The Carer Digital - Issue #159

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

As Autumn approaches the echoes of the tumultuous year that was 2020 still resonate within the walls of care homes across the UK

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation but in particular in residential and nursing care environments the lives of their residents and families remains a haunting memory

While we are still in the throes of Summer Autumn will be approaching soon and the recommendation by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) for COVID-19 booster vaccines could well be the beacon of protection we desperately need

The outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 cast an unforgiving shadow over the care home sector revealing the vulnerabilities that existed within the very heart of our society The elderly, frail, and those with pre-existing health conditions became the unwitting victims of a devastating virus and care homes bore the brunt of this tragic reality Families grieved, and care home staff faced immense challenges, standing as the last line of defence in an unrelenting battle

I often as regular readers will know recall the harrowing seminar I sat in back in 2021 were providers and staff were invited to share their experiences in their own care homes during the pandemic

One of the most humbling of memories, and nobody wants to see a return to the devastation no return to the heartbreak where residents were isolated from families and families denied access to loved ones

The vaccine is not without its critics and the mandates imposed on the sector was seen as an infringement on human rights/liberties and resulted in many staff leaving sector

That said the data reveals that among the elderly and vulnerable the vaccination campaigns have saved countless lives

Yet the battle against the virus is not over as our front-page story reveals The JCVI s recommendation for booster vaccines is a proactive measure to ensure that our elderly and those most vulnerable remain shielded against the evolving threat of the virus

While the physical health of care home residents is paramount, we must not forget the emotional toll that the pandemic wrought upon families The anguish of separation the inability to hold hands or share a laugh with a loved one in their twilight years cut deep into our collective consciousness It is a wound that lingers still and should never be repeated

As we strive to avoid a resurgence of the devastation witnessed in 2020, robust testing protocols must be upheld Families and suppliers to care homes play a crucial role in this endeavour Regular testing acts as a safety net, preventing the inadvertent introduction

YOUR CARE HOME’S CHANCE TO WIN A FANTASTIC PRIZE!

How did your care home celebrate Afternoon Tea Week?

of the virus into these vulnerable environments

I think one of the main lessons learned is that it is really all about preparation!

We very much hope in the coming weeks/months to bring as much information from industry experts and observers and suppliers on how care environments can reach and maintain the most vigourous of standards and at the same time not having to lock down homes and deny families access to loved ones

We here at THE CARER would like to thank you all for the nominations you have sent for our Afternoon Tea Week competition (there are still a couple of days to go nominations close on the 20th but to date we have had an absolutely wonderful response and we would be sitting “around a table” in a few days’ time to pick a winner!

We haven t had a chance to go through them all and we will be meticulously scrutinising” them but I have to say once again the ones that we have seen so far demonstrates once and for all (has there ever been any doubt?) the dedication and hard work that care staff undertake to enhance the lives of their residents

Afternoon Tea Week is, as we often say, that quintessential British tradition and we are proud to see the effort that goes behind making these events that bit more enjoyable!

We are always delighted to publish some delightful stories from various homes around the country from birthdays to fund raising from baking to growing vegetables anything you would like to share please do send it to me at editor@thecareruk com

Editor

Peter Adams

Care Residents Urged to Get Covid Booster Vaccination as Autumn Approaches

(CONTINUED

FROM FRONT COVER)

“Vaccination provides vital protection against COVID-19 and has been particularly effective at reducing the risk of serious illness hospitalisation and death

MORE SERIOUS IN OLDER PEOPLE

“We know that COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions for these reasons they will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccination this autumn I would urge everyone who falls into an eligible group to take up the offer of free vaccination when available

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) the following groups will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn

• residents in a care home for older adults

all adults aged 65 years and over

persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)

frontline health and social care workers

persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression

• persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults

Further advice on the choice of vaccine products for use this autumn will be provided in due course

Professor Wei Shen Lim Chair of COVID-19 immunisation on the JCVI said:

The autumn booster programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill

These persons will benefit the most from a booster vaccination

It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up a booster this autumn – helping to prevent them from hospitalisations and deaths arising from the virus over the winter months

VIRUS HAS “NOT GONE AWAY”

Dr Mary Ramsay Director of Public Health Programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said:

The COVID-19 virus has not gone away and we expect to see it circulating more widely over the winter months with the numbers of people getting ill increasing

The booster is being offered to those at higher risk of severe illness and by taking up the booster vaccine

this autumn you will increase your protection ahead of winter when respiratory viruses are typically at their peak

To optimise protection over the winter months JCVI advises that the autumn programme should aim to complete vaccinations by early December 2023 ahead of winter mindful that protection is highest in the first 3 months following vaccination This will help maximise the potential benefits of the programme

At the same time JCVI recognises some need for operational flexibility in relation to when these vaccines will be offered, taking into consideration factors such as vaccine supply

From autumn 2023 JCVI additionally advises that primary course COVID-19 vaccination for persons who have not had any COVID-19 vaccines before should consist of a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine Eligibility for primary course vaccination will be the same as for the autumn 2023 booster

LESS LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALISED

Last year’s autumn booster programme ended on the 20 February 2023 Data up to 12 March showed that 73 2% of people aged 65 to 70 years in England had been vaccinated and this increased in older cohorts rising to 83 7% (just under 2 5 million) in those aged over 80 years

Data from last autumn s programme showed that those who received a booster were around 53% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the 2 to 4 weeks following vaccination, compared to those who did not receive a booster

NHS England will confirm details on how and when eligible people can access the autumn booster vaccine in due course

LOW TAKE -UP RATE AMONG STAFF

Figures released earlier this year revealed that despite the severe staff shortages, vaccination rates among adult social care staff was relatively low with less than one in five adult social care staff vaccinated against flu or received their autumn booster jab for Covid-19

The Department of Health and Social Care s (DHSC) monthly adult social care data released at the beginning of the year showed that, as of the week ending 18 December 2022:

17 9% of staff in older adult care homes had received an autumn booster for Covid and 13 8% had had a flu vaccine for the 2022-23 winter season

15 8% of staff in younger adult care homes had received a Covid booster and 11 8% a flu vaccine

15 7% of domiciliary care staff had received their Covid booster and 11 7% a flu vaccine

Complying with Data Protection Regulations in Care Homes

Care homes are considered data controllers of the personal data that relates to residents and their families, as well as that of their staff They are therefore likely to collect and process large amounts of information and will need to meet not just the general compliance obligations set out in data protection legislation such as UK GDPR

They must also be mindful that the unique environment they operate in poses its own particular challenges and compliance obligations, some of which are covered by the National Data Guardian s 10 data security standards which was developed by the National Data Guardian and since 2017 has been a requirement that all health and social care workers must follow

These unique challenges include the fact that they are often the custodians of large amounts of sensitive personal data such as medical records or information pertaining to religious or philosophical beliefs (which is considered special category data and therefore to be treated with additional caution) or in some instances financial information

One must also factor in the potentially vulnerable nature of the data subjects who in some instances may not have ‘capacity’ to make decisions or exercise their own data protection rights and it’s easy to see that having a suitable data protection programme in place is paramount to ensuring that a consistent and compliant approach is followed by every organisation operating in the health and social care sector

The following is a non-exhaustive list of points that care organisations should bear in mind when devising a data protection programme:

1 Lawful basis: Organisations must ensure there is an appropriate lawful basis for processing personal data obtained from residents families or staff In some instances this could be performance of a contract or ‘consent’ or one of the other bases set out in Article

6 UK GDPR such as ‘protection of vital interests’

However a lawful basis must be determined before processing begins and should be documented clearly and transparently in a privacy notice Where special category data is being collected an additional condition set out in Article 9 must also be identified and documented

2 Data minimisation: Care homes should only collect and store personal data that is necessary to achieve the purposes for which it is obtained, whether that is providing care and support or administering staff contracts Organisations should always avoid collecting excessive or unnecessary information and should be clear about how long information is retained and when it should be deleted

3 Security measures: Care homes should ensure that appropriate technical and organisational measures have been implemented to protect personal data from unauthorised access disclosure alteration or destruction In this technological age it’s likely that a home will use an IT system to store and manage resident personal data and therefore should be mindful of the National Data Guardian s 10 data security standards which requires organisation to proactively prevent data security breaches This also includes ensuring technology is up to date and ensuring that staff can only access resident data on a need to know basis and reviewing processes at least annually

By Becky White, Senior Data Protection and Privacy Solicitor at Harper James

Where a care home operates a structured paper filing system data protection legislation and the requirement to implement appropriate security measures will also apply and therefore organisations should have an appropriate records management and security policy This may include measures such as ensuring that filing cabinets are fireproof locked and that it is operating a clear desk policy

4 Staff training: Organisations should make sure that all staff members are trained on data protection principles and understand their responsibilities in handling personal data The National Data Guardian's 10 data security standards requires that all staff are equipped to handle information respectfully and safely according to the Caldicott Principles (a set of eight principles that apply to the use of confidential information within health and social care organisations) and includes the requirement to ensure that staff complete appropriate annual data security training

5 Data sharing: Organisations should be mindful to only share resident personal data with clearly authorised individuals or organisations that have a legitimate need to access it To guarantee consistency on this point and to enable staff to react appropriately under pressure organisations should have a clear policy and implement strict controls when sharing data with external parties, such as healthcare professionals or family members to avoid any unnecessary data breaches or challenges In some instances it may be necessary to document data sharing arrangements in a contract to meet the requirements of UK GDPR and consider carrying out a Data Protection Impact Assessment - for example where a third-party data processor is being appointed to manage or store information

6 Individual rights: The data protection rights of care home residents must be respected as with any other category of data subjects and this may involve complying with a request to access their personal data to rectify any inaccuracies and to request erasure or restriction of processing

Organisations should ensure appropriate procedures are in place to handle these requests promptly and effectively as they are often time sensitive In some cases a resident may authorise a third party (e g a relative or a solicitor) to exercise their individual rights for example where that individual has lost capacity and a power of attorney has been granted Care homes should ensure that procedures are in place to verify that the third party is authorised to act on behalf of an individual

7 Data breaches: A personal data breach is classified as a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction loss alteration unauthorised disclosure or access to personal data Organisations should develop an appropriate response plan setting out what action should be taken if a breach occurs and this should include procedures for notifying affected individuals and the ICO where required by law

The National Data Guardian s 10 data security standards sets out specific steps that must be taken where a cyberattack has caused a data breach or a near miss which includes responding to CareCERT (the NHS Digital Care Computing Emergency Response Team) security advice and reporting the breach to senior management within 12 hours of detection

8 Governance: A care home that operates on a large scale may meet the requirements of having to appoint a data protection officer Either way accountability is one of the core data protection principles of UK GDPR so it is therefore essential that an appropriate privacy management framework is implemented with those at the highest management level taking responsibility for compliance to create a culture of privacy and trust Treating residents personal data with respect is a fundamental aspect of providing high-quality care services and ensuring the that dignity and rights of residents are upheld

Evolve Care Group Take On The Tough Mudder Challenge

In an exciting display of unity and determination Evolve Care Group announced that 12 members of their team participated in the renowned Tough Mudder challenge this summer

The team chose to embark on this exhilarating adventure to push their limits and bond in the face of their adversities

The event took place in Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, the Tough Mudder challenge spanned a gruelling 15-kilometer course laden with 30 formidable obstacles designed to test participants’ physical and mental strength The members of Evolve eagerly accepted this challenge and prepared to push themselves to their utmost capabilities

Among the obstacles that the team faced were heart-pounding challenges like a 40-foot vertical net climb navigated rotating blocks weighing 500 pounds braved a chilling -34-degree ice pit and ran

West Sussex Care Home Hosts Successful Fundraiser For Breast Cancer Charity

Elizabeth House in Bognor Regis has hosted a fundraiser in aid of a breast cancer charity, raising more than £250

The care home’s employees residents and relatives came together on 3 August to host a raffle and afternoon tea raising an impressive £258 40 for Breast Cancer Now

‘Afternoon Tea’ is held every August and is one of Breast Cancer Now s biggest fundraising events It has been running for more than 20 years

The event hosted by the team at Elizabeth House aimed not only to raise funds for important research and life-changing support but also to honour three staff members who have been affected by breast cancer Marian Drake manager of Elizabeth House was diagnosed with

breast cancer in October 2022 and underwent an operation to remove a lump in January this year She has also recently completed two weeks of radiotherapy

Mrs Drake said: We are incredibly proud of the success of this event and the outpouring of support from our staff, residents, and the community To raise more than £250 for Breast Cancer Now is fantastic especially as I along with two other members of staff have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer ”

The event also included a presentation of long-service awards to ten individuals who have dedicated five 15 and 20 years to Shaw healthcare

through 10 000-volt electrical wires These courageous individuals also raced through a 48-foot long water pit with only 4 inches of air to breathe swung across trapezes and monkey bars over water and even crawled through a tank of tear gas

Credit Control Lead Zak Hitchens commented “This was not only a physical challenge but a mental one and we really pushed ourselves outside of our comfort zones It was great to see us work so well in a team We all stayed together and tackled each obstacle no one was left behind ”

As the team faced the Tough Mudder challenge head-on their dedication to personal growth, teamwork, and community engagement shone through Their participation illustrates the commitment that Evolve embodies in its care services

Research Reveals Financial Challenges For Older People From Minoritised Ethnic Communities

Older people from minoritised ethnic communities are being let down when it comes to escaping poverty, as language barriers, government mistrust and a lack of effective promotion of financial support stand in their way according to new research from national charity Independent Age

The charity analysed census data and spoke to organisations and individuals to develop a better understanding of the shared and unique challenges faced by those from Black Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, one of the most at-risk groups when it comes to experiencing poverty in later life

Their analysis found that 29% of older Asian/Asian British and 25% of older Black/Black British/Black Welsh: African people are living in poverty Both figures are much larger than the overall pensioner poverty rate of 18%

Independent Age s analysis also revealed that older people from Black and Asian communities are less likely to own their homes and are more likely to rent in the social and private sectors Almost half (49%) of Black/Black British/Black Welsh: African older people in the UK rent social housing This much higher than the national average for older people renting social housing which is currently 13% Also the analysis showed that one in five (21%) older people from an Arab background rent in the private sector People who rent in later life are more likely to be at risk of living in poverty in older age because many face high costs and insecurity

The latest census data shows that the UK’s population is ageing, and on average, the number of people aged 65+ has grown by 20% since the 2011 census However later life populations are growing faster in ethnic minority communities: for Asian/Asian British/Asian Welsh the figure is 74% and for Black/Black British/Black Welsh it is 35% As the population ages Independent Age is calling on the government to take steps to address the shared issues faced by all older people in poverty alongside the unique obstacles challenging those from minority ethnic communities

There are currently 2 1 million older people living in poverty in the UK with many experiencing challenges including rising energy costs and insecure housing

Morgan Vine Head of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age said: While older people on a low income across the UK face many similar challenges, especially as the cost of living continues to stretch people s budgets to breaking point our findings clearly show that minoritised ethnic communities are facing some unique barriers which must be overcome

“Our older population is growing and becoming more diverse Independent Age wants everyone to be able to live with dignity we don t want anyone in later life to be left behind Yet many share with our advisers that they are forced to skip meals or are afraid to turn the lights on The experiences that were shared with us demonstrate clearly that the government must do more to rebuild trust and proactively target support at a wider range of communities, including taking the lead in breaking down obstacles that are stopping eligible people from receiving the financial support they are entitled to

“Independent Age also wants to see the UK Government introduce a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing to ensure the diverse voices that exist within later life are listened to and changes are made to

improve the systems they rely on Nobody deserves to live in poverty at any stage of their life That s why as a charity we are working tirelessly to ensure everyone in later life has enough support to live well and avoid financial hardship”

INDEPENDENT AGE IS CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO:

Do more to make sure everyone in later life receives the full range of benefits and entitlements they are eligible for including an uptake strategy for Pension Credit, a state benefit that tops up people s income to a minimum level but has one of the lowest uptake levels This should include steps to improve uptake among people from minoritised ethnic communities such as tailored communications and accessible information in a range of languages and through a variety of formats such as audio and video

Establish a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in both England and Scotland The creation of this role would ensure that a diverse range of voices in later life are championed

Responding To A Cyber Attack: Why You Should Call Your Lawyer

By David Varney, partner, and Isaac Bedi, solicitor, in the technology team at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon (www burges - salmon com)

With the significant rise in data breaches and cyber incidents in the past few years organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the risks that cyber attacks pose to their business and cybersecurity threats are now a board-level issue

Sophos recent State of Ransomware Report 2023 indicated that around 44% of UK businesses surveyed had suffered a ransomware attack in the previous year with the average recovery costs (excluding any ransom payment) being around £1 1 million

However, despite this increased awareness, when sophisticated cyber-attacks do occur, organisations often focus their immediate attention on instructing third party IT providers to remedy and rectify the breach, rather than approaching their lawyers to assist them with ensuring that they comply with their legal obligations in respect of any data breach

This article examines the legal obligations that organisations should be considering when a cyber attack occurs as well as the importance of obtaining legal advice on these issues at the earliest stages of an attack – and ideally as part of a well-planned and rehearsed cybersecurity readiness program that is in place prior to any data security incident and ready to action if an organisation is subjected to a cyberattack

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Clearly the key concern for organisations upon suffering a cyber attack is the restoration of their systems and the recovery of any data lost To that extent, unless organisations do have internal teams who can deal with an attack it is critical for them to already have an arrangement in place with a third-party IT provider or instruct them as soon as possible upon discovery of an attack

However organisations should also ensure that in conjunction with their immediate IT response they contact their lawyers to assist with ensuring compliance with their immediate obligations such as:

• the compliance obligations associated with paying any ransom to the attackers; the obligation to notify regulators such as notifying the ICO within 72 hours where any personal data is involved in the attack;

any contractual obligations to notify their insurers of the attack; the obligation to notify data subjects of the attack where there is a high likelihood of a risk to their rights

and freedoms;

• any contractual obligation to notify third party suppliers or customers of the attack

It’s important to remember that failure to notify any insurer within the required timeframe will often result in any coverage for cyber insurance being invalidated Similarly any failure to notify third party suppliers or customers may result in a breach of contract entitling those third parties to terminate any agreement and potentially claim damages as a result

The advantage of instructing lawyers as part of the immediate response in the aftermath of a data breach is that they can consider all the above issues from the outset and scan the horizon for any issues in the breach response strategy that may create problems or complications for the organisation in the future and once the immediate impact of the breach has been resolved These issues might include any claims brought by individuals or customers as a result of the cyberattack or any claims the organisations may wish to bring against third parties who may have some responsibility for the breach such as a third-party IT provider who has failed to diligently protect against a cyberattack

Most importantly instructing lawyers at the outset of an attack means that the organisation can benefit from the legal privilege that communication between clients and their lawyers is afforded In particular where a third-party IT provider is being instructed to investigate the root cause of an attack, having lawyers instruct the provider on the organisation’s behalf will mean that any report produced may be subject to legal privilege allowing the organisation to retain control over this information and who this is disclosed to which is of significant benefit to the organisation should any claims be brought against them as a result of the attack, or indeed should they wish to bring any claim themselves against any third party who may be responsible for it

KEY TAKEAWAYS AND IMPLICATIONS

Ultimately, organisations’ response to any cyber attack should ensure that it prioritises its legal obligations in respect of a breach alongside its cyber response Ensuring that lawyers are on hand at the earliest stages of the breach will allow organisations to ensure they remain compliant with their legal contractual and regulatory obligations throughout the breach response process

If you have any questions or would otherwise like to discuss any issue raised in this article, please contact David Varney or a member of Burges Salmon s cybersecurity team Burges Salmon has worked with carefully-selected partners from across the cybersecurity industry to assemble a world-class team of experts who can address any issues arising from a data breach or cybersecurity attack including in relation to digital forensics support The team also has extensive experience of crisis management advice in the immediate aftermath of a data breach or ongoing cyber incident

Colleagues at Workington Home Raise More Than £600 Following Walk to Mar yport

Two staff members at a Workington home decided to walk from their place of work to Maryport Yvonne Burrows and Sharon Clarke work at MHA Amathea and raised £650 following a sponsored walk to Maryport and back

Both colleagues work as activity coordinators and enjoyed the challenge to the point that they are keen to do it again

The pair walked a total distance of just under 13 miles which took them around five hours

In order to refuel themselves they stopped for a spot of lunch with lamb potatoes and lasagne on the menu

The money raised will go towards the homes amenities fund which is used for activities and trips for residents

Speaking after the walk Yvonne said: We had a great time and looking back could have walked more

The weather was perfect and the walk there and back was lovely

“We had set a target of £500 and have smashed it which was the icing on the cake

“The support shown by the local community has been great and I want to give a special mention to Jan Chebrika who works as a fundraiser at MHA

“The residents are already looking forward to what we can do with the money and it s great to have the accessibility for it

“We are both very happy with how the event went and would be more than happy to do it again

GOJO Recognised As A Key Partner To The NHS

GOJO THE INVENTOR OF PURELL™ is proud to be a brand showcased in an official publication commemorating the NHS, entitled ‘NHS 75: Celebrating 75 Years of the National Health Service This accolade demonstrates the key role played by the skin and hygiene specialist, who has now been a partner to the organisation for over 30 years Widely used in the NHS PURELL® is a trusted brand in healthcare facilities around the world As a market leader of hand hygiene within the UK’s health service it has been instrumental in helping core NHS metrics to be achieved such as reductions in the number of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) Its solutions encompass fast-active effective formulas that care for skin state of the art dispensers, and dedicated support such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accredited training

Launching at the Cloisters in Westminster Abbey on 6th September 2023, ‘NHS 75: Celebrating 75 Years of the National Health Service is a beautifully presented hardback book that has been produced in partnership with leading publisher St James’s House and written by a team of academics and industry experts Exploring the origins history and impact of the NHS the fully illustrated publication marks the 75th anniversary of the service and the people and policies that have shaped it

Chris Wakefield V P European Marketing and Managing Director UK & Ireland GOJO Industries-Europe Ltd comments: ‘The NHS is one of the country’s most recognised and cherished organisations – here to improve our health and wellbeing support us to keep mentally and physically well and to help us get better

when we are ill The GOJO purpose of saving lives and making life better through wellbeing solutions’ very much aligns with these values, and it is what drives our innovation in hygiene

‘We are extremely proud to play a major role in helping prevent infection and improve public health and are thrilled to be included in this prestigious book celebrating 75 years of the wonderful NHS ’

As well as being the ideal partner to healthcare trusts and facilities GOJO is passionate about developing sustainable products that both clean and care for hands in a variety of sectors These include education, hospitality, leisure, retail, catering, food processing, offices manufacturing and more From soaps and hygienic hand rubs that can be used repeatedly throughout a busy shift in hospitals to specialist hand cleaners that remove tough soils from the hands of heavy-industry workers GOJO has an effective solution to remove germs and dirt whilst protecting skin health

Backed by a wealth of scientific expertise and specialist formulations GOJO is committed to developing sustainable products that deliver results and maintain skin health

PURELL remains the market leader thanks to its focus on formulation without compromise

For more information, call +44 (0)1908 588444 email CustomerExperienceUK@GOJO com, or visit https://www gojo eu/uk

Pay Rise Announcement Boosts Healthcare Staff Retention

Recent Government pay rise announcements have helped healthcare employers to retain their key staff That’s according to new research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) the trade association for theprofessional recruitment sector

The data, provided by the world’s largest network of job boards, Broadbean Technology reveals that there was a 48% month-on-month fall in application numbers in July, something that could be attributed to the news that healthcare workers amongst other public sector professionals will see pay rises This could be a promising sign that some healthcare workers are staying in their roles and retention levels for employers will start to improve

Despite this glimmer of positivity APSCo’s data does suggest that healthcare employers are still struggling to fill roles with the available tal-

ent in the market Consequently robust recruitment and retention strategies will be crucial

Ann Swain Global CEO APSCo commented: “While it s no secret that the healthcare sector has faced skills shortages for some time now the fall in applications that we saw in July isn’t perhaps the negative issue we might initially believe With the public sector pay rises announced last month this fall in people looking to move jobs is indicative of an uptick in staff retention However that doesn t change the fact that healthcare simply doesn’t have access to enough skills Retaining workers is only onehalf of the issue Attracting staff is also critically important and if the level of demand that we re seeing in the UK is to be met we need to have globally viable access to resources ”

Damien joined Revitalise’s team of carers at their Southport location, becoming a volunteer for the day and gained valuable insight into the vital work they carry out as the only provider of respite holidays with 24-hour care for people with complex disabilities

Damien also had the opportunity to meet with some of the family carers and their disabled loved ones who holiday at Sandpipers chatting to them about how important respite breaks and holidays are and how challenging things can be without them

This initiative forms part of Revitalise s efforts to highlight how many disabled people and carers miss out on holidays due to the barriers of affordability accessibility travel and the requirement for care support

Damien said of his visit: “It is always a pleasure to visit Sandpipers and to speak to some of the regular guests and carers at Revitalise’s premier Southport site It s no surprise that some guests have been returning to Southport for over 25 years, the dedication and continued hard work of the staff and volunteers is abundantly clear

“There is a serious need for disabled people and their carers to be able to access regular respite breaks – whether this is to alleviate the daily pressures faced by unpaid carers and the strain this can place on relationships or to ensure that disabled people have the opportunity to enjoy holidays with friends in a setting specifically suited to their care needs

The Government has invested an unprecedented amount of money into health and social care and we

must make sure that this funding is going to the right places, to support the millions of adults and young people who provide unpaid care to family members and friends each year There is work to be done to ensure that this funding for respite breaks can be made more easily available to disabled people and their carers with no administrative delays

“That is why I will continue my ongoing work with Revitalise to promote the accessibility of these breaks and have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to highlight the aims of the ‘Give me a break campaign in addition to the lived experiences of guests at Sandpipers ”

Rebecca Young Director of Strategy Impact and External Affairs at Revitalise added: “Damien Moore MP has long been a supporter of our work at Sandpipers and I thank him and his team for spending a full day with our guests carers and volunteers

At Revitalise our vision is to ensure that every disabled person and carer can enjoy the holiday they want with the support they need But the cost of living crisis and funding cuts have, for many, put the prospect of respite care beyond the reach of those who urgently need a break Disabled people their carers and their families are at breaking point

“It is our hope that in sharing our many success stories with Damien he recognises the important lifeline Revitalise offers in the disability and care sector and the acute need for more access to respite care in England

Southport MP Spends A Day In The Life Of A Carer – National Charity Revitalise Charity Working To Combat Elder Loneliness In Care Gains Strength In New Numbers

Gaining strength in numbers a charity dedicated to combating loneliness among ld i has announced a host of new appointments to the organisation as it continues its dr raise £100 000 in 2023

Adopt a Grandparent was founded at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic helpin build new intergenerational relationships for those in care and under lockdown restrictions Now three-years on it has announced the official appointment of a charity ambassador in the form of Chief Executive of Care England Professor Martin Green Helping to drive both awareness of the work of Adopt a Grandparent and fundraising efforts it is hoped that the new ambassador will help to reach new audiences and inspire more people to support the charity s work

On his new role for the charity, Professor Green said: “I am truly passionate about our care sector – both about the essential work carried out and also about the amazing people receiving care Becoming an Ambassador for Adopt a Grandparent is an opportunity to support the sector in a whole new way and tackle major issue for those in care I’m very proud to help the team continue their great work ”

The appointment of an official ambassador is a major move forwards for the char plans to widen the reach of its support alongside its Board of Trustees; Shaleeza Ha Founder and CEO of Adopt a Grandparent David Barrett Founder and CEO of Pic PR Sarah Skuse Partner at Bevan Brittan LLP, and Paul Birley, former Head of Barclays Healthcare

As part of its efforts the charity has brought onboard a number of high profile corporate sponsors helping to spread the word and enable the incredible intergenerational pairings at the heart of it all

G d t h received support from multi-award winning law firm Irwin Mitchell alongside proervices and investment management company Colliers, care provider management ing and coaching firm Fulcrum fine jewellery specialist Tivon and award-winning ey-base care group, CHD Living

Earlier in 2023 the Co-operative also named Adopt a Grandparent as one of its harities of the Year’ enabling shoppers to donate to the cause whenever they shop n store – doing good while getting the groceries Additionally Barclays pledged the support of its Digital Eagles who have helped to develop a bespoke training platform to impart both digital skills and the soft skills essential for younger volunteers to communicate with their elders including those with dementia or Alzheimer s

On strengthening the team at Adopt a Grandparent, the charity’s founder and CEO Shaleeza Hasham commented: It has been an incredible journey for Adopt a Grandparent, from its beginnings as a support initiative to becoming a fully-fledged arity We have touched so many lives and in turn been touched by the stories and ndships of our volunteers but there is so much more work to be done so much we can do Our new ambassadors alongside my fellow trustees and our amazing sponsors all make up a huge part of how we continue to grow and help more peoare homes across the UK having signed up with their residents volunteering for adoption including the lovely Anchor Hanover SE homes we still need more to pair with the unbelievable number of young volunteers we have There are currently more than 90,000 people signed up to adopt their own grandparents and we re excited to continue our work with them

Navigating Nursing Shortages: Legal Responsibilities & Recruitment Strategies

The care sector is facing an unprecedented recruitment challenge which is being compounded by high staff turnover (31%) and increasing vacancies (currently 8%)

While UK employers are increasingly relying on overseas workers this is not enough

It is unlikely that the NHS or government will be able to solve this issue themselves In this blog we focus on employers their legal duties towards nursing staff and how they can potentially increase the recruitment and retention of nurses

WHY IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN THE UK?

There are many factors that have influenced the nursing shortage The Covid-19 pandemic put immense pressure on the healthcare system ramping up nurse demand This resulted in significantly heavier workloads burnout and mental health issues

When you couple these poor working conditions with the severely low pay, one can understand why these professionals are choosing to leave the healthcare sector or not enter it at all

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS' LEGAL DUTIES & HOW CAN THEY HELP NURSES?

UK employers are legally required to adhere to the rules and regulations set out by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 In terms of the nursing sector employers must do everything in their power to ensure a safe working environment for nurses

This includes assessing risks (such as patient handling, use of equipment, and exposure to infectious diseases) and implementing preventative measures Additionally nurses must be supplied with the correct personal protective equipment, as this will prevent exposure to harmful pathogens

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR NURSING STAFF

Employment contracts should be fair to both parties Something that has been increasingly seen in nurses employment contracts is restrictive covenants which are more commonly known as non-compete clauses

With these clauses, an employee agrees to refrain from competing against the employer, poaching colleagues or inducing customers away from the employer Often these clauses also stipulate a geographical area where nurses may not work Employers should take care when including such clauses, as they should aim to protect the interests of the business while still being fair to the employee and any future work opportunities they may be presented with

NAVIGATING POOR WORK PERFORMANCE IN A NURSING SHORTAGE

During a crisis such as this it can be difficult for employers to navigate the way forward Should employers be dealing with issues like poor performance more leniently? And should the criteria for nursing recruitment change?

Ideally employers should always strive to attract and retain top talent One of the first courses of action you should take is to conduct a background check on your nurses This will help you determine whether they are fit to work with vulnerable adults and other groups

Additionally you should ensure they are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council) and hold a relevant associate or bachelor s degree

During the duration of the employment contract it s also essential that you conduct appraisals with your nursing staff This will help you to determine if they are still performing at a satisfactory level If not, you should use the opportunity to understand why this is the case and provide the training and support needed to improve a nurse's performance

HOW ELSE CAN YOU SUPPORT NURSING STAFF?

Many nursing staff have left their jobs in the past year citing reasons such as anxiety stress depression and other mental health issues As an employer you have a duty of care towards your nursing staff and apart from ensuring their health and safety you should also take steps to support their welfare Providing mental health support as well as training can assist nurses with the skills needed to work in such a taxing environment

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE NURSING SHORTAGE

The nursing shortage is a crisis for the UK sector and in such a climate employers are faced with the challenges of attracting and retaining skilled nurses while still ensuring legal compliance Providing employment contracts that are fair to both employer and employee can help with attracting and retaining skilled nurses Additionally employers should look to support staff welfare through mental health assistance and training

Combined Ser vice Of More Than 15 Years For Two Staff Members Celebrated At London Home

Delia says she should have retired two years ago but decided to carry on due to such a great work atmosphere

She added: I love working at MHA The Meadow

“The staff and residents are great and you do get a lot of support

I work as a domestic assistant but help out wherever I can and I still have plenty of life in me, but this will be my last job ”

Lydia added: The home is a 10-minute drive from where I live and I really enjoy working here

Listening to the residents stories and hearing how interesting their lives were is good

“It's been a great experience so far the team spirit and support system are great and I would definitely like to be here for another 10 years at least ”

The results of the risk and skin assessment

It’s Your “Turn”

By Greg Whelan,

Product & Marketing Director, Wellell UK Limited (uk wellell com)

Pressure Ulcers can be serious and lead to life threatening complications such as blood poisoning and gangrene So knowing that this can happen what are the necessary steps to help prevent these and what obstacles do care home managers encounter that can give rise to these occurrences?

A simple understanding of how pressure ulcers occur and who is most likely to get them is important and equally how can they be prevented through appropriate equipment and turning regimes

HOW DOES A PRESSURE ULCER OCCUR?

Pressure ulcers can happen when an area of skin and the tissues underneath it are damaged by being under such pressure that the blood supply is reduced commonly tending to occur when people spend long periods in a bed or chair

Anyone living in a care home can develop a pressure ulcer but some factors make it more likely

Risk factors include:

• Limited mobility or being unable to change position without help

A loss of feeling in part of the body

Having had a pressure ulcer before or having one now

Not having eaten well for a period of time and/or being dehydrated

Thin, dry or fragile skin

A significant cognitive impairment

WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE?

For people living in care homes who have one or more risk factors and who have been referred to the community nurse, a pressure ulcer risk assessment should be carried out and documented on their first visit

Make a written care plan for anyone assessed as being at high risk of developing a pressure ulcer and review it regularly The plan should focus on the actions needed to help prevent a pressure ulcer from developing taking into account:

The need for any extra pressure relief, for example a high-specification mattress and/or cushion

The person s mobility and ability to change position unaided

Any other conditions

• The person s own views and wishes including whether they are able to understand the risks and make an informed decision If not use of the Mental Capacity Act may be necessary

BUT WHAT OBSTACLES WILL THE CARE HOME MANAGER FACE WHEN MANAGING PRESSURE ULCERS?

The care home manager once faced with a client suffering a pressure ulcer is potentially exposed to a long process of nursing intervention to manage the PU (PI – Pressure Injury now in more widespread use) to get to a stage where it has fully healed Subject to the risk assessment carried out the care plan will identify what actions need to take place and regular turning on a suitable mattress is one of the critical factors in PI management and importantly prevention

Sometimes the added difficulty faced by the home is that of cost and staffing levels all of which can be managed more effectively by introducing suitable equipment to effect regular turning – both automatically and continuously, in cycles that can be identified in the Risk assessment needs and included in the care plan to be put into place

Wellell UK Limited a longstanding medical device manufacturer designed and introduced the cutting edge lateral turning mattress system Optima Turn With its multiple settings it can be used in step up and step down therapy to meet the needs of each client requiring the mattress and help either prevent or eradicate any newly acquired or historical PI whilst offering efficiency improvements enhanced care reduced staff moving and handling injuries and greater dignity to the client, especially when in a palliative state Why not ask us to demonstrate the product to you and even trial it and see how we can prove not only its clinical credibility but also the huge cost savings that it can bring to each care home After all more efficient equipment means healthier clients reduced stress levels on staff and happier family members of those clients in your care If you would like more information please contact us via our website: https://uk wellell com/en/howcan-we-help or call on 01905 774 695

care/quick-guides/help ng-to-prevent-pressure-ulcers#repos t on ng-advice

Brendan Wincott is the managing director of Guardian Support, an HR , Employment Law and Health and Safety consultancy (www guardiansupport co uk)

Extra Beds Are ‘Absolutely Necessar y’, Says BMA

Responding to the Government’s announcement of over £250m for 900 extra beds this winter

Professor Philip Banfield BMA council chair said:

“Funding for extra beds is absolutely necessary, the NHS badly needs them but this is too little too late and misses the fundamental observation that we need staff to look after the patients in them

“What has happened to the 5 000 beds promised by the Government or the 10 000 that the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have suggested are needed?

Treating more patients without the corresponding additional doctors nurses and colleagues will stretch existing staff even thinner in an already threadbare service and patients will continue to wait too long to be seen We still aren’t getting patients out of hospital to home or social care in anything like the numbers to clear the current log jams let alone with winter looming

It s disingenuous for the Government to say it is preparing the NHS for winter when the winter pressures are year round in many places It continues to insult and devalue doctors by once again cutting their pay in real terms – not only leading them to strike but driving them away from the health service

In order to adequately staff any new beds, the NHS needs to keep the workforce it already has

“There is nothing here for other areas of the health and care service including general practices facing massive challenges that worsen over winter and which is so vital at keeping people well and away from hospital Likewise for social care

“To hear that this money, announced in August, will not be available before January is a nonsense The pressure on services will have increased months before that so rather than wait until January let clinicians be the ones who decide when it is needed and where ”

The Care Show Announces Thirty Under 30 to Celebrate Young Talent in Sector

Entries are now open for the Care Show Thirty

Under 30 a brand-new initiative dedicated to fostering young talent in the care sector

The Care Show Thirty Under 30 is open to all professionals across the care sector This includes roles in residential care domiciliary care nursing catering, administration management, construction and design Individuals aged 29 and under or are turning 30 in 2023, can enter

The initiative is a celebration of tomorrow s leaders and their successes recognising 30 exemplary individuals who will receive official acknowledgement for their achievements so far and join a support network of like-minded individuals leading the sector to a brighter future

Applicants must submit a written entry and can either nominate themselves or be nominated by a colleague peer or friend The deadline for nominations is Friday 25 August with the Class of 2023 announcement on Friday 15 September The Class of 2023 will be invited to attend a ceremony on day one of the Care Show on Wednesday 11 October at NEC Birmingham

A panel of esteemed judges from across the care sector will select the Class of 2023:

• Ali Al-Mufti Director Arcadia Care Homes

Ann Taylor Chairperson Kent Integrated Care

Alliance

Ben Miller Registered Manager and Registered Mental Health Nurse, Castleford House Nursing

Home

Charles Cross, Chief Operating Officer, Anglian

Care

Dudley Saywer Co-Chair Race Equality Reference

Group Skills for Care

Paula Cashmore Founder Quality Care

Management Support

Phil Harper Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, Newman University

Rishi Jaweer Director The Jawa Group

Sophie Chester Glyn Director Coproduce Care CIC

• Zoe Fry Director The Outstanding Society

Community Interest Company

Zoe Fry, Director of The Outstanding Society

Community Interest Company said: I m thrilled

about the opportunity to be part of the inaugural Care Show Thirty Under 30 Awards as a judge It s an excellent platform to celebrate and showcase enriching careers in social care Witnessing so many talented individuals who have excelled at the beginning of their careers is truly inspiring

Ben Miller Registered Manager and Registered Mental Health Nurse Castleford House Nursing Home said: The Care Show Thirty Under 30 initiative is a great way to consider all the younger people working in social care A lot of emphasis is placed on having experience in this sector, but it is increasingly becoming a sector for younger people to thrive, grow and develop into the future of this industry and being able to recognise them is such an honour

Michael Corbett Portfolio Director at CloserStill Media – organisers of the Care Show said The Care Show team are lucky to be able to host the main event for the care community and we are keen to support the growth and future development of youth coming into the sector Thirty Under 30 allows us and many others to highlight the huge career opportunities being involved with care and change the stigma often associated to this wonderful industry We encourage everyone to nominate a colleague or be proud of your achievements and enter our latest initiative ” Visit the website to find out more information and enter

For sponsorship opportunities of the Care Show Thirty Under 30 please contact Matthew Moore on m moore@closerstillmedia com

The 2023 edition of the Care Show takes place on 12-13 October at the NEC Birmingham Find out more about the Care Show by visiting the website: careshow co uk

Scotland and Wales Patients to be Treated in England to Ease Backlog Crisis

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay has written to the devolved administrations inviting them for talks about how all parts of the UK can work together to tackle long-term waiting lists in all parts of the UK

The Department of Health and Social Care said there were “significant variations in NHS waiting times between the four UK nations Barclay even suggested Wales and Scotland had worse NHS delays than England in some areas which both devolved administrations robustly disputed

“In Wales, more than 73,000 people are waiting over 77 weeks for treatment and at least 21 600 people are waiting over 78 weeks for an outpatient, day case or inpatient appointment in Scotland,” the DHSC said in a statement

“In England waiting times for patients over 78 weeks have been virtually eliminated ”

Mr Barclay is inviting health ministers from the devolved administrations

to discuss what lessons can be learnt from the different approaches taken In England for example, NHS patients are offered a choice of provider at GP referral – NHS or independent sector – provided that it meets NHS costs and standards And from October we will proactively notify patients waiting over 40 weeks for treatment of their right to choose to be treated elsewhere

In his letter the Secretary of State writes that he would be open to requests from the devolved administrations to allow patients in Wales and Scotland who are waiting for lengthy periods to choose to be treated at providers in England NHS or independent sector – building on the current arrangements for cross-border healthcare

The Health Secretary s letter can be seen here:https://www gov uk/government/publications/letter-from-healthsecretary-to-devolved-administrations/letter-from-the-health-and-socialcare-secretary-to-welsh-and-scottish-counterparts

Worksop Care Home Named ‘Care Home Of The Year’ in Company-Wide Awards

The team at Gateford Hill Care Home in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, is celebrating after winning the 2023 Care Home of the Year award at the Maria Mallaband and Countrywide Care Awards (MMCG)

These annual in-house awards celebrate excellence in every area across the care group s 80+ care homes around the UK and its head office

Along with awards for individuals one home is named as Care Home of the Year – recognising the entire team within a home taking into account all elements including good reviews good CQC ratings high occupancy and an all-around great team environment that benefits all of those living there

This year, Gateford Hill Care Home scooped the coveted top award, celebrating the combined effort and achievement of all the staff there

Care Home Manager Jane Clinch said “We are over the moon to have been named Care Home of the Year – it is a tremendous acco-

lade, and a true testament to the hard work, compassion, kindness and commitment of the team here

“Our colleagues give their all, bringing positivity and enthusiasm to everything they do and working together to create this busy happy home I am so proud of every one of them

Gateford Hill was named Care Home of the Year following a rigorous selection process which saw the panel of judges visit all four shortlisted homes to meet with the lifestyle teams care teams managers and other staff spending time in each home and speaking to those living there

Jane Clinch added: “Those living here are at the heart of everything we do, and it is our mission is to create an environment where they enjoy happy fulfilling lives chock-full of great experiences, positive relationships kindness and fun

“Getting it right for them is the most rewarding thing for us – and this award feels like a recognition of that That’s why we’re all so thrilled to have won it!

Green Fingered Yawn Life Members Visit Care Home To Engage With Residents and Create Fruitful Allotment Area

The YAWN charity was created in 2006 by Co-founders Jeanette Tennyson and Julie Woodhouse after the pair met when they were working at a children’s care centre in Luton “Julie and I both have children with additional needs and after chatting we both agreed that there was a lack of social interactions and activities available for their age group So to fill that void we registered and created the YAWN charity,” said Jeanette

The residents have built good relationships with The YAWN Life Members and always make sure they pop out to see them for a chat to find out what they have been up to how the raised beds are coming along and to hear about the other activities they have taken part in since they saw them last,” Emma continued

At Little Bramingham Farm the Luton-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, the care team has formed a new community relationship with YAWN Life a Community Interest Company (CIC) and the day service related to the YAWN charity, which was created specifically for sociable young at heart adults who have learning disabilities

Members of the YAWN Life group visit Little Bramingham Farm every Tuesday for three hours to help with the upkeep of the care home’s beautiful gardens “It’s wonderful to have the YAWN Life team visit us each week said Karen Charity the Activities Coordinator at Little Bramingham Farm “Along with their group leaders the members are currently working hard on our six raised beds in the allotment area of our garden They have wasted no time getting their hands dirty, weeding and making the beds ready for planting They are doing a great job ”

The YAWN charity began hosting a weekly youth group in a community centre in Houghton Regis and, from the first meeting, the group proved to be a success We ran activities took our members on day trips to the seaside or theme parks and even on weekend breaks and holidays ” added Julie “Ten years ago when our own children left college and moved onto day care we were aware that a lot of our youth group were also looking at day care options, but so many were building based with no external activities Identifying this need Jeanette and I decided to branch out and create YAWN Life, our own day care service to again fill a gap in the sector and meet all the individual requirements of our members ”

Lisa Turnbull the Officer Manager at Little Bramingham Farm is a friend of Jeanette s and following a conversation the idea of YAWN Life visiting the care home was born

Emma Lawrance the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm said: “It’s so wonderful that YAWN Life agreed to visit and help with our allotments it s not only great for the YAWN Life members but also for our residents as they thoroughly enjoy getting involved chatting to the young group members and even sometimes offering gardening advice

“We have chosen Tuesdays for the visits as this coincides with our Susie s Tea Room being open This gives all the community a chance to engage together, interact with the YAWN Life team and see what a great job there are doing for us

Our allotment area is a work in progress but it s wonderful to see the YAWN Life members so engaged with what they are doing and having fun The weekly visits are an ongoing activity and once the raised beds are finished and planted, we’ve agreed with Jeanette and Julie that we ll find out what they d like to do next and make it happen Perhaps taking part in some of our activities and interacting with the residents It could be baking exercise classes arts and crafts or game sessions We ve got such a wide and varied activities calendar I m sure there will be something that they will enjoy participating in,” Emma concluded

How To Write A Social Media Policy For Care Staff

James Lintern, co-founder of staf f management software provider, RotaCloud (http://rotacloud.com/), gives us his advice on how to write a social media policy for care staf f, and how to use it to proactively minimise any potential disr uption social media can cause

“Social media plays a significant role in most people s lives nowadays but for all its positives it also contains risks, both for the individual and for employers From a business perspective one mistake can have the potential to devastate a company’s reputation, so it’s important to have a policy in place to mitigate those risks

“From a poorly judged tweet to an inappropriate public comment things can quickly escalate and go viral and with people s personal information easily available online including where they work it’s important that staff know how what they post can affect them at work And while you never want to try to police what staff do in their own time it is important for them to know that their actions can affect their employment

“This is why having a written social media policy is vital It helps you:

Ensure your employees understand their rights and responsibilities

Protects your business' reputation

Helps avoid potential legal troubles like unfair dismissal claims in case of serious policy breaches

The scope and complexity of your social media policy can vary depending on factors such as the size and nature of your business It could be a short section in your employee handbook or a standalone document that covers social media conduct on different platforms

No matter its format though, you need to make sure the policy is easily accessible to your team members And if you re adding it to an existing handbook be sure to let your staff know about the new addition

and ask them to formally acknowledge that it has been read

“A comprehensive social media policy should include the following key sections:

Introduction: Start with a clear explanation of why the policy exists and emphasise that it is not intended to control employees' behaviour outside of work hours Encourage open communication and address any concerns they may have

General guidance: Remind employees that even personal social media activity can reflect on their employer Reinforce company values code of conduct, and discrimination policy Stress that employees are responsible for their online behaviour on all platforms, including text, audio, and video content, and that any behaviour such as bullying harassment or illegal content will not be tolerated and could lead to dismissal

Confidentiality: Highlight that confidentiality agreements and data protection policies extend to social media use Link to relevant documents and explicitly state what kind of information should never be disclosed, such as information about service users or colleagues

Self-identifying: Unless specified in their job description, employees should generally not represent or advocate for the company online during personal time Encourage keeping work and private lives separate by not openly identifying as employees or using work email addresses for non-work-related activities, and emphasise that company assets should not be shared without permission If staff do choose to identify themselves as employees, advise them to include a disclaimer in their social media profiles stating that their opinions are their own

“Remember, these are general guidelines, and the specific content of a social media policy may vary depending on the organisation's needs, but these are a good baseline to start with

“Employers cannot (and should not) restrict their employees' personal social media usage or online expression, but it is important for businesses to protect their reputations from any potential fallout A clear, thorough, and regularly updated social media policy should do that, by informing employees of their responsibilities and making them aware of the potential consequences ”

For more advice on how to write a social media policy for your care business, read RotaCloud s blog here https://rotacloud com/blog/how-to-write-a-social-media-policy/

Local Carer Celebrates 15 Years Of Ser vice with Chorleywood Beaumont Care Home

A nurse at Chorleywood Beaumont Care Home in Chorleywood has received a prestigious 15 Year Long Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 15 years

Widaad Oozeeraully registered nurse and part of the night care team at Chorleywood Beaumont started at Barchester in August 2008 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that they receive an outstanding service and high quality of care over the years

Adele Keenan Employee Services Director at Barchester said I m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Widaad has achieved this milestone It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live ”

Ramona Stanciu, General Manager of Chorleywood Beaumont said: “We’re

delighted to be celebrating 15 years of loyal service with Widaad She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year Widaad is integral to the smooth running of our home an important part of our team and a loved member of the Chorleywood Beaumont family!

Widaad Oozeeraully said “It has been an honour to receive this award I have had the pleasure of getting to know and care for so many wonderful residents and their families over the years I love being at Chorleywood Beaumont it is such a beautiful home The team is so supportive and I love being part of the Chorleywood Beaumont family Thank you to my team who arranged a lovely presentation for me I haven t decided what I will spend my vouchers on yet but will enjoy doing so I look forward to working with them for many more years to come ”

What To Consider When Choosing A Staff Attack System For Care Settings

With reports revealing up to 85% of care workers experience abuse each year and thousands of serious attacks on carers recorded the need for reliable, efficient staff attack systems in care settings has never been greater

Protecting care workers is vital for staff morale and productivity but also patient care and long-term treatment outcomes

Choosing the right staff alarm system therefore requires careful consideration, and the weighing up of the following factors

EFFICIENCY & SPEED

Quick intervention is crucial when preventing a violent attack In care settings patients may become aggressive suddenly with little to no warning

The most effective staff attack systems work rapidly allowing employees to summon assistance quickly and easily should they face abusive behaviour from a service user

PRECISE

Equally, the accuracy of a staff safety system is a key consideration

When an alarm is triggered the response team should be informed of the exact location of the call – allowing for rapid intervention and thus prevention of harm

This is particularly true for large facilities with multiple floors and rooms and in cases where multiple alarms have been activated simultaneously Pinpoint s latest P2 Graphical Display Unit for example clearly demonstrates the call level and precise location of incidents on rotation enabling responders to allocate support as required

USER-FRIENDLY

Staff alarm systems for care workers should be simple-to-use and easily accessible In the face of hostili-

ty or violence carers should be able to activate their personal alarm quickly and without alerting the aggressor

This was a key factor in the development of Pinpoint’s new P2 System which benefits from a more sophisticated discreet design Worn on the staff member’s uniform, the P2 personal alarm is lightweight and easy to use Employees simply press a button on the device to call for assistance and in more high-risk situations where a service user is becoming aggressive, the worker pulls a pin from the bottom of the device to sound an emergency alarm

ROBUSTNESS

Vandalism of safety systems is not uncommon in high-risk work settings, as service users can tamper with or abuse the devices out of frustration Choosing a robust safety system is therefore an important and cost-effective measure for care homes

FOLLOW UP SUPPORT

When looking into staff attack systems it s wise to consider how much follow-up support is offered by the provider, the length of the warranty period available, and whether repairs or assistance with maintenance issues is available Doing this from the outset will prevent problems later down the line!

As rates of violence toward staff in Care settings increase so too does the need for powerful efficient staff safety systems Choosing the right system will depend on the environment in question the security needs of the staff and the threat posed by service users Keeping the above factors in mind will serve as useful guidance for facilities looking to make the best choice for the safety of their employees

Interested in learning more about Pinpoint s P2 System? Visit www pinpoint ltd uk/staff-safety-system

Select Lifestyles: A Day in the Life at Beeches Road

When supporting and empowering people with learning difficulties and complex needs a person-centred approach is fundamental A vast number of responsibilities beyond the scope and capabilities of one job role, must be performed to help clients with their day-to-day personal care

At Select Lifestyles to ensure that all of our clients needs are met we employ a number of different job roles at each of our sites – all of which have varying responsibilities For example the responsibilities of a support worker differ vastly from those of a service manager but both are equally crucial to ensure clients get the best care possible What’s more, within these job roles, every day is different to ensure clients continually receive tailored compassionate and attentive support

We hear from a few individuals who work at Select Lifestyles Beeches Road shared housing residential site, which cares for clients with Down s syndrome visual and hearing impairments autism and other learning disabilities

CHARLOTTE GOURD AND KATH FERGUSON, SUPPORT WORKERS

“Every day begins with a handover from the night staff, to ensure we’re fully briefed to care for the clients we’re working with that day Following this we help clients to get out of bed prepare breakfast and check if they have any pre-arranged plans for the day It is so important to encourage clients to do these tasks as independently as possible, whether this is prompting them to make their own bed or by encouraging them to do their own personal care A prime time to push independence is during mealtimes – this could be through meal planning, ingredient buying or cooking

If there are no pre-arranged recreational plans then we ask each client whether they would like to go out, giving them options such as the shops a local park or a nearby attraction If the answer is yes which it often is we look at the clients finances make sure all their medication is prepared and ready to take out and in the summer months make sure everyone applies plenty of sunscreen before stepping out! If

the answer is no then we spend the day indoors watching games shows or completing puzzles – the key is to find something engaging to do with clients

“We typically support two clients each day but when we have planned recreational activities as a household such as going to the zoo we tend to work together as one big team

“It is crucial to us and everyone that works at Beeches Road to have extensive knowledge of personal care plans and that we are ever perceptive to learning new things about each client This is particularly important due to the variety of learning difficulties our clients have and ensures that every individual is cared for equally and inclusively

The thing we love most about working at Select Lifestyles is helping people to make those steps to make their lives better For example one of our service users arrived at Beeches Road non-verbal by choice but after nine months he has become a bubbly individual who never

fails to shout good morning to us He grows more independent by the day and his journey perfectly demonstrates why our job can be so rewarding

KAREN MCAFEE, SCHEME MANAGER

My day-to-day role as a Scheme Manager follows a similar pattern to Charlotte and Kath’s, however I have a few additional administrational responsibilities such as supervising competency and medication training Training in the care industry is paramount to creating a strong and educated team of care professionals and this is something that Select Lifestyles highly values

I m currently working on my Level 5 NVQ in Health and Social Care and it is hugely rewarding to see my own personal growth and progression However, by far the most rewarding part of my job is seeing clients grow and become increasingly independent

For example one of our clients has lost a significant amount of weight since he first came to Beeches Road last year He has grown from a socially anxious individual who often cried out in pain to an ever-dancing joyful character which is amazing to see

“As a Scheme Manager, I also monitor staff levels and arrange shifts based on levels of skill and knowledge Auditing ordering medication and organising any necessary medical appointments are crucial parts of my daily role ensuring the smooth running of the household

“I work incredibly closely with support workers and neither role would be possible without the other Most importantly for either role as a scheme manager or a support worker you must have a naturally caring and nurturing presence and be genuinely passionate about caring for every individual client

A day in the life of anyone caring for adults with learning disabilities should always place each client at the centre of their role, and the tailored nature of care should be sensitive to the ever-changing needs of every client That s why working in care provides such a rewarding and dynamic job role with the overarching ethos of client empowerment and independence

Care Home Resident Reunites With Best Friends Of 30+ Years After Four-Year Separation

A care home resident has been granted a magic moment and was reunited with her best friends of 33 years after a long four-year stint of not being able to see each other

Ann an 84-year-old widow and resident of Weald Hall Care Home in Epping was surprised with a secret getaway from Essex to Norwich to see her friends of more than three decades

Ann, Bernie, Mick and Sheila, all in their 80s, met as neighbours but quickly became friends The group hadn t seen each other since Christmas 2019 and had planned to meet up for Mick and Sheila’s 60th wedding anniversary in 2020 but sadly Bernie became unwell and the couple were unable to attend

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and Mick and Sheila moving to Norwich the group had been unable to enjoy each other’s company and then Bernie sadly passed away in January 2021

Ann was living with undiagnosed early onset dementia and was cared for at home by Bernie before moving into Weald Hall just under a month after his death

The care team at Weald Hall decided to surprise Ann and take her to see Sheila and Mick in Norwich When reunited the trio spent their time looking at old photographs and reminiscing about the time they’d spent together over the last three decades

For Ann Bernie Mick and Sheila friendship came easily and naturally The

quartet first met when Mick and Sheila moved in next door and were greeted by Ann who offered them a cup of tea and a friendly welcome to the neighbourhood

From that point on they were the best of friends even sharing holidays both abroad and in the UK Mick recalled him and Sheila getting into the car to head off for a week-long holiday in Cornwall and when Ann asked where they were going, she and Bernie got ready and hopped into the car with them The friendship between the group was so strong that they instantly found themselves making all sorts of memories together

After years of weekly catch-ups over the phone and finally seeing her best friends Ann said:

“I have had the most wonderful day and honestly feel like I have a new lease of life!

Danielle Barham, care home manager at Weald Hall Care Home said: It s always a pleasure to go the extra mile for our residents especially those who have been through a lot and are missing their old friends

It s part of what our lifestyle team is focussed on enriching our resident s lives with events and activities that they love We’re honoured to have been able to bring a smile to Ann’s face and hope she can continue to make many more happy memories with us here at Weald Hall

Case Study: Bathing Cushion Has Enabled Carers To Bathe A Man Who Was Previously Afraid Of Water

Staff at a Yorkshire assisted living complex can deliver dignified safe supported personal hygiene to a man with dementia via Aqua Liberty- a unique bathing support system

The gentleman lives in supported accommodation and receives 24 hr care

He has recently been diagnosed with dementia and has complex mental and physical disabilities He is non-verbal and is hoisted for all transfers He has high muscle tone in his arms and legs which mean he benefits from being immersed in water He previously enjoyed baths when he lived at home and this is something his family told the care team that he loved

Since moving into supported accommodation and being diagnosed with dementia, staff had been unable to support him to shower as he became distressed when the water hit his body

He would hit out at the people supporting him Staff tried to lower him into the bath via the ceiling track hoist but as soon as his body contacted the water he became distressed Staff had therefore been strip washing daily on the bed which was also distressing for this man due to the number of movements required whilst he was lying on the bed

The Occupational Therapist involved in the man s case Julie Snowden from Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust felt that there were some issues with proprioception and him feeling unsafe and disorientated when he didn t know where his body was in space He also needed postural support as his core stability was poor and he benefited greatly from the feeling of being safe and cocooned Julie suggested trying AAT s Aqua Liberty vacuum posture support system hoisting him slowly into the bath

with the bath cushion already in place

Aqua Liberty is the only vacuum support cushion system that fits any bath and any user It is also unique in being developed in the UK in partnership with individuals with a disability and Occupational Therapists

The lightweight adjustable system comprises a central flexible backpiece that fits any bath It is quick and easy to secure into position and to remove Any of a range of mix and match vacuum posture cushions is then easily attached to the backpiece to provide infinitely remouldable, adjustable pressure-free support for the bather

In this case, a Comfortable Plus cushions was used Combining a corset and and seat in one, the Comfortable Plus Duo delivers correct torso and pelvis positioning stabilising her vertically and laterally, holding her in place without pressure By making use of vacuum technology the cushion can be precisely altered by carers to deliver optimal comfort as needed without pressure points

Commented Julie “Although he initially became slightly worried once his body came into contact with the bath cushion and he was sitting in it he became visibly relaxed Staff were able to support him to bathe for the first time! Bathing with the Aqua Liberty is now an essential part of his routine; a bath helps him to relax reduces muscle tone aids digestion and is something he now thoroughly enjoys

To find out more about the Aqua Liberty system including booking of free no obligation assessments visit https://www aatgb com/aqua-liberty/ On AAT s website www aatgb com you can also arrange a free trial of the system and ask any questions via LiveChat

National Care Awareness Sur vey 2023 Officially Launches

The National Care Awareness Survey 2023 has officially been launched inviting care professionals from across the social care industry to voice their experiences concerns and insights This initiative led by a coalition of prominent organisations including Care Campaign For The Vulnerable National Care Forum, National Care Association, The Care Workers’ Charity Institute of Health & Social Care Management and Sona aims to shed light on the challenges faced by care professionals and initiate positive changes within the sector

In an impassioned call to action the organisers of the National Care Awareness Survey 2023 have invited care professionals from all corners of the social care industry to participate The survey aims to uncover critical information about key areas affecting care professionals, with the ultimate goal of fostering improvements in the industry and elevating the quality of care provided

KEY FOCUS AREAS OF THE SURVEY INCLUDE:

Recruitment: The survey will delve into the barriers that prevent passionate individuals from joining the social care workforce By understanding these challenges the industry can work towards attracting and retaining dedicated professionals who play a vital role in the lives of vulnerable individuals

Retention Care professionals are encouraged to share their perspectives on strategies that could be employed to keep skilled and compassionate individuals within the sector The insights gathered will pave the way for better practices in supporting the existing workforce

Skill Development:Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the care sector will be explored This information is crucial for ensuring that care professionals can continually develop their

skills to provide the best care possible

Funding:The survey will highlight the pressing need for adequate resources to ensure the consistent delivery of exceptional care Participants are urged to share their experiences to advocate for improved funding structures

Wellbeing The wellbeing of care professionals is a top priority The survey will examine factors affecting their work-life balance and suggest ways to enhance their overall quality of life

Tech and Digital Solutions:With technology playing an increasingly important role in care provision the survey will investigate how digital solutions can meet evolving needs while maintaining a high standard of person-centred care

Steve Clarke Managing Director at ROAR B2B comments We recognise the invaluable contributions of care professionals within the social care industry The National Care Awareness Survey 2023 aims to provide a platform for these professionals to share their experiences, aspirations, and challenges By coming together, we can make meaningful strides towards a stronger more effective social care sector

Care professionals are urged to participate in the survey and share their unique perspectives to drive positive change within the industry The results will be used to inform policy decisions influence funding allocations and advocate for the needs of care professionals

To participate in the National Care Awareness Survey 2023 and be in with a chance to win a £200 voucher of your choice complete the 15-minte survey here

Care Resident’s Cheeky, Love Island Themed 75th Birthday

Sees Scantily Clad Guest Bring The Villa Vibe To The Home

For fans of Love Island it s been two weeks since the finale of the tenth season of the show But for one lucky care home resident and superfan of the show life at the villa resumed at her Love Island birthday party complete with a scantily clad special guest to really complete the vibe

Marion Cleak who recently celebrated her 75th birthday on Saturday is a resident at CHD Living’s Brownscombe Care Residences in Haslemere Missing her fix from the show, but with a birthday set for a week after it finished the team at the home knew what to do to bring back the Love Island energy

And while a far cry from the Love Island villa in Mallorca as Britain enjoys a wash-out few weeks the temperature certainly rose as Marion s guest of honour arrived to help her celebrate – her very own butler in the buff

Marion and her guests were given the full villa experience surrounded by colourful decorations and neon lights as the birthday girl sipped her celebratory drinks from a personalised wine glass – and mug for the essential afternoon cuppa Causing a few blushes similar to the neon lights around the villa, the tanned and toned butler provided a welcome visual distraction from the rain for all in attendance but especially the lady of the day With Love Island-themed games and drinks enjoyed by all Marion may have made a few new fans of the show by the end of her party

Throwing it back to the 2018 season’s Firefighter Challenge Marion also received a visit from local firefighters who dropped in especially to sing her a special rendition of Happy Birthday complete with fire engine and sirens

On her birthday surprise Marion said: What a wonderful day! That was a very cheeky surprise from the

staff but it made my day so memorable Celebrating with so many family and friends was very special and so much fun I’m very thankful to everyone who came to my party and for all of the wonderful surprises – I can t believe the local firefighters came just to sing to me I’m such a big Love Island fan so it was brilliant of the team to make this the theme for my party What a day!”

CHD Living’s care ethos ‘creating happiness daily’ formed a central part to the plans and preparations for the party, with the team working to make the day both personal to and perfect for Marion Brownscombe Care Residences’ Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Charlotte Wareham commented The team did a great job getting Marion s party ready She is such a warm and bubbly personality within our Brownscombe community and she has a wonderful sense of humour It s how we knew that she’d absolutely love her ‘butler in the buff’ We were so grateful to our local fire service for popping along too

While the team wanted to plan a great birthday treat we also wanted to highlight that life doesn t stop being fun simply because someone goes into care Our residents enjoy so many activities and experiences making new memories and friends – we re really proud of the sense of community here and have such a wonderful time with our residents ”

Brownscombe Care Residences will also be welcoming former Love Island star Jess Impiazzi to its Open Day event on the 18th of August set to celebrate the Residences recent award-winning refurbishment and official reopening with staff residents family, friends and colleagues from the local healthcare community

Cambridge Manor Care Home Launch Anti-Loneliness Club

With a firm belief that no one should be alone or feel lonely in their golden years Cambridge Manor Care Home, in Cambridge has launched their Anti-loneliness club; Together at 3

Members from the wider community are invited to visit enjoy complimentary refreshments & entertainment & most importantly socialise & make new friends

Amber Christou, Business Development Manager at Cambridge manor Care Home said “I am passionate about this cause here at Cambridge Manor Care Home We really want to support our community in enjoying their lives as much as possible and our Anti loneliness club is one of the best ways to do so

The anti-loneliness club at Cambridge Manor care Home runs bi-monthly every 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 2pm until 3pm, is complimentary to attend and everyone within the community is welcome

The club hosts a range of activities including flower arranging sing a long sessions afternoon tea knitting and quizzes

Chunmei Jian, Home Manager at Cambridge Manor care Home is delighted to tackle this area, "Loneliness and isolation are factors that lead to depression, and this has become widespread in recent years particularly because of the pandemic Quality of life is important to us and we are happy to host anyone who requires our assistance

Residents Create Beautiful Bug Hotels At The Manor House Care Home

Residents at The Manor House care home in North Walsham have been busy creating bug hotels which have proved popular among their relatives and visitors

So popular in fact that they have opened up an order book and will be making the hotels, and other craft items, to sell at a fair at the Norfolk home later this year

Residents Beryl Sadler and Michael Giblin love to be outside and The Manor House provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities being set in 18 acres of gardens and woodland

Home Manager Paula Pawsey said “It was Michael who first saw something online about building bug hotels and after talking with Beryl and Zoe our gardener they agreed to try and build one

The project has grown from there and with the help our maintenance man John the first bug hotel was made It looks great and is made from things found in our

for more that we have decided to make them

Paula added that many of the residents at The Manor House love to spend time in the grounds and Beryl and Michael both share a love for the outdoors

“Beryl loves to help Zoe all through the year She helps water the flowers prune the bushes and attend to the vegetable patch Beryl loves the sun as well so sits in our courtyard a lot When Michael came to the home earlier this year, she formed a love of being outside with him

“Michael is on 24/7 oxygen, and it helps him to sit outside in the fresh country air added Paula Creating a bug hotel provides hidey-holes for creatures galore and having a bug hotel in your garden can provide a safe hideaway for wildlife and help make use of garden waste

A well-built hotel can shelter anything from hedgehogs to toads solitary bees to bumblebees and ladybirds to woodlice

insects in the garden - Attracting beneficial insects that help pollinate plants and control pests

- Providing a safe and sheltered habitat for insects that are losing their natural habitats

- Teaching people about insects and their role in the environment

- Being decorative low cost biodegradable and using recycled materials

Austen House’ s Summer Fete Brings The Local Community Together

Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together at Austen House in Lower Earley to enjoy a Summer BBQ Party that was held in the home s grounds on 12th of August Austen House hosted a variety of activities throughout the day including a delicious BBQ and cocktails live entertainment by fabulous Gary and garden games which were enjoyed by everyone who came to the event Staff at Austen House made everyone feel welcome and were delighted to see different generations having fun together Visitors enjoyed plenty of refreshments, such as Mojito, Strawberry Daiquiri, Pimm s Aperol Spritz burgers hot-dogs chicken drumsticks cakes and more prepared by Hospitality and Life Enrichment teams who were

hard at work making sure that a great time was had by all – it really was a team effort!

Resident Jocelyn said, “I thoroughly enjoyed it I was surrounded by lots of great people and the refreshments kept flowing The weather wasn t perfect but couldn t stop us to have fun Staff did a great job not just on the day but organising the event and getting everyone together Joseph Patterson General Manager at the home said: “Staff at Austen House are dedicated to making sure that the home is a hub of the local community, and this event, along with all their hard work, has definitely paid off It was a resounding success!

10,000 Care Homes Supported by MAG Laundr y Equipment

MAG Laundry Equipment, suppliers of commercial washing machines and tumble dryers is proud to have supported more than 10 000 care homes across the UK in their latest milestone

Clean bedding and laundry is essential for care homes hospices nursing homes and other healthcare organisations With a nationwide fleet of accredited engineers MAG Laundry Equipment has successfully assisted over ten thousand care homes with their products services information and support MAG s product range includes commercial washing machines tumble dryers ironers presses and detergents For 100 years since 1922 MAG s products have been developed and improved to become some of the most reliable energy-efficient and affordable machines on the market

MAG also provides care homes with free ozone sanitisation and ozone generators to eliminate unpleasant odours Rooms are left sanitised smelling fresh and free from harmful bacteria and viruses

You have peace-of-mind that your care home laundry machines can quickly be maintained and repaired as MAG Laundry Equipment supply install and service equipment across England, Scotland and Wales

If you are looking for high quality wash results that remove stubborn stains then speak with MAG for their recommendations Complete thermal disinfection is a standard feature on their washing machines for nursing homes To find out more about how MAG can support your care home telephone 01422 244733 or visit: https://maglaundryequipment co uk/sectors/nursing-care-homes/

Celebrations At Lincoln Home As

Stacey Allen activity coordinator said: “Elsie’s birthday was a great day and one that we were all happy to be a part of Towards the end of the day she was tired but she had a great time and it was lovely to see her smiling throughout the day

In the morning we told her it was her birthday and she was very happy

I invited the Mayor and she was having a great time chatting away with him

I think seeing her family and celebrating her birthday at the home was the ideal way for her to celebrate the day

“It was a proper team effort from the staff especially those that work in the kitchen and the day couldn t have gone any better

App to Support LGBTQ+ People Living with Dementia

National Museums Liverpool s award-winning dementia programme House of Memories will work with Brighton and Hove LGBT+ Switchboard to create an app to support people living with dementia in the LGBTQ+ community

Funded by Alzheimer Research UK’s Inspire Fund House of Memories will work with Switchboard – a by and for charity that supports the LGBTQ+ communities – to collect a digital archive of audio video objects and photography stored in the My House of Memories app

The app will feature real life memories and experiences from the LGBTQ+ community, which people living with dementia and their loved ones can explore to create their own bespoke set of memories Users can also add their own media to further personalise the app

Through the House of Memories app Switchboard will showcase important landmarks social spaces club nights and cafés alongside drag acts trans heroes and role models from LGBTQ+ history for users to browse

The app will also tackle other subjects including PRIDE queer art and film and living through the HIV/Aids epidemic

John Hammond bereavement older people s and dementia (BOLD) project manager at Switchboard said:

This is an extremely exciting initiative and we are delighted to be funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK and to be working in partnership with House of Memories

“Many LGBTQ+ people living with dementia share both painful and uplifting life stories and this app will capture memories and experiences that are equal parts poignant and fabulous!

Carol Rogers director of House of Memories said: “Creating an app to support members of the LGBTQ+ community living with dementia and their carers is something we’re really excited about

We d like to thank Switchboard for giving us this great opportunity to collect memories from LGBTQ+ communities that will help spark conversations and improve the lives of people living with dementia

Switchboard and House of Memories are now in the process of bringing together memories and moments to include in the app If you would like to contribute email: info@switchboard org uk

Hull Dementia Care Home Appoints Experienced Manager

A care home in Hull Yorkshire that specialises in the provision of dementia care has announced the appointment of a new manager

With a strong background in health and social care, Joycelyn Tsekpo brings a wealth of experience to Wilton Lodge having worked extensively in both the NHS and the social care sector for over 15 years

During her career Joycelyn has progressed through various positions including senior care assistant and deputy manager Most recently, Joycelyn was the manager of Alderson House Care Home in Bridlington With her extensive experience and expertise, Joycelyn complements the existing care team at Wilton Lodge and provision of high quality person-centred care

Terry Peel, CEO of HICA Group, which owns and manages Wilton Lodge, said: We are thrilled to have Joycelyn join us as the new manager at Wilton Lodge

“Her extensive background in the social care sector, combined with her passion for making a difference in people s lives makes her an invaluable addition to our team

“With her leadership, we are confident that Wilton Lodge will continue to thrive and provide exceptional care to our residents ”

Based in the heart of Hull Wilton Lodge is a 48 bed care home providing specialist residential care services for older people and those living with dementia

Joycelyn Tsekpo who has lived in Hull for 20 years said: “I chose to come to Wilton Lodge because of the genuine passion shown by the team and the organisation as a whole

HICA Group s commitment to valuing people over profit aligns with my own beliefs and I am eager to contribute to an organisation that strives to make a real difference in people’s lives

“The diverse career opportunities within HICA along with the benefits for both employees and residents were also appealing

It s not just a job here; it feels like working with family and I am proud to be part of such a dedicated and talented team ”

Blueleaf Launches New Product Guide to Show Latest Innovation in Care Beds & Pressure Care Mattress Design

Blueleaf Care, the nationwide business that helps care homes deliver better outcomes has released a new product guide for its range of care beds and pressure care mattresses, to help care providers choose the most suitable beds and mattresses for their residents

Publication of the guide follows the work Blueleaf has been undertaking with bed and mattress manufacturers designing and innovating new solutions to add to its portfolio in line with its commitment to lead the way and find new and imaginative ways of solving old problems

Its collection of care beds consists of eight products each with key features to accommodate the specific needs of care home residents All beds, for example have adjustable heights - the Ultra Low Floorbed goes as low as 67mm off floor level – to improve accessibility for residents with limited mobility and to minimise the risk of injury in the event of a fall

Blueleaf works with the bed manufacturers to ensure that the beds also support the carers to give the best care An adjustment in the bed design for example means that when purchased with a Blueleaf mattress beds do not require a third rail and still meet industry regulations for rail to mattress height This also saves time in an environment where time is a rare commodity and supports improved health and safety as they are not having to remove and install the rail each time

Other features include a lockable handset and a range of upholstery options Various wood finishes are also available for a design tailored to every individual room With ease and efficiency in mind all beds have a tool-less assembly removing the need for specialist equipment; and they use standard components meaning that they re easy to fix should they require repairs; and many components are simply plug and play connections

Additionally Blueleaf s collection of pressure care mattresses provide a vital solution to another widely prevalent challenge in care homes: the prevention, cure and treatment of pressure ulcers The collection

comprises the ‘SXM range of static mattresses and the ‘Easy Care’ range of dynamic mattresses with the latter also featuring a cushion system and multifunctional pumps The collection also includes the ‘Integra-mat’ which is exclusive to Blueleaf and can be used as a static or fully dynamic mattress and the ‘Pressureguard’ which is a mattress system with adjustable height air cells to achieve zero pressure

Each product contains various features that make them suitable for a wide range of residents with grade 1-4 pressure ulcers The collection also delivers a range of benefits for carers For instance the highly advanced pump system automatically weighs the resident and adjusts mattress pressure accordingly, removing the need for manual weight input and individual pressure adjustment

Nick Frogbrook CEO of Blueleaf says that its range of beds and mattresses is yet another way in which

Blueleaf is striving to identify and resolve the challenges affecting care homes: Each care home resident will have a specific set of physical challenges that deserves a tailored solution,” he explains

We are proud of how closely we work with our manufacturers and how we re able to use our collective experience and knowledge of care homes when designing care equipment It is the team’s dedication to supporting carers to give the best care that results in updated products which are seen in our extensive range of beds and mattresses We know how important it is for care home providers to have a range of options when choosing the most appropriate equipment for each resident and in doing so deliver a better quality of care We also know how important it is not just to keep pace with innovation but actually be ahead of the curve to improve outcomes for every member of staff, resident and family member ”

To download more information on Blueleaf s range of beds and mattresses or to book a meeting visit: www blueleafcare com/our-services/products/care-home-equipment/care-beds-and-pressure-care-mattresses

“Just Love” Secret To Happy Marriage As Couple At Cheshire Home Celebrate 66th Wedding Anniversar y

Rita is originally from Clayton-le-Moors and Harold is from Blackburn Harold moved in first around 11 months ago followed by Rita in March 2023

Speaking after the celebrations the couple said:

“We had a great time it was wonderful

“Everything about the day was really good from the morning all the way into the evening

“The best part was being able to spend it together

20’s

They have two children, a son, Andrew and daughter, Christine who visited the couple in the morning

“We enjoy living here and even more so because we are together

The secret to a happy and long married life is just love

Local Care Home Worker’s Marathon Effort For Charity

On September 10th, a brave member of staff from Barchester Healthcare’s Lanercost care home in Carlisle will be taking on the gruelling Great North Run to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation The Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities

Dementia Specialist Nurse Thomas Hodges will don his lycra put on his trainers and use grit and determination to complete the 13 1 mile half marathon course that starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and takes thousands of runners over the iconic Tyne Bridge in order to raise funds for Barchester s Charitable Foundation

Tom has worked for Barchester for over four years and loves his job supporting residents living with dementia across Barchester’s Northern division A keen runner Tom has been training hard in the Lakes where he lives and hopes his hilly training runs will give him an advantage over the relatively flat Great North Run course If you would like to support him please visit Barchester’s Charitable Foundation: Tom s Charity Page (enthuse com), all

donations will be very gratefully received

Tom comments: This is my first ever race and I m really excited to take part I got into running about three years and I absolutely love it, despite having had a fair few injuries I m hoping to raise lots of money for the Foundation I know all the staff residents and relatives at Lanercost and my friends and family are all behind me and their support plus the money I m raising will help me go the distance!

Ser ve Afternoon Tea in Style with Euroser vice

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 cloud-based technology (see final paragraph) can take this a stage further with apps available which allow monitoring of fire safety on a mobile phone

In many applications delays in sending a fire alarm signal to an ARC are often deliberate to allow time to investigate to see if it is a false alarm or of a scale that can be tackled safely with a fire extinguisher However as is clearly stated in the British Standard this is not the case in a care home

Turning to the issue of false alarms, as indicated in the extract from BS5839-1, the requirement is for a maximum of 1 false alarm per 20 detectors annually Obviously, zero false alarms is an even better scenario in an application where an alarm can cause panic confusion and considerable disruption Systems are now available which will provide a guarantee of no false alarms with multi-criteria detection technology which detects a fire incident quickly without being impacted by deceptive phenomena such as toasters or steam Crucial to this is drift compensation whereby the sensitivity of the detector is automatically adjusted to reflect the build-up of dust or dirt, without, importantly, affecting response times

CLOUD-BASED TECHNOLOGY

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

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

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

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

Storrington Care Home Partner With The Village Hub To Organise High Tea Event For The Local Community

Residents and staff from Care South’s Sussexdown residential care home in Storrington enjoyed an afternoon tea with the community in partnership with The Village Hub, a shop cafe, and community hub for the people of Storrington which is run by the Life Community Church Storrington

The Village Hub and Sussexdown put on a spectacular high tea for the team residents and members of the local community The Village Hub hold afternoon teas monthly but due to the number of people who were attending this event they needed a larger space

Thankfully Sussexdown were able to host the event Residents helped the kitchen team to prepare quintessential items including a variety of sandwiches, scones and a variety of cakes One of the residents said: The event was great Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food that we helped prepare and it went down a treat!”

The fun didn’t stop there as everyone continued the event in the garden with a game of croquet and those who took part enjoyed some light-hearted competition

Lynne Hudson Home Manager at Sussexdown said: We extended the invitation to the local community to join the high tea event and were overwhelmed by the attendance of people from the local area Events like these are an important part of our activities at the home helping to keep residents engaged with the local community Thank you to The Village Hub for helping to make this event happen ”

Jodie Davies Outreach and Community Coordinator of The Village Hub said: “It was a lovely time for our regulars from The Village Hub to attend the high tea event at Sussexdown They had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves ”

Miele Professional Unveils Shining New Look For Its Test Wash Facility Experience Centre

Leading commercial appliance manufacturer, Miele Professional, have announced the reopening of its Test Wash Facility experience centre providing businesses a unique opportunity to test out its commercial machines before investing

Located in Miele’s headquarters in Abingdon Oxfordshire; the Test Wash facility has had a total redevelopment to enable a full working showroom to show the capabilities of the professional equipment across both laboratory, hospitality and care

The redevelopment saw the entire centre being stripped out removing unnecessary features to make way for updated models, alongside new, specially made furniture as well as graphics with key messaging

Speaking on the significance of the reopening Simon Venni Sales Director at Miele Professional commented: “We know for any business purchasing commercial machines can be a big investment; especially in a time where collectively we are becoming more cautious about costs Thanks to the redevelopment of our Test Wash facility, businesses can now come and try out our

commercial machines in person before purchasing This enables us to demonstrate that they are making the best investment for their business; as Miele machines are built to last for thousands of hours whilst continuing to deliver excellent results

The Test Wash Facility experience centre will now allow a broad range of businesses to test a variety of Miele’s commercial machines across a range of sectors

Continuing, Simon added: “We also hope the reopening of the centre will challenge standards within the commercial equipment industry There is an expectation that regardless of where professional machines come from, they will deliver great results Here at the experience centre we encourage businesses to try and test our professional machines so they can see the results for themselves”

Miele will also invite local businesses in Abingdon to come and visit the centre where they can tour the Test Wash centre and enjoy a coffee before trying out the commercial machines

Air Pollution Linked To Increased Use Of Psychiatric Ser vices By People With Dementia

Researchers at King’s College London have found that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increase in use of mental health services by people with dementia

Over the past year the evidence has been building around the link between air pollution and an increased risk of developing dementia But little is known about how exposure to the most common forms of air pollution – nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter – can impact people already living with the condition Now this new research suggests a knock-on effect of air pollution on already over-stretched health services and the lives of people living with dementia

The researchers funded by mental health charity MQ and others looked at community mental health service use over nine years by over 5 000 people aged 65 and over All participants lived in four boroughs of south London –

Croydon Lambeth Lewisham or Southwark – following their initial dementia diagnosis between 2008 and 2012

The study published in medical journal BMJ Mental Health measured cognitive function and health and social functioning at three points in time – up to 12 months after diagnosis up to five years after diagnosis and up to nine years after diagnosis They then looked at quarterly published estimates for NO2 and particulate matter – covering the areas around the participants homes during the same timeframe “As you increase the dose of air pollution, the likelihood of using community mental health teams increased as well lead author Dr Amy Ronaldson research fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry Psychology

and Neuroscience at King’s College London told the i newspaper

Those in areas with higher levels of NO2 were 27% more likely to use community mental health services than those living in areas with the lowest levels while those exposed to the highest levels of particulate matters were 33% more likely to use them The effects appeared stronger for people vascular dementia than other forms of dementia

The results suggested air pollution might be having its effect through its impact on physical health – and therefore daily activities – of people with dementia and could therefore be detrimental to their mental health Dr Ronaldson added

Due to the observational nature of this study the researchers said that “no firm conclusions could be drawn about cause and effect However they suggested that if the annual level of exposure to particulate matter in London was reduced as recommended by Alzheimer s Research UK and The World Health Organisation the number of community mental health service contacts made by people with dementia could fall by 13%

Dr Susan Mitchell Head of Policy at Alzheimer s Research UK said the Government can t continue to turn a blind eye to air pollution” and that its proposed changes could be “a decade too late”

She added: “As well as urgent action to bring levels down there is a pressing need to find out more about exactly how air pollution affects dementia risk This evidence will allow Government and policymakers to develop policies that can reduce the impact of air pollution exposure on people at risk of developing dementia and those living with the condition

Cha-Cha Loving Resident Norma Has A Toe-Tapping 100th Birthday

At Orford House the Coulsdon-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly twinkle-toed resident Norma Cordwell has been celebrating her 100th birthday in true dancing queen fashion

Norma was born in Hong Kong and raised by her Grandmother has been a resident at Orford House since January 2020 Norma has always been passionate about dancing and has fond memories of teaching children to dance when she was younger I can t remember going to school in Hong Kong and as a child I was unable to read and write,” said Norma “I would have liked to have attended school like other children but back then it wasn t to be

Not attending school didn’t stop Norma She turned her hand – or rather feet

to dance “I cannot tell you how much I loved – and still love – dancing ” Norma continued Back in the day I gave lessons to local children teaching them Ballroom and Latin dance steps, which were all the rage at the time

By far my favourite dance is the Cha-Cha I remember it was so popular in the 50s and it’s one of the dances that I love watching on Strictly Come Dancing

When the couples do the Cha-Cha it makes me want to get up and start dancing myself I suppose I love it so much as you can really get your hips moving to the music My second favourite dance is the Jive as that really gets you moving as well Norma added

The Cha-Cha, which originated in Cuba, was originally created from two other dances – the Mambo and the Danzon and has a basic step pattern of three steps and a shuffle “Someone once told me that it was a dance teacher called Pierre Lavelle who brought his version of the Cha-Cha to the UK and that the famous American dancer Arthur Murray put his spin on the footwork and simplified it to a 1-2-3 Cha-Cha rhythm as he believed it would be easier for his dance students to pick up I found that quite interesting continued Norma

Michelle Kennet the Registered Manager at Orford House said: Norma is a lovely funny lady with a

marvellous sense of humour and beautiful smile She is adored by all of the care team and the other residents and a much loved member of the Orford House family Norma is the life and soul of any party and is not one to sit still she s always on the go taking part in lots of our activities especially anything to do with dancing or exercise

“Norma is particularly fond of dancing and often tells us tales of her dance teaching days However Norma is a woman of many talents and also loves to sing When we have our regular visiting entertainers, Norma is the first to take her seat to cheer the performers on and join in with any songs

For her milestone centenary birthday the care team made sure Norma had a day to remember with banners gifts cards – including a very special congratulatory card from The King – a delicious birthday cake and afternoon tea –along with, of course, plenty of music for dancing

Dancing is a great form of exercise for anyone but especially good for older people as it has so many health and wellbeing benefits For example, dancing improves cardiovascular health strengthens muscles and bones improves balance and coordination can improve memory and gives you a wonderful confidence boost We are so happy that Norma still enjoys dancing she s an inspiration to us all added Michelle

“I’ve had a wonderful 100th Birthday, it’s been a fantastic day, the care team have made it really special for me The care I receive here is second to none Everyone is so polite and caring, they always go the extra mile for us all and nothing is ever too much trouble added Norma To think 100 years ago when I was born so much took place King Tutankhamun's Burial Chamber opened by Howard Carter Mount Etna erupted and construction started on the Sydney Harbour Bridge – and the dance phenomenon of the year was The Charleston –I think I d love that dance too as it would definitely get my hips moving concluded Norma

Greenwich Academic Secures Grant To Develop

Help for Those Newly Diagnosed with Dementia

Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, Dr Charlotte Stoner, received a two-year research grant to begin developing a post-diagnostic intervention for people who have just received a diagnosis of dementia and their family in the NHS

The work is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and will be focused on developing techniques to emotionally manage the impact of the diagnosis and promote psychological adjustment in the immediate post-diagnostic period The two years of research focuses on qualitative research and will aim to improve understanding of the personal impact a diagnosis can have as there is currently very little research in this area

Researchers will have direct contact with NHS Memory clinics and undertake qualitative work to better understand what is feasible and what challenges may arise if they want to implement intervention techniques Importantly the work will be co-produced with an advisory board which will include people with dementia

Dr Charlotte Stoner senior lecturer in Psychology believes this research would help people long term:

“The idea is that this intervention becomes part of standard care within NHS memory clinics Long term, we would hope to see rates of depression and anxiety fall and general well-being in people with dementia and their families after someone has been diagnosed rise

We hope long term this would be a culture change in how the diagnosis and post-diagnostic care are approached in the NHS”

The bulk of the research will be done through two qualitative research studies The first study will be a national survey and in-depth interviews with people with dementia and their families

From this study the hope is to understand more about the impact a diagnosis of dementia can have what support was offered at the point of diagnosis and what those diagnosed would like to see offered to people going through this process

This research s site sponsor is North East London NHS Trust and the co-investigators are Prof Aimee Spector at University College London, Dr Linda Birt at the University of Leicester and Dr Helen Durgante at the University of Pelotas in Brazil

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Southern Contracts - Commercial Laundr y & Catering Appliances

SOUTHERN Contracts is one of the UK s leading suppliers of industrial laundry, catering and commercial cleaning equipment

We work with many local and national care and nursing homes hotels restaurants, holiday parks, cruise lines, offshore platforms, marine companies and local authorities the NHS the MoD as well as schools and colleges

Founded in 1964 to initially supply and maintain commercial laundry equipment we are now in our third generation and still very much a family run business We are proud to have become a global supplier of not only laundry equipment, but with knowledge gleaned over the years, we are also a go-to company for professional kitchen appliances and commercial cleaning equipment,

keeping disruption to a minimum for our clients, whilst covering all aspects of delivery installation customer training ongoing maintenance service and repair

We hold many accreditations for safety and service excellence, providing peace of mind to our existing and potential customers

For more information regarding our services for :

Forbes Receives High Profile Recognition for their Sustainable Rental Solutions

Forbes Professional has recently garnered high-profile recognition for their commitment to sustainability and exceptional customer service A national provider of sustainable rental options for commercial laundry provision, Forbes Professional has been honoured with the prestigious Best Independent Retailer - Sustainability Award at the IER (Independent Electrical Retailer) Awards Forbes also received high commendation for its dedication to customer service, further solidifying its position as a leader in the industry

In an era where environmental responsibility is paramount rental presents itself as a more sustainable procurement solution than outright purchase supporting the circular economy and enabling multi-phase product cycles Forbes consultants work with clients

Girbau UK Launches Under Counter Washer and Dr yer Models

Well known for its robust commercial and industrial laundry equipment Girbau UK has launched its first professional grade Under Counter washers and dryers that fit underneath standard 900mm height counters Both machines combine energy efficiency ease of use and compact size with high quality durable construction making them ideal for a wide range of applications including care and nursing homes

The new Under Counter washer s strong stainless steel Active Drum™ design has hourglass lifters that guide loads to gentler central areas for better load balance and reduced wear on delicate items A 180-degree open-

ing door makes the machine easier to load and unload from a basket It is available with a choice of 6kg or 8kg capacity with either a pump or gravity drain

Quiet long-life operation is assured thanks to the washer s sturdy Quattro™ construction with durable shock absorbers that allow virtually vibration-free high-speed spinning Rather than cheap concrete counterweights the washer features cast iron stabilisers for higher spin speeds better water extraction and increased spin efficiency

The washer features an easy-to-use liquid crystal display user interface It features 28 flexible programs three of which are customisable as well as disinfection mop microfibre and allergy settings It also comes with in-built service diagnostics The delayed start function can be used to plan ahead and set machines to run off-peak to optimise use of cheaper energy tariffs

The new Under Counter dryer can also be stacked on top of the washer to save floor space The 6kg capacity model is available in both condenser and vented versions and the 8kg capacity model is vented The Sensi Dry system automatically determines the right drying time saving energy and assuring fabric care Its convenient auto programs save energy as the running time is automatically adjusted according to load size and the required dryness

Butterfly drying ™ tumbling in a figure of eight movement non-stop in one direction stops clothes from bundling and ensures long life durability of the motor and belt The efficient lint filter has an automatic indicator to remind users to clean it for optimum energy efficiency and safety

The dryer’s memory function remembers the last program used including any chosen settings so if nothing needs to change, you can simply press start for the next load

The new Girbau under counter washer and dryer are now available to order from Girbau UK www girbau com

Preser ving Identity and Preventing Loss:

Cash's Apparel Solutions' Centur y-Long Legacy

Cash's Apparel Solutions has been at the forefront of manufacturing woven nametapes for over a century, serving the nursing home sector and beyond Their nametapes have become synonymous with preserving identity, preventing lost garments and delivering personalised identity items and gifts

Preserving dignity Cash s woven nametapes provide a simple yet effective solution to labelling clothing in nursing homes minimising distress caused by lost garments, fostering an environment where residents are seen and respected for who they are Cash s has earned a global reputation for reliability and quality Their woven nametapes are sold and utilised worldwide serving as a testament to their effectiveness

In addition, Cash s Apparel Solutions goes beyond their renowned nametapes Their expertise in weaving and personalisation allows them to create a diverse range of identity items and gifts From personalized badges to custom keyrings and promotional products Cash s demonstrates their versatility in

meeting unique customer needs By offering tailored solutions, they celebrate individuality, making a significant contribution to the spirit of personalisation and fostering a sense of belonging

A Century of Excellence: Cash s century-long presence in the industry showcases their enduring commitment to excellence They have adapted and innovated, embracing modern technology and evolving customer demands Cash s unwavering dedication to their craft and the nursing home sector demonstrates their genuine concern for residents well-being and comfort

In conclusion, Cash s has established itself as a leader in manufacturing woven nametapes, personalised identity items and gifts With their century-long legacy of quality, reliability, and attention to detail Cash s continues to make a significant impact in the nursing home sector and beyond By preserving identity preventing loss, and embracing personalisation, Cash s Apparel Solutions truly embodies their commitment to enhancing safety dignity and individuality in care facilities worldwide

Visit www cashslabels com

DYSPHAGIA AND CATERING

allmanhall Explore Why Seasons Matter When Creating Menus For Your Residents

Having an array of food available all year round may seem like a good thing

However this vast choice can have a negative impact on the environment the economy and - perhaps more surprisingly - on the nutritional status of food

In general fruits and vegetables are picked at the peak of their ripeness This is also the peak of their nutritional status

When out of season produce is helped to grow in the UK the environmental impact can be astronomical – local is not always better especially if growing it here out of season means carbon intensive methods

If transported to the UK from overseas, it will start to age whilst travelling This ageing leads to fresh foods losing nutritional density and not providing the same benefits as if eaten when freshly picked: between 5 to 40% lower in vitamins and minerals

Why does this matter in your care homes? Smaller appetites and therefore smaller portions make it vital that food served and eaten is as nutritionally dense as possible If

you can make your menus more in-season you are potentially increasing the nutritional density of your residents’ meals

What’s more in-season produce is also likely to be better quality and value!

2 TOP TIPS:

1 Know your seasons Work with a food procurement expert like allmanhall who fully understand the complexities of food supply and who can provide nutrition and buying advice You can also make use of allmanhall s seasonality guide

2 Provide variety Although sticking to seasons may mean you’re choosing foods from a smaller pool do still focus on variety to deliver a greater assortment of nutrients to support the overall health of your residents It will also help positively impact gut health through more diverse good gut bacteria

For further information please see the advert on this page

* Researcher University of Austin

The NACC Care Chef of the Year 2023 Finalists Announced

After some particularly challenging heats the line-up of care chefs set to compete in the national final of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2023 competition has been announced

In June, regional heats were held across the NACC Regions –Midlands, South East Scotland, North, South West and Wales – with care chefs demonstrating that they can compete with the best when it comes to culinary skills The prize is to represent their region in the national final scheduled to take place on 3rd October 2023

Once again this year s lead judge was Steve Munkley Vice President of Craft Guild of Chefs who attended each region to ensure continuity The chefs had to demonstrate to the judges their full understanding of the meals they are providing for their residents whilst introducing their own flair through contemporary flavours

The finalists who intend to impress the judges one more time include:

• Nigel Cooke – Eastcote Park Cinnamon Care Collection

Alex Millichamp – Chandler Court Care UK

• Chris Mattinson – Sycamore Court, Caterplus/Elior

Brian Preston – RBL Lister House – Royal British Legion

• Jessica Vreede – Guthrie House, Four Seasons Health Care

Graham Watson – Lauder Lodge Care UK

• Kasia Hab-Bialkowska – Highmarket House Care Home, Care UK

Chris Mitchley – St John’s House, Castlemeadow Care

Darren Nelson – Trymview Hall Care Home Care UK

Daniel Bree Hartwood House Cinnamon Care

Alex Connell Vegetarian for Life

Dav d Sharp Signature for Barnet Signature Care

The ninety-minute regional heat focused on the importance of food nutrition and positive mealtime experiences as part of quality care entrants are challenged to create an appealing and delicious twocourse menu (main and dessert) appropriate for people in a care setting The combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £3 50 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced The menu must also feature at least one product from Unilever Food Solutions’ sector-relevant catering range

Lead Judge Steve Munkley said: “I have been incredibly pleased with the standards I have seen so far This is a really important competition that shows highlights the skills within the care sector ” Sue Cawthray National Chair of the NACC said Congratulations to the finalists of the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition 2023! The calibre of entries for this competition continues to be incredibly high and we have seen exceptional dishes created and served by chefs across the regional heats The finalists should be immensely proud of their efforts so far I know that they will want to impress the judges in October

DYSPHAGIA AND CATERING

Groundbreaking ProjectFIT IDDSI Drinks Solution: Revolutionizing Dysphagia Care in the UK

Refreshment Systems Limited (RSL) introduces the ProjectFIT IDDSI drinks solution catering to individuals living with dysphagia – a swallowing disorder affecting around 8% of the UK population Dysphagia can significantly impact a person s quality of life affecting nutrition hydration and social interactions RSL s innovative push-button solution provides hope and convenience to patients and caregivers/clinicians alike

Collaborating with colleagues in Belgium through Bravilor the ProjectFIT team developed a cutting-edge counter-top machine that delivers a range of hot and cold beverages with various flavours customized to specific IDDSI levels By automating the preparation process the solution ensures each drink is consistently prepared offering patients the preferred beverage without unexpected variations

The adherence to strict IDDSI guidelines guarantees the appropriate viscosity and texture for safe swallowing reducing the risk of choking or aspiration The automated process streamlines preparation saving valuable resources and allowing caregivers/clinicians to focus on patient care The elimination of manual preparation results in cost and labour benefits making it a financially viable option for healthcare providers

An essential feature of the ProjectFIT IDDSI drinks is their amylase-resistant properties, maintaining the desired viscosity throughout consumption, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for patients

The solution offers a wide range of exciting flavours, including Orange Apple & Peach, Lemon Tea, Coffee, and Tea, encouraging patients to stay hydrated and maintain proper nutrition RSL and ProjectFIT plan to introduce even more flavours in the future expanding the range of enjoyable and safe beverages for individuals with dysphagia

With over 50 years of experience in coffee vending and providing solutions to the UK Care Home NHS and Private Healthcare markets RSL is a trusted leader in the industry The introduction of the ProjectFIT IDDSI drinks solution reinforces their dedication to enhancing the lives of dysphagia patients and caregivers/clinicians

The future of dysphagia catering in the UK looks brighter than ever before thanks to the groundbreaking ProjectFIT IDDSI drinks solution from RSL Focused on consistency safety and enjoyment this innovative solution promises to improve the overall quality of life for individuals with dysphagia marking a significant advancement in dysphagia care

Search for RSL Vending or contact us using details below

www refreshmentsystems co uk 0800 169 3686 info@refreshmentsystems co uk

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 accompanied by whipped cream, garnished with seasonal fresh fruit

Our hot desserts are high in energy our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense

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

VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

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

Catering

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

Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit

CLEANING AND HYGIENE

Omnitex Hygiene Products Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection

Omnitex represents all round protection and hygiene products Launched in 2015 it has quickly become a brand synonymous with high quality used everyday by thousands of individuals and healthcare facilities throughout the UK and Europe All products are manufactured in ISO9001 and ISO13485 certified facilities

Omnitex Body Cleansing wipes are a large size which the ideal thickness for a comfortable cleaning experience Bulk pack of 80 wipes with our unique enriching formula and microwaveable

Microwaveable for a warm bed bath

Lightly fragranced and with a honeycomb texture on Wipes facilitating better cleaning coverage absorbency and hygiene

• If following the 8-wipe bed bath protocol each pack will allow for 10 cleanses Cost saving Pack of 80 wipes

One wipe for each area of the body : Face Neck

Chest, Arms, Perineum Legs, Back & Buttocks

Dermatologically Tested

Latex Free Alcohol Free Parabens Free

• No water required

Omnitex is a Brand representing British Quality in PPE and Incontinence Products

A wide range of PPE Medical Grade Masks Shoe Covers, Disposable Aprons, Mob caps & Gloves

Omnitex also includes a premium range of Incontinence Bed Pads and Mobility Consumables

Contact 0141 778 6017 sales@omnitex-uk com or visit www omnitex-uk com

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

Swiftclean Support for Care Homes

these are the industry standards which are recognised as key in each specialist area

With all our services excellent work is only half the story In the event of an inspection you will need to be able to demonstrate that your care home is compliant; it won’t be enough for you to know that it is We provide all the required documentation including before and after photographs and post clean and maintenance reports so you can be sure that your service users are safe and you are protected from any liability for negligence

Contact us now to book in your free care home assessment on 0800 243 471 or email info@swiftclean co uk www swiftclean co uk

AND HYGIENE

Wipertec - Hygenic Wipes for Care

With over 25 years experience of manufacturing both dry wipes and wet wipes to ISO9001 standards, Wipertec offer both our own established brands and customer own private label

At Wipertic we recognise that if there’s one thing that is vital in care home environments it’s cleanliness!

Elderly residents become more prone to infection and illness and are not as resilient as they once were, which is why they are more disposed to the spread of infections

Furthermore a clean hygienic care home is not only vital for resident safety but also important in terms of aesthetic appeal a clean environment helps to foster a positive caring environment where residents feels safe and their loved ones assured With respect to residents personal hygiene one of the most crucial responsibilities that care home staff perform is ensuring and maintaining the personal cleanliness of residents

Correct cleaning minimises the danger of illness and infection enhances the resident’s overall health and wellbeing helping to keep them happier by increasing their sense of pride and dignity When bathing patients wipes are among the most regularly used items for incontinence care or general cleansing assisting in the safe and complete cleaning of residents in a comfortable manner

We at Wipertec can provide an extensive range of formats such as single sachet individual wipes packs canisters and buckets

Our products can be seen globally across a wide variety of sectors such as healthcare industrial retail education and many more

With the efficient service we provide, we like to think of ourselves as another valued member of your own team!

We would love to hear from you!

For any further information you require and to see our comprehensive range please visit us at www wipertecltd co uk

edencleen from Cleenol

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

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

• RSPO certified palm oil derivatives

No animal derived products

• Cruelty free

• Minimal petrochemical derived products

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

VOC free and phosphate EDTA NTA free

Recyclable / recycled packaging

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

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

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

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

See the advert below for further information

•

With over 25 years experience of manufacturing both dry wipes and wet wipes to ISO9001 standards.

Mylux Dry Wipes

•

•

• Stronger and Thicker

• General Cleaning

Mylux Skin Wet Wipes

• Luxury wipes range, ideal for use on sensitive skin

• Polyester/ viscose spunlace fabric material

• Absorbent with a superior silky soft feel

MACERATABLE

• Designed for use in macerator systems

• Made from cellulose based airlaid paper

• Ultra absorbent, strong both wet and dry

We can provide an extensive range of formats such as single sachet individual wipes, packs, canisters and buckets.

We offer both our own established brands and customer own private label.

Our products can be seen globally across a wide variety of sectors such as healthcare, industrial, retail, education and many more.

BIOCOMP

• Biodegradable & Compostable dry wipe

• Plastic free and Eco Friendly

• Very absorbent

MULTIPURPOSE

Colour Coded Cleaning wipes for infection control

• 50% Viscose, much higher absorbency than industry standard fabric

Mylux Surface Wet Wipes

AQUASURF

Water based disinfection wipes

• Antibacterial & Antiviral (plus Coronavirus)

• Strong polypropelene fabric

• Ocean fresh fragrance

DETCARE

• Detergent cleaning wipes

• Perfect for general surface cleaning

• Strong polypropelene fabric

• Ocean fresh fragrance

BIOSKIN

• Biodegradable wet wipes range

• Very strong

MACSKIN

• Made from cellulose based airlaid paper

The efficient service we provide we like to think of ourselves as another valued member of your own team.

BIOSURF

• Biodegradable wet wipes range

• Plastic free and eco friendly

• Lemon Fragrance

SCRUB & CLEAN

• Technical abrasive fabric

• Antibacterial & Antiviral (plus Coronavirus)

• Degreasing formulation

• Lemon Fragrance

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

New Lines Added To Our Favourite Chamonix Designs

Skopos has more than 50 years’ specialist experience in the design and manufacture of high-performance FR contract fabrics for the care sector

As a key part of many care-home schemes our Chamonix upholstery fabrics provide a durable and stylish solution to contract furniture in demanding environments For 2023 we are launching our follow-on collection: Chamonix Deuxième brings a new colour story to contract upholstery A fresh influx of these three well-loved upholstery fabric designs Chamonix Deuxième provides even greater choice With 38 new Skus each design works beautifully alone or in combination, to create simple, contemporary and stylish contract

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 Alternative Positioning Support – also available in two sizes which has removable side cushions and

BIOFROST

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 candsseating 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 5

MOWOOT II for Life Free from Constipation

MOWOOT II is a groundbreaking non-invasive and non-pharmacological solution to chronic constipation

Developed by a team of doctors and other healthcare professionals, the MOWOOT II performs gentle abdominal massage that speeds up intestinal transit in people suffering with chronic constipation

Clinically proven safe and effective easy to use relaxing and side-effects free the MOWOOT II Abdominal Massage Therapy System combats constipation allowing the sufferers to enjoy the freedom of a healthy life

Easy to use and comfortable MOWOOT II treats and manages chronic constipation in people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson s Disease patients and when constipation is caused by drugs and pharmacological interventions MOWOOT II also helps people combat idiopathic chronic constipa-

tion such as suffered by menopausal and postmenopausal women and the older and elderly people

In clinical studies

MOWOOT II was found to increase evacuation frequency, soften stools, improve regularity reduce gasses and bloating and relieve abdominal discomfort

Just 10 to 20 minutes per day of relaxing abdominal massage therapy with MOWOOT II produces noticeable improvements Significant results are experienced few days after the first treatment Regular applications ensure lasting improvements and better quality of life

MOWOOT II – the effective solution to chronic constipation and the way to a healthier life!

For more information, contact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 - www win-health com

See the advert on page 3 for further details

furniture pieces In an extensive palette ranging from staple neutrals to fashion-led brights colours can be selected and combined to fit with any chosen project scheme Orelle Marmotte and Slalom are provided with Crib 5 Flame Retardant backing soil and stain resist finish and a waterproof layer and meet the requirements for severe contract situations with 50 000 Martindale rubs offering a beautiful choice for any contract interior

The collection meets the requirements for Flame Retardancy standards across the UK and Europe, and meets IMO standards with the added benefit of the MED wheelmark for marine/cruise-line interiors Available immediately with short lead-times for larger order quantities Skopos are pleased to add this collection into their Accents range For a copy of our Chamonix Deuxième shade-card pls contact our customer service team: sales@skopos co uk or for free samples of Chamonix Deuxième or any of our collections, visit our website www skoposfabrics com or see page 5 for details

Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free 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

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

T: 01835 864864866 / E: info@win-health com

/

W: www win-health com

See the advert on page 3 and the front cover

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

B-Sure Recycling Launches Waste Management Company

THE COMPLETE RECYCLING SOLUTION FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS WASTE

B-Sure Installations a leading UK installation company for the care home and healthcare sector in the UK

The Leicestershire-based company has recently invested over £70k to launch a new waste management company B-Sure Recycling

The new enterprise helps customers many of which include residential care homes reach mounting waste management targets by providing a complete collection and recycling service of all types of business waste

How we manage waste is a huge environmental and business concern for the healthcare sector Reaching recycling targets through circular economy solutions are a significant part of environmental goals for the care industry explains Ross

Chambers Managing Director B-Sure Installations

THE COMPLETE

facilities Metal waste is collated wood-based waste is broken down and separated and plastic waste is granulated and bagged The recycled materials are then provided to B-Sure partners who create it into new products such as mats play areas PVC windows toys and many more new products Some items such as office furniture if they are in good condition are refurbished or resized so that they can be reused placing them back into the circular economy

THE COMPLETE CIRCULAR ECONOMY RECYCLING SOLUTION

B-Sure experts can provide an outline of the recycling process end to end and businesses who want to book the recycling

We provide all the tools equipment and advice of how to make the most of the new service for the benefit of the business and the environment with minimal disruption and mess https://bsureinstallations com/

ENHANCING RESIDENT WELL-BEING: THE POWER OF INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

and intuitive touchscreens these tables offer an inclusive and accessible platform for individuals of all abilities to engage in various activities

2. MENTAL HEALTH AND SENSORY STIMULATION: Engaging residents in interactive entertainment not only stimulates their minds but also contributes significantly to their mental health and emotional well-being Interactive tables provide opportunities for sensory stimulation as residents can explore vibrant visual displays listen to soothing music, and interact with tactile elements Such immersive experiences have been shown to alleviate stress reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall mood

player games or group activities residents can connect with others foster meaningful relationships, and form a sense of belonging within the care home community

In today s fast-paced world the role of technology in improving the quality of life for individuals of all ages cannot be underestimated This is especially true in the context of adult social care where the integration of interactive entertainment has proven to be a game-changer for resident well-being mental health and sensory stimulation Care and nursing homes across the UK have recognized the immense benefits of incorporating interactive tables into their facilities revolutionizing the way residents engage with technology foster cognitive skills promote exercise, and create an atmosphere of fun, laughter, and enjoyment for both staff and residents

1 TECHNOLOGY AS A GATEWAY TO RESIDENT WELLBEING: Gone are the days when technology was seen as a barrier to socialization and human connection Interactive tables have emerged as a powerful tool in bridging the digital divide and enhancing the overall well-being of care home residents With easy-to-use interfaces

3. IMPROVING COGNITIVE SKILLS: Interactive entertainment offers an exciting and interactive way to boost residents cognitive skills Games and applications specifically designed for older adults help enhance memory problem-solving abilities and critical thinking From brain teasers to puzzles residents can engage in intellectually stimulating activities that keep their minds sharp and active The versatility of interactive tables allows for the easy customization and introduction of new applications as residents' needs evolve

4. PROMOTING EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING:

Physical activity is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regardless of age Interactive tables can play a vital role in encouraging residents to engage in light exercises and movements Through games that involve physical gestures or virtual fitness classes residents can enjoy a fun and interactive way to stay active and improve their physical well-being

5. COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT: Loneliness and social isolation are significant challenges faced by many care home residents Interactive tables can help combat these issues by providing a platform for communication and social engagement Whether through video calls with loved ones interactive multi-

Safe & Sound Music & Movement+

The ‘Safe & Sound Music & Movement+’ chair-based exercise programme is winning awards as it helps maturing adults to become and stay physically and mentally fitter, healthier & cognisant

The programme has been in development for over twelve years and in 2019 & 2021 they were awarded ‘Best Holistic Health & Fitness Provider for Southern England in the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical awards

Utilising sitting standing & transitional movements the classes are

open to everyone regardless of their present abilities with adaptions to cater for all helping everyone to improve over time covering the whole of the body from head to toe

The plus in the title refers to all the other elements not normally covered in your run of the mill exercise class with interventions covering arthritis heart problems Parkinson s balance fall prevention mobility, flexibility, strength, diabetes and dementia as well as general mental & physical health & wellbeing

6 VERSATILITY AND FUN FOR ALL: One of the greatest advantages of interactive tables is their versatility They can be customized to suit the diverse interests and preferences of residents From interactive music sessions and sing-alongs to trivia nights and art workshops, the possibilities are endless The element of fun, laughter, and enjoyment is not limited to residents alone; staff members also benefit from witnessing the positive impact of interactive entertainment on residents lives creating a more fulfilling and rewarding work environment

As the adult social care landscape continues to evolve, integrating interactive entertainment into care and nursing homes is a forwardthinking approach that prioritizes resident well-being, mental health sensory stimulation, cognitive skills, and physical exercise Interactive tables have proven to be invaluable tools providing a versatile platform for a wide range of activities fostering social connections and enriching the lives of both residents and staff members alike By embracing these advancements care homes can create a vibrant and inclusive environment where joy, engagement, and fulfillment thrive

Frank Markham founder said

“We are leading the way, enabling people to become and stay physically & mentally fit, active and independent for longer

Although based in Dorset we are also developing an online training course to enable activity co-ordinators to provide the programme to their own care home s nationally

For further information call 07960 990771 or visit www holisticbodytraining co uk

INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

TV That Creates Connection And Conversation

Is Your Care Setting Using My Life TV?

My Life TV offers a unique solution for care homes and care providers supporting staff to deliver high quality, person-centred care The on demand wellbeing and care tool available on any internet connected device is specifically designed for people living with dementia and those who care for them It contains over 170 hours of content created and curated to meet the cognitive needs of people living with dementia

There is a rich mix of content from stimulating activities for individuals or groups including sing-a-longs quizzes chair yoga and art classes through to relevant reminiscence programmes and joyful entertainment, all accessible at any time of day and night From Bryce Forsyth s Generation Game to Gardener s World, Blue Peter and Delia, there are favourites taken from the nation’s archives There s an abundance of content to help continue people s personal interests and hobbies - and to spark new ones - from nature wildlife and animals to painting and poetry ballroom dancing to birdwatching cookery to crafts cars and cross stitch through to travel sports and music Subscribers can find something that is perfect for the moment the mood and the situation

The platform supports and enables reminiscence - so important for the elderly and for individuals living

with dementia - taking people back to recollect fond memories and times gone by There is a wealth of content, from Reminiscence with Jan, to historic programmes like A Year to Remember taking in key moments including the Queen’s coronation and England winning the world cup, as well as other stimulus to provoke memories and create conversation Your staff may not remember or understand how life was in the past but users often comment that My Life TV enables staff to get to know their residents better as well as helping families to enjoy time with their loved ones creating new memories and inspiring conversations

My Life TV works with trusted expert partners including Alzheimer s Society BBC Archive, National Trust, BFI and NAPA (National Activity Providers Association) as well as engaging with subscribers and users to ensure the platform adds real value is dementia-centred and grounded in supporting best practice care It is one of the reasons My Life TV has been cited as supporting outstanding care delivery by CQC (Care Quality Commission) Find out more about My Life TV at www mylifefilms org

‘Happiness is Our Forte’ – Musical Moments’

Musical Moments sessions are fun energetic, and fully accessible, involving lots of sensory props movement and singing – all of course to great music Director Maggie says “Music brings such joy and a sense of togetherness for people – something that we all really need ”

Every member of the Musical Moments team is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of music for groups and individuals with physical and mental disabilities people with dementia and other conditions as well as with care home residents The sessions are carefully designed to be fully interactive and inclusive so as to stimulate and include everyone in the room all while developing cognitive skills gross and fine motor skills and increasing social interactions

It s not just participants who benefit from these activities – they re also appreciated by carers staff and family members The pandemic has reignited public appreciation for those who’ve looked after vulnerable members of society and the Musical Moments team are passion-

ate about providing some light relief for caring staff, families and friends Family members can spend time with a relative in these sessions without the pressure of conversation – instead they can simply enjoy the activities together

Musical Moments work with consultants including an adaptive movement specialist and a Music Therapist who endorse their sessions and ensure they provide the greatest physical and mental health benefits for their participants All team members have full insurance safeguarding training and DBS checks

Above all, the Musical Moments team cares about bringing joy to the lives of others through music – something that really strikes a chord in a post-pandemic world

Currently operating in: North Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Essex, Leeds Liverpool and Solent areas

For more information to book a session or even join the team please see our website www musical-moments co uk or email: hello@musical-moments co uk See the advert on page 33

INTERACTIVE

Magic Table

The Magic Table® from Little Islands® takes the market leading Tiny Tablet and then launches it to a completely new level by building in a high quality sound system that allows everyone to join in the FUN!

Why not give us a call today to arrange your own personal live on-line demonstration Call 01282 869802 or email hello@littleislands org

Immersive Music Experiences for Care Homes

Music can be an incredible tool for enhancing the quality of life and for evoking memories in people living with dementia and sensory impairments At Silent Memories we provide wireless headset packages for care homes providing a completely unique sensory audio experience for residents

WHY USE HEADSETS?

Create a fully immersive experience through the power of headsets helping develop a deeper sense of coherence communication and stimulation The headsets contain 3 channels meaning 3 different types of music can be set up at the same time to cater for a range of musical tastes Think meandering along to Mozart on channel 1 swinging to Vera Lynn on channel 2 or rocking out to Elvis Presley on channel 3!

By playing familiar tracks through headsets memories and feelings can be stimulated Music can be carefully chosen by loved ones and care workers to really enhance the experience for residents KEEP ON MOVING!

Care homes using Silent Memories have noted a distinct increase in engagement animation and stimulation amongst residents Using headsets allows them to opt in or out of the sessions The sessions can be taking place in a communal area and anyone not taking part won t be distracted by the activity With a long transmission range it also allows patients with limited mobility to take part in their own rooms

WHAT THE CARE HOMES SAY...

I have been astounded by the positive affects holding a ‘Silent Disco’ has had on my clients Silent Memories have played within our care home setting and we have been surprised at the way in which the impact of intimate personal music especially tailored to clients, has engaged the most static, distant clients and really ‘brought them back to life and brought obvious pleasure and joy to many others Briony Sloan - Homecroft, Bradford Please contact the team at Silent Noize to find out how we can help improve the quality of living for your residents info@silentnoizeevents com call 0203 727 5382 or visit www silentnoizeevents com

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 pat ents; less work for staff Bed and cha r pads available One monitor works with two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems

A variety of options including: Call button Pager

Floor sensor mat

Wireless door/window 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

FALLS MANAGEMENT

Cumbria Care Home Embraces AI Technology To Support Care Staff By Preventing and Detecting Falls

Futuristic technology that can detect and even predict and prevent falls is being tested at one of Abbeyfield s residential care homes in Cumbria The technology also eliminates the risk of life-threatening ‘long lies’ where a person falls typically during the night and can remain on the floor for an extended period

The pilot involving the installation of intelligent AI-powered Nobi smart lamps in residents’ bedrooms, is taking place at Hartland House, which is managed by the Abbeyfield Lakeland Extra Care Society part of the worldwide Abbeyfield group Abbeyfield s network of care homes sheltered living schemes and independent living complexes support 6,000 older people in eight countries to live happy, independent lives in a safe and stimulating environment with values of companionship and community at its core

If a resident falls the smart lamp detects this immediately and speaks to the resident, asking if they are okay In the event of no response or a call for help the intelligent lamp is pre-programmed to send an alert to care staff plus a computer-generated outline image to show where and how the fall has occurred

As well as ensuring no-one is left on the floor following a fall (the alert to care staff will ensure attendance within minutes) the lamp also helps to prevent falls from occurring When a resident sits upright in bed at night the lamp will shine soft light upwards to gently illuminate the room and if they then stand up to go to the bathroom for example the smart lamp will illuminate the entire room

The AI technology built into the Nobi smart lamp is even able to predict certain falls Changes in walking pace, length of stride and even the resident s posture when sitting will be detected and can be used to alert caregivers of a potential risk

The pilot is being funded by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) which organises health and care services across the region

Asim Patel chief digital officer at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB said We are really interested in how technology can be harnessed to predict and prevent falls in the future and how it can be used to support our care workforce

“Falls are the biggest reason for hospital admissions in our region and this puts huge pressure on care staff and the NHS Piloting this new type of technology is really exciting because not only could it

reduce hospital admissions significantly but it could prevent some of our more vulnerable older people from seriously injuring themselves when they fall

Speaking about the lamps Leanne Scrogham Registered Manager of Hartland House said One of the added benefits of the lamps is that they help us to understand falls that occur

When a resident falls they typically can t remember how or why they fell but the clever Nobi lamps are able to show us a period of 15 seconds before and 15 seconds after a fall as well as sending us a still image of the person on the floor

“This sort of information is invaluable giving us a far better understanding of the incident and how it can be prevented in the future

“Use of the lamps also makes our care team more efficient as the need for unnecessary checks is eliminated This means that our carers can spend more time with the residents who need their help At the same time we are bringing added peace of mind to families so it really is a win-win situation ”

Around a third of people aged 65 and over and around half of all people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year Being unattended following a fall is life-threatening and the length of time they are on the floor has a significant impact on the person’s recovery following a fall Fast assistance after a fall is therefore crucial in terms of saving lives improving recovery, reducing hospital stays, and decreasing care needs after hospitalisation

For more information about Abbeyfield, visit www abbeyfield com

Or for information on Nobi visit www nobi life

4 Reflections on Technology in Care: The Past, Present and the Exciting Future

condition and comfort These tools can help ease the workload of staff and provide them with digestible and accessible real-time information allowing them to focus on what matters most

2 SAFETY & ADMINISTRATION

We stand at a crossroads for the future of care

The sector has been in the spotlight much over the last few years and not often for positive reasons

Social care has become an increasingly political subject, and there is much discussion around the sector pertaining to Covid rules funding staffing levels and its uncertain future

One certainty is that our people are our most important asset It is they who set the tone and direction of the industry and are the beating pulse of its workings However, they have seen great challenges over the past 2 years and as a result we need to look to new ways to protect support and empower them

As we look at the next 5 and 10 years for the industry, we should look to face the problems of the sector head-on Whilst funding and policy are integral parts of the solution we must also look to generate solutions from within the industry itself

Increasingly technology has become an accessible and widespread tool in care and something that should be embraced as part of care s future

1 MONITORING

Over the past few years staff across the industry have provided outstanding care amidst highly challenging circumstances However, as demand for care increases the pressure on staff does too

We need to look to means to support staff in their work, and to enable them to focus on delivering hands on high-quality human care

New technology can allow for remote monitoring analysis and diagnosis of key needs Audible cues can detect signs and symptoms of a possible fall, and mattress management technology can pick up possible incontinence AI-enabled paincheck facial analysis can assist in analysing patient

The safety of our patients must be paramount, and technology is certainly a great tool to aid that Electronic patient care records are becoming more commonplace in healthcare settings and should be embraced in care settings too Software can monitor medication dosing help track a patient s condition over time, and flag things requiring immediate attention Digitally enabled mattresses can detect and alert to changes in physiology such as abnormal vital signs These technologies can also allow for better continuation of care throughout the care pathways ensuring that a patient is not a nameless folded sheet of paper but instead a holistic individual with records to match

3 THERAPY

Care needs are becoming both more complex and more understood Technology can, and has, enabled a breadth of new therapies for some of the more complex conditions For those suffering with dementia it has unlocked a new realm of possibility in memory care such as the use of virtual reality sensory enhancement chambers and movement/motion therapy chairs

4 DIGNITY

Arguably, dignity is one of the most important, and most overlooked aspects in developing the future of the care industry Dignity in care goes beyond how we direct interactions with patients –but must be at the core of their experience, through every aspect of their day-to-day Technology, when used correctly, is a greater enabler of a proud holistic patient care experience

Direct care alarms linking individual residents to portable devices held by staff can make alerts discreet Applications can keep family members abreast of a resident’s routine and day from afar Medication can be dispensed personally and in privacy All these developments allow ‘patients’ to reclaim their sense of person and to have their care be a subtle addition as opposed to an overt fact

Times are changing, and we as a sector must change with them Care has sat in the shadows for too, and it is time, with the help of the blossoming care technology field to bring it to the light

By Laurence Geller CBE , founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of both Geller Capital Partners and Innovative Aged Care

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MANAGEMENT

A Technology Enabled Response to Elderly Falls in the Community

Falls among the elderly are increasingly common and are a large driver of urgent and at times emergency community response

They are also a major cause of a decrease in quality of life loss of independence and when left without response for over an hour associated with hospital admission and long-term moves into care as a result

Every year, at least one fall will be experienced by:

1 in 3 adults over 65

Half of people over 80

Recent government modelling predicts that changes to activity levels will result in an increase to these numbers with:

110 000 more elderly adult fallers

• An additional cost of £211 million to the NHS as a result

However, not all falls result in serious injury and can be responded to by community-based falls services

ALLEVIATING AMBULANCE SERVICES:

Ambulance services are usually called to respond to people who have fallen in the community Some ambulance services have recognised the need to reduce callouts for uninjured falls and have delivered training sessions and issued equipment for social care providers to support elderly fallers in the community Programs from North East Ambulance Service & the Welsh Ambulance Service Trusts have seen results including 87% increase in in-house falls response

• Lifting equipment used in 56% of cases

A 32% reduction in calls to 999 from 115 care homes

THE RAIZER LIFTING CHAIR: A SOLUTION TO NON-INJURIOUS COMMUNITY FALLS:

The Raizer is a portable, electric lifting chair that allows a carer to provide rapid response for a non-injurious fall An intuitive design means the Raizer can be set up in under a minute and requires no staff training to use

A single carer can complete a remote-controlled mechanical patient lift in just 30 seconds once the chair is assembled

A Raizer lifting chair can help to:

Free up carers time: The process can take as little as 5 minutes from set up to lifting

Reduce long-lie times: Carers can respond to non-injurious falls quickly

Alleviate ambulance stress: Reduce the number of ambulances calls for non-injurious falls

REDUCING LONG LIE TIMES | THE LONG-TERM PLAN FOR COMMUNITY

FALLS:

The NHS Long-Term Plan aims to shift demand from acute hospital care into social care by offering joined up health and care services where appropriate

In practice this means an increase of community-based falls response teams as well as social care providers and emergency services working together to provide faster falls response to uninjured fallers

These teams respond to non-injurious falls that do not require ambulances and crucially reduce the number of long-lies on the ground for over an hour This is particularly important for the oldest residents a recent study showed:

• 59% of all over 90s have been found on the floor at some stage 88% of those who fell were unable to get up 33% of over 90s spent over one hour on the ground before receiving assistance

MOVING FORWARD:

Social care providers must explore innovative solutions that will allow ambulances to redirect their focus to the most urgent emergencies

Government services should focus on community-based falls response to alleviate system pressures by establishing a home-first approach to care that sees the healthcare support offered in a person s place of residence

Appropriate tech-enabled falls response equipment such as the Raizer Lifting Chair and falls responder training can address the over reliance on emergency services to respond to non-injurious community falls and contribute to a more efficient and effective emergency response system

For more information on the Raizer Lifting Chair

ww vivid care

Phone: 01423 799 960

Email: enquiries@vivid care

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

AND FALLS MANAGEMENT

Medpage Falls Management Products

Medpage Limited has been at the forefront in patient care product innovation for almost four decades During this time we have invented alarm clocks to wake deaf people, monitors for people with epilepsy to detect night-time seizures and alerting carers by radio pager Calendar

Clocks with memory prompting for people with dementia bed and chair leaving alarms with pager warnings for a carer and a vast array of electronic sensors

Our philosophy is always to produce products that people can afford, not just dream of Certainly the way world has been for the past few years that philosophy makes more sense today Our latest range of bed and chair sensor alarms for example cost a fraction more than they did 10 years ago Mainly due to the good old microprocessor replacing a bucket load of analogue components Does anyone remember op-amps and transistors?

There are close to 100 Medpage branded products to aid care of people who may be; a falls risk live with epilepsy suffer from stroke are a full-time carer professional healthcare worker, living with dementia Our products are designed, manufactured, and distributed governed by an audited quality management system You can trust us to delivery on every count

People generally these days are not so concerned with the past mainly what can we have today and what could we have tomorrow Simple

answer Today you could visit our website and explore the vast array of Independent Living Aids, Hospital Discharge Patient Home Support product packages

Domestic and Professional Carer Support products

Better planning today will bring better outcomes for tomorrow Take a look at www easylinkuk co uk

See the advert on page 7 for further details

Frequency Precision - Sensors and Pressure Mats to Monitor Those in Care

Technology has made people more connected with the world around them and the revolution in assistive care devices has made it possible for the elderly to spend their last years in a comfortable and familiar environment These devices have also made it easier for home carers to provide quality care for their loved ones while managing their own lives They allow you to care for your elderly whether they are travelling in the city for errands staying alone at home or staying in the same home as you They are also helping nursing homes provide better care for them with discrete monitoring and quick responses to emergencies

If you re looking for these kinds of assistive care devices for your loved ones or nursing home Frequency Precision produce some of the best systems available to help you with elderly care and mobility monitoring, ranging from bed, chair and floor

sensor mats through fall monitoring and GPS tracking to fully integrated nurse call plug or wireless systems

Contact us or come and see us at the COTS on Stand 36

Phone: 01837 810590

Email: contact@frequencyprecision com

Website: www frequencyprecision com

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 or see the facing page

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Nourish Care Integrates with Whzan Digital Health

Nourish Care continues to revolutionise digital care planning provision in the adult care sector by integrating data with Whzan Digital Health, a health monitoring system connected to the NHS and used in over 3 000 care homes that is already freeing up hospital beds leading to speedier recovery times and better health outcomes

The collaboration between Nourish and Whzan means that vital observations will be available alongside daily care records giving care teams instant access to up-to-date clinical patient information

Whzan Digital Health created the Whzan Blue Box an all-in-one telehealth system providing wireless monitoring equipment to enable carers to measure vital signs and calculate a National Early Warning (NEWS2) score This ensures that any signs of deterioration are detected at the earliest opportunity Used widely by the NHS and carers throughout the UK the Blue Box monitors patients across care homes domiciliary care facilities and individual patient homes It enables care teams to conduct multiple comprehensive clinical assessments communicating results to healthcare professionals remotely

Now Whzan and Nourish have linked up their solutions vital observations such as blood oxygen levels temperature pulse blood pressure and respiration rate will appear alongside daily care records giving care teams instant, reliable data to determine the best course of treatment and follow-up action This means that Nourish will become a single source of reliable information for care teams, removing the need to access multiple systems and therefore saving time The benefits will be felt across the sector from Integrated Care Boards through to independent care providers

The integration gives clinicians carers and patients more peace of mind The Blue Box is adaptable to multiple conditions and has already been shown by NHS reports to save up to 50% demand on emergency services and hospital bed days It has reduced ambulance call outs and enabled carers to make decisions that have a lasting impact on the health of individuals

Steve Lawrence Head of Product at Nourish had this to say

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Whzan, their Blue Box solution provides an important service for care settings across the UK The integration provides tangible benefits, surfacing vital signs directly into Nourish to enable informed decision-making and pro-active adjustments to treatment plans Our Integration also reduces the administrative burden of manual data entry and the associated error risk We look forward to seeing the positive benefits the integration brings to our customers and the people they support

John Cooling, Chairman of Whzan Digital Health commented

This integration will enable care homes to eliminate duplication of work Clients detailed within Nourish will automatically populate Whzan caseloads and Whzan vital signs plus NEWS2 data will be automatically transferred into the Nourish record All they need to do is contact Whzan and we will complete the link ”

Nourish Care is the leading provider of digital care management software in the UK It was one of the first digital social care record suppliers to be recognised as an NHS Transformation Directorate Assured Supplier at launch and is accredited by PRSB as a Quality Partner The easy-to-use mobile app provides care teams with person-centred tools, timelines, assessments and more to drive outstanding care and improve outcomes for those with support needs Nourish works with more than 3 500 care services in the UK and overseas within residential homes, nursing homes, learning disability services mental health services and other care settings

Whzan is the most widely adopted remote health monitoring system commissioned by the NHS in all sectors of care homes supporting daily care to over 100 000 patients from more than 40 000 carers The multiaward winning system is used extensively for patients in the place they call home to feel reassured their health is supported and any unexpected changes are detected quickly leading to faster support and a speedier recovery

Why We Must Keep Taking Data-Driven Steps For ward

John Lanyon, Co -Founder of KareInn (www.kareinn.com), reviews the Government ’s updated roadmap for better data for adult social care and discusses how data is helping care homes meet their Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework objectives

The Government recently updated its roadmap for better data for adult social care describing the plan as an important step in addressing transformation

In the updated roadmap the Minister of State for Care said that while some care providers local authorities and other organisations are trailblazers in the use of data digital tools and technology overall adult social care as a sector lags behind healthcare “while we have come a long way in improving the data that we collect and use there is still much more to do”

We are seeing every day how tech in care homes is helping to improve resident satisfaction and maximise operational efficiency From improved communication enhanced resident safety and wellbeing streamlined operations and a facility for data-driven decision-making the sector is slowly but surely seeing the benefits of digital But to keep up with the pace of change any transformation needs to align with the important targets care homes must reach

ALIGNING WITH THE ASCOF

The Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) measures how well care and support services achieve the outcomes that matter most to people The framework plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality, transparency, and accountability of adult social care services

By setting clear objectives measuring performance and providing a framework for evaluation the ASCOF encourages care providers to identify areas for improvement, implement changes, and monitor the impact of their interventions This drives a culture of learning and innovation ultimately leading to better outcomes for service users

If we break down the benefits of digital and specifically data driven decision-making we can see just how it supports care homes in reaching their ASCOF targets and how it will help them along the Government s data roadmap

DEVELOPING PERSONALISED CARE

We re seeing digital care records enable care homes to capture and store comprehensive information about each resident s needs preferences and goals This information can be used to develop personalised care plans and ensure that care is tailored to individual requirements By leveraging digital care

records effectively care homes can improve care planning documentation communication and monitoring of outcomes This in turn supports the objectives of the ASCOF promoting person-centred care accountability quality improvement and the overall wellbeing of residents

Digital care records allow care homes to track and monitor outcomes related to the ASCOF measures By recording and analysing data on service user feedback quality of life indicators and other relevant metrics care homes can evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and make evidence-based improvements to their care practices

CREATING AN AUDIT TRAIL

Digital care plans help care homes meet regulatory requirements and demonstrate compliance with relevant standards These records provide a documented audit trail of care interventions ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to best practices in care provision

Digital can also streamline the documentation process by providing a centralised platform for recording care interventions assessments and outcomes This ensures that documents are completed efficiently and accurately supporting effective communication among care teams and ensuring the continuity of care

A FACILITY FOR INTEGRATED CARE

Crucially digital care records facilitate efficient and secure information sharing among care professionals residents and their families Individuals can access up-to-date information about a resident's care plan medications, allergies, and other relevant details, enhancing communication and collaboration across the care team

The wealth of data that is created by digital care planning can be analysed to identify patterns trends and areas for improvement Care homes can generate reports and dashboards based on this data enabling them to monitor performance measure progress and identify areas where they can enhance the quality of care and outcomes

Data and the insights they provide are fundamental to ensuring that people who draw on care and support can access high quality care and achieve the outcomes that matter to them Digital care records play a significant role in helping care homes meet the objectives of the ASCOF

As the Government s roadmap states we are embarking on far-reaching reforms But we as a sector must continue to champion data and its benefits to drive social care forward at the right pace We must continue to champion evidence-based digital technology and its ability to deliver end-of-life altering care and personalised services that address persistent unmet needs across residential care

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Pass Profile 2023

PASS supports over 1 000 care providers every day giving them access to market leading care management tools hand in hand with unlimited 24/7/365 support from our dedicated and friendly PASS team

• Improve the quality of care

Deliver better outcomes

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Assured by NHS Transformation Directorate PASS provides a secure platform that allows you to plan record and evidence the care you deliver The only assured solution built specifically for the home care sector, it provides comprehensive real-time functionality and allows you to share progress against outcomes with customisable exportable reports

CARE PLANNING AND ROSTERING FROM A SINGLE PLATFORM

To meet the wider needs of the PASS community All-in-one PASS has recently been launched bringing advanced rostering functionality to our established digital care planning platform As a result advanced staff scheduling, payroll and invoicing functionality is now seamlessly linked with care planning and reporting, reducing the technical complexity, risk and overhead associated with integrating two separate systems

As a result PASS now provides an all-in-one suite of digital care management tools available from a single platform, designed to

Save you time

Increase the efficiency of your teams

Our commitment to the continual evolution of PASS is further illustrated by the addition of GP Connect The first product of its type to offer this feature PASS is still one of only a handful of digital care management solutions to have completed this NHS Digital integration, and is the only one offering it to the home care market PASS GP Connect provides authorised social care staff with realtime access to their client s GP records It makes medical information available when and where it is needed leading to improvements in both care safety and outcomes:

Visibility of allergies vaccinations and medications especially useful for clients unable to reliably share their personal information

• Using medical information to inform care planning

Ensuring that the right medication is delivered to the right person in the timeliest manner In one case this allowed the administration of antibiotics on a Friday evening aiding the service user s swift recovery from infection

Available to all PASS users at no additional cost, PASS GP Connect is significantly more efficient than waiting for a GP response It s also a positive step forward on the path to the DHSC s goal for widespread digitally enabled care and is in full alignment with their ambition for joined up care for everyone

Get in touch:

www everylifetechnologies com

hello@everylifetechnoloiges com

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

Blaucomm s Nurse Call Messaging Service (NMS) is the market leading solution to remove the dependency on noisy nurse call panels and pagers, through its intelligent software which delivers the alerts straight to the care staff who need them

Care homes are rapidly introducing smartphones for digital care planning and eMar - now the same devices can be used to receive the nurse call alerts they need for the residents under their care

Furthermore Blaucomm NMS is deeply linked into Person Centred Software MCM, so call bell data is linked straight to care plans This unlocks a huge benefit to care homes to enhance the staff performance with how they accept and respond to residents which ultimately promotes better response times and visibility for management to audit their performance

The best part is that Blaucomm NMS links into your existing nurse call system - we work with all major brands such as Aidcall, ARM, Courtney Thorne, C-TEC ENS, Intercall, Medicare, SAS and TeleAlarm

Care operators are constantly recognising Blaucomm NMS for its reliability and dependability to their care operations, which is why we’ve been chosen time and time again over other solutions

Head of IT Trudi Harrow at WCS Care had this to say about Blaucomm

NMS:

We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic company with a reliable product

We have a range of nurse call systems at different sites and the NMS system integrates to them and allows us to compare response times between sites In addition the integration to Person Centred Software is revolutionary We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens!”

To find out more about Blaucomm NMS visit www blaucomm co uk/healthcare

Ssee the advert on the front cover for more details

Autumna Increases Enquiries For Care Homes Using Digital Mapping TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

to its impressive pedigree and how accessible the software was

"Plotting providers and care seekers from the last four years on the same map instantly gave us a clear picture of demand hotspots along with hotspots for the type and cost of care being sought It’s a different way of looking at our data and creates new insights which we ve been able to share with customers The approach eliminates a lot of risk for them by revealing which of their locations are best suited to invest in a premium profile so helps create a more reliable relationship with us

Four Seasons Health Care Group upgraded a single listing to the premium level and saw a 40% increase in enquiries As a result it decided to look at other areas and increased the number of upgraded listings to 40 homes and the number of enquiries generated more than doubled

“Seeing where demand is coming from on a map instantly reveals where we should invest in more premium profiles which helps maximise our marketing investment ” said Tessa Matthews Head of

Marketing and Digital, Four Seasons Health Care Group

Autumna the UK s largest directory of care home and retirement living providers is using digital mapping software from Esri UK to help its customers market their properties more effectively and increase queries from care seekers

Using spatial analysis to identify where most care seeker queries are coming from Autumna is able to tell care providers which properties are best suited to promote on its platform using premium profiles One care provider Four Seasons Health Care Group has seen queries from care seekers more than double across 40 care homes since using the service

The new mapping solution from Esri UK replaces manual processes using spreadsheets and static PDF reports By visualising query traffic on an interactive map dashboard the data is validated as users can see it is real Autumna introduced the new mapping technology as it wanted to understand the impact of location on searches for care homes and help care providers achieve the best ROI on their marketing spend

We needed to examine which care homes in the country were in the best location to receive the largest number of enquiries possible and we could only do this with geospatial technology ” explained Debbie Harris founder of Autumna We chose to work with Esri UK due

Leading digital social care records provider Nourish has partnered with Maldaba, whose Hear Me Now app enables people to capture and share information about themselves to support the delivery and tracking of high-quality, complex, personalised care

Hear Me Now allows those with learning disabilities to play a more active role in the planning and implementation of their care and well-being The app has been live since 2016 (originally known as My Health Guide) and was designed with and for people with learning disabilities It has since enabled groups such as those with autism dementia and other cognitive challenges to have more control over their care

People with learning disabilities die on average 20 years younger than the general population, and this technology aims to address inequalities in care in line with the LeDeR review and national agenda for service improvement for people with learning disabilities and autism

Combining Hear Me Now and Nourish’s expertise in digital care planning will bring benefits to service users their families and care providers alike and improve outcomes across the board

Esri geospatial technology is also being used to support Autumna’s recently launched Dashboard for Accelerated Discharge tool (D A D ) By automating the currently manual process of searching for care D A D works with discharge teams and care providers to identify available appropriate care within 60 minutes of a search request being performed Esri technology enables users to forecast how the demand versus availability is going to change in the future

Future plans include using the demand data to advise providers where is best to open a new care home Autumna is also planning to feed census and other demographic data into the system to understand population changes and trends over time which might impact the industry

The use of spatial analysis in the care sector is relatively new continued Debbie “We began working with Esri UK and experimenting with its geospatial software over a year ago and it s now integrated into our business We knew we had a lot of data that we weren’t using properly and location is perhaps the most important part of a search for care and very difficult to analyse without a map Now we can easily demonstrate where care requirements are coming from along with budget hotspots The geospatial approach lets us understand the care seeker better and the more we understand them, the more we can improve our processes

About Esri UK

Founded in 1969 Esri is the global market leader in Geographic Information System (GIS) software mapping and spatial analysis and today has 4 000 staff in 73 countries Esri UK customers include UK Health Security Agency, Public Health Scotland and NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit

Website: www esriuk com/health

Email: healthcare@esriuk com

Tel: 01296 745599

At Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Hear Me Now allowed for a 30% reduction in service use which created space for reducing waiting lists and pressure on other areas of the service National care provider Hft were able to re-use 243 contact hours at a single service within a one-year period enabling greater independence in daily activities for people they support There are other efficiency benefits for staff as they are able to enter information alongside the person they are supporting in a more engaging way Lorenzo Gordon Director Maldaba Ltd comments: Partnering with Nourish is an important step in joining-up data so that it is entered only once and flows to the right people at the right time At Maldaba we see this as crucial to providing appropriate correct and timely support to vulnerable people and are delighted to be working with a provider such as Nourish who shares this vision

Denise Tack, Director of Partnerships, Nourish Care adds: “,The Nourish Partnership Programme is designed around partnerships such as the one with Maldaba with the impact on the end-user always being the core focus Now is the time for care-sector technologies to work together in partnership, ending the reliance on pilots and siloed solutions Digital transformation of our sector at scale can only truly happen if done collaboratively We are proud to be partnering with such a like-minded organisation and look forward to seeing the positive benefits for our customers and individuals receiving support ”

For further information on Nourish Care visit

Mass

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Managing Vital Communications: Mass Notification Systems In Healthcare Settings

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

By introducing a mass notification system in addition to our standard communication channels we can communicate efficiently with staff about network maintenance system maintenance critical infrastructure updates IT system failures and emergency planning This system has helped to reduce the impact to the IT Service Desk by not overwhelming them with calls and tickets raised by staff discovering problems during a maintenance window or problems we are already aware of Instead as a team we can focus on resolving outages as quickly as possible

Mass notification systems also offer advantages in terms of supporting emergency and lockdown procedures with some even offering pre-set “emergency response” alerts triggered by a hot-key combination to facilitate their use in time-sensitive situations Routine alerts – such as fire drills – can be automatically scheduled in advance Additionally, in situations where a mass response is required from staff – such as major trauma – staff can be notified instantaneously giving staff as much precious time as possible to prepare Mass notifications can also support forward planning for staff giving them advance notice of system

outages and technical upgrades

As with adopting any amendments to protocol, bringing staff along with you is crucial to ensuring a smooth implementation It s likely that there will be an appetite amongst your colleagues for adopting such a system; at Mid Cheshire colleagues were extremely receptive and co-operative due to the evident need to improve communication delivery

Having a clear chain of prioritisation of messages additionally will allow the system to work most efficiently Allowing too many people to access the system or issuing messages too regularly dilutes its effectiveness as the service should be reserved for critical messaging An overload of messages is likely to result in people not taking notice in the messages themselves rendering the service less effective Mass notification systems, available in many forms are a readily available tool to help you create clear lines of communication in a care setting By streamlining the transmission of key messages you can alleviate pressures on your colleagues at all levels ultimately allowing you to deliver the best care outcomes to clients and patients

Innovative care home software solutions from Ablyss

“It’s not just about what we do it’s about what we can do for you”!

There will be big changes over the next 12 months in the residential and nursing care sector With around 50% of homes still using paper systems to plan and record their care the NHS Transformation Directorate have big ideas which, whilst exciting, might seem daunting to those without the proper tools to make these ideas a reality

So where to begin? Well we here at Ablyss have 20 years of experience developing software for the care Industry We know how difficult running a care home can be at the best of times and we have drawn on our knowledge and experience to build a duo of care management offerings:

• Blyssful, our award winning cloud-based care management system for new and existing customers, making the system easily accessible from anywhere and by anyone with permission to do so

• Ablyss CMS, our on-premises solution can help you to plan and evidence the care that you provide, supporting you to achieve compliance within your business

The emphasis is on care management, recording, and analysis, and both solutions have been designed with the management carers and residents of the care home in mind The result is time saved admin simplified and safe and personalised provision of care, so you can focus more on those in need

With a fully UK based team, our care consultants are always on hand to provide training and answer your questions whilst our support team will help you to customise your system set up integrations with your other systems, and ensure your software is always up to date

Don t just take our word for it, here s a small selection of our many satisfied customers:

“It s not technology for technology’s sake Irrefutably, it helps us to deliver a much better service to our clients Elizabeth & Roberta House

“We invested in Ablyss CMS a number of years ago and it has proved to be one of the very best decisions we have made ” Prospect House We believe we can create a better way to manage and connect your care Seeing is believing so why not arrange a demo with one of our product specialists Visit

Technology Enabled Care: The Next Generation of Care Provision TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

At The Access Group we are aware of the challenges of maintaining quality care facing the care industry It is estimated that there are 1 98 million social care requests made every year and with limiting budgets and staff recruitment at a all time high it is getting increasingly difficult to ensure care providers are constantly delivering better person-centred care

We are delighted to announce our latest solution which will sit within our Workspace for Care Access Assure Our Assure ecosystem will sit at the centre of our care offering to prevent, monitor, and react to social care needs as they change Here our technology enabled care and digital telecare goes further than just a digital social alarm We combine both traditional reactive alarm functionality with proactive digital monitoring to deliver better proactive and preventative care

Our digital monitoring tools allows for continuous data capture and analysis for care providers and clinical consultants aggregating the data collected and transforming it into actionable insight In just a matter of 14

days our Assure ecosystem can learn individual daily routines to notify care providers and loved ones of any changes before something more critical takes place

The Assure ecosystem supports people recover across the care continuum to prolong independence provide reassurance, delay future care needs, and reduce hospital discharge delays to help budgets stretch further and help reach the demand easier

Technology Enabled Care is more than just a single component or sensor it s the combined sum of all its parts To enable this Assure integrates with 3rd party sensors and devices and a variety of our other care solutions This ensures we can deliver a level of intelligence and can help join up data to provide insight on wellbeing to deliver a preventative approach to care and improve care planning, care management, and care delivery to give individuals the freedom to do more

To find out more about how our digital telecare helps deliver better proactive and preventative care contact us today at www theaccessgroup com/en-gb/health-social-care/form/digital-telecare-demo-contact-form/

Syncurio: An Innovative Solution Unleashed Through Collaboration

In an industry where ticking clocks are as daunting as eroding margins the quest for comprehensive care home management software that reflects bespoke operational needs can resemble a significant endeavour Sensing a gap in the market a network of care home operators pooled their insights birthing Syncurio, a paradigm-shifting software, purpose-built for their unique sector

The genesis of Syncurio can be traced back to collective frustration Hindered by existing software options operators grappled with recurring challenges from managing absenteeism to accurate billing and budgeting Observing the domino effect these issues were having on business performance this network of industry stalwarts took the bull by the horns

The strength of unity proved encouraging as this network pooled their knowledge and insights Their objective: to counteract their shared pain points through collaboration culminating in the creation of Syncurio This comprehensive care management software is a product of firsthand industry knowledge catering to the distinct needs of care home operators Sarah a member of IT services at a major care home group commented The Syncurio team have been a pleasure to deal with - always eager to hear and act on feedback and suggestions for improvement ”

Syncurio is a product meticulously tailored to remove operator frustrations Its features include userfriendly interfaces intuitive scheduling tools a state-of-the-art clocking in mechanism and enhanced billing functions The software s robust data analytics capabilities offer operators invaluable insights into

resident care resource allocation and staff performance By leveraging cuttingedge technology Syncurio is upping the ante in the care home industry

The software’s user-friendly interfaces promote operational efficiency, allowing staff to navigate the system seamlessly optimising their time and enabling them to focus on providing quality care Operations Director, Jennifer said of Syncurio Being able to manage staffing budgets and rosters alongside resident fee data has enabled us to get the balance right between high levels of care and financial sustainability ”

Despite being a relative newcomer Syncurio is generating considerable market interest As word spreads about this trailblazing software, care home operators of varied backgrounds are expressing interest in signing up Syncurio s burgeoning success is inspiring for operators grappling with similar challenges and accentuates the benefits of this ground-breaking solution

Syncurio stands as an exemplar of the transformative potential of collaboration and innovation Within a short period it has proven itself as a game-changer surmounting the limitations of existing care management software and heralding an era of streamlined operations and enhanced communication The success story of Syncurio serves as a timely reminder of the catalytic results of industry-wide collaboration As Syncurio gains traction the care home industry is poised for significant advancements fuelled by the spirit of collaboration and the pursuit of quality care

To find out more give us a call on 020 4525 0299 | Email us at info@syncurio co uk

Staying Ahead in Care: Navigating the Tightened Immigration Compliance Landscape

the entire 2022 The message is unequivocal for care providers

While the financial repercussions are large there's an equally pressing concern the reputational damage disruptions in caregiving and jeopardising of sponsor licenses For care establishments with sponsor licenses the scrutiny intensifies With the Home Office keen on escalating actions against non-compliant licensed institutions maintaining flawless operations becomes non-negotiable

How can care organisations remain compliant?

We've devised a five-step action plan tailored for the UK care sector:

Considering the UK s evolving immigration policies the care sector is urged more than ever to uphold rigorous compliance With our nation heavily relying on this sector the implications of non-compliance are not just regulatory but fundamentally touch upon the wellbeing of our communities

The Minister for Immigration Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP recently highlighted this urgency On 7th August 2023, he conveyed the steepest rise in civil penalties for employers housing illegal workers since 2014 Initial fines will now attract a £45 000 penalty per illegal worker up from £15 000 Repeat contraventions see a spike from £20 000 to £60 000 Jenrick shared that starting from 2018 the civil penalties imposed on employers totalled £88 4 million Moreover, 2023's arrest rate from immigration enforcement teams has already passed that of

1 Routine Audits: Periodically scrutinise employment documentation ensuring every staff member is legally employed Employ mock audits replicating Home Office s compliance checks catching potential oversights before they catch you

2 Sponsor Management System (SMS): Possession of a sponsor licence demands effective management It’s imperative to understand and fulfil the obligations accompanying this privilege Establish and reinforce systems ensuring these obligations are met

3 Ongoing Training: Equip your HR and recruitment units with current knowledge on immigration regulations A sound hiring mechanism stands as the primary safeguard against compliance breaches

4 Consultation with Experts: Engage regularly with immigration specialists ensuring your practices align with the fluid landscape of immigration laws

5 Stay Updated: Subscriptions to Home Office updates or expert

newsletters keep you a step ahead mitigating unintentional missteps

By adhering to this plan care providers not only avoid adverse actions but also position themselves as attractive employers for global caregivers thus capitalising on a diverse caregiving staff and plugging shortages

Should you require navigation through the intricacies of the UK s immigration maze, Immtell is poised to assist We're committed to ensuring compliance is seamlessly integrated into your daily operations Reach out to us at info@immtell com or explore our services at www immtell com

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance

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

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

From helping clients make their first purchase through to allowing groups to grow significantly in size

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

New RoSPA Qualifications-Certified Dementia Course Launches

As dementia rates rise, the importance of upskilling those working in the care sector on the condition has never been greater That s why leading qualifications provider, RoSPA Qualifications, has teamed up with EDGE Services a specialist people handling training provider to develop an innovative new qualification to help care workers understand the debilitating condition

The Dementia Care Key Trainer’s Certificate that runs as a two-day course provides delegates with the knowledge skills and confidence to train others in dementia awareness including how to spot symptoms, challenges it can present and how to work effectively Upon completion of the course delegates receive a certificate of achievement which is valid for two years

By the end of the course professionals will have learnt:

What is meant by the term dementia

• The different types of dementia and potential their causes

The risk factors signs and symptoms of dementia

• The current and projected statistics about the incidence of dementia including on the individual and those living with or caring for them

The main challenges facing those working with dementia

Effective strategies to assist staff working with people with dementia to reduce the impact of the challenges faced and how to improve quality of life

• The importance of record-keeping and documentation

A knowledge of the legal issues involved in working effectively with people with dementia

RoSPA Qualifications is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) that designs develops and certifies a range of vocationally related qualifications

EDGE Services is already a recognised RoSPA Qualification Centre, which enables it to deliver a suite of customised awards

Debbie Clueit, RoSPA Qualifications’ External Verifier, said: “We were delighted that RoSPA Qualifications was able to help develop EDGE Services’ Dementia Care Key Trainer’s Certificate – a highly important course for anyone working with adults with dementia

“As an intensive two-day course it covers a wide range of important topics from spotting the signs of dementia through to dealing with challenging behaviour and beyond Those who complete the course achieve a RoSPA Qualifications-approved certificate that is valid for two years

“We worked with EDGE Services to ensure the course was accessible and that it met the Level 4 Ofqual descriptors along with developing the learning outcomes content and assessment process ”

Ruth Hewitt Operations Manager at EDGE Services said “The course is aimed at those whose staff may work with adults who live with dementia - both in the health care sector and beyond It provides delegates with the expertise to train others in awareness of dementia that can be adopted to deal with symptoms, challenges and how to work effectively

For further information on RoSPA Qualifications please visit www rospa com/health-and-safety-qualifications

For further information on The Dementia Care Key Trainer’s Certificate please visit www edgeservices co uk/courses/dementia-awareness-key-trainer-certificate/

Policies and Procedures Within Social Care

The delivery of safe care is the paramount responsibility of social care providers Central to achieving this is the governance framework adopted by service providers And at the core of this framework are policies and procedures These enable the provider to comply – and evidence compliance – with relevant legislation and regulations as well as facilitating best practices supporting business needs and assisting in recognising and managing risks

Good governance care itself is an integral part of health and social regulation, Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities)

Regulations 2014 stipulates that care providers must have systems and processes in place that ensure they can meet the requirements of Regulations

4 to 20A Policies and procedures not only ensure that providers are compliant with this regulation and working within the law; they also enable providers to drive improvement and protect the people who access services and receive care

Providers also have a legal duty of care to the people they employ Policies and procedures should provide clear guidelines to staff on how the organisation operates as well as informing them of best practices and processes to be followed

Policies should be reviewed annually as a minimum to ensure they are still fit for purpose and align with legal and regulatory requirements They should be reviewed not only by employees of the business but also by experts in various subject matters (e g infection control or medicines management)

For many small- to medium-sized providers there may not be the in-house skills knowledge and experience to complete such a robust annual review Many choose instead to purchase their policies and procedures from a reputable provider like W&P Compliance & Training, who will also complete reviews and ensure their policies and procedures remain up to date This way a provider not only ensures they remain compliant; they also benefit from best practice policies and procedures that provide a solid foundation for safe working practices and – ultimately – protect and support service users and staff Ben Erskine – Director at W&P Compliance & Training www wandptraining co uk | Tel: 01305 767104 See the advert on page 2 for further information

The roll-out of a free new e-learning module on healthcare waste - set up by Health Education England - is set to bring major benefits to the care home sector says leading independent healthcare waste management company Anenta

care sector

Created with the help of Anenta the new 30-45 minute training module available here is accessible free of charge via the Health Education England online portal

It outlines what waste should go into which waste stream, correct segregation practices, and other important waste related guidance This helps prevent low-risk items, which should cost £300-£500 per tonne for disposal as offensive waste from being disposed of as infectious waste costing upwards of £800 per tonne

Vitally the training also helps avoid the risk of waste contractors refusing to make collections from care homes due to their non-compliance which could put care services at risk of disruption This is avoided through the correct completion of a Pre-Acceptance Audit (PAA) which in the case of most care homes needs to be undertaken every five years - unless waste produced on site changes in its nature

Where a care home produces more than five tonnes of clinical waste annually a PAA will need to be undertaken every 12 months remaining valid until renewal date or unless waste types undeclared in the pre-acceptance audit are discovered

Commenting on the roll-out of the new free training, Graham Flynn, Director at Anenta, said: “We ve worked hard on the development of the new e-learning train-

Rising to the Challenge of Recruitment and Retention

By Jackie Tritton, Chief Clinical Officer at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care (www renniegrovepeace org)

The shortage of staff across the care and nursing sectors is no secret But with creativity and determination organisations are working around the challenges by maximising the resources they do have, while attracting new staff to fill vacant roles Here Jackie Tritton Chief Clinical Officer at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care tells us how her teams are recruiting, retaining and repurposing staff to ensure the charity can not only maintain services but grow them during a merger

“When the trustees of Peace Hospice Care and Rennie Grove Hospice Care announced their intention to merge last June it was with the ambition of serving a growing population of people living with progressive life-limiting illnesses reaching more people who need our support and strengthening our services This is all playing out against a backdrop of staff shortages across the entire sector that have blighted all care settings for years We knew that in order to deliver expanded services to our new larger patch we would need to think creatively about recruitment challenges

“In addition to the national challenges relating to the economy, NHS and the Covid-19 pandemic, our location in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire brings with it unique challenges These include proximity to a number of hospitals, including the big London hospitals, and specialist palliative care (SPC) providers, meaning there is a huge amount of employee choice in our area

“Over the past year we have been working hard on retaining our existing staff – through reviewing everything about salary progression pensions and benefits as well as working closely with employees to manage team morale and culture

“Despite this recruitment of new staff remains a challenge and we have a 31% vacancy rate in our clinical teams

Care As a Career

–

For us it has therefore been vital to focus on creativity in the way we work with existing staff and resources One example of this has been our nurse associate role By supporting our senior health care assistants to progress to registered nurse roles we can nurture existing talent and close recruitment gaps while rewarding the loyalty and hard work of our dedicated HCA workforce

We have also created Community Senior staff nurse roles to expand our Palliative care Response (PRT) teams These are highly skilled nurses who can support patients in the community during an emergency or sudden deterioration as well as supporting earlier discharges from hospital through intensive intervention to meet patients’ wishes

Other new roles – such as Allied Health Professional (AHP) assistant practitioners nurse consultants and paramedics are allowing us to expand the team and recruit new colleagues without relying on the existing pool of traditional registered nurses which we know is finite in number and much sought after across the board

“As well as upskilling our own staff we are actively working with partner organisations to share knowledge and develop the local workforce to meet the needs of local people with progressive life-limiting illnesses This includes rotational posts with organisations such as our local hospital and community trusts residential homes By supporting staff from these partner organisations to complete secondments or placements in our Inpatient Unit, we can support them in developing their palliative care skills, which enables them to care for more patients in their own setting reducing the needs for reliance on in-patient care either in an acute hospital or a hospice

Broadening the types and range of roles within our teams has been hugely beneficial to our organisation It allows us to make sure that the right person with the right skills is seeing each patient at the right time Identifying patients needs and matching them with the most relevant professional in the team is ensuring we have a multidisciplinary approach with a wide range of skills to support patient-centred holistic care This has reduced our reliance on registered nurses making up the majority of our clinical workforce and allowed us to continue delivering our vital services while setting out our ambitions for growing and strengthening services in the years to come ”

Not a Stepping Stone

‘Creating a Sustainable Skills Pipeline for Care’

At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious there is a serious staffing shortage in care This is being exacerbated by increased Government scrutiny over the recruitment of migrant workers not enough high quality new entrants to the profession and by high staff turnover with many older, experienced workers deciding that enough is enough and quitting

A pervasive culture of low-pay and low value placed on care workers isn t helping It is no surprise that according to Advanced’s Care Providers Trends Report 97% of care providers say they have problems recruiting staff and 98% have trouble with employee retention

It isn t a job for just anyone During the hiring process 60% of employers in our survey said they received high numbers of applications from unsuitable candidates It is imperative that care providers can find ways to reverse these trends drive more applications from suitable candidates attract more high-quality talent and hold onto those people nurturing their skills and commitment for the long-term Many skills can be taught and developed but the best carers have caring hardwired into their DNA These are the people we want working in the care sector as we try to ensure a sustainable safe future for users and employees

One of the solutions may lie in the Government’s push to phase out paper record-keeping and encourage the implementation of digital records within the adult social care sector The aim is to achieve 80% compliance within the year by March 2024 with full compliance as soon as possible afterwards These will improve outcomes for those receiving care minimise safety risks allow staff to respond to needs more quickly and to share important information quickly and securely

This drive is part of a greater need to digitalise processes within care provision organisations There is a need to attract more school and college leavers into the sector to start what will ideally become a long and fulfilling career This digital-native generation expects to use technology in their working lives, so it makes complete sense that employers who have already implemented the latest software that helps people do their jobs more effectively will attract the best of that new talent

It is also crucial that employers look after their existing staff ensuring continuity of care for their clients and retaining experienced mentors for new recruits These employees have a wealth of knowledge skills and experience that is vital for ensuring the delivery of high-quality care all clients deserve Disillusionment cannot be allowed to take root here

By Andy Croudace, Director of Innovation at Advanced Health and Care (www oneadvanced com)

documents can’t be mislaid or lost keeping the data within secure and making it easy for staff to refer to specific care plans record diet and hydration information and other details for more joined-up and seamless processes Digital records also offer more protection for staff when things go wrong as there is an irrefutable evidence trail that shows all procedures were followed correctly Demonstrating compliance for CQC and others is crucial in such a highly-regulated sector

Implementing a Learning and Development (L&D) programme for each employee not only ensures compliance with CQC requirements and those of other bodies but also demonstrates to employees that each of them is valued accordingly If we want people to look at care as a career not just a stepping stone we much ensure that long-term prospects and new opportunities are visible and attainable Performance management can be a headache for managers dealing with staff working on different shifts, or a largely remote and mobile domiciliary team Two-way conversations on digital platforms around targets for quality and delivery of care, recording and rewarding achievements as well as flagging any need for further training or support make it easier to monitor and manage individual performance

We need to take care of the carers Many are attracted to the sector because it allows them to have more flexibility with shifts and days worked so it is crucial that employers maintain staffing levels enabling people to work the hours they want Persistent understaffing impacts heavily on the remaining team, putting them under increased pressure and at greater risk of burnout Managers are affected too and 62% of care provider managers told us they felt stressed and unable to cope all or some of the time 36% of these said they would have to take time off sick in order to be able to cope The last thing a short-staffed care provider needs is management absence, piling even more pressure onto others

Digital solutions can transform rostering challenges helping manage unexpected sickness or late requests for unspent leave more effectively Sector-specific technology can also improve the problems with void management experienced by 95% of care providing organisations giving them better visibility over crucial occupancy rates 58% of the respondents in our survey have developed their own manual processes including spreadsheets to help give them advanced visibility of the business These tools provide out-dated information for inaccurate decision-making while Cloud-based technology could give them instant access to accommodation and occupancy in real time

Employers can use the data contained in their technology platforms to help them manage many of the day-to-day tasks more efficiently supporting more effective recruitment and higher retention rates Employee data can be a powerful tool in gaining deeper workforce insights, helping employers identify trends that can help them make better decisions This might be identifying the hardest-to-fill shifts and then making recruitment for those a priority Or it may shine a light on the circumstances that lead to higher rates of sickness absence helping leaders to locate specific problems and make changes to reduce them

Digital transformation is the key to improving the employee experience

Specifically-designed care sector technology can massively reduce time spent on paperwork digitalising processes so repetitive sections of forms can be completed automatically This gives staff more time to deliver care to clients Digital

In conclusion technology can help elevate the status of the care delivery role improving employee experience and developing talent for a sustainable pipeline of career-care providers www oneadvanced com/campaign/new/health-and-care/advanced-care-trends-report-2023/

RECRUITMENT

Recruiting Success with CVMinder ATS

Care recruiting is currently challenging So why is CVMinder ATS a great choice for Care Providers?

Stuart Haddow MD suggests that its Ambassador Customers make the biggest difference Ambassadors include senior HR leaders from the Care sector “They have proven to be great at overcoming recruiting headwinds says Stuart CVMinder’s Ambassador Customers also guide CVMinder product improvement programme

Using that great guidance delivers a competitive advantage for all CVMinder Care customers Jack Morgan of Local Solutions agrees CVMinder has made the process as smooth and as streamlined as possible That s is critical when recruiting in a

demanding sector like care It gives us central control of everything and the management information we generate from CVMinder has helped to improve our recruiting approach Without CVMinder our recruiting costs would be much higher and good candidates would be lost in the administration clutter ”

Donna Newell of The Kent Autistic Trust says “CVMinder ensures that we are being responsive to applicants and the demands of our managers Having a one stop shop means that we can post and update jobs at the touch of a button Receiving all applications online and using filter questions enables our recruiters to shortlist batches of applicants swiftly ”

T: 01634 202 101

E: enquiries@cvminder co uk

W: cvminder co uk/care

In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse?

JJ Recruitment has the large database of well qualified applicants with experience in the healthcare industry such as health care assistants senior carers and nurses from overseas We also have an expert team of solicitors for the necessary legal proceedings and advices

WHY JJ?

• We have very minimal processing fees

We assist you to get a sponsorship license

Qualified and experienced candidates from

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