The Carer Digital - Issue #162

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

As our lead story confirms Covid has not gone away nor is it going to any time soon

As we navigate the uncharted waters of the ongoing global pandemic and emerging variants one thing has become abundantly clear: vigilance and proactivity are our strongest allies in the fight against COVID-19

Recent developments including the emergence of the new variant BA 2 86 underscore the urgency of the situation and the need to protect our elderly and vulnerable populations in residential and nursing care homes across the UK

The government's decision to expedite the flu and COVID-19 vaccination program in light of the new variant is a step in the right direction and it is a timely reminder of the constant threat these viruses pose to us all but in particular to the most vulnerable The elderly and vulnerable have borne the brunt of this pandemic and we have a responsibility to shield them from further harm

COVID-19 and influenza remain deadly adversaries for those with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions The new variant's potential for increased transmissibility and severity of illness makes the urgency of vaccination clear These vaccines are not just shots in the arm; they are shields against suffering and death

However the responsibility doesn t lie solely with the government We must acknowledge the vital role that care staff families and suppliers to care homes play in this battle It is a shared duty to ensure that our elderly and vulnerable residents receive the protection they need

Care staff the unsung heroes of this crisis have faced immense challenges They have been on the frontlines providing essential care often putting their own health at risk It is crucial that all care staff be fully vaccinated to not only safeguard their wellbeing but also to prevent any potential transmission of the virus within care home settings

Family members must remain vigilant and encourage their loved ones in care homes to get vaccinated In addition to protecting the residents themselves it helps to create a safer environment for all A united front against these viruses is our best defence

Suppliers to care homes must also uphold the highest standards of safety and hygiene Strict protocols and regular testing for staff and visitors should be non-negotiable This is not only about the well-being of those in care homes but also about maintaining the integrity of our healthcare system

Let us not forget the lessons learned from the early days of this pandemic when the

lack of vaccinations and the release of untested patients from hospitals devastated the care sector We must not allow history to repeat itself Our elderly and vulnerable deserve better

The government s move to accelerate the vaccination program is a necessary step in the face of the BA 2 86 variant We must seize this opportunity to protect our most vulnerable citizens Care staff families and suppliers all have a crucial role to play Let us unite to ensure that our residential and nursing care homes remain safe havens for those who depend on us for their well-being Together we can defeat these formidable foes and emerge stronger on the other side

We would draw your attention to our “Afternoon Tea Week” Special supplement that we are republishing on pages 18-23 which we like to think is a tribute to the inspiration dedication and hard work from care home homes around the country who worked so hard to make this quintessentially British tradition a wonderful fun packed experience for the residents

Congratulations to Margaret Allen House in Tiverton, our Afternoon Tea Week competition winner with their special Hawaii themed day! A £100 gift voucher is on its way!

And a very special thank you to you all for sending in your nomination photographs

We often say it is such a shame we could only pick one winner Every nomination was worthy of a prize but unfortunately our budget cannot stretch that far!

I can always be reached at editor@thecareruk com

Editor

Peter Adams

Autumn Flu and Covid Vaccinations Brought For ward

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

GREATER RISK

Normally flu jabs and COVID boosters would be given out closer to winter when the illnesses normally reach their peak however the new COVID variant "presents a greater risk now" making it important to vaccinate people sooner according to Steve Russell director of vaccinations and screening at the NHS

The adult covid and flu vaccination programmes had been due to start in October to maximise protection over the winter months but now those most at risk including adult care home residents will be vaccinated from 11 September

Following the JCVI’s recommendation that adults over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions would be eligible for a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this year the offer was due to start from early October to maximise protection for patients right across the winter months

To support the accelerated programme vaccine providers will receive an additional payment of £10 (in addition to the Item of Service (IoS) fee) for each COVID-19 vaccination administered to care home residents between Monday 11 September and Sunday 22 October 2023 inclusive; and a separate one-off additional payment of £200 for each Completed Care Home by the end of the day on Sunday 22 October

For other eligible groups vaccine providers will receive an additional £5 acceleration payment (in addition to the IoS fee) will be made available for each COVID-19 vaccination administered to eligible people between 11 September and 31 October 2023

Where people had already booked an appointment for their flu vaccination earlier in September with their local provider, these appointments can go ahead If vaccine supply has been ordered for covid and flu, sites can start vaccinating against both

Wherever possible vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 will be offered at the same time, making it easier and more convenient for people to get vital protection from both viruses ahead of winter

PROTECTION AGAINST NEW VARIANT

Helen Walker chief executive at Carers UK said It is vital that anyone with a caring responsibility for a friend or family member registers their caring role with their GP to ensure their eligibility for the Covid vaccine is clearly recognised so that they can protect themselves and their loved ones against the new variant

“Carers identifying themselves with their GP and asking for this to be flagged on their patient record will also see longer term public health benefits such as being offered a free flu jab which is so important for safeguarding themselves and the older, disabled or seriously ill relatives they support during the more challenging winter months

Professor Sir Stephen Powis NHS England Medical Director said: “Vaccinations are our best defence against flu and COVID-19 ahead of what could be a very challenging winter and with the potential for this new covid variant to increase the risk of infection we are following the latest expert guidance and bringing the covid vaccination programme forward with people able to get their flu vaccine at the same time to maximise protection

“The NHS will work quickly to offer people protection against these nasty viruses as soon as possible, first going into adult care homes and inviting those most at risk including those with weakened immune

systems

“So please come forward to get your protection against both covid and flu as soon as possible once invited – it will help protect you and those around you this winter

In line with advice from the JVCI, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include: those aged 65 years and over

• those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book chapter 19 (Influenza))

pregnant women

all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023

school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11) those in long-stay residential care homes carers in receipt of carer s allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home registered domiciliary care providers voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets such as Personal Assistants

Those eligible for an autumn covid vaccine are: 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

MORE VULNERABLE

Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency Dame Jenny Harries said: As we continue to live with COVID-19 we expect to see new variants emerge ”

Thanks to the success of our vaccine programme we have built strong broad immune defences against new variants throughout the population However some people remain more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 This precautionary measure to bring forward the autumn programme will ensure these people have protection against any potential wave this winter

“There is limited information available at present on BA 2 86 so the potential impact of this particular variant is difficult to estimate As with all emergent and circulating COVID-19 variants - both in the UK and internationally - we will continue to monitor BA 2 86 and to advise government and the public as we learn more In the meantime please come forward for the vaccine when you are called

Care Tech For Carer Retention

By Dermot Clancy, CEO at OneTouch Health (www onetouchhealth net)

It s a win-win situation

‘Care tech’ refers to any technology designed or adapted to help deliver care whether that is a device that physically gives treatment or something like an app that can help support it The industry is rapidly evolving and provides a huge variety of services to those needing extra support to maintain their independence Assistive technology, telehealth and other technology-enabled care services all contribute to so many people s care journeys Often when we think about care tech, we think first about the client, but care tech also has a huge role to play in improving outcomes for our care workers

As we all know a care service must be proven to be safe effective caring responsive and well-led Great leaders and dedicated carers are needed to ensure our ageing population is properly cared for but carer recruitment continues to be a huge challenge In August Skills for Care estimated a turnover rate of 29 per cent for directly employed staff working in adult social care for 2021/2022 the equivalent of 400 000 workers Imagine how much better things could be if retention was improved

Care tech is doing incredible things for those on the receiving end of care but care leaders now need to pay attention to how tech can help solve their carers’ problems at work Great technology can empower workers improve communication reduce errors and bridge the digital gap in health and social care, enabling carers to do brilliant things for our loved ones

We might just be living through some of the toughest times in health and social care so good communication has never been more important Providing team members with accurate information in real time can improve collaboration not only making the client experience better but also helping to promote a less frus-

trating and friction-free workplace

When an assistive system is implemented properly it should essentially become an additional member of the team Care technology isn t here to take over a business simply to adhere to your values and free up much-needed time so that carers can do what they love to do which is care for those who need them and not waste heaps of time on menial tasks which in our experience can be a contentious issue

Those who are best with people often aren t the best with administration or record keeping We know that carers can feel frustrated when systems are too complicated, or - at the other end of the spectrum - if there is no tech support to help them do their jobs Using care tech that understands your organisation’s needs frees up care workers’ time - less admin means more time caring When the tech is clever enough carers don t need to be tech whizzes to do their job and do it well Simplification and easy training empowers carers ensuring they don t feel overwhelmed by mandatory administrative tasks

Having a smart system in place means that info is collated easily in real time This reduces any misunderstanding improves accuracy and keeps all stakeholders up-to-speed all the time Admin is easier to keep on top of, which means fewer investigations, a happier workforce, and reduced staff turnover Being able to trust your tech is a huge factor in improving work environments, and fixing any snags

According to The King’s Fund in the UK 37 per cent of social care employees leave in the first six months and another 22 per cent leave in the following six months That is just under half of all new employees leaving the sector within a year of joining it These are numbers that we just can t sustain but little changes can go a long way in turning these numbers around

Care tech has already revolutionised the industry and the journey has only just begun! We hope that confidence in technology, as well as increased fluency as it becomes more commonplace will result in a far better work environment for our carers Change isn’t without its challenges, but by embracing care tech we will find ourselves alleviating pressure better connected and more efficient and ultimately with a happier group of carers keeping people safe comfortable and properly cared for

Summer Jazz Heralds Launch Of Care Home’s

‘Absolutely Mar vellous’ Roof Garden

A care home in Northamptonshire is celebrating 15 years of delivering care to its residents

Shaw healthcare-operated Ashfield House in Raunds marked the milestone with a garden party with staff residents and family members enjoying a buffet lunch celebratory cake and entertainment from local singer, James Labec who performed hits from the 50s and 60s

Other attendees included the Mayor of Raunds Paul Byrne Shaw healthcare CEO Russell Brown, and local community representatives

There were also presentations for long serving employees, with a special mention for support worker Nicky Hodgson who was celebrating 30 years’ service having started at the old Ashfield House in 1993

Service manager Lizzie Plummer, commented: “I am so proud of my team and their dedication to the service and our residents here It has been wonderful to celebrate with everyone today and thank the employees here for what they do

The caravan was officially opened by the Mayor Councillor Gillian Campbell (R) and Mayoress Syke Campbell (second from left) pictured with resident Raymond Larkin(L) and home manager Lisa Robins

A Blackpool home unveiled a new caravan as a hub for residents to spend quality time with their loved ones

MHA Pennystone Court was donated a caravan more than three years ago and wanted to use the road vehicle as additional space for residents to spend time with family members

After some much-needed TLC and an array of fundraising activities the caravan was finally ready to be used

To mark the occasion the home organised a seaside themed opening ceremony with the Mayor Councillor

Report Calls For Manifesto Pledges To Tackle

‘Completely Unacceptable’ Diagnosis Rates

Ahead of the next general election campaign Alzheimer s Research UK has set out a series of calls for party leaders to tackle the increasing pressure that dementia places on society the NHS and the economy

The recommendations issued in a report – Tipping Point The Future of Dementia – come as new NHS figures show one in three people living with dementia in England never receive a formal diagnosis

For people living with dementia to receive proper treatment they need to receive a formal diagnosis” said Samantha Benham-Hermetz, the charity s Executive Director of Policy & Communications

“But in England, we know that more than a third of over-65s living with dementia never get a diagnosis at all This is completely unacceptable as is the government’s underlying diagnosis target of 67% We wouldn’t accept this for any other condition so we shouldn’t for dementia

The report sets out how limited availability of diagnostic tests, and the reluctance of some doctors to even offer people a diagnosis at all has resulted in an unacceptable postcode lottery Just 53% of people living with dementia in Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be diagnosed compared to 73% in South Yorkshire

The potential arrival of two new Alzheimer s treatments lecanemab and donanemab means this needs to change quickly or people in the UK may not benefit from the recent research breakthroughs that have

been hailed by experts as momentous

But he NHS still struggles to widely and equitably offer early stage, accurate diagnoses as standard A diagnosis is usually given following a lumbar puncture procedure, but it’s estimated that only 2% of people are currently offered such tests

In its report Alzheimer’s Research UK sets out how parties across the political spectrum could commit to radically boosting the number of people who receive lumbar puncture tests on the NHS from 2 000 to 20 000 per year

Achieving this would require a commitment to investing £16m in diagnostic infrastructure, equipment, and workforce training, including 50 new band 6/7 nurses across the UK This would need to be followed by sustained annual investment of £10m until new diagnostic tools like blood tests are ready to replace lumbar punctures

The charity s recommendations which have been developed alongside individuals from across the UK with lived experience of dementia, as well as clinicians and researchers also aim to transform the way dementia is prevented and treated, and ultimately find a cure

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE:

Create a cross-governmental Strategy for the Prevention of Ill Health to address the health and lifestyle factors that affect people s risk of developing dementia For example exposure to air pollution and unmanaged hearing loss

Mayor Of Raunds Attends 15th Anniversar y

Celebrations At Local Care Home

A care home in Northamptonshire is celebrating 15 years of delivering care to its residents

Shaw healthcare-operated Ashfield House in Raunds marked the milestone with a garden party with staff residents and family members enjoying a buffet lunch, celebratory cake and entertainment from local singer James Labec who performed hits from the 50s and 60s

Other attendees included the Mayor of Raunds, Paul Byrne, Shaw healthcare CEO Russell Brown and local community representatives

There were also presentations for long serving employees with a special mention for support worker Nicky Hodgson who was celebrating 30 years’ service having started at the old Ashfield House in 1993 Service manager, Lizzie Plummer, commented: “I am so proud of my team and their dedication to the service and our residents here It has been wonderful to celebrate with everyone today and thank the employees here for what they do

Instruct the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to consider the cost of informal care and carer’s quality of life, when assessing the cost-effectiveness of new dementia treatments for the NHS

Increase clinical research participation across the UK particularly in areas that have traditionally had less dementia research activity and infrastructure in place

The recommendations are backed by Divya Chadha Manek OBE who was honoured in 2021 for playing an instrumental role on the Covid Vaccines Taskforce and who is a Trustee of Alzheimer s Research UK

As a member of the Covid Vaccines Taskforce I ve seen first-hand how clinical research in the UK delivered life-changing discoveries to the rest of the world I know we can do this for dementia ” she wrote in a foreword to the report

“But making discoveries alone is not enough Discoveries need to be turned into diagnostics treatments and prevention measures that can stop dementia in its tracks By prioritising action on dementia, there is a significant opportunity for policy makers to improve societal wellbeing and lifelong health reducing the burden on our NHS and most importantly building a legacy where people with dementia no longer have to suffer

“It’s time for decision-makers to listen and take action ” she added

Navigating UK Visa Routes for International Care Professionals

By Mandie Sewa, Head of Immigration at Brevis Law (www brevis co uk)

The UK has long been a popular destination for international care professionals seeking to enhance their careers and gain valuable experience in a diverse and dynamic healthcare system However understanding the various visa routes available can be a daunting task In this article, we will explore the most common options and provide guidance on how to navigate the UK visa system

HEATH & CARE VISA

This visa allows medical professionals and their families to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS NHS supplier or adult social care To qualify you must:

• Be a qualified doctor nurse, health professional or adult social care professional There are over 30 roles that are eligible

Work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office who has issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) containing specific information about the role; and

• Be paid a minimum salary the amount depends on the actual role you will be employed for

Additionally you must meet the English language requirements and have funds to support yourself and any family members unless your employer states on your CoS that they will support you

The application fee for this visa is significantly less than the Skilled Worker (£247 per person if the visa is for up to 3 years, or £479 per person if the visa is valid for more than 3 years) regardless of whether you apply from the UK or overseas

Eligible applicants and their families are also automatically exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which is usually £624 for each year the visa is valid

SKILLED WORKER VISA

The Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer Like the Health & Care visa you will need a job offer for an eligible role, work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office have a CoS issued by your employer and be paid a minimum salary which

depends on the type of work you will be doing Again you will need to show that you can meet the English language requirements and have funds to support yourself unless your employer agrees to do this However application fees are higher (the standard fee ranges from £625 to £1 423) and you must pay the IHS

If your intention is to settle in the UK, both of the above routes allow you to do this

STUDENT VISA

If you re considering pursuing further education in the UK a Student visa may be the most suitable option This visa allows you to study at a recognised educational institution and depending on your course work part-time during term-time and full-time during holidays You may need to show that you have enough money to support yourself depending on which country you are coming from You ll also need to show that you can speak, read, write, and understand English The level will depend on the type of course you’ll be studying

From 1 January 2024 only students on postgraduate courses will be able to bring their family members with them A change in the Immigration Rules in July 2023 means you can t switch to any of the worker categories unless you’ve completed your studies, only upon successful completion of your course will be eligible to switch

TOP TIPS FOR YOUR VISA APPLICATION

Navigating the UK visa system can be complex and it s crucial to seek professional advice to ensure a smooth application process It’s important that you:

Familiarise yourself with the different visa routes and their requirements to determine which is most suitable for you

Start networking and applying for positions in the UK with employers who are licensed sponsors to secure a job offer if you want to come under the Health & Care or Skilled Worker routes

Collect all the required documents e g your passport educational certificates and proof of English language proficiency Keep in mind that some documents may need to be translated into English

Seek professional advice from a specialist immigration lawyer who can guide you through the process and ensure that your application meets all the necessary requirements to avoid delay of refusal

Navigating the UK visa routes for international care professionals can be challenging, but with careful planning and expert guidance it is possible to achieve your career goals in the UK s vibrant healthcare sector

Jane Townson, CEO of Homecare Association

Becomes Care Provider Alliance Chair

The coalition of national voices of adult social care providers in England the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) is delighted to welcome Dr Jane Townson OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Homecare Association as the incoming Chair for 2023/24

Jane has extensive experience in the social care health housing and technology sectors -including over four years as CEO of the Homecare Association

Before this she worked for almost 8 years as a board member and CEO of a £75m turnover not-for-profit care provider delivering homecare housing with care, supported living for people with disabilities, and operating 30 care homes

The role of CPA chair rotates annually across each of the ten associations Jane follows Nadra Ahmed CBE, Chief Executive of the National Care Association who served as the CPA s Chair for the past 12 months

Commenting on her new role Jane said: “I am delighted to serve as this year’s Chair of the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) which has evolved over the years into a cohesive group with increasing influence The care system is a complex network of thousands of private voluntary and community sector organisations supporting people in all settings Members meet weekly and work closely together to share experiences and coordinate

care providers responses – both strategic and operational – to the challenges we all face Speaking with one voice is crucial as we seek to influence important agendas including integrated care sustainable funding and growth and development of our workforce I look forward to continuing our work with fellow CPA members policymakers commissioners and those who draw on services over the coming year We are all grateful to outgoing Chair Nadra Ahmed CBE for her superb leadership of CPA over the last year and to the small admin team who support us on a part-time basis

Outgoing Chair, Nadra Ahmed commented “It has been a privilege to work with such an amazing group of dedicated people and lead the CPA over the last 12 months We ve seen some genuinely important developments – such as the development of the Integrated Care Systems Learning Network for health and social care partners and welcoming the Care Association Alliance as our newest member I know that Jane has the energy tenacity and knowledge to take the Alliance forward as we tackle ongoing challenges – including the build up to a likely election in 2024 when social care will be a high on the political agenda I look forward to continuing to work closely with her

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

Another Council Insolvency Demonstrates Dire Reality Of Local Authority Finances

Care England has expressed deep concern over the announcement that Birmingham City Council has declared itself effectively bankrupt Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England said: The announcement made today by Birmingham council is a dire wake-up call that the current structures in place to support local authorities by the Government are not fit for purpose This occurrence is indicative of a larger pattern with more and more councils either having already or looking to serve Section 114 notices The threat of financial insolvency looms over authorities across England Following on from our warnings just last month that there is not enough money in local systems, we are now witnessing the devastating impact that is currently unfolding in Birmingham and across the country with local care providers and the individuals they support facing the consequences This event is the latest, in a long list of examples highlighting how the Government has failed to meet the needs of local communities and provide them with the necessary funding to support a strong social care system Without Government intervention all authorities in England are at significant risk ” Birmingham County Council is by no means the only local authority to currently face extreme financial hardship, with Woking, Thurrock, Slough, Croydon and Northamptonshire having also issued Section 114 notices in recent years On top of this Kent Guildford Hastings Southampton and Bradford have reported to have cautioned they may be at risk of serving a Section 114 notice in the near future As a result, as many as one in ten local authorities have already served are looking to serve or have taken urgent action to miti-

gate serving Section 114 notices after significant concerns have been raised about their statutory obligation to balance their books

Martin Green continues: “Councils serving Section 114 notices represent a drastic need for full reform into the current practices of how the Government supports and governs, local Councils Whilst this must be backed by the proper funding, there must also be assurances on how that money is managed at a local level wherein the Government upholds robust accountability measures and enables thorough auditing of councils themselves to avoid instances such as those seen in Thurrock recently Failure to do so is putting essential services at risk Already parts of adult social care are on the precipice of collapse Crippled by historic chronic underfunding providers and councils alike are forced to operate on a knifes-edge as the Government offers insufficient support The Government does have the prerogative to significantly rejuvenate the financial health of councils and subvert the risk to our public services if they address the social care funding crisis head-on Time and time again Care England has warned that the lack of money going to local systems fails to meet the levels of care needed locally Local authorities are required to find an equilibrium between a legally balanced budget and delivering public services but are restricted by inadequate central government funding, and their ability to raise the necessary funding locally Time has run out for Birmingham and the Government must immediately unlock essential funds for all local authorities to ensure adult social care and our public services are uninterrupted

“Our Dementia Choir With Vicky McClure”

Raises £400 For Local Church At Bedfordshire Care Home’s Summer Fete!

“Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure” raises £400 for the local church at Bedfordshire Care Home s Summer Fete!

Following months of preparation Bedfordshire care home, Milton Ernest Hall s much anticipated “Summer Fete & BBQ” was finally here! Despite the Summer Fete clouds the sound of excitement was intoxicating as vintage carnival games were laid out the BBQ fired up and the entertainers and stallholders began to arrive

First to perform and open the afternoon was the hugely talented local Ukulele band who were swift to get everyone s feet tapping and hands clapping ready for the act everyone had been waiting for the truly magnificent ‘Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure’!!

Members of the choir took their places residents families and friends took their seats as the sky cleared and the sun shone down on a truly magical performance! Songs from across the ages had residents and families and friends swaying in their seats and enjoying every heartwarming moment!

Jackie, a resident at Milton Ernest Hall spent the afternoon with 3 generations of her family singing and laughing and loving every moment! When asked about what she enjoyed the most Jackie commented;

“The Dementia Choir put on a really good show My family really enjoyed the day and we even got some honey from the honey stall! It was really gorgeous Excellent Sarah, Jackie’s daughter who spent the afternoon singing and swaying to the music with her Mum and her own Daughter added; What a truly wonderful afternoon of family fun! Brilliant and uplifting with activities for everyone A massive thank you to all the staff and residents for sharing your home and beautiful grounds The level of care, energy, and commitment you all demonstrate daily was present in abundance Fun activities positivity and kindnesswhat’s not love? Three generations from mum’s family all in agreement – thank you”

With the care home ever-present at the heart of their local community and a venue for many of their local Milton Ernest clubs and group meetings they are proud to have raised almost £400 for their local Church’s new bathroom fundraiser!

Vicky Hornibrook Deputy Manager commented What a fabulous afternoon! This is what we love the most about our beautiful care home – it’s such a special place to bring our local community together and the memories our residents and their families make are just beautiful!

£30,000 Grant Helps To Boost Wellbeing Of Broughton

A care home for veterans has hailed the impact of its wellbeing activities for dozens of residents living with dementia or cognitive decline

Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford has been able to fund a variety of initiatives through a grant of £30 000 from the Veterans’ Foundation

Led by Cheryl Monnie an experienced care worker and qualified teacher who is the wellbeing and activities lead at Broughton House, staff have been able to support veterans with one-to-one and group activities to enhance their wellbeing and stimulate their memory and cognition

Karen Miller chief executive of Broughton House said 74 veterans have benefited as a direct result of the grant being awarded in June 2022

In an annual survey of residents’ family members conducted over the past two months 92 per cent of respondents said their relatives quality of life had improved since they moved to Broughton House

Karen said: The support we have received from the Veterans Foundation has been fantastic for our residents

“It’s enabled us to fund the continued employment of a wellbeing and activities lead and for our dedi-

cated care staff to work extra hours so they can spend additional quality time with each veteran who has dementia or cognitive decline

As our care home has expanded and we have welcomed more veterans to Broughton House, it s been wonderful to be able to provide company and stimulation for residents with those conditions

“We’ve also been able to provide training for staff to experience for themselves what it s like to have dementia or cognitive decline using virtual reality tools

It s very exciting to have Cheryl as part of our team She specialises in textiles and design Textures and craft activities are particularly important and valued by our residents as they provide sensory stimulation

“The impact has been reflected in our annual survey and we’re sincerely and hugely grateful to the Veterans Foundation for making it all possible ”

Veterans Foundation founder and CEO David Shaw said We are delighted to continue our long-standing support of Broughton House The Veterans’ Foundation is proud to play a part in the first-class care of British veterans living with dementia or cognitive decline ”

World Alzheimer’s Month: Never Too Early, Never Too Late

Care England is celebrating World Alzheimer s Month which runs across September The awareness campaign encourages people to come together to raise awareness and tackle stigmas that persist around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England

says:

“Supporting people who are living with cognitive conditions is one of the biggest challenges that our health and social care system will face in the 21st century World Alzheimer’s Month presents a welcome opportunity for everyone in the adult social care sector and beyond to shed light on a disease that is often shrouded with stigma and fear Alzheimer’s can be confusing and debilitating, but excellent care can support people to live dignified and interesting lives at every stage of their condition Whilst we have made significant progress to improve the support and recognition for people living with Alzheimer s we need to maintain this momentum Moving forwards, we must continue to take proactive steps towards supporting those living with this condition

if we are to truly meet the needs of a 21st-century society

The theme of this year’s World Alzheimer s Awareness Month is ‘never too early never too late ’

The aim of the month is to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer s and dementia The event has been running since 2012 and September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day

Globally there is thought to be poor understanding and a great deal

Say Hello to Lilian Faithfull

'Deam Team' Fundraising Family

It was a huge congratulations to Ian Deam for raising £1800 and completing the Cheltenham 10k race on Sunday and all in aid of Lilian Faithfull’s charity, St Faith’s Fairhaven end of life suite

Ian was cheered en-route by the Lillain Faithfull team helped by the fantastic atmosphere created by local support in the town

Ian competed the 10k in a brilliant time of 51:14 came 12th out of 59 for males in his age category and was 107th out of 667 participants What a brilliant personal achievement Ian commented “I’m very pleased with my time for the amazing support along the run and Kate and I are so grateful for everyone’s donations ”

Ian s wife Kate was by his side at the start and finish!

The home shared their best wishes to Kate and Ian for being incredible charity champions and raising money for St Faith s Fairhaven end of life suite, where Kate’s mum Eileen was cared for

Their fantastic fundraising figure is £1800 with the hope of more sponsorship following Ian s race

Kate’s mum, Eileen, moved into Fairhaven suite in St Faith’s home in June after being cared for by her family at home for several weeks

When asked about her mum s care on Fairhaven Kate said Every single member of staff are like angels Nothing was too much trouble Mum being in the Fairhaven suite took the stress away and meant we could enjoy our time together and do things like having afternoon tea – which the staff kindly prepared ”

Sadly Eileen has passed away and her funeral was Thursday days before the Cheltenham Run The race day was an emotional time but motivating to raise money for the place and the team Eileen was cared for

of stigma surrounding dementia so the work of World Alzheimer s Month is vital and is growing and targeting the stigma and lack of understanding and knowledge surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as well as supporting those suffering with the disease Martin Green continues: “Care providers across the country work tirelessly to ensure those with Alzheimer’s at any stage are empowered to live as independently as possible through person-centred care and innovative practice Care England members continue to showcase the pioneering work they are doing in their services to ensure their residents remain to living enriching and fulfilling lives despite the effects of Alzheimer’s These efforts must be given the spotlight to challenge the stigma around the care available for people living with Alzheimer’s disease ”

For more information please visit the Alzheimer’s Disease International website at www alzint org

Award-Winning Accounting Software Set To Reduce Stress And Save Time For Care

Award-winning cloud accounting platform iplicit is launching in the care homes sector with pledge to drastically simplify finance tasks and free up large amounts of staff time iplicit was designed for users who are outgrowing entry-level finance software and for those who have found themselves stuck with outdated, on-premise systems but cannot afford the expense and disruption required by the likes of Netsuite Intacct or Dynamics – products that are typically focused on much larger corporations iplicit has already won acclaim from thousands of users in other commercial sectors with their specialist offerings

Due to be unveiled at the Care Show at Birmingham s NEC on October 11-12 (Stand C64) iplicit s offering for care home groups has been over a decade in the making and is now ready to address the needs of thousands of finance teams in the care sector iplicit CEO Lyndon Stickley said:

“Running the finance function for a care home group can be painfully complicated Many of the team behind iplicit are qualified accountants so we understand that all too well

“We realised iplicit was ideally placed to save large amounts of time and reduce overwhelming workloads in the care home sector in the same way that has won it an army of devoted fans with other vertical markets and nonprofit organisations ”

“Our market intel indicates that many care home groups are either stuck with an entry-level cloud accounting system which no longer meets their needs or with legacy on-premise accounting software that is unable to connect with other systems in the business and is cumbersome to work with Many are forced to undertake numerous manual and paper-based processes to produce any useful financial information –which is invariably untimely, because of the work it takes to produce it ”

iplicit offers a simple and affordable way to all the benefits that come from a powerful yet intuitive cloud accounting solution including the confidence that highly sensitive data is securely stored on UK servers ”

“iplicit’s thousands of users can testify to the fact that it can save days of labour every month for the typical finance team

“Even more importantly, it provides users with the accurate, real-time financial data that facilitates more

ff ctive decision making for the business ”

Tim Bryars iplicit’s Business Development Manager in the care homes sector said:

Many care home groups consist of multiple legal entities all currently using separate copies of software that is either basic or outdated Bringing together all the data from those systems is a monthly ordeal for the finance team

“The fact that an individual resident’s care can be funded from multiple sources –including the state insurers and family members – can present a serious accounting headache Another complication is the need for suppliers to send invoices that relate to services provided to multiple residents in different homes or different entities in the business These are just some of the burdens on finance departments in a sector where margins are tight ”

iplicit is uniquely placed to solve challenges like these and free up staff time to focus the higher-value work that aids profitability and improves the business ”

Among iplicit s strengths for care home groups are:

It provides a “single source of truth” for a multi-entity organisation allowing the finance team to see all care homes within the group through one central application

It allows for “resident accounts” to accommodate multiple sponsors for individual service users

It smooths intercompany allocations so that bills and payments for multiple service users can be easily split and entered into the books correctly

Cost control becomes easier thanks to constant real-time data

Automation takes the labour out of routine tasks such as processing invoices and approval workflows

The system has an open API facilitating integration with the likes of EpicCare patient records system and Fusion Care Home Management software along with many other systems used in the business

Data is stored securely on servers in the UK with security updates installed smoothly in the background

To find out more about iplicit and how it can help your care home group visit the iplicit stand C64 at the Care Show or get in touch to arrange a demonstration

For more information go to the website at www iplicit com

The Care Workers’ Charity Applauds TUC’s Report “A Strategy for the Care Workforce”

The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) is pleased to express its support for the recent release of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) report, “A Strategy for the Care Workforce This comprehensive report sheds light on many areas that need addressing if we are to curtail the crisis currently gripping the industry

It is reported that the demand for care is rapidly growing while the sector grapples with critical challenges such as recruitment and retention issues We share the TUC s concern that many individuals are currently unable to access the care they urgently need and we are deeply alarmed by the statistic that 2 6 million adults over the age of 50 in England are living with unmet care needs as a result

The TUC s emphasis on the persistently low pay and poor working conditions experienced by care workers is a stark reminder of the urgent need for change For instance, more than three in five care workers earn less than the real living wage leading to more than one in four children with a social care worker parent growing up in poverty This does not come as a surprise to us as we have had to support over 10,000 care workers with over £5 6 million pounds since 2018 and the demand for our grants has been steadily increasing

As the TUC s report highlights the care sector s

struggles are rooted in a complex web of government inaction, chronic underinvestment, and a fragmented care system with many care workers without access to sick pay As a result of this report, The CWC calls for the government to ensure that every care worker will have full sick pay and a wage that is at the very least the national living wage (according to The Living Wage Foundation) It also repeats its long-lasting call for sector reform on training and development with registration and a robust training framework where care workers are recognised for their skills and time served both in title and in pay

In a statement the CEO of The CWC Karolina Gerlich, said:

We are not shocked by these figures We know that care workers’ struggles have been consistently worsening for years Current funding and therefore pay and working conditions in social care are unacceptable and we will continue to advocate for social care reform with care workers and people who draw on social care at its centre Care workers are highly skilled professionals who deserve to work in a sector with a robust policy and a sensible funding model so they can deliver outstanding care to everybody

One of the most encouraging aspects of the report is its direct collaboration with care workers and their trade unions during its development This approach ensures that the strategy s recommendations are firmly rooted in the real-world experiences of those who provide care daily

Whilst we are pleased to see this report we are left wondering if our government will listen and support the changes that are so desperately needed in the care sector

West Bromwich Hospital Staff Cycle for Charity

Two staff members from a West Bromwich hospital which cares for men with brain injuries teamed up and recently completed a two-day 110 mile bike ride to raise money a charity which supports women who have been affected by domestic abuse

Jim Giles, Maintenance

Operative and Jason Moles

Domestic Supervisor both met through their work at Cygnet

Health Care-run hospital Cygnet

Heathers, and quickly became good friends with a shared love of cycling

The pair heard about charity WAITS through their colleague Pat Hemmings who is Cygnet s

Quality Assurance Manager for the West Midlands

Earlier in the summer WAITS organised a dragon boat race which the pair went to and afterwards came up with the idea of another fundraiser WAITS is an established charity which has collaborated with and supported women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse for 30 years and specialise in supporting women from Black and Ethnic Minority Communities

Last year the duo completed a charity bike ride from Birmingham to London to raise money for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) This time they decided their route would be from north to south returning to Birmingham

Jim said: We started cycling together as a way

for me to regain my fitness after I broke my leg and were lucky to receive bikes from Cygnet Health Care as part of our ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme

We re only amateurs but it is fantastic to do what we love and raise some money at the same time

Describing their route Jim added “The total distance was about 110 miles and we broke it down over two days stopping in Newport Shropshire

We caught the train up to Liverpool and went across the Mersey on the ferry and down the Wirral to Chester

It was a tough first day about 65 miles but the second day was a lot shorter Overall for two men of a certain age I think we are quite proud of ourselves We certainly don’t consider ourselves to be the next Bradley Wiggins!”

Jason added: It was for a very worthy cause and we hope to do more in the future ”

Skills For Care Is Supporting Social Care Employers To #Recruitright

Skills for Care is supporting social care teams to #RecruitRight with its latest campaign

The campaign comes as their latest data released in July shows that vacancy rates across adult social care in England have decreased on last year but do still remain high

The current vacancy rate is around 9 9% – or around 152 000 on any given day The number of vacant posts has decreased by 11,000 posts since last year when vacancies increased for the first time on record

This campaign highlights that while it’s positive to see vacancy rates reducing social care employers are still facing recruitment and retention challenges

Running through September the #RecruitRight campaign will provide information and resources looking at how to diversify recruitment approaches how to use values-based recruitment and how to ensure all recruitment is conducted safely fairly and ethically including international recruitment

The campaign will include blogs and real life insights from recruitment experts and social care organisations who have an effective approach to their recruitment and retention strategy

The campaign will run across Skills for Care website, social media, and othercommunications channels

As part of the campaign, Care Friends Founder and author of Saving social care Neil Eastwood will be taking part in a live episode of Skills for Care’s ‘The care exchange’ podcast on 28 September

Tristram Gardner Deputy CEO Skills for Care says: While it’s positive that our latest data shows vacancy rates have fallen we know from our discussions with employers that recruitment and retention remains a key challenge

It s vital that we re able to find and keep the right people to work in social care Our campaign aims to support social care employers in taking different approaches to recruitment and utilising resources that can support them

Our data also shows that there s been a notable increase in the number of people recruited from abroad into direct care roles While international recruitment can be one solution to recruitment challenges it s vital that this is done in an ethical way This campaign will highlight the support available for employers when recruiting internationally to ensure this is the case

You can follow the campaign and join in on discussions on social media using #RecruitRight

Voyage Care Welcomes Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland

Voyage Care specialist providers of care and support for people with learning and physical disabilities

brain injuries

autism and other complex needs welcomed Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP on a visit to Westwood House, a care home in Swindon, last week

Sir Robert, MP for Swindon South, is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism as well as the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Learning Disability and has long campaigned for the rights of those with autism and other neurodivergent individuals During the visit he met with people supported by Voyage Care and heard first-hand how the skills and commitment of support workers are helping them to live more meaningful and fulfilled lives

In discussions with Sir Robert Jackie Beddow Regional Operations Director for Voyage Care and Carole Laurelli Home Manager at Westwood House outlined a number of ideas and initiatives that the organisation has to help improve the adult social care system

A report published by the King s Fund earlier this year highlighted several key challenges affecting the sector, including recruitment and retention, funding and the cost-of-living crisis, all impacting the ability of people to be able to access the care they need when they need it Voyage Care is focussed on reframing the debate around adult social care so that it focusses on those of working age being supported as much as those who are older or those needing to be discharged from hospitals

Voyage Care supports 3 500 people with a variety of complex needs across the UK and employs more than 11 000 team members to enable those individuals it supports to lead more independent and fulfilled lives

Andrew Cannon Chief Executive Officer at Voyage Care said: “We see it as our responsibility to raise awareness of the issues that exist within adult social care By inviting politicians and policy makers to meet and hear directly from the people we support we can showcase the extraordinary work our colleagues do every day to enable them to live as independently as possible

Enabling access to high quality specialist adult social care is fundamental to the lives of those we support and also helps to reduce the systemwide pressure on wider public services such as the NHS housing and other social care Among our ideas is calling for the Government to introduce a new Commissioner for Adult Social Care with a legal mandate to promote and protect the rights of those relying on the adult social care system

Sir Robert Buckland, MP for Swindon South says: “I was very pleased to meet with the dedicated team at Westwood House here in Swindon along with service users As someone with a long interest in autism and learning disability, this was a valuable opportunity for me to learn more about a number of ideas and initiatives that Voyage Care has to help improve the adult social care system

Unique Care Sector Recruitment Ser vice Launches

Quality Care Group (QCG) the leading providers of insurance and business solutions to the UK care sector, has announced the launch of a brand-new recruitment service for care businesses who require key senior hires to grow their organisations

This new recruitment service is the company s response to many years of listening to the market s needs and requirements for a recruitment partner, understanding the unique challenges of the care sector and why finding the right senior talent is the cornerstone to a successful business

This service will be led by Mike Tait who joins the team as Head of Care Recruitment With nearly two decades of experience in healthcare staffing and recruitment he aims to help care organisations find and hire their key senior personnel who can drive the growth and performance of their business

Mike had this to say on this exciting unique new service: Having spent considerable time within the healthcare recruitment sector, observing the growing frustration among providers grappling to secure suitable leaders for their organisations, it s clear that a significant demand exists and a solution is required for elevated service quality and standards By doing so we not only enhance value for service providers but also deliver improved outcomes The prevalent approach of enlisting a multitude of agencies each shouldering numerous roles has regrettably eroded confidence in the standard of fulfilment of cru-

cial positions”

Mike then went onto say: I am delighted to join QCG as we share a passion and ethos of what we believe in This is a unique opportunity to develop this shared mindset we have for driving higher quality and better value outcomes and solutions for our clients I believe we have a fantastic opportunity to deliver something quite unique in the care sector and further strengthen our relationships by working in partnership

offering a market leading recruitment solution to one of the biggest problems currently facing the sector ”

Partnering closely and exclusively on specific roles with business owners hiring managers and care organisations their focus lies in identifying and fulfilling crucial senior positions in the care sector

Demand has never been greater for skilled and experienced professionals in senior roles within the care industry and with this new service Quality Care Recruit aims to bring a fresh perspective by matching the varied and individual requirements of care businesses across the country with the right senior candidates

QCG's Managing Director Darren Pollard said: "We are very excited to launch this new recruitment service for the care sector We believe that this service will complement our existing business solutions and add further value for our clients We are ready to help our clients find and hire the best people to work at the top of their organisations

Editors are encouraged to contact Alan Ford at Quality Care Group for further information interviews or media inquiries 01273 424904

About Quality Care Group: Quality Care Group is a leading provider of comprehensive business solutions specialising in Insurance risk control and compliance With a commitment to excellence and innovation the company aims to support care business owners in providing safe and outstanding care

For more information, visit https://www qcaregroup co uk/

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

Christ Church Join Chorleywood Beaumont For Jazz Cocktails and Canepes

Residents at Chorleywood Beaumont care home were joined by guests from Christ Church in Chorleywood and enjoyed an afternoon of delight when cocktails and canapés were served at a live Jazz performance which took place at Barchesters Chorleywood

Beaumont

More than 35 guest s joined residents and their loved ones for a wonderful afternoon

Cristopher and Christian Chorleywood Beaumont’s amazing chef's prepared the most beautiful canapé the selection included Parma ham and fig with a balsamic glaze and for sweet they served individual tiramisu chocolate brownies and a beautiful selection of fruits Guests enjoyed delicious cocktails and there was plenty of fizz

Chorleywood Jazz - Chorleywood Music delighted guest with a fabulous selection of music and anecdotes and kept every one dancing singing and entertained for the afternoon

Christ Church held a Holiday at Home club for older members of the community and Chorleywood Beaumont invited them to finish the amazing week by joining them for a party

Christine Brannan, from Christ Church said “It was truly a sensational event and a great way to end our busy week! The attention to detail was so appreciated and made the afternoon a fantastic and memorable one for us all We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the team especially Chefs and the catering team! The food was truly delicious and enjoyed by us all! One resident John said “I love music and especially jazz It was a fantastic day and I enjoyed it immensely Thanks to all those involved Absolutely superb! ”

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

Data Protection: The Crucial Requirement For The Care Sector

By Naomi Grossman, Learning and Content Manager at compliance eLearning and software company, VinciWorks (www vinciworks com)

Care clients often provide highly sensitive and personal data How companies in the care sector process and manage their data is of critical importance but can be complicated The healthcare industry is an active target for cybercriminals with nearly 35% of data breaches occurring in this sector alone last year

How can data breaches happen? It’s surprising how long the list is It can start with human error such as an email attachment containing personal data sent to the incorrect recipient or records deleted accidentally It could involve someone obtaining personal data by deception or unlawfully intercepting email or online form submissions A classic scenario is opening or clicking a link within a malicious email that contains malware or viruses Natural disasters, such as fires or floods might also cause damage

is compliant and be the address for clients and authorities

Get consent from clients for collecting, processing or sharing personal data which is required under the UK GDPR

Ensure your employees are trained regularly on GDPR and data protection best practices which include handling sensitive data recognising and responding to data breaches and obtaining valid consent from clients

Ensure you have procedures in place to respond to data breaches which involve detecting investigating and reporting the breaches in a timely manner and minimising the impact of the breach

Review your company s data protection practices on an ongoing basis to identify and manage vulnerabilities that could lead to a breach

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) replaced the Data Protection Act five years ago It is EU legislation whose impact is felt by every organisation that holds and processes personal data including companies operating in the care sector Significantly GDPR introduced more substantial penalties for data breaches UK GDPR is basically the EU s GDPR rules incorporated into UK law plus the UK’s Data Protection Act 2018 which fills in the gaps of GDPR The core provisions of EU GDPR all remain the same under the domestic UK-GDPR with some minor differences

More sophisticated scenarios involve a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, which will prevent access to personal data for a while Then there are ransomware attacks, which disable or encrypt access to systems or records containing personal data Cybersecurity attacks which involve an attacker accessing, deleting or disclosing personal data are becoming increasingly common The bottom line is that adopting best practices to protect your client’s data is vital

But how?

• Start by developing a GDPR-compliant privacy policy detailing how personal data is processed who it is shared with and how long it stays in your system

Appoint a data protection officer (DPO) to oversee data protection monitoring activities This individual will also ensure that your company

Check that your third-party data processors are GDPR-compliant and monitor their data protection practices

Conduct regular data protection audits to ensure compliance which involves reviewing privacy policies data processing activities and data security measures Take steps to address any areas of non-compliance

If there is a breach report it as quickly as you can Ignoring the issue or trying to cover it up could cost significantly more

Remember that any data breach should be documented whether reportable to the authorities or not Implementing a centralised breaches reporting system is the best way to do this This enables DPOs to ensure the entire organisation is involved in the GDPR compliance process It also guarantees that in the event the authorities come knocking, the details of each breach are easily identified

Finalists Revealed for the Prestigious Suffolk Care Awards 2023

With just over one week to go the excitement is building as the finalists for the highly anticipated Suffolk Care Awards 2023 have been unveiled Organised by Care Development East, this esteemed event recognises and celebrates the exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations within the Suffolk care sector

The awards ceremony which promises to be an unforgettable evening is set to take place on the 21st of September 2023 at the elegant Milsoms in Kesgrave This year the event will be hosted by the renowned Dr Sabina Brennan, a leading expert in brain health and dementia Suffolk County Council the headline sponsor for the event continues its commitment to supporting and honouring those who provide exceptional care services to the community

Christian Bone CEO of Care Development East shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming awards ceremony saying The Suffolk Care Awards represent a significant opportunity to recognize the dedication compassion and innovation within our local care sector This year s finalists are truly outstanding and their commitment to enhancing the quality of care in Suffolk is commendable We are delighted to celebrate their achievements "

Without further ado we are pleased to announce the finalists for

the Suffolk Care Awards 2023:

Ambassador of the Year:

Lee Sweetlove - East of England Ambulance Service

Elaine Cole - Focus Care Supported Living

Stuart Howell- Leading Lives

Shelby Baker- East of England Ambulance Service

End of Life Care

Sarah's Carers - Sarah's Carers

Uvedale Hall - Uvedale Hall Healthcare Homes

Jubilee House - Seckford Foundation

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Childer Road Team - Focus Care Supported Living

Asterbury Place - Asterbury Place - Care UK

Leading Lives Leadership Team - Leading Lives

Health and Wellbeing

Montrose House - Suffolk M nd

Merryfields - Merryfields Care Home

Realise Futures Horticulture Team - Nowton Park

Innovative Practice

Primary Homecare - Primary Homecare

Four Ways Team - Sue Ryder Supported Living Chantry Park

Learning and Development Team - Leading Lives

Inspirational Leadership

Sandra O'Grady - Holmwood Care

Gerard Dooley - Cephas Care Crabbe St

Joanna McCall - Home Instead

Large Team of the Year

Seckford Care - Seckford Care

Sherrington House Care Home - Sherrington House

Avocet Court Care Home - Avocet Court

Professional Development

Sarah Jones - Focus Care Agency

Cathy O Brien - Seckford Care

Zoe McGranaghan - Leading Lives

Small Team of the Year

Holmwood Care Bungay - Holmwood Care Bungay

Merryfields - Merryfields Care Home

The Pink Team Sarah's Carers - Sarah's Carers

These finalists were selected from a competitive pool of nominations and their commitment to excellence in the care sector is evident in their outstanding work Each finalist has made a significant impact on the lives of those they care for and the community as a whole

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

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

Number of People Successfully Claiming NHS CHC Funding Drops by a Third, NHS Figures Show

Latest NHS England figures reveal that the number of adults receiving completed NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessments and the proportion that are deemed eligible for the funding package has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels according to analysis from retirement specialist Just Group

CHC is an NHS-provided package that fully funds people s care where there is primarily a ‘health need’ This means that qualifying treatment or care is typically for serious long-term or complex conditions which may have arisen from a disability accident or illness which affects the individual’s day-to-day care needs NHS CHC is not meanstested and is available to people regardless of their wealth or assets

In absolute terms the number of people being assessed as eligible for CHC funding each year has dropped by 32% from 15 963 people in 2018/19 to 10,847 people in 2022/23

In line with the declining number of successful claims the number of CHC referrals has also slowed, with the quarterly average for the most recent full year (2022/23) standing at 15 630- 15% lower than that seen in 2018/19 (18 369)

Likewise the quarterly average for the number of completed assessments remains stuck below pre-pandemic highs with the 12 163 aver-

age for 2022/23 marking a significant 24% drop from the average for 2018/19 (16 045)

This downward trend in the number of new referrals and assessments completed has continued into the first quarter of this year with 16,483 new CHC referrals and 12 906 completed assessments from April to June 2023 13% and 23% respectively lower than the same quarter (Q1) in 2018/19

There is a three-step process in CHC funding assessment process

The first step is to obtain a referral for on assessment this is usually done by a qualified healthcare professional The second step is for the assessment to be completed Only once the assessment has been completed comes the third and final step- a decision on whether the individual is considered eligible for CHC or not Over the past five years there has been a general slowdown in the numbers across all these three steps Separate research from Just Group2 shows that more than threequarters of over 45s (77%) have never heard of NHS CHC whilst a further 14% have heard of CHC but don’t know any of the details

Stephen Lowe group communications director at retirement specialist Just Group commented:

“Whilst the people completing the CHC process and being deemed eligible may be an increasingly rare group it remains one of the most financially generous benefits on offer- helping patients in full with the financial costs associated with serious complex and long-term medical conditions ”

People who remain in the dark about the potential impact of CHC could not only face the vast costs associated with chronic health conditions but knock-on consequences such as deteriorating mental health or financial pressure on their loved ones

“It is worrying that referrals and eligibility rates continue to lag below pre-pandemic levels sugge sting we are going backwards when it comes to raising awarenes s of CHC and supporting those in need with their applications

“We would strongly encourage those who believe that either a loved-one or themselves may qualify for CHC funding to speak to a qualified healthcare professional, whether that’s a GP, core home or district nurse or a social worker They can help initiate the journey to potentially receiving this funding by filling in a checklist and offering further information on CHC and what can be expected throughout the application process

Local School Children Bring Joy To Thorne Care Home Residents

A group of kind-hearted children from Green Top Primary School have brought joy to residents at RMBI Care Co Home Harry Priestley House in Thorne, Doncaster with their handmade cards

In return for their generous gifts the residents made some flower lollies as a treat for the children

Anne Stobart, Home Manager at Harry Priestley House, said: “It was such a delight to receive the colourful cards from the school children of Green Top Primary School It lifted our residents spirits up We are looking forward to

doing more activities with them in the next few months

The Home’s staff believe that bringing children into Harry Priestley House supports the residents mental health and wellbeing by spending time together exchanging experiences, and engaging in activities

Furthermore this allows residents to have a presence in their local communities Thanks to these initiatives, they are able to stay connected, which has a huge positive impact on their wellbeing

Care Group Celebrates Its Overseas Staff

A North Yorkshire care provider held a celebration evening to mark the ‘amazing’ contribution its new overseas staff have made to its operation

Saint Cecilia s Care Group has employed 28 staff from India Zimbabwe Ghana and Nigeria since September

And at a special evening event to celebrate their contribution the company s managing director said a huge thank you for their efforts

During a party at the Group’s Normanby House care home in Scarborough the overseas staff brought in food that was native to their home country to share as part of the celebrations

Saint Cecilia s Managing Director Mike Padgham said: We cannot thank our overseas staff enough for the amazing contribution they have made to Saint Cecilia s Care Group over the past 11 months

“They ve made a fantastic difference by strengthening our care and nursing team and helping us to look after our residents and we couldn’t have got through the past year

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

without them

“But more than that they have brought so much in terms of adding cultural diversity and bringing in new personalities and fresh energy to our care centres

“Their contribution has been amazing and the event at Normanby House was a celebration to mark what a huge difference they have made to us

Saint Cecilia’s overseas nursing recruitment was helped by a groundbreaking partnership with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Drawing on the previous experience the Trust had in recruiting via these channels has saved the care group countless hours and streamlined the process enormously

A pilot scheme – to enable social care providers to access health trust facilities for staff to study for and take their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) – was a lifeline for Saint Cecilia’s and for the nurses it has recruited

account:

• The results of the risk and skin assessment

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/how-can-we-help or call on 01905 774

Liz Kendall Moved From Social Care In Shadow Cabinet

Liz Kendall, Labour MP for Leicester West has left her post as shadow social care minister as part of Labour leader Kier Starmer s cabinet reshuffle

The reshuffle sees Ms Kendall move to shadow secretary of state for work and pensions and her replacement at social care is yet to be announced

Ms Kendall served as shadow minister for health and social care for threeand-a-half years having been appointed in April 2020

A strong advocate for reform she called for the devolution of powers on social care to the service user and their families

Shadow health minister Wes Streeting commissioned the Fabian Society in 2022 to launch a review of how a National Care Service would work

Ms Kendall called for clearer national pay and conditions for staff and a

“much more joined up approach with the NHS” on recruitment and retention

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan resigned from her shadow cabinet position as shadow mental health minister

In her resignation letter she said she had made the decision weeks ago to leave the role as it would no longer be a Cabinet position if Labour got into government

As discussed previously and in our call earlier you made clear that you do not see a space for a mental health portfolio in a Labour Cabinet which is why I told you many weeks ago that I would not be able to continue in this role

“From the backbenches I look forward to holding the Government to account and standing up for the Labour values I have always believed in

Catherine House Care Home Welcomes Home Librar y Ser vice

Catherine House Care home has partnered with Somerset Libraries’ Home Library Service, opening their doors to welcome their residents to the wonderful world of literature

The Home Library Service is a bespoke book delivery service that is fully funded and available for the residents, fondly referred to as family members by the home, who are no longer able to go to the library for their books of choice

Volunteer led books are picked based on the reader’s interests and hand delivered every 4 weeks giving those who receive them enough time to read through what they have chosen and then exchange for new ones As the weeks pass volunteers can befriend family members and bond over the joy of reading

Not only does the Home Library Service deliver books, but there are also audiobooks and tablets available to borrow, making the service accessible for those with sight loss and granting access to a wide range of books, newspapers, and magazines online

It is widely known that reading can be a great brain exercise, as well as a relaxing outlet to relieve stress levels Stimulating stories with captivating illustrations can ignite feelings of joy, curiosity, and nostalgia, especially if a person has been an avid reader in their lifetime The service has exemplified the importance of such communal gatherings in promoting a sense of belonging and shared experiences The team remain dedicated to crafting more heartwarming experiences that enrich the lives of its residents and bring the community closer together

Askham Village Community Organises the Best Edition Yet of Their Summer Fayre Since Pandemic

The Cambridgeshire care home and rehab centre opened its doors to the wider community on 26th August for the annual Summer Fayre

After some years of absence due to the pandemic Askham Village Community is very proud to have been able to organise a new edition of the Summer Fayre, one of the most important events that happen annually on the Askham grounds and to which all members of the public are invited

Having been transformed into a tradition by the founders of the organisation the Askham Summer Fayre is a free community event where all members of the public are invited no matter their age Having been postponed from July to August 2023 due to bad weather conditions the event took place on the 26th and was very much enjoyed by the public as many have expressed their gratitude on the Facebook page of the organisation

This year the Askham Activities team who are in charge with the organisation of the event did their best to provide an unforgettable experience to everyone present On the day many stalls and activities were brought onsite, including: food trucks with sweets and snacks, tens of stalls presenting different products of various local businesses various activities to be enjoyed by all members of the family and even an entire inflatable playground area that has rapidly become the main attraction of the fayre From crafts to tombola donations and various competitions everyone got the chance to be creative and even win some amazing prizes Apart from all the stalls the large public admired an American décor that included a car

took photos at the photo booth studio organised outdoors and the children even enjoyed getting painted or tattooed by artists

Reflecting on the importance of this event for the entire community the Operations Manager of Askham Mavrick Feast says: “We always highlight how important the value of community is for all of us here at Askham But what could be the best way to express this than by inviting our wider community on the Askham grounds? We are so happy to have seen on the day so many of our residents and their relatives team members and their families, friends and many other members of the large public enjoying the fayre This is how we measure the success of the fayre We couldn’t be more thankful as these are the moments we value the most ”

The success of the event was also guaranteed through many of the generous donations that Askham has received throughout the months prior to the event From the hampers donated by relatives of the Askham residents to the complete garden set donated by Kelly in the Community and the champagne donated by Thomas Ridley Foodservice, all these prizes were won on the day by the members of the public participating in the tombola At the end of the day Askham raised over £1000 through all the activities that happened across the site including games competitions book donations tombola stalls and the Askham café As announced by the Activities team the entire sum will be used to organise various trips and activities for the Askham residents

Gortacharn Residential And Nursing Home Purchased By Dunluce Healthcare

Gortacharn Residential and Nursing Home located on Nutfield Road Lisnaskea, has been acquired by Northern Ireland based Dunluce Healthcare

This latest addition to Dunluce Healthcare s already impressive portfolio will provide up to 55 residents with the highest quality of care in a modern purpose-built facility

With a history of offering best-in-class service Dunluce Healthcare will continue to employ the over 70 members of staff currently working at the home

Carer Readers Celebrate A

...Margaret Allen House, Ba Say Hello to the Winner of the Carer’

We are delighted to announce that Margaret of our Afternoon Tea week competition for 2023

We are thrilled to say this has become somet we launched Afternoon Tea Week to celebrate o British traditions and, other than perhaps the Lon Afternoon Tea Week better than a residential an stories and photographs we have received demo care sector

All that we asked was for care homes around Week celebrations and send us some photograp

That was it!

We wanted to encourage care homes to tap in delicious treats to help bring a bit of elegance a day

And you did us proud We were truly overwhe delighted to say! (And it did take us some time t Once again we are sorry we could only pick o The nominations were truly wonderful and inspir and dedication care homes around the country t special occasion!

Cranford Care Home, Aberdeen

Afternoon Tea Week 2023

’s

Afternoon Tea Week

artows Causeway, Tiverton

Competition…

Allen House care home, Tiverton is the winner hing of an annual tradition here at THE CARER, one of our finest and quintessentially great ndon’s Dorchester Hotel, nobody celebrates d nursing care home Trust us, we know! The onstrate just how important this event is in the the country to tell us about their Afternoon Tea phs of your events

nto the British Tradition of afternoon tea and nd pomp to an otherwise unremarkable time of lmed the nominations we received we are o plough through them all)!

ne winner, it was the most difficult of choices rational, demonstrating the time, effort, care ook to make Afternoon Tea Week that extra

Croft House, Shotton Collier y

Lyncroft Care Home in Wisbech

Hummingbird Care Home, Churchinford

Nor folk Lodge Ca

Muir ton House, Blairgowrie

Cwm Celyn Care Home, Blaina

St Clare's Care Home - Lincoln

Glentwor th House Nursing Home, Hove

Carer Readers Celebrate A

Dove Cour t Care Home, Seaton

Feather ton House, Deddington

Chandos Lodge, Hagley, Stourbridge

Cheaneycour t, Desborough, Kettering

Brena

Over ton House, Cottingham

River well Beck, Carlisle

Afternoon Tea Week 2023

Ernvale House Care Home, Leek

Kings Lodge Nursing Home, Bosham, Chichester

lwood Care Home, Walton-on-the-Naze

Haslington Lodge Care Home, Greenhithe

Rose Cottage Care Home, Huntingdon

Rowans Care Centre, Macclesfield

Revitalise Respite Holidays

Tickford Abbey Care Home, Newpor t Pagnell

Carer Readers Celebrate A

Thomas Tawell House, Nor wich

Spring Lane Residential Home, Muswell Hill

Stradbroke Cour t Care Home, Lowestoft

Clarendon Lodge Care Home, Rickmanswor th

Thornhill House, Barnsley

Chestnut Lodge, Yeovil

Parklands Acquires Two Moray Care Homes

Parklands Care Homes has formally acquired two Moray care homes with its managing director pledging to improve care standards and provide a better living environment for residents

Weston View in Keith and Wakefield House in Cullen have now been incorporated into the Parklands group six months after their former owner Craigard Care Limited suddenly went into administration

The move ensures continuity of care for almost 70 residents and safeguards around 80 jobs across the two homes

Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes said

Our formal acquisition of Weston View and Wakefield House ends a period of uncertainty for both homes – for the residents, their loved ones and the employees Since March we have been working with the administrators to secure the long-term future of these homes and I am delighted that they have now been incorporated into the Parklands group

Keith and Cullen are very much part of our Moray heartland and I am pleased that we have been able to come to an agreement that ensures continuity of care for residents gives peace of mind to relatives and safe-

guards dozens of local jobs

“We look forward to working with the teams at Weston View and Wakefield House to improve care standards and provide a better living environment for residents Both homes are so important to the communities they serve and we are determined to elevate them to a higher standard ”

Last month Parklands announced a £1 million improvement plan for the two homes

At Wakefield House, Parklands plans to widen the pathway and entrance to the home to improve access for people with reduced mobility, create a new sunroom extension to deliver a larger communal space, upgrade laundry facilities create a new hairdresser and improve staff changing facilities

At Weston View there are plans to introduce a new café doubling as an event space create a more welcoming entrance area expand the home’s four day rooms and add balconies on the first floor to provide residents with outdoor space

Cramlington Care Home Residents Enjoy Fun-Packed Sports Day

Residents and staff at RMBI Care Co Home Scarbrough Court in Cramlington Northumberland recently laced up their trainers and enjoyed taking part in a series of games on their Sports Day The staff organised and participated in classic Sports Day games, such as the three-legged race sack race tug of war and water relay while the residents enjoyed watching and cheering everyone on

Resident Jean Hubb said: “Today has been lots of fun with the games We’ve had a wonderful day It was funny to watch the staff get soaked during the water relay game Stacey Louise, one of the Home’s Activities Coordinators, said “It was so great to get everyone together for an outdoors activity Everyone had a laugh ”

Nourish Care and Radar Healthcare are Set to Revolutionise the Adult Care System

More than just a partnership Nourish and Radar Healthcare’s work with Future Care Group will lead to true digital innovation saving time lives and setting a pace of change that will have a real impact across healthcare

Since announcing their partnership in October 2022 Nourish and Radar Healthcare have run a successful proof of concept with Future Care Group that is set to radically improve the safety of the adult health care system for residents and staff

Chosen because they are a tech savvy organisation within the top 20 care groups, Future Care Group have been utilising the Nourish/Radar Healthcare software integration and report that it saves time increases the safety of residents and highlights areas that need improvements Feedback was collated throughout the initial phase to drive further improvements for the integration

The integration means that a user can log an incident in the Nourish Care planning app and it automatically populates details into Radar Healthcare’s risk, quality, compliance and safety software Radar Healthcare then provides process workflows and detailed analytics which allows all findings and outcomes to be fed back into the Nourish system leading to a sophisticated exchange of information between the two platforms

There s a lot of talk about integration in the industry and while that s always encouraging real change comes from analysing the day-to-day use of the integrated platforms over a period of time and using that data to improve the system We believe that this latest collaboration is going to set the bar in the adult care sector explains Nuno Almeida CEO and founder of Nourish

“We’ve upgraded the Nourish/Radar Healthcare integration, so that rather than simply reporting an incident the full integration now provides a lot more texture For example it doesn t just report a fall it pulls through all of the relevant information you need and pre-populates your incident form in Radar Healthcare

It s a much more rounded picture meaning that any markers are highly unlikely to be missed This is a huge leap in terms of healthcare digitisation It is exciting to see social care really drive change that will benefit the whole health and care sector ”

Paul Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Radar Healthcare says “Radar Healthcare and Nourish Care both share a clear vision of automated integrated data being a driving force for continuous improvement across social care The results of the initial phase have been excellent and both parties have worked together to scale the software for a more advanced user experience ”

Future Care Group reveals that during the proof of concept 200 incidents were reported and because all front line staff members were already fully conversant with the Nourish app it didn t add to their workload Managers could be quick to respond, completing activity in Radar Healthcare and then ensure no safety markers had been missed

“Using the tech was hugely beneficial for us ” says Stacey Hemming Group Clinical Developmental Lead at Future Care Group “It has prompted us to make changes in our training After identifying root causes of incidents we were able to identify patterns and areas for improvement We were then able to take in that risk and understand how staffing ratio changes, activity programme changes at key times of day and staff training could all be used to make a real difference

Denise Tack, Director of Partnerships at Nourish Care says: “This partnership goes beyond technology and signifies the joint understanding Radar Healthcare and Nourish have of the complexities of care delivery The continued development of this partnership will bring significant benefit to care provider teams but also raises the bar for other technology providers to drive meaningful collaboration in order to support the rapid digital transformation of the sector

Rhian Bulmer, Chief Partnerships Officer at Radar Healthcare, says: “At Radar Healthcare, we're bringing some of the most powerful care platforms together so our end-users can truly utilise their data for meaningful impact I'm delighted that our partnership with Nourish Care is paving the way to help care organisations of all sizes to be as efficient as possible while offering the best quality of care With a shared vision we have worked hard with Nourish to ensure the integration will fit the needs and requirements of carers day-to-day and will result in valuable reporting actionable insights and improved outcomes for residents

Ray’s Café Is Opened At Handford House Care Home In Ipswich

Residents at Handford House in Ipswich are delighted to be able to visit Ray s Café – their own coffee bar in the garden at the Ipswich home Ray’s Café has been lovingly developed using the visiting pod which was put into the garden at the start of the pandemic and is fully equipped with heating and electricity It will be used as a venue for lots of café activities meetings with friends and relatives or just for residents who may want to get away from the main house for a cuppa every so often

Handford House deputy manager Naomi Bender explained Earlier this year we were advised of some money being donated by the family of

one of our residents – her brother Ray had just passed away and the family wanted to make donations to the home in his memory Ray’s café has had two openings – one with Ray’s family and then a grand opening held during the Handford House summer fete which had a Hawaiian theme

During the event Naomi paid tribute to the team who have worked hard to create Ray s Café – with hours of painting sorting out furniture and giving the pod a café feel, as well as an especially commissioned new sign which reads Ray s Café – Refreshments provided just bring love and laughter ”

Oldham Athletic Chair, 73, to Row Atlantic

Ocean for Alzheimer’s Research UK Fundraiser

his December, Chair of Oldham Athletic A F C, Frank Rothwell, will race solo and unsupported across the Atlantic as part of the World s Toughest Row

This incredible challenge will take the 73-year-old grandfather 3 000-miles across the world s second largest ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua, with the aim of raising another £1 million for Alzheimer s Research UK

This will be the second time that Frank has taken on this challenge for the charity having raised over £1 1 million when he previously completed the row in February 2021 This saw him become the Guinness World Record holder for the ‘Oldest person to row across the Atlantic’

This time Frank has named his boat For A Cure to reflect the charity’s mission to find a cure for dementia, something personally important to him While he was away during the 2020 race Frank received the heartbreaking news that his brother-in-law Roger, had passed away with Alzheimer s at the age of 62 Earlier this year Frank also lost his best friend who passed away with the disease He hopes to raise as much awareness and money as possible for Alzheimer’s Research UK so that one day every person is free from the heartbreak caused by dementia

Frank Rothwell said: I m back and ready to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo – for the second time! This time, I’m 73-years-old and even busier than I was before having become the proud owner of Oldham

Athletic A F C But I’m a big believer in living life with no regrets, which is why I want to race again this year

Speaking about why he’s taking on the challenge for the second time Frank added: I m not frightened of the challenge ahead but I am frightened of Alzheimer s I’ve seen the heartbreak that it causes Sadly I’ve lost two people that I love to dementia my brother-in-law Roger

And Relax - Care Home Residents Celebrate National Relaxation Day

Residents really enjoyed the gentle stroll around the lake and beautiful scenery We recognise how important relaxation and mental well-being is to them and as a result, we encourage these trips out in nature as much as we can Of course no trip would be complete without a visit to the park’s café and a delicious ice cream General Manager Beatrice Godfrey said: “We are so happy to provide different experiences and outings for our residents!

during my 2020 race, and my best friend only a couple of months ago

It s devastating I don t want others to go through it so I am determined to help Alzheimer s Research UK change lives I ve renamed my boat For A Cure ’ because that’s what I’m racing for I’m racing to end the heartbreak of dementia I would be incredibly grateful to anyone who is able to support me by donating ”

Hilary Evans Hilary Evans Chief Executive at Alzheimer s Research UK, said: “We are in awe of Frank for deciding to race again for Alzheimer s Research UK He raised a phenomenal amount of money for the charity when he crossed the Atlantic during his last race We are so grateful to Frank for deciding to race again for us and row another 3 000-miles

“Since Frank’s last row, there has been incredible progress in dementia research with two new drugs for Alzheimer s disease proving successful But this is only just the beginning At Alzheimer s Research UK, we exist for a cure so we can save everyone from the heartbreak of dementia Frank and Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation’s continued support will help us to get there

We d love to see the public and football community get behind Frank by donating to his JustGiving page if they are able to do so These donations will raise crucial funds towards accelerating progress for a cure Thank you, Frank, and the very best of luck from Alzheimer’s Research UK

lifestyles and do the things we really love to do in order to relax

Jacky, a resident said: “It felt good to be in such a beautiful park, watching the birds I feel so uplifted and happy after today s outing

Photo credit A ex Wallace Photography

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

Tractor Themed Birthday Celebrations for Michael

Blueleaf the nationwide business that helps care homes deliver better outcomes has launched Stock 7 an updated range of bedroom refit solutions that can be delivered quickly from UK stock to help care providers avoid the cost of empty rooms

The new range comprises eight different bedroom schemes to match different tastes and budgets They include not only beds and mattresses, wardrobes, and other associated furniture but also matching curtains, soft furnishings and linen The schemes also include ancillary items such as crash mats and overbed tables Paints and finishes are also recommended for each of the designs

every care home faces – the need to maintain 100% occupancy levels wherever

three months for a new

into the hands of

If

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

Food Cost Savings During High Inflation? allmanhall Make It Possible.

Taylor & Taylor a group of family-owned residential care homes approached food procurement experts allmanhall looking to achieve scalable cost savings and efficiencies to support their growth They needed to ensure no detrimental impact to the excellent quality of their food offering and their residents’ dining pleasure

Their desire was to achieve a 5% food cost saving and to ensure ongoing effective management of catering budgets and invoicing Operationally, access to reports and insights were key as was ease of ordering and management of stock and deliveries

allmanhall undertook a like-for-like benchmark and identified food cost savings of 11 4% - more than double the initial objective! A few months into the contract allmanhall undertook further analysis and the real-life saving is actually 18% On the multi-temp category allmanhall have in fact delivered savings of 21 4% in a time of 17%+ food inflation!

Proactive buy right recommendations from allmanhall will deliver an extra 2 9% saving Protein savings and an ABL have also been proposed to drive further value

allmanhall have implemented industry-leading catering controls technology providing the homes with tools such as stock taking and standing orders Central billing is also a big win with allmanhall consolidating all supplier invoices into just one invoice per month, per home

From the start everything has been expertly managed and the transition has been fully supported:

I would wholeheartedly recommend allmanhall s services to others in the care sector and I look forward to continuing to grow our offering and provide outstanding food for our residents – Chris Rees, Group Executive Chef Why not let allmanhall support your food procurement? They will deliver savings reassurance and efficiencies allmanhall will give you more time to focus on your residents and on addressing labour challenges See

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 Biodegradable wipes are made of 100% plant based materials extra thick and extra large in size for a refreshing and eco-friendly body cleanse Soft-feel plant fibres with herbal extracts and vitamins to nourish the skin

Microwaveable for a warm and luxurious body cleanse

Ideal thickness for a soft feel and comfort Extra Large size wipes to reduce number of wipes required to clean entire body

Plastic Free wipes and 100% Recylable packaging 100% Plant based fibres used in producing the wipes

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

Running a care home presents plenty of challenges some of which it is wise to outsource to an experienced and reputable specialist

Swiftclean is a family owned nationwide business We specialise in air and water hygiene compliance with a particular emphasis on ventilation duct cleaning kitchen extract fire safety cleaning fire damper drop testing laundry extract cleaning and commercial building water systems Swiftclean has been and continues to be invaluable to general managers and facilities managers of care homes and can provide a package of services giving you peace of mind and value for money

Our specialist teams work in accordance with BSEN15780 and TR19® for ventilation cleaning; L8 and HTM-04-01 for water management; TR19® Grease for kitchen extract fire safety cleaning; and BS 9999 for fire dampers;

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!

Stimulation

• Communication

• Story Telling

Exercises Music Therapy

Internet Google Play Store

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

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

overseas Tel: 01704 808227

www jjcarerecruitment co uk

admin@jjrecruitment co uk