for workforce planning across health and social care

But whereas in health they’re going to have those national priorities coming from the NHS workforce plan, they won t have the equivalent from social care And I think that’s going to be even more important

We don t have enough people now We re going to need even more people in the future and we re going to need different skills and we ve got to make sure that we are thinking about the workforce we need in 10 years time 15 years time or we will find that we just don t have enough people or we don t have enough skills and that will impact on people s lives

Commenting on the difficulties the sector faces in retaining and recruiting workers Ms Smyth admitted that the most recent figures were concerning: For the first time since we ve been gathering that informa-

tion, we saw the workforce shrink last year We actually had 3% reduction in the total number of people working in social care, and that would be a worrying trend if we saw that continue We also saw a similar level of turnover, but a much lower level of new starters So a 7% reduction in new people starting

“So we need to make sure that we’ve got enough people starting in social care But I always call it the leaky bucket effect There’s no point in doing that if we continue to lose the number of people that we lose And so we need to focus on both of those areas getting new people in and keeping them

With Skills for Care s research showing that care workers are still some of the lowest paid roles in the economy with a median hourly rate of £9 50 Ms Smyth said the biggest factor influencing whether people come into social care or not is the local labour market

The more and more that we can do to break the sensitivities between social care and the local labour market the better That might mean pay often means pay It often means focusing on the terms and conditions

“What are the things that social care can do that other sectors can’t? Even though social care is very low paid people stay in social care longer than they stay in other low paid roles And why is that? Well it’s because they find the role really satisfying And so there are things that we can do to differentiate ourselves from other sectors But in the long term, in terms of when we think about our workforce strategy, we have to look at value and we have to look at pay ”

Rejecting the idea that social care is a drain on society and on the public purse Ms Smyth goes on to make a powerful argument for recognising both its economic value – reported to be worth around £51bn a year – and its under-appreciated community value

We need to talk much more about what does social care do in terms of people s lives in terms of prevention personalization and what can we support other sectors to think about what we do really really well And these are highly skilled roles You know social care staff are doing things that district nurses used to do ten years ago And that s because people s lives and people s needs are getting much more complex and we have much higher expectations of our social care staff than people value or recognise

Laurence Robertson MP Visits Tewkesbur y Fields Care Home

Staff and residents from Tewkesbury Fields a recent full refurbished luxury Barchester care home in Tewkesbury were delighted to welcome Laurence Robertson, and his wife Mrs Anne Robertson for a visit to the home Laurence met with staff members and was taken on a tour of the home and gardens to see all the fantastic facilities Tewkesbury Fields Care Home has to offer

The residents enjoyed a cup of tea together while chatting to Laurence and showing off their home

James Culley General Manager at Tewkesbury Fields Care Home, said: It was wonderful to meet Laurence and Anne Robertson and to introduce them to our fantastic team everyone very much enjoyed chatting to them and showing off our lovely new home We hope they will visit us again very soon ”

The

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

WWII Widow Recalls Friendship with King Ahead of Coronation

A widow whose husband was killed in action during WWII has recalled her friendship with His Majesty King Charles III the former Prince of Wales ahead of his coronation on Saturday 6

May

Ena Mitchell became a member of the War Widows Association following husband Bill’s death, and formed a friendship with the then Prince of Wales

Ena is now 104 and is the oldest resident living at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe The Home provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia

Bill a Dunkirk and D-Day veteran was killed in Belgium in 1944 when the Bren gun carrier he was travelling in to fetch supplies for his unit was bombed

Ena went on to join the War Widows Association and got to befriend the future King when he became its Patron She said: “I met him lots of times he’s been wonderful to the War Widows Association ”

She remembers being introduced to Her Majesty Queen Camilla formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall by the Prince during a War Widows Association visit to Buckingham Palace She said We were standing in a circle and he was introducing us to Camilla One of our group told her she had four children when her hus-

band was killed and she (Camilla) was so kind and sympathetic You couldn t have met a nicer person Ena would meet the Prince on several occasions including at official functions at Highgrove House and Clarence House, and remained in touch with him after moving to Royal Star & Garter They would exchange letters and Ena added: I also sent him a couple of architecture books I thought might interest him and got nice letters back He is so friendly ”

Ena was a prolific fundraiser collecting money for charities including Royal British Legion NSPCC and Children with Cancer In the 1970s she was part of a War Widows Association group which visited Royal Star & Garter at its former Home in Richmond She said: “I was so fascinated and impressed that I thought that this will be the charity that I ll really work hard for Over five decades Ena has helped raise thousands of pounds for Royal Star & Garter often asking for donations to be made to the charity on her birthday instead of receiving presents

Royal Star & Garter also has Homes in Solihull and Surbiton Staff at the three Homes have an array of fun events and activities planned for the coronation weekend

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 Provider Agincare Extends National Reach into the Capital

Independent family-owned care provider Agincare has been appointed by Southwark Council to operate four care homes under a long-term partnership arrangement

Greenhive Care Home and Waterside Care Home, both in Peckham plus Rose Court Care Home in Rotherhithe and Bluegrove House Care Home in Bermondsey are set to transfer to Agincare from existing provider Anchor on 3 May

The new contract provides for future development of the services to meet emerging needs across the borough including reablement intermediate and nursing care provision at Waterside

Agincare is working closely with people living at the homes, the transferring teams working at the care homes Southwark Council and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transfer

With over 35 years experience of delivering high quality care in the community Agincare has a proven and successful track record of supporting people and developing care home services with many transfers from local authorities charities and independent providers

Chief Operating Officer for Agincare s care home group Tim Buckley said: We look forward to warmly welcoming the people living and working at Bluegrove House, Greenhive, Rose Court and Waterside into the Agincare family and getting to know the local communities

“Our immediate priority is a positive transfer for the care home teams residents and their loved ones so

that they feel informed supported and reassured that the homes remain in safe hands

We are very excited about the opportunity to work with Southwark Council, the South East London ICB and other local organisations across the borough to further develop sustainable quality service provision and meet changing health and social care needs ”

Established in 1986 Agincare has grown to be a leading independent provider of high-quality personalised care In addition to care and nursing homes Agincare’s comprehensive range of services also include retirement villages home care extra care schemes live-in care supported living and its own training company Agincare employs over 3 500 people in more than 70 locations nationwide

Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Southwark Council said:

“We are delighted to welcome Agincare as the new provider for four of our care homes in the borough

We are grateful to the residents and their families who helped us choose Agincare as the best team to meet the changing needs of our older people

“Agincare’s vast experience and commitment to our Residential Care Charter, which is about achieving only the highest standards for staff and residents means we have every confidence they will do a fantastic job caring for residents ”

Oldbur y Care Home Wins Prestigious Award for Innovative Initiative

A care home in Oldbury has been named a winner in the West Midlands Care Association (WMCA) awards for 2023 for an innovative campaign aimed at improving the lives of its residents

Portway House took home the prestigious award for its ‘What’s the Memory’ initiative, developed to inspire treasured memories among its residents

The campaign which took place in April this year involved having a series of memory boards placed throughout the home, filled with pictures relating to a specific theme such as childhood memories or holidays

Residents were encouraged to engage with the images and share cherished stories of their past with staff and fellow residents Evoking positive memories in this way is an effective way of stimulating recollections, promoting social interaction, and reducing anxi-

ety and depression among older people

Kim Young care home manager at Portway House said:

“We aim to go above and beyond to promote our residents’ wellbeing and this award is great recognition of all the staff do to ensure we provide fulfilling experiences that make a positive difference

It was wonderful to see the positive impact the campaign had on our residents as they shared precious memoirs and experiences from their lives and I m proud of our dedicated staff who worked hard to make it a success ”

The West Midlands Care Association Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in care provision, and this accolade is a testament to Portway House Care Home s commitment to providing the highest quality of care to its residents

Flower Power and The Swinging 60s are the Key To Happiness

At Friends of the Elderly s residential care home The Lawn in Alton Hampshire resident Kathleen Baines has been celebrating her landmark 95th birthday in true 1960s Flower Power style Born on 1st April 1928 Kathleen made sure she ‘Twisted , ‘Mash Potatoed’ and ‘Hitch Hiked’ on her special day at a 60s themed musical disco party put on for her by the care home team

Kathleen, who moved to The Lawn in December 2016, grew up in Derbyshire during World War II and remembers how lucky she was to be living in the countryside during this time “We were fortunate to live in a rural area so we weren’t affected too much I do remember when the air raid siren went off though we had to go into the cellar sometimes for hours and hours with little food and not much to do,” Kathleen recalls

My father passed away before the war began and it was hard work for my mother to bring up four children on her own To give her a break, we used to stay with my grandparents who also lived in the countryside and I have fond memories of the great fun we had there ” Kathleen added

“Despite the hardships of the time I had a very happy childhood I always wanted to use my mother s sewing machine but that was totally off limits in case I broke it – but she did let me help her when she was baking or cooking She d sometimes let me put the jam into the jam tarts she d make they were so delicious Kathleen continued

Following the end of the war Kathleen and her family moved to Southampton where she attended school “My favourite lesson was Chemistry as I found it so interesting ” Kathleen said However it’s the 1960s that Kathleen loved the most My favourite decade of all has been the 60s I was grown up by then and could go out and enjoy myself The Swinging Sixties was a great time to be young The music fashion art innovation and even the toys were all so vibrant and colourful it was wonderful ” she added

Kathleen had quite a few jobs during her life including working as an Usherette in a theatre being employed as a Shoe Fitter and even working for Rolls Royce as a Clerical Assistant but her favourite role was working as a Florist “I loved putting the flowers together and making beautiful bouquets and arrangements perhaps that s my link back to the 60s Flower Power Kathleen continued “I’m very lucky as I can still do this at The Lawn I’ve always loved flowers and gardening and the gardens here are just so beautiful I think I have my mother’s love of baking as I still love to bake and get creative with my cake decorating I’ve made quite a few cakes since living at The Lawn – I haven’t had any complaints about them so hopefully everyone enjoys them Katheen added The Lawn care team know how much Kathleen loved the 1960s so made sure her special day was a ‘Groovy day she wouldn’t forget Festivities included a 60s themed celebration day complete with a 60s disco decorations mocktails and of course a delicious cake for the birthday girl

Alina Gutu the Registered Manager at The Lawn said: “Kathleen is a joy to have living with us here at The Lawn She loves to join in with all the activities and when she smiles, she lights up the room Kathleen is great fun and is always up for trying new things – and she loves a good party and a dance especially at our annual New Year’s Eve Knees-up ”

In closing Kathleen said: I m so happy living here at The Lawn The carers are so kind I spend time with friends and I also enjoy time on my own in my room playing cards The food is delicious and there’s always something to do I never get bored there just isn t time

I don t believe there is a secret to a long and happy life I believe you just live your life to the fullest every day which seems to be working for me ”

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

CASE STUDY:

Acacia Lodge Care Home in Oxfordshire is a purpose-built residence in the centre of picturesque Henley-On-Thames with 55 en-suite rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens

It is part of The Future Care Group, a leading residential, nursing and dementia care provider with 18 high-quality homes across the UK

Acacia Lodge lifestyle assistant, Alex Owens, purchased Recognii to use on their dementia floor after reading about the innovation in The Daily Telegraph Lifestyle lead Wendy Fricker said At Acacia Lodge quality of life is at the heart of everything we do and we are continually looking for new and varied ways to ensure each of our residents stays engaged happy and relaxed

We were very impressed with the Recognii concept The short simple clips helped a great deal holding our residents attention and keeping them watching eagerly for the next scene The content is very well thought out and they loved the mix of singalongs smiling children animals and bright colourful images Thirteen out of our 16 residents with dementia engaged and joined in with every sequence which was just amazing to see Wendy now uses Recognii as part of a ‘cinema-style’ experience handing out popcorn tea cakes and fizzy drinks for residents to enjoy while they settle down to watch with care staff She also uses it as a discussion and reminiscence tool with smaller groups or for focussed one-to-one activities

Wendy said “Recognii is a welcome addition to the stimulating and diverse programme of activities and events at Acacia Lodge We can t wait for the next volume and will be putting in our order asap!”

More information and demos are available through the Recognii website at www recognii co uk

Carer’s Leave Bill Passes Committee Stage in the House of Lords

The Carer s Leave Bill a Private Member s Bill brought forward by Wendy Chamberlain MP has successfully passed Committee Stage in the House of Lords today The Bill has cross-party support from Peers including the Government

If successful the Bill will give millions of employees across Great Britain a landmark new right to take up to five days off work as unpaid Carer’s Leave

Passing the Committee Stage in the House of Lords is another important step forward for the Bill which passed all stages in the House of Commons earlier this year

Lord Fox supporting the Carer s Leave Bill said: It has been an honour championing this Bill in the Lords not least because it gave me the opportunity to meet with carers whose stories are so inspiring Thanks to

Wendy Chamberlain MP s great initiative and the support we got in the Lords the lives of carers across the UK will be made that bit easier

“Sitting on the opposition benches there are few opportunities to get something into law but sometimes the stars align and you are able to participate in something important We now happily await the Third Reading of the Bill in May before it reaches the statute book ”

Helen Walker Chief Executive of Carers UK said: We are delighted that the Bill has passed Committee Stage, which is another step closer to the Bill becoming law

It is important that unpaid carers are supported to juggle work with their caring role and we look forward to the Bill going through its final paces ”

Dementia UK Invites the Nation to Make Time for a Cuppa

Dementia specialist nursing charity is running its 14th annual Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser’ to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK

April 26th 2023 – This May Dementia UK the specialist dementia nursing charity, is inviting supporters to host Time for a Cuppa - a chance for friends, families and co-workers to get together and raise vital funds for dementia care

Among those supporting the charity s largest annual event include stage actress Jodie Steele – who is currently starring in Bonnie and Clyde at the London Garrick Theatre and soap actress Kate Spencer who played the character of Grace Vickers on ITV soap Coronation Street

Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK – that s the time it takes to boil a kettle

Dementia UK’s dementia specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide life-changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia But with rising numbers of families impacted by the condition thousands of people are not getting the support they need

Between 1st – 8th May Dementia UK is encouraging people across the country to get together at home at work or in the local community to host a Time for a Cuppa event to help the charity to continue delivering vital support to families with dementia

Friends families and neighbours can come together to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake in return for a donation to the charity Every cuppa poured and penny raised will help the charity to grow the number of specialist dementia nurses so more families can access their support

Over the past 13 years, Time for a Cuppa has helped to fund numerous Admiral Nurse Services to support families with dementia

Soap actress Kate Spencer and stage actress Jodie Steele have experienced first-hand the impact of a dementia diagnosis Kate s late maternal nan was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 78 and sadly died in 2016 at the age of 92 While Jodie s grandad who was diagnosed with dementia several years ago passed away last year

Kate said Before her symptoms started my nan was silly funny and truly hilarious Like so many others who have a family member living with dementia it was so hard to watch how it can alter a personality memories and impact the whole family

I m supporting Dementia UK s Time for a Cuppa event because their Admiral Nurses are a beacon of hope for families living with dementia across the country They offer reassurance understanding and a listening ear to families that helps them feel more in control through its Helpline and virtual clinics Dementia is a cruel condition and no one should have to face it alone ”

Jodie said: I lost the beloved grandad I once knew when he was diagnosed with dementia 5 years ago - he passed away last year I'm currently also losing my other grandad to the same cruel disease You see that they are lost long before they pass This is what is so heart-breaking, for them, and all those who love them

“I am proudly supporting Dementia UK’s Time for A Cuppa event It is a beautiful way to bring people together who may have personal experience of dementia They can connect and share memories of their loved ones whilst also helping other families by funding more Admiral Nurses

Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK said: “We believe every family affected by dementia should have the support of a specialist nurse – but right now we can t reach everyone who needs us

By taking part in Time for a Cuppa you can help us to recruit more Admiral Nurses and provide a lifeline to families up and down the country who urgently need our support There is no cure for dementia, but there is care

By making Time for a Cuppa you can help ensure no one has to face dementia alone Sign up for your free Time for a Cuppa fundraising pack here

If you need advice or support on living with dementia contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk org

George Cross to Tour the Nation to Mark NHS 75th Birthday

The George Cross medal awarded to the NHS in England last year by the late Queen is set to tour the nation from July, the head of the NHS has announced

As part of the NHS birthday celebrations the UK s highest civilian gallantry medal will be displayed in Science Museums across England, after it was bestowed on staff for their exceptional efforts, particularly during the pandemic

It was only the third time ever in British history the medal has been granted to an organisation for an act of great heroism

NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard and May Parsons a matron for respiratory services who delivered the world’s first approved COVID vaccination received the honour on behalf of the NHS by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Windsor Castle last July

Now, to mark the milestone 75th anniversary, the cross, which is currently kept at Windsor Castle, will go on tour to allow staff and patients to view the historic accolade

From Thursday 6 July, the medal will be on display at the iconic Science Museum in London as a temporary addition to Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries the world s largest museum devoted to the history of medical healthcare

The medal will be able to be viewed in the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester from February 2024 before going to the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford from July It will then visit the South West in 2025, with the venue to be confirmed in due course

The George Cross award recognises the courage compassion and dedication of NHS staff and volunteers, during the pandemic as well as the work of the NHS since it was established in 1948

Announcing the tour Amanda Pritchard Chief Executive of the NHS in England said: For 75 years NHS staff have served our country – this year’s anniversary is an opportunity to reiterate our thanks to them as well as to celebrate the history and achievements of the NHS from the first organ transplants through to mass vaccination programmes which have saved thousands of lives

“We were honoured to receive the George Cross from the late Queen on behalf of the NHS and I am delighted that – through our partnership with the Science Museum Group – NHS staff volunteers and local

communities will get to see the medal up close

May Parsons a matron for respiratory services at Buckinghamshire Trust who delivered the world’s first COVID vaccination in December 2020 said: I was humbled and honoured to receive the George Cross alongside Amanda, on behalf of the NHS and I am delighted it will be going on a tour during the NHS’s 75th year for staff volunteers and the public to see

“The George Cross is a truly fitting tribute to thousands of NHS staff and volunteers who went above and beyond during the pandemic and continue to do so every day

Natasha McEnroe Keeper of Medicine Science Museum said: It is a real honour to display The George Cross in our museums in recognition of the dedication of NHS staff caring for patients during the pandemic and to this day

“Visitors to the Science Museum will see The George Cross beside items celebrating the NHS’s 75-year history and nearby objects collected during the pandemic to represent the impact of COVID-19 on our lives

The award s official citation praised staff for their fight against Covid in what it called “the greatest public health emergency in the organisation s history

Chris Bell paramedic and Team Leader with Yorkshire Ambulance Service who attended the first COVID patient in the UK said “When we attended those patients in York in January 2020 none of us knew what was about to unfold as the COVID pandemic hit – our priority was to treat those patients just as we would any other Uncertainty is part of our job responding to patients when they need us – it s something that the ambulance service and NHS does every day and it is something that I am very proud to be a part of ”

The award created in 1940 sits at the top of the UK honour s system joint with the military Victoria Cross and is the highest civilian gallantry award It is given for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger

The decision to award it to the NHS was only the third time the George Cross has been given to a collective body, rather than an individual It was previously awarded to Malta in 1942 and to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999

Watch Me Whip! Head Chef at Ipswich Care Home Scoops National Award

A care home in Ipswich is celebrating after its Head Chef was recognised at a national award ceremony for her outstanding contribution to the catering sector

Caroline Lloyd Head Chef at Care UK s Prince George House on Mansbrook Boulevard, took home first place for ‘Unsung Hero’ at the 2023 Public Sector

Catering Awards

The Public Sector Catering Awards recognises those working in and associated with catering in the UK care sector as well as within the wider community including universities hospitals and armed forces

Caroline who joined the home in 2013 received praise for her resident-centred approach, with catering plans constantly evolving to meet each residents’ needs

Each day Caroline and the catering team provide delicious nutritious food The choice and diversity of the menu is driven from feedback from residents to ensure that they are offered meals they want

As part of its dining experience the home regularly hosts themed meals and events This has included a Valentine’s Day party complete with a three-course gourmet meal and beautifully decorated cake to celebrate the couples at Prince George House and their spouses

Caroline is also committed to the home s Dining with Dignity initiative where residents with special dietary requirements are fully catered for in a discreet and respectful manner The role that Caroline plays in ensuring this is carried out is

vital and includes supporting the training and development of colleagues too Judges noted Caroline s dedication to consistently putting residents first Over the Christmas period in 2021 to ensure residents were kept safe from the transmission of Covid-19 and could be cooked for over the festive season Caroline s self-imposed isolation meant that she sacrificed spending Christmas with her family – cooking up quite the storm as she prepared 120 Christmas dinners with the help of a kitchen assistant

Commenting on the win Caroline said I m over the moon to have scooped first place in the Public Sector Catering Awards this year I’m so proud of the team and all of their continuous hard work – we take great pride in delivering the best dishes for the residents here at Prince George House and we’re thrilled to see this recognised with a national award

Magda Kurdziel Home Manager at Prince George House added: “I’m incredibly proud of Caroline and the wider catering team who consistently a provide high quality service and fantastic meals that the residents always look forward to –residents are always quick to the dining room when we they can smell what’s cooking!

“Everyone here at Prince George House is delighted that Caroline’s talent for creating delicious meals and willingness to go above and beyond for residents and fellow team members has been recognised and that she deservingly took home first place for unsung hero – well done Caroline!”

Award-winning Author Madeleine Bunting to Provide Keynote at MHA’s Annual Walter Hall Seminar

later life, including current challenges in adult social care

Anyone with an interest in the social care sector is invited to visit MHA s Eventbrite page to register for the free event

Average CQC Fine Increased by 242%

Post-Pandemic, New Analysis Reveals

The healthcare watchdog is prosecuting and fining care homes and registered providers more now than pre-pandemic new analysis from full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has revealed

When comparing pre-pandemic (2017-2019) with pandemic and post-pandemic (2020-2022), prosecutions by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) increased by 50% – from 30 to 45

The research also found that the average fine amplified by 242% to more than £550,000 In comparison, the average fine pre-pandemic was just over £160,000

After a downturn in activity during the lockdowns and some cases taking more than three years to be brought forward experts from Shakespeare Martineau expect this to increase further

Jordan Glackin healthcare partner at Shakespeare Martineau said: After conversations with clients over the past couple of years these findings are not surprising

The CQC had virtually stopped all inspections – except in emergencies – during the pandemic and so as a result of the backlog an increase is prosecutions once normality started to resume was to be expected

With more catching up likely to be done and the sector being placed firmly under a microscope during the pandemic particularly in the eyes of the public,

we expect this activity to increase further – especially as some cases have taken more than three years to be brought forward

“However, there are cautionary measures care homes and registered providers can put in place to mitigate the risk of persecution limit the impact of prosecution and in some cases prevent it from proceeding to court

The largest fine handed down pre-pandemic was £225 170 in 2019 During and post-pandemic this was £2 5 million which was delivered in 2021 – an increase of more than 1,000%

Prosecutions in the southern regions have doubled and in the North and Midlands they have increased by a total of 54%

The data shows the most significant increase in prosecutions by region is in the South East where the number of charges have risen by 267% Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) was the most breached over the past six years accounting for 63% of all prosecutions

Jordan added: As the CQC is using its powers more than ever it is vital providers ensure compliance with their regulatory and legal obligations; keep detailed and accurate records; stay up-to-date with any legal or policy changes; and seek specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity ”

Arley Place Care Home’s Residents Enjoy Swarovski Glass Sculptures

Parley Place care home in West Parley was treated to a wonderful display of Swarovski glass sculptures for residents to look at and inspect closely!

Residents all gathered in our terrace bar to listen to a talk on the history of Swarovski and how this was started way back over 120 years ago

The talk mentioned how this company has grown and about the celebrities who have worn pieces from the company over the years including Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe We all got to look at some beautiful pieces from a large collection

Tracey General Manager at Parley Place care home said This has been a wonderful afternoon learning the history of Swarovski and seeing these beautiful glass sculptures was really eye opening the residents all enjoyed seeing the pieces and my favourite was definitely the star!”

Ricci a resident at Parley Place said it was so interesting to hear the depth of the company the pieces are just beautiful and it s difficult to pick a favourite from what we have seen today, they are all so perfect”

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

Care Home Residents Storm to Victor y in University Challenge-Style Quiz, With the Help of a Famous Face

A take on the popular TV show University Challenge reached a dramatic climax last week, as celebrity guest Jennie Bond oversaw a highly competitive contest between two sister care homes

Residents of Signature at Chorleywood certainly proved that with age comes wisdom as the team which has a combined age of 329 years impressed with their extensive general knowledge

Based on the popular and long-running BBC quiz show with Jeremy Paxman as the quizmaster residents from Signature at Chorleywood faced off against a rival team in the form of Essexbased Signature at The Beeches The keenly contested match up held at The Beeches in Brentwood, saw Signature at Chorleywood secure the coveted title of inaugural Signature Challenge Series

Champions

The head-to-head between Chorleywood and The Beeches follows four months of close competition between all Signature

Senior Lifestyle homes in which 38 care homes across the southeast competed over the course of 24 matches across two rounds

Residents and supporters were joined by former BBC Journalist, Presenter and Royal Commentator Jennie Bond who hosted the event which was filmed and live streamed over YouTube

The contestants were faced with 55 questions covering current affairs film history and world geography with an additional five questions reserved for cryptic picture rounds Signature at Chorleywood was represented by Eric Heather Karen Malayz Jenny Soothill and Michael Crawther and had an average age of 82

Signature at The Beeches was made up of Christine Everard Emu Edwards Maureen French and June Miller

Although Signature at The Beeches made steady headway Signature at Chorleywood was able to storm ahead as the quiz progressed thanks in part to the contributions of 90-year-old Eric, whose astonishing performance saw him answer more than 10 questions correctly for his team

Signature at The Beeches put up an impressive fight throughout however with Christine correctly identi-

fying an image of a shitzsu in the final minute When the final scores were counted, Signature at Chorleywood’s impressive total of 215 points saw them take the spoils compared to Signature at The Beeches’ haul of 155 points The victorious team were awarded a celebratory plaque which will be engraved and proudly displayed in the care home’s entrance

Eric Heather a member of the triumphant Signature at Chorleywood quiz team said I am absolutely delighted and very happy to be part of the winning team at Chorleywood Although I was very nervous it was a pleasure to test my general knowledge alongside my teammates and a supportive crowd A big thank you to all the Beeches team who were wonderful hosts and made us feel very welcome ”

Christine Everard a member of the Signature at The Beeches quiz team said Whilst the win at the end of the contest was not meant to be for The Beeches I was very happy to have taken part with my teammates It was an excellent quiz with a high standard of questions and answers It was also wonderful to meet Jennie too who I thought did a sterling job of hosting

Augusta Udo, Activities Manager at Signature at The Beeches, said: “Signature Challenge is an initiative designed to stimulate all of our communities and unite them in some healthy competition It was a delight to see this ongoing project come to a head in such a spirited finale and both teams really rose to the occasion Huge thanks to Jennie who was a wonderful quizmaster and to our supportive audiences both in the studio and at home!

Jennie Bond, Journalist, TV Presenter and host of the Signature Challenge Final, said: “It was a pleasure to host this year s Signature Challenge Final and to see such impressive quiz performances from both teams

“I am pretty certain that the residents could give their younger counterparts on University Challenge a strong run for their money With age certainly comes wisdom and the final between Chorleywood and The Beeches was proof of that ”

Witham Care Home Celebrates Milestone 100th Birthday

Runwood Homes threw an impressive birthday celebration at Park View care home in Witham to mark resident Joyce s 100th birthday

Joyce’s family members and the team at Park View arranged a gathering in the communal dining hall in the home to celebrate a momentous milestone in her life

All residents and family members were invited to attend the party

To mark this special occasion the care home organised a 1920s themed celebration with entertainers singing Joyce s favourite songs from her youth

Wellbeing Lead Diane Anderson said: “We wanted to give Joyce the best possible 100th celebration and honoured her birthday wishes by hosting a 1920’s themed birthday celebration with all the residents and her family With her family’s help, we all worked together to organise every detail to her liking, and we are so happy with how everything turned out ”

Exotic Animals Amaze Berkshire Care Home Residents

The residents were astonished and delighted to meet the animals who were brought in by a specialist from Wild Science an organisation that promotes animal education and animal therapy Residents had the opportunity to learn interesting facts about the animals habitat diet and welfare

Taking part in this activity resident Joan Williams was amazed when she held the giant snail She said: The body is not as slimy as I thought it would be And the shell has so many ridges! It s a lovely texture

Resident Tony Cleave felt brave enough to handle a gecko I had never held a gecko It s such a fascinating creature It weighs so little and it has the tiniest toes and feet he said with a twinkle in his eyes

Sharon Fletcher one of the Activities Coordinators at Prince

Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court said:

It was really lovely to see the residents faces light up when these animals came in! They brought joy to our residents boosted their mood and encouraged social interaction

The Home also has two guinea pigs Elvis and Ginger Stripe who have become everyone s pets

The animals are gorgeous said Activities Coordinator Sharon Fletcher

They provide the experience of looking after an animal and also boost our residents mental health and wellbeing

RMBI Care Co Home Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court is run by RMBI Care Co part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation For more information please visit: http://www rmbi org uk/

Black Swan’s Youngest Care Home Manager

Appointed at The Beeches Care Home in East Harling

In a demonstration of support and commitment to developing staff into management roles Black Swan s newest and youngest Care Home Manager has taken up her new role Now aged just 24, Chloe Boon started with Black Swan in September 2016 as an apprentice care assistant aged just 17 Chloe takes up the story of her career in social care with Black Swan: “I’d never done care before and felt welcomed into the home and discovered the role of a Carer I then moved over to the Activities Co-ordinator role, before becoming a Senior Care Assistant In 2018 the opportunity came up to become a Trainee Deputy Manager I learned so much valuable knowledge in that role and in 2019 I progressed to Deputy Manager

“Alongside my experience in my previous roles, Black Swan supported me with my Level 3 and 5 Diplomas in Health and Social Care to further my knowledge, and I then became a Peripatetic Deputy Manager, where I developed

wider experience of other Black Swan homes and teams

“When the opportunity came up for the Manager’s role at The Beeches I knew that the time was right for me and I m really excited to be joining our outstanding-rated team at the home I m so grateful for the support I have been given throughout my career with Black Swan

Amanda Bensly Black Swan’s Regional Manager expressed her pride in Chloe: “At just 24 we are really proud to be appointing Chloe to the Care Home Manager role at The Beeches She s been with our Black Swan family for over 6 years and has so much experience in different roles She’s already a big asset to us and it shows all our staff that we have a career pathway to support them to develop and grow with us and to find a long-term successful career in social care ”

Ambitious Strategy Aims To Deliver Global Standard For Ageing At Home

The launch of Bield Housing and Care’s new five-year corporate strategy signals the beginning of a period of significant change and innovation for one of the country s leading housing providers

Tech-driven solutions are a key focus in the new strategy which has been launched to drive the organisation s growth and maximise independence among its tenants

These solutions will be at the heart of Bield s vision for medium-term growth and will help to tackle external challenges faced by the sector such as climate change the cost-of-living crisis and an ageing population

The new strategy aims to position Bield tenants customers and staff at the centre of the organisation s decision-making design and adapt homes to meet customer needs simplify its services strengthen its financial performance support its staff to improve their skills and efficiency and secure UK-wide recognition for its innovative and leading approaches

Dr Lynne Douglas, CEO at Bield, said: “Our new five-year corporate strategy will guide us along the way as we focus on achieving our vision and ambitions and ultimately make a positive impact

“Our strategy will measure whether we are delivering to meet our customers’ desires, rather than just ticking boxes This new outcome-based approach will expand our influence in the sector as we look to set and deliver the standard for ageing at home ”

It comes at a pivotal time for the housing specialist which recently opened a new digital hub showcasing housing technology of the future at its West Port development in Linlithgow This was possible thanks to funding from the Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (TAPPI) project which aims to improve the way technology is used in housing and care for older people The hub provides a variety of preventative care technologies to support individuals to live independently in their own homes for longer and is available for tenants, staff and other stakeholders to trial

Bield will implement its strategy in three distinct phases - strengthen grow and lead - to ensure it is delivered in a planned and coordinated way

This phased growth will allow Bield to meet its key priorities which are broken down into five main subsets: facing challenges improving efficiency harnessing strengths enhancing impact and leading the way

Lynne added: At Bield we re always striving to improve customer experience and satisfaction whilst growing our use of modern, in-home technologies to support independent living Our new strategy will enable us to develop a personalised and proactive approach to delivering our services develop and test new innovative digital solutions and share our experience and expertise for the benefit of wider society

It is estimated that by 2030 more than 600 00 people in Scotland will be aged 75 or over so now more than ever is the time to be ambitious ”

103rd Birthday Celebrations For Local Care Home Resident

Celebrations have been in full swing at Southgate Beaumont Care Home as one of its residents reaches her 103rd birthday in style

Marjorie Taylor who was born in April 1920 was joined by staff relatives friends and other residents as she received a telegram from the King in recognition of her landmark birthday A champagne reception was held at the home and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home s chef Daniel Marjorie loves a party and this is the 3rd Milestone birthday she has celebrated with the residents and team at Southgate Beaumont So everyone made sure they pulled out all the stops

Marjorie said: I am so grateful to be spending my 103rd birthday with everyone

at Southgate Beaumont They have arranged a wonderful party and made my day so special The cakes were absolutely delicious and I am already looking forward to my 104th!

When asked what is the key to a long life? Marjorie said Find the joy in every day ”

Beatrice Godfrey General Manager of Barchester Southgate Beaumont added:

“We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable lady as she reaches another amazing milestone Marjorie is such a popular and inspirational person who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more ”

105-Year-Old Win Shares Her Secret to a Long Life

The secret to a long life is the occasional glass of red wine according to 105-year-old Merseyside care home resident Winnifred Kennan

The centenarian celebrates her birthday with her favourite tipple every year at Aaron Grange Care Home Blacklow Brow Huyton with Roby

Having moved to the care home in October 2017 she has marked all five of her post-century birthdays with a big bash organised by staff

This year was no different as the care home was decorated with balloons and bunting a buffet lunch was provided and Win danced away to music from her favourite singer Dame Vera Lynn

She was joined by her family friends and fellow residents for the celebration when she also opened her fifth card from Buckingham Palace

Win has now received birthday cards from two reigning monarchs, with this year being the first from His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort Camilla

Born on 20th April 1918, Win put her longevity down to “always being kind, loving and caring, enjoying every minute and not forgetting a glass of red wine occasionally

She added: “I’ve had a lovely day I’m very thankful for all the love and well wishes I have received ”

Win was raised in the aftermath of the First World War having been born seven months before its end

Her father was in the merchant navy during the War and was killed before she was born – leaving a

request that she be given the family name Winnifred

During the Second World War Win was evacuated from Liverpool twice once to Cheltenham and once to Wales due to the Liverpool Blitz by the German Luftwaffe

She later married Tobias Tom Kennan and the pair were together for over 60 years before he passed away Win said: Tom was the best part of my life

Win and Tom lived in Liverpool, where he was a tailor and she was an infant school teacher later teaching older girls with special needs at a different school The pair were also members of The Catenian Association and helped raise money for the poor

Win said: “We never had children, as we were far too busy with work but I am very close to my niece Loretta daughter to my older sister, Ilene

Friends Mary and Frances also are very close to me and I class them as family and love them dearly ”

Amy Muscatelli activities coordinator at Aaron Grange Care Home said Win is always the life and soul of the party despite her advanced age

Every year she tells us not to forget a fine glass of red wine on her birthday and she never forgets Even though she has reached an incredible 105 years of age, this year was no different

“It has been a privilege to celebrate all of Win’s birthdays since she turned 100 It’s always a pleasure to talk to her about her long life And she has a great sense of humour

Happy birthday again to Win from everyone at Aaron Grange Care Home

Farmyard Fun at Brendoncare Alton

There was plenty of animal magic at Brendoncare Alton in Hampshire when Mill Cottage Farm Experiences based in nearby Holybourne brought some furry and feathered friends to visit residents and staff

Dudley and Dusty the donkeys proved a real talking point especially when they came inside the care home to visit the residents A kid goat, rabbits guinea pigs and a duckling were also visitors to the residents’ rooms and lounges

Outside were goats piglets a lamb ducklings chickens and turkeys who delighted everyone at the mobile farm which was set up outside the care home s front door

Laura Simmons, Brendoncare’s Head of Customer Relations, who was one of the helpers for the visit,

said afterwards: “You only had to see the look on the residents faces to know how much meeting these gorgeous animals meant to them

“The animals are such a fantastic way to lift everyone s spirits and improve their wellbeing It was such a pleasure to introduce the animals to our residents and to see the love they gave them in return

Thank you so much to Tom Main and his team at Mill Cottage Farm for making so many special memories for everyone at Brendoncare

Alton

Animal visits bring joy to residents and are a common occurrence in Brendoncare homes Some of our homes also benefit from mechanical pets for companionship, a great alternative to animal visits and a constant friend for residents

Dementia Home Team Raises Over £1,000 to Fund Touchscreen Tables

A team of motivated staff from a Wellington care home has raised over £1 000 in sponsorship to help them realise their dream of buying two high-tech touchscreen tables for use by residents living with dementia

The home had a week s free trial of a table tablet to see if the people who live at Camelot House and Lodge would enjoy it, and the kit was such a huge success the staff decided they had to have their own Camelot Care activities co-ordinator Richard Dempslake said:

Ideally we d like to buy two of them so seven of us underwent some pretty gruelling training in the hope that we could smash the sponsored 5k inflatable fun run in Exeter on 22 April to raise the money we need

The kit will for example allow residents to check in with Google Earth to revisit the town or city where they are from and look up the street and house where they grew up which is something they love to do again and again

The tablets have big screens so residents can clearly read what s on the screen They ll allow us to download games and puzzles to suit individual residents and also enable them to enjoy video calls with

friends and family access websites offering community involvement and so much more

One of our sponsors has said how much her husband who lives with us, will love looking at films of trains on heritage railways which is exactly the kind of passion we want to help nurture for as long as possible

We ve raised £1 100 in sponsorship so far and are hoping that more may still be pledged – we need £2,000 in total

The team trained really hard to make sure we were fit to tackle the inflatable fun run which features 32 gigantic inflatable obstacles over a 5k circuit

I told a few residents what we were doing and their first reaction is “You’re mad!” but when I explain why they’ve wished us luck and said they hoped it would go well

“We are now feeling the aches and pains but it was worth it I’m so proud of the team who committed to do this with me Huge thanks to Paul Dempslake Karen Kerslake Sophie Carter

Jenny Nutkins and her daughter Isabelle Nutkins – they were all fantastic!”

Care Home’s New Cooking Class is Better than Sliced Bread

Residents at an Edinburgh care home have enjoyed a series of cooking classes as part of the bustling events calendar with the programme kickstarting with a bread making masterclass

The sessions held at Cramond Residence courtesy of the home’s Chef Paul Cowley hope to inspire creativity and reignite a passion for cooking amongst the residents

This month s masterclass focused on bread making with future sessions set to feature foods from all over the globe – following residents wishes

Cooking is just one of the activities the home provides as part of its events calendar which is tailored to the residents’ interests with the aim of improving their wellbeing and independence Other activities include exercise classes arts and crafts and frequent day trips

Paul, who alongside the head chef leads the catering department at the 74bedroom home said I love seeing the smiling faces of our residents as they take part in activities that remind them of home comforts such as cooking

Residents enjoyed a step-by-step session on how to make bread from

scratch We sampled the bread, tasting the different types of loaves and comparing it to shop bought bread

“Many of our residents already have a passion for cooking so we wanted to introduce the classes to continue that enjoyment while allowing some of the group to learn new skills and try different cuisines

“As well as the pleasure of cooking, the class also provides a fun setting where residents can enjoy socialising with others in the class The buzz of happy chatter in the dining room is ample payback for the work we do ”

This month s activities include garden archery and golf sessions spa and relaxation mornings and physio classes organised by Cramond Residence s dedicated Lifestyle Coordinators who are committed to providing fun and engaging activities for the residents to enjoy

Len Skelton, a resident at the home said: “I always enjoy the meals cooked up by chefs at Cramond however it is really nice to be given the opportunity to get back in the kitchen again Who doesn’t love the taste of fresh bread out of the oven

Csilla Barabás

NHS “Must be Reformed” to Deliver Care Patients Want says Wes Streeting

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said the NHS must be reformed rather than “pouring more money into hospitals”

In a speech to the King s Fund in central London Wes Streeting reiterated Labour’s pledges on the NHS, saying the party would train 7,500 more doctors and 10 000 more nurses every year including recruiting more medics from within the UK

Mr Streeting said he would boost the range of health professionals working alongside GPs to ease pressure on primary care including more use of pharmacists to give things such as vaccinations wider use of nurses within practices and for example allowing opticians to refer people directly to eye specialists

Mr Streeting said: I think that despite all the challenges we see in the NHS today, it is still salvageable

And more than that there is enormous opportunity in this country with the strengths we have in life sciences technology and with the brilliant people that we have working in the NHS today

We have got to stop the obsession with simply pouring more money into hospitals we have to think about what the primary care system looks like and if we grab that mantle of reform, there is no reason why we can t turn the situation around and to see far better outcomes by the end of the first term of a Labour government ”

Beccy Baird Senior Fellow at The King s Fund said: There has been a clear consensus for more than 30 years, under successive governments, that moving care from hospital to communities is the right thing to do The challenge is making this actually happen Previous attempts to do this have failed spectacularly with levels of investment and workforce growing in hospitals yet stagnating or falling in primary and community care services

There is much to welcome in the broad aims announced by the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care However translating these warm words into tangible change for patients will require radical

reform across the whole health and care system From social care reform to fully engaging the voluntary sector to improving NHS buildings

More GPs will be key to driving this change but also vital will be the time and capacity from experienced GPs who are already under extreme pressure, to train more new GPs Efforts to retain these experienced staff are therefore critical to achieve the ambitions on recruitment It will also rest on the training, retaining and integrating of more paramedics district nurses physiotherapists and other professionals that support people in the community ’’

Dr Richard Van Mellaerts deputy chair of GPC England at the BMA said: “It’s welcome news that Labour recognises the pressures that GPs are under and is determined to use innovative ways of solving the workforce crisis No one can deny that GPs are working harder than ever to try and give patients the care they need but patient demand far outstrips GP capacity and staff are seriously struggling to keep up with this level of workload

“Mr Streeting is absolutely right that more community services are needed to relieve pressure on GPs and that medical places should be expanded so that more students can train in medicine

“While Labour acknowledges the time it will take to train extra staff – 10 years for a single GP – and that short-term solutions are desperately needed they can go further still Cutting back on red tape and granting greater autonomy to GPs are good ideas and may help to stem the flow of GPs leaving the profession, but do not go far enough In addition improving archaic NHS IT infrastructure crumbling NHS premises and scrapping the punitive imposition of the 2023/24 GP contract must also make the list

We agree with Mr Streeting that further decline is not inevitable We know what the NHS is capable of achieving but that the current Government has consistently failed to make it a reality; while patients and staff suffer the long-awaited workforce plan is still gathering dust Today’s speech offers a glimmer of hope for what general practice could become and the Government must follow this example and act now if primary care is to even survive ”

Caring for the Caregivers:

Chartwell House’s Gift Hamper Surprise to Local Heroes

Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes a residential care home based in the heart of Thanet recently delivered surprise gift hampers to local healthcare and emergency service professionals

The team at Chartwell House put together the hampers to show their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of healthcare and emergency service workers in the area The hampers were filled with a variety of delicious treats including chocolate coffee tea and cereal bars

The initiative spearheaded by Home Manager Diane Collins and Admissions Manager Jude Coveney saw them visit several places including Spencer Private Hospital Margate A&E Thanet Ambulance Station, and Ramsgate Fire Station Diane Collins Home Manager of Chartwell House shared her thoughts on the surprise deliveries: “We wanted to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our local healthcare and

emergency service professionals They have worked tirelessly throughout some challenging years to keep our community safe and we wanted to thank them for all that they do Jude Coveney Admissions Manager, added: “It was a pleasure to deliver the hampers and see the smiles on the faces of those we visited We hope it brought a bit of joy to their day

The surprise deliveries were well received and greatly appreciated by the all those who received them Many expressed their surprise and gratitude for the kind gesture which came as a much-needed boost during what has been a challenging time in recent years

In a unique move Chartwell House is calling on the community to help them spread kindness and appreciation to local healthcare professionals They are asking people to contact the care home to nominate any places that should be visited in the coming weeks

CoolCare Set To Show Care Home Managers How To ‘Love Their Admin’ at Health Plus Care 2023

difference to care home managers every day ”

The Residential and Home Care Show was created with the care community to ensure the most pressing topics to the sector are tackled through practical sessions high-profile speakers and inspirational panel debates The show s primary focus for 2023 is providing tips and solutions on addressing recruitment and retention in social care while attendees can also gain a better understanding of what s happening in the NHS particularly with Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and how this impacts social care

Fiona continued: Staff wellbeing plays a huge part in retention Finding ways to both streamline and reduce the workload across the team while also giving managers greater visibility of processes is a sure-fire way to reduce stress and keep teams feeling happier and more engaged in the workplace That s just one of the many benefits that CoolCare can offer so we re looking forward to talking with care home managers at the show and making a tangible difference to more care businesses ”

For more information on CoolCare visit https://coolcare co uk/ or to register to attend Health Plus Care visit www healthpluscare 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