The Carer Digital - Issue #179

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Issue 179

“Sustained Crisis” In Social Care Government Warned Despite ‘Record Government Investment’

Unsustainable financial and workforce pressures are forcing adult social care providers to turn down new admissions and close services, according to a hardhitting report.

The 2023 Sector Pulse Check report, commissioned by learning disability charity Hft and Care England, reveals that government grants are not reaching the people who need them most.

The report, based on a large-scale survey of adult social care providers, finds that despite a £7.5bn funding boost in the 2022 Autumn Statement, there has been little progress in the key challenges facing the sector, and is arguably more perilous than ever.

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PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

I would firstly take this opportunity to say our next printed issue is on the presses this weekend! We here at The Carer use the services of a professional adult social care database company, who have this month refreshed our distribution database.

It is a database update, but if for any reason you have been receiving regular copy of THE CARER (which we do hope you enjoy) and do not receive a copy next week, please do email us at distribution@thecareruk.com Our front page makes rather stark reading. The recently released Sector Pulse Check Report by Editor Care England and HfT paints a blunt picture of the immense pressures faced by care operators. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the sustainability of adult social care in the face of mounting challenges.

Workforce cost pressures have reached a critical juncture, with a staggering 79% of care operators expressing that local authority fees fail to cover the increased costs associated with the National Living Wage. The burden is further exacerbated by soaring energy costs, which have surged by as much as 72% across adult social care and a staggering 350% for some care providers.

Financial constraints are pushing providers to make difficult decisions, as 43% have closed services or returned contracts to local government. An additional 18% are forced to reduce the number of individuals they care for, and a concerning 39% are contemplating exiting the market altogether. These statistics underscore the precarious state of the sector, with potentially dire consequences for vulnerable individuals who depend on these services.

The report sheds light on the inefficacy of government interventions, as 84% of adult social care providers report that grants administered over the past year made no tangible difference to their financial sustainability. This dire reality underscores the urgent need for targeted and effective measures to address the root causes of the crisis.

Equally troubling is the fact that 44% of adult social care providers had to turn down new admissions, 18% were compelled to close services, and 54% increased their reliance on agency staff. These trends not only compromise the quality of care but also exacerbate the strain on an already stretched workforce.

The report offers a glimmer of hope through its insightful recommendations to

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Peter Adams

EDITOR Peter Adams SALES EXECUTIVES alleviate workforce and financial pressures. Reforming VAT, introducing national commissioning standards, and establishing a cohesive national approach to adult social care representation on integrated care boards are crucial steps that can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient sector.

The government really needs to act urgently and must heed the urgent calls within the report and collaborate with stakeholders to implement meaningful reforms that safeguard the future of adult social care. Failing to address these challenges promptly could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the operators but, more importantly, for the vulnerable individuals who depend on the essential services provided by the sector.

I would also draw your attention to Christie & Co, has launched its Business Outlook 2024 on page 18. A very in-depth article and well worth reading and, while highlighting the challenges the sector faces, I was rather refreshed to read that there will be a growth in new builds, and operators expanding their portfolios, again a testament to the sector’s resilience.

Once again we have this week had some wonderful uplifting and heartwarming stories from care homes throughout the UK, so please do keep them coming.

As always, I can be contacted at editor@thecareruk.com

The Carer is published by RBC Publishing Ltd, 3 Carlton Mount, 2 Cranborne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5BR. Contributions are welcome for consideration, however, no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage. Views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Whilst every care is taken when compiling this publication to ensure accuracy, the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects, errors or omissions therefrom. All rights reserved, reproduction is forbidden unless written permission is obtained. All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 3

“Sustained Crisis” In Social Care Government Warned (CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER) The report stated: • the majority (71%) of care providers surveyed for this year’s report were in deficit or experienced a decrease in their surplus in 2023.

• the Government’s ‘record investment’ is simply not reaching providers, with 84% stating that financial initiatives from government – such as the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund and International Recruitment Fund – made no difference to their financial sustainability.

• the option to recruit staff internationally simply doesn’t apply and recruiting via this route may become increasingly difficult in light of changes to immigration rules announced in December 2023.

• the staff vacancy rates across adult social care remain sky-high.

• almost a fifth of providers offered care to fewer individuals, while two in five providers considered taking steps to close.

STAFFING & ENERGY COSTS Energy cost increases of up to 350% and unfunded rises in the National Living Wage left 40% of adult social care providers in deficit in 2023. This is particularly concerning when 84% of care providers said that recent funding initiatives from Government – such as the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund and International Recruitment Fund – made no difference to the financial sustainability of their organisation over the past year.

The inevitable result has been a reduced capacity to deliver care across providers, as: • 43% closed services or handed back contracts • 18% offered care to fewer people • 39% considered exiting the market altogether These financial challenges are compounded by a deep-rooted and systematic crisis in the workforce. Despite a rise in international recruitment, staffing shortages remain widespread. Nearly half (44%) of organisations had to turn down admissions due to a lack of staff.

APPROACH “ISN’T WORKING” The findings are a clear indication that the current approach to adult social care funding simply isn’t working. The recent tightening of immigration rules for overseas care staff and a growing concern about the dire state of local government finances only serve to add to the distress surrounding the future of the adult social care sector.

Hft and Care England call on the government to implement immedi-

ate measures to support the care sector – including improving commissioning practice, revising VAT arrangements and removing barriers to ethical international recruitment.

“It is difficult to offer words of hope and motivation when the past 12 months have seen the adult social care sector engulfed in a sustained state of crisis,” says Steve Veevers, Chief Executive of Hft. “Despite moving away from the immediate challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been little respite from the fundamental financial and workforce pressures that have faced our sector for many years. The fact that 43% of providers told us they closed a part of their organisation or handed back contracts last year is testament to this.

“It is extremely disappointing that the over-arching recommendations from last year’s Sector Pulse Check report haven’t been actioned and, despite additional investment from Government, we continue to operate amid significant challenges.

“The upcoming General Election provides the new Government with a perfect opportunity to address what is a key challenge for today’s society but one which nobody seems to be taking seriously enough.

“Our report provides several realistic, practical and impactful suggestions – including reforming VAT, revisiting the new visa laws for international workers and establishment of national commissioning standards – which we shouldn’t delay in implementing if we want to see real change from the next Government.”

SYSTEM NEEDS “RETHINK” Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says: “The narrative that social care is under pressure is not a new one.

What’s disappointing is that we find ourselves in a worsening crisis amid the Government’s narrative of ‘record investment’ into the sector.

“While the Government did make substantial commitments in the 2022 Autumn Budget, the outcomes have not matched the ambition.

The new money into the sector has not led to tangible change or any significant progress towards ‘fixing adult social care’.

“It’s clear that the way our system is funded needs a rethink. For years, adult social care providers have absorbed increased costs and inflationary pressures without corresponding funding. When money is made available it simply isn’t cutting through. “Recent changes to immigration rules and an insufficient Local Government Finance Settlement this year further suggest a Government that is heading in

the wrong direction. The sector’s needs are now on red alert.

“Our long-term vision remains one of a sustainable sector that is financially viable and an attractive destination for staff. While this may seem a distant reality, there are a range of policies at the Government’s disposal that would help turn the tide and put us on the path towards a sustainable future. As we count down to a general election, the Government must now make good on their promise to fix our sector.

The recommendations outlined in this report represent pragmatic first steps and I urge the Government to lose no time in implementing them.”

SUPERMARKET WAGES HIGHER David McGuire, Chief Executive, Diagrama Foundation said, “The report concluded by saying ‘There is undoubtedly a great deal of goodwill and desire to see the challenges facing the sector addressed.

As such, we call on the Government, both current and future, to invest the necessary resources and political capital to fundamentally reimagine how the money in the adult social care system can deliver its desired effect.’ The Diagrama Foundation team, who participated in the survey, back the findings and the recommendations of this Care England report.”

“Budget and cost forecasts for each year is often a stab in the dark, as we do not know how local government will respond to the changes that central government is making, such as changes to the national minimum wage, different national strategies, and the pressures from increasing interest rates.”

“The cost-of-living crisis has had a huge impact. It was hard before, but now it is very difficult to find people ready to work in the care sector when they can probably earn £2 more per hour working at supermarkets or food chains. We need people who see care as a vocation but at the moment they need to prioritise their salary over where they work to ensure they have food on the table.”

“The financial impact is very high as local government is not increasing fees at the same level as all our costs are increasing, which means that the slim margins are disappearing and we are operating knowing that we will be making some losses.”

To read the full report: visit https://www.hft.org.uk/getinvolved/public-affairs-policy-and-campaigns-sector-pulse-check/ or https://www.careengland.org.uk/sector-pulse-check-2023/

PAGE 4 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 What it Means for You Currently thousands of employees across the UK use annual leave, part-time or flexible working to support loved ones and fulfil long-term care needs. New, draft regulations for the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 (Act) were laid before Parliament on 11 December 2023, setting out the details of a new regime, which will require employers to change the way support is offered to their employees with care responsibilities.

The Act is due to come into force with effect from 06 April 2024, and is estimated that it will give rights to at least two million employees who are carers in the UK1.

Paul Kelly, Head of Employment law at Blacks Solicitors, discusses the Act, the impact this will have on the social care sector and what employers need to know about supporting employees who are also carers once this comes into force.

THE LAW The Act will introduce a statutory entitlement to one week’s unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities.

Currently, there is no existing statutory right for employees to take leave to carry out caring responsibilities. Currently, employees in this situation must utilise other kinds of leave to assist loved ones who are ill and/or in need of care. This may include flexible working, maternity leave, parental leave and even using their annual leave. While these various leave entitlements can be used to fulfil caring responsibilities, this was not their purpose and none are specifically tailored to these circumstances.

The Act aims to prompt employers to improve the support available to employees with caring responsi-

bilities, and for many, create carer-related policies for the first time. Support from employers for carer’s health and wellbeing is shown to greatly mitigate the pressures carers face2.

IN PRACTICE The government hopes that the Act will help to address the gap in support by introducing a new statutory ‘day one’ right to unpaid carer’s leave for employees who are providing or arranging care for dependents with long-term care needs. The ‘Day one’ right refers to employee’s having the right to request this leave from the first day of employment with no qualifying period.

From 06 April 2024, carers will now be provided with one week of unpaid flexible leave per year, to be taken either as full or half-days.

Eligibility for this week of leave will take account of multiple factors, such as whether the employee is a primary carer, who the dependent is, and whether the dependent has a long-term care need.

In order for an employee to request leave, it is expected that they will need to provide advance notice that is at least twice the length of the time being requested as leave, plus one day. For example, if an employee is requested three days off to take care of an individual with a care need, they need to request this from their employers within a minimum of seven working days prior to the first day of leave.

An employee may complain to an employment tribunal if their employer unreasonably postpones a period of leave or prevents an eligible employee from taking carer’s leave once this Act comes into force.

Employers should therefore consider the following prior to the 06 April: • Updating or creating new policies to inform their employees of the new legislation and the process and practicalities of requesting leave.

• Whether this new entitlement should be enhanced by offering to pay for some or all of an employee’s carer’s leave or if this will just be unpaid leave.

• Ensure that this new legislation is understood by all members of staff in the organisation, including managers, old and new employees.

If you have any questions about the Carer’s Leave Act, or any other employment law questions, please visit: www.lawblacks.com/employment-law

Blanche Celebrates Her 103rd Birthday In Classic Style The care team at Friends of the Elderly’s residential care home, Little Bramingham Farm in Luton, Bedfordshire, put ‘The pedal to the metal’ and ensured that resident, Blanche Fromenton, had a marvellous day celebrating her milestone 103rd Birthday.

Blanche’s special day was made extra special with gifts, balloons, cards and a birthday lunch with her family at the home, complete with a delicious birthday cake.

Londoner Blanche has been a resident at Little Bramingham Farm for over three years and is a much loved and admired member of the care home family. The eldest child of six, Blanche always looked after her siblings so it’s no surprise her first job was as a Nanny, caring for a two-year-old toddler. However, Blanche met her husband whilst she was working in a grocery store on Drury Lane in London. They married at St. Mary’s Church in Hornsey and had two sons and is now a proud Grandmother to three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The care team at Little Bramingham Farm love to hear Blanche’s stories and always encourage her to reminisce and tell them about her incredible 103 years and life experiences. Blanche, who has an infectious sense of humour, never disappoints. “During my 103 years, I’ve seen and experienced so many

things,” said Blanche. “Growing up in the 1920s and 30s, and experiencing the 50s,60s and beyond, I saw talking movies begin, the invention of things like the Microwave Oven, sliced bread, the Internet, the television – my personal favourite, Post-it-Notes and even Sellotape.

“I remember when foreign holidays were all the rage as package holidays to Spain became available, and then of course in 1969, men landed on the Moon – and that’s just a snap shot of what has happened in my lifetime,” continued Blanche.

“One thing that surprised, and I think even shocked, everyone at Little Bramingham Farm is that I got caught for speeding in my car,” added Blanche.

Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm said: “We all wanted to make sure Blanche had a truly memorable 103rd Birthday, surrounded by her family and care home friends. She loves her family so very much and is always such a joy to be around. Blanche has a great sense of humour and thoroughly enjoys a joke.”

“Blanche constantly amazes us with her independence,” added Karen Charity, the care home’s Activities Coordinator. “Blanche loves the exercise classes and keeps up so well. We all love seeing her take part.”

“Karen’s right, I’m particularly fond of the exercise classes and I also enjoy joining in with the visiting singers. There’s always something different going on here for me to get involved with,” Blanche added.

Cleva: Simplify Expenses and Boost Your Income with an Award-Winning Shopping and Expense Card Cleva, an award-winning shopping and expense card provides an easy way for organisations to shop on behalf of their vulnerable and elderly clients.

Through ‘single card switching’ technology, it allows carers or support teams to effortlessly handle the finances of multiple clients with just one card. This not only simplifies processes but also reduces administrative burdens significantly – Cleva clients are now saving over 70 minutes of admin time, per client per month!

UNLOCK NEW REVENUE STREAMS Cleva is also proven to boost revenue by enabling organisations to offer a chargeable shopping service to clients, creating a valuable additional income stream. With time and resource saving as well as an extra income opportunity, it makes Cleva an indispensable tool for enhancing the financial health of organisations.

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For vulnerable users who want to spend their own money, Cleva provides access to choice and a way for them to spend in a monitored and safe environment, with no risk of becoming overdrawn or overwhelmed. Bespoke spending controls can be added to each vulnerable users’ card, and their carer or support team can also have a Cleva card to help with spending, if needed.

TRANSPARENCY AND SAFEGUARDING Cleva goes beyond financial efficiency and fosters a safe and transparent environment for both carers and organisations. With complete accuracy and visibility in the app and management platform, false allegations of theft become a thing of the past. When surveyed, 100% of organisations felt more confident in safeguarding their employees at work thanks to Cleva.

Crowned winner of the 2023 National Care Awards, in the Tech Innovation of the Year category, Cleva really is showcasing the power of technology merged with care experts in an underserved industry.

Ready to find out more? Click here: clevacard.com/thecarer

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 5

Thousands Calling Dementia Charity To Navigate Legal And Financial Challenges Of The Condition Alzheimer’s Society has revealed people needing legal and financial help are amongst the top calls they received in 2023.

Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Line, which is staffed by expert Dementia Advisers, received over 5,300 calls from people seeking information about legal decisions they face such as around Lasting Power of Attorney or on money concerns – as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Staff have also reported many people sharing frustrations about a lack of good support options. There were almost 4,500 calls from people seeking advice and help about the services they or loved ones could access in 2023.

The devastation of dementia was also highlighted by the number of people turning to Alzheimer’s Society about the emotional toll of the condition, with more than 3,500 calls.

It comes as staff are expecting one of their busiest months of the year. In January last year the charity dealt with a spike of over 6,600 calls – more than 19% higher than the average monthly call volume for all of the previous year.

Alzheimer’s Society also said families often contacted them in the New Year after spending more time with relatives over Christmas, and observing changes in their behaviour or concerning symptoms.

An Alzheimer’s Society survey shows nearly one in two Brits think more about their own, or their family’s health over the Christmas season compared to other times of the year. Over the festive period, one in five

respondents noticed, or were concerned about, changes in thinking, memory, concentration or other brain functions beyond what is typically expected in an ageing relative or loved one.

There were 965 calls to the Dementia Support Line on the six days it was open between Christmas 2023 and 2nd January 2024 – a 36% increase on the previous year.

People looking for dementia symptoms was amongst the top Google searches that brought people to the Alzheimer’s Society website during the festive period this year.

The charity has revealed its services were used over 6.1m times in 2023.

Debbie Ellor, Senior Dementia Support Line Manager, said: “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, and one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. People have told us that what they need most is advice and one point of empathetic contact, from people who understand dementia, which Alzheimer’s Society can provide.

“Throughout the year, people are turning to our Dementia Support Line for help when they are facing heartbreaking financial decisions, or struggling to get the right care in place for a loved one.

“It is only because of those who support us that we can continue to give vital help to those living with dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society vows to help end the devastation caused by dementia, providing help and hope for everyone affected. For more information or to donate visit alzheimers.org.uk”

Veterans Celebrate Charity’s 108th Anniversary Celebrations have taken place at Royal Star & Garter’s three Homes, as the charity marked its 108th birthday.

Residents at the Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe enjoyed live music and dancing, and ate cake, as they celebrated Royal Star & Garter’s anniversary.

The charity was established on 14 January 1916 to care for severely injured men returning from WWI battlegrounds, following concern expressed by Queen Mary. She charged the British Red Cross Society with finding a ‘permanent haven’ for severely disabled young men returning from war.

Today, Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia from its three Homes, and has new services reaching out into the community.

Celebrations at the Homes kicked off on Friday 12 January at Surbiton, with swing singer Ruy Christo coming into the Home to perform for residents, before they enjoyed afternoon tea and sang happy birth-

day to Royal Star & Garter.

At Solihull, celebrations took place on the Sunday, with pianist Louise Potter playing and her daughter singing with her.

Residents later had their own tea party and ate birthday cake.

Music duo KelBilly also performed on Sunday at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe. This was followed by a party with Prosecco and birthday cake.

The charity’s Director of Care & Wellbeing, Shirley Hall, said: “Over a century after we started, we are still caring for our nation’s Armed Forces community, and in the past year we have extended our new services to reach even more veterans. I love seeing the Homes filled with such happiness and celebration. Staff are always finding ways to create fun and joy, and I think they enjoyed the birthday parties as much as the residents!”

PAGE 6 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

ChatGPT and the Adult Care System - We Need To Be Aware Of The Limitations

Nourish Care’s Chief Product Officer Jeremy Baldwin on why the care sector should be careful in rushing to adopt AI

There are many great examples of AI being used to positive effect in health and social care leading some care providers to look at open platforms like ChatGPT to generate care plans and make calls on tech providers to build into their systems. I get the attraction but we shouldn’t rush in.

Yes, plans created through ChatGPT can read really well and appear person-centred, saving time, and improving the perceived standard of the plans generated, but there are significant data privacy, clinical safety and quality issues to consider. These relate to how and when the AI is being used, who or what is making the decision and who is responsible if something goes wrong.

A single care provider deciding to accept these risks in their own clinical safety cases is one thing while setting best practice by integrating into systems such as Nourish that are used at scale across the sector is quite another.

A common understanding of AI is technology performing human tasks and decisions. At the most basic level, asking the AI to perform a specific, usually administrative, but cognitive task like writing a report through to the AI automating decisions or tasks based on a set of rules and then to autonomous applications where the AI is doing both the decision making and action without intervention - care delivering robots, which begs the question, will the human be replaced? Can you take the human out of health care? Or perhaps put another way can the AI care?

In reality, this is all a long way off in the care sector, if it happens at all. The careful, considered and responsible adoption of AI will reap benefits but, as always, will take longer to manifest than we think.

Automation in our digital systems is nothing new. It’s core to Nourish and how we are developing best practice to help ensure that the right things happen at the right time.

What’s changed is the availability of open language models like ChatGPT. They are trained to understand natural language, intent, and context for the action or decision and can respond with human-style conversation. This makes them useful and attractive.

Using ChatGPT to give better structure to a care plan, and make it easier for others to consume is fine as is using it as a starting point for personalised care plans but not if it’s being used to generate the plan from scratch.

A ChatBot that makes it easier to access and understand information from a defined source — such as an individual’s personalised care plan and record — and is really powerful, but caution should be applied if this ends up being advice or recommendation based on data from multiple, open sources. Where is this data coming from? What happens if there is a conflict? Which fact (or more likely opinion) should I use?

Nourish is advancing rapidly and one of the biggest areas of growth is integrations. What will revolutionise care is the use of devices and wearables, along with home automation devices that allow us to improve care in community settings, particularly in people’s homes. It’s a huge technological leap. All of these things become part of the puzzle in being able to identify what normal looks like for this person and to be able to identify and monitor anomalies. This makes it easier to identify those at greatest risk, or urgent need and manage resourcing accordingly.

AI will continue to grow and Nourish is effectively creating a model of what good social care looks like.

We’re ideally placed to do that as we’re instrumental in providing digital care support in almost a quarter (24%) of the market, which gives us access to a huge dataset that is growing all the time. AI modelling of these data sets over time, will inform better practice but we still need human beings to make those important care decisions.

Automations that reduce the burden on care teams for administrative, reporting and compliance have to be a good - and safe thing. Automated workflows that guide and nudge on the next best action will lead to faster and better interventions, but caution is needed if this strays into the generation and application of treatment plans or response to an event.

This need to keep decision-making in human hands won’t hinder advancement. Those predicting that we will be cared for by robots and automated systems in a few years' time will be proven wrong. It’s not going to be futuristic care of the imagination, it will be slow because the system is slow. There is still a very long way to go and one thing I predict is that we’ll seriously underestimate the impact that AI will have on social care in the future.

ABOUT NOURISH CARE Nourish is the leading provider of digital care management software in the UK. Nourish 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 technology 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.

www.nourishcare.com

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 7

Learning Disability Charity HFT Appoints New CEO Hft, the learning disability charity, has appointed Steve Veevers as its new Chief Executive Officer from 1 January 2024.

He replaces Kirsty Matthews who has stepped down after three years in the role.

Steve has over 25 years of social care and health experience, having worked as a senior leader in national and regional not-for-profit care providers, local Government and consultancy work to the benefit of social care.

Before joining Hft, Steve was the Managing Director of a large, not-for-profit adult care provider in the South West of England, a Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and a Senior Executive in a national learning disability charity. In these roles, he has been able to enable people who draw upon care and support to have person centred, independence focused and community-based care that allows individuals to live the lives they want.

“I’ve had the privilege of working for people who draw upon care and support throughout my career and I’m delighted to be joining and serving Hft as its CEO at a crucial time

in its history. It’s clear that social care is at such a fragile time, with workforce, financial and image issues rampant. It’s massively important that Hft and providers like ours can continue to be a leading voice in calling for long-term change, while also demonstrating that change can happen.

“I’ve already seen and heard of colleagues at Hft doing extraordinary things to make sure that learning disabled people are able to live their best possible lives.

“I am looking forward to supporting the charity to continue delivering against the pioneering spirit of the founding families to do more and better for learning disabled adults with the same grace and determination that I’ve seen demonstrated across our care and support teams.”

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Amanda Bunce, says: “Steve brings with him a commitment to collaborative approaches across local communities, not-for-profit providers and statutory organisations to help people live their best lives, something he will support Hft to continue doing well.”

Wren Birds Of Prey Visits Residents At Local Care Home

Ashchurch View care home in Ashchurch, near Tewkesbury has had some very unusual visitors, Avalon, Mumbles and Saxon!

Residents and their families at Ashchurch View were fascinated to meet and hear all about these magnificent birds. Jenny from Wren Birds of Prey, based in Gloucestershire, who bought along the amazing birds is a font of knowledge and has years of experience in training the birds.

Mumbles is an Indian Eagle Owl, with her striking orange eyes is a fantastic 18 years of age, in the wild the average life expectancy would only be about 10 years. Avalon is a falcon distinctive as they wear a hood to keep them calm, once

removed Avalon became very vocal and was getting ready to catch his prey! Finally we met Saxon a buzzard bred in captivity.

Sarah Walker, Activities Coordinator arranged the visit and said “Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors today. We often go out on trips in the minibus but having animals come into the home is fun and something all our residents can enjoy especially as some are unable to go out. We are always looking for new activities for the residents and today we have seen the seen the enjoyment and the therapeutic influence animals can have on people. It was amazing how calm the birds were with the residents”

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PAGE 8 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Dynamic Lighting and Its Benefits to Dementia Patients

By Kate Turley, 1851 Royal Commission Industrial Fellow

The continued growth of the ageing population comes with a number of health-related pressures. One of the biggest challenges to address within this age bracket is a diagnosis of dementia.

Dementia is a disease with no cure and is prevalent in those over the age of 65. Typically, individuals with dementia will experience symptoms such as cognitive decline, memory loss, sundowning and agitated/restless behaviours. More often than not, their reduced brain functioning impacts their sleep-wake cycles, introducing a disruption to their body clocks and causing a mistiming of sleep with the typical day/night cycle.

Over time (and largely due to these symptoms), people living with a diagnosis of dementia may require additional care.

Admittedly, this responsibility extends to the care workforce and has become somewhat overwhelming.

As part of my Industrial Fellowship with the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, I am investigating how dynamic lighting could be involved in the alleviation of these symptoms of dementia, with the aim of improving the quality of life for people living with dementia alongside those working within the care sector.

Dynamic lighting operates by changing in spectral content throughout the day in a similar manner to the sun’s daily cycle. Warmer colours at lower intensities are present in the early mornings and late evenings with cooler and higher intensity lighting present throughout the mid-morning and afternoons. It is known

that introducing this type of lighting to a care home environment can help to realign the body clock with the daylight cycle and improve sleep, restlessness, agitation and mood.

The dynamic lighting device we have designed is also equipped with a sensor that can track the location of a resident, their rest-activity patterns and their sleep/wake cycles. This system then facilitates learning about an individual’s activities and tailoring the timing and duration of the dynamic lighting in accordance with this. Over time, our aim is to provide a user-centred dynamic lighting environment that will best alleviate their symptoms of dementia and improve their quality of life.

By association, improving these symptoms of dementia will relieve some of the strain placed on caregivers when caring for them. For example, a Target Product Profile was carried out in January 2022 by Alzheimer’s Research UK and found that an estimated 90% of cost increases in this sector are caused by higher rates of admission to care home environments for people living with dementia who are also experiencing agitation.

I am hopeful that the results of my research can be used to relieve some of these symptoms and benefit both resident and caregiver alike, so that the future of dementia care can become a lot more promising.

Aside from the economic implications, the societal impact of improving the mood of people living with dementia is extremely significant, as they often self-report on how heavily their mood and sleep are felt to be interlinked.

In terms of the caregiver perspective, a 2019 report published online by Alzheimer’s Association states that 60% of caregivers for people living with dementia experience very high stress levels alongside 40% reporting clinical depression. Therefore the research we are conducting could provide substantial improvement to the wellbeing and quality of life for those living with and caring for people with dementia.

Former Nurse Turns ‘Undercover Boss’ In Efforts To Improve Care Quality A former nurse has turned ‘undercover boss’ in an attempt to improve quality and standards in care homes.

Sathi Raghavan, who worked as a registered nurse and midwife in both India and the UK before establishing her own business in the sector works shifts in homes to check care quality and suggest improvements.

The founder of Millennium Staffing which supplies staff to care homes, hospitals and other healthcare settings across the West Midlands joins care home teams and works alongside her staff who are oblivious she’s, their boss.

Sathi said: “It all started when I was working as a nurse in a care home and got fed up with agency staff coming in, many of whom refused to carry out the tasks they were needed to do to provide the best care.

“That’s what led me to set up my own specialist employment business.

And when I got my very first call from a care home asking for shift cover that evening, I rang the small team I’d recruited, and no-one was free.

“So, I put on a uniform and turned up and worked the shift. It gave me the opportunity to really understand the home, how the team works, their procedures and care levels so it’s something I’ve done ever since.

“I spend one or two days with all new homes so I can prepare and train my staff to meet the exact needs of that home, everything from the home layout to the full variety of tasks they should be willing

and able to do.”

And last month Sathi joined a care home night shift at 1am with agreement from the manager to shadow the team and watch her staff perform through the night and into handover.

She said: “I love it and it’s really inciteful. Not just as a way of seeing the team first hand but also at bringing an outside perspective and a chance to suggest ways for a home to improve its care and safeguarding.”

And her undercover missions have led to improvements across multiple homes including improved CQC inspection outcomes and using her medical background to improve care plans.

She has also suggested changes to staffing levels to improve care quality even if this means her staff are no longer needed.

Sathi added: “As a nurse I want to deliver the best care possible, so I’m personally invested in every care home and every resident. And that extends to my team.”

Now providing nurses, care and kitchen assistants, social workers, and other staff to care homes, hospitals and social care providers Millennium staffing has grown from Sathi on that first shift to almost 400 employees in under three years.

For further information visit www.millenniumstaffing.co.uk

Award-winning Care Provider, Lovett Care, to Develop Major New Purpose-Built Site in Manchester, Following Loan from OakNorth • Founded in 2009, Lovett Care provides high quality residential, dementia and nursing care in the North West and Wales; • The Group’s current portfolio consists of over 500 beds, with the past three years having seen the business grow to nine homes; • The bespoke loan from OakNorth will support Lovett Care’s latest purpose-built care home, situated in Northern Moor, Manchester; • Those aged 65+ in England and Wales is forecast to grow by a further 2.3m to 13.9m by 2031, highlighting the growing demand for high quality care homes.

OakNorth – the digital bank for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs – has provided a bespoke loan to Lovett Care, the award-winning care home provider.

Founded in 2009, Lovett Care specialises in offering residential, nursing and dementia care across England and Wales. The past three years has seen the business grow to nine care homes, with the Group’s current portfolio now consisting of over 500 beds. With a core focus of enabling older people to continue living an active and enriched life, regardless of their needs, Lovett Care have built-up a strong reputation in all the areas they operate in.

The bespoke loan from OakNorth will be used to support the development of Lovett Care’s latest purpose-built care home situated in Northern Moor, Manchester. The new site will consist of 59 en-suite rooms, lounge and dining facilities, hair and beauty salon, café, and activity room, and will specialise in offering nursing and dementia care, as well as treatments for other mental health conditions. The facility follows

OakNorth’s initial loan to Lovett Care in March 2023, that was used to support the group’s future growth.

Keith Crockett, CEO of Lovett Care, commented: “We were delighted to once again work with OakNorth. This is a further milestone in our long-term growth strategy and consistent with our commitment to deliver the best quality care in attractive market locations.”

Dale Cowdell, Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added “We were delighted to once again support this well-regarded care home operator. With those aged 65+ in both England and Wales set for a substantial increase over the next decade, this further highlights the importance of building new sites at locations across the UK. With a robust expansion strategy, the upcoming site will be a valuable addition to the community, enhancing Lovett Care’s overall success.”

Website: www.oaknorth.co.uk Email: Dale.Cowdell@oaknorth.co.uk Phone: 07954205166

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 9

Yemen Strikes May Mean Higher Energy Costs, Warns Care England Following the UK strikes in Yemen, energy prices are set to spike again over the coming weeks. In conjunction with the current cold snap in the UK and the current political climate, the price of gas and energy are again exposed to volatility. This, alongside ongoing underfunding and wider challenges that the care sector has faced for the last decade due to Government inaction, presents an increasingly challenging background yet again for care providers to operate in.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says: “Care providers are being put under unsustainable pressure this winter period, and many aren’t benefitting governmental financial. In response, Care England conducted an energy tender and lowered the cost of energy for 100% of care providers who participated. While we continue to deliver pragmatic solutions for adult social care providers, practical action is crucial to safeguard from future energy price spikes where possible via the Care England tender.”

60% of care providers cite utility bills as a key challenge and the second most cited cost pressure behind only workforce pay. Care England is responding accordingly, to ensure all care providers can alleviate some

of their ongoing pressures.

In Care England’s new publication, ‘Savings, Solutions, and Sustainability,’ energy sector expert David Woodward, Director at Focus Energy Services Ltd, shared what care providers can do to ensure they obtain the best value and most sustainable energy contracts when it comes to buying gas and electricity contracts. In the article, David also highlights what constitutes a good energy broker, and outlines tips to make businesses more energy efficient.

Care England has also created a free to use Strategic Management Audit Repository Tool, containing a dedicated ESG module outlining where care providers can work toward environmental targets, including a section on energy usage and efficiency.

Professor Martin Green continues: “Recent events have taught us that having our own solutions in place wherever possible is more important than ever; to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Energy is central not just to the wellbeing of people in receipt of care, but to a business itself.”

WK Goodman Announces New Senior Hire In Health And Social Care Team Anna Fee joins RWK Goodman’s Health and Social Care Team with a focus on regulation and contentious matters Based in the London office, Anna is a regulatory solicitor who has extensive experience supporting health and social care providers in relation to challenging Care Quality Commission (CQC) and OFSTED inspection reports and other enforcement action including Warning Notices, Notices of Proposal and Notices of Decision to impose conditions or cancel providers’ registrations. Anna will also advise providers in relation to Local Authority contract matters, safeguarding investigations, and inquests. She joins RWK Goodman from Ridouts.

Anna says: “I’m thrilled to be joining RWK Goodman’s esteemed Health and Social Care team. Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to offering commercial and

pragmatic advice to providers in connection with crisis management, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. Joining this team allows me to continue this important work and contribute my experience in these areas to RWK Goodman clients. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues to make a meaningful impact in the Health and Social Care sector.”

Mei-Ling Huang, partner in RWK Goodman’s Health and Social Care team says: “We are delighted to welcome Anna to our team. With her impressive track record in supporting providers in navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance and enforcement actions, Anna is a natural fit for us. Her commitment to providing practical and strategic advice aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to working with her to further enhance the services we offer to our clients in the sector.”

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 11

Waiting List Falls Again As NHS Staff Treat More Patients Than Ever Before In One Month The covid backlog has fallen for a second month in a row new data revealed this month.

Monthly performance data shows that the overall waiting list fell by more than 95,000 – down to 7.6 million in November from 7.7 million in October Thanks to the measures set out in the NHS elective recovery blueprint, there were 60,000 fewer patients waiting for care in November (6.39 million) than in October (6.44 million) and 112,000 fewer than in September (6.5 million).

The progress was down to NHS staff delivering more than 1.63 million treatments in November, the highest monthly activity on record and around 150,000 more than the same month before the pandemic (1.48 million in Nov 2019).

The number waiting over a year for treatment fell to 355,412 in November, the lowest it has been since May 2022, with 65 week waits now down 59% from a peak of 233,051 in June 2021 to 94,563.

Not only was it a record month for treatment, but NHS staff also delivered a record number of diagnostics in November with more than 2.3 million patients receiving vital tests or checks for worrying symptoms – up 15% on the same month pre-pandemic with two million seen in November 2019.

More than 200,000 people received the all-clear or a definitive diagnosis for cancer in November within four weeks – also the highest since the new faster diagnosis target was recorded.

There were significant improvements in ambulance performance last month compared to the year before, with urgent incidents like heart attacks and strokes (Category 2) receiving an ambulance on average 47 minutes faster than in Dec 2022.

This is despite much higher demand, with 43,000 more Category 2 callouts than the same period the previous year (410,747 in Dec 2023 vs 367,985 in Dec 2022).

Emergency (Category 1) ambulance responses were over two minutes faster than the same month last year (8m 44s compared to 10m 58s), despite more Cat 1 calls in December than any other month in 2023.

Separate weekly data to 7 January shows the NHS is making significant progress in its ambition to rollout more than 99,000 core beds to align with the expected peak in Covid and flu patients in the coming weeks.

The hard work of hospital teams during the longest period of indus-

trial action in NHS history saw the number of core beds available to admit patients to wards grow by 1,084, taking the total to 98,703.

The weekly figures also show there were an average of 1,548 flu patients in hospital each day last week, including 107 in critical care – up a sixth in a week from 1,312 w/e 31 Dec 2023. In addition to flu, other seasonal viruses continue to place pressure on hospitals across the country, with an average of 424 patients in hospital with norovirus each day last week and 4,244 patients with Covid.

Figures for last week also show that measures in the NHS’s urgent and emergency care recovery plan are working alongside extensive and robust winter plans, with the time lost to ambulance handover delays down a fifth on the same week last year, from 36,369 to 28,872 hours.

Measures rolled out across the country include care ‘traffic control centres’, more ambulance hours, extra beds, and innovative use of the NHS’s world-leading virtual ward programme.

Data released January 10 showed the impact of the six-day strike by junior doctors between 3 January and 9 January, with almost 114,000 appointments and operations having to be rescheduled.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “Despite winter pressures, significant demand and over a year of regular industrial action, the sheer volume of care delivered by NHS staff for patients across the country is hugely impressive, with more people than ever before treated in November and the waiting list falling for the second month in a row.

“From one stop shops across the country aiding record numbers of diagnostic tests and robust winter plans leading to much faster ambulance response times, staff are working incredibly hard to deliver on our post pandemic recovery plans.

“We have experienced the toughest possible start to 2024 with the longest set of strikes in our 75-year history, but we remain focused on doing all we can to make progress on the covid backlog that has inevitably built up over the pandemic.

While we know we have a long way to go, caring for over 1.6 million people in a single month is such important progress and makes such a huge difference for those patients who

have been waiting for an appointment or operation.

“However, NHS colleagues across the country know better than anyone that the pressure is not going anywhere while the impact of flu and Covid continues to grow, so as ever the public should come forward for the care they need – contacting their GP or 111 online with any health concerns and only using 999 and A&E in emergencies.”

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Social Media Strategy For The Care Sector: Valuable Lessons From Watermark Retirement Communities

By Alex Wedderburn, Senior Customer Account Manager, Hootsuite (www.hootsuite.com) Social media marketing is no longer a new profession; it has evolved into a vital business function across all industries. While sectors like residential and nursing care have been slower to adopt this key channel, the industry is increasingly recognising the importance of leveraging social. And in today’s challenging economic climate, the focus is on ROI. For Watermark Retirement Communities, this meant creating a social strategy that supports brand consistency across all of its communities, whilst ensuring employees have the skills and confidence to share residents’ stories on social media.

REALISING BRAND CONSISTENCY ON SOCIAL MEDIA Watermark owns and operates over 70 award-winning retirement communities in the U.S., with services including independent and assisted living, and memory care. The communities’ core tenets are purpose, possibility, and joy, featuring programmes such as the Watermark University. But this message just wasn’t getting across on social media.

With each community co-managing its online presence, it was challenging to ensure consistent messaging across all channels and users. Watermark faced a common challenge: employees had varying levels of social media skills, with limited resources and cumbersome approval processes. And they needed to rethink the way their distributed social presence was managed to set employees and residents up for success on social, while also shining a light on the voices of their 70+ communities. Watermark’s Social Media Manager, Diane Demers, oversees Watermark’s corporate social media channels and Facebook pages for all communities and saw an opportunity for change — now, she manages everything through Hootsuite’s social media management platform.

AMPLIFYING THE VOICES AND STORIES OF ‘LESS SOCIAL’ COMMUNITIES Social media is often associated with younger generations. But with such a wide reach, it is the perfect place for retirement communities to showcase their outstanding services – providing vital information and facilitating engagement with families of both current and prospective residents. For Watermark, the first

step was setting up the Hootsuite approval flow to help communities feel supported in creating engaging, on-brand posts that follow best practices, overseen by Diana. Then, Watermark provided training to further improve the communities’ social content - photography tips, writing techniques, and other lessons to ensure employees felt confident using social media.

After receiving training and support, each community posts directly to its own Facebook page, shaping its social media footprint and audience growth. And the results speak for themselves — since partnering with Hootsuite, Watermark saw a 91.4% increase in engagement rate on social media; a 3348% increase in impressions; and a 1118% increase in social media posts.

But what’s really special is Watermark’s use of social media to share content that changes the way people think about life in retirement communities. Recent posts feature Watermark University’s cooking classes and beekeeping lectures, as well as heartwarming news that two of its residents, who met there, just got married.

The impact on audience engagement is clear, with one Facebook comment saying: “I love seeing all these posts. I came for a tour with my father and I’m so excited to have him be a part of the community.”

LESSONS SMALLER BUSINESSES CAN LEARN Watermark is challenged with maintaining brand consistency across 70+ retirement communities – but it’s a challenge that faces businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small or large business, here are four tips that will help you maintain a consistent and engaging social presence: • Research your audience – A social media strategy will be ineffective if you don’t know who you are creating content for. Take the time to research your target audience before investing in any social tactics.

• Build brand guidelines – Establishing brand guidelines early on will ensure all employees are creating social content that is in line with key messaging and business goals.

• Establish approval workflow – To mitigate risks of off-brand content being released, it’s important to establish workflow approvals that allow for the opportunity to review and edit all content before publishing.

• Test, iterate, and measure – Once you have a social media strategy in place, don’t rest on your laurels.

Review your social media metrics to see what is and isn’t working, and constantly test and iterate new ideas to keep up with the fast pace of social media.

By following these steps and making use of the right tools, care sector organisations can unlock the business benefits social media has to offer and highlight the important voices in their communities.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 13

Brighton & Hove Outlines LGBTQ+ Inclusion Skills In Care Homes

A new measure to improve LGBTQ+ inclusive care is being proposed as part of a range of new requirements for council-commissioned residential care homes in the city. Councillors will discuss new measures aiming to bolster standards and continue the commissioning of good quality residential and nursing care in Brighton & Hove at the Adult Social Care and Health Sub-committee meeting on 17 January. A key part is the requirement of care providers to sign up to the Skills for care LGBTQ+ Learning Framework to ensure care all care homes are an inclusive space.

Councillor Tristram Burden, chair of the Adult Social Care and Health Sub-committee, said: “We’ve been working with the CIRCLE project to ensure our care homes are inclusive spaces where our older LGBTQ+ community don’t feel they need to go back in the closet when receiving care.”

“The CIRCLE project aims to support residential care providers (for older people, 50+) to be more inclusive for LGBTQ+ residents.

“Our commitment will ensure a truly inclusive approach to care for all and allow us to fully consider the needs and preferences of all people using our care services.”

THE FRAMEWORK WILL SUPPORT SOCIAL CARE SERVICES AND ORGANISATIONS TO: - include LGBTQ+ issues in the education and training of the workforce.

- include LGBTQ+ issues in the everyday care and support of people in

later life.

- guide the aims and focus of LGBTQ+ education and training based on evidence.

- conduct a training needs analysis and design training which meets a minimumstandard of performance and capability in its assessment and provision of careto LGBTQ+ individuals in later life and their communities.

- embed the relevant topics, areas, guidance and learning resources into itsrecruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal, and career progression processes.

Dr Jolie R Keemink, Principal Investigator, Creating Inclusive Residential Care for LGBTQ+ Elders (CIRCLE), added: “Brighton & Hove

City Council are trailblazers with regards to LGBTQ+ inclusive commissioning.

“They set an example to the rest of the country by including specific, actionable clauses in their commissioning contracts, ensuring that the rights of LGBTQ+ care home residents are recognised and protected.

“Their involvement in research to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion in residential care (CIRCLE) and the community consultation that has gone into developing these clauses are commendable and should be celebrated.”

Professor Trish Hafford-Letchfield, author of the Learning Framework, welcomed the announcement and said: “The Skills for Care Learning Framework for working affirmatively and inclusively with people in later life has been driven and informed by a cumulative body of evidence, advocacy, and activism from the LGBTQ+ community.

“It was co-produced with people with lived experience and those who have expertise and experience in the field.It represents the first systematic approach in the UK to embedding LGBTQ+ equality within social care.

“This initiative of Brighton & Hove, which requires active change by providers with Third Sector and training support is of absolute strategic importance.

“It demonstrates significant leadership and commitment to supporting the workforce to provide safe, quality, and inclusive services.”

Wren Birds Of Prey Visits Residents At Local Care Home Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Shannon Court, in Hindhead, have decided to beat the winter blues by enjoying what Mother Nature can offer. Supported by the Home’s staff, the residents wrapped up and went on an adventure across the care home’s woodlands.

Shannon Court promotes outdoor activities as a way to help residents build stronger muscles and bones, improve their blood circulation, boost their mood and provide a general sense of wellbeing.

Leah Oliver, one of the Home’s Activities Coordinators, says: “It was so lovely to see their faces, especially as some laughed along the way. Afterwards, we all enjoyed a warm drink back at the Home!”

The residents were also elated when Harrison, Leah’s seven-year-old son, accompanied the group and brought his dogs with him. “Having children and animals at Shannon Court is so beneficial,” says Leah. “It’s very refreshing for residents as this helps bring back memories of when they were younger, so it’s a brilliant stimulation for their brains. They all loved petting the dogs, getting lot of kisses and some even took the dogs for a little walk.”

Having children at the Home also 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.

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How Can The Care Sector Maintain Robust Infection Control While Driving Sustainability?

Article by Christina Larkin, JLA's Chief Data and Marketing Officer (Website: www.jla.com Email: etagg@jla.com Phone: 0800 591 903) Christina Larkin is JLA's Chief Data and Marketing Officer, shaping the organisation's decision-making through analytics and insight. As ESG lead, Christina also inspires JLA's teams to put customer and sustainabilityfocused thinking at the heart of their actions.

As managers across the UK’s care sector continue to navigate the triple challenge of infection control, rising utility costs, and the drive for greater energy efficiency, what innovations and practices can be adopted to help future-proof care homes, protect residents and staff, and still enable organisations to meet their short and longerrange sustainability targets? In this piece on finding the balance, JLA’s Chief Data & Marketing Officer, Christina Larkin shares her thoughts on an increasingly pressing question.

WHY SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CARE SECTOR MATTERS The Covid-19 pandemic has rightly seen the care industry – and the Care Quality Commission – place renewed focus on infection control.

From the laundry room to the kitchen, care home hygiene and safety are rightly non-negotiable, while compliance and residents’ safety remain everyone’s top priority.

At the same time, initiatives to drive efficiency, reduce waste and decarbonise the sector continue to gather pace, with net-zero targets and more accessible alternative technologies allowing organisations to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising care standards.

The good news, then, is that energy savings are still highly achievable in care settings, and can even help to demonstrate to your residents (and their families) that you are taking steps to becoming a more sustainable business, which in turn enhances your reputation.

Of course, practically meeting these expectations will usually mean adopting a range of measures. These could be as simple as switching to more sustainable everyday consumables and reducing waste sent to landfill. It could mean upgrading boilers and associated heating equipment to more efficient, hydrogen-ready units. Or it could mean investing in more energy-efficient washing machine systems, which, thanks to technological innovations, will use considerably less electricity and hot water to disinfect a laundry load, and actually lower your day-today running costs.

Whatever the path you take, improving sustainability brings a myriad of benefits – and not only in operational efficiencies or cost savings. In

fact, it’s increasingly the case that committing to sustainability means investing in your people’s wellbeing as well. By making positive changes and working on sustainability together, you can help to improve morale and reduce staff turnover, which allows residents to build even deeper relationships with your care team. You’ll also be a more attractive proposition to talent across the industry, which further drives up standards.

And as more and more families begin to consider the environmental impact of facilities while making crucial care decisions, such a commitment to sustainability could well become the key difference between you and your competition.

ADOPTING BEST PRACTICE SOLUTIONS With commercial energy costs at record highs, we often hear of care homes seeking cheaper domestic washing machines for their laundry rooms. However, research shows that this can be a false economy. For one, domestic machines are much less robust, needing more regular repairs, while their smaller load capacities add up to needing more washes, at greater expense. More importantly, it is unlikely that they can achieve and maintain the thermal temperatures required to keep you compliant with the requirements of HTM 01-04. A commercial washing machine is far more likely to control temperatures effectively, as well as providing the correct holding time to achieve the full penetration of a load for disinfection.

Alternatives to thermal laundry infection are becoming increasingly widespread, too. One example is ozone disinfection technology, which uses the power of natural ozone gas to eliminate infection from laundry loads on an energy-saving cool wash. During a study with Leicester’s De Montfort University, JLA’s own ozone disinfection system, OTEX, was found to completely remove the coronavirus. It also helped to cut hot water usage by up to 80% and electricity by 60%.

As expected, regular servicing and proactive maintenance are more likely to extend the working life of your equipment. But when washers, dryers and other appliances reach the end of their life, it is always worth considering the latest developments to understand what they could save you in time, energy and money. This is because the most up-to-date technologies are likely to come with enhanced energy-saving features, and help you spread savings across the year.

Further utility savings can also be achieved through comparatively low-cost investments such as swapping double-headed taps for single-lever taps to help control hot water consumption, installing showerheads that use aeration to save water, adding reflective heat film to your windows to reduce energy loss, and – a classic – powering down any unused appliances.

ENERGY-SAVING INNOVATIONS ARE BECOMING MORE ACCESSIBLE As technology for the care sector continues to evolve, embracing it will be key to staying ahead. Enabled by internet connectivity and state-of-the-art sensors, remote monitoring systems are now allowing

providers to keep a watchful eye on your equipment, spotting issues early and dealing with them before they can cause disruptive downtime. Similarly, customers are getting fresh insights into the way their laundry rooms are running; from one dashboard, managers can easily view real-time data without having to be on site. By creating a fuller picture of a laundry room’s daily use, these systems offer a smart way to plan resources, save time, and make decisions that reduce energy use. And as this technology expands, we expect to see more and more use cases opening up.

JLA’s own Connect service offers always-on monitoring for compatible laundry equipment. Some of its features include improving efficiency by estimating the amount of energy and water machines use, in addition to suggesting better times to run them for maximum savings.

On top of that, JLA Connect offers a handy way to quantify and potentially reduce environmental impact with estimates of CO2 emissions.

JLA has also introduced its own Energy Smart Hub, which combines practical tips, data-driven insight and actionable advice that is already helping customers tackle rising energy costs and stay energy smart.

We view this hub as a crucial resource offering honest comparisons between products while ensuring customers have the full picture on costs and benefits when they come to explore or invest in more energy-efficient equipment.

Our recently published sustainability report – a first in the commercial equipment industry – expands this transparent approach. The report not only explains the steps we’ve taken to save our customers 8 million kWh in electricity, and 276 million litres of water through OTEX, but formalises our sustainability strategy. We believe it is vital to outline our future goals as we continue to support thousands of organisations, like yours, that are the bedrock of the UK’s social infrastructure.

It is our hope that by adopting best practices, embracing new innovations, and sharing inspirational success stories, the sector can navigate today’s challenges while working towards a future of excellence in care and environmental responsibility.

Festive Fun At Friends Of The Elderly - Charity’s Residents And Day Care Clients Enjoyed A Jolly Holly Christmas Time Throughout Friends of the Elderly, the Charity which runs care homes, day care services and a grant giving service for older people living on low incomes throughout England, the festive period was a very busy and merry time for all its residents and clients.

Every member of the Charity’s care team loves to make sure that all its residents and clients have a joyful Christmas, and everyone thoroughly enjoys engaging with them in a wide range of yuletide activities.

The Christmas arts and crafts sessions had joyful Christmas themes and included advent calendar and creating Christmas treat bags at Bernard Sunley, our residential, nursing and dementia care home in Woking; and making beautiful festive, floral hanging baskets at Orford House, our residential care home in Coulsdon. Our Kidderminster Day Care clients designed and decorated wonderful Christmas baubles and each care home and day care service was decked out with wonderful Christmas Trees and sparkling decorations.

Residents and clients also enjoyed many visits and festive performances. RNNH, the Charity’s residential and dementia care home in Bournemouth welcomed St. James’ Church of England Primary Academy’s Choir for a yuletide carol concert and also the 4th Christchurch Brownies, who delighted the residents with their nativity performance. RNNH residents also received handmade Christmas cards from Year 5 pupils at St. Walburga’s Catholic Primary School.

In true ‘thigh slapping’ Christmas style, pantomimes were a plenty. At Redcot, Friends of the Elderly’s residential care home in Haslemere and at RNNH, residents got further into the Christmas Spirit, enjoying performances of the classic Dick Whittington. Both shows were put on by The Carousel Theatre Company. All the actors are seasoned professionals, many of whom have worked in the West End. The performances were created to be as visually and mentally stimulating as possible and written especially for people living in care homes or visiting day care centres, which is ideal for the residents and clients.

“The pantomime was great fun, with bright costumes, funny props and lots of jokes and slapstick,” said

Jan Daly, the Registered Manager at Redcot. “Our residents were in full ‘Panto-Mode’ as there were lots of shouts of ‘It’s behind you…Oh no it’s not’, boos and cheers thoughout the performance.”

Clients from Malvern Day Care and residents from Bradbury Court, the dementia care home at Friends of the Elderly Malvern, also enjoyed the Christmas pantomime tradition when they visited The Coach House Theatre in Malvern to enjoy a special dementia-friendly performance of Snow White. The dementia-friendly show was staged by students of Drama Studios London who are managed locally by professional Director and Producer, Kirsty Cubberley of The Phoenix Collective. “The Snow White pantomime was thoughtfully tailored for people living with dementia, their families and carers, so that everyone enjoyed the show in an environment that is comfortable and supportive,” said Shirley Bradley, Friends of the Elderly’s Head of Day Care Services.

To make the pantomime dementia-friendly, the theatre, cast and crew worked hard to make the performance an enjoyable experience for those living with dementia, making it not only accessible but entertaining as well. The volume of music was reduced, the house lights dimmed so the auditorium still had ambient lighting, the cast were fully briefed on how some of the audience may react during the show and there were additional staff on hand to offer support if needed. This created a relaxed, friendly, comfortable and safe environment for everyone to enjoy the magical performance.

However, that’s not all. Malvern and Kidderminster Day Care created a Friends of the Elderly Christmas Tree which was displayed at Worcester Cathedral; and many of our care homes took part in the Friends of the Elderly Mince Pie Bake-A-Thon.

A jolly holly Christmas time was had by all, and all the Charity’s care homes, and day care services, are now enjoying the New Year and looking forward to the year ahead.

PAGE 16 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Grey Matter Learning Set To Support Over 180 Care Leaders Thanks To Skills For Care Funding Multi award winning eLearning provider, Grey Matter Learning, has kicked 2024 off with a bang after receiving funding from Skills for Care to deliver their suite of leadership and management online courses to over 180 care leaders.

The funding, which has been awarded by Skills for Care, will enable the training provider to offer their courses free of charge to social care professionals in leadership roles to support their career development and overall standard of care.

Their Lead to Succeed, Well Led and Leading Change Improving Care (LCIC) courses will run between January – March 2024, across a multitude of cohorts, with the first having already kicked-off.

Talking of the initiative, Commercial Director of Grey Matter Learning, Phil Hitchcox commented: “Normally, care providers must pay upfront for these Skills for Care courses, and we then support them to claim back the costs through the Workforce Development Fund. But, this year, Skills for Care have taken a slightly different approach and released pots of money to enable training providers like ours to deliver this training at no cost to the care provider.

“We have seen a huge demand for these courses, mainly, we suspect, due to the ability to access this training with no upfront costs. We all know the struggles facing the social care sector right now, and the cost-of-living crisis has hit this sector like all others meaning budgets are stretched. So, Skills for Care taking this approach has been really well received by the sector and I hope to see such initiatives again in the future.

With an average turn-over rate of 28.3% and circa 152,000 vacant posts (Skills for Care), developing and

retaining existing talent is key for the success of the social care sector. Only be showing clear career progression and opportunities will the sector attract and retain professionals. Phil went on to say that: “It’s alarming to read in a recent report published by EveryLIFE, Leaders of Tomorrow, that of those leaders they surveyed, a staggering 31% are not aware of any leadership training but 58% cite recruiting skilled/experienced staff as the biggest challenge faced by care leaders. That’s why we are so passionate about initiative such as these, as they are helping to tackle these issues head on.”

Through their online delivery model, Grey Matter Learning can offer care leaders the opportunity to access sector specific professional development, but in a way that works around their busy schedules and other commitments.

With over 3,000 social care managers having successfully completed the Lead to Succeed programme alone, the training provider is no stranger to delivering high volumes of training at scale and pace.

Grey Matter Learning is a leading eLearning provider for social care, supporting thousands of care professionals annually to gain new knowledge and skills to help drive quality of care in the sector. Working with care providers and local authorities, Grey Matter Learning pride themselves on delivering a suite of courses that address the pain points within the sector, as well as equipping professionals with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need. More can be found here https://greymatterlearning.co.uk/ Skills for Care is the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in England.https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Home.aspx

Pampered Penguins Visit Winchester Care Home Winchester care home, Brendoncare St Giles View enjoyed a visit from two very special guests this week, Widget and Pringle, two Humboldt penguins.

They went in the salon at St Giles View where they were given a bit of a pampering as well as taking the lift to visit residents, relatives, and colleagues.

It was the first time the penguins had visited St Giles View, but they did pop into Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill just before Christmas to spread some festive cheer.

Gillian Buxton, Wellbeing Coordinator at St Giles View, said afterwards: “We were all so looking forward to the visit from the penguins and they did not disappoint us.

“We were amazed at the way they hopped into the lift and took all their meeting and greeting all in their stride.

“Our residents and colleagues absolutely adored giving

them a hug. Some of our residents who were with us at Park Road met Widget and Pringle two Christmases ago but enjoyed meeting them again.

“However, for some of the other residents, this is probably the first time in their lives they have met a penguin. It is a day none of us will forget for a long time. Thank you to Amazing Animals for bringing them on this visit.”

Brendoncare St Giles View opened last year (2023). It provides care for 60 residents and is Brendoncare’s first care home in Winchester to offer both dementia and nursing care.

It is one of seven care homes run by the Brendoncare Foundation which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Brendoncare also provides extra care housing and community clubs for older people across the south of England.

Marr Procurement: Continuing to Invest In Resourcing Solutions for the Care Sector Introducing Dan Ashenden our new head of M-Resourcing M-Resourcing are delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Ashenden to lead our M-Resourcing service with effect from 1 December 2023.

M-Resourcing offers a multi-faceted approach to solving complexresourcing problems facing the care sector. Whether you facespiralling staffing costs and pressures, or simply require a newapproach to managing this critical area for your organisation, ourcomprehensive resourcing solution reduces costs, brings controland allows you to plan for the future with confidence.

We knowfrom talking to our clients that managing their resourcing costs isstill a key priority and this important appointment underlines ourcontinuing commitment to the sector.

Christoph Marr, CEO of Marr Procurement: “Dan is a highly-capable leader and has incredibly valuable experiencefrom his years in the care sector, managing and delivering complex temporary labour

agency programmes. We areexcited to bring that experience to our clients.”

Dan spent 6 years at Priory Group "During my rewarding six-year tenure at Priory, I had the privilege of beingappointed as the inaugural UK Agency Manager, where I honed my skills in enhancing their PSL offering.

Thisexperience has provided invaluable insights into the principles of effective temporary agency management,reduction, and control. Now, as the Head of M-Resourcing at Marr Procurement, I aim to leverage this knowledge tointroduce innovative strategies for temp agency reduction to benefit our clients. My goal is to ensure the delivery ofa cost-effective and compliant offering, especially in the face of increasing sector costs.

With a rising demand andour commitment to fairness, our offering at Marr Procurement is poised to become even more beneficial.".

Marr Procurement is a professional procurement organisation serving the care sector, and founded on the values ofIntegrity, Fairness

and Quality. In everything we do, we believe in doing things better, ensuring fairness for clientsand suppliers alike, and always doing the right thing. Marr Procurement was set up in 2008 and has since servedmore than 50 care clients in delivering savings through sourcing over £1bn of spend.

Christoph Marr, CEO Marr Procurement: “At Marr Procurement we believe in seeking to level the playing field forclients, ensuring they have equal access to the best procurement services and outcomes.

This is what drives us everyday in serving our clients. The team I have built are each highly capable leaders in their speciality but, importantly,they all share a common belief in fairness and transparency. This means they are always seeking the right solutionfor our clients, where trust is at the forefront. Dan is a great fit for our business and for our clients and I amdelighted to welcome him to the team.”

Find out more at www.marrprocurement.com/m-resourcing/

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 17

Isle of Man Covid Review Calls for Greater Care Home Protections An Isle of Man review into it’s government’s handling of the Covid pandemic calls for more to be done to ensure care homes have greater protection in the event of a similar outbreak in the future.

The Independent Isle of Man Covid Review report sets out findings of strength and weakness in the Island’s pandemic response and makes practical recommendations in a wide range of areas, which seek to support this Government to improve the Island’s resilience so that it is stronger going into another pandemic, as well as assisting future governments to respond robustly to any prolonged emergency.

The review, conducted by Kate Brunner KC includes a recommendation for an equal focus on social and community-based services in the future, including an explicit recognition of the difficulties faced by private care homes, such as the lack of access to bank staff.

The review also found there was ‘speed and agility’ in drafting the legislation, however criticised the transparency of these law changes, which it describes as a ‘grave concern’.

It describes a ‘casual approach to recording the legality of decisions’, including a ‘lack of written advice from the Attorney General’, making it ‘extremely difficult’ for people to understand the law.

The report is urging the Isle of Man government to conduct an analysis of the cause of care home outbreaks, and whether different support could have prevented or mitigated them.

There’s also a call for bespoke protocols to be created for the care sectors, including with regards to PPE. Ms Brunner stated there were inadequate policies in relation to care homes, and that a lack of attention

was paid to the facilities during planning.

However, she concluded ‘it is not possible to determine who out of Abbotswood and DHSC staff was not wearing PPE, and whether it contributed to the outbreak’.

Rollout of the vaccinations were described as ‘one of the government’s major successes during the pandemic’, but also adds that there was ‘no appropriate process for the Island to consider when and whether to follow the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance’, leading to an ‘inconsistent approach to decision-making’.

Despite this, from March 2021 the Isle of Man’s rollout ‘outperformed the UK and other Crown Dependencies Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK welcomed the publication commenting: “The findings make clear that there are lessons to be learned and things we could have done differently. But it also demonstrates that there are aspects of the Covid response of which our Island can be proud.

“The report highlights the Manx community’s remarkable capacity to come together in a crisis. It finds that, overall, the Isle of Man fared much better than many other places.

“The report also noted the contribution of the Island’s public servants and volunteers who worked so hard to serve the public and to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. It also recognises the significant willingness of the whole Island to come together and support each other through such a difficult time. To everyone in our community who played a role in responding to the pandemic, I extend my thanks.”

Residents at Local Care Home Enjoy Some ‘Pony Power’!

Collingtree Park care home in Northampton was full of animal magic when a pair of miniature Shetland ponies came to visit. Residents loved feeding, petting and getting to know more about the two very well behaved ponies; Lollypop and Moomin.

These beautiful therapy ponies from Lollipop Pony Parties were an absolute delight. The power of animal therapy is obvious from the smiles on our residents’ faces, as their new four-legged friends roamed through the home, trotting from room to room and spending time with each resident.

Jamie, one of the handlers said: “Lollipop and Moomin have had a wonderful afternoon, I don’t think they have ever had so much attention. It was lovely to see the residents getting so much pleasure from the visit, I think it is fair to say Lollipop Ponies have a new fan club!”

General Manager Nikki Allen said: “Our residents really enjoyed meeting the ponies today, animal interactions of all types can be so beneficial to the continued wellbeing of those living in care; we highly recommend the positive effects of ‘Pony Power!’.”

PAGE 18 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Christie & Co Reports ‘Robust’ Deal Volumes But Warns Of Care Home Closures Business property adviser, Christie & Co, has launched its Business Outlook 2024 report which reflects on the themes, activity and challenges of 2023 and forecasts what 2024 might bring across the industries in which Christie & Co operates in, including the healthcare sector.

2023 was a year of consolidation, says Christie & Co, with the majority of operators reporting that occupancy had returned to pre-pandemic levels. Staffing issues eased slightly due to the successful recruitment of foreign staff via the sponsorship licence, although this may be impacted by recent immigration policy changes. The demand for bed spaces remained high, particularly for dementia care places, and fee increases predominantly kept pace with inflation.

The transactional market adjusted to an environment of significantly higher interest rates, placing greater emphasis on debt serviceability.

Christie & Co reported “robust” deal volumes and a 14 per cent rise in completions in 2023 compared with 2022.

Wider cost pressures had a significant impact on providers of smaller, converted care homes which do not have the economies of scale and are less energy efficient. This, unfortunately, increased the rates of care home closures at a time when demand for bed spaces should be increasing. Consequentially, the proportion of closed care homes Christie & Co sold in 2023 increased to represent 19 per cent of its deal volumes, this was compared with 13 per cent in 2022. This trend is interesting, as new build developments are not keeping pace with closure rates. The number of distressed sales also increased, with Christie & Co noting a 7 per cent rise in 2023.

Positively, though, the company didn’t see a material deterioration in asset values for going-concern deals – noting a 0.4 per cent decrease in its annual price index – and the performance of the sector fared well compared with other asset classes.

The development market faced stronger headwinds due to construction cost inflation and the availability of debt. However, the need for future-proof care beds remains undiminished and the underlying ESG credentials, together with future bed demand needs, remain compelling for investors. Christie & Co saw a greater number of developments in the regions last year and expects this to continue into 2024.

As part of its annual sentiment survey, the company surveyed healthcare professionals across the country to gather their views on the year ahead. 48 per cent of people said that they feel positive about the year ahead – a 14 per cent rise on survey figures reported in the previous year – while just 9 per cent feel negative. When asked about their sale and acquisition plans in 2024, 77 per cent said they are planning to buy

and/or sell this year.

The care sector continues to be well supported by both traditional and alternative funders; with the level of finance Christie Finance generated for its clients having increased by 28 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Income potential and cashflows were seen as particularly reliable due to the sector’s needs-driven nature, however, there are now more intense audits, assessments, and monitoring from lenders around how operators will manage the impacts of the rising cost of living and increase in debt costs on their business.

In 2024, Christie Finance is hoping for a more stable economic environment which, when combined with currently reducing inflation and the increased cost of living mostly now absorbed by operators, should lead to a more fluid finance market.

In 2024, Christie & Co expects: • Capital values will remain stable with strong occupancy levels and investor demand offsetting higher debt costs • Capital markets activity will increase with a more stable interest rate environment • Increased number of OpCo transactions as operators seek to expand their portfolios without tying up capital in real estate • Growing distress for smaller assets with rising staffing and capital costs, largely driven by the increasing minimum wage.

• New build development activity will increase across broader geographical regions as operators seek less competitive operating markets • Ongoing rationalisation from larger providers and third sector providers • Continued protractions and uncertainty in the planning system will constrain the supply of consented care home development sites Richard Lunn, Managing Director – Care at Christie & Co, comments, “Despite the undoubted economic headwinds, the care sector remained resilient through 2023. Good levels of demand and a limited availability of stock enabled pricing to hold up well. Moving into 2024, we have had a busy January so far and are positive about the prospects for the year ahead.”

The report also includes commentary from Christie Insurance on the insurance market, insights on bank and business recovery, and a broader business market overview from the company’s Global Managing Director.

Plymouth Dementia Care Home Maintains Accreditation For Excellent End-Of-Life Care A team of care professionals who work at a specialist dementia care home in Plymouth have been recognised for delivering excellent end-of-life care by St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth, marking the fourth consecutive time staff at the home have been recognised for the excellent way they implement the charity’s focused Six Steps + programme.

The four colleagues who have taken on the mantle of Butterfly Lodge’s end-of-life champions are service manager Clare Sinclair, nurse and clinical lead Ivorine Ramkishun, senior care assistant Michelle Fletcher and care assistant Joanne Mason.

Clare Sinclair said: “Six Steps + is a really excellent programme because it incorporates all aspects of end-of-life care and equips us care professionals to initiate appropriate individualised care in the months that precede end-of-life, as well as making sure our residents’ wishes are respected right up to the end.

“Providing excellent end-of-life care is so important because it’s the last thing you can do for someone, and we want their passing to be dignified, pain-free and as ‘right’ as it can be for loved ones too.

“Six Steps + is an intensive course which covers so many of the potentially difficult aspects of caring for someone as they approach their final days, and their workshops address the challenge of providing high quality care to the frail elderly and the cognitively impaired.

“The programme requires you to learn how to recognise deterioration in a person’s overall condition which may signal end-of-life, and how to act promptly to get the right support in place – lots of useful

Violet Home Care Ltd. WHO ARE WE? We are an established domiciliary care agency in the UK. We understand that many individuals would prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, rather than moving into a care facility. That's why we offer a range of home care services, tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client.

OUR SERVICES: Our team of compassionate caregivers are trained to provide a range of services, from assistance with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing, to managing medication and providing specialized care for those with dementia or other health conditions. We work closely with each client and their family to develop a personalized care plan, designed to meet their specific needs and goals.

elements of planning and implementation.

“It also encourages you to be open about acknowledging the realities of dying, the importance of communication – including appropriate vocabulary – and addresses the significance of respecting an individual’s last wishes.

“All four of us are all passionate advocates of delivering great end-of-life care, but there are always new things to learn and the regular three-monthly checks carried out by St Lukes’ as an ongoing part of our accreditation ensures we never lose focus.

“At Butterfly Lodge we now have a raft of end-of-life policies which are observed by all staff, and this helps us feel more confident in having the necessary discussions with residents, relatives and other healthcare professionals especially GPs. “The training provided by St Lukes’ is thorough, person-centred, and has given us the confidence to work together in an honest and consistent way to ensure all our residents get the best possible end-of-live experience.

“We will maintain our involvement with the programme and cascade our learning down to the rest of our staff.”

The Butterfly Lodge team has already formulated a new ‘future wishes’ programme as part of their revised care planning system based on knowledge gained from the Six Steps + training, to ensure that residents’ wishes for their end-of-life are recorded and followed.

OUR VALUES: We believe in a person-centered approach to care, which means that we focus on the unique needs and preferences of each client, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Our caregivers are trained to provide support with dignity and respect, and to encourage clients to remain as inde-pendent as possible, while still receiving the care and assistance they need. We also understand the importance of companionship and socialization, especially for those who may be living alone. For this reason, we offer a range of social activities and outings, to help clients stay engaged and connected to their community. At our domiciliary home care agency, we believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity and re-spect, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Whether you or a loved one are in need of long-term care or just a few hours of assistance each week, we would be honored to provide the support and care you need to live your best life at home.

Contact us at: www.violethomecare.co.uk Info@violethomecare.co.uk 01372 700315 See the advert on the facing page for details.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 19

NHS Publishes Data Following Junior Doctors Strike Data on the recent industrial action by junior doctors can be found on the NHS England website here: NHS England » Industrial action in the NHS. Since strikes began, the cumulative total of acute inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled is now 1,333,221.

Junior doctors and hospital dental trainees began their strike action on Wednesday 3 January at 7.00am and finished at 7.00am on Tuesday 9 January.

Last week’s latest action saw 113,779 inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled, and 25,446 staff were absent from work due to strike NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “The longest strike in NHS history has led to unprecedented disruption for patients and their families, and while staff have planned extensively and worked tirelessly to keep patients safe, it comes once again with an enormous cost.

“That cost is clear in these figures – likely to be even higher in reality – with more than 113,000 appointments postponed at a time when services are already under huge pressure from rising flu and covid cases and we are seeing a huge demand for care.

“Medical leaders and frontline staff are telling us they are very concerned about the coming weeks as the cold weather bites and more people may need hospitalisation. This puts an incredible strain on staff who have been covering striking colleagues as we continue to navigate one of the most difficult times of year.

“Colleagues across the NHS will now be doing everything they can to make up for lost time as we contin-

ue to make progress on addressing the elective backlog and ensure patients get the care they need.”

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “These figures show the mountain the NHS has to climb in order to bring the backlog down, with high winter viruses and absence levels likely to delay any kind of recovery even further. These strikes also came during one of the busiest weeks of the year for NHS services, with trusts declaring critical incidents and calling for junior doctors to return to work. Only the extensive planning carried out by staff kept the show on the road, stopping services from buckling completely.

“The fallout from this wave of industrial action is likely to be felt for a long time. NHS leaders and their teams now face the challenge of rebooking over 100,000 of patients whose planned care was displaced.

“What is potentially more worrying is we do not know how many patients avoided coming forward for care due to the strikes and what kind of backlog this could create for already overstretched services. Now this brings the total of cancelled appointments and operations in the last year to over 1.3 million but we believe could be a significant underestimate because trusts have pre-emptively avoided making appointments during periods of industrial action, so the actual number of cancelled appointments could be double this.”

Abbot Care Home Unveils Art Exhibition to Showcase Residents’ Artistic Talents Abbot Care Home in Harlow has unveiled an art exhibition in its reception area to showcase the artistic talents of the people who live there.

Residents of Abbot Care Home love getting involved in activities that bring out their creative skills and put their artistic talents to the test. These types of activities also have a positive effect on personal wellbeing, whilst also providing people with an outlet to express themselves.

Based on the natural connection residents had with the arts, the team decided to create their own art gallery so they could display the artistic talents of the people who live in the home.

Residents were excited to hear there would be a display to show off their artwork, and during arts and crafts sessions that followed the announcement, residents began working on artwork to display in the gallery.

Maintain and encourage healthy living and a good quality of life.

Violet Home Care are an established domiciliary care agency in the UK. We understand that many individuals would prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, rather than moving into a care facility.

That's why we offer a range of home care services, tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client.

Dubbed ‘Art from the heart’ the gallery now displays a range of artistic creations ranging from vibrant painted landscapes to poignant portraits that reflect residents’ stories. The gallery also proudly features beautiful bird paintings which were created by a person who used to live at Abbot Care Home.

The reason behind displaying these pieces is to allow visitors to admire them in their beauty, but also, in the hopes that they can locate the artist’s family members and help to unveil the history behind them. These framed pieces will then be proudly displayed around the care home to showcase the legacy and talents of the people who have lived at Abbot.

The rest of the artwork can be purchased directly from the care home. There is no set price for each piece, but a minimum donation of £5 is requested to help fundraise for the resident’s comfort fund, which helps to fund exciting days and new equipment for people who live in the home.

At Violet Home Care we aim to provide quality health care service, to enable people stay in their homes.

We recognize that everyone has different needs and hence require personalized care.

Some of the many services that we can provide: • Live in Care • Overnight Care • Sleep Patterns Evaluation • Shopping e.g. grocery or personal • Help with medication • Meal Preparation • Washing & Ironing • Outings to friends, family, and walks • Cleaning the home

PAGE 20 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Nutrition and Hydration Week Tea parties, Webinars and Focus Days see NH Week’s legacy grow to a year round event The latest Nutrition and Hydration Week will commence on Monday 11th March, and run through to Sunday 17th March.

Planning has taken place around the country in NHS Trusts and care homes with a view to holding events to promote their good practices and key messages on food and drink for those they care for. There are many others around the world also looking to take part especially around the Wednesday, 13th, when Afternoon Tea is the focus.

The week is also continuing focus on the following aims: • Promoting the 10 Key Characteristics for Good Nutritional Care • Promoting Mealtimes Matter and Protected mealtimes • Encouraging the introduction of Nutrition Advocates /Champions to each health and Social Care Setting • The introduction of minimum standards for good nutrition in all settings • Sharing Good nutrition and hydration practice • Promoting Continued Education and Professional Development especially in the health and social care sector for catering staff.

• Improve staff awareness of their own hydration and nutritional requirements.

The three founders of the week - Caroline Lecko, Andy Jones and Derek Johnson provide their thoughts below.

Caroline Lecko commented “It is amazing what the supporters of the week continue to do to showcase their support through nutrition and hydration for those they care for every year. It is great to see people highlighting their innovations so they can share, reinforce and grow the fantastic care they provide through

food and drink.”

Andy Jones added “The Wednesday is a global focus through hat most British of institutions an Afternoon Tea, this appears to grab our colleagues overseas to join us in sharing and promoting good nutrition and hydration in health and social care around the globe, whilst having a bit of fun and providing a novel experience for the people they care for. I reiterate the week is the focal point of the year for many in highlighting their services.”

Derek Johnson stated “The week grows and is a success as the Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, Care Home Staff, Public Health Food Leads, Workplace Well Being Leads and Health and Social Care Catering Staff the world over share their ideas and inspire others to grow. We know from the turn of the year onwards, plans are being created as our inbox fills with people asking for information about the ‘week’ plus if they are a novice what they need to do. We always say check the resources page on the website loads of tried and trusted activities there and then build in your own key messages and enjoy the week.”

The Week now sees other promotions taking place during the year with a social media based Thirsty Thursday in May and June providing tips on good hydration and the focus switches to Mealtimes Matter in October with a tip a day on how to embedded these in health and social care.

Further details of the legacy that Nutrition and Hydration Week is building across health and social care can be found at http://nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk/news/

Engaging With Feathered Friends Makes Residents’ Spirits Soar Residents at a dementia care home in Wellington, Somerset have been enjoying the great outdoors despite the cold weather by watching birds through the windows of their home and taking part in bird-related activities.

The project was sparked when staff at Camelot House and Lodge heard about Bird Day, an awareness project which originated in the USA and has been observed there every 5 January since 1894.

Manager Zillah Oakes said: “Many of our residents regularly enjoy the Great Garden Birdwatch on TV, but it’s a big ask for them to keep reliable notes on what they see, so we came up with a bundle of more easily achievable birdthemed activities that are keeping them very happy.

“The most important of these was to provide binoculars and support them, from the comfort of the lounge, simply to focus on what bird-life there is just outside in our lovely garden.

“Some of the residents become quite animated when they spot one of their favourite species like robins, blue tits, blackbirds and goldfinches. It brings them so much pleasure.

“There were a couple of birds who flew off before we

could identify them so we’re still on the look-out in case they return: there’s a real ongoing team involvement among staff too.

“Our outdoor bird feeding stations are always kept wellstocked, so we have many regular feathered visitors.

“In addition we’ve been busy doing bird-based art and craft activities, with our ladies and gents being really absorbed by creative colouring-in.

“Bunting has been created using their artwork – the beautiful birds they’ve created look great strung across the lounge walls – and we’ve also made some 3D models.

“We also entertained the residents with a quiz where they were trying to identify different birds.

“Obviously we’re all looking forward to being able to sit in the garden again in the spring, but in the meantime on these bright, cold days it’s a real pleasure doing these activities together.”

The bird-watching project has been created as part of a wider programme of varied activities designed to maintain engagement and socialising among the residents of Camelot House and Lodge, which is recognised as a vital element of optimal dementia care.

Making Chat Work in Independent Care Homes Rising costs and staffing pressures are weighing on independent care homes, and regular breaks may not be, well, quite that regular.

That’s why the comfort of a coffee break is now more important than ever. NESCAFÉ has been a constant in homes up and down the country for years, and it may not only be a trusted companion for staff needing a moment, but equally, a tradition of joy and connection for residents.

GOOD PEOPLE Independent care homes are demanding, and good people are the heartbeat that keeps them going.

From the staff who create the warm, welcoming atmosphere, to the residents and visitors whose chatter make it feel like home. But as the median hourly rate for care workers decreased by 1.5% between March 2021 and March 20221, keeping staff motivated is crucial.

NESCAFÉ can not only provide that warming comfort in stressful times, but spark conversation when it’s needed most. It’s important for staff to take those deserved moments of respite and enjoy the coffee chats that can help transform co-workers into friends; and get any concerns off their chest.

GOOD COFFEE 80% of UK households buy instant coffee, particularly those aged 65 and older.2 When placed inside the care home – whether in a cosy lounge or on a corner table in a staff room – that welcome aroma of coffee fills the air. As the nation’s favourite coffee,3 NESCAFÉ champions meaningful coffee break conversations, helping the wellbeing of care home staff and residents alike. Because good people deserve good coffee.

GREAT CARE Research says that taking part in meaningful social activities helps people maintain thinking skills better in later life.4 What NESCAFÉ does, with its rich history and warm presence, is provide a catalyst for such meaningful moments to happen.

So, in the midst of care home challenges – from financial to emotional – the promise of NESCAFÉ surpasses just coffee. It can create a homely environment which makes for a happier team, happier residents, and ultimately, a happier home.

TRY NOW AND CLAIM at https://hashting.promo/nescafecarehomeslanding/CAREHOMES-TCC

PAGE 22 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

NHS Helps Tens Of Thousands Of People With Mental Health Problems Into Work More than 40,000 people with mental health problems are being supported back into employment thanks to an NHS programme, new data shows.

The figures come alongside a new campaign launching today urging more people to sign up for help they might need through the NHS Talking Therapies service.

As part of a pilot programme across the country, currently 40,000 people are being linked up with employment advisors to support them back into work.

Once individuals are signed up to the service, the NHS ensures that employment advisors are on hand to offer help with writing CVs, setting career goals, and giving them the confidence to apply for vacancies.

Employment and mental health are closely linked, and research shows employment support from an adviser, alongside therapy, can help improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

By March next year, every person accessing NHS Talking Therapies will be offered the chance to benefit from employment advice.

Backed by famous faces, including TV presenter Matthew Johnson and influencer Rehana Yasmin, the NHS campaign will encourage more people to get mental health support if they are struggling with social anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress or obsessions.

Anyone can sign up to the NHS Talking Therapy Programme, either online at nhs.uk or by contacting their GP.

Claire Murdoch, NHS National Mental Health Director said: “People with mental health issues can particularly struggle at this time of year, with dark nights and feeling isolated – but seeking help through an NHS Talking Therapies Service can be one of the best steps someone can take to overcome their mental health issues and get back on track.

“As part of treating people’s mental illness, the NHS supports people to achieve their goals including getting people back to work with research showing that employment can help improve symptoms of anxiety or depression.

“If you are struggling with your mental health, I urge you to seek help from the NHS – you can refer yourself online to our world leading Talking Therapies Service”.

Minister for Mental Health Maria Caulfield said: “Our ambition is to improve the lives of thousands more people by helping them early on with their mental health and getting them back into work. NHS Talking Therapies are key to this.

“If your mental health is suffering, it can have a huge impact on your work, family and social life. Making sure we have that support available 24/7 for people who need it is crucial not only for people’s wellbeing, but for our economy.

“This is part of our ongoing work to transform our country’s mental health services, with up to an additional £2.3 billion being invested annually by 2024 to expand services, so an extra 2 million people can get mental health support”.

Registration for the Care Show London, on 24-25 April at ExCeL London, is Live The Care Show will be bringing its celebration of the care sector to the nation’s capital for the first time this spring.

Free to attend for those who work for a social care provider (including but not exclusive to care homes, nursing homes and domiciliary care), in addition to healthcare, allied healthcare, NHS, public sector professionals, architects and interior designers, the Care Show London will be an opportunity for the entire care sector to come together, to learn and work collectively to find solutions that will shape a brighter future for social care.

The conference programme will delve into the latest updates in the sector, including funding, the future workforce, change management, the impact of the upcoming election for the care sector, implementation of sustainable practices, and the latest technologies for patient care and business management and much more.

Care Show London will provide attendees with over 75+ hours of further education to choose from, hundreds of exhibitors across all areas of care, and dedicated networking spaces to forge valuable connections with peers.

Michael Corbett, Portfolio Director at CloserStill Media (organiser of the Care Show) said: “It is exciting to bring the Care Show brand to the capital. We believe the Care Show is built around the needs of social care providers and this is their event. The team have listened to stakeholders over the last few years to create an educational, inviting event with hundreds of suppliers and thousands of products to help improve the level of care offered, help boost the business acumen of senior teams and help the personal

development of those within the sector.”

FREE tickets are available at www.careshowlondon.co.uk The Care Show was awarded “Best Trade Event over 2000sqm” in April at the Exhibition News Awards 2023, and Best UK Tradeshow 4,001sqm – 8,000 sqm in June at the AEO Excellence Awards 2023.

The organisers, CloserStill Media, specialise in global professional events within the healthcare and technology markets. The healthcare portfolio includes some of the UK’s fastest growing and award-winning events, such as The Clinical Pharmacy Congress, The Dentistry Show, The Pharmacy Show, Best Practice and Acute & General Medicine.

It is a market leading innovator. With its teams and international events, it has won multiple awards, including Best Marketer – five times in succession – Best Trade Exhibition, Best Launch Exhibition, and Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For – four years in series – among others.

CloserStill Media delivers unparalleled quality and relevant audiences for all its exhibitions, delivering NHS and private sector healthcare professionals from across occupational therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, primary and secondary care with more than £16m worth of free training.

For more information please contact – Exhibition and speaker enquiries: Adam Camel – a.camel@closerstillmedia.com Matthew Moore – m.moore@closerstillmedia.com

RECREO VR Launches Virtual Reminiscence Tool To Improve Wellbeing In Care Homes Care home residents across the UK are experiencing captivating, personalised virtual environments to improve their mental and social wellbeing with the launch of innovative VR technology built specifically for the care sector and supported by Alzheimer’s Society’s innovation programme.

With Recreo VR residents can experience environments that reflect their own personal histories, hobbies they’ve enjoyed and places of interest from their past, such as favourite holiday destinations. Bespoke content can be requested by individuals, promoting person-centred care and empowerment while helping to stimulate memories. The easy-to-use headsets and software, which come with full training and support for staff, have proven successful in trials, with 90 out of 100 people living with dementia enjoying their experience.

Feedback from residents and care home staff has been hugely positive across the trials as Danielle Savage Care Home Manager at Wrawby Hall said: “To see the smiles on their faces was just wonderful. We can't recommend Recreo VR enough.”

“A lot of what the residents were seeing on the headset prompted memories for our residents, which they were then able to discuss and reminisce about. Such a truly wonderful experience. My heart could burst and I did have a few tears, it's amazing our residents can have these wonderful experiences.”

Founders Alex and Sam were inspired to create Recreo VR after seeing the transformation a journey to a familiar beach had on Sam’s grandmother towards the end of her life. Joyce, who lived with dementia and had been non-verbal for a long time, began to smile and engage in conversation during the trip. This experience is what Sam and Alex aim to replicate using VR technology, as they said: “We believe that virtual reality has the power to transform the lives of residents, build social connections and enhance their quality of life.

We want to empower care organisations to embrace new technology and create experiences in their settings that have a noticeable impact on both residents, their families and staff that go beyond the traditional approaches.”

Recreo VR, is supported by Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme, a service that champions dementia innovation.

Simon Lord, Head of Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We’ve been blown away by the impact Recreo VR has had on people living with dementia and the incredible feedback from the care sector. We believe in the power of technology to help improve and personalise care for people with dementia, which is why we chose to support the founders to develop the product and use our testing panels to help shape the experiences. It’s vital that those living with the condition are able to still do things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible. And that’s exactly what products like Recreo VR can provide.”

The headset, which was rated comfortable by 97% of residents during trials, is lightweight and counterweighted for increased comfort. When it is turned on the Recreo VR app immediately loads and is easy to use, with sessions led by carers making it accessible for residents to engage with.

The software doesn't require the use of controllers and difficult interfaces, reducing barriers for engagement for both carers and the people they support.

Recreo VR creates experiences using strict filming criteria to ensure the environments are suitable for older people, and the reminiscence content has been co-designed with individuals living with dementia.

To discover more about Recreo VR and its ability to enhance the lives of residents and empower caregivers visit recreovr.co.uk.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 23

Yemen Strikes May Mean Higher Energy Costs, Warns Care England Following the UK strikes in Yemen, energy prices are set to spike again over the coming weeks. In conjunction with the current cold snap in the UK and the current political climate, the price of gas and energy are again exposed to volatility. This, alongside ongoing underfunding and wider challenges that the care sector has faced for the last decade due to Government inaction, presents an increasingly challenging background yet again for care providers to operate in.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says: “Care providers are being put under unsustainable pressure this winter period, and many aren’t benefitting governmental financial. In response, Care England conducted an energy tender and lowered the cost of energy for 100% of care providers who participated. While we continue to deliver pragmatic solutions for adult social care providers, practical action is crucial to safeguard from future energy price spikes where possible via the Care England tender.”

60% of care providers cite utility bills as a key challenge and the second most cited cost pressure behind only workforce pay. Care England is responding accordingly, to

ensure all care providers can alleviate some of their ongoing pressures.

In Care England’s new publication, ‘Savings, Solutions, and Sustainability,’ energy sector expert David Woodward, Director at Focus Energy Services Ltd, shared what care providers can do to ensure they obtain the best value and most sustainable energy contracts when it comes to buying gas and electricity contracts. In the article, David also highlights what constitutes a good energy broker, and outlines tips to make businesses more energy efficient.

Care England has also created a free to use Strategic Management Audit Repository Tool, containing a dedicated ESG module outlining where care providers can work toward environmental targets, including a section on energy usage and efficiency.

Professor Martin Green continues: “Recent events have taught us that having our own solutions in place wherever possible is more important than ever; to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Energy is central not just to the wellbeing of people in receipt of care, but to a business itself.”

Care South Supports Little Children’s Nursery In Hamworthy With £500 Donation other seasonal activities. It was during one of these visits that Simon Bird, Chief Executive, made the presentation to the children and team from Muddy Boots Nursery.

Simon Bird, Care South’s Chief Executive, said: “I have seen first-hand the big difference that the children make to the lives of our residents. As soon as the kids walk into the room, our residents’ faces light up with delight and they love spending time with the children. I am so pleased that we could give a little something back to Muddy Boots Nursery as a ‘Thank you’ for helping our care home to continue to be filled with fun and laughter.”

A little children’s nursery in Hamworthy have received a £500 donation in honour of the fun and entertainment they bring to the residents at Dorset House care home.

Muddy Boots Nursery has been chosen by Care South as the latest beneficiary of its Chairman’s 2020 Fund. The fund was set up to give back to community groups, services and organisations which benefit Care South’s residents and staff, and their Care at Home clients.

Children from the day nursery, which looks after pre-school-aged kids, regularly visit the care home on Coles Avenue in Poole to sit and read with the residents, play games using a parachute, participate in crafts, gardening and

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PAGE 24 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Care Homes Share Their Christmas Celebrations with The Carer For Our Christmas Competion. And the winner is...

We are delighted to announce that Queens Court Care Home Buckhurst Hill, Essex are the winners of our Christmas activity competition, launched once again to bring some festive cheer following a rather challenging 2023.

All we asked was for care homes around the country to show their Christmas celebrations with us, activities, events, wonderlands, carol singing, pantomimes fundraising, anything that will put a smile on residents faces with staff, residents, families and communities joining forces to create a very special celebration.

Congratulations to the team at Queens Court who brought Santa and reindeers, a gospel choir, held a residents and families Christmas party, brought in students from the local community as part of their enrichment program, went out into the local community to give out gifts, and brought in the "Jingle Bell Singers“ from a local community theatre company. A £100 Marks & Spencer voucher is on its way!

That said it was an almost impossible task to pick out a winner once again we were overwhelmed not only with the number of entrants but the quality!

We had some heartwarming and enriching nominations from care homes all over the country spending an enormous amount of time and energy undertaking a variety of activities and fundraising efforts which once again humbled us all here at THE CARER. So once again we have had some small consolation prizes, I do wish we could reward you all since all the nominations were truly wonderful (but unfortunately our budget doesn’t stretch that far)!

• Christian Mason and his team at Thornhill House in Barnsley, Yorkshire • Ann Norris and her team at Chandos Lodge in Hagley, West Midlands • Sandra Joyce and her team at Linden House Wellington, Somerset • Lianne Sturmey and her team at the Oaks Birmingham, Midlands A £25 Marks & Spencer voucher is on its way!

Once again thank you all for your magnificent nominations, if anybody ever wanted an example of the dedication, hard work and commitment care homes and their staff provide to enhance the well-being of the residents than they need to look no further than these pages!

So a big shout out to:

SEE A SELECTION OF OUR MANY WONDERFUL ENTRIES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 25

Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill

Birchwood House Rest Home, Speldhurst, Kent Residents at Birchwood House have enjoyed a month of original festive fun, including an array of Christmas-themed arts and crafts, magical book club sessions and a special visit from the Chamber Choir who performed Christmas carols for residents.

Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill near Winchester celebrated Christmas by creating a beautiful Advent House, complete with festive flashing lights, for its residents.

Every day, a resident was invited to open one of the doors of the Advent House. In each room, there was a personal present.

Kings Lodge Nursing Home, Chichester Activities included a wonderful Victorian Christmas market where all residents families and friends were invited to enjoy it. Not long after Christmas market followed our magical pantomime The Wizard Of Oz, which was a HUGE success.

The Porterbrook Care Home, Sheffield

Stroud Court Community Trust, Longfords Minchinhampton Tickford Abbey Care Home, Newport Pagnell Resident's activities included carol concerts, church services, story writing, arts and crafts, marshmallow snowman-making, and chocolate barmaking. They had a visit from the Mayor of Newport Pagnell and even made their own version of the famous song 'The 12 days of Christmas'.

Activities included a design a Christmas card competition, Christmas wreath making, Christmas card bingo and Christmas baking, with entertainment including a carol concert. while Tickled pink productions come to do a pantomime for us called Christmas spectacular.

Before making the decision to move into The Porterbrook one of our ladies, Jennie, was a member of the Trinity Bell Ringers and her husband used to run the group. On the 6th December 2023, we had an extra special visit from the Trinity Bell Ringers, to entertain our lovely residents with some beautiful music.

St Fillans Care Home, Colchester Clifton House, Oldbury At Clifton House all of our Clients took part in the 12 days of Christmas with different activities each day, which they thoroughly enjoyed, including making Christmas cards, a cheese board and wine day and a Christmas Party buffet.

At St Finians Maizie Crooks and other staff member held their annual Christmas Fete for Autism Anglia. The Fete, included stalls, a Santa’s grotto, and a raffle as well as an auction. Over £4000 was raised for the charity, by hosting the Fete as well as other events such as a Pier to Pier walk, Quiz Night and a bingo night.

PAGE 26 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Avocet Court in Ipswich

Linden House Nursing Home, Wellington, Somerset We crafted our own Christmas trees (made from cut up cardboard boxes) and our own Christmas table centrepieces using foliage from our garden. We had a residents’ Christmas party, full of music, laughs, mulled wine and mince pies.

We had a Christmas Carol sing-along We’ve listened to fabulous music from Fruity Flutes, Chris Clark, Anne & Teri and our very own Santa (aka Jackson) delivered presents to all the residents.

Monkscroft Care Centre, Cheltenham Residents and staff at Monkscroft care centre in Shelley Road, Cheltenham, wrote a winter carol and released a video on social media to share Christmas joy with the local community. The video features residents, managers, and volunteers at the home run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT).

Avocet Court was awarded second place in the annual Best House Decorations category of the Light Up Ipswich competition for 2023.

Staff also had a Christmas pyjama day – even though they were busy at work spreading smiles for our residents.

Abbotsford Care Home, Ardrossan Residents have enjoyed many activities over the festive period, including visits from the local nursery and school nativity play, church services and carol singing. Also, outings to the garden centre, and a variety of entertainers.

The grand finale was Christmas lunch for all the residents and their relatives with a visit from Santa.

Springwood House, Sheffield

Regis House, Rowley Regis

One of our residents, Jean, enjoyed a visit to the Sheffield Christmas Markets, including a fun ride on the carousel with our amazing care support worker Lauren from Springwood Residential Home in Sheffield.

As Jean's keyworker Lauren went above and beyond, and in her own time arranged this very special trip so Jean could truly get into the festive spirit and they both had a blast.

Activities included own German market day, making calendars ready for 2024 and soft dough ornaments to paint. We held our very own Christmas party where everyone had a great time, full of laughter enjoyed the food and music and all got up for a dance. During this party we also raised £287.50 for our service user’s activity fund through a Christmas tombola and raffle.

Compton View Residential Home, Yeovil

Dudbrook Hall, Brentwood At Dudbrook we created a special “enlighten garden” for all our residents and relatives to walk around and enjoyed Christmas carols with a difference with a steel band performing festive favourites for all to enjoy.

Residents also enjoyed a canal boat ride supporting canalability a local charity making cruise accessible to wheelchair users.

At Compton View Residential Home staff taught The Twelve Days of Christmas to the residents ahead of Christmas dinner.

The residents have loved learning the hand actions, it's been fun and beneficial as an armchair exercise. We follow this up with balloon ball, and the advent calendar.

Anchorstone Nursing Home in Farnham We had activities from Parties, Children singing from a local school, Santa and Mrs Claus visiting us and of course the elf delivering the gifts to the residents on christmas day. The atmosphere for the whole of December was magical and the residents and families were enjoying themselves on each and every occasion.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 27

Excelcare Care Homes across the Excelcare Group were simultaneously lit up with residents, relatives and members of the community invited to attend each switch on event - it was a truly magical moment as all the lights switched on together!

Jubilee Lodge, Chigwell

Briardene Care Home, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The Christmas and New Year period was a special time for us and our guests.

Our centres were decked in their top festive forms and transformed into a festive flurry of winter fun. Guests at Revitalise were treated to festive-themed activities, excursions to popular Christmas markets and the best holiday shows on the West End. The guests enjoyed the Yuletide season, filled with feasts and live evening entertainment.

Festive activities included a bus trip to the local community to see the Christmas lights, a party featuring singer Shirley Mac and a pantomime performance of Jack and the Beanstalk. The home also hosted a Christmas Fayre with stalls, a tombola, raffles and refreshments, raising a total of £1,500 for the Residents’ Fund.

Henley House Care Home, Ipswich We couldn't resist the call to action from Ipswich Greyfriars Roundtable when they needed a backup sleigh for Rudolph! Henley House proudly provided our trusty minibus to help Santa's furry friends deliver magic and raise valuable funds for local charities.

Priory Court Care Home, Epsom

Old Prebendal House, Shipton under Wychwood On the 21st of December, the residents of Old Prebendal House in Shipton under Wychwood received an early visit from Father Christmas. Everyone was in good spirits, especially our wonderful resident Patricia (pictured here) enjoying some festive jokes with Santa.

At Priory Court in Ewell, Surrey, we had a visit from Frosty the snowman at the Christmas Parties and then on Christmas day Father Christmas, His Elf and Frosty the snowman came and visited all the residents and gave out presents with the Lifestyle team. The atmosphere was fantastic and a joy to see the faces of the residents.

Bricklehampton Hall Nursing Home

Butterfly Lodge, Plymouth

Here at Bricklehampton Hall Nursing Home we invited a local choir group called ‘Mums Aloud’ to sing to our residents. The group sang along the coridoors for all residents to hear.

Residents also attended a local carol service and enjoyed a morning of movement to music.

Residents enjoyed in-house and outside events that have taken place in the run-up to Christmas, including Festive baking and a visit to the Eden Project for the festive light extravaganza.

Ashfields Care Home, Heanor Our Activity Co Ordinator’s Dot and Jane provided a wide variety of fun and activities through December, including a visit from the Cottage Nursery children, Elf Day, Christmas Parties, Christmas quizzes, a Christmas fayre, Christmas Bingo, Baking, entertainers, Christmas Jumper day, Christmas reminiscence, a visit from Santa and his reindeer and a sing along on Christmas Day to mention a few!

PAGE 28 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

Paddock Stile Manor Care Home, Houghton-le-Spring At Paddock Stile Manor, we had a local Cycling Without Age rickshaw take our people on a cycle ride with a difference, with Santa.

Norfolk Lodge We have a had a wonderful holiday season here at Norfolk Lodge we have had lovely party where santa dropped by to have a dance and we ate mince pies and enjoyed a baileys. We have been doing a lot of arts and crafts creating our own decorations and we visited the Christmas fair in Hunstanton with was such a treat.

The Oaklands, Warsop Christmas at The Oaklands in Warsop is truly the most wonderful time of the Year! We had a Ball (literally), we held The Great Oaklands Bake Off and we had a visit from Mansfield Town FC Youth team, who brought gifts and delighted us by singing carols. Our Residents attended a Christmas Party at the Hostess in Mansfield for a fabulous Christmas Dinner.

Hazel Lodge Care Home, Battle At Hazel Lodge we had a fun filled December! With residents baking and decorating their own Christmas Cake, making Gingerbread Houses,, beautiful carol singing with the pupils from Claverham school, a visit from Battle U3A Ukulele group, Carol Service with St Mary’s Church, our Residents & families Christmas Party and so much more.

Hunters Down Care Home, Huntingdon

Leadon Court Care Home, Cwmbran

The home was filled with Christmas festivities. Mrs Claus, our Care Manager Myrna, and her working elf, our Lifestyle Coordinator Kristine, went around the home giving Christmas presents to the residents.

Jodie, a Royal Academy of Dance graduate and ballet teacher, led the ballet workshop where they performed different dances from the Nutcracker.

A highlight of December were our family festive afternoon teas and we arranged a wide range of performers for our residents to enjoy. Between taking residents out to do some of their own Christmas shopping, holding cheese and wine events for family and friends and all the while still keeping everyone in fresh manicures and hair do's, December was a busy month but all worth it to see the smiles!

Three Bridges Nursing Home, Harrogate Edensor Care Centre, Clacton-On-Sea In the days running up to Christmas we held Breakfast with Santa with our residents. This is a regular annual event for our residents, and gave each person the opportunity to meet Santa, receive gifts and have breakfast in his grotto.

Residents of Three Bridges Nursing Home were treated to a day filled with music and joy. The home welcomed two choirs from local schools, filling the air with the harmonious melodies of Christmas carols. They also held a Christmas party, filled with music, laughter, and good cheer, which was a testament to the power of community and the joy of the holiday season.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 29

Thornhill House, Barnsley Camelot House and Lodge, Wellington, Somerset Santa did his rounds in the run up to Christmas at Camelot House and Lodge, where residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Celebrations at Thornhill House were led by care home manager and public relations lead Christian Mason's alter ego Lady Bacardi.

Residents also celebrated with a Family Christmas meal and enjoyed the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime. Staff member Amanda wright said, "I've done 17 years at Thornhill House and I will be here till I retire. This is not a care home, this is our residents' home we care for them in."

Hermitage House Care Home, Thrapston

The Oaks, Bromsgrove At The Oaks, part of Bracebridge care group, the 12 Days of Christmas were celebrated giving back to the local community, including taking part in The Big Sleep Out, running a soup kitchen, giving gifts to children at a local childrens' home and contributing to community food banks, as well as a local school and church visits.

Hermitage House Care Home in Thrapston was transformed into a festive wonderland for their Christmas Fair. The home saw around 150 local people attend from the town and surrounding villages. On the day there were local business stall holders, live entertainment, a Santa grotto, and festive food and drink throughout.

Riverwell Beck, Cumbria Both residents and staff at Riverwell Beck, Carlisle, enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration, with next of kin also invited to join in on the fun. One resident's wife, Mary, expressed her delightful experience, sharing, "I had a lovely visit, topped off with a delicious lunch and a glass of Fizz! It was all so relaxed and friendly, creating such a wonderful atmosphere!".

Whinnieknowe, Nairn We brought the pantomime, Jack Frost, to Whinnieknowe as our activities co - Ordinator is part of the cast for the residents to enjoy. A great afternoon had by all with much hilarity.

Chandos Lodge, Hagley Our residents, managers, staff, relatives and supporters have had a wonderful festive season. We asked our residents before Xmas started what they would like over Xmas....they told us they liked singing, music, family, parties, nice drinks and bingo!! We made sure they enjoyed all the above and more!

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE MANY CARE HOMES WHO SHARED DETAILS OF THEIR CHRISTMAS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. WE ARE ONCE AGAIN HUMBLED BY OUR READERS' COMMITMENT TO THEIR RESIDENTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

PAGE 30 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

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Grey and Blue 18 each with a classic contrasting white trim, the trousers are available in core colours Navy, Bottle and Black.

Grahame Gardner also offer all six scrub colours in their Made to Order range with a bespoke choice of trim colour.

The scrub top design features multiple pockets, including two waterproof chest pockets and a wearers right hand hip pocket, which also has a pen divide and an elastic loop for a clip-on hand sanitiser. The trousers have a drawstring waist, and also side and a back pockets.

The range is exclusively available to purchase here: www.grahamegardner.co.uk/healthcare/ microfresh-scrubs.html www.grahamegardner.co.uk info@grahamegardner.co.uk See the advert on page 7 for further details.

MOWOOT II for Life Free from Constipation 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 adverts on page 3 and the front cover of this issue.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 31

CYBER SECURITY

Why You Should Consider A Cybersecurity Strategy In Your Care Facility

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

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

To identify areas of weakness or vulnerability, you should assess

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

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

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

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

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

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

Put together a business continuity plan and share with key employees for a coordinated, calm and fast reaction to an unexpected cyber event. Your immediate response to an event will be key to the overall impact on your business. Consider how you will contact everyone that may have been affected as a result of a data breach to help retain your customer database, customer confidence, brand reputation and trust.

Don’t wait until you have experienced a cyber attack to put measures in place, be proactive and help protect your business now. We can help you to develop a robust cyber security strategy as part of your complete insurance programme, managing your exposure to cyber risks.

Speak to us about arranging cyber liability insurance or carrying out a cyber risk assessment by calling us on 01480 272727 or emailing enquiries@barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk Find out more about cyber liability insurance at www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk/what-we-cover/cyber-liability/

Specialist care home insurance We arrange tailored insurance programmes for care and nursing homes, hospices and domiciliary care providers, for both staff and business owners.

Our extensive knowledge of the care market will help to ensure you have the right protection in place for now and, for the future.

Secure robust cover that’s right for your business.

Let us help you to protect your business with a no obligation risk review today!

01480 272727

Impartial advice from experienced advisers

Exceptional service from a dedicated account executive

E. enquiries@barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk

Market-leading products from A rated insurers

Support with claims

W. barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk

Guidance on risk management solutions inc. H&S and HR

/barnes-commercial

Barnes Commercial Limited trading as Barnes Commercial Insurance Broker is a Company registered in England and Wales, registration number 11909011. Our registered office is The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London, United Kingdon, EC4N 8AW. Barnes Commercial Insurance Broker is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under register number 844370 for Insurance Distribution activities and as a Credit Broker and does not charge any fees to customers in relation to Credit Broking activities.

PAGE 32 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Swiftclean Puts Your Care Home in Control of Grease and Legionella Swiftclean is a family-run business which has been established for over 40 years. Formed to provide specialist compliance cleaning services for ventilation system hygiene, Swiftclean is now one of the UK’s foremost providers of kitchen extract fire safety cleaning, legionella control services, fire damper testing, indoor air quality monitoring and ventilation system cleaning.

WHY SWIFTCLEAN? We do the job properly, giving you peace of mind: We tackle many new projects where dirt or grease has been allowed to build up - all our ventilation cleans are carried out to comply with BESA TR19® or TR19® Grease.

Our legionella control services provide clean water: We provide legionella control services to ensure L8 regulations compliance, preventing legionella outbreaks and maintaining a healthy water supply.

We help safeguard your insurance: Our unique cloud-based digital delivery system produces detailed compliance documentation to help safeguard your insurance, preserve your business and protect your brand reputation.

We save you time and money: By using us for both ductwork and water hygiene services, you can make the best use of your budget, as well as your valuable time.

We’re big enough to reach you, small enough to care: We provide nationwide coverage in England, Wales and Scotland, through one team with the same exemplary high standards.

We’re highly experienced, we know what we’re doing: Our expertise has been built up over more than four decades and we’re at the cutting edge of industry progress. Our Managing Director is directly involved with BESA and we’re an award-winning, ISO registered company. We’re experienced and reliable; you can count on us to do the job properly.

We would love to hear from you. Please feel welcome to contact one of our team members on 0800 243 471 option 1 www.swiftclean.co.uk

Angloplas - Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection 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 healthcareassociated 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

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 33

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Skin Health and Surface Hygiene Expert, GOJO Urges Organisations To Be Prepared This Germ Season Skin health and surface hygiene expert, GOJO urges organisations to be prepared this germ season.

GOJO, THE INVENTORS OF PURELL™, and the hand sanitiser category itself, is advising organisations, particularly those in the care sector that look after the elderly and the vulnerable, to take steps to lessen the impact of seasonal viruses this winter.

Preparedness can save lives – last year’s influenza programme prevented around 25,000 hospitalisations in England . This autumn and winter, COVID-19, flu, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are likely to be co-circulating which, according to Dr Marc-Alain Widdowson, who leads WHO's High-threat Pathogen team, ‘would increase the risk to vulnerable populations and put further pressure on health services.’

Whilst flu vaccines are a powerful weapon, good hand hygiene is a critical measure in the battle against winter infections. For healthcare and long-term care settings, which support vulnerable patients, GOJO recommends paying extra attention to their specific needs.

Chris Wakefield, V.P. European Marketing and Managing Director UK & Ireland, GOJO Industries-Europe

Ltd. comments: ‘As a founder member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Private Organizations for Patient Safety group, GOJO is a strong advocate of making hand hygiene second nature to everyone. Hospitals and care homes need to ensure that the protection solutions they select are suitable for everyone with a facility – staff, visitors, and patients alike.

‘For example, consider touch-free dispensers that are easier for the elderly and infirm to operate, and ensure that the formulations are suitable too. They must not only have proven efficacy against germs, but should be gentle enough to care for resident’s delicate skin as well as that of busy healthcare workers, who clean their hands repeatedly during a shift.’

Widely used in the NHS, PURELL® is a trusted brand in healthcare facilities around the world. Its solutions encompass fast-acting, effective formulas that care for skin, state of the art dispensers, and dedicated support such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accredited training.

For a tailored, effective, total solution for your setting, or for more information on the benefits of partnering with GOJO, please call +44 (0)1908 588444, email CustomerExperienceUK@GOJO.com, or visit www.gojo.eu/uk

edencleen from Cleenol

• 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. edencleen’s new range represents just the start to a fully refreshed solution to meet the most demanding of customers expectations.

See the advert on this page for further details.

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 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.

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

PAGE 36 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

WASHROOMS & ACCESSIBLE BATHING

Accessible Bathing in Nursing and Care Environments op appropriate care plans.

The risk assessment should take into account the resident's physical and cognitive abilities, mobility, sensory impairments, medical conditions, medication, and history of falls or injuries. The assessment should also consider the design and layout of the bathing facilities, including the type of bath or shower, flooring, lighting, temperature, water pressure, and grab rails. Based on the assessment, the care team can develop a care plan that addresses the resident's individual needs and preferences, such as the frequency and timing of bathing, the use of aids and equipment, and the involvement of family or caregivers.

TRAINING AND SKILLS

Accessible bathing in UK care and nursing homes is essential to provide residents with the best possible care. It is vital to ensure that the bathing experience is safe, comfortable, and respectful of their dignity and privacy. In this article, we will explore various aspects of accessible bathing in care and nursing homes, including health and safety, risk assessment, training, injuries, aids and equipment, technology, flooring, infection control, and patient dignity and guidance.

HEALTH AND SAFETY The safety and health of residents are crucial in accessible bathing.

Bathing environments should be free of hazards that could cause harm to residents or staff. Regular checks should be carried out to ensure that the facilities are safe, and any issues should be promptly addressed. Loose or broken tiles, damaged or worn flooring, and broken fittings should be fixed or replaced immediately. Appropriate signage should be used to remind staff and residents of the safety guidelines when using the bathing facilities.

RISK ASSESSMENT A risk assessment should be carried out before residents use the bathing facilities. This assessment should identify any potential risks or hazards, including mobility and other health conditions that may affect the resident's ability to use the facilities safely. The risk assessment should also consider the type of equipment required for residents to use the facilities safely. For example, some residents may require handrails, shower chairs, or other equipment to assist them in the bathing process.

HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Bathing is a routine activity that most people take for granted.

However, for people with mobility or sensory impairments, bathing can pose significant risks of falls, injury, and other complications. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a thorough risk assessment of each resident's bathing needs and capabilities to identify potential hazards and devel-

Providing safe and effective bathing requires specific skills and knowledge, such as manual handling, infection control, first aid, and communication. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all care staff who are involved in bathing residents receive appropriate training and support. The training should cover topics such as: • The importance of hygiene and cleanliness • The risks of infection and cross-contamination • The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) • The use of aids and equipment, such as hoists, shower chairs, and bath lifts • The techniques for assisting residents with personal care, including washing, drying, and dressing • The management of challenging behaviours or communication difficulties • The monitoring of the resident's health and well-being during and after bathing • The reporting and recording of incidents or concerns.

The training should be delivered by qualified and experienced trainers who can tailor the content to the specific needs of the care home and its residents. The training should also be regularly updated and reinforced to ensure that staff maintain their skills and knowledge.

INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS Despite the best efforts to promote safety and minimize risks, accidents and injuries can still occur during bathing. The most common types of injuries are falls, burns, scalds, and skin tears. Therefore, it is essential to have robust procedures in place for reporting and managing incidents, including first aid, medical treatment, and investigation.

The care home should have clear protocols for responding to emergencies and incidents, such as the availability of first aid kits, defibrillators, and emergency contacts. The staff should be trained in basic first aid and emergency procedures, and there should be designated first aiders and fire wardens on duty at all times.

TECHNOLOGY Technology can play a significant role in accessible bathing, with innovations such as digital showers and temperature-controlled taps providing increased comfort and safety for residents. For example, some taps can automatically turn off if the water temperature gets too high, reducing the risk of scalds.

FLOORING The flooring in accessible bathing facilities should be slip-resistant to reduce the risk of falls. It is essential to ensure that flooring is regularly maintained and replaced if necessary to prevent accidents.

INFECTION CONTROL Infection control is crucial in accessible bathing. Staff should follow strict guidelines to prevent the spread of infections, such as regular cleaning and disinfecting of equipment and surfaces. Residents with infections should be isolated to prevent the spread of illness to others.

PATIENT DIGNITY AND GUIDANCE Residents' dignity and privacy should be respected at all times during accessible bathing. Staff should ensure that residents are treated with respect and that their dignity is maintained throughout the bathing process. Residents should also be given guidance on how to use the facilities and any equipment to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe.

CONCLUSION Accessible bathing is an essential aspect of providing quality care to residents in UK care and nursing homes. Health and safety, risk assessment, training, injuries, aids and equipment, technology, flooring, infection control, and patient dignity and guidance are all crucial considerations when designing and maintaining accessible bathing facilities. By prioritizing these aspects, care and nursing homes can ensure that residents receive safe, comfortable, and respectful care during the bathing process.

AIDS AND EQUIPMENT Accessible bathing requires the use of specific equipment and aids to assist residents. These may include handrails, shower chairs, bath hoists, and walk-in baths. It is vital to ensure that the equipment is regularly maintained and that staff are trained in its correct use.

NEW: Omnicare Digital Shower for Level Access Bathrooms Triton has unveiled its new Omnicare Digital solution, designed for safer showering in level access bathrooms.

Expanding its industry-leading collection of Omnicare electric care showers, the latest launch from Britain’s leading shower manufacturer has Bluetooth compatibility, enabling it to automatically pair with a Whale Instant Match pump, evacuating wastewater from showers where gravity cannot do so.

Ideal for both new build and retrofit applications, the product joins Triton’s existing Omnicare, Omnicare Ultra and Omnicare Design products to form a complete range of inclusive thermostatic showering solutions.

Packed with innovative features, the Omnicare Digital switches off instantly if power to the pump is cut for any reason, preventing flooding. Quiet in operation, the unit controls the pump’s speed based on flow rates, so gulley suction noise is minimised.

With a small footprint, the pump can be installed in various locations, including bathrooms, airing cupboards and other accessible locations – making it easier and faster for contractors to fit and maintain. A 7m pairing distance through Bluetooth wireless technology also offers flexibility for the pump to be sited outside the bathroom area.

Triton’s latest launch has been developed to support the continuing trend of multi-generational living amid an ageing demographic. Last year, CBRE found that 1.8m UK households now contain two or more adult generations.

Ashley Cooper, Marketing Director at Triton Showers, said: “An increasing number of people are living in multi-generational households, whether due to a shortage in housing stock, cost-of-living crisis, or the population living longer. Therefore, properties must be adapted accordingly, allowing people of varying ages with different needs and abilities to share facilities.

“We launched Omnicare Digital for this type of application, further strengthening our collection of thermostatic care showers. The new model helps users with reduced mobility and can be specified in wet room applications, while still offering all the safety features that are included across our Omnicare range.”

British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) Care Mark approved, all models in the Omnicare range have a maximum temperature setting of 43°C and are equipped with thermostatic temperature control to prevent scalding and sudden drops in water temperature, regulating within +/-1°C. Additionally, to help users of all abilities wash easily and safely, Omnicare products are Royal National Institute for Blind (RNIB) accredited and included audible feedback and tactile controls such as a looped lever handle and soft press start/stop button.

There are additional accessories that can be paired with the Omnicare range to mitigate against slips, trips and falls, including multi-purpose grab riser rail kits and remote start/stop controls.

Triton’s Omnicare Digital shows the manufacturer’s continued commitment to sustainable showering solutions. In Triton’s latest research, it found that an electric shower can cost nearly a third less than a mixer.

Ashley added: “We’re always looking at impact on the planet, whether that’s from our own manufacturing processes or changing the behaviour of those using our products.

For more information about Triton’s Omnicare range, please visit: www.tritonshowers.co.uk/care-showers Contact details: Call: 02476 324 776 Email: specification@tritonshowers.co.uk Web: www.tritonshowers.co.uk/care-showers

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 37

WASHROOMS & ACCESSIBLE BATHING Access And Mobility Bathrooms Access And Mobility Bathrooms is a family owned and run bathroom adaptation specialist that offers a design, supply and installation service for walk in Showers, Wet rooms and Walk in baths.

• Specialist in maintenance free wall panels.

• All building works carried out.

• Free home visits, consultations and quotations. Installed within 8 weeks of order.

As Member of the British Health Care trades associ-

ation, we abide to a code of practice that protects you from pressure selling, over pricing and ensures quality of work and products.

Enquiries welcome from privately funded customers and business to business.

For further information call 01626 903181, email info@accessmobilitybathrooms.co.uk or visit www.accessmobilitybathrooms.co.uk

Upgrade Your Air Freshener System To Keep Washrooms Constantly Fresh

The challenges with current air fresheners Washrooms are the biggest source of complaints, accounting for over 45% of the complaints that facility managers receive.1 In addition, recent research from Tork tells us that 67% of employees say they’re more likely to complain about a washroom than any other aspect of their office.2 Therefore, it’s crucial that washrooms are run efficiently to ensure a standard of cleanliness that makes people feel cared for.

A new air freshener that distributes scent evenly and continuously Tork has launched a new system that makes keeping your washrooms constantly fresh much easier. It uses a unique, high-tech technology that is propellant free to neutralise odours continuously and evenly.

Research shows that the most important factor customers state when selecting an air care product is the “long lasting performance”3. The Tork Constant Air

Freshener can last for up to 90 days before needing a refill, with a range of scents that eliminate bad odours, creating a consistent, fresh washroom experience, which helps facility managers to avoid washroom complaints.

A system that is easy to maintain and refill 71% of cleaning staff agreed that if washroom dispensers were quicker and easier to refill, they would have more time for other cleaning tasks2. The Tork Constant Air Freshener dispenser is certified ‘Easy to use’ for speedy refilling.4 Its flexible placement at reachable heights also allows for easy maintenance.

Refills and battery changes can also be planned into existing cleaning routines to save staff valuable time.

IoT connected dispensers With Tork Vision Cleaning, the world’s leading data-driven cleaning solution, cleaning staff will now know exactly when and where to refill all Tork dispensers in the washroom. The new air freshener dispenser will enable them to keep the dispensers replenished and save time by avoiding unnecessary checks.

It’s easy to provide a great washroom experience with smart, sustainable hygiene management from Tork.

For more information, please visit Tork.co.uk. For more information on Tork air freshener, please visit Tork.co.uk/airfreshener.

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

PAGE 38 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

WASHROOMS & ACCESSIBLE BATHING

How Care Homes in the UK Can Save Money and Improve Residents' Mental Well Being Gary Seale, MD of iDry Ltd, manufacturer of in shower body dryers is baffled.

It's fantastic to hear about iDry's success and the growing demand for its innovative products, but the success isn’t being seen in the country of manufacture! The company's expansion into international markets, especially securing its largest ever export order heading to Holland, speaks volumes about the global appeal of their technology, the ever present demands to cut costs and improve patients well being, all well documented and accepted.

Gary Seale, is optimistic about the overseas reception, especially in the care sector. Yet the UK seems to lag behind Europe.

Gary asks, don’t UK care homes want to reduce care hours, improve the well being of patients and reduce costs too?

The emphasis on cost savings and environmental impact is noteworthy. iDry's technology not only provides efficient drying solutions but also addresses economic and ecological concerns. The comparison of the cost of laundering towels versus the cost of a five-minute session with the body dryer highlights the practical benefits.

The case study below highlights how a 30 room assisted living complex actually had a payback on their iDry Apres units of only 7 weeks, releasing over 117 hours of direct care every month, Surely that sort of saving should be snapped up by Care home owners?

Gary continued, out of a study of over 800 people in Bury Town centre over 93% had never heard of an in shower body dryer, out of the remaining 7% I genuinely think most were being polite and hadn’t got a clue.

Whether direct contact, assisted bathing or attended bathing, the iDry can provide users with amongst other things their DIGNITY being returned even in miniscule amounts.

CASE STUDY When Tonnie Bieleman wants to vacuum his apartment in the De Klokkenbelt residential facility in Almelo or turn on the lights, he tells his Google Home. He is dependent on care 24/7 I can do my thing quietly and don't have to hurry because someone is waiting who has to go to the next resident.'

THE INSTALLATION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH The Klokkenbelt is a residential location of InteraktContour, an organization that provides care and support to people with NAH in a large part of eastern and central Netherlands. The former care home in

Almelo has recently been completely redesigned and made suitable for future-proof habitation. Large-scale use of modern technology has been made with the help of the Innovation Impulse for Full Life. This helps make the lives of clients like Tonnie more attractive, more independent and safer. The innovations also save employees time, giving them more time to focus on clients.

'By conducting a needs survey among clients and by actively participating in healthcare, we discovered how technology can support healthcare, Because the installation alone is not enough. It turned out to be a project in itself to make innovations part of the healthcare process.'

The iDry Apres Body Dryer saves per patient over 23 hours of direct care every month Because people like Tonnie are becoming more self-reliant, technology also influences the way healthcare is organised. For example, in unplanned care, the number of calls from residents for everyday minor matters decreased by hundreds per month. After all, no one has to come for simple things like operating the lighting or curtains anymore. But it also turned out that many hours could be saved in planned care, sometimes with larger and less mundane adjustments. For example, with the Body dryer that Tonnie received in his bathroom, he can now dry himself after showering. This saves over 23 hours of direct care every month.

Employees now spend that time on other things.

"They now help me get out of bed in the morning, for safety reasons," says Tonnie. 'I can then shave independently in 45 minutes, take a shower and dry myself with the help of the Apres body dryer. Only then do I alert care again, and then they come and help me get dressed.

Previously, a healthcare provider had to be present all the time. In the meantime, he can now work with someone else.' Apart from the time savings and the regained independence, the innovation in his bathroom also helps Tonnie feel better physically and more important mentally , he has got back a sense of dignity 'I have a lot of cramps in my arm and leg. It's nice to have warmth there and to be able to do that calmly and relaxed, without feeling rushed.'

Tonnie cannot emphasize enough how important it is for him that he is once again in control of his own life, partly thanks to technology. He went through a deep valley after two cerebral infarctions and a double pulmonary embolism destroyed him eight years ago. 'I was a project leader and managed many people every day. And suddenly I was completely dependent on others, after 49 years of being able to do everything myself. Then you really go crazy.'

Tonnie moved to an InteraktContour residential location in Lelystad five years ago, now lives in the Klokkenbelt and is very happy with the innovations he has there.

THE MORE INDEPENDENT THE RESIDENTS, THE MORE POSITIVE 'Things are really going better now. My disability no longer changes, but this technique makes my life enormously more pleasant. I can regain some of my dignity. It may seem simple to others, but it really means a lot to me. Now when my wife comes to visit in the evening, it's fun again. And it also changes the relationship you have with the employees. I no longer have to call them for every little thing, and because of the time savings that everything yields, there is also time for a conversation. That is real progress.'

Marieke van den Berg, e-health task holder at Klokkenbelt, also sees this. And it works both ways, she says. 'The more our residents regain their independence, the more positive they become. This makes them feel better about themselves. Cutting costs and saving time by innovating is a bonus, but the fact that residents can do things again that they could do before also gives us a lot of satisfaction. This leads to less stress and improves the quality of care.'

For further information on iDry and how they can save your facility money while also improving your residents' wellbeing , visit www.idry.me or call 0800 933 0020.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 39

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Revolutionising Care Homes with Forbes Connect: A New Era in Commercial Laundry In the fast-evolving landscape of care homes, Forbes Professional takes a significant step forward with the introduction of Forbes Connect; featuring state-of-the-art Miele washers, dryers, and dishwashers. This innovative new offering seamlessly integrates technology to deliver an unparalleled connected laundry experience for care facilities.

At the heart of Forbes Connect is a ground-breaking 24/7 intelligent remote monitoring system, providing both our engineers and our clients with real-time insights into the operational status of Miele laundry machines. This transformative feature ensures a pro-active approach to maintenance, further reducing any downtime and enhancing the overall efficiency of laundry operations.

Our dedicated team of engineers operate from an expansive network around the UK and are ready for intervention should issues be digitally identified. This proactive approach minimises disruptions and helps us remotely identify faults to increase first time fix rates. It also optimises the lifespan of Miele commercial laundry machines, offering care homes peace of mind and uninterrupted service.

When a fault is detected, Forbes Connect ensures a prompt response by sending notifications directly to

our customer service team. Leveraging advanced logistics, our team efficiently allocates engineers based on proximity and availability, guaranteeing a swift resolution to any laundry machine issues.

In line with the global push for sustainability, Forbes Connect goes a step further by monitoring temperature and water resource usage. This invaluable tool not only aids care homes in achieving their sustainability targets but also sheds light on the true efficiency of Miele commercial laundry machines. Care facilities can now make informed decisions to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on the quality of service.

Forbes Connect is another step in our commitment to revolutionise the laundry experience in care homes. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, we empower care facilities to deliver impeccable service seamlessly, ensuring that residents' comfort and well-being remain at the forefront of every operation. Welcome to the future of commercial laundry with Forbes Connect and Miele – where innovation meets care. www,forbespro.co.uk info@forbes-professional.co.uk 0345 070 2335

Laundry Specialists Lavamac Receive Sustainability Award Chester based Laundry professionals Lavamac Ltd, official distributor of Lavamac industrial laundry equipment has received the prestigious Bronze Sustaibnability award in recognition of their policies and procedures based commitment to maintain a sustainable business for ourselves or customers and the environment The three main points Lavamac have been recognised for are: 1. Air source heat pump dryers , connected load 3kw as opposed to 30Kw for a 16kg electric dryer and 25-30 kw for Gas , clean efficient and saving the planet available from £10995 fully refurbished to £16995.00 new both with 24 months parts and labour warranty and the option to extend and cost effective annual premium ?

2.Refurbished Equipment, we completely rebuild any current model of Primus , Lavamac or Ipso washers , dryers and ironers . I full ground up restoration leaves these machines as good ( if not better than ) New ! sold , rented of leased these machines are between 40-50% of cost of their new equivalent with a warranty as new 24 months parts and labour ( see attached literature on our product range ) 3.Intelligent washings machines ( In conjunction with our partners www.countrywidehealthcare.co.uk ) we can potentially reduce chemical usage by up to 35% and labour by 30 %

Additionally • Our offices in Chester utilise Solar Panels and we create more electricity than we consume • In 2024 we are committed to replacing all service vehicles with Hybrid models • In 2024 all cars will be upgraded to EV models • We have implement a new software system ( Big Change ) removes paper documentation and utilising smart technology will reduce road mileage between calls and improve response times A delighted Jeremy Hartigan CEO of Lavamac Ltd said: “I am extremely proud to announce that Lavamac have been awarded a prestigious Bronze Sustainability Award by the UK Groundworks Trust. This award demonstrates our commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility within the sector. This award is renowned for honouring businesses that demonstrate exceptional dedication and innovation, and we are thrilled to be recognised for our resolute focus on offering sustainable products and services while raising awareness about the importance of environmental concerns within the sector”.

See the advert below for further information on Lavamac.

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LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS Washing Machines for Care Homes MAG Laundry Equipment, suppliers of commercial washing machines & tumble dryers, is proud to have supported more than 10,000 care homes across the nation.

Clean laundry and bedding is critical for care homes, hospices, nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare organisations. With a nationwide fleet of accredited engineers MAG Laundry Equipment has successfully assisted over ten thousand care homes with their products, services, information and support.

MAG’s product range includes commercial washing machines, tumble dryers, ironers, presses and detergents. For 100 years, since 1922, MAG’s products have been developed and improved to become some of the

most reliable, energy-efficient and affordable machines on the market. Care homes have peace-of-mind that their laundry machines can quickly be maintained and repaired as MAG Laundry Equipment supply, install and service equipment across England, Scotland and Wales.

If you are looking for high quality wash results that remove stubborn stains then speak with MAG for their recommendations. Complete thermal disinfection is a standard feature on their washing machines for nursing homes. To find out more about how MAG can support your care home telephone 01353 883025 or visit the www.maglaundryequipment.co.uk website.

Preserving Identity and Preventing Loss: Cash's Apparel Solutions' Century-Long Legacy

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

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

PAGE 42 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS Improving Laundry Sustainability An efficient and effective laundry operation is essential for the hygienic operation of every care home. It remains nonetheless a considerable and unavoidable user of water and energy. Reducing energy and water consumption offer the potential to reduce environmental impacts and improve the long-term sustainability of the home. Realistically though, how much room is there for improvement?

Some of the latest laundry tech offers a lot.

Girbau’s next generation Genius smart washers are designed to lower water, detergent and energy consumption while boosting productivity. These innovative high spin washers can achieve up to 450G extract force for astounding levels of water extraction, faster drying and lower energy use. Tests on the Genius GS7018 found that it used 2.5 kWh for a full 18kg load cycle, compared to 3.5kWh for a comparable washer from a leading competitor. For a typical machine completing eight cycles per day, that’s a saving of over £900 a year, based on an electricity price of 31p per kWh. An optional integral weighing system measures every load and automatically adjusts programs to further optimise cycle time, lower water and chemical usage

and improve productivity. The new unique Care Plus Drum extends linen life and decreases tangling. The drum perforations also provide faster dispersion of water.

Genius washers offer unmatched durability and a high degree of programmability with high-speed spinning and automatic chemical dosing. The impact-resistant, full colour 10.5-inch waterproof screen is the industry’s largest. It features user-friendly icons that can be used while wearing gloves.

Girbau’s Sapphire remote-control software that is standard on Genius washers gives easy, flexible and versatile control. You can manage the laundry, compile production reports and analyse data remotely in real time from any device. Sapphire can also be used to configure washers to operate and record the use of thermal disinfection programs, essential in every care home.

For energy efficient drying, Girbau’s premium ED series dryers ensure all items are dried safely, uniformly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Their unique Transflow technology combines radial and axial airflow for maximum efficiency, reduced cycle times and lower energy costs. Cabinet insulation and a double-glazed door also prevent heat escaping.

Girbau is also currently working with care providers looking to entirely decarbonise their laundry operations by switching from gas to electric dryers and sourcing 100% renewable electricity.

Tel: 01462 427780 | Email: sales.uk@girbau.com | Website: www.girbau.com

MAG Laundry Detergents Gillman’s Appliance Specialists When it comes to maintaining cleanliness and comfort in care homes and nursing homes, it is crucial to choose the right laundry products. That's why many care homes in the UK trust MAG Laundry Detergents for their laundry needs.

Their specially formulated commercial laundry detergents, stain removers and fabric softeners are designed to tackle the most common soils found in senior care facilities.

MAG's laundry solutions are unmatched in ensuring that your laundry and linen remains clean, bright, and soft. With the high-quality laundry products found at www.maglaundry-

detergents.co.uk you can provide your residents with the freshness and cleanliness they deserve, helping you uphold the highest standards of care for your organisation.

A true family run business established in Gloucester in 1969

by Erika and John Gillman.

We pride ourselves on product knowledge, customer service and being a truly family run independent business.

We work closely with our commercial manufacturers to provide the highest quality service.

purchase or lease purchase basis.

COMMERCIAL WASHING MACHINES

COMMERCIAL IRONING & FINISHING MACHINES

We provide commercial and industrial washing machines to many industry sectors such as Care homes, Schools and Colleges, Vets, Holiday parks and the Hospitality sector.

We can supply machines from 6KG upwards on a rental, purchase or lease purchase basis and even put maintenance on your existing machines, contact us to learn more.

We provide rotary ironers from 1 meter wide to 3.2 metres wide with Gas, Electric or Steam heat and can provide feedings, folding and stacking machines.

In addition to rotary ironers we can also supply vacuum ironing tables, formers and drying cabinets.

COMMERCIAL TUMBLE DRYERS

With a team of 18 in house service engineers equipped with vans containing a comprehensive stock of spare parts we have a very high "First Fix" rate meaning a fault is diagnosed and repaired on the first visit.

Fully trained installation team with CHAS, Gas Safe, Construction line and F-gas commercial refrigeration accreditation.

For further information, please see the advert below.

We can supply commercial and industrial dryers that are Electric, Gas or Steam heated; and commercial heat pump and condensing models for sites where ventilation proves a challenge.

We work with Care homes, Schools and Colleges, Vets, Commercial laundries, Holiday parks and the Hospitality sector and can supply machines from 6KG and upwards on a rental,

COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY & DISHWASHING CHEMICALS As well as providing the machines we can also provide a complete range of laundry chemicals such as detergents, conditioners, destainers, emulsifiers and even Electrolux Professional Lagoon wet cleaning chemicals.

COMMERCIAL SERVICE & REPAIRS

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DEMENTIA CARE Rise & Shine Game Promotes Mobility and Wellbeing In an effort to combat the nationwide issue of reduced mobility among senior citizens, an exciting game called "Rise & Shine" is making waves in healthcare and social care communities.

Developed with the goal of encouraging physical activity in elderly individuals, this innovative game consists of 30 uniquely designed tiles, adorned with playful illustrations by renowned artist and sculptor Bob Olley.

The game is designed to be played in group settings, with healthcare staff identifying participants who would benefit from engaging in physical activity. After receiving their tiles, participants join in activities suited to their needs, such as chair exercises or walking. Once the activities are completed, tiles are placed into the "Rise & Shine Post-

box." As the game progresses, a draw determines the winner, who receives a small prize.

Rise & Shine has been trialled successfully at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital. Feedback from both patients and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, with improvements in mobility and morale noted among participants.

By incorporating Rise & Shine into their routines, caregivers and healthcare providers can play a crucial role in keeping our elderly community active, engaged, and mobile, ultimately enhancing their wellbeing and independence. www.riseandshinegame.com or see the advert on the front cover.

Activities to Share

Tired of the same old song and dance when it comes to planning engaging activities? Well, fear not!

Activities to Share is here to sprinkle some excitement into your daily routine.

If you've been feeling like you're stuck in a creative rut, we've got the antidote.

Picture this: a wonderland of activity ideas, free downloads that are basically the golden ticket to fun, and a treasure trove of products that'll make your heart skip a beat (in a good way).

We get it – after a while, even the most fantastic activities can start feeling a bit blah. That's why we've scoured the corners of creativity to bring you fresh, fabulous ideas that'll have you and your crew grinning from ear to ear.

Our website, activitiestoshare.co.uk, is your go-to haven for all things fun and engaging. Need a burst of inspiration? We've got your back. Looking for

activities tailored to different abilities? We've got that covered too!

But wait, there's more!

We've teamed up with carers and activity coordinators across the land to ensure that every product and idea we offer is topnotch and practically oozing with fun. And if you've got a creative itch that needs scratching, we're here to help you bring your unique ideas to life!

So, don't let boredom sneak in. Join us on this adventure of "going the extra smile" because, let's face it, smiles are the best currency around here.

See all of the above here at www.activitiestoshare.co.uk

Inspired Inspirations: Revolutionising UK's Care Sector with the Tiny Tablet In an era where technology infiltrates every aspect of life, it's paramount for care establishments to harness its potential for enhancing the quality of life for those they care for. One pioneering name stands out in this endeavour - Inspired Inspirations. This innovative company has been leading the transformation of care

through its state-of-the-art Tiny Tablet touch screen activity tables.

The impact of the Tiny Tablet across the UK's care sector is nothing short of transformative. Crafted with precision, these activity tables are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals in care settings. The interactive features and user-friendly interface offer residents an engaging experience that transcends the limitations often associated with traditional care environments. From stimulating cognitive functions to enhancing social interactions, the benefits are manifold. Residents can revisit old memories, connect with loved ones, explore the world, and engage in enriching activities, all with just a touch.

But what truly sets Inspired Inspirations apart is not just their groundbreaking product but their holistic approach to integrating technology into care. Recognising that the most advanced tools are only as effective as the hands that wield them, the company prioritises the training of care staff. They believe in empowering caregivers with the skills and knowledge required to maximise the potential of touch screen devices.

Their comprehensive training modules ensure that care professionals are well-equipped to provide those being cared for with meaningful, enriching interactions using the Tiny Tablet.

Further amplifying their commitment to quality care through technology, Inspired Inspirations has penned an invaluable guide titled "Project Wellbeing: Unleash the Power of Technology in Care". This book is a testament to their deep expertise and dedication to the cause. It offers readers insights into the best practices for integrating technology into care settings and ensuring that residents reap the myriad benefits. By sharing their vast knowledge and experiences, Inspired Inspirations is fostering a care community that is both tech-savvy and deeply compassionate. This can be ordered from Amazon, or Inspired Inspirations own website www.inspired-inspirations.com In conclusion, as the UK's care sector faces unprecedented challenges, companies like Inspired Inspirations are paving the way for a brighter, tech-enabled future. Their remarkable Tiny Tablet touch screen activity tables, coupled with their dedication to staff training and knowledge dissemination, position them as true trailblazers.

For care establishments looking to embrace the future and offer unparalleled experiences to the people they care for, a partnership with Inspired Inspirations is not just recommended, it's essential.

See the advert on the facing page for further details.

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISERS

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NURSE CALL AND FALLS MANAGEMENT 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 sys-

tems 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.

Phone: 01837 810590 Email: contact@frequencyprecision.com Website: www.frequencyprecision.com

point then add a 2-1 adapter In addition The Floor Pressure Mat has a heavy non slip backing, It comes professionally sealed so can easily be cleaned for liquid spills and is fully serviceable.

And carries a 12 Month guarantee 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 our NEW WEBSITE at www.lctuk.com for details.

Lotus Care Technology

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

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.

Designed to combat the problem of residents who are inclined to walk undetected, The Nurse Alert Mat can help protect residents especially at night that are at risk of falls and accidents.

This Nurse Alert Mat can be placed typically at the bedside or at the door threshold and plugged into the call socket of the Nurse Call system or the mobile Floor Sentry Monitor.

It can then alert staff for example before the resident is up and about, sounding the alarm with a small amount of pressure thus enabling staff to investigate.

Need to add a pear push lead in the same call

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 47

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MANAGEMENT

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years.

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR

Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!

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

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Safer for patients; less work for staff Bed and chair pads 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 SENSOR PAD

The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition. Our anti-bacterial floor

sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad. Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside, in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering. An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors.

FEATURES INCLUDE: Connects directly to most nurse call systems High Quality anti-bacterial Floor Sensor Pad Large Size Pad: Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm Options (sold separately): Anti-slip mesh for hard surface floors See the advert on this page for further details or visit www.fallsavers.co.uk.

Medpage Advanced Domestic and Blaucomm Ltd Telecommunications & Networks Commercial Fall Prevention Systems 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 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 See the advert on the front cover for more details.

Medpage Limited has manufactured care aid technologies for 40 years and our brand is widely used in hospitals and commercial care establishments. We supply fall prevention and detection systems to suit most requirements to ensure patient safety and regulation compliance. We are a major contributor and supplier of equipment to the hospital patient discharge project, where Assistive Technology items are issued to aid independent living and keep people safer at home.

We offer expert technical advice, support, and product guidance for customers unsure of their requirements. Our reputation for delivering quality services, quality products, competitive pricing, and our passionate commitment to developing new and improved technologies is acknowledged by the majority of Local Authorities in the UK.

Our latest fall prevention system based around our MPCSA11 sensor controller was successfully tested in Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Enfield and Barnet NHS, Potters Bar, Edgeware, and is now adopted and implemented as part of their falls management programmes.

The CSA11WBCK system is unique in that it allows a patient with mobility to freely transfer from bed to chair and into a monitored area, such as the washroom, without causing an alarm so long as the patient is detected by a sensor, bed, chair, or movement. If the patient fails to return to their bed or chair the alarm outputs become active alerting radio pagers, nurse call trigger, or dispersed alarm dialler.

To find out more about Medpage fall prevention systems visit www.easylinkuk.co.uk Professionalwandering-falls.

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NURSE CALL AND FALLS MANAGEMENT

Arquella - Connected Technology, Connected Care ARQUELLA, a leading care technology provider, offers solutions to enhance the quality of care in nursing and residential homes across the United Kingdom.

Arquella is passionate about making a difference in the quality of care provided to nursing and residential homes across the United Kingdom. Through the power of technology, we have developed cutting-edge solutions that are accessible and supportive, putting people at the forefront.

As part of a nationwide initiative driven by a £25m UK government funding pledge to enhance the quality of care and support individuals’ independence, Arquella is proud to be at the forefront of the digital transformation in the care sector.

Falls in care homes are a significant concern in the UK, with residents three times more likely to fall than older people living in their own homes. Arquella’s innovative solution, Arquella Sense, utilising sensor-based technology, and Arquella Call, a digital nurse call system, will improve reactive care and reduce risk.

Arquella Sense uses discreet wall or ceiling-mounted sensors to monitor fall risk behaviour 24 hours daily, alerting carers via mobile handsets. The technology aims to intervene before falls occur, increasing safety and providing a cost-effective solution to cumbersome mats.

Arquella Call is an app-based digital nurse call system that delivers in-depth digital records and future-proof functionality. It integrates seamlessly with other software applications, offering actionable data to help shape care delivery and adjust staffing levels.

Arquella is at the forefront of a digital transformation revolution in the care sector.

Technology is more important than ever in providing insights and actionable data to inform decisions and improve lives.

For more information about Arquella’s products and how they can benefit your care home, please call 0333 242 7505 or visit their website at www.arquella.co.uk

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, emedication, 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 advert below.

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

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TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE First Free E-Learning Resource on Data Security and Protection for Care Staff Launched Care providers can now improve and assess their staff’s knowledge of data security and protection using a new elearning resource, specifically designed for the care sector.

Better Security, Better Care – the national programme supporting adult care providers with data security - has developed the course in response to a gap in the market.

Speaking about the new course, Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director of Better Security, Better Care, said: "Care providers told us that they struggle to access relevant training for their staff on data protection and cyber security. Our course content reflects all care settings and staff roles – from home care and residential services, to frontline care workers and administrators. There are lots of videos, case studies and interactive elements which enable staff to understand their role in keeping both print and digital data safe.

“Care providers also said that it can be challenging to meet the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) requirement to train at least 95 per cent of staff on data protection in the previous 12 months. This course has been specifically designed to meet that requirement.

“We have made the course completely open access, without any need to register or login because we want to maximise the number of people using it – especially staff in small care services. But it is also available as a SCORM compliant resource for providers who have a Learning Management System."

The course, which reinforces the Data Security Standards and the Care Certificate, includes four modules and one online assessment. Each module takes around 10 – 20 minutes to complete, and there is one single

assessment covering topics from all four modules. Staff can complete the modules in any order and over the course of several days.

Care managers, trainers and staff can access the course and corresponding user guides at www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/elearning The course modules are: Module 1: Data protection rights and responsibilities covers the importance of data security and protection in the care system and staff’s personal responsibility to handle data safely.

Module 2: Keeping data secure covers the importance of keeping data secure through good record keeping and data disposal, and how to share confidential data securely.

Module 3: Threats to data security looks at the threats to data security that employees might encounter, including common types of fraud and scams and how to safely use and keep digital and paper records.

Module 4: Data breaches explains what data breaches are, the causes of data breaches and what to do in the event of a breach.

Assessment quiz: The assessment includes 20 questions relating to all four modules. Trainees are required to get 80% or more correct in order to download the certificate.

The course, which was developed and tested in partnership with care providers, has been welcomed by the sector.

Dr Jane Townson, Chair of the Care Provider Alliance representing the 10 national care provider trade associations, encourages members to use the course saying: “Care providers are increasingly aware of how important it is to train their staff on good data and cyber security practice. But until now, there hasn’t been anything really tailored to the specific needs and circumstances faced by our sector’s staff.

“This new elearning course from Better Security, Better Care is the missing piece of the puzzle – and it complies with the training requirements in the Data Security and Protection Toolkit.

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.

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

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

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

“The Care Provider Alliance encourages all care providers to use the resource to improve and assess their staff’s knowledge.”

Tom Rottinghuis, Data Protection Officer at The Forward Trust who was on the Working Group that developed the course said: “Our safeguarding manager and two of our counsellors … were particularly pleased to see that there is a focus on the need to share – as well as the need to protect – people’s information, and it really shows that data protection is not the enemy of safeguarding and care, but a crucial part of it. You can and must share information in order to ensure people get the support they need.”

“One of the most valuable aspects of the new resources is that they are short... Given the pressure our staff are under, and the high turnover, it is so valuable to have something that is clear, straightforward and flexible to use.”

Care staff who were involved in testing the course fed back: “This will help train all staff easily and at no cost. Very clear and easy, I look forward to using these modules for our staff!”

“I think it is really digestible, and has managed to strike the balance of including all relevant and necessary information whilst the training does not feeling too info heavy to digest.”

“These modules are tailored to the social care context and reflect real situations that a diverse variety of care workers face in different settings.

It’s visual and in plain English so it is very accessible to a wide range of staff including those with English as a second language.”

Visit www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/elearning

single platform, designed to: • Save you time • Increase the efficiency of your teams • Improve the quality of care • Deliver better outcomes

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 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

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 51

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE WhosOffice Online success Helps Care Sector with Shift Planning and Staff Leave Management Kent -based WhosOffice.com is helping the care sector manage staff shifts and leave planning. Currently used by many businesses to manage staff holidays and shift rotas online.

WhosOffice’s CEO, Reg Groombridge, has seen a noticeable shift in the way companies are managing essential HR tasks like coordinating staff time off and shift patterns.

“All companies, including large care homes, hospital pharmacies and the care sector generally are more sensitive than ever to key staff not being available at vital times during a shift. Management, including local managers, need to have a clear vision of whos on shift, day off, who’s on leave or even off sick and be able to plan tasks accordingly to the correct staff.”

“As there continues to be pressure caused by the shortage of skilled and qualified personnel, you need online systems that your whole team can use to see accurate information, wherever they’re located – at head office, care home based, onsite or on the move.”

Knowing who’s on shift or available to cover a shift is the key to success along with who’s qualified to cover certain essential roles and tasks.

“The switch to digital shift planning is driving investment in HR tools like WhosOffice because there can be less face-to-face interaction between staff. Its easier to have an online system that gives everyone from the ground up a clearer picture of who’s on shift, who’s available and qualified to take on tasks that must covered.

Particularly in the care sector you can’t just lean across the desk and ask someone if they’ve booked next week off or when they are next on shift.

“There’s also a need for companies to provide a good employee experience. When recruitment is a challenge, you can’t afford to lose your most valuable people – and a basic mistake like miscalculating someone’s holiday allowance or not logging their time off request can have a huge impact on people’s loyalty to your business.”

“Likewise, it’s important to protect the health and wellbeing of your workforce, to mitigate the risk of someone going off long-term sick.

We’re seeing more companies using the WhosOffice absence management feature to track staff sick leave, so they can identify people who may be struggling with their physical or mental health and offer appropriate support.”

Ever-rising employee expectations have created a stronger business case for investing in HR technologies. When WhosOffice launched in 2015 it was one of the very first online staff shift and leave planners, and many businesses still used paper forms or spreadsheets to track time off. Now, companies of all sizes are modernising their operations to help them attract and retain the best people.

“Fortunately, essential HR tools have become much more affordable in recent years, which means SMEs can use the same, sophisticated software as much larger companies.”

Contact details WhosOffice.com +44 (0)1227 812938 support@whosoffice.com

Taking Control of Time and Attendance in Social Care The social care industry faces unique challenges when it comes to managing time and attendance. Ensuring that the right skilled care worker is in the right place, while also juggling staff absences, can be a daunting task.

However, there is a solution that can streamline these processes and give you greater control over absence management: Advanced Time and Attendance software.

One of the key features of time and attendance software is skills mapping.

In social care, it's not always possible to simply roster in another employee to cover a shift. With skills mapping, you have the ability to set parameters that ensure the replacement staff member has the necessary skills for the specific client. So, when a care worker calls in sick or can't make it to their next client, you can seamlessly find and allocate another staff member with the right skillset.

Shift swapping is another valuable tool offered by our time and attendance software. If a care worker is unable to fulfil their shift or make it to their client visit, the shift can be easily swapped with another equally qualified care worker. This ensures continuity of care without disrupting the rest of the schedule.

Additionally, team members may even be able to trade shifts between themselves with approval, reducing the administrative burden on care coordinators.

To make the management of schedules and absences more efficient, time and attendance software offers self-service capabilities. Employees can access cloud-based software at any time to manage their schedules, sickness, and annual leave. This empowers them to take ownership of their own time and reduces the time and effort required for managers to keep tabs on who is where, when, and for how long.

Managing rosters, absence, and payroll in the social care industry can be complex, but it doesn't have to be complicated. With Advanced Time & Attendance solution, you can efficiently configure your rotas, update shifts, and track absences. The software provides real-time data and productivity insights, helping you make informed decisions and optimise your workforce.

Taking control of absences in social care is crucial for maintaining the quality of care provided to clients. Advanced’s Time and Attendance software offers the tools and capabilities needed to streamline processes, allocate skilled staff members, and empower employees to manage their own schedules. By implementing a Time & Attendance solution, you can prioritise client needs while ensuring efficient and effective workforce management.

For more information on Advanced Time and Attendance, you can visit our website www.oneadvanced.com or call 0330 311 6077. See the advert on the back cover of this issue for details.

PAGE 52 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179

PROFESSIONAL, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT The UK Care Market: 2023 Review

• In H1 2023, 45% of closed care home deals we were sold to care providers for ongoing care use and 55% were purchased for residential conversion

OPERATIONAL COSTS Analysis of our consultancy data - which looks at profit and loss accounts from the hundreds of formal valua-

By Rob Kinsman, Regional Director - Healthcare, Christie & Co (www.christie.com) tions - shows a significant increase in costs for care home providers between 2021 and 2023. This clearly reflects We recently launched our 2023 Care Market Review report which analyses a range of topics relating to the UK healthcare business market. Here are some of the key highlights…

HEALTHCARE CAPITAL MARKETS Entering 2023, the care market adapted, with buyers returning albeit with yields adjusting to reflect higher costs of capital and the changing market environment.

Positively, despite the macro-market challenges, there is good demand for care home opportunities, with investors attracted by the strong needs-driven underpin of the sector coupled with long-term index-linked cashflows.

LAND AND DEVELOPMENT The underlying business case for purpose-built care homes remains robust, with a continued need for future-proof market-standard beds in many locations across the UK. Despite operators still facing significant headwinds, the UK care home development market remains active and continues to transact a high volume of new-to-market beds. Sentiment remains positive, with more operators prepared to take leases on new build assets as a way of achieving growth, resulting in an upward movement in rental levels over the 12 months to June 2023.

We are starting to see more domestic and international capital entering the market, attracted by the defensive characteristics of needs-driven Operational Real Estate and the excellent ESG credentials new care homes offer investors. This additional liquidity, accompanied by the continued imbalance between demand and supply of market-standard beds to cater for the rapidly ageing demographic, will support sustainable levels of transactional activity for consented care home development sites in both the short and long-term.

TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS When analysing the UK’s elderly care going concern market between 2019 and H1 2023, we found: • Instruction volumes had rebounded, sitting 70% ahead of where they were in H2 2022 • There was a rise in the number of larger care homes (60 beds or more) going up for sale • Only 3% of our transactions were to first-time buyers, this is around a third of the proportion in 2022 • There was an increasing number of transactions concluded by the larger companies and corporates • Independent buyers remain our most active buyer group, accounting for 34% of Christie & Co healthcare deals in 2022 and 36% in 2023 • In 2022,13% of the sales we completed were on a closed basis, this increased to 18% in H1 2023

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.

the wider economic challenges with labour supply constraints and rising energy prices, and the care sector has a greater exposure to a material shift in these costs.

We found that registered managers’ salaries, on average, increased by 13% between 2021 and 2023. There are even greater wage pressures on kitchen staff, with head cook wages increasing by an average of 14%. The situation with maintenance staff is also acute, with wages rising by 18%. An analysis of utility costs shows that heat and light costs have also increased by an average of 19% on a per-occupied bed basis.

LOCAL AUTHORITY FEE RATES We conducted and analysed a Freedom of Information Act survey - covering all local authorities across England, Wales, and Scotland. This revealed: • An average residential fee increase in England of 9.5% compared with 5.4% in 2022/23 • An average nursing fee increase in England of 8.1% compared with 6.8% in 2022/23 • Fee rate levels remain a challenge in some areas, with the increases being insufficient to offset inflationary cost pressures • The burden on the self-funded client base is likely to rise, with the majority of providers achieving private fee increases of 10% or more

OPERATOR SENTIMENT We also interviewed a cross-section of local and regional providers and found that 46% of operators have achieved a reduction in agency usage over the last 12 months, whereas 28% stated agency usage had increased.

Private fee rates increased across all country regions, with 43% of operators reporting a 10% or above increase in private fee rates. Only 9% of respondents reported increases of under 5%, compared with 31% with local authority fees. Additionally, 38% of operators said that their occupancy levels have increased, while 70% stated that it has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

THE FINANCE LANDSCAPE Historically, whilst in low interest rate margins, lenders have applied a higher interest rate or a ‘stressed margin’ to calculate affordability. However, we are now operating in a new stressed rate environment, which has made lenders look in greater detail at a business’s ability to service their current levels of debt, as well as any potential increases.

Results of a survey of local and regional providers conducted by Christie Finance in July 2023, found that 38% of respondents are looking to buy a care business in the next 12 months, 30% of which will seek finance to do so.

When asked about the confidence they have in lenders to support their plans, 46% said they are very confident, 18% said not confident, and 36% remained neutral.

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 CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 179 | PAGE 53

PROFESSIONAL, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT Immigration Tightrope: Do You Need Permanent Keeping Care Homes Compliant and Reliable Care Staff?

Rising costs and operational challenges are putting care homes and domiciliary care providers under strain, as they try to comply with Home Office sponsor licence regulations. A growing concern is the disparity between the work hours stated on foreign workers' Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) and the actual hours given, which can adversely affect their visa status. According to Gavin Webster,

Director of Immtell, this issue reflects the sector's broader pressures rather than deliberate neglect.

Non-compliance with CoS terms can lead to severe Home Office sanctions, potentially causing staff to find new sponsorship or leave the UK, and disrupting the provider's services. Inadvertent breaches often result from the sector's tough conditions and confusion over compliance rules.

Webster emphasises the importance of careful navigation of sponsor duties to avoid significant consequences. He suggests that regular audits by immigration consultancies can prevent issues from drawing Home Office attention.

To remain compliant while providing essential services, care providers are advised to seek expert advice. Immtell offers support through info@immtell.com and online at www.immtell.com.

Proper guidance helps balance operational sustainability with legal responsibilities, preserving their vital community role.

In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse?

JJ Recruitment has the large database of well

At Caring People Recruitment we specialise exclusively in finding the RIGHT PEOPLE to work on permanent contracts in the UK healthcare industry.

RECRUIT OVERSEAS: For companies with a sponsors license, we can provide the highest calibre English speaking candidates. You can choose to recruit face to face in the Caribbean (in Jamaica or St Lucia for example) or via video call from your own office. We offer free flights and hotels for our clients for all overseas bulk recruitment drives.

Candidates are all FULLY QUALIFIED in the care sector with a minimum of 2 years PROFESSIONAL care experience. Retention rates of above 98%.

RECRUIT LOCALLY: If it’s local staff that you are looking for, then look no further. Our team can assist to fill your vacancies fast and reduce those agency costs. We

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recruit from top to bottom; regional managers, care home managers, nurses, carers, chefs, kitchen staff and cleaners.

We are a family business committed to providing our valued clients with a complete and personal service. We guarantee that our candidates will enhance the levels of care that being provided by your business.

CONTACT US NOW: Email: Ben.livermore@caringpeople.com TEL : 0785 24 29 294 See the advert on page 9 for further details.

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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.

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Every proposal is individual and deserves to be treated that way, so we hope you will allow us to be of assistance to you and call us to chat through your plans and requirements, I am sure we will be able to tailor a facility to your requirements.

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