Issue 40 20.01.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Team meets with Matt Hancock SECRETARY of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, virtually met with team members at Gracewell of Kentford to discuss the care home’s innovative visiting protocol – which has allowed residents to have meaningful contact with their loved ones. He heard from general manager Peter Walton about how the ‘Safe Visits’ protocol has proven invaluable to residents and their families. It identifies ways that family members can safely see their loved ones in a meaningful way, including holding hands, where there is a clinical need. Peter said: “There was a sense of determination that we wanted to implement safe visiting. “We’ve had huge support from the region and Gracewell Healthcare, and it has been brilliant to see the reaction of residents and their loved ones when they have been able to see each other again.” Matt also thanked the care home for providing inspiration to the changes in government guidance earlier this year which re-introduced visits to care homes. He said: “I wanted to make sure that the guidance was clinically correct, and you showed how this could be done. I really appreciate
what you are doing, not only in Kentford and across the country, but in inspiring the national guidance changes that we have been able to bring through.” Anna Selby, head of Gracewell Healthcare’s Covid-19 Task Force, also spoke about the care provider’s testing regime which underpins this protocol. By using regular Lateral Flow Testing, Gracewell of Kentford has been able to effectively manage the risks associated with bringing visitors into the care home. Anna said that these tests, combined with appropriate PPE, has been key to facilitating numerous interactions in a safe and controlled environment. Beverly Cardosa, Gracewell’s regional director of operations for the South East, said: “The past nine months have been clearly challenging for our team members who have been at the coal face of the pandemic. “They’ve worked hard to balance the expectations of our residents and their families against protecting the care home from the virus. “Yet by making effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, they’ve been truly successful at maximising the quality of life for all at Gracewell of Kentford.”
Random acts of kindness bring joy
Nassrat Bi won the Dame Barbara Windsor Award at ITV Good Morning Britain’s 1 Million Minutes Awards. The GMB 1 Million Minutes Awards aim to celebrate the unsung heroes who have helped others. The ceremony was hosted by Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway. Nassrat, who has worked as a care assistant at Bluebird Care Birmingham East and North for almost three years, specialises in working with customers who receive palliative care. From the outset of the pandemic, Bluebird Care Birmingham East and North was astounded by Nassrat’s commitment to caring for others, and her ability to put the needs of her customers before her own. Nassrat lost her own father to Covid-19, and after a very short leave period she returned to work to continue to support her customers and their families through the end-of-life care process.
A BIG THANK YOU
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE SAFE AND HAPPY …
WE’RE IN AWE OF YOUR SELFLESS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
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STAFF at Greenacres care home near Huddersfield have teamed up with national supermarket chain Morrisons to provide essential food and toiletry packages to local older people who are currently affected and isolating themselves against the coronavirus outbreak. The two joined forces to create essential festive goods packages which include lots of tasty treats such as cakes, biscuits, boiled sweets, tins of chocolates and even after dinner mints. Lifestyle manager and driving force for the essential goods package donations, Jessica Skirrow, said: “There are so many people throughout the nation that have been heavily impacted by this virus. “When we heard the heartbreaking accounts of how some older people are struggling to obtain the food they needed, it became apparent that we could really help. “Everyone has rallied round to gather as many donations as possible and the help from our local Morrisons has been brilliant. “We have really been able to spread some joy and meet such kind-hearted people. I am really pleased with how successful the project has been.” The contributions from the home will go some way to helping ensure that local older people do not go without a little joy this winter. Residents at the Holmfirth care home helped staff organise stock and pack bags ready to be delivered door to door throughout the community.
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