Caring UK February 2013

February 2013

incorporating

no.201 • £4.75

The Number One magazine for the care sector

Caution urged in response to MP’s proposal

By Dominic Musgrave THE head of a leading care association has urged the Government to be cautious in response to a former minister’s call for changes to the corporate responsibility of directors of care companies.

Paul Burstow says tougher laws are needed to ensure care providers are held criminally accountable for abuse and neglect on their premises. In cases such as at Winterbourne View, he says firms must be responsible for abuse “taking place on their watch”.

“It is not good enough for the thugs who carry out this kind of abuse to receive a criminal conviction, when the companies in charge have no criminal corporate accountability whatsoever,”added Paul. “It is about time those who take the fees, and employ and manage the staff in care homes are held to account for abuse and neglect that takes place on their watch."

His proposals, which are likely to need government support if they are to become law, include: Amending existing legislation to make a corporate body guilty of an offence if the way in which its activities are managed by its board or senior management neglects or is

a substantial element in the existence and/or possibility of abuse or neglect Offences should be punishable by unlimited fines, remedial orders and publicity orders Those with relevant information about suspected abuse or neglect must supply information to Adult Safeguarding Boards if requested to do so.

NCA chairman Nadra Ahmed added: “We believe there should be a comprehensive review of these matters so that the role of all those with responsibility for the commissioning, regulating and delivery of care is clearly defined, be it in an NHS ward or a social care setting. The role of trustees and directors are defined, but what may need further clarity is the impact on them should they be seen to have failed in their responsibility for the delivery of the service.

“Beyond that there is a need to consider the responsibilities of organisations such as local authorities and primary care trusts who, as the commissioners of services, hold the public purse and their criteria for purchasing services and reviewing performance also need to be considered. Crucially, we must be confident about the role of the regulator and the powers they hold to bring people to account.”

Singing doctors entertain residents

Dance supremo and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Arlene Phillips has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s honours list. Arlene, who has enjoyed star turns as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance? has regularly talked about her experiences of caring for her father who had Alzheimer’s. She has also fronted the Society’s Dementia Awareness Week and spoken out to improve the quality of care. Dr Ann Johnson, 57, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, was also awarded an MBE for her charity work.

TWO performers from Welsh National Opera gave an intimate performance for the residents of Pendine Park care homes.

Doctors Diva and Divo – alias the “singing doctors” Zoe Milton Brown and David Graham – gave showstopping performances for residents of the care group’s Bryn Bella, Bodlondeb, Penybryn, Cae Bryn and Hillbury homes. The homes also regularly welcome the Hallé orchestra as visitors.

Pendine Park’s artist in residence Sarah Edwards said: “We thought this WNO project would translate well for our residents. We are very proud to be Gold Community Champions and have supported WNO in its ‘Nine Stories High’ project in Wrexham. The therapeutic values of music are well documented and it’s wonderful for some of the relatives to witness how it brings a smile to the faces of our residents.”

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Nurses appear on primetime documentary

By Dominic Musgrave COMMUNITY nurses from the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust are starring in a new primetime television documentary on ITV. Nursing the Nation celebrates the unsung work of community nurses across the country as they go about their daily rounds caring for patients in their own homes.

The series captures their affectionate relationships with a diverse range of patients, who show an inspiring ability to grasp life in the face of adversity.

The three Ilfracombe nurses appearing in the ITV series are Tina Edwards, Ellie Maloney and Louise Mulholland Five nurses from North Devon and one from East Devon are followed during the show, along with their counterparts from Yorkshire and Bath.

Carolyn Mills, the Trust’s director of nursing, said: “Our community nurses do a fantastic, vital but largely invisible job caring for and support-

ing patients in their own homes.

“They work with people at what can be the most difficult times in their lives, making sure they feel safe and cared for.

“They develop relationships with patients and, as they see them in their own homes, often become a huge part of their lives and cornerstones of the local community.

“I am very proud of the wide-ranging service our community teams provide and am delighted that this programme will give an insight into the amazing work they do.”

The seven-part series started on Thursday 3 January, and the Trust first featured in episode three with the Ilfracombe trio joined by Sarah Miller from Torrington.

Lesley Yeo, another member of the Torrington team, is followed in episode six on February 7, with Shiobhan Pickering, the Trust’s dementia matron for Axminster, Seaton and Sidmouth, completing the line-up when she appears in the seventh and final episode on February 14.

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Dame Gail Ronson DBE and her daughter Lisa (pictured) were guests of honour at the launch of BeautE, a holistic beauty and massage salon located in Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Community Centre in Golders Green. BeautE is a joint venture between TrainE-TraidE and Jewish Care, and all therapists are graduates of the former’s vocational courses. The salon will offer a full range of beauty treatments including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and massage.

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Residents make good use of emergency car

Diane Jander, care and activity worker at EachStep, with resident Alan Compton.

Signatures raise cash for charity A MANCHESTER specialist dementia service raised more than £450 in an online auction of autographed celebrity memorabilia that received support from a host of stars including Stephen Fry, Jason Manford and Sir Cliff Richard.

EachStep Blackley supports people with the condition from diagnosis until the end of their lives.

The service is part of national social care charity Community Integrated Care.

Michelle Phillips, manager of EachStep Blackley, said: “We are

hugely grateful and delighted with the level of support we’ve received in the auction. The funds raised will go a long way to providing musical therapy classes, which make a massive difference to the lives of the people we support.”

The auction contained 26 autographed items donated by some of Britain’s best known public figures, including local Mercury Prize winners Elbow; former Prime Minister Tony Blair; actor and comedian Russell Brand and legendary Olympian Sir Stephen Redgrave.

RESIDENTS at an Edinburgh care home are enjoying the perks of getting use out of a car which was originally intended to be used in the case of flooding emergencies.

Stockbridge Care Home was provided with a contingency vehicle when work began on the Water of Leith flood prevention scheme, with the intention it could be used to help evacuate residents quickly should flooding occur. Fortunately for the residents the car has not had to be used for any flooding problems, but instead the staff have used it to take residents for special day trips and for medical appointments.

Kim Drysdale, manager at Stockbridge, said: “Originally the car was given to us so we could evacuate our service users quickly in case of any flooding from the Water of Leith which in the past has severely broken its banks after heavy rainfall.

“The Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme has fortunately

prevented any cases of emergency and, instead of just having the car sitting there without being used, we tried to think of different ways in which our service users could benefit from the transport. The car has been used for days out like canal trips and other activities.”

In addition to offering assistance for recreational purposes, the car has been used for medical support for the service users whose age range from 60-90 and have a range of needs.

Kim added: “The car has been a massive help so far financially for our residents with them saving on travel costs for medical appointments to the hospital and doctor’s clinic as this can be expensive for them.

“Not only this but the nearest GP surgery is situated on a steep hill which would be physically impossible for the residents to reach so having this car has been a great advantage for them financially and mobility wise.”

Residents knit for local RSPCA RESIDENTS at a care home near Ilminster have been tirelessly knitting for months to produce blankets to donate to the RSPCA to ensure the animals are warm this winter. The residents at Burnworthy

House have also created knitted pom-poms for the kittens and puppies to play with. Each week 1015 residents took part in the knitting group with help from staff and Gwen Trott, a resident’s daughter.

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Hearing loss guide offers advice to care home staff TWO Welsh charities have joined forces to launch a new guide for care home staff about working with residents who have hearing difficulties.

Age Cymru’s My Home Life Cymru Programme and Action on Hearing Loss Cymru launched ‘Quality of life for residents with hearing loss’ at the Castle Court Care Home in Chepstow recently.

My Home Life Cymru Programme manager John Moore said: “Hearing loss impacts on our own sense of self.

It affects communication – from social situations, to ones where we have to convey critical information, and this can lead to feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

“Depression is not uncommon among people with hearing loss and some may become resentful or angry as a symptom of a profound shift in their emotional wellbeing.

“Understanding this – and the other factors that impact on care home residents with hearing loss, is key to ensuring that staff are able to provide the care that each individual needs.

“This is why the Age Cymru My Home Life Cymru Programme has teamed up with Action on Hearing Loss Cymru to produce this guide to support staff working with residents

A resident at Tunbridge Wells Care Centre use sensor technology.

John Moore who have hearing loss.”

The guide covers subjects including different types of hearing loss; the effects of hearing loss; how to identify hearing loss; and diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. It also provides practical advice for staff to support residents who wear hearing aid.

Castle Court has also had a hand in writing the ‘Quality of life for residents with hearing loss’ guide as it features the story of the home’s ‘hearing aid queen’ Cheryl Merrony.

Cheryl, who lost a lot of her hearing when she was a young child, has worn hearing aids since she was four years old.

Sensor technology helping residents to make music RESIDENTS at Tunbridge Wells Care Centre have been given the chance to make their own music using cutting edge sensor technology.

The charity Compaid brought Soundbeam technology to the nursing home, and instructors helped the residents to use the touch free device – which uses beams of light to translate body movements into sound.

Activity manager Bill Blackford said a group of ten residents took part in the session and really benefited from it.

He added: “This technology liberates participants from both the

expressive limitations and the physical challenges of more traditional percussion-based approaches. It is particularly applicable for those with dementia.

“Music triggers our memories and has the ability to transport us back to emotive times in our lives, which can really give everyone a boost.”

The sensitivity of the beam means that even the most unreachable or immobilised residents can ‘play’ independently with the technology that makes available a huge pallette of music such as classical, blues, pop, rock and jazz.

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Group brings red book back to life

By Dominic Musgrave

Volunteers Wasif Hussain and Diandre Daley with some of the residents at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society.

Home offers work experience A SURREY care home is helping budding medical students improve their employment prospects with valuable work experience.

The Royal Alfred Seafarers Society, which provides dedicated nursing care and accommodation for retired seafarers and as of recently nonseafarers too, has invited four students from local schools to spend a day a week in the home experiencing what it is like to work in a medical environment and provide essential companionship for residents. The Society also hopes the work experience will give the students a head-start when it comes to finding employment.

Chief executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “We wanted to be able to support students in the local area, who are starting their medical careers in extremely challenging circumstances.

“We hope the work experience they have gained here will not only give them a flavour of what it is like to work in a caring environment, but also help to improve their employment prospects. It has been fantastic having the students working with us.

“The residents have really benefitted from their companionship and have enjoyed being able to share their stories and experiences.”

HIT TV show ‘This Is Your Life’ has inspired a care home to develop an innovative service for residents with dementia to relive treasured moments from their past.

Residents at St Andrews Court Care Home enlisted the help of friends, family and care volunteers to each create a version of the big red book made famous by Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel in the longrunning series.

The facility, owned and managed by Bield, will give out volumes which are essentially photo albums, but are also filled with stories and other memorabilia.

Helen McLeod, manager of the West Lothian home, said creating a physical record of important moments, feelings and experiences allows residents to enjoy these memories time and again, in spite of their illness.

She added: “The books – we call them red books like the TV show – give residents the opportunity to relive their most precious life experiences; experiences that do not always naturally come to the surface of their memory. The residents love talking about the things they’ve put in the book, because it transports them back to those happy and familiar times, prompting their

memory as and when it needs it.

“The project is still in its infancy, but so far it seems as if this therapy is really helping them, not only to relive the memories they have a firm grasp of, but to rediscover memories that have momentarily, or more permanently, slipped away.

The innovative project took hold when college student Scott Waterson carried out a 12-week placement at the care home as part of his social care course at West Lothian College.

Developed by Helen, it was given to Scott to regulate during his placement.

Chief executive Brian Logan said the scheme typifies the approach Bield has made to improve the lives of people who use its services under its new statement: Free to Be. He added: “This Free to Be commitment goes very much at the heart of what Bield is all about – letting people make their own choices about how they live their lives but being there to support them when they need it. Many older people still have ambition and drive and we want to give them the freedom to do the things they love but which might otherwise be taken away without the right help and support.”

Do you do something similar at your care home? Email Dominic Musgrave at dm@scriptmedia.co.uk with your story.

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Ledbury Community Health and Care Centre.

Centre celebrates 10 years of care with reception

By Dominic Musgrave LEDBURY Community Health and Care Centre has marked the 10th anniversary since it opened its doors with a champagne reception.

More than 40 guests attended the celebrations held at the centre, including North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin and Ledbury’s Deputy Mayor, Terry Widdows, while operator Shaw Healthcare took the opportunity to say thank you to its carers, key stakeholders and partners.

Among the guests were current residents, including 98-year-old Enid Bell and 97-year-old Rod Wilczynski, who have lived at the home since it opened, and a former resident’s family, while local groups such as Ledbury’s Art Society, League of Friends, Community Choir and Women’s Institute were also in attendance and given tours of the facility.

Alun Thomas, chairman of Shaw Healthcare, said: “Over the past 10 years we’ve seen the facilities here go

from strength-to-strength, and today it provides a vital service to the community and surrounding areas.

“Our anniversary marks a great opportunity for us to pay tribute to those that have made this past decade such a success, not least our many dedicated nurses, consultants and care workers that work tirelessly to ensure that residents and service users are given the very best care possible.

“We’re also delighted that so many of our residents could join us to mark the occasion.”

The 4,054 sq metre centre cost around £3.5m when it was built on the site of the old Ledbury livestock market, and it replaced the existing Ledbury Cottage Hospital. It includes three separate specialist care facilities, including a purpose-built nursing home which has 36 single rooms with en-suite facilities in each.

If your home is celebrating a special anniversary in 2013 then we want hear from you. Email your story to dm@scriptmedia.co.uk

Elderly care provider Lilian Faithfull is working alongside Gloucestershire schools on an intergenerational dementia project as part of the Prime Minister’s challenge. Steve Hughes, chief executive of the group (pictured above), is teaching a series of lessons with a year six class in Cheltenham and has been explaining to the children how the brain works and what happens when people develop dementia.

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Colten Care managing director and former lead guitarist Ian Hudson rekindles teenage memories as Fernhill residents welcome the arrival of the Hillman Minx.

All revved up as care home goes back to the 50s AN icon of British motoring for nearly four decades is bringing back cherished memories for residents at a Dorset dementia care home.

More than 50 years after it was built, a rare 1958 Hillman Minx has been craned into position in the memory garden at Colten Care’s Fernhill facility in Longham.

Residents can sit safely inside the stationary red and grey car and reminisce about their youth.

Colten Care managing director Ian Hudson passed his driving test in his dad’s Minx in the 1960s and drove around in it when he was lead guitarist in a Shadows-cover band. In the 1970s, he bought his own one for £75.

“It has brought back very happy memories to see the car coming to Fernhill,” he said. “I’m sure it will be the same for many of our residents and it will be a fabulous prompt for recollection and conversation. “When people are living with dementia, their long term memory can still be strong and so we actively provide a wide range of memory prompts in our homes and gardens.”

A lorry-mounted crane lowered the Minx into the garden inside a specially-made cradle.

Group transport manager John Carter, another former Minx owner, added: “When I saw it in a private garage in Portsmouth it had been off the road for a while and I felt quite sorry for it.

“We’ve tidied up the paint work and thoroughly cleaned out the interior.

Residents will now be able to sit inside it in comfort and share their thoughts of yesteryear.”

The Minx is the third vehicle that Colten Care has installed at a dementia care home in recent months as a prompt for memory stimulation.

Have you done something similar at your care home? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@scriptmedia.co.uk In September, a former London taxi was positioned in the memory garden of The Aldbury in Parkstone, while in May a Massey Ferguson tractor was given pride of place in the rusticthemed grounds of St Catherines View in Winchester.

A Sussex based Augustinian Sister has been honoured with an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in the New Year's Honour's List. Awarded for her services to St George's Park Retirement Village in Ditchling, East Sussex, Sister Mary Thomas (pictured above) helped to create the state-of-the-art development which enables older people to live an active and fulfilled life in a secure and supportive environment. She said: “l accept this MBE on behalf of the Sisters of St Augustine, staff and all those we are privileged to care for in the village and our care homes.”

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Residents still making music 10 years later Four Seasons Health Care raised more than £5,000 last year for Macmillan Cancer Support by hosting coffee mornings, fundraising activities and interactive quizzes. The team at Bamford Grange in Cheshire were among many of the care homes that got involved and raised money. Recently, the home presented a cheque for £4,556 to Sarah Page, a fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support, with the final total from all of the care homes being £5091.33.

Bamford Grange senior care assistant Maggie Downs is pictured with clinical facilitator Rebecca Ashton, resident Mavis Marsden, home manager Keith Warburton and Sarah Page, fundraiser for Macmillan.

Events launched for senior professionals CLOSER2 Medical, part of the award winning events group CloserStill, has launched Health+Care 2013, a new family of large scale events for senior professionals in health and care.

Incorporating the successful Commissioning Show, dubbed “the definitive event for primary care”, by the chair of the NAPC, Health+Care will bring together four distinct events in once space to serve the entire decision making team behind end-to-end care provision.

Health+Care conference will see the most senior figures from government, the NHS and local authorities come together to network and share best practice case studies on integrated working.

The Home Care Show and Residential Care Show will focus on the needs of care commissioners within local authorities. In addition, senior teams from care providers will attend to network and source potential supply partners.

The Commissioning Show will

continue to offer thought leadership and practical solutions for all those involved in clinical commissioning, including the emerging LAT and CSU bodies. It will also be expanding its offering to support GP practices who are looking to thrive as providers, by bringing together leading solutions from around the world.

Event director Tom Vine added: “The launch of Health+Care will also provide a significant new opportunity for suppliers in this sector. They are facing an increasingly complex network of decision makers and influencers, so an event where they can engage with all the key players over two days will be very important to them. The layout of the event means suppliers who specialise in a single aspect of care can access a very targeted audience, whilst providers who’s services cross both NHS and Local authority can engage with senior delegates in shared space.”

Health+Care 2013 takes place at London EXCEL on June 12 and 13.

AN unusual legacy which was bestowed on a sheltered housing complex is still helping to make music enjoyable for both staff and residents more than 10 years on.

Bessie Inglis, a previous resident of Bield’s Mungo Park Court in Selkirk, left a piano to the service when she passed away in 1999, as well as leaving money to keep it tuned for life.

As well as ensuring that residents at Mungo Park will be able to use the piano for years to come, she also left money for garden improvements, which have been completed, with enough money left over for a new electric fire in the lounge.

She also donated a number of sketches and art pieces for the other service users.

Elizabeth de Beaté, current service manager at Mungo Park, said: “The piano has been a fantastic source of entertainment for residents and staff alike over the years.

“It is used all the time for church and funeral services, functions and regularly by ‘Harmony’ music groups.

Residents’ family, grandchildren, schoolchildren accompanied by teachers and parents even get a chance to entertain us all, which is always uplifting and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

“Residents have also had the chance to enjoy Bessie’s art which she also left behind. She is a well remembered resident who won’t be forgotten due to her fantastic personality and kind generosity.”

The housing and care provider is hoping Bessie’s generosity will be replicated across the country as part of its new legacy campaign.

Brian Logan, chief executive of Bield, added: “We hope our legacy campaign will help us to continue this care, any donation big or small is always very much appreciated by both ourselves and those who use our services.

Kaddy opens new wing TV presenter Kaddy Lee-Preston was guest of honour at the opening of a specialist dementia care wing at Ashridge Court Nursing Home in Bexhill.

Staff and guests, including councillor Joanne Gadd, the Mayor of Bexhill, enjoyed afternoon tea, while Kaddy cut the ribbon to declare the new purpose-built specialist 16-bed unit open to residents.

The Hazel Dementia Unit incorporates design techniques shown to aid patients manage better including a hi-tech ‘snoezelen sensory room and specially designed large, bright rooms and lounge spaces.

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Music therapist shares expertise

By Dominic Musgrave

Ivor Abrahams plants a Jubilee rose with Landscape Services’ owner and managing director Will Stopps and contracts manager Martin Lomax and Brunelcare property operations manager Tim Bridger.

Centenarian is guest of honour IVOR Abrahams completed his 100th birthday celebrations by being the guest of honour at a special rose planting ceremony.

Bristol-based housing charity Brunelcare has planted a celebratory rose bush at every one of its sites, in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and her recent visit to the city.

Ivor said: “I was made to feel very special at my 100th birthday parties,

with many family and friends celebrating with me.

“It was made all the more special that I celebrated my 100 years in the same year as the Queen celebrated her 60-year reign.

“Helping to plant a commemorative rose was a great way to end these celebrations and I look forward to seeing the beautiful blooms next year.”

THE lead music therapist at a national care charity shared his experience and expertise at a conference at the University of Bergen in Norway.

Ming Hung Hsu addressed academics, care home managers and staff, local politicians and health authority representatives over the two-day music therapy event.

He heads a team of 12 music therapists working in dementia care homes belonging to MHA, which provides accommodation, care and support services to 16,000 older people.

Ming said: “I told the conference about how MHA provides music therapy in its dementia care homes, without charge to residents. There are 35 care homes owned by Bergen City, but only one music therapist to serve them. That’s definitely not enough.

“Professor Brynjulf Stige of Bergen University, who invited me to speak, wanted to hear about how we provide music therapy in our homes and how it benefits residents. I spoke about my personal experience and how it is implemented by the charity.”

Ming explained to the conference how residents’ responses to music therapy could assist the multi disciplinary team in planning care

and support for residents. He also described how the therapy has demonstrably helped to relieve symptoms such as anxiety in people with dementia. It can also help people with dementia to communicate the root causes of such symptoms.

This year Ming will also be involved in carrying out a five-month controlled trial to assess whether music therapy can improve quality of life for people with dementia. The trial will be conducted with the assistance of professor Helen OdellMiller from Anglia Ruskin University.

Ming already has a Masters degree with a distinction from the university, which was based on his work at MHA. In addition, he will soon start a PhD there, funded by the charity.

He added: “I will research how music therapy can improve quality of life for care home residents. Nobody has yet looked into how exactly it works. There have been studies showing that it works, but none into how or why. I’m going to be looking into that. In time, I’d like to write a book, possibly in collaboration with others, about music therapy in care homes – nobody is publishing anything about that at the moment and I think there is so much we can learn from it to enable us to provide the best possible care that we can.”

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Home fined for failing to meet regulations A CARE provider which persistently failed to comply with national standards on the safe management of medicines has been fined £4,000 by the inspectorate.

CQC issued the fixed penalty notice to St Martin’s Care Ltd after inspectors found that concerns which had been identified on inspection at Willow Green Residential Care Home, Darlington, County Durham had not been addressed properly for three months. The nursing home can accommodate up to 63 people.

Registered provider St Martin’s Care Ltd, had been formally warned that it was facing legal action after two unannounced inspections in February. At the time, inspectors found that the nursing home was failing to ensure that people were protected against the risks associated with the unsafe use and management of medicines. The provider was told it must make urgent improvements.

When inspectors returned unannounced in May, they found that people were still at risk. While the home had made some improvements, the provider still did not have appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

People still did not have all their medicines at the times they needed them in a safe way. Some people were not able to be given their medicines as prescribed because the medication

Malcolm Bower-Brown was out of stock. Records were inaccurate or incomplete, medicines were not always given to people appropriately, and staff had failed to follow the directions of the prescriber or the manufacturer.

Malcolm Bower-Brown, CQC’s director in the North, said: “The law sets out national standards that everyone who uses services should be able to expect. Providers have a duty to ensure they meet these standards.

Our decision to fine this provider sends a clear and public message that persistent failure to meet national standards will not be tolerated.

Following CQC’s intervention, St Martin’s Care Ltd has taken action to achieve compliance. A report of its latest inspection in November has been published on the regulator’s website.

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Care regulator urges vigilance

By Dominic Musgrave

Residents of a Wellington care home had a ball meeting the celebrity cast of pantomime Cinderella. The party from the Morris Care Centre travelled to The Palace Oakengates Theatre in Telford to meet the cast of the classic rags to riches tale. They were greeted by the all-star cast, including Strictly Come Dancing star Camilla Dallerup, and took a tour backstage before the show began.

Resident Sheila Kelly is pictured with Camilla Dallerup.

SCOTLAND’S care regulator has urged people visiting their family and loved ones in care homes to continue to be vigilant against spreading infections, especially during the winter months.

The Care Inspectorate has warned care home visitors to take precautions in order to prevent the spread of infections and bugs during the winter – including infections such as norovirus that can be present in the community and can spread rapidly between residents, visitors and staff in care homes.

Margaret Tannahill, the Care Inspectorate’s consultant nurse for infection control, said: “During the winter months, the spread of certain infections and diseases such as norovirus can be a big challenge for those in care homes where many people are vulnerable to infection and this can also apply to visitors such as older people or young children.

“If you are visiting a family member or loved one in a care home, it’s vital that you remember that your actions can have a dramatic effect on their health and that of others if you do not take the necessary precautions.”

The Care Inspectorate is promoting

a list of the most important tips to remember when visiting a care home: Clean hands – Making sure your hands are clean is one of the most important ways to stop infections spreading. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet. Everyone, including residents who have been on outings, should use the hand hygiene facilities in the care home on entering and leaving.

Don’t visit when unwell – Don’t visit a resident in a care home if you are feeling unwell or have an infection such as flu or a heavy cold, or if you or a member of your household are suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting. If you aren’t well enough to visit then you are welcome to phone the care home and leave a message or ask for your relative or friend to phone you. If you have vomiting or diarrhoea you should not visit a resident in a care home or patient in a hospital until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.

Speak to the care team if you have any concerns – You should talk to the person in charge if you have any concerns about hygiene in the care home or if you are worried or unsure about any infection prevention issues.

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Group appeals for volunteers to help its storytelling celebrations

By Dominic Musgrave RESIDENTS at Bupa care homes across the UK have called upon members of the local community to step forward and join them in telling a tale or two as part of plans to celebrate National Storytelling Week.

To mark the event the facilities will be hosting special reading events, and have appealed for anyone who enjoys storytelling, to go along and join in the fun.

Held annually, National Storytelling Week aims to increase awareness in the value of sharing stories.

This is the third year Bupa care homes have backed the week – a similar appeal last year saw hundreds of community members join events across the UK, to enjoy the ancient art of spinning a yarn.

Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community and partnerships executive, said: “Our residents love listening to stories and this is a great way to get members of the local community involved and bring different generations together as people of all ages can take part. Hopefully these events will help maintain the ancient art of storytelling and encourage people to keep the tradition alive.”

Supporting Bupa on the campaign since it began is The Reader Organisation, a charity which has

Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community and partnerships executive. been working in care homes since 2006, promoting the links between reading and wellbeing.

Emma Gibbons, older people’s project manager, added: “Reading poetry and stories aloud certainly has a positive effect on older people’s state of mind, so this local appeal is a fantas-

tic way of getting others to join in with a simple, yet therapeutic, past time.”

Are you holding an event for National Storytelling Week for your residents? If so, email details and images to Dominic Musgrave at dm@scriptmedia.co.uk

Award for activities leader

A CARE home’s personal activities leader has been recognised by a charity for her work improving the quality of life of care home residents by providing fun and stimulating activities.

Laura Buet, who works at Four Season Health Care’s Stanshawes facility in Yate, received The Dorothy Mason prize from South West charity Alive!

Laura’s residents enjoy a variety of activities such as music sessions, reminiscence activities and dance therapy to help foster a feeling of renewed enthusiasm for life and interaction with their environment and fellow residents.

Janet Goodfellow, South West regional manager for Four Seasons, said: “We are delighted that Laura has been recognised for her contribution to activities

by Alive! Providing exciting and fun activities that focus on the individual needs and interests of our residents is exactly what Four Seasons Health Care is all about.

I hope that Laura’s dedication will inspire other activity leaders to follow suit.”

Alive! named Laura’s prize after Dorothy Mason, who was passionate about undertaking activities and lived to be 102.

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CARINGNEWS

Additional care service is launched at new unit

MERIDIAN Healthcare Limited has formed a partnership with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust to deliver a new service that provides specialist care to patients being discharged from hospital.

It has been commissioned by NHS Tameside and Glossop for a period of three years. The new unit is named Grange View and is located at Meridian’s Hyde Nursing Home. It provides care to adults who are well enough to be discharged from hospital but need additional care before they can return home. This includes patients from Tameside General Hospital, as well as neighbouring hospital sites.

Michael McCourt, director of operations and nursing at Pennine Care, said: “Grange View will help to ensure patients don’t have to stay in hospital for longer than is needed because they can be cared for safely in the community, which aids recovery and improves the patient experience.

“As well as providing expert care and treatment, we also help patients to understand more about their illness and how they can prevent it becoming worse in the future.”

Home’s care approach to be shared across county

By Dominic Musgrave WORK to improve the daily lives of people with dementia is being highlighted to care organisations across a county in the hope that it can be more widely adopted.

Staff at Coverage Care Services' Woodcroft care home, in Market Drayton, Shropshire, achieved such a high degree of success with their pilot programme that health leaders are keen to share the information with all caring organisations in the region.

Led by care home manager, Alison Gough, staff working with residents in the dementia unit at Woodcroft made critical but subtle changes to their daily work, including making the environment more homely and giving service users the chance to take part in routines and activities which made them feel more settled and reminded them of how their days may have been spent before dementia.

Chief executive ofCoverage Care Services, David Coull, said: “While many of the actions involved in this approach may seem to be obvious, it is in putting them together and training staff to implement them to full effect that brings the tremendous benefits to those living with dementia for whom we care.

“The results of the trial were very

Staff at Woodcroft home have seen positive results from their new approach. impressive, reducing average falls per month by almost three-quarters, leading to lower doses of medication for half of those who needed it, eliminating most behaviour that was problematic to staff and reversing weight loss in all of the residents who were struggling to maintain their nutrition.

“I think it has been demonstrated without doubt that these changes, which can be implemented by any care organisation, make a huge impact for the better on the lives of

those with dementia.”

The results of the trial were so impressive that Shropshire LINk decided it wanted the information shared with organisations across the county in the hope that the techniques could be more widely adopted. A new brochure has now been produced which is being distributed to all care providers.

The changes made at Woodcroft were based on the Butterfly Approach techniques developed by researcher Dr David Sheard.

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CARINGNEWS

Town Mayor of Newark, Councillor Irene Brown and chairman of the LNT Group, Lawrence Tomlinson, visited the Ideal Care Homes owned Bowbridge Court to both view the new state-of-the-art facility and welcome first residents Gwen Knibbs and Mabel Gartshore. The Mayor, who previously visited the home on its open day, met with the first residents and talked to them about their life in Newark and their new home.

Lawrence and Irene are pictured with Gwen and Mabel, Bowbridge Court staff and home manager Amanda Pateman.

Top marks for Gildawood Court STAFF at a Warwickshire care home are celebrating after receiving top marks in their latest CQC inspection.

The purpose-built Gildawood Court, located in the village of Attleborough, achieved the highest possible levels of care delivery, having met the required standards in treating people with respect, quality of care provision, safeguarding and

safety, staffing and management of the service.

As part of the process, CQC inspectors spoke to residents, relatives and members of staff. The home demonstrated full compliance in all areas with special mention made of the friendly, yet professional approach shown by the care staff towards residents.

21

To advertise in this section of the magazine call 01226 734480

Investment cut blamed on fees

By Dominic Musgrave THE boss of a Hyde-based care group says he will be unable to invest further in new facilities due to fee cuts by some local authorities it supplies.

Alan Firth, executive chairman of Meridian Healthcare, which owns and operates 30 care homes in the North West and Yorkshire, says trading conditions in the care sector are “extremely tough” as a result of the cuts in fees and client placements, and expects profits to fall by up to £3m over the next two years.

He added: “We always reinvest the bulk of what we make in profits back into the business so, if we make less profits, which is certain over the next two years, we will not be able to invest further in opening new facilities.

“Our focus instead will be on debt

reduction and maintaining the high standards of service and accommodation our clients expect in our existing stock.”

Alan, who runs Meridian with his wife Susan, said the company had been most affected by fee and placement cuts in the Tameside local authority area, where 14 out of its 30 care homes (704 out of a total of 1473 single bedrooms) are located.

A block contract for 75 per cent of its operational beds with the council came to an end last March, which as a result saw occupancy levels drop by as much as 10 per cent across the entire bed stock.

Since then the authority has also imposed a significant cut in the fees they will pay for care following the introduction of a new ‘Quality Framework’ being asked of providers.

Alan added: “Occupancy levels are continuing to fall this year as a result

of the changes in Tameside, but we hope in time that they will recover to back to pre-austerity cut times, because all our 14 care centres (out of only 26 within the borough) were all accepted on to the framework.

“A commissioning strategy introduced by the authority based its purchasing of care for state-funded clients solely on the quality of care they provide to vulnerable adults.”

In the year to the end of March 2012 Meridian Healthcare Holdings saw occupancy levels of 94 per cent, down from 96 per cent in 2011. Occupancy levels throughout 2012 saw a further decrease to around 89 per cent.

Profits fell in the year ended 2012 fell from £7.4m to £6.6m despite turnover marginally increasing from £31.9m to £32.8m.

Do you agree with Alan? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@scriptmedia.co.uk

Hill Care has appointed a new national operations director to its head office in Chesterfield. Having previously held the same role at Cheshire-based Four Seasons Health Care, Mandy Vernon (pictured above) will be responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of staffing, care and resident support are upheld at the group’s portfolio of care homes. Mandy said: “No two days are the same, and I feel proud to work for a group that really puts the needs of its residents first.”

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CARINGCOMMERCE Advertiser’s announcement

It’s all in the design (of Winter payments your new care home) should be meansPEOPLE refer to good and bad design, but how is this quantified and assessed?

Design is based around a compromise between a set of requirements which need to be clearly established at the outset, taking into account site restrictions, planning requirements, design policy, adjacent buildings, construction methods (traditional, steel or timber framed, tile or slate, UPVC or timber Sash windows), client requirements and corporate image to name but a few.

Care homes come along in all shapes and sizes, with no two the same. Yes they meet with the National Minimum Standards – why wouldn’t they? But who designs them is a fact often overlooked by both single and multiple operators alike.

When was the last time your architect or design team came and watched what went on in your building? When did they ask your staff and residents what they like and don’t like about the building?

After all, it is possible for two architects to provide different schemes that both comply with a client’s brief. However, one scheme may cost significantly more to build and provide no added benefit or space. So what I hear you say. Well on you bottom line it could add an extra

£5,000 per bed t build because, while they have both delivered the same sized bedrooms that is where the similarities cease. One has delivered an average 42m2 per residents, while the other has designed a building offering an average 45m2 per resident with no obvious benefit. On a 40 bedroom home this is an additional 120m2, which increased the build cost significantly.

The size and shape of a site can often be the restrictive element of any project, but by opening up your project to several designers you will be able to merge the best of both and create the very best that is available to you and within your specification budget.

DECS Group, the specialist care home developer/contractor, works with a number of architects and its internal design team. Both have extensive experience of the care sector to create innovative cost effective care homes.

Bringing on board a specialist developer/construction company at an early design stage is highly recommended as they will have ideas on build costs and best practices.

Their attention to detail and knowledge of the market should be made use of so that the final design is one that actually works and can be built on time and within budget.

tested, claims MP THE government has been urged to defuse the elderly care "time bomb" by concentrating the winter fuel payment on the poorest pensioners and using the money saved to pay for a cap on care costs.

In a report published by the think tank CentreForum, former care minister Paul Burstow MP calls for the ‘appropriate legislative levers’ to be inserted into the draft care and support bill so that the Dilnot Commission's proposals on care financing can be delivered in full by the end of this parliament.

The report reveals that under the current care system elderly people who own averagely priced homes (£213,000) face losing 65 per cent of their assets to pay for care. But it is argued that if the government introduced a £50,000 limit on the cost of care, with a £100,000 extended means test, then older people would lose just 22 per cent of their assets.

Paul said: “Social care isn't free but it could be a lot fairer for those who have worked hard all their lives.

“Placing a cap on the amount people have to pay for care would protect people from the catastrophic costs they face now. But to make this

vital and long overdue change, we have to find the money from somewhere. By concentrating the winter fuel payment on those eligible for pension credit we can pay for a cap on care costs.”

In addition to Paul's contribution, the CentreForum report ‘Delivering Dilnot: paying for elderly care’ includes articles from the Association of British Insurers, Partnership and former chair of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care of Older People, Lord Sutherland.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, added: “We can’t ignore that millions of people, including many people with dementia, are being denied access to essential care because of the colossal hole in the adult social care funding pot. Discussing how we cut the cake in terms of where money is spent, including benefits for older people, is therefore vital.

“However, these discussions should not be held in isolation. The only way to achieve a long term sustainable solution is for all the political parties to agree on a complete and achievable package of funding.

People’s lives depend on it.”

The Right Honourable Countess of Carnarvon officially opened Alice Bye Court extra care scheme in Thatcham, West Berkshire. The new facility will provide residents with their own accommodation alongside on-site care services, as well as a range of resources for use by the local community including a restaurant, hair and beauty salon and a shop. The scheme has 51 one and two bedroom apartments and many outdoor spaces. Alice Bye Court was commissioned by the council in partnership with Housing 21, who will manage the scheme.

Resident Millie Spense is pictured receiving a plaque from The Right Honourable Countess of Carnarvon, watched on by Millie's two sons Robin and Ian, Simon Bostock, regional operations director of Housing 21 and Coun Joe Mooney.

Naidex South to return next year NAIDEX South will return next year, its organisers have confirmed.

Fiona Davies, event director for Naidex, said: “Naidex South will not take place in 2013, but will return again in the autumn of 2014.

“This reflects our Naidex Scotland schedule, which next takes place on September 18 and 19 at SECC Glasgow. This will allow us to run these two events on alternate years,

giving us more time to ensure each event is the best it can be.

“Naidex South will continue serving the southern visitors to the show, which has proved popular with health care professionals and end users. We will also be working harder to encourage the southern audience to visit the main national event.”

Naidex National takes place at NEC Birmingham from April 30 to May 2.

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CARINGNEWS

There is a niche in the market for imaginative exercise teachers who want to work with the older person according to Tracy Levy, secretary to the trustees at EXTEND.

Exercise is not just for the young EXTEND Exercise has been training teachers to work with the older person since 1976. The trainers and teachers have seen trends come and go but there is one steady constant – the need to keep fit, mobile and maintain balance, strength and endurance in a social, friendly setting.

For many, the local keep fit class is not just the place they go to improve and maintain their fitness, but it is part of their social life. It is where they meet friends and join in with exercises which move the body and motivate the mind.

While the idea of a keep fit class to music may be somewhat old-fashioned, many EXTEND teachers have classes which have been running for five, 10 or even 20 years.

The class plan is led, there is no set formula and there are few unhappy customers. While teachers embrace endurance, strength and resistance work, they are also acutely aware that they must meet the needs of their clients so that everyone can exercise within their own limitations.

Exercises help to maintain daily living functions such as: Waist mobility for housework.

Exercises for the hand and fingers to maintain dexterity so that buttons can be undone.

Exercises for the shoulder joint so that driving and dressing is easier which, in turn, can improve strength and mobility and help to maintain independent living.

Imaginative teachers will find ways of encouraging movements which can be through the use of parachutes and hoops to encourage large shoulder movements with balls and beanbags assisting with hand/eye co-ordination.

Open Community classes are in demand. Those who take EXTEND into day centres and residential homes, even hospices, can see the benefits which appropriate exercise in a social setting can bring.

Thirty years experience in delivering exercise training is one thing, but EXTEND has had to meet the demands of today’s accreditation process.

The course, validated by VTCT, includes: Certificate in instructing exercise to music to older adults and people with disabilities.

Level three awards in adapting physical activity for older adults and

‘Teaching’ home plans unveiled A CARE provider has unveiled a pioneering plan to create the country’s first ‘teaching’ dementia care home in a bid to create better care for people living with the disease.

The aims of Bupa’s new facility will include: Researching into care and therapeutic interventions to help improve quality of life of people with advanced dementia.

Training the health and care workforce of the future – whether they go on to specialise in dementia care or not.

Enabling researchers to find out more about supportive environments, such as testing what is the best level of lighting for people with dementia.

Enabling Bupa to enhance the care it already provides.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Dementia Action Alliance, chief executive Stuart Fletcher told delegates, which included health secretary Jeremy Hunt, of the firm’s vision of spreading best practice, education and understanding in the world of dementia care.

He added: “We want to transform care for people with dementia, which means more inclusion, empowerment and engagement.

“A dementia-friendly society is not one that hides people with dementia

away, but one that embraces them.

One day I hope we will see care homes physically linked to shops and schools so that people with dementia genuinely are part of the community.

“That’s why we will build a model ‘teaching’ dementia care home: A technology-enabled teaching facility that will take the research going on in our universities and apply it to reallife care for people living with dementia.”

Stuart also said Bupa will be campaigning on behalf of people with dementia for a new type of care with a ‘no discharge’ from care service – so that people won’t be abandoned after diagnosis or as their needs change.

“We want people with dementia to have a dementia care manager whose role will evolve as their ‘life with dementia’ unfolds, providing and coordinating care right from diagnosis onwards,” he said. “We hope this campaign will help to create a future where people with dementia have someone with them every step of the way.”

Bupa has recently opened new, specially-designed homes with features including memory triggers to aid connections with the past, reminiscence areas, stimulating wall coverings to provide interest, and a layout that makes life for residents less stressful.

Exercises help the elderly to maintain daily living functions. adapting physical activity for people with disabilities.

EXTEND has always trained those who have no prior experience in exercise. This course is often the first step in a career in the delivery of exercise.

It enables people to give something back to their community, vol-

unteer for work with other charities as well as run their own private classes.

The exercise to music at level two provides the teachers with the knowledge of how to deliver a class to music, but it is the additional level three awards that sets EXTEND above other exercise providers.

26

CARINGNEWS

Administrator appointed for Penrith home

Children bury capsule and help name home

ADMINISTRATORS say they are confident a purchaser can be found for a Penrith care home.

Kerry Bailey and Jonathan Newell of PKF Accountants and business advisers were appointed joint administrators of Hemingway Group Limited, which operates Yanwath Care Home and employs more than 60 staff.

The administrators have appointed specialist care home management company Wallace Management Service to assist them in continuing to operate the facility, which has more than 40 residents.

Kerry said: “The care home has been visited and assessed as to quality and standards of care. All residents, staff and relatives have been sent notification and will be kept fully informed. The intention is to manage the care home to ensure that residents suffer minimal disruption.

“Steps have been taken to stabilise the trading position, and lines of communication have been opened with the relevant regulatory authorities. We are committed to ensuring that all care standards are maintained and the home remains open. We are optimistic that a purchaser can be found for the home and are talking to interested parties.”

CHILDREN left their mark on the history of Orpington when they named areas at Care UK’s newest care home and buried a time capsule in the grounds.

Pupils at Green Street Green Primary School took part in a competition to choose the names of areas in Foxbridge House, which is due to open this spring.

The competition to name the three units was open to the school’s 440 pupils and many imaginative names were suggested, with the winning names being Willow, Larch and Bluebell. Care UK also invited teachers and pupils at the school to put together a time capsule which they buried in the grounds.

Headteacher Lynne Dando said: “Care UK wanted the school to get involved at the new home from day one. By burying the time capsule we will be cementing forever the link between the school and the home.

“Every child in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two worked with their teacher to write a very special message to the people of the future.

“The best examples have gone into the time capsule, along with photographs and memorabilia from 2012, which was a remarkable year for us all.”

Set to open in March, Foxbridge

Pupils from Green Street Green Primary School with the time capsule.

House will have a contemporary, light and airy feel and will feature Care UK’s ‘village’ style area including a coffee shop, hair salon and cinema.

The home will also feature lounges and open areas that celebrate local themes, such as Biggin Hill airfield, Brands Hatch racing circuit and Charles Darwin, who lived in the nearby village of Downe.

Each en-suite bedroom has been designed to meet the needs of people living with dementia, while

landscaped gardens feature sensory planting, water features and seating areas.

Care UK project manager Sara Goodwin said choosing the winning names had been a tough decision: “The children came up with some fantastic suggestions and we were spoilt for choice,” she added. “It has been a great experience for us to work with the school and have the input of the children in creating this new home.”

Residents Mary Allardyce, Margot Hayburn, Betty Menzies, Mary Craik and Kate Clark with their creations.

Residents knit for Africa Aids project RESIDENTS from a sheltered housing complex in Perth have been busy doing their ‘knit’ for a charity project which aims to helps babies suffering with Aids in Africa.

The initiative, which started in Aberdeenshire as a response to the ‘fish and chip babies’ who were dispatched from hospitals wrapped in newspaper due to the shortage of blankets, caught the eye of residents at Bield’s Gladstone Court after they started a craft club a few months ago.

The group of seven women who stay at the sheltered housing complex, decided to knit vests and hats for new born babies suffering from Aids in Malawi when one group

member saw a pattern they could use to take part in the project.

The residents at Gladstone Court knitted 46 items, which have since been collected from Gladstone Court and transported to Malawi.

Jenny Fergus, peripatetic scheme manager at Bield, said: “We encourage our tenants as much as possible to interact with each other and having this project on the back of craft class which is often held at Gladstone Court was a great way of doing this. There are some great residents who like to get stuck in to these types of projects and it’s brilliant to see everyone clubbing together to help a good cause.”

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CARINGNEWS

Brunelcare has opened a new care home and the first centre of excellence for dementia care in Bristol. Dominic Musgrave reports.

The view from the centre of the courts and a typical communal kitchen and sitting area at Saffron Gardens.

New £7m facility is city’s first centre of excellence SAFFRON Gardens, which is the result of a £7m investment, has been years in the planning and offers custom designed accommodation for 48 residents.

Working alongside the Bristol based architects Noma and the Dementia Services Development Centre at Stirling University, charity Brunelcare thought through every element of the design and build, with residents living with dementia at the heart of every aspect.

Chief executive Helen Joy said: “I am immensely proud that Brunelcare are the first care provider in Bristol to develop a centre of excellence for dementia care, and it is testament to years of planning and hard work that we are now able to provide such a facility.

“Saffron Gardens is an example of the future of dementia care, and with statistics showing a marked increase in the number of people expected to be living with a dementia in Bristol over the next 20 years, Brunelcare is dedicated to ensuring we continue to offer the right care and support services to help people across

the city.”

Environmental measures were also high on the design agenda. A key element to the build is the sustainable timber frame which is highly insulated to minimise heat loss, alongside under floor heating throughout, which omits the need for wall radiators. Solar panels on the roof should generate enough power for the whole building.

In addition to the care home, Saffron Gardens also offers 14 flats which have been designed to allow independent living; for example if a partner has dementia it allows the carer to live with them in a sheltered environment with supported care – including personal care, shopping and assistance with medication – on hand if required. These are available on a shared ownership basis.

Brunelcare’s head office operations have also moved to Saffron Gardens from the centre of the city, with the top floor allocated to the 50 staff.

To coincide with the move Brunelcare has also launched a new identity and logo which has been rolled out across the company.

Key design elements

Saffron Gardens has been developed on a court principle, with 12 bedrooms in each of the four courts. This enables residents to live within a small family-like community with their own communal area including an open plan kitchen, to encourage residents to help with the preparation of meals and also allows for a relaxed and open environment.

Each court has its own colour theme which runs throughout the wall colours and internal furnishings to assist with way finding.

Each court has a central garden with its own design, including Welsh slate, Victorian, Beach and English

country garden themes.

To help residents find their way around the court each front door, which can be personalised and has its own number and door knocker, is a specific colour which matches the internal feature wall in the room.

Each bedroom has its own en-suite facilities and in addition there is a specially equipped and spacious spabathroom in each court, with a spabath and mood lighting to help ensure a more relaxed and enjoyable bath time experience.

The curtains in the bedroom all have black-out linings to help with sleep patterns and purposefully don’t have any patterns on the material, which is to minimise hallucinations and visions that can result with the onset of dementia.

Light is very important throughout the home and to maximise natural light the curtains in the communal areas are voiles, which can also be drawn to encourage everyday activities. Specially designed lights which mimic natural light have also been fitted throughout, alongside more traditional light fittings.

30

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Range is choice Countdown to Show is on Miele ready of thousands products FOR award winning, top quality room and residents’ door signs be sure to look at the Badgemaster range. It’s already the choice of thousands of residential and nursing homes.

There are gold or silver plates with smart, replaceable engraved inserts – clear, durable and easily changed.

Choose from two sizes (25mm x 200mm or 50mm x 200mm), now with handy end-stops that make for secure, tamper-proof identification of room use or occupier.

Just let Badgemaster know your requirements, e.g. name of room or name of room user. Your doorplates should be with you in five days or less. If room use or details change, the service for replacement inserts is just as quick and efficient.

A full range of recognised international symbols, directional arrows and Braille is available. Also slide-across room status facility e.g.

Vacant/Engaged, Do Not Disturb etc.

Corporate logos can be added for a small extra cost.

Blue Parrot acquired SYSTEMA Solutions has announced the acquisition of Blue Parrot Software.

John Richardson, MD of Systema and already a director of Blue Parrot, said: “We have now moved product development to our highly experienced team in Tring. Already we have released Version 3 of Everyday Care System with substantial enhancements in both functionality and performance.

“In addition we now support the Microsoft SQL Server database making reporting more powerful and improving further performance and scalability. We have extensive further product development plans in the areas of Care Planning and many other exciting aspects of supporting Care Home Management. The ECS application is already very easy to use and rich in functionality – we intend to make it even better.”

The ECS application also has highly attractive new pricing for Version 3 – based on the size of the care home but with no restrictions on user numbers.

THE countdown is on to the opening of the world’s leading showcase for all products and services used in the cleaning and support services industry.

With more than 200 exhibitors showcasing a broad range of equipment and services at the event, plus a host of new features, The Cleaning Show is the must-attend event of the year for businesses involved in any aspect of the industry.

The 2013 event, which will be held at the Birmingham NEC from March 19 to 21, has also attracted a number of high profile companies exhibiting for the first time. These include the Independent Washroom Services Association, KGS Diamond International, The Malish

Exciting time at Active Bathing WHEN did you last see something new in assisted bathing? And we mean really new.

It’s an exciting time at Active Bathing. We’ve forged stronger links with our parent group Astor Bannerman and, with the help of the group’s considerable resources, Active Bathing has been busy in the design studios to bring you the

latest in assistive technology, combining a contemporary style with ergonomic features to produce a range of five new powered baths designed for the long term care sector.

See the link on our web home page or hit the ‘Contact us’ button to arrange a personal viewing of the new range of assisted baths.

Show to put industry under the microscope SESSIONS on marketing advice for attracting self-funders and on making care homes dementia-friendly are just two examples of the not-to-bemissed seminars being presented as part of the comprehensive free education programme at this year’s Care Show Bournemouth.

The event, which takes place at the Bournemouth International Centre on March 19 and 20, not only features more than 160 exhibitors providing products and services relevant to everyone involved in owning or running an organisation responsible for the care of older people, but the complementary education programme also ensures that it addresses all the industry’s hot topics.

In addition to a complete day’s schedule of expert advice on how care homes can market themselves on tight budgets to the increasingly

Uniform is ‘spot-on’ for Cookham Riverside COOKHAM Riverside was looking for a distinctive garment for two new senior members of staff – and found that Grahame Gardner Ltd were spot on for what they wanted.

After a staff reorganisation the privately owned nursing home created two new roles, head of care and head of training, and needed a uniform that clearly signified the seniority of these staff members and differentiated them from other levels of nurses. After researching several tunics on the market they selected a spotty tunic from Grahame Gardner’s extensive healthcare range.

Mary Clay, matron manager, said: “These new roles were created to ensure that our staff are continually engaged in training and development and that our standards of care remain very high at all times. It was important that these new staff members’ could be readily recognised at a glance, and this new tunic achieves this. It takes me back actually as I myself was wearing the same style tunic back in 1999 – but is still looks good now, over 10 years later.”

Enquiries: Call 0116 255 6326 or browse the selection at www.grahamegardner.co.uk

Corporation, Reintec and TVH UK. Visitors to the show can expect to find a wealth of products, information and ideas designed to help them to lower costs, improve standards, tackle problems, improve hygiene and cleanliness to stamp out MRSA, as well as advice on issues concerning insurance, employment legislation and the latest environmental information.

Several new features have been added this year. The Innovation Zone celebrates the growing success of The Cleaning Show Innovation Awards.

Exhibitors have been entering their innovations online, across a range of categories and, for the first time, these will be featured in a dedicated zone at the show.

important ‘self-funder’ market – using, for example, creative marketing techniques as well as social media, direct mail and digital marketing – the Care Show Bournemouth education programme also includes presentations on: Interior design – including making your care facility dementia-friendly.

Care home Capital Allowances and Workplace pensions – how these affect care operators.

Care home ratings – the new 2013 CQC strategy.

Compliance – what to do if an inspector comes calling.

There will also be presentations on Infection control, IT (for residents and care home owners), assisted living, telecare and purchasing and supply chain management, as well as a panel debate on what people are looking for from care providers.

Combat falls KENT and Canterbury NHS Trust has given due precedence to falls prevention when it comes to care of the elderly.

In 2005, the Trust implemented the use of interventions such as low level beds, hip protectors and bed and chair sensor alarms. As a result the rate of falls has reduced annually, with the latest figure being a reduction of 12 per cent in 2011. The Trust uses SensorCare’s bed and chair sensor, and has found the sensor panels in place provide a long term solution to the problem of falls. There are plans to purchase SensorCare systems across a number of wards to combat falls in future.

MIELE Professional is readying its range of laundry and dishwashing products for The Cleaning Show 2013.

Following the success of the 2011 show, the manufacturer was quick to sign up for a stand at this year’s event, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from March 19 to 21.

Les Marshall, sales and marketing director, Miele Professional, said: “Miele Professional are proud to support The Cleaning Show and we look forward to the 2013 event. The response is always phenomenal, and it’s a fantastic platform for us to showcase Miele’s wide range of solutions for the cleaning industry.”

As well as exhibiting a wide range of products, you can also expect to learn about Miele’s leasing and buying options through their authorised partner network.

Medicare opens Scotland office MEDICARE Systems Ltd has opened a new sales and service centre in Scotland.

The office will be managed by Martin Reed, who has been in the radio nurse call industry for many years, and brings to the company a wealth of experience in sales and servicing of radio products.

Martin’s appointment was a key factor in the decision to open a Scottish branch according to technical director Derek Gray.

He said: “It was important we have experienced individuals to manage the new branch. In the nurse call field each customer has their own requirements, and understanding them and to be able to fulfil them is at the core of the company’s philosophy. In Martin we have one of the leading figures in the industry to add to the wealth of experience already at Medicare.”

Caring for allergy sufferers sorted HENRY, a true professional in every sense of the word but never without that famous smile.

You’ll find Henry everywhere; but you will also find dust related allergies – purported to affect between 20 and 30 per cent of the population, especially the very young and elderly.

Henry ‘Micro’ is to the full Henry specification with the professional Twin-flo vacuum motor, a 10-metre cable rewind and storage system; but to this has been added the exclusive Microtex filtration system approved by the British Allergy Foundation.

In every way fast and friendly, never without his cheeky smile, Henry Micro comes to the aid of sufferers everywhere.

If required you can always add a Microtex filter to any standard Henry to upgrade filtration to this exceptional standard.

Visit your local Henry dealer for more details.

Must-attend event for care home owners and managers for 2013...

Quality in Care How to achieve and maintain the highest levels of Care using trusted methods and incorporating latest technology.

CONFIRMED DATES FOR 2013

WEDNESDAY

24 April

THURSDAY

25 April

WEDNESDAY

Cheltenham Chase Hotel

Exeter Golf Club

Park Inn Southend-on-Sea

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17th July

Quality in Care will include nutrition, dementia, care funding, activites and fitness for residents, Social Media

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

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THURSDAY

18 July

9 October

10 October

Basingstoke Country Hotel

Cedar Court Hotel Wakefield

Hilton Hotel Blackpool

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Don’t just take our word for it...

Prices: Single d eleg £25 ate Two de lega £40 tes

“Very well organised and interesting – nice to sit and listen in comfort the food was delicious” - Edgemont View Nursing Home “The best speakers – very good day” - Riversway Care Home “Good venue, nice food and good speakers” - Cedar Care Home For more information contact us: Tony Barry - Sales & marketing director. Tel: 01226 734 605 Email: tb@scriptmedia.co.uk Lauren Osbyrne - National events coordinator. Tel: 01226 734 475 Email: lo@scriptmedia.co.uk

32

James Spencer publishes biggest ever catalogue WEST Yorkshire healthcare furniture and equipment manufacturer James Spencer & Co Ltd’s new 2013 catalogue is – at 350-plus pages – the biggest and most comprehensive in the company’s 65-year history.

The Bradford firm supplies UK hospitals and care homes, and is also targeting the corporate sector with the catalogue, which includes new office and reception furniture ranges, a new recliner range and a specialist hinged armchair for side transfer.

The catalogue can also be viewed in a virtual eco-friendly format at the firm’s website or downloaded in product categories, or as a whole.

James Spencer’s product portfolio includes ranges of chairs, recliners, tables, suites, leg rests, commodes and toilet aids, portering chairs, walking aids and wheelchairs, high seat chairs, bedroom furniture, beds and bed accessories, general ward equipment and office furniture, and daily living and mobility aids.

The company has also upgraded its website, which has an online buying facility for the healthcare, corporate and general consumer sectors.

Enquiries: Call 0808 168 1506 or visit www.jamesspencer.co.uk for further details.

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.

Stylish new care sector seating

by Knightsbridge furniture NEW seating designed by Knightsbridge Furniture for use within care and residential homes was greeted with enthusiasm by visitors to the recent Care Show.

Additions to the Knightsbridge Care Collection include Mondrian – a range of distinctive seating to enhance lounge and reception areas, dining rooms, bedrooms and social hubs. Inspired by Pieter Mondrian, the range is characterised by the painter’s idiosyncratic geometry and uncluttered lines: models include sturdy upright chairs, easy chairs and twin-seat sofas, all combining comfort with support.

Hand-holds within the frame design protect upholstery and avoid soiling, while the reversible and removable cushions reduce fabric wear and facilitate easy cleaning.

Also introduced at the show was a high-back version of the Knightsbridge Monaco domestic-style armchair. Intended for bedrooms, lounges and activity rooms, Monaco is a tasteful interpretation of classic upholstered seating, with its elegant profile and fine detailing matched by the supportive shaped back and arms.

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

Resources encourage elderly to incorporate wellbeing into their daily routines The Happy Days flip book and Wellbeing DVD pack An easy-to-use resource kit to be used by those receiving care, or with care workers and family members. Reminiscence activities, gentle chairbased exercises, pictures and prompts help users recall happy memories and share them with other people, to sing, move and have a new activity to do every day.

The Kitchen Kit Ideal for use by carers or older people receiving care in their own homes. Useful tools to maintain and improve nutrition include: a fridge thermometer; a wipe clean checklist of 20 essential store cupboard items to ensure you always have the basics; and a handy booklet with information on the importance of eating right to keep fit and healthy.

Enquiries: For access to our resources, free downloads, or for other useful information, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/westcumbria/Target-Wellbeing/Resources/

Beaucare launch Aquabathe range Beaucare® Medical Ltd’s Aquabathe range of bathing equipment is designed for the rigorous demands of care home environments.

Built to the highest standards, the Aquabathe range offers solutions to suit customers’ special requirements.

The Hi-Lo and Aquabathe II come in five different sizes depending on your requirements, with various options such as manual or power

traverse seat, left and right hand setup, TMV3 shower assembly, and whirlpool or air spa capabilities.

We can install and service nationally, using our certified engineers. So, if your bathrooms need revamping, why not let us quote?

Enquiries: Call 01423 878899, email service@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com

Cut laundry energy bills with ED Series tumble dryers GIRBAU UK has launched a new range of high efficiency tumble dryers that will help care and nursing home laundries to cut energy bills.

All four models in the new ED Series EcoDryer range are believed to be the most energy efficient conventional tumble dryers available. They offer a range of load capacities: 13kg, 17kg, 23kg and 33kg. Designed to be more energy efficient than any other conventional dryer, ED Series EcoDryers feature Girbau’s TRANSFLOW technology. This is a combination of both radial and axial airflow for maximum efficiency, reduced cycle times and lower energy costs. Cabinet insulation and a doubleglazed door further optimise energy efficiency and prevent heat escaping from ED Series dryers. The reliable and accurate built-in humidity control system automatically senses when clothes are dry

and activates the cool down process maximising energy efficiency and assuring textile care.

Enquiries: Call 01462 427780, email sales@girbau.co.uk or visit www.completelaundrycare.co.uk

Convert your kitchen space to revenue earning space THE online Profit Calculator from PKL helps care home operators work out what profit could be generated by bringing kitchen space into the revenue earning stream by using modular PKL KitchenPods to provide the kitchen facilities.

The calculator shows the amount of profit that could be generated for care homes by converting existing kitchen space into additional bedrooms and hiring one of PKL’s popular KitchenPods to replace it.

All that is required is the size of your existing kitchen and the amount you charge for a bedroom per week.

The Profit Calculator then works out how many bedrooms could be created and calculates the total profit, providing a breakdown of associated costs.

For example, a care home charging £600 per week could have its 25sqm kitchen converted into two bedrooms, generating a net profit of £163,500 over five years.

To try the Profit Calculator yourself and see how

much money a KitchenPod could generate for your care home, visit www.pkl.co.uk/foodservices/profit calculator.asp Enquiries: For more information visit www.pkl.co.uk or call 0845 8404242.

Armstrong’s technology and financial expertise helps care homes WITH energy costs relentlessly rising, energy consumption is crucially important to care homes.

The new Amazon HSF range of washerextractors uses 20 per cent less energy and 15 per cent less water than the previous range, and the very high spinning speed cuts residual moisture by 20 per cent. This not only cuts energy costs, but can also prolong the life of linens and reduce labour costs.

Increasingly Armstrong is finding that in these difficult times capital cost of equipment can be a deal-breaker for some outlets.

In these circumstances, Armstrong’s expertise in the financial aspects of laundry supply can be especially valuable, and interest in the company’s low cost, fixed price monthly rental packages is high. The Walnut Close Residential Home opted for Armstrong’s fixed price rental plan. Manager Karen Norris said: “We had been spending money maintaining our old equipment but now we know exactly what our outgoings will be.”

Enquiries: For further information call 01635 263410 or visit www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk

34 Denture care

New colours DANFLOOR will officially be launching new colours into the Equinox collection at the Care Show.

The collection will welcome a number of subtle mushroom shades into the Tones, Stripe and Equinox ranges. The delicate colours follow the latest trends and provide a natural floor finish for any interior design scheme. They will have the same outstanding performance characteristics as the rest of the Equinox collection; hard wearing carpet fibre, impervious layer and our maedical anti-microbial coating.

Recruitment

Combining modern design with top class functionality P4 FASTEL’S flagship emergency lighting system the M-web + is widely specified as the ideal system for its unique addressable location, and its facility to identify a faulty fitting immediately without having to sift through all the drawings and send technicians all over the buildings to locate it.

The M-web+ will even send you an email if it identifies a fault.

The company has recently launched a revolutionary new product, the FASTEL Wireless emergency lighting system, which offers wire-free communication ideal for challenging installations and bespoke applications.

P4 also has one of the largest ranges of addressable and self testing LED sign luminaires available on the

Signs

Mobility Healthcare

Occupancy Specialist

Architects

Transport

Care Charts

market today. Stylish but discreet, they are suited to any building and interior, offering exceptional performance with market-leading energy efficiencies and reduced operating costs.

ExiLED, is the smallest sign in the luminaire family, but boasts a viewing distance of over 13 metres.