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December 2014
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no.222 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Bosses back report’s call for reform By Dominic Musgrave CARE home bosses in Wales have backed a call for urgent reforms of the way services are commissioned and paid for. A review into the quality of life and care of older people in care homes in Wales conducted by the Older People's Commissioner has revealed worrying flaws in procedures for commissioning social care. According to Sarah Rochira’s report ‘A Place to Call Home?’, the way care is procured is often more about “contractual frameworks and service specifications” rather than the quality of life of older people. Care Forum Wales, the organisation that represents 500 independent care providers, welcomed many of the findings which reinforced what they had been saying for years. Chair Mario Kreft MBE said the report also highlighted the fact that it was less viable to run care homes in Wales than it was in England. As a result, an increasing number of homes were closing because they were not viable at a time when the need for them was growing because of the increase in the number of older people in Wales. Mario added: "The report is an
important piece of work but it does not fully recognise what is being achieved despite the system and does not give enough credit to the good quality care being provided by many good people across Wales. “Yes, the standard of care can be inconsistent in places and where there is bad practice it should be rooted out, but the majority of providers are doing a remarkable job in the circumstances. “Most care homes and nursing homes provide a very good standard of care while there are many examples of excellent, life-enhancing quality care taking place, often under difficult circumstances and with extremely limited resources because of the chronic underfunding of social care in Wales. “Many of the report's findings and recommendations, however, chime with what Care Forum Wales has been working hard to achieve, particularly in relation to importance of treating vulnerable people with dignity and respect and designing services to improve quality of life.” Care Forum Wales, he said, supported Sara Rochira's demand for a new approach which would see services being commissioned for quality.
Tea party is named best ever at awards
Hallmark Care Homes has launched two highly anticipated facilities in Rugby in Warwickshire and Lightwater in Surrey as the group continues to expand its portfolio. The 70-bed Anya Court in Rugby was opened by John Craven, and 58-bed Lakeview in Lightwater, opened by local resident Brian Blessed, will provide residential, nursing and dementia care. Facilities at the homes include hair salons, cinemas and cafés serving complimentary drinks and homemade treats.
A 60’s themed afternoon tea party organised by Tickford Abbey care home in Newport Pagnell has been celebrated the best ever at a ceremony. The best ever tea party award was launched this year by NAPA and supported by Unilever Food Solutions. It encouraged care homes to involve residents in organising the tea parties and to open their doors to the local community. Tickford Abbey, operated by the Greensleeves Homes Trust, pulled out all the stops, decorating the main house with bright colours and 60’s slogans and playing music from the decade. Staff, residents and family members all joined in the fun by wearing fancy dress. Residents were involved from the early stages of planning to the tea party itself. Amie Leveridge, activity co-ordinator at Tickford Abbey, said: “ Everyone involved in our event put a huge effort into making sure it was a success, and the residents really enjoyed themselves.”