Caring UK April 2011

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April 2011

incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector

no.179 • £4.75 In association with

Providers slam council for wasting money

By Dominic Musgrave WELSH care providers have slammed a council that wasted more than £250,000 of taxpayers’ money on a ‘completely avoidable’ judicial review on care home fees.

Pembrokeshire County Council spent £278,000 after the judicial review which ordered a rise in the payments made by the council to care homes.

The figure includes legal costs, a back payment of £69,506 ordered by the court, plus an interim payment of £24,784 made during the case, it emerged.

A spokesman for Care Forum Wales told Caring UK data obtained through the Freedom of Information act also reveals that the total could yet rise as the council awaits a detailed bill from the claimants’ solicitors.

He added: “We always felt this matter was completely avoidable if Pembrokeshire had acted lawfully by applying the Welsh Assembly Government Commissioning Guidance.

“It would have been much better to spend this vast amount of money on providing care for elderly and vulnerable people in Pembrokeshire instead of wasting it on unnecessary

court proceedings, especially at a time of finite financial resources.

“As a result of the judicial review, it is now clear that it is no longer acceptable for local authorities to adopt an arbitrary approach to determining the amount they are prepared to pay for care services.

“Local authorities across Wales need to reconsider their position in working genuinely with the sector and in line with the Welsh Assembly Government’s commissioning guidance. Anybody who deviates from this guidance will have to have a compelling reason to do so.”

The four homes which took the legal action were Pen-coed, in Saundersfoot, Langton Hall, in Fishguard, Woodfield Care Home, in Narberth and Woodland Lodge, in Tenby.

They argued that the care of 86 residents was under threat unless weekly fees paid by the council were increased by £90 to £480.

The council had originally contended that the fee of £390 was fair and actually above what some other councils paid.

Pembrokeshire Council leader John Davies has said the higher fees to around 30 homes backdated to the beginning of the financial year will cost it an additional £1.5m.

Home to open its doors

Pop maestro Pete Waterman officially opened a care group’s latest £7.9m development in Crewe.

The record producer, songwriter and television presenter, who presided over 22 No. 1 UK hit singles and was a judge on the TV talent show Pop Idol, toured the Belong village and met many of the residents.

The railway enthusiast also unveiled an artisticallyenhanced original photograph by the renowned rail photographer E.R. Morten.

A SURREY nursing home is to open its doors to raise money for a local hospice.

The Grade II listed Greathed Manor in Dormansland, near Lingfield, will be welcoming thirsty visitors into its café on the first Thursday of every month starting in April. All proceeds will be given to the local St Catherine’s Hospice.

The coffee days will run from 9am to 3pm between April and August, and a selection of fresh and locally produced cakes will also be available.

Manager Denise Springthorpe said: “Over the last few years we have been working closely with St Catherine’s Hospice and this will be the first time we have raised money for them.

“We are hoping that, come the summer months, visitors will pop in for our mouthwatering cream teas followed by a walk around our five acres of landscaped gardens.”

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CARINGNEWS

Homes takes part in trial scheme

By Dominic Musgrave A DEVON nursing home is one of three that has taken part in an innovative end of life care scheme commissioned by its local care trust.

Mount Olivet in Paignton has received hours of expert training by specialist nurses, via lectures and feedback sessions, on relevant health matters effecting end of life care – such as dementia, Parkinson’s, heart failure and more.

During this period the Trust has also offered relevant, specialist training to personnel within the care home, while systematically documenting, reviewing and reflecting on the end of life care tendered within these care homes.

Matron Alison Homer said it is hoped the results will enhance existing research and offer a body of evidence that will shape future recommendations to care homes regarding end of life care.

She added: “The partnership is already facilitating an efficient two-way knowledge transfer and is allowing key personnel, from respective parties, to gain a greater insight into important subjects and key issues.

“Engaging with other healthcare professionals is allowing us to reflect on the processes we have in place and how we can ensure the person nearing end of life receives the best support possible – in terms of symptom management, spiritual

needs and family involvement.”

Aside from the clinical aspects associated with caring for residents nearing the end of life, Alison says she has also found it also opens up debate and time for reflection by staff members within the home, considering ways to further improve person centred care and also how to deal with emotions when losing a resident.

“We have always encouraged residents to create an end of life plan and now it is something we can prepare along side comments from both staff members and relatives,” she added. “Communication is important and it is forcing us to really recognise the emotional aspects and its affect on all groups.

“Once you gain a greater understanding of how others ‘feel’ or ‘think’ you can cater for their needs, making a difficult situation less painful.

“Involvement with the scheme has also enhanced staff communication skills when dealing with sensitive and uncomfortable subjects – such as pain relief and resuscitation, as well as finer details such as who they would like present at the death, as well as other considerations.”

Employees have individual folders for the duration of the course, with another for the care home.

The GrayAreas group also comprises Kingsmout Residential Home in Paignton and Torre House Nursing Home in Torquay.

www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry National Sales Executives: Rebecca Hazell Tel: 01226 734685 Email: rh@whpl.net Mandy Edwards Tel: 01226 734333 Email: mandye@caring-uk.co.uk Fax: 01226 734477

Publishers Wharncliffe Publishing Ltd. 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk

Editorial Group Editor: Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 Fax: 01226 734478 Healthcare Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg was the guest speaker at Jewish Care’s first business breakfast meeting of the year.

Held at the Mansion House, a packed room of more than 270 business professionals were able to ask him questions directly. He told guests the government faced three key challenges over the next four years - economic, social and political. “Coalitions are often criticised for not working,” Mr Clegg added. “We find ourselves being criticised for moving too fast and being too radical.

“We are confident that we can create a more prosperous, balanced, mobile and liberal society than the one we found when we came to power.”

Reporter: Christina Eccles Tel: 01226 734463 Group Deputy Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734458 Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ wharncliffepublishing.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur.

You can now follow us on Twitter at caringuk

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CARINGNEWS

Home fined after toilet cleaner death

By Dominic Musgrave

Doggie duo lead dancing MAX and Honey, the canine equivalent of Fred and Ginger, led the dancing at a special tea party held by Colten Care’s Fernhill nursing home in Dorset.

The occasion was organised to present Caring Canines with a cheque for £166 and to say thank you to its volunteers.

The Bournemouth-based charity offers dog-assisted therapy as a free service to the local community and visits Fernhill, a specialised dementia home, once a fortnight so that residents can interact with the dogs.

Often three volunteers will visit the home to spend up to an hour

talking to the residents and allowing them to handle and stroke their dogs.

Activity organiser Maria Grant said: “They show such dedication and bring so much joy to our residents with their regular visits.

“The dogs receive the most amazing response from our residents, many of whom have real difficulty in communicating. To see the joy that the dogs bring is heartwarming.”

The money was raised last September when the home held a rock ‘n’ roll gala evening which was attended by residents, friends and staff.

A SHEFFIELD care home operator has been fined £15,000 after an elderly resident died after inadvertently drinking toilet cleaner.

Derek Johnson died on the same day he was found to have drunk the dangerous chemical, which had been left unattended for several hours in his room at Newfield Care Home.

He had been living at the home for just over a month before his death in July 2009.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the care home operator, Palms Row Healthcare Ltd, because they put vulnerable people, including Derek, at risk by failing to properly manage the use of cleaning fluids.

Inspector Carol Downes said: “Mr Johnson's death was a terribly tragic one, particularly as it could have been easily avoided by simply locking away the chemicals.

“There was no excuse for Palms Row Healthcare's failure to protect the vulnerable people in its care.

“It is imperative that care home owners consider the risks to people they are looking after and manage those risks to prevent incidents like this.”

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard that Derek, who was frail, registered blind and had symptoms of

dementia, began vomiting blue liquid and was taken to Northern General Hospital where he died just hours later.

The liquid was later found to be toilet cleaner, which had been noticed in his room earlier that day but not removed.

The HSE investigation found the company had an inadequate system to control such chemicals and to prevent access to areas of risk by vulnerable people.

Inspectors discovered that trolleys carrying hazardous substances were often left unattended, sometimes for considerable periods, and there were no proper procedures in place for cleaners to check trolley contents were intact.

The investigation also showed it was too easy for vulnerable residents to get into areas such as the laundry and kitchen which should have had controlled access.

Following the incident, HSE served Palms Row Healthcare with three Improvement Notices as well as bringing the prosecution.

Palms Row Healthcare Ltd admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The company was £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,472.02.

Third group home warned over failings A THIRD care home owned by Mimosa Healthcare has been warned by the inspectorate it is failing to meet essential standards in quality and safety and must take action to address concerns over care and welfare.

The CQC report of Sandhall Park Nursing and Residential Home in Goole identified breaches in regulations covering care and welfare, staffing, the support of workers and management of medicines.

This follows similar damning reports into care standards at the end of last year into two of the group’s other homes in Bristol.

Jo Dent, regional director of CQC for Yorkshire and Humber, said her staff would closely monitor the care home to ensure the necessary improvements are made.

She added: “We are pleased the provider is addressing the areas of concern we highlighted. We will return in the near future to ensure that the improvements have been made. Sandhall Park must improve – or face the consequences.”

Inspectors visited the home in response to concerns which it had received. The inspection team reviewed all the information held about the provider and carried out a visit last December.

The inspection team observed how people were being cared for, talked to people who use the service, talked to staff and checked the provider’s records.

A further unannounced inspection took place on January 6. Although this second visit showed some improvement, there were still essential standards that were not being met.

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CARINGNEWS

UK could be facing 100,000 bed shortage

By Dominic Musgrave

Reg with his signed photo of Frank Lampard

Footballers help mark former star’s birthday STARS from Watford and Chelsea football clubs gave cards and memorabilia to celebrate the 89th birthday of one of their former star players.

Chalfont Court in Rickmansworth resident Reg Williams, who is the oldest living former Chelsea player, scored in one of the club’s most famous games – the 3-3 draw against Moscow Dynamo in 1945 – in front of the biggest crowd to cram inside Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder played for Chelsea between 1945 and 1952, joining from Watford FC where he had followed

his father, also called Reg, who was their goalkeeper between 1910 and 1926.

A party at the Care UK owned facility was arranged by administrator Stella Grimsdale.

She said: “The teams have been marvellous. Watford sent along a ball signed by all the players, while Chelsea gave us a photo of Reg at the Moscow Dynamo game signed by John Terry and another picture signed by Frank Lampard.”

The presentation was made by Chelsea chaplain, the Rev Martin Swann.

THE UK faces a shortfall of nearly 100,000 care home beds over the next decade if councils’ adult social care budgets are not ring-fenced, it has been claimed.

The Who Cares?’ Funding Adult Social Care Over the Next Decade’ study by Bupa also says a reduction would lead to a “bed-blocking” crisis for the NHS, and a postcode lottery for aged care as shortages emerge across the country.

It also reveals that real-term spending cuts to care will reduce the number of care home beds by 81,000 over the coming decade, with the ageing population likely to see an additional 18,000 older people needing care.

As a result, Bupa is calling for the £2bn the government ear-marked for adult social care to be spent on caring for frail, older people and to take into account care home inflation.

Mark Ellerby, managing director, said there is real concern that hardpressed councils may direct the money to plug holes in other budgets.

He added: “Our report reveals that the scale of the problem is much bigger than we thought. Unless councils protect funding for the elderly, thousands of vulnerable, frail older people will be unable to get the care home places they need and will have no option but to go into hospital.

“Not only is this deeply concerning for them and their families, but it is also worrying for the already stretched NHS as it will create a bed

Mark Ellerby blocking crisis which will affect us all.

“Care homes have faced years of underfunding but these new figures reveal that we are now at a tipping point. We are clear – councils have to prioritise care for older people, otherwise we could see thousands of older people left isolated and without the specialist care they need.”

Bupa is supporting the work of the ‘Dilnot Commission’ on Funding of Care and Support, which aims to address the under-funding of aged care in the long-term.

It is also calling for, among other things, central government to create a simple and easy to understand ‘national standard’ system for assessing an individual’s needs and eligibility for care.

They also think national and local government should work to simplify the planning process so it is easier to build new, modern, specialist care homes where needed.

Care group launches active living scheme A CARE group has launched a scheme to promote occupation, leisure and daily activity in services.

The Fremantle Trust, which has care homes, day care, supported living schemes and domiciliary care in locations across Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, Maidenhead, Barnet and Harrow has launched the Active Living Project.

Chief executive Carole Sawyers said: “It is about residents and staff working together as partners to strip away the cannot do culture and ask what they can do.

“Some residents are not keen and say I pay you to do things like make me a drink or butter me some toast, which is fair enough, but most

people embrace what we are trying to do and enjoy helping.

“It can be as simple as them pouring their own cereal and milk to getting involved with stacking the dishwasher or helping with the laundry.”

Carole said for the project to be successful meant a change in attitude for the staff also.

He added: “Too many times staff do so much that they are almost selfish to give them something to do.

“The project allows them to slow down and supervise. They may feel they are not doing their job, but they are, just in a different way.

“It has meant a culture change for the staff, which was not easy at first, but most have embraced it.”

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CARINGNEWS

Home fails to meet quality standards

By Dominic Musgrave

Resident Jean Legg with activities co-ordinator Gillian Squance and two of the 11 chicks that hatched

Egg-citing times as residents welcome chicks RESIDENTS at a Bromsgrove care home had a cracking time watching chicks hatch in an incubator.

Tutnall Hall took part in the “Living Eggs” programme, which aims to “show the miracle of life first hand”.

“Living Eggs” delivered eggs, incubators and a brooder box, complete with heat, light, bedding, feed and water to keep the chicks cosy and comfortable, while the residents and staff can cared for

them and watched them hatch and grow.

Activities co-ordinator Gillian Squance said: “A lot of our residents kept chickens, particularly in the war years, so it brought back memories for them.

“We are always looking to provide different types of activities for our residents and thought, especially with spring coming, this would be a lovely experience for them.”

A GOOLE care home has been warned by the inspectorate it is failing to meet essential standards in quality and safety and must take action to address concerns over care and welfare.

The CQC report into Mimosa Healthcare’s Sandhall Park identifies breaches in regulations covering care and welfare, staffing, the support of workers and management of medicines.

Inspectors visited the home in December in response to concerns which it had received. A further unannounced inspection took place on January 26 and, although there had been some improvement, there were still essential standards that were not being met.

Jo Dent, regional director of CQC for Yorkshire and Humber, said that her staff would closely monitor the care home to ensure the necessary improvements are made.

She added: “We are pleased that the provider is addressing the areas of concern we highlighted. We will return in the near future to ensure that the improvements have been made. Sandhall Park must improve – or face the consequences.”

CQC found that Sandhall Park was not meeting four essential standards

and has major concerns in these areas: Care and welfare: Care plans and risk assessments were not up to date or reviewed regularly. Residents were not being referred to other health professionals, such as the dietician and “falls’ team, even where there was high risk, and people who use services did not always have a call bell within reach so that assistance could be summoned.

Management of medicines: Medication errors frequently occurred and it was not clear what actions had been taken to encourage improvement. Medication chart audits had not been carried out to ensure that people received their medication correctly.

Staffing: There were significant problems ensuring that sufficient numbers of staff were on duty with the appropriate skills, competencies and qualifications to meet the needs of the people they cared for Support of workers: Staff had not received sufficient mandatory training including moving and handling.

Sandhall Park has submitted an action plan to CQC, outlining how it will address these remaining concerns in order to meet the standards.

New fire safety guide published THE National Association for Safety and Health in Care Services (NASHiCS) and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) have teamed up to develop additional guidance created for operators of residential care premises.

The additional guidance was produced to accompany the Communities and Local Government (CLG) guide, entitled ‘Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Residential Care Premises’. The guide was published so operators know how to comply

with the Fire Safety Order (FSO) 2005.

David Hulton, lead member of the NASHiCS fire safety working group, said: “It was felt that certain parts of the CLG guide required further clarification to allow residential care operators to fully understand their role within the FSO. “NASHiCS are very pleased that this guidance document is now being launched as it will provide valuable additional information for residential care premise operators.”

Funding for MyLife app project A LEADING care provider is one of seven European partners who will receive EU funding to work on a technology project to develop a customisable touch screen application for people with dementia.

Housing 21 will receive £62,000, to help develop the ‘MyLife’ application, which will be available on a computer or mobile phone and will give access to common e-services that are freely available on the internet such as calendars, photo albums, music, communication tools, news and games.

It will also feature an easy to use format for people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and will enable the collaboration of secondary end-users, such as family members or care staff.

David Williams, head of research and development for Housing 21, said: “The aim of MyLife is to reduce social isolation and boredom, stimulate cognitive ability, enable people with dementia to live at home for longer, enhance participation and independence, and reduce the family caregiver's stress.”

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CARINGNEWS

Terry Woods and Joan Crane with Castle Point mayor David Cross

Home sweet home boosts memories

By Louise Cordell AN ESSEX care home has converted a former lounge into a sweet shop to help to boost the memories of its residents.

The facility at the Runwood Homes owned Stafford Hall in South Benfleet uses old-fashioned weighing scales, and sells sweets including sherbet lemons, old English mints and rhubarb and custards.

Manager Laura Glyde told Caring UK the smells, sights and tastes of the traditional sweets are helping to bring back lost memories for the residents, many of whom suffer from dementia, because they remind them of their youth.

She added: “After focusing on the life histories of our residents we discovered lots of ways in which we can assist reminiscence and create opportunities for occupation and engagement.

“We created the old fashioned sweet shop after discovering that we had residents who were shop keepers, accountants, housewives and factory workers before they moved here.

“It is run by our residents with the staff’s assistance, so our shopkeepers and accountants work in the shop, our housewives can pop to their local to pick up daily essentials, and take time to have a coffee and a chat to their friends

in the coffee/tea corner.

“It also promotes independence because they can work in the shop and sell items they have made with our activities co-ordinator, including knitted scarves and hats, to fellow residents and their visitors.”

The shop was opened by Castle Point mayor David Cross, and is the latest in a long list of innovative ideas created for the 34 residents.

Laura said one of her next projects is to create a residents’ band after unearthing they had a drummer, organ player and a guitarist among the residents.

She added: “Previously we have created a seaside in the garden, which has aided conversations about times past, such as favourite holidays and days at the beach with family and friends, and encouraged our residents to go out more.

“We also set up a choir for those who previously sang, and at Christmas we provided entertainment at six homes. All participants of the choir have dementia so it goes to show what residents can achieve if the opportunity is given.

“I also hope to organise a concert in the park following the success of a picnic event we held with some of the group’s other homes last year, as we have found music is beneficial to residents.”

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CARINGNEWS

Care home told it needs to improve standards

By Christina Eccles THE owners of a Cambridgeshire care home have been warned by the inspectorate that the care it provides is failing to meet essential standards of safety and quality people should be able to expect.

Shelford Lodge, owned by Shelford Lodge Limited, has been told it needs to improve by, and inspectors will follow up to ensure improvements are made.

CQC representatives visited the home in response to concerns which it had received. The inspection team reviewed all the information held about this provider and carried out a visit in January.

East region director Frances Carey said inspectors were particularly concerned with stained carpets, unclean mirrors and windows, and food in freezers which were not stored in a hygienic manner.

She added: “Shelford Lodge is not meeting essential standards that ensure that people living at the home are protected from the risk of infection.

“We will follow up to ensure that improvements are made.”

The report also noted that the home did not have basic measures in place to ensure that standards of cleanliness and hygiene are regularly audited.

It also said adequate guidelines and policies were not in place to help staff promote good infection and prevention control.

Shelford Lodge has submitted an action plan to CQC, outlining how it will address the concerns in order to meet the standards. Inspectors will return to the care home unannounced to check whether the improvements have been made and to decide whether to initiate formal enforcement action.

Richmond Painswick

Village provider launches new holiday service

By Dominic Musgrave RICHMOND Villages has launched a new holiday service for retired and semi-retired people at three of its sites.

The retirement village provider has created Richmond Retreats at its Letcombe Regis, Painswick and Northampton sites for people who need help while they are on holiday.

In addition to the full or half board packages available, guests can opt for individually tailored care packages where their requirements can be arranged prior to arrival and priced accordingly. These can range from help with washing and dressing to a massage treatment in the spa.

Managing director Paddy Brice said: “We all need a change of

scene sometimes, where we can enjoy a little rest and relaxation. A holiday usually does the trick, but what if you need the sort of assistance hotels just can’t provide?

“We offer assistance and bespoke care services based on individual needs and a care team is on site 24-hours a day. It made sense to offer all this to those in search of a worry-free holiday, where they can have a special diet, for example, or help with day-to-day tasks.”

“Richmond Retreats are particularly ideal for couples where one person may need more help than the other. Both can enjoy a fulfilling holiday together, with activities to suit them personally.”

Facilities at Richmond Retreats vary from village to village but can

include a wellness spa with a swimming pool, gym, health and beauty treatment rooms and a hair salon, a restaurant, café, shop, IT and craft rooms, a library and a bowling green.

Activities typically include art classes, bridge, bowls, film nights, happy hours, supper clubs, interesting visiting speakers and live performance events.

Guest accommodation comprises spacious apartments similar to a hotel suite, with a living room, one or two bedrooms and an en suite shower-room.

A kitchenette is stocked each day with basics, including breakfast items, or guests can have a full English breakfast in the restaurant. Lunch and evening meals are provided in the restaurant.

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CARINGNEWS

Relating to relatives ...

By Ben Bricknell IF YOU are a carer or service manager you may have experienced the following: a relative has approached you, upset, due to a shortfall in the care of their loved one.

This is deeply concerning for any health professional worth their salt, and you want to do something to help. You wish you had something a little more to say than “Sorry”.

The cause and effect logic that if a product isn't adequate then justified complaint will follow is a given in the service industry at large, and brings impetus and vigilance – fast – to the care business in particular.

This is partly what drives care homes to provide efficient, comprehensive and ethically informed safeguarding of residents, as well as the social conscience of all involved at the professional level.

Would it not be useful, however,

to consider the emotional landscape from which much of relatives' frustration and anxiety often arise?

There is a range of emotions typically experienced by relatives – usually grown up children – when the beloved enters full-time care, potentially creating a significant shift in the family dynamics and general wellbeing.

Grief, guilt, anxiety, loneliness and maybe even depression can result from a parent entering a home. It's a big thing.

There is, in terms of the family as a vibrant, together and social unit, a passing away; a growing absence and incompleteness as the beloved enters full-time care. For every resident, there are possibly a few more individuals who need an helping hand.

What can we as carers do?

Structuring a response to the emotional requirements of the family would need to encompass moral and practical support, and a

‘Grief, guilt, anxiety, loneliness and maybe even depression can result from a parent entering a home. It's a big thing’

sharp sense of how to convey these clearly, compassionately and tactfully. It's important when necessary to let relatives know that their experience is valid, authentic and a wholly noteworthy part of their parent entering care.

Where I work we are working towards the Gold Standard Framework, and we also feel questions need to be asked. What feelings are commonly experienced by relatives in the event, and why?

If there are guilt feelings, for instance, how can they be rationalised and processed in light of the residents’ needs?

How can we communicate that a resident's needs may no longer suit a civilian domestic setting? What are the practical and financial dimensions of a parent entering care? How might all this affect relatives in their everyday lives?

Being able to articulate the values surrounding care to families, and working up some empathy with the emotional journey they often make is, I believe, worth it.

Objectifying this journey – formally recognising it as a grave, separate and free-standing issue in care provision – would enhance the service homes provide, and the relationships families have with those who care for their parent(s)

Ben Bricknell hourly and daily.

If these issues could be explored in a pointed, studied and comprehensive training package, allowing carers to develop as definitive a sense as possible of relatives' needs, then communities and care could enjoy greater tightness and cohesion.

How can we make relatives more relevant to the central service of the care home in the UK? Ben is the activities co-ordinator at the Southern Cross owned White Gables care home in Skellingthorpe near Lincoln.

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CARINGNEWS

New facilities opened in Southgate

By Christina Eccles DOCTOR Catherine Horwood and Peter Todd from the Alzheimer's Society officially opened Hugh Myddelton House's new residential dementia care community in Southgate.

Guests were given a tour of the Memory Lane Community, which is designed to encourage active and independent living.

The new facilities were designed

by Barchester's own interior design team, and part of their remit is to continually develop methods that improve the quality of surroundings for both residents with different types of dementia as well as the staff that care for them.

General manager of the home, Annie Lampard, presented Catherine with a donation of £250 to go towards 'Singing for the Brain', a service provided by the Alzheimer's Society,which provides a way for people with dementia, along with their carers, to express themselves and socialise with others in a fun and supportive group.

New therapy raises smiles at care home

By Dominic Musgrave LAUGHTER is proving to be the best medicine at a Wrexham care home after it introduced therapy sessions for its residents.

Some residents at Pendine Park dress up for the fun meetings, which are designed to keep the residents stimulated, while others prefer to sit and watch and have a quiet giggle.

Artist-in-residence Sarah Edwards, who also oversees other therapeutic sessions at the home, says research into various therapies shows that laughter has a positive effect on well-being as well as reducing stress.

She added: “The well-being and welfare of our residents is very important to us, and we are keen to offer stimulation as well as well as getting residents to interact with each other in a fun way.

“It’s great to see residents enjoying themselves and having lots of fun during the laughter therapy sessions. The benefits of

putting these sessions on and involving as many residents as possible is there for all to see.

“The elation you feel when you laugh is a great way of combating the physical effects of stress.

“When we laugh, our body relaxes and endorphins, which are natural painkillers, are released into the blood stream.”

Sarah said she is now looking to introduce a staff diploma which will recognise the value of this and the other therapies on the well-being of the residents.

She added: “We also use art and colour therapies, and we have introduced a music project which is going really well too.”

“We are developing and adapting our therapeutic sessions to suit the age range and abilities of all our residents.”

Do you host unusual session for residents at your care home?

Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or phone him on 01226 734407.

Resident Alan Hudson during the laughter therapy session

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CARINGNEWS

Extension to be a ‘fitting tribute’ to home’s owner

By Dominic Musgrave A NEW extension at a Wirral care home is to be named after one of its owners who died before it was completed.

The development at The Dales in West Kirby will be known as the Mackenzie Wing in memory of its designer Mackenzie Armstrong, and will include six new bedrooms to take registration up to 30, a kitchen and office.

His daughter Kate ArmstrongShone, who runs the home and two others in the area - Daleside and Riversdale - along with her mother Margaret, said it will be a fitting tribute.

She added: “When we bought the home it wasn’t of a very good standard, and we gutted it from top to bottom. Within six months we had it full, and it was always part of our plans to make it a 30-bed home.

“For three years we talked about it, and finally last year dad and the architect drew up the plans, and last August we started the building work.

“It has been tough, but dad would have wanted us to finish it, and it has

kept us busy. The extension will be a lasting tribute to him, and we chose to call it a wing as opposed to a suite because dad was a keen pigeon flyer.”

The extension will be opened by local MP Esther McVey at a special ceremony for residents and their families, and Kate says she will continue to run the three homes with her mum.

“We will keep the homes going but if we bought another one it would get too big,” she added. “At the moment we know every resident and a lot of their family members by name, but with another one we would lose that personal touch.

“Hard work and keeping our finger on the pulse has got us to where we are today. A lot of homes have good managers but it is not there money so it doesn’t really matter.

“Cash flow is everything, and in the past I have decorated all three of the homes from top to bottom myself at first - putting wallpaper up and making curtains.”

Do you have a story for Caring UK? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring him on 01226 734407.

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CARINGNEWS

Home goes hi-tech after winning grant

By Dominic Musgrave LAPTOPS on trolleys, a projector, wireless internet connection and a digital camera are heading to a Kent care home after it won a £20,000 technology grant.

The money, supplied through the Get Connected scheme, will make residents at Sanctuary Care’s Shaftesbury Court among the most techno-savvy in the country.

They will now be able to chat to – and see – family members from the privacy of their own rooms via laptops fitted with webcams that can be wheeled about on fully adjustable trolleys.

Managers at the home hope practical applications such as this will help overcome suspicion among some

residents towards computers.

Manager Barbara Sweeting said: “A lot of elderly people are naturally quite frightened of new technology.

They think it’s something for younger people.

“When I mentioned we were getting these computers some of them looked sceptical. But I told them they would not only be able to talk to but see a relative who is living abroad through the webcam and that seemed to get them interested.

“I think once they start seeing what they can do they will change their minds. The internet really is a window into the world – we want to open it up to them.”

The laptops will feature extra large keys and a mouse with sensitive touch pads making it easy to use by

people suffering from arthritis.

As well as communicating to friends and family, residents will be shown how to look up places of interest, film clips, music and other material on websites such as YouTube.

The projector will be used for staff training purposes and the digital camera to take photographs when on day trips to show family members.

Get Connected is a programme designed to encourage adult social care providers in England to use information and communication technology more effectively.

The scheme is run by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), an independent charity funded by the Department of Health that aims to identify and spread good practice in social care.

Residents treated to ‘This is your life’ lunch RESIDENTS at Maiden Castle House in Dorchester who told students about their lives have had their life stories read back to them at a special lunch held at the home.

The 20 youngsters from Thomas Hardye School created biographies after interviewing the residents for their English coursework. They learned where residents were born, about their schooldays, and the kind of lives they led nearly a century ago.

Craig Martin reads resident Edna Caddy her biography

Jenny Webster, activities organiser at the Care South owned home, said: “The residents loved it as they like the idea that their life stories have been documented, and of course the young people enjoyed the project because it is living history.”

Claim that care homes must change their image

By Louise Cordell A CHANGE in the way life in a care home is perceived is necessary given the growing elderly population, it has been claimed.

Gloria Haynes, operations manager for the Fremantle Trust, says more must be done to change the image and make them more attractive to potential residents.

Speaking at a good practice event in Oxford organised jointly by the Forum of Oxfordshire Social Care Employers and the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire Care Association, she said: “It is about developing anybody that has anything to do with a care home – relatives, residents and friends – because the community’s idea of what a care home is has been

based on the bad things they read in the national press.

ty among its services foe this increasing group of service users.

“It may make interesting reading, but it has created a generation who think they have to conform to a set of rules when living in a care home.

Gloria added: “We meet periodically throughout the year to discuss issues and put together training courses that can be rolled out by the group to their own staff.

“It is hard to change that, but what we need to get across is that it isn’t just about the service user ‘fitting in’ and that they can have their own life.

“The dementia care mentors were selected for their passion and determination to make a difference, and they take the lead on dementia.

“The current generation of people that we have living in our homes are the grateful ones who don’t want to be a nuisance, and we have to change that idea.”

“These are not people that are trained in leadership in any way, just good people who provide in-house interaction and support and develop the staff teams.

The Trust, which has 13 care homes and two with nursing, has put together a dementia care development team in a bid to improve quali-

“They also contact the relative of any new resident to put their mind at rest, and they can answer any questions they may have.”

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CARINGHOMECALL

A care group’s first purpose-built home in Leicester has celebrated its first birthday. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Birthday for Leicester home from home SIGNATURE’S £22m South Lodge development boasts 99 one and two bedroom apartments, 17 of which are specifically for dementia.

Situated on the outskirts of Leicester, the former blind school building also boasts its own restaurant, hair and beauty salon as well as sensory and activity rooms.

The group, founded by Thomas Newell, also has homes in Sheffield and Herne Bay, and further sites are planned for the near future in Nottingham, Brentwood, Epsom, Kingston upon Thames and Bushey.

Marketing executive Neemisha Champaneri told Caring UK the development is currently 55 per cent full, with the aim of being at capacity within the next year.

She added: “South Lodge is the first Signature site that can accommodate residential care, nursing care and dementia so that a person moving here know they will not have to move when their condition deteriorates.

“We try to create a home from home environment here, and a place where residents feel happy

and not that they have been placed here. It also helps to take away the guilt that families may feel about seeing their loved one moved into a home.

“With our senior living sites we are attempting to move away from the clinical side of a care home and move more towards a five-star hotel feel. All the residents have their own front door and letter box, and visitors are welcome at any time.”

One of the biggest challenges the owners faced when launching the home was trying to build a reputation despite the inspectorate deciding to scrap star ratings.

Neemisha added: “We have had to build our reputation purely on our care service, and a lot of people who have been on the CQC’s website have come to us asking why we are not rated.

“We have always encouraged any potential visitors to speak to the residents already living here because they are the best feedback you can get.

“The contract we have with the PCT and the fact we are on both

South Lodge in Leicester. the city and district council’s preferred list means a lot, but it has been a challenge without the stars.

“Before we opened we held an open day for the local community and also attended a lot of events in the district to spread the word.

Involving local suppliers also helped us get the name out there.”

Has a lack of a CQC star rating caused you any problems? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone 01226 734407.

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CARINGNEWS

Yet another fee to pay Michael Vaughan, Red Rocks Nursing Home, Hoylake IT is nonsense that CQC have thus far failed to justify their decision to scrap the old, but at least somewhat helpful, quality rating scheme without having an alternative and improved system in place.

What frustrates me is that CQC, under the new Health and Social Care Act and its new regulation and inspection processes, seem to want to do less and less work themselves in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our residents, while continuously increasing their registration charges under their new matrix charging

system.

This while we as providers are expected to undertake reams of new and extra evidencing.

It now appears that if we wish our potential clients and their families to have access to this new quality rating scheme we will be expected to pay.

Yet another fee on top of our normal, and now increased, annual registration fee.

This is totally unacceptable as these costs, as any, will have to be passed on, yet again, to our clients.

Is CQC delivering value for money?

I don’t think so.

Feeling very let down Helen Thorpe, manager, Garendon Residential Home, Loughborough WITH reference to your article in the March 2011 edition. We are one of the providers who achieved the 'excellent' rating and, as you can appreciate, worked extremely hard to achieve this.

We now feel very let down by CQC's decision to abolish such, especially given that it was for no good reason other than it cannot be administered.

Is that not something that should

have been explored when the suggestion of grades was being put together? Its called forward planning.

At a time when improving care standards is paramount to the deliverance of good care, we see a leading agency not being consistent.

This move by CQC has done nothing to keep motivation high, and surely comes across as ‘set up to fail’.

These ratings were by far one of the best tools created, and served many purposes.

Email us your views to dm@whpl.net or send them to Caring UK newsdesk, 47 Church Street, Barnsley S70 2AS

Fresh criticism over abolition of star ratings

By Dominic Musgrave THE Caring UK newsdesk has been inundated with calls and emails from care providers regarding the March issue’s front page story ‘Highest rated homes could be hit hardest’.

Almost all are in agreement with Meridian Healthcare executive chairman Alan Firth’s opinion that care standards could be suffering as a result of the abolishment of star ratings by the inspectorate last year.

He also believes those operators who have invested heavily in their homes in a bid to get the ‘excellent’ rating will suffer the most.

Michael Parmenter, who owns Aveley Lodge in Colchester, was one of many operators who was unhappy with the CQC’s decision.

He said: “Over the past three-and-ahalf years I have invested tens of thousands of pounds to improve standards in staffing, building work, environment, both internally and externally, all compulsory and many additional training subjects, and

have offered services and additional staffing to the required complement.

“The inspection I had prior to the unannounced one I had recently returned a ‘good’ rating. When I challenged it and asked why I had not been given ‘excellent’ as the only issues raised in the inspection was one sign not being luminous, the answer was that a home could not go from ‘adequate’ to ‘excellent’ without going through ‘good’ first.

“Now the star rating has gone I will never reach that rating, even though the money has been spent. The twostar good rating will remain for some time until they decide on a future rating system (as told by the inspection team).

“It would appear that possibly less honest service providers can be short with the truth on their assessment forms and continue to take their time to correct the shortcomings and just claim lack of understanding of standards.”

Silly and ill-advised idea William Mtisi, Wilnash Care, Potters Bar I HAVE read your story on the front page of Caring UK regarding star ratings being abolished with great interest, and support Alan Firth’s views 100 per cent.

We are a fairly new care agency, 14 months old, and went through trying times. We had two visits in as many

months from inspectors, as was the normal procedure then, and got two stars.

It was very hard work but we realised it was very important to put everything in order for the sake of the service users and our staff.

Some people still want to know how many stars we have, and my view is that taking away the rating was a very silly and ill-advised idea.

Editor’s comment...

THE topic of star ratings is always a controversial one, as I am sure it is in every industry.

They are now a part of society, whether it be when we are booking a hotel or restaurant, and also one of the first things many relatives will look for when they have to make the decision to put their loved one into a care home.

It is tough enough having to do that in the first place, but at least they can take some comfort from knowing that the home their relative is in the best possible facility.

But, now that has been taken away, it must be a complete minefield for people looking for care, and you can also understand the frustrations of those operators who have invested heavily in their facilities to make them stand out from the rest.

So it is crucial that the inspectorate put a new system in place sooner rather than later, and that they get it right.

Many people I have spoken to about the old ratings said there wasn’t enough scope, and that they would like to see something similar to what the hotel industry uses.

But how the CQC come to these ratings from their inspections is also critical. You can have the best, purpose-built facility in the land, but if the care is not up to standard then the rating shouldn’t be high.

The key thing has to be the residents and relatives, and if they are happy and living life to the full then the rating should reflect that.

You can tell within seconds what sort of home you have walked into by the atmosphere - happy homes have a buzz about them, which you cannot create artificially.

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Former school becomes part of care home A 19TH century school is forming part of a north west based care provider’s latest £3.9m development.

The original Millbrook School, which dates back to the 1850s, is being restored to its former glory by Meridian Healthcare as part of its 46bed care home.

Due to open in the autumn, the building, which previously stood derelict for 10 years, will become the home’s dining room.

Project manager John Baxter told Caring UK the group has worked closely with Tameside borough council’s conservation team on the project, with all materials having to be approved.

He added: “It has been a long, slow process, but it will be worth it once the old school has been completed.

“We are keeping as much of the original building as we can and, as well as the trusses and the window sills, even the flagpole and bell are being restored.

“The tightness of the site has also been a challenge for us, and we lost

10 days at the end of last year due to the bad weather, but we hope to be back on track shortly.”

The group recently held a competition for young artists from a nearby school about what life will be like in 70 years time as part of of a programme of activities and talks they have been doing.

The winners have had their artwork displayed on a large hoarding surrounding the construction site, and were also given a tour to learn about children who went to school in the original building.

Managing director Susan Firth said: “The art competition was a great way of involving the children in the care centre and getting them to think about what it really means to them and their village.

“We have been working closely with the school and this is a great opportunity for us to talk about positive long term care options for older people as well as giving the children an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity.”

Linda Nolan with Andrew Mangion (Carebase operations director), Essie Mkondani (Aspen Grange care services manager), Dawn Sharp (Aspen Grange home manager), Nicola Coveney (Carebase managing director) and Phillipa Morley (HR manager).

Linda opens new home in Essex LINDA Nolan cut the ribbon to officially open Carebase’s latest specialist dementia care home in Braintree.

Linda, who is a keen supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society, was joined by Tony Shelton, chairman of the local council, for a champagne and canapé reception at the company’s 49-bed Aspen Grange.

Manager Dawn Sharp said facilities

at the home include spacious ensuite accommodation and hairdressing salon.

She added: “We hope the care home will become the hub of the local community and set the example of how residents can maintain their independence and dignity while enjoying a great quality of life.”

Caring UK Commerce section brings you all the latest property, business and training news every month.

In this issue: Behind the

uncertainty is opportunity ...

Page 24

Caring UK forms Wellburn care homes has purchased the Grade II listed Scalesceugh Hall near Carlisle in a deal in excess of £1m.

The group, which owns 14 sites across the north of England, five of which are in listed buildings, was recently granted approval on plans to convert the building into a 47-en-suite bedroom care home with an additional six ‘close care’ cottages in part of the grounds. Work on site will begin shortly, with the doors set to open in autumn 2012.

alliance with events company Page 25

Care for the

elderly - what next?

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CARINGCOMMERCE

Behind the uncertainty is opportunity ...

By John Ramsay THERE is no turning back for the care industry.

Cutbacks worth £40million, the dissolution of Primary Care Trusts, cuts to local authority budgets, more red tape around UK Border Agency restrictions on labour,new CQC regulations and increased employer liability laws are just some of the changes the care industry has to contend with over the next few years. But behind all of this uncertainty is opportunity.

This could be just the nudge care home professionals need to raise their game. The raft of changes present an ideal opportunity for sector professionals to revolutionise their business model to make sure they don’t just survive the next three years, but grow and be sustainable in the long term. A chance to “future proof” their business.

This much-used phrase is frequently referred to in terms of room sizes, day space and numbers

of beds. But while the physical aspects of care homes continue to evolve, I would like to propose a different view of what future proofing is, or should be. Future proofing is really about a state of mind.

The key to this is relatively simple.

In my opinion, owners need to have three things. Firstly they need to have a vision for their business.

Secondly they should never say never and thirdly, they need to be open to and promoters of new ideas.

That is not to say that we become obsessed by fads. Having coffee bars, cinemas and a hotel reception style front of house is great, but these additions need to be balanced around the type of business and service user needs which we individually cater for.

Returning to the issue of sustainability. Shifting income reliance away from the public sector to the private, or from mainstream to specialist care, can bring with it a greater control of

income and improve attractiveness to both investors and funders.

At the same time, having a clear picture of providing excellent care alongside a vision of how this affects the bottom line is ever more essential.

As a sector the care industry has shown time and time again it isn’t scared of change and now is the time to act so you can take advantage of opportunities now and in the future.

Key to steering your way through the turbulent waters is to have a team, both internally and externally, who can match you in the three-point plan I outlined earlier.

Part of the process is ensuring you surround your business with likeminded professionals who share your vision for your business and can support you in helping it to grow and flourish.

John is the Midlands regional director for education, healthcare and communities at Santander Corporate Banking.

John Ramsay

Mike Parsons receives the award from Richard Caseby, managing editor of The Sunday Times.

Care provider one of the best companies to work for NATIONAL care home provider Barchester Healthcare has featured in the Sunday Times survey of the 25 best big companies to work for 2011 for the third consecutive year.

The prestigious award was voted for by randomly selected members of Barchester’s 15,000 staff by completing anonymous questionnaires.

Founder and chief executive Mike Parsons said: “To have such dedicated employees demonstrates that we’ve managed to generate and

maintain a great working environment here.

“Our ethos at Barchester is ‘Celebrating Life’, and it’s clear that our employees bring this to life every day and enjoy working here.”

The breakdown of the results showed that Barchester’s workforce strongly agreed they can make a difference in the organisation, and were ranked fourth overall when it came to viewing work as an important aspect in life. The company was the only care provider on the list.

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CARINGCOMMERCE

Wharncliffe Publishing managing director Michael Hewitt (centre) with MJM Events’ John Msiak and Mike Wilby.

Caring UK forms alliance with events company MJM Events has announced a strategic alliance with Wharncliffe Media Group, publishers of Caring UK. By combining resources, MJM will further consolidate its position as the leading provider of regional care forums throughout the UK. Exhibitors at MJM’s events will benefit from the media exposure provided by Caring UK, and the events will benefit from the involvement of Caring UK’s contacts and editorial contributors.

Mike Wilby, of MJM Events, said: “We are delighted with our alliance with Wharncliffe – the business is ideally placed to further strengthen its position providing national care events to local audiences.”

In addition, the events will benefit from the involvement of Wharncliffe Productions, the video and broad-

casting division of Wharncliffe and the resources of Wharncliffe Events.

Tony Barry, Wharncliffe’s sales and marketing director, added: “MJM is the perfect partner with a very successful event formula for the care industry.

“We are excited by the opportunities afforded to the combined business, and look forward to working closely with Mike and John at MJM.” MJM’s programme of 10 forums for 2011 are entitled ‘Focusing on Outcomes’, and will offer engaging presentations and debates centred on promoting and providing the highest standards of care across the industry.

They will commence with two in the South West at Weston-super-Mare and Torquay on May 24 and 25 respectively.

Residents’ send-off for hunt RESIDENTS at a Surrey nursing home were out in force to celebrate the local hunt starting and finishing on their doorstep.

Staff and residents at the Grade II listed Greathed Manor in Dormansland near Lingfield cheered and clapped as the members of the Old Surrey Barstow and West Kent hunt met before setting off on the hunt.

Denise Springthorpe, manager at Greathed Manor which is on the borders of Surrey, Kent and West Sussex,

said, “Many of our residents were sat outside smiling and laughing. They just love seeing the beautiful horses and stroking the dogs.I believe that it is the balance between appreciating tradition and embracing modern life that makes Greathed Manor special for our residents.

“We love to organise events such as the hunt meets and ballroom dances, yet we also provide yoga classes, have our own hairdressing salon and provide Freeview TV in all bedrooms.”

Scheme voted one of the best A GWYNEDD retirement housing scheme has been voted one of the UK’s best at an annual national awards ceremony.

Penrhos Home, managed by Polish Housing Society Limited based at Penrhos, Pwllheli, scoop a gold award in the ‘Housing with care – 100 units and over category’ at the National Housing for Older People event held at Ascot Racecourse. Run

by the Elderly Accommodation Counsel, the awards recognise specialist housing schemes which are the best in their field.

Penrhos Home was one of 34 winners in 12 categories which were nominated by more than 3,500 residents from across the UK, a 64 per cent increase on entries since last year. Residents scored schemes on design, services and well-being.

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CARINGCOMMERCE

Care for the elderly – what next?

By Mark Ellis

Taylor National has completed the sale of The Grange at Heswall after just two weeks.

The home, which had been operating under the existing ownership of Roy and Caroline Dean of Coursechange Ltd for more than 10 years, is registered for 32 in 28 bedrooms.

Planning permission is in place for a further 10 bedrooms.

Roy Dean is pictured with Grayson Taylor

A York care home is undergoing a £2m facelift to ensure it meets fire risk requirements and improve facilities for its residents.

Improvement at the RMBI owned Connaught Court in Fulford will include additional bedrooms with ensuite facilities and the installation of ceiling hoists as well as the creation of a secure garden space.

Margaret Cade, home manager, said: “The

buildings needed modifying to reflect the changing profile of residents and ensure we can continue to provide the highest standards of care.

“As the average age of residents increases, so does the incidence of dementia.

“Providing a safe and secure garden where residents with dementia can enjoy the outdoors safely will make a major difference to their quality of life.”

Tax reclaims for commercial property owners CAPITAL allowances are among the most valuable and least exploited methods of reducing property owners’ income tax or corporation tax liabilities.

Capital allowances arise from capital expenditure on purchasing or constructing a new property along with extensions and refurbishments.

We carry out retrospective, current year, and new build capital allowance claims, both for individuals and companies in relation to commercial properties right across the commercial sector.

Most retrospective capital allowance claims that we handle lead to a significant tax refund for the client. We will quickly identify the validity of a claim without obligation. If a claim does not proceed, there will be no fee.

We comprehensively survey the property which allows us to identify any qualifying items that, for numerous reasons, have previously not been claimed.

Enquiries: Telephone 01246 293011 or visit www.salmon-business.com

THE population of elderly people is forecast to rise significantly over the next two decades, with the proportion requiring long term care increasing at an even faster rate.

How this unquestionable demand is serviced is still a topic for debate. It is likely that demand for low-level residential and domiciliary care for people in their own homes will experience a net decline.

Unfortunately, there is no coordinated plan for what new facilities will be required across the UK, and it is likely that some developments may fail by being the wrong facility in the wrong place.

While the number of care beds declined consistently over the last decade, that trend has now reversed, as new, larger homes have been opened. This expansion of the sector has coincided with a modest downturn in demand, as central and local government has sought to use domiciliary care.

This has led to a short term drop in overall occupancy levels, although this has not been a universal problem, with better homes continuing to attract strong support. The greater decline has been those homes providing poor quality accommodation/care.

Fees are unlikely to rise in the near future and, indeed, have been reduced in real terms in some areas. While the best homes have largely continued to receive good levels of referral, there is some evidence to suggest local authorities have sought to cut costs by using the cheapest providers, irrespective of quality.

Lenders are more looking to serviceability and experienced management than loan to value, which we have seen reduce from 85 per cent of Market Value 1 (MV1) to 70/75 per cent of MV1.

Mark Ellis Interest rate margins have also increased over the last three or four years and we have seen banks move from Base Rate led lending to LIBOR (London Inter Bank Ordinary Rate) led lending.

Over the next two or three years, stagnant fees and occupancy can be expected for many homes at a time when costs are likely to rise, particularly after the increase in VAT earlier this year.

Some care homes may actually benefit from the budget cuts as councils seek to find the most cost-effective way to provide care.

Such scrutiny could lead to the closure of expensive local authority homes, reduction in hospital bed-blocking and/or a switch from costly domiciliary care.

Ultimately, the growing demand for long term care will underpin the sector in the medium and long term. We are likely to experience some flux and some casualties are likely.

Most vulnerable will be operators who have geared too highly and homes which cannot provide good quality care. Wellrun, well-financed care home businesses will have sufficient scope to absorb the short term pressures and emerge in better shape to take advantage of the sector as it continues to grow.

Mark is head of care home banking at Lloyds TSB.

Suites offer greater flexibility INNOVATIVE ‘care suites’ are to offer greater flexibility at a care service in Bristol set to open next month.

As well as 25 places for nursing care and 29 for dementia care, MHA’s Horfield Lodge will offer 19 one and two bedroom suites, which include kitchenettes, and are primarily intended to enable couples to stay together, even if their care requirements differ from each other or alter over time. A couple may rent

their suite and pay separately for a care package for one or both partners. Staff will be on site 24 hours a day for the safety and security of residents, while full meals and a domestic service are included.

Residents will also have a roof garden, a café with internet access, free access to reflexology treatments as part of the firm’s national initiative to offer alternative therapies and a full schedule of recreational events.

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CARINGCOMMERCE

Learn more about the key issues at conferences A SERIES of regional conferences will give care managers the opportunity to learn more about the key issues they will face this year – right on their doorsteps.

MJM Events and Caring UK have teamed up to host the National Care Conventions which will be held in various locations across the UK, starting in May. The theme behind this year’s events is focusing on outcomes – promoting and providing good care – and a team of experts and specialists have been recruited to advise and lead discussions on subjects such as: The impact of the deficit reduction programme on council funding of care.

The new vision for social care.

Exploiting ideas associated with the Big Society.

My Home Life - promoting voice, choice and control.

The new world of medicines management.

Regulatory outcomes – how the system is bedding down.

Focus on legal issues such as the Forest Care Homes case and hiring and firing in the care sector.

Making the best of a difficult cli-

mate.

Infection control.

The big plus point to these conventions is that they offer top quality, informative content and networking opportunities at an affordable price – and importantly, without the need for busy care managers to travel long distances.

Respected industry consultant Les Bright is returning once again to chair each event and guest speakers include: Lynne Dean of the Department of Health South West.

Tom Owen and Jane Wallis of the My Home Life programme.

Infection control consultant LInda Nazarko.

Mark Ellis, Head of Social Care at Lloyds TSB Hazel Phillips, a partner at leading care specialist law firm, Burroughs Day. The opening convention will be at the Rookery Manor Conference Centre, Hotgel and Spa near Weston Super-Mare on Tuesday May 24, followed by the Palace Hotel, Torquay on Wednesday May 25.

For more details, visit the Caring UK website - www.caring-uk.co.uk

Up to 60 jobs will be created when the Priory Group opens its latest 80-bed care home in Northern Ireland. Priory operations manager Deborah Oktar-Campbell is pictured with Norma Munn, manager of the nearby Blair House in Newtownards and Tracey Henry, manager of new development Bohill House.

New ideas available at Care Roadshows A VISIT to your local Care Roadshow will give you new ideas for improving efficiency; inspiration for developing your training and work practices and fresh enthusiasm to take back to your care home.

They focus on bringing dedicated care suppliers to your area and are specially chosen for their unique and quality products and services. These established companies will display innovations in software solutions, training provisions, interior design, waste management, virus control and other essential services.

A key feature at each roadshow will be the free and informative seminars, which will focus on informing visitors

of the latest changes within the care sector.

These will be led by industry experts including Keith Lewin, Brunswick LLP Solicitors and Ranald Mair, Scottish Care. Topics range from physical and mental sensory stimulation to dementia and design.

Debbie Westhead from the CQC will present a seminar on current changes to care regulations at the Manchester event.

This seminar will give you the chance to explore these changes and how they will impact your care home.

The first events are being held at the Glasgow Concert Halls on May 10 and Old Trafford on June 30.

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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS Taylor National has completed the sale of the 51 registered Whitegates Nursing Home in Staines, Middlesex to the Surrey based CHD Living.

CHD was established by Mr and Mrs Hasham in 1984.

Since then they have added nine further Homes, two homecare facilities and have a purpose built brain injury and neuro rehabilitation unit opening shortly in Bagshot.

Sharleeza, who has a Masters degree in care management, has recently joined her father in the business.

Guardians offer expertise DECISIONS about the use of a person’s income and savings are often best made by their relatives or close friends, but what happens when there are no willing or suitable relatives or friends, or those already involved in a person’s finances are no longer able to formally assist?

Over several years Essex Guardians has developed its expertise to become one of the leading corporate deputy services in the country. It provides a dedicated team of professionals to expertly handle financial affairs for people when they no longer have the mental capacity to do so on their own.

The service includes claiming, collecting, maximising and administering any state benefits, paying bills and ensuring that the individual has access to money for activities such as shopping and socialising. It can also safeguard savings and investments and oversee property and personal items.

Systems can help cut medicine errors RESEARCH published online in BMJ Quality and Safety showed that mistakes were 4.31 times as likely to be made with a liquid medicine as they were with a tablet or capsule given from a dispenser.

Compared with drugs given from a monitored dosing system, the likelihood of a mistake was 19 times higher when using a cream, injection or eye drop, and more

than 33 times when an inhaler was used.

The study involved 233 residents randomly selected from 55 UK nursing and residential homes, providing a representative sample of different sizes, ownership and type of care offered.

Administration errors were identified by pharmacists observing two drug rounds, and these were

Wipes help to Domiciliary provider reduce risk REFRESHENING Professional Caring Moist Wipes are specifically developed to help reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections by cleansing and preventing cross contamination through hand contact.

The wipe is perfect for removing germs from hands, ideal for personal hygiene and guarantees effective cleansing, the professional way.

These unique moist wipes are individually wrapped for that personal touch, infused with a natural Aloe fragrance and balanced to the skins natural pH .

Caring Moist Wipes can also be personalised to your requirements upon the outer wrapping. Every wipe will be covered with your brand, your advertising message and what you have to offer.

New furniture range launched SPRING is in the air and Nationwide Nursing Home Supplies has a new range of fabrics for chairs, curtains and throws so now is the opportunity to give your home a fresh make over.

They have all their usual range of fabulous fabrics plus they have now added a range of Sanderson and Harlequin prints, fabrics and wall coverings.

Nationwide’s purpose built show vans are travelling the country with all the latest designs of bedroom, lounge and dining furniture and all the fabric swatches for you to see for yourselves.

So if you are planning a new build, extension or re-fit just give them a call to book an appointment for when the show vans are in your area.

acquires Blackpool hotel DOMICILIARY and related care services provider Safehands Network Ltd has acquired The New Mayfair Hotel in Blackpool.

Famed for providing specialised holidays for people with disabilities for more than 10 years, the hotel boasts a prominent position on the new £100m south promenade, and is within minutes of many of the town’s most famous attractions.

The New Mayfair is the first hotel in Blackpool to be CQC registered, and will offer an unparalleled level of

service and accessibility to all its guests, It reopens next month, and services available include holiday transport, bespoke care packages, a range of excursions and free equipment hire, plus live entertainment.

Exciting new developments are planned to open throughout the year including a fully accessible solarium, specialised gym, a well equipped games room and the Ocean Breeze Bar and Brassiere.

Latest badge range released BADGEMASTER, manufacturer of custom made, ready to wear employee badges, has launched a new product range.

‘Instabadge’ enables employees themselves to create instant name badges. This means employers can give new staff a badge from their first day.

The wearer’s name is simply printed onto ordinary card or paper, with no special equipment needed.

The new range includes six different

styles, all available in any base colour and with plenty of space for individual corporate designs and logos.

The Instabadge holds an advantage in environments where hygiene or health and safety are important, such as the catering industry.

Its unique moulding combines an integral fastener as part of the badge and so avoids any chance of the pin or badge becoming accidentally detached for the wearer.

Conference held in Leeds DC Care, Lupton Fawcett LLP and Santander Corporate Bank jointly hosted a ‘Question Time’ style seminar in Leeds for care home operators and professionals.

Guest speakers included Martin Green, chairman of ECCA, Alan Firth, executive chairman of Tameside based care operator Meridian Healthcare and Paul Edwards, head of training and development at Bradford

Dementia Group at Bradford University.

Anita Allen, director of DC Care, said: “This was an ideal opportunity, working with other professionals to explore in an open forum some of the issues regarding regulation, staff training, safe guarding and all in the light of the current restrained economic climate in health and social services.”

classified and analysed by formulation and medicine delivery system.

Yakub Chemist in Leicester provides a variety of monitored dosage systems suitable for tablets, capsules and even liquids helping ensure care homes have the safest solution for medication administration.

Reducing your costs PROVIDING outstanding performance every time, the Incomaster™ from Haigh has been delivering cost reductions, energy savings and helping to fight against infection for more than 30 years.

Delivering real and measurable benefits to both you and those in your care, our highly efficient and user friendly Incomaster™ delivers outstanding performance for the simple and hygienic disposal of incontinence pads and nappies.

The Incomaster™ disintegrates pads and nappies into a suitably fine pulp and flushes the material to a standard drainage system, meaning no storage, no smells and no mess.

Designed for simplicity, it is easy to install, low maintenance and fast – processing four small or two large pads in less than two minutes.

New release unveiled SINCE its first release at the Bournemouth Care Show three years ago, CareDocs has become the market leader in care planning and home management software.

CareDocs’ latest release, CareDocs 2011, might have more new sections, assessment questions and useful features than ever before, but it has lost none of the simplicity and ease of use that has made it so popular with the 250 plus homes already using it.

One of several new features is the Forms and Documentation section.

This includes an easily accessible and ever growing selection of templates for the day-to-day paperwork most often used by homes as standard.

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How to deal with the serious problem of PTL

By Adrian Bishop HOW many carers have seen what appear at first to be minor shin bone knocks against furniture or wheelchairs turn out to be injuries requiring days and sometimes weeks of hospitalisation?

Known medically as pre-tibial lacerations (PTL), they are a common but serious problem occurring most frequently in elderly women over the age of 65.

Most PTL are caused by blunt injury such as when the shin hits a coffee table or step causing an oblique blow.

The result is a laceration or haematoma in which the blood supply to part of the skin is damaged, which, unless carefully managed through hospital A&E, frequently leads to death of the skin and subsequent ulceration.

PTL have become increasingly common among senior adults in the last decade. As medicine has advanced and care for the elderly improved, many senior adults are continuing to be mobile later in life and, as a result, are placing their lower limbs at greater risk for open wounds.

Other risk factors include diabetes, common medications such as anti-inflammatory agents and anticoagulants (Warfarin) and smoking.

For carers, the financial implication of PTL can be significant. A UK study concluded that 25 per cent of elderly patients with such injuries experienced an escalation of their

social care needs on discharge from hospital.

Six months after discharge only 78 per cent of patients had returned to their previous level of independence. The NHS cost of treating PTL is huge, with an average bed stay of 14 days along with the cost of surgery.

The majority of these injuries occur during peak activity hours of 6am to 11am and 3pm to 9pm, therefore prevention is clearly the best way to manage the issue, but what can be done?

Firstly identify clients at high risk of PTL and ensure their care plan includes a focus on good skin hygiene and hydration through responsible bathing – too frequent bathing causes a loss of the skins natural lubrication.

Always carefully investigate what appear at first to be minor knocks to the lower limbs to ensure there is no evidence of even a small haematoma, arrange for early medical intervention if there is the slightest doubt.

Ensure appropriate clothing is worn when there is increased risk of accidental damage to the shins. There is also available a soft silicon shin guard which can be worn during key risk periods, it can be worn under nylons or trousers and protects the shin from the knocks and bumps of every day living.

If a client acquires a PTL in most cases it will be treated with steri-strips but it is important to ensure they keep mobile and walking around as usual and in particular drink plenty of water to ensure the skin has the best chance of healing. It can take up to three months for the wound to heal completely.

Carolina Pospiech, Lynne Petty, Wendy Jo Martin, Wendy Blow, Lena Michalczyk at the ceremony

Staff honoured at community awards SUNRISE’s positive approach to senior living and care has seen four of its Westbourne staff honoured at the community’s Heart and Soul awards.

Wendy Blow, senior director of community relations, Lynne Petty, registered manager/reminiscence co-ordinator, Lena Michalcyk, lead care manager, and Karolina

Pospiech, senior lead care manager, picked up their awards at special awards dinner.

Wendy said: “The awards are particularly special as they are voted for anonymously by fellow members of the Sunrise community for colleagues who go above and beyond what their job demands.”

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Giving staff a taste of what it feels like to have dementia is part of a care group’s latest drive to improve its offering for residents with the condition. Dominic Musgrave reports.

Trial delivers inspiring results A NEW pilot project at one of Care UK’s day centres and nine of its homes which provide dementia care has delivered some remarkable and inspiring results.

Instead of traditional book or classroom learning, staff are taking part in a one-day course that gives them direct experience of effect dementia and frailty can have on the senses.

An experienced trainer takes the staff through a day where nothing seems to make sense. Special glasses blur their vision, headphones deliver white noise, and bandages or gloves restrict the movement of fingers. Trainees are also fed food they cannot see by a colleague, and asked several questions in quick succession without enough time to think of replies.

Managing director for residential care, Helen Owens, who has completed the course, said the group has also taken a fresh look at the impact of a home’s environment on the behaviour and wellbeing of residents.

She added: “The training makes each of us far more aware of how our approach and attitude can have a positive impact on a person with dementia.

It’s that attitude which can make the difference between good and excellent care.

“Over the past 15 years or so, there has been a lot of talk about using bright primary colours in homes to help residents with dementia to orientate themselves. This may not be wrong, but it can lead to a home looking like a kindergarten.

“With help from the University of Stirling, we are discovering that so long as colours are contrasting, they don’t have to be garish. This means we can offer something that is respectful, looks like a

Trainer Maizie Mears-Owen gives France Gibson, Care UK’s director of nursing, clinical and care governance, an insight into what it might be like to have dementia.

Picture: Chris Gray family home but still takes on board the additional needs of a resident with dementia.”

As a result of the research in the homes in Surrey, staff have been re-writing the rule book on how to design a dementia friendly home environment.

These include: Introducing fireplaces into lounges so they more closely reflect a family home.

Scrapping the internationally recognised symbols for toilet or bathroom and replacing them with signs that show a photograph of what is

behind the door.

Making dining rooms smaller and entirely separate from the lounge areas so people sense it is time for a meal.

Introducing ‘retro’ fittings such as old-style telephones or ornaments from the 1940s to 1960s that residents would recognise from their own homes when they were much younger.

Encouraging residents to help with tasks around the home such as watering the plants or setting the table.

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New company offers staffing solutions ACACIA Recruitment, part of the Acacia group, was launched in January to offer flexible temporary and permanent staffing solutions across the healthcare, childcare, nursing, hospitality and administration sectors.

Working closely with sister companies Acacia Training, a flexible training provider delivering vocational qualifications, and Acacia Skills Academy, offering bespoke training courses, we now offer a one stop shop for all of your training and staffing needs.

Our customers are the first priority in everything we do, and how we deliver the highest quality to them.

So you can rest assured that whenever you deal with Acacia, for whichever service, you’re in good hands.

So if you are a client looking for your next member of staff or training for your existing workforce, or someone looking for a change of job or new career in a different industry, then contact Acacia Recruitment now.

The fastest way to label clothes RESIDENTS with dementia often experience distress if they cannot find the clothing they are familiar with, and, as with all residents, it is important that an individual’s garments are correctly returned to them after washing.

Attach-a-Tag is a simple, cost effective method of labelling clothing and soft objects and is an ideal way to quickly label short term and respite residents clothing as well as normal laundry.

Replicating a button, it attaches in seconds to the garment seam or laundry label, making it discreet and com-

fortable to the wearer.

The patented design is easy to attach but difficult to remove, and cannot be taken off by accident or come off during the laundry process.

Each tag has the owner’s name etched onto it, which is guaranteed not to wear off in the wash.

This combined with the unique fixing method of Attach-a-Tag means the owner is identified every time.

Suitable for industrial laundry and iron proof, Attach-a-Tag is reusable, making it even more cost effective for your care home.

‘Training should be regulated’

By Dominic Musgrave DEMENTIA training for care staff should be regulated, it has been claimed.

And many care operators are spending thousands of pounds on training that it is inadequate, according to Paul Edwards, head of training and development at the Bradford Dementia Group at the University of Bradford, said society needs to understand the condition and how it affects people better.

“I’m really uncomfortable with organisations who produce a list of what training for dementia their staff have had,” he added. “I have visited several care homes where this has happened and you look at what is going on you see no evidence that it is working.

“There are so many course available - everything from a diploma up to a PHD, but if you cannot apply what has been learned in the sessions into the care setting then what is the point?

“A lot of organisations are being let down by their dementia training which, is not only devastating and very costly for them, but also for the relatives and their relatives.

“The dementia training market needs to be more regulated so the

Paul Edwards training purchased is of a good standard.”

Paul was speaking at a dementia seminar attended by care providers from across the north in Leeds sponsored by DC Care, Santander and Lupton Fawcett.

Martin Green, chief executive of ECCA, said he is working with SCIE to put a kitemark system in place for training.

He added: “Because there is no system in place it is impossible to know whether what is being taught is good or bad.

“Care providers are spending a vast amount of money on training so need to know that what they are getting is helping the member of staff build up that relationship with the resident. It is not just about the cost.”

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Colne venture could create fifty jobs

By Dominic Musgrave UP TO 50 jobs could be created as a home care venture with a difference moves into East Lancashire.

Care home owner Ken Deary, who runs Albert House in Colne, wants to start a branch of Right at Home, which provides support for the elderly and adults with disabilities, enabling them to live independently in their own homes He linked up with the American care provider last January to open the UK’s first branch in Preston, which has been a great success, employing more than 25 staff and delivering more than 800 hours of care to 50 clients a week.

Ken told Caring UK he wants to hear from budding entrepreneurs who are interested in setting up a franchise covering the Clitheroe and Pendle areas of the county.

He added: “I realised a residential home is not always the answer and that individuals can remain in their own home for a lot longer if they receive quality companionship and personal care from a company they

can trust.

“Right at Home’s care and the way we approach our business is of the very highest standard. We have two unique aspects. Firstly, we will always try to be on time. If we are providing 60 minutes of care, we stay for the full time. Secondly, we try to provide the same carers all the time, so there’s a lasting relationship with the client.”

Ken, UK managing director, is seeking individuals who want to run their own business and have a genuine interest in their local community.

He added: “You don’t need a social care background – we will provide the training and ongoing support – but you do need the ability to manage people and the desire to provide the highest levels of quality care.

“The rewards are the satisfaction of making a difference to people’s lives and the financial success which comes from outstanding execution.”

Other areas earmarked for offices are the Fylde coast, the Lancaster area and West Lancashire including Southport, creating over 200 jobs across Lancashire.

First for Manchester workers DOMICILIARY care workers in Manchester are the first in the country to take part in a nationally recognised end of life care training programme.

The National Gold Standards Framework Centre is working with the council to enable home care workers in the city help people live and die well in their chosen place.

Councillor Glynn Evans, executive

member for adult services, said: “Manchester city council recognises that many people now choose to remain at home when they are on the end of life pathway, and by training home care staff to the gold standard we can improve the quality of care for all concerned, as well as providing greater levels of support to relatives at a very difficult time.”

St Elphin staff Karen Fidler and Sue Baldwin with their new car

Nine rapid response vehicles strengthens homecare team HOMECARE provider Audley has strengthened its team with the addition of nine rapid response vehicles and 30 new care staff across its bases nationwide.

The company, which delivers personal care and support services to both residents of its retirement villages and clients living in the local community, provides a range of services including help getting

washed and dressed to going shopping or walking the dog.

Director Barbara Hobbs said: “The expansion of the team and the addition of the easily recognisable Audley Care car ensures we can continue to support the community, responding quickly to any call outs and delivering the highest standard of care and service.”

Company lands £6m council contract to supply homecare

By Louise Cordell ALLIED Healthcare has been awarded a three-year contract worth £6m by Staffordshire county council to supply more than 8,000 hours of homecare every week.

The service, which commences on April 1, will be run by Stafford manager Doug Brough from the existing branch. This will be extended within the head office complex in Stone, and from other new locations in Staffordshire to accommodate the creation of more than 300 office and field based jobs in the region.

The purpose of the contract is to

enable service users to remain in their own homes, living as independently as possible, and to achieve and maintain their desired physical, intellectual, emotional and social capacity.

Allied has over 37 years’ experience providing fully trained care workers, registered nurses, support workers and healthcare assistants with support services which are on call 24 hours a day.

Last year staff delivered approximately 12 million hours of care and support, and holds contracts with over two-thirds of commissioning local authorities, over 100 PCTs and private clients nationally.

Allied Healthcare’s service director Stephen Bateman, Stafford branch manager Doug Brough, head of training and development Robert Brady and operations manager Sally Moss outside the Stafford branch.

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homes nationwide hosted a wide range of acticities to celebrate the Group marks Care annual Dignity Awareness Week event. Dominic Musgrave found out more. day in style Care home celebrates with CENTRAL and Cecil’s 10 care homes across London and Windsor celebrated Dignity Action Day in style with a day of entertainment, dancing and discussion.

Staff and residents across the homes and at head office wore orange and lemon for the events to signify unity, while hand-drawn trees in the colours were distributed across all sites.

Examples of when a person felt they had been treated with dignity were placed on the orange tree (representing sweet) and when they had not on the lemon (sour).

Residents and staff of Carter House in Raynes Park danced to live music, while an aromatherapist providing pampering sessions.

And Cecil Court in Kew had a 1950s and 60s theme, with staff wearing fancy dress and musical entertainment from the era provided.

At Queen’s Court in Windsor residents filled in life story history books and made handkerchiefs with ‘Dignity Day’ inscribed on them.

All homes then simultaneously released orange and yellow balloons emblazoned with ‘Dignity in Care’, while residents also placed a wish in wishing wells. Staff will make every effort to fulfil these over the next few months.

entertainment and activities STAFF at an award-winning Cheshire care home have been working with residents and relatives to find more ways to create happy and fulfilled lives.

The events at Station House in Crewe to celebrate Dignity Awareness Week included entertainment and activities as staff take on new training designed to increase the independence of the 69 residents.

Kelly Harrison, a manager in the home’s dementia unit, said the team has also found out about Crewe in the 1920s and 1930s, as well as bringing in memorabilia including carbolic soap.

She added: “As well as entertainers and events, we had a Down Memory Lane workshop that involved making

scrap books, and our local library joined in by supplying lots of books full of pictures of old Cheshire.

“Reminiscing helps people to remember a great deal about themselves and their lives and it stimulates conversation.”

The team at Station House has also been putting life story books that document where a person has lived, their family, career and interests.

Following on from this, Paula Chesworth, a member of the active living team, has started New Beginnings books which individually chronicle the experiences of the people living at the home.

Kelly added: “If someone has spent all their life studying history or gardening, taking that away from

them would be terrible for their wellbeing and morale.

“We try to build up a programme of activities that plays to their strengths and interests, and allows them to remain as active and independent as possible.”

During the week, staff also created a yearbook for the Social Care Institute of Excellence website to allow other carers around the country to learn from the team’s innovations regarding dignity in care. Last year Station House won a number of regional and national awards for its work in improving dignity in care.

Have you got a story for Caring UK? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone 01226 734407.

Balloons, massages and fish and chips ...

TWO Alpha care homes hosted events to celebrate Dignity Action Day. At Regents Court in Bromsgrove the 36 residents, their relatives, friends and staff released balloons with a

personal message attached before eating a fish and chip lunch. Staff also wore purple – the colour chosen by residents – to mark the occasion.

And at Willow Grange in nearby Olton the mayor and mayoress of

Solihull, Ian and Sheila Courts planted a rose called ‘Compassion’ to mark the occasion. Residents were also treated to pampering massages and facials, a tea party and entertainment from a visiting singer.

Plans to develop a new scheme to recognise excellence in adult social care have been unveiled by the inspectorate. Dominic Musgrave reports.

New scheme unveiled by inspectorate Darren Huckerby with activities co-ordinator Joy Michell

Promoting dignity and respect A CARE home near Norwich held an event to promote dignity and respect for older people as part of a national day of action.

The open day at Warren care home in Sprowston was in support of Dignity Action Day, which aims to ensure individuals, are given choice, control and a sense of purpose in their daily activities and are provided with stimulating activities.

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith and former Norwich City footballer Darren Huckerby joined the residents in craft and cooking taster sessions, exercise to music, one to one pamperings and musical entertainment, including singing, accordion and piano playing.

Residents were also given the chance to make and display their wishes on The Warren Wishing Tree which was put up in the lounge, while in the dining room there was a guess the staff member from baby photos exercise.

General manager Hilary Taylor said those unable to come out of their bedrooms, staff showed photographs of their memorable times to help generate discussion about their past.

She added: “An older person once said to me that he has no value now he is old. That struck a chord in my heart and from then I vowed to make a difference to older people in care.

“We aimed to show visitors that our older residents are valuable citizens who have led interesting lives and are still valuable members of society. The day focused on promoting the dignity of those in the care of The Warren home to remind everyone that older people have a right to be treated with dignity and respect.”

THE system, set to be launched in April 2012, will be CQC owned, but delivered by other organisations under licence.

A consultation on how to define excellence in adult social care will launch in May, building on work carried out for CQC by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

The scheme will be voluntary (social care providers can choose to apply for the award) and will involve a proportionate charge.

Chief executive Cynthia Bower said CQC will seek expressions of interest to deliver the scheme in the spring, and will welcome bids from across the private and voluntary sector.

She added: “Our role is to identify and react to signs that people may be at risk of receiving poor care. This means we can say we don’t see signs of risk at a provider, but this is not the same as saying a provider is offering ‘excellent’ care.

“We do, however, firmly believe care providers should aspire to deliver the best possible outcomes. An excellence award can recognise best practice, be a spur to improvement for providers who already meet CQC’s essential standards, and can help people who need longer-term care to make choices. We look forward to working with people who use services, their families and carers, commissioners and providers to develop the scheme.”

The regulator will publicise the excellence award on its own website from April 2012, alongside its own reports on whether or not a provider is meeting essential standards. A user-friendly ‘provider profile’ for every CQC-registered adult social care service will be launched this summer.

Star ratings were stopped under the Care Standards Act 2000 last June, ahead of the Act’s expiry in September.

Celebration balloon floats to Germany THE manager of a Bournemouth care home that celebrated Dignity in Action Day with the release of 75 balloons was shocked to receive a message from Germany the following day.

All residents and staff at Templeman House wrote a wish on a label, and Deanna Barnes was surprised to receive a message from seven-year-old Mathis Streyl in Dulmen, who wrote: “I have found the balloon from H. Morgan whose wish is for a drive in the countryside. So the balloon has gone about 650km.”

Wishes sent airborne included fish and chips on the prom, a family garden party, a drive in a posh car, a trip to the cinema and a pub lunch.

Deanna said all the wishes will be fulfilled during the coming months with the help of local companies.

She added: “The balloon release provided great fun, involved local businesses and the community, and the results will be enjoyed for months to come as the residents get to enjoy their Deanna and staff celebrate Dignity in chosen treats.”

Action Day by releasing balloons

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Funding of dementia care was one of many issues debated by an expert panel at a seminar in Leeds. Dominic Musgrave reports. The Question Time-style event, co-sponsored by DC Care, Santander and Lupton Fawcett, was chaired by Pinders director John Chapman, and the panel was made up of ECCA chief executive Martin Green, Meridian Healthcare executive chairman Alan Firth and Paul Edwards, head of training and development at Bradford Dementia Group at Bradford University. Here were their responses ...

ECCA chief executive Martin Green with DC Care director Anita Allen

Dementia ‘a rapidly growing issue’ “Dementia is a health issue and not a social care one, and I think there needs to be a political debate on this in the near future. I would like to see a large proportion of the £1bn being put aside for health to be earmarked for dementia because it is a rapidly growing issue. The current system is focused on keeping people at home because it is very easy to give people low level support. I see people getting two visits a day from a domiciliary agency when they really need around the clock care. Councils are waiting until people are in crisis before moving them into residential care, and are paying the lowest price for this knowing they are likely to only be spending a short time there. These decisions were made based on surveys of people which said they would rather live at home than be in residential care , but there is no point asking somebody when they are 35. If somebody asked me if I wanted to spend time in a cancer unit I would say ‘no’, but when I had a cancer I was more than happy to be there.”

Martin Green, chief executive, ECCA

“The age of the person coming to us is dropping drastically, and we are now seeing people in their late 60s, early 70s with some form of dementia or challenging behaviour, which is to do with their lifestyle. The council claim it is the aging process, but I don’t agree with them. We have three different types of care home, but the dementia beds are often empty because there is a premium for them, and it is always fee driven.

People expect a higher staffing level for this client group, but there needs to be a shift in mentality and how we get the money across, but I don’t think that will happen. In Tameside we have managed to negotiate premiums for various things, but I can see that amount being dropped next year given the current economic crisis. Last year we spent £50,000 alone on dementia training.”

Alan Firth, executive chairman, Meridian Healthcare Speakers Paul Edwards and Alan Firth with host John Chapman, Meridian Healthcare’s managing director Susan Firth and Tanya Little from the Bradford Dementia Group

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CARINGNEWS

Industry issues to be addressed at Care Show Bournemouth

By Dominic Musgrave PROVIDING the best care for older people while producing healthy business profits is at the top of the agenda for the care profession.

Leading industry events such as Care Show Bournemouth provide an insight into the latest developments in the care sector, offering guidance and advice to care professionals to ensure that this goal is accomplished.

Catering for care providers in the south and south west, Care Show Bournemouth will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre on March 29 and 30.

With more than 170 exhibitors, this year’s event will be the largest in Care Show Bournemouth’s history. In amongst the biggest names in the care sector you would expect to see at every Care Show, there are more than 70 companies new to the event including Sky Business, The Open University, Careline, GHM Communications, Comeca and Grohe.

The three seminar theatres, packed with free educational content, ensure that a wide range of industry issues such as compliance and legislation, training, finance and the effect of government proposals will be discussed throughout Care Show Bournemouth One of its seminar theatres has been dedicated to dementia care.

Produced in association with Alzheimer’s Society, the programme offers educational sessions exploring the latest care techniques. Speakers confirmed include RNHA chief executive Frank Ursell and Clive Evers from the Alzheimer’s Society.

Topics covered include the impact of good dementia training, medication for people with dementia and the use of books and pictures in dementia care.

Additional highlights of the Care Shows include: MyBusiness Seminar Theatre – Offering guidance on a range of topics such as growth opportunities, funding issues and the latest market data. Speakers include Tony Kear from Barclays Corporate South West and Kieren Cole from Knight Frank LLP. Keynote Seminar Theatre – Presenting an inspiring selection of seminars addressing compliance, best practice and management advice for care professionals across the UK. Dame Joan Williams from the CQC and NCA’s Nadra Ahmed will be speaking.

The Secret Garden brought to you

by Living Leaves – This sensory garden features live demonstrations on how to build a garden that encourages engagement and interaction and illustrates how garden therapy can be used within your care home.

Care professionals are encouraged to register online at www.careshow.co.uk/bournemout h for advanced free entry. In addition to Care Show Bournemouth, Care Show Birmingham takes place on June 22 and 23 at the NEC and Care Show London on October 11 and 12 at Olympia.

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Personalised linen for care homes TOWELSDIRECT has been supplying the care sector for the last 20 years, and are providing premium Turkish quality towels that last up to 150 washes.

Most towels that you see in a retailer will only last 60 washes. We also provide minimum iron bedlinen that is constructed of easy care polycotton, again designed to last longer than your average bedsheet and save your staff time.

Bespoke embroidery designs are available, along with matching bedlinen and curtains. Please call free for a no obligation discussion.

Since Towelsdirect’s inception, we have always tried to focus on our uniqueness. Customers are reminded that we offer free delivery on orders over £150, operate a no minimum order policy and next day delivery from stock. We recognise that our customers’ needs are ever changing, and it is with this in mind that we are updating our website daily.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 018 6935 or visit www.towelsdirect.co.uk for our online catalogue.

New service from Electrolux ELECTROLUX has launched a new textile care package aimed at businesses with a need to process smaller laundry items such as towels, swiftly and cost effectively.

The Quick Wash and Quick Dry offers speed and reliability with a combination of two of the company’s most advanced and economic machines.

Quick Wash offers Automatic Weighing System (AWS) as standard, which saves money and time by determining the wash load and adapting the water intake accordingly.

Compass control enables simple programme selection from a choice of nine wash programmes, and a high spin extraction force means more efficient dewatering.

A fast wash cycle at 44 minutes makes it a perfect replacement for a domestic machine. The Quick Wash provides residual moisture control for the most accurate drying, incorporating time saving features such as anti-wrinkle and a reversing drum. Both the Quick Wash and Quick Dry are available in 240V 13amp.

Enquiries: Telephone 08444 631 260 or visit www.electrolux.co.uk/laundrysystems

Continued success for ATMO pressure care THE ATMO pressure relief range supplied by Beaucare Medical Ltd is a powerful series of overlay and replacement air mattress systems designed with care homes in mind.

The pump units are easy to operate, and the mattress systems are designed to require only simple maintenance.

Equipped with intelligent functions, including a static option to allow for easier nursing care, the low air loss system provides good ventilation to keep patients dry. The vapour-permeable cover is water resistant and can be wiped clean.

ATMO pressure systems offer maximum comfort to the user, with high specifications at low cost.

The air mattress systems allow care homes to effectively prevent, treat and manage pressure sores.

Cushions for use with the same pump unit can be supplied for 24-hour pressure care for patients at high risk.

Enquiries: Telephone 01423 878899 or email sales@beaucare.com

Win a personalised chef’s jacket from Pritchitts DAIRY expert Pritchitts is giving care sector caterers the chance to win a personalised chef’s jacket.

Caterers simply need to send Pritchitts their favourite recipe using Millac Gold or Roselle Supreme, and the best will receive a jacket and be in the running to appear in the company’s care sector recipe collection.

The versatile cream alternative from Pritchitts, Millac Gold is the perfect ingredient when preparing cream-based sauces. Developed for caterers and the challenges of a demanding kitchen, Millac Gold is a robust cream alternative that won’t split with the addition of acidic ingredients and will reduce just like a dairy cream.

For all your whipping needs, Roselle Supreme is a slightly sweetened cream alternative that whips up to 50 per cent more volume than dairy cream.

Enquiries: For a chance to win, send your recipe to recipes@pritchitts.com or fax to 0208 290 7020 by May 31.

New products from Impey at Naidex IMPEY, the leading authority on wet floor showers and specialist showering products in the UK will be making a splash at the forthcoming Naidex exhibition showcasing new products, branding and literature.

New products will include the new and patented Level-Dec Advance range, which allows easy installation of a wet floor shower, creating the ‘fall’ for easy drainage, waterproofing and incorporates a revolutionary drainage feature which can rotate by 360 degrees to avoid timber joists, allowing a wet floor shower to be easily installed onto any type of flooring.

A new Level-Access Shower Tray which is very light weight with a textured surface to improve grip will be available in five different sizes including 900mm square, 1000mm square, 1200X750mm, 1200X900mm and 1500X750mm.

Impey will be at Naidex on stand B60 at the NEC on April 5th, 6th and 7th and would welcome the opportunity to show you all the products in the Healthcare Range.

Enquiries: Impey will be on stand B60 at the NEC on April 5-7.

Steve Trigg

Universal provides qualified staff UNIVERSAL Resources Bureau is a dedicated healthcare service provider that specialises in supplying qualified healthcare staff ranging from care assistants to RGNs. URB provide all of their clients with candidates who fit the following criteria: • Experienced in the healthcare field.

• Good level of English.

• Dedicated, hardworking and flexible.

• CRB/POVA checks completed.

Clients have the choice of taking candidates on three, six, nine or 12 month contracts depending on their needs.

All staff URB provide are completely free of any placement fees. You don’t pay any tax and national insurance contributions, all you pay is the rate of £8 per hour. There’s also no restriction on the amount of hours worked by the candidates and no holiday/sickness pay to worry about.

URB will save you time, money and effort.

Enquiries: Telephone 0113 2256752, visit www.uniresources.co.uk or email info@uniresources.co.uk

Zest launches profitable tool ZEST Care Systems has released a full care management software package to help relieve the pressures and demands of compliance and administration within care home management.

Called Fusion, the software manages staff and resident reporting to ease day-to-day management processes and provides valuable business planning and income management data.

The secure and instantly accessible software boasts many time saving attributes. From recording and analysing staff time and attendance and budgets to multi-contract invoicing and home and room occupancy levels, the software is flexible enough to report within a single home to a whole group.

Enquiries: Visit us at the Care Show Bournemouth, telephone 0844 504 4883, email info@zestcare.com or visit www.zestcare.com

Simple solutions SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems.

The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition.

With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur.

Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry!

It’s that simple...

The WACMAT® will then be clean and odour-free, ready to perform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749

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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Colours added to range DANFLOOR UK, leading suppliers of impervious carpets to the healthcare market, has launched new colours into its Equinox and Equinox Tones range.

Warm chocolates, vivid reds and mellow blues will give the range a more contemporary look and will ensure it can be co-ordinated with the latest fabrics and design schemes.

The new Equinox and Equinox Tones colours include mædical™ an antimicrobial treatment which provides a permanent barrier against microbes, and has been tested by L’Institut Pasteur de Lille.

It is a coating on the carpet fibres which deactivates microorganisms by physically stabbing the membrane of the microbe and electrocuting the biochemicals within it. mædical™ inhibits bacterial and fungal growth, which are the major causes of cross contamination and odour.

Luke to tackle marathon BVS Training managing director Luke Bond is running the London Marathon on April 17 to raise money for Age UK, the charity recently merged from Age Concern and Help the Aged.

He is hoping to raise £1,500 for the charity which aims to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

Until a couple of months ago Luke had never run more than six miles, but he now runs up to 15 miles in training.

He said: “I think it’s important to support a charity that helps vulnerable older people. With my work in the care sector I am very aware of some of the traumatic and harrowing situations that many older people find themselves in.

“If I finish the marathon, I think it will be my biggest ever achievement.”

Email healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave your stories at dm@whpl.net

Offering value for money Topic for WITH financial challenges facing us all, there has never been a greater need to offer simpler, more cost effective and innovative solutions to ensure the maximum potential is squeezed out of every penny and to focus on delivering ‘better value-formoney’.

Understanding the encounters facing today’s care homes is crucial, especially when developing smarter ways of working, for example, through reliable, efficient and safe nurse call technology.

Aid Call offer a unique wireless nurse call system which combines safety critical features and leading edge, innovative technologies to meet these demands, such as the development of an advanced, twoway, Class 1, safety critical radio nurse call solution.

conference announced

All touchable elements of the system are embedded with antimicrobial additives to help combat the spread of infection.

Laundry range launched MIELE has launched a new range of laundry products aimed at care homes that are handling their laundry needs in-house.

The Miele PW 5105 is a 10kg washer-extractor that makes cleaning larger loads easier than ever.

Both 230v & 400v electrical versions are available and there is no restriction on installation.

The 10kg 100 litre drum caters for larger items such as duvets and bedding, and includes a sluice cycle on certain models for thermal disinfection.

Partner this with Miele’s new SlimLine dryer and all your laundry needs will be catered for.

The SlimLine PT 8303 dryer is able to cope with 12-15kg of laundry per cycle.

Save money on the CQC’s new outcomes systems YOU can save more than £600 on the new CQC outcomes systems for care homes and domiciliary care providers from Required Systems.

This special offer for the Care Show includes the main CQC Outcomes 2010 system, with all the policies, procedures, outcomes and forms you need to evidence compliance.

You will also get the new Infection Control System incorporating the 10 criterion from the 2008 Act. This includes supporting forms and its own audit tool to allow you

to evidence compliance plus the new Compliance Audit Tool that replaces AQAA. This standalone piece of software is a very powerful system that is cross referenced to the Outcomes 2010 system. It will save you days of work and enable you to evidence compliance with any of the outcomes CQC will ask you for.

You also get one year’s free membership of the National Care Association which, for a single home, is worth £350. See us at the Care Show on stand W14.

‘PRESCRIPTION for change’ is the topic for the annual ECCA conference in November, following the announcement by the government to give GPs power over purchasing decisions for service users.

Chief executive Martin Green said the day will examine in detail exactly what this means for the social care sector.

He added: “With frontline services already threatened by fee cuts, this policy of GP commissioning has huge implications for providers, and they will want the opportunity to debate its possible effects on the quality of care they can offer their service users.

‘Older people, those with learning disabilities and long term conditions will all continue to require services and support, regardless of government policy or the state of the economy.

“This year’s conference will offer insights from speakers at the heart of the policy debate, and so help providers to ensure that they’re in the best position to meet those needs, both now and in the future.”

The event will take place at the Bloomsbury Holiday Inn, London, on November 16 and, as well as the seminar programme, will also feature an exhibition of products and services from a variety of specialist sector suppliers.

System launch at Care Show IN2SEQUENCE is launching its next generation In2Care system at the Bournemouth Care Show.

The new In2Care system provides additional support and becomes part of the team: Enhancing patient care.

Reducing compliance costs.

Next generation technology.

Affordable. Within budget.

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Creating wet floor perfection LEVEL Dec Advance from Impey, the leading authority of specialist showering products and wet floor showers, is the easiest way to create a wet floor shower.

Fitted into the floor, the moulded base creates the ‘fall’ for the water to drain away successfully, and is the perfect way to create a wet floor shower which looks fantastic, is completely waterproof and is backed up by a lifetime warranty with the Impey no leak guarantee.

Level Dec Advance is a dream product for installers as it is suitable for all floor types – timber, concrete and floating, and it incorporates a revolutionary drainage feature which can rotate by 360 degrees to avoid timber joists, which makes it incredibly easy to install.

Available in a range of preformed sizes, Level-Dec Advance can give a showering area of 1000mm square, 1150X850mm, 1450X1150mm and 1600X700mm allowing plenty of space for a wheelchair if required.

Enquiries: Telephone 01460 256080 or email info@impey-uk.com

Knightsbridge Furniture specified for ‘new generation’ of care home A DIVERSITY of seating from the Care Collection developed by Knightsbridge Furniture has been specified for the new David Walker House in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.

The order completes the décor within the £11m project which has been described by the leader of the local council as a ‘new generation’ of care home.

In a warm, neutral colour scheme enlivened by accent shades of lime and purple, the Knightsbridge line-up selected for the communal and public areas is headed by curvaceous Millie compact club and upright open armchairs. These sit comfortably alongside Melrose armchairs in wing, club and high-back versions, together with Islay stools, Lynx sofas and armchairs from the Calm and Panama collections.

Furniture from the Knightsbridge Care portfolio has also been selected for the private living quarters.

Each apartment features armchairs and twin-seat settees from the Madison range of domestic-styled lounge furniture, partnered by Tempo armchairs.

Enquiries: Telephone 01274 731442, e-mail enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

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