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Care provider gives thumbs up to CCTV By Dominic Musgrave A WEST Yorkshire care company has successfully trialled the use of CCTV cameras in one of its five care homes and now plans to introduce cameras in its others. Czajka Care Group, which has recently been awarded the prestigious Investors In People accreditation and Gold Standard Framework accreditation, which both recognise exceptionally high standards, trialled the cameras at its Staveley Birk Leas Nursing Home in Nab Wood near Shipley to enhance security at the home. Following the trial, the home’s residents and staff have all voted to keep the visible cameras, which are located in communal areas and near external doors. Acting registered manager Val Davison, from Staveley Birk Leas, said: “We look after 60 people aged between 18 and 64 who all have physical disabilities and are unable to look after themselves in their own homes. “We provide mainly single en-suite rooms alongside plenty of communal space and our main aim is to ensure everyone can live their lives to the full in a safe and comfortable environment. “We introduced the cameras after
a full consultation with residents, their families and our staff to provide additional security around exits and in the communal spaces and they have worked very well. “There is always an incredibly sensitive balance that needs to be applied to the use of this sort of technology, as our residents’ privacy is paramount, but by having the cameras in select areas, everyone has felt very reassured and happy with the additional level of security they provide.” Last year a survey about the use of CCTV in care homes showed that 60 per cent of the 2,000 members of the GMB, Britain’s General Union, were ‘reasonably relaxed’ about the use of visible cameras in communal areas of care homes. Konrad Czajka, managing director of Czajka Care Group, added: “We are always trying to find new ways of providing the very best service to our residents and, alongside investment in physiotherapy suites, disabled-friendly kitchens and information technology rooms for our residents, we are keen to ensure everyone feels safe and secure. “As with all care homes, we are a very busy place with lots of visitors and deliveries everyday so the cameras provide an extra layer of security.”
A housing support worker who has dedicated nearly 40 years to helping and supporting the community of Dundee has been awarded an MBE from the Queen. Neil Powrie, 61, currently works with Blackwood Housing and Care and received the prestigious honour for his commitment to the provision of voluntary services across the city. He also holds the title of Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dundee and has volunteered in a wide variety of jobs across the public sector spanning over four decades. The devoted housing support worker was presented with the coveted Order of Chivalry at an honorary ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where he was praised by Charles, Prince of Wales for his boundless efforts.
Government urged to quell ‘perfect storm’ A SOCIAL care leader is calling on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to quell a "perfect storm" threatening care homes and domiciliary care companies in Wales. According to Care Forum Wales, the social care sector has been blighted by inadequate funding for many years. Now, care homes and domiciliary care companies are facing a double whammy of having to pay staff a 30 per cent increase without knowing where the money is coming from. Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “The social care
sector is being caught up in a perfect storm that needs to be address at the highest level. Social care should be treated as a sector of national strategic importance. “The problems cannot be solved by local government and health boards – we need the Welsh Government to intervene. The NHS is under huge pressure, care home beds are being lost across Wales because of inadequate funding, there's a chronic shortage of nurses and vitally important domiciliary care companies are having massive recruitment problems.”
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Artist Sarah still drawn to care after two decades
By Dominic Musgrave
WALES’ first care home artist in residence is celebrating two decades in the role. Staff and residents at the Pendine Park care organisation threw a special celebration party in honour of the pioneering Sarah Edwards. She was engaged as a consultant by arts loving owners Mario and Gill Kreft in 1995. Since then Sarah has supported the development of award-winning enrichment programmes at their care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon. She also masterminded the interior design at Pendine Park's new £7million centre of excellence for dementia care, Bryn Seiont Newydd in Caernarfon. Sarah, a talented artist in her own right, first helped Pendine Park when they were opening their third care home, Highfield House, in Wrexham. Mario said: “We knew art and music could be a huge benefit and were thinking of how it could be included in day to day care. “That’s when, out of the blue, an approach to provide innovative services arrived from Sarah who had just graduat-
Pendine Park’s artist in residence Sarah Edwards. ed from Cardiff University. It seemed to us that Sarah had already decided she was going to become the first artist in residence at Pendine Park and indeed the first In Wales. “We were intrigued to know more and invited Sarah to come and meet us. I met her with my grandfather, Freddie, who was 95 then and a big lover of the arts. In
fact Sarah interviewed us with some forensic questioning and fortunately we passed. The rest is history.” Sarah has helped guide Pendine Park to win numerous arts related awards, and last year the organisation was named Business of the Year at the prestigious Arts and Business Cymru Awards. The company has developed partnerships with the renowned Hallé orchestra, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and North Wales International Music Festival. At the anniversary party, Sarah was presented with a gift of a book of art work drawn and painted by Pendine Park residents. She added: “I’ve had an amazing time and seen so much change. My consultancy role has evolved massively and I love the ever-changing variety of what I do "I also enjoy advising the Wales Care Awards and Care Forum Wales on artistic enrichment care. “The possibilities are endless and the more we get staff involved the better. At Bryn Seiont Newydd, Pendine has now employed an artist and a musician in residence I am supporting to help take enrichment to another level.”
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Charity to launch its new site
THE RMBI has launched a new website. www.rmbi.org.uk has an improved functionality and has been designed to help users navigate the site easily in order to access information about the RMBI’s care services. Communications officer Kristin Mewald said: “Choosing the right care for yourself or for a relative can be challenging. Our new site aims to make this process as easy as possible, so that people can access the right information and make an informed decision about their care. “The new ‘Your Care Checklist’ feature is a step-by-step guide allowing users to see where our homes are located, what types of services we offer, how to apply for and fund your care and how to access help and advice.” The website also features an enhanced careers section that allows prospective candidates to sign up for job alerts, submit their CV or apply directly online. Staff, residents and relatives have been consulted during the development of the new website to help make sure that it is user friendly and addresses people’s different needs.
Provider’s staff among first to qualify for nursing home role By Olivia Taylor
A GROUP of 13 staff from Four Seasons Health Care are celebrating being among the first to qualify for a new role in nursing home teams – the care home assistant practitioner. This new role provides promising carers with the opportunity to develop their skills to support registered nurses. It was developed as part of an industry-wide initiative in consultation with the Royal College of Nursing, The Association of Directors of Adult Social Care and Care England. After successful completion of the 12-week structured programme, the CHAPs will undertake routine procedures for which they have been assessed as competent, working under the supervision of a registered nurse. These could include, for example: taking and recording of temperature, blood pressure and respiration; moving and handling assessments; administration of simple dressings; administration of medication and prescribed nutritional support; pressure sore prevention. To be accepted for the training programme, care assistants require the National Vocational Qualification in health and social care at level three. Carers who have NVQ level two
The 13 staff from Four Seasons Health Care with their care home assistant practitioner qualifications. may be considered provided they commit to achieve NVQ level three within 12 months. Tim Hammond, chief executive of Four Seasons Health Care, said: “The Care Home Assistant Practitioner will support our nurses in routine procedures, allowing them more time to focus on personalised care planning and the management of clinical care for residents who have a higher level of need. “It will enhance the capability of our care teams through training and
mentoring and provide opportunities for care staff to progress in their careers. “This innovation is part of a wider programme to provide great care and improve our residents’ experiences. Central to this is our sector leading “Quality of Life” Programme with iPads in our homes, linked to purpose designed software systems, so that at any time residents, their relatives and care professionals can give us instant feedback about any aspect of our care.”
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Provider brings IT to clients
A HOMECARE provider has held a presentation of its latest innovation in supporting people to use IT. Caremark (Aylesbury & Wycombe) worked closely with an IT expert to produce a tablet which is user-friendly and has easy-to-understand functions. Among guests invited to the presentation was the Mayor of Aylesbury, Councillor Allison Harrison, who opened the event, together with representatives from charity organisations and clients and staff from the group’s care office. “A number of clients attended and were extremely interested in the tablet for its well set out display, its ability to get you where you wanted to be at the touch of a screen, and its ability to improve communication with friends, family and care providers,” said Janis Anderson, managing director of Caremark (Aylesbury & Wycombe). Having captured the interest of the attendees, the provider now plans to follow this up with the council and with private clients to see who would like to be part of the pilot scheme.
Project to connect generations recognised at national awards By Olivia Taylor A PROJECT to connect a group of Dundee school pupils with the elderly residents of a local Care Home has been recognised at the Scottish Care Awards. Balhousie Clement Park, a residential care home in the centre of Dundee, won the Personalisation and Partnership Award at this year’s awards, which took place at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow Originally an idea to invite pupils from Harris Academy and St Johns High School to chat and engage with older members of the community, the project has grown to into a powerful intergenerational initiative which has seen many students visit Balhousie Clement Park on a voluntary basis, working closely with residents on an array of projects including gardening, mosaics, weaving and reminiscence sessions. The project has helped school pupils develop their employability skills as well as providing both the students and residents with a greater understanding and appreciation of each generation and what they can learn from one another. Cheryl Banks, participation partner from Balhousie Care Group, said: “The team has worked incredibly hard to build such an engaging and
Balhousie Clement Park won the Personalisation and Partnership Award at the Scottish Care Awards. inspirational community project. This award has recognised the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff, pupils, residents and relatives who have all embraced this initiative. “This project has seen school pupils make a significant contribution to their communities. “They have developed many skills and built their knowledge and confidence and, in turn, the residents of Balhousie Clement Park have immensely enjoyed the ‘breath of fresh air’ that the young people
brought them on a weekly basis. Some pupils have even found their vocation through visiting Balhousie Clement Park and are considering careers in the care sector, which is something of which we are incredibly proud.” The team at Balhousie Clement Park hope the success of the community initiative will inspire other care homes in Scotland to work with young people so both generations, young and old, can connect and develop together.
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Three cheers for group’s volunteers
AN event to highlight the importance of volunteers to a Scottish care and housing provider has been hosted at a retirement housing development. Bield’s volunteer team attended Southfield Court in Dunbar to show off the efforts and achievements of their dedicated volunteers by premiering their exciting new video. Southfield Court was chosen to stage this event, as along with the volunteers, many of the service users were involved in the filming of the video, and it was key to be able to premiere the video with the staff, service users and volunteers; and thank the volunteers for all their hard work. Ruth Bowen, volunteer development manager, said: “We have a number of volunteer positions at Bield including social activity co-ordinator and assistant, silver surfer tutor, gardening activity assistant and befriender and all help enhance and enrich the lives of our tenants across Scotland. “By hosting this event in Dunbar we highlighted to everyone just how much we appreciate the work the volunteers do and how crucial a part they play in the organisation.”
Policeman turned home carer wins top accolade By Olivia Taylor A RETIRED police sergeant who has found a new vocation in life providing home care for older people has been voted a top UK carer. Keith Alldritt is a caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care – a national company which provides companionship and care for older people in their own homes. Having only joined the company in February 2014, Keith has been voted its Caregiver of the Year, beating 8,000 others across the UK. The award recognises Keith’s extraordinary efforts on behalf of those he cares for. The father-of-two has consistently gone above and beyond to help improve his clients’ lives, creating Life Journals which have given several older people a new zest for life. As well as creating the Life Journals – which involves Keith researching historical information about his clients’ lives, drawing on his police investigative skills – Keith also takes his clients back to visit places that were important in their lives. Chief inspector of adult social care at the Care Quality Commission, Andrea Sutcliffe, said: “This is the kind of care and support that definitely meets the Mum Test – care
Keith Alldritt with his Caregiver of the Year trophy. we would be happy for ourselves or anyone we love to receive. Keith, a father-of-two from Staffordshire, now has a BTEC Level 2 in Care amongst his professional qualifications, Diplomas including Health and Social Care as well as Home Instead’s bespoke Alzheimer’s City and Guilds qualification. Keith said: “I loved my time in the Staffordshire Constabulary, but working in homecare, helping older people continue living in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, is
the most rewarding experience of my career to date. I’m humbled and honoured to receive the award.” Sam Brocklebank, co-founder of Home Instead Senior Care UK, said: “Keith embodies the core values of Home Instead – demonstrating that care and companionship go hand-inhand. Keith’s work shows what is possible when care is delivered with thought and compassion. It is not putting it too strongly to say that he has helped to transform the lives of many of his clients.”
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The group who completed a charity walk for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Rachel House Hospice.
Residents walk their way to fundraising success RESIDENTS and staff at a very sheltered housing development for older people have gone above and beyond for charities close to their heart by taking part in a charity walk. The 30 strong group, which also included friends and family of Bield’s Brae Court development in Linlithgow, represented a huge spectre of ages from two to 67 years old, all doing their bit for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Rachel House Hospice. The generous team, some of whom donned impressive fancy dress outfits for the event, walked 2.3 miles around Linlithgow Loch, raising £1,510 in the process. Rena Kirton-Vaughan, development manager and organiser of the event, said: “I have organised many sponsored walks before, however this is the first for Brae Court and it's amaz-
ing to see we raised almost double our target thanks to staff, family and friends. “We are always looking for ways to raise funds for other deserving causes, which is why we came up with this idea. And getting involved in events like these really help enhance and enrich the lives of the tenants by having more social interaction and, of course, exercise.” The sponsored walk was organised as a part of a wider effort by staff and tenants at Brae Court to raise money for worthy charities. Other events which will be taking place at Brae Court include a quiz night in early February and an Easter egg hunt at the end of March. Four staff members are also set to participate in a fundraising abseil in June organised by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
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Homes recognised for commitment to dignity
Deborah Douglas with resident Joan Percy and nurse Jamie Collis in one of the refurbished rooms.
Reasons to celebrate at Newcastle care home A NEWCASTLE care home has two reasons to celebrate after being given a fresh new look and welcoming an experienced healthcare professional as manager. Pavilion Court, in Cowgate, has undergone a complete refurbishment to benefit its residents, which included the redecoration of lounge areas and bedrooms, as well as new soft furnishings, carpets, curtains and freshly painted walls. In addition, the home has announced the appointment of Deborah Douglas as manager. She said: “The environment of a care home is of the utmost
importance to residents, and the fresh, new look the home has received looks fantastic and will further enhance the level of care they receive. “I am delighted to have been appointed as home manager at Pavilion Court, which is a fantastic opportunity for me. My extensive management experience should put me in good stead and I am now looking forward to working with my colleagues and getting to know the residents.” The refurbishment at Pavilion Court is part of Akari Care’s £15million investment programme in its homes .
CAPEL Grange Community Nursing Home in Newport and Penylan House Nursing Home in Cardiff have been named as two of only three nursing homes in Wales on the Eden Alternative UK Register of Homes for their commitment to improving the quality of life of its residents. Capel Grange and Penylan House are owned by Linc Cymru Housing Association Ltd and operated by Linc Care, the health and social care division of Linc Cymru. The homes were inspected by a team of assessors from the Eden Alternative, with the report commending both for their warm, welcoming atmospheres and ability to demonstrate true companionship between staff and residents. The Eden Alternative is a philosophy of care for older people, known as ‘elders’, based on 10 core principles around how ageing should be a continued stage of development, rather than a period of decline. It seeks to eliminate the negative emotions of loneliness, helplessness and boredom and to ensure that elders live in human habitats, not sterile medical environments. Inspectors remarked on the close relationships between those living and working at both homes, with staff at Capel Grange visiting the home on days off to take residents on trips to the shops, the theatre or other places
of interest and staff from Penylan House describing it as their second home and coming in to be with the residents even when they are not working. It was also noted how meaning had been put back into peoples’ lives, such as through activities organised at the home, including baking, gardening and making birthday cards. Staff were also praised for the way they have adapted activity plans to allow dementia sufferers to get involved and for residents to participate in their own rooms if that is what they would like. Anne Thomas, executive director of Linc Care, said: “We couldn’t be prouder our two nursing homes have been named as two of only three in Wales to be on the Eden UK Register. “We are committed to delivering person-centred care and adopted the Eden philosophy for the way it focuses on providing residents with a choice in their daily lives. “Promoting wellbeing, dignity and choice are at the heart of Linc’s values and so it was a natural choice for us to strive to be on Eden’s register as its values are so closely aligned with our own.” Capel Grange was Linc’s first purpose-built nursing home when it opened in 2009. Its second, Penylan House, in Cardiff underwent a £4.7m redevelopment in 2014.
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A Hertfordshire care group has celebrated its 40th anniversary. Caring UK reports.
Forty years of caring in Hertfordshire ON September 12, 1975, B&M Care Chairman Bill Hughes took the keys to his first care home in St Albans. Clare Lodge was licensed for a fee of just £1 with the commissioning authorities at the time, and the care of the 10 residents living there was handed over to him. “I was only 34 years of age, a new father and I just didn’t know if this was going to work out,” he said. “I was scared about embarking on a new journey, but I believed I had the right values and determination to make a home for these vulnerable people.” Bill Hughes was born in County Galway, Ireland in 1941 and spent most of his childhood in the care system, only making contact with his birth mother again at the age of 52. At 16, like many other young Irishmen in 1950s he set off for England into the unknown. Construction and carpentry were his trades and where he made lifelong friends like Liam Bailey, who still today works for B&M Care in the construction of new care homes. Forty years on and those 10 residents have multiplied to 1,000 with the opening of B&M Care’s 22nd home, Tremona in Watford. Thirteen B&M care homes already operate in Hertfordshire, and new sites are being constructed at Hoddesdon and Kings Langley. With the addition of homes in Henley, Beaconsfield and
Dementia group is unveiled A SALFORD care centre has launched a dementia support group for families and care-givers on the first Wednesday of every month. The group, which is to be hosted by The Fountains Care Centre, will enable those who are caring for people living with dementia to come together in a supportive environment to raise questions and discuss the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. The dementia support group is being hosted by Ann Wilmot, the partner of Bill Wilmot, one of the residents at The Fountains, and is open to anyone is the local community who is currently providing support to someone living with dementia, and refreshments are available. Charles Grant-Parkes, one of the directors of Liberty Healthcare, which manages The Fountains Care Centre, said: “This is a great initiative developed by the staff at The Fountains Care Centre. “By developing this dementia support group, we are ensuring that this level of inclusion also extends to those people in our community who are supporting a loved-one or friend living with dementia, a major challenge in itself.”
Crowthorne, B&M Care are set to grow to 27 care homes by 2020. With their own in house construction company, B&M Care design and construct all their own care homes and deliver high standard environments. “We focus on finding sites in the right locations and then building community hubs that are enabling environments to meet the needs of older people and people that live with a dementia,” added CEO, Ian Sloan. B&M Care employ over 1,200 care and ancillary staff between their care homes and at their Hertfordshire Head Office in Hemel Hempstead. Their staff training and development is industry envied and staff retention and long service is high. Operations director Rachel Rodgers added: “B&M Care is committed to our policy of quality and delivering the highest standards of person centred care. “To our families this means value for money and peace of mind that every person in our care matters and that their individual needs are being met in the best possible way. “This year we have set up dementia seminars and cafes which offer an important support network for people and carers in our communities.” All B&M Care dementia homes in Hertfordshire are accredited by Hertfordshire County Council for
Bill Hughes plants a commemorative anniversary rose tree at Lakeside Care Home in Reading along with a resident. their outstanding care, and dementia lead Caroline Inch is sharing that experience and knowledge within the communities. Caroline has also co-written with B&M Care’s business development manager Angela Hunt ‘A Guide to Selecting a Dementia Care Home’, which signposts what good dementia care looks like. Today B&M Care can be described as a ‘family run business for families’. Bill is very hands on and not averse to
still rolling up his sleeves to landscape the gardens of B&M homes and offering personal support and guidance to his home managers. His daughter, Dr Colleen Wood is a company director and clinical adviser and son Brendan plays a supportive role with various projects. The ‘for families’ ethos is directed at the residents and families that choose a B&M Care home. Their aim is simple: to make every moment count for a person living with a dementia and their families. Residents, families and staff at B&M Care homes have joined a year-long programme of celebrations for the 40th anniversary. Homes have hosted anything from garden parties, barbecues, street parties and car shows to vintage fairs, and Bill and his family have attended every event, cut many cakes and planted numerous commemorative trees. “It’s been exhausting but great fun,” he said. “The staff and residents have really put on some lovely events and I am enormously proud of them all.” Bill has published a book that tells the story of B&M Care, and also touches upon his passion for vintage and classic cars. The Ashlyns Hall Car Show on the first weekend of August every year started off in the 1990s with just a handful of his car enthusiast friends and last year saw around 300 cars over the course of the day.
‘Duke of Edinburgh for over 50s’ helps Glenview Court keep active TENANTS at a Motherwell Retirement Housing Development have embarked on a mission to stay active by taking part in a global initiative for the over 50s. With the support of a group of volunteers from the local church, Daziel Parish, 15 tenants from Glenview Court have become involved in The Discovery Award – a scheme dubbed the ‘Duke of Edinburgh for over 50s’ by North Lanarkshire Council. The Discovery Award is aimed at increasing activity among older people, giving tenants at Glenview Court the opportunity to complete activities of a chosen leisure within a timescale at their own pace, progressing through the stages from bronze to silver to gold. The tenants, ageing from 70 to 95, have been involved in the scheme for the previous two years and have most recently started courses to become more tech-savvy on iPads as part of the project. Catriona McKenna, development manager at Glenview Court, said: “We understand how important it is for tenants to stay active therefore we encourage participation in various internal and external activities. “We’ve had very little to do with the Discovery Awards as it is run by the council, but this complements the Bield ‘Free to Be’ philosophy, which
The Glenview Court tenants who have become involved in The Discovery Award. lets people make their own choices about how they live their lives while being there to support them when they need it. “This sort of thing can make a real difference to quality of life therefore to see so many tenants getting involved is fantastic and we’d like to
thank all the tenants for all their efforts.” The Discovery Award, named after the famous ship in Dundee, is encouraged by local authorities around Scotland, and North Lanarkshire Council organise many of the activities.
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Greenock home welcomes local school children By Olivia Taylor
Few things hit the spot like a delicious milkshake and, as it was National Milk Day recently, Stocks Hall care home in Ormskirk decided to serve up vanilla milkshakes. Complete with whipped cream, sprinkles and a red cherry, the milkshakes provided an end-of-the-day dessert for people living at the home. Betty McLoughlin, a member of the activities staff, said: “It was a lovely afternoon we all spent together, playing Scrabble and serving up shakes.”
Plan to tackle loneliness launched A PLAN to tackle loneliness among West Lancashire pensioners has been launched. The manageress of a Burscough pub has teamed up with Athena Healthcare to help bring older people together. Athena, who run Abbey Wood Lodge care home in Ormskirk, want to bring those who may feel isolated and alone together in a new friendship group. Plans are for people to go to the Bull
and Dog for afternoon teas, pie and pea meals and many other events. Anyone who lives in a care home or out in the West Lancashire community is welcome to attend the events, which will become a regular occurance. Lesley Malone, from Abbey Wood Lodge, said: “We are committed to providing the best quality of life we can for our residents and hope this initiative will be something they will enjoy being part of.”
Care group celebrates 25 years EASTGATE held a celebratory event to mark 25 years of providing care in the East Midlands. It all started from a plot of land at Hilltop, Eastwood, which founder James Day purchased in 1990 as the site for his first care home Alexander House. The group now has five facilities in the region, with 1,000 staff providing care for around 200 residents. “The staff are what really makes the difference on a daily and indeed yearly basis,” said James. “This was recently borne out at the long service awards ceremony at County Hall, Nottingham. “This special occasion was marked by the gathering of 100 personnel – many serving in excess of 20 years and providing nearly 300 years of
service — new staff, suppliers and business partners joined us to celebrate the 25 years of care.” James spoke at the event of “changing times” and said that “adapting and responding to the demands of care provision and the challenging business environment, has enabled development and expansion of Eastgate Care into the business it is today”. He also commended the staff: “It has been my pleasure to work with the great teams of people employed by Eastgate, over the 25 years, with their hard work and dedication to the residents and the running of the homes. They are the real key to providing successful care, this includes managers, nurses, carers, domestic and administrative staff.”
EAGER primary school pupils visited a care home after being inspired by a presentation about working in the industry. The Primary 7 pupils from Gourock Primary School were motivated by a visit from Maclehose Court service manager Mary Chisholm during Careers Week, and immediately asked to visit the care home to meet some of the residents The visit to the Greenock facility – which provides residential care for those with physical disabilities and sensory impairment – saw the pupils and residents come together and get to know each other through a variety of activities, including playing games and choir singing. Mary was delighted the pupils were so keen on finding out more about the home and more than happy to organise the visit knowing how much the residents would also enjoy it. She said: “I was thrilled when the
school got in touch to say the pupils were very keen to come and meet the residents and find out more about working in care. “We try to encourage our residents to get out and about and involved in the local community as much as possible, so the children’s visit was perfect for this. Spending time with the pupils gave the residents such a boost as they love interacting with them. “The kids hopefully found it useful to learn about these kinds of jobs, as they can often get overlooked at school. “I’ve since heard that one girl from the class now has her heart set on a career in care, so I’m delighted about that.” Mary was previously welcomed into the Gourock Primary class to give a talk on the benefits of pursuing a career in the care industry, as well as highlighting important aspects of the job such as disability rights and values.
Sonya wins Harry Patch award SONYA Matthias has been named Somerset Care’s Harry Patch outstanding manager award winner. The presentation was made at the group’s annual Christmas managers’ meeting at Taunton Racecourse. Sonya works as manager at Pulsford Lodge in Wiveliscombe and has been with the company since 1991, committing the past 25 years to providing a high standard of care and dignity to the residents. As well as supporting the staff and residents in her own care home, she has supported other homes across the group, offering her knowledge and experience. Sonya has also been a part of the company’s Investors in People team, supporting the investment in staff. She said: “I feel extremely proud to have been presented with the Harry Patch award; it is both a privilege and
Somerset Care Group chief executive Jane Townson presents the award to Sonya Matthias. an honour. I’ve been with Somerset Care since they first began in 1991 and strive for the best outcomes for the people that we support. “I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years, and I can’t wait to show the Pulsford Lodge residents my award.”
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Provider highlights the unsung heroes By Dominic Musgrave A LEADING care home group is highlighting the unsung heroes of social care who often go the extra mile to ensure the service keeps going for older people, the vulnerable and seriously ill. Springhill says employees in the social care sector are working in an industry which is increasingly underfunded and undervalued. Donna Briggs, managing director of Springhill Care, said: “Very often these committed, kind and caring individuals are the only people a vulnerable person may see from one day to the next. “There is also the support they provide for families and friends of the people they care for as they help them to cope with the illness or disability their loved one is battling day in day out. “It is important that we as an industry value the care sector and its 1.48million employees who are committed to making life better for vulnerable people each and every day. Some even believe social care is more of a domestic service. “The challenges faced in the health and social care sector and the need to deliver specialised and complex support means training and staff development has never been more important.” The group is inviting those with an interest in the issue to join the conversation on Twitter by
Springhill Care managing director Donna Briggs. using the hashtag #caringheroes Donna added: “We firmly believe that investing in the workers who make all this possible through training and development is the key to successfully delivering a quality care and support service.”
www.accessskills.co.uk
MediEnlist is prepared for IELTS tests
LIKE it or loathe it, by the time you read this all nurses and midwives from Europe wanting to work in the UK will be required to demonstrate the new NMC English language Competence controls, which in practice is likely to result in the candidate having to pass the IELTS test. MediEnlist are considering this as a positive change, it should go without saying that the staff that look after us in our twilight years should be able to practice safely and effectively. It's not going to be plain sailing, the new controls will certainly cause a ripple effect within the healthcare recruitment process. Lead times for the staff recruitment process may need to be extended to include the necessary training to get a candidate to exam ready proficiency in the English language. Recruitment budgets will also need to be adjusted to include the additional staff training required. However, the positive outcomes should vastly outweigh the negative.
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Manager appointed for new care home A NEW care home in Northumberland has appointed a manager to head up the multimillion pound facility. Joanne Othen will take up the role at Alcyone Healthcare’s Baedling Manor, overseeing 50 staff. Bringing with her over 20 years’ experience in the care industry and over 15 years held at management level, Joanne has a wealth of experience working with people living with dementia, in addition to residential and domiciliary care. She said: “It is a hugely exciting time to be able to join the company at this key stage of the home’s development and to be given the opportunity to hand-pick the right team of staff to care for our future residents. “I am making the most of this opportunity to play a part in commissioning the home and getting it fully operational. “I share Alcyone Healthcare’s ethos that as care providers it is important to collaborate and co-operate fully with residents, as well as their families, to not only continually develop their individual plans of care but also to support them to retain their own life skills and abilities by placing them at the very heart of everything we do as they make Baedling Manor their home of choice. “As we head towards our opening date, I am passionate about putting Baedling Manor on the map as a vital community resource that not only delivers the highest quality care but becomes a valued part of community living
Alcyone Healthcare managing director Darren Taylor with new manager Joanne Othen. here in Bedlington.” Having privately invested £3.5m into Bedlington, Alcyone healthcare built the home so people can remain in or near their own home town and its amenities and retain their community identity. Darren Taylor, managing director for Alcyone Healthcare, added: “We are delighted to have found Joanne as she brings with her an excellent track record having dual experience in residential and domiciliary care, as well as sharing our core values and beliefs, passion and compassion for delivering excellence to our residents. “Joanne is a very hands-on manager who is clearly looking forward to being involved in all aspects of daily life within the home and driving very high standards to ensure Baedling Manor develops a reputation for excellence.”
www.accessskills.co.uk
Apprentices can keep your wage bill in check ... ARE you worried about staffing your organisation? Do you need extra staff but are worried about your wage bill? Hiring a young person as an apprentice is the ideal way to make sure you have enough staff in your care home while keeping your wage bill in check. TRN (Train) have been assisting with the hiring and training of health and social care apprentices with great success since 2002. Using a combination of on and off the job learning and development, apprentices work alongside experienced staff gaining job-specific skills while building up experience and working towards their qualifications. Currently the national minimum wage for a 16-18 year old apprentice is £3.30 per hour. However, we do find a lot of employers choose to pay their apprentices a little extra in recognition of the help and support they provide within an organisation. Employing an apprentice makes both sound financial and business sense. Enquiries: See www.trainltd.org for details.
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Happiness holds key to committed staff By Saurav Chopra IN a challenging sector where payment is often in kind, showing appreciation for care staff has never been more important. Reward and recognition ensures qualified carers not only stay committed to working for your organisation, but also stay committed to working in an industry afflicted by an alarming talent deficit. Of course, the myriad problems that the care sector faces are more than just ‘happiness’ related. Hampered by underfunding caused by local authority budget cuts, care organisations have been forced to think laterally about resolving the industry’s long-standing issues of poor labour retention and talent acquisition in a way that does not hurt the bottom line. But, despite the misconceptions, this might not be such an impossible feat to achieve. Our line of work has seen us consult with a number of care organisations in the UK who are beginning to understand that employee engagement might just be the key to addressing a resourcing problem that, if not urgently tackled, could soon snowball into a crisis as our aging population grows. Carers, of course, aren’t in the job for the money but are driven by a sense of purpose in providing both physical and emotional support to those who need it the most, and there
is much satisfaction to be derived from that. Sourcing rare individuals who possess this natural interpersonal flair to deliver outstanding care is, to say the least, tricky. So it’s rather astounding to find that, in a general sense, organisations have done little to ensure that their assets - these unique and skilled people - remain incentivised to continue doing the great work they do in an industry that so desperately needs them. With unsociable working hours, uncompetitive pay and dealing with the on-going physical and emotional challenges that comes with the daily grind of the job, how can care businesses encourage long-term commitment and investment from staff when so much is expected of them and for so little in return? Funding is an issue, of course, but until a career in the care profession achieves the same credibility it deserves in line with other social and healthcare disciplines, and until the sector diversifies and ‘defeminises’ to attract more talent from eclectic backgrounds, organisations can do much to create a positive and supportive work culture for its staff. Instilling a sense of appreciation, value and worth for carers, at the basic level, costs nothing. Quite simply, a straightforward ‘thank you’ can resonate much more than even a monetary reward. Guardian Angel Carers, an organisation that specialises in
Saurav Chopra providing vital domiciliary care to elderly and vulnerable people in need of essential support at home, recently rolled out an employee engagement plan that includes small but personable and effective measures for creating a culturally close and supportive sense of team. Its ‘Angels’ (which is how the company likes to refer to its carers) enjoy regular social events with drinks and food, thank you cards sent to employees who show exceptional work alongside a shopping voucher of £25 or more to spend, birthdays and
special life events recognised by the gifting of cards and flowers, annual Christmas afternoon party with buffet, plus small gifts given as a token of appreciation including candles and chocolate. It has also enlisted a digital employee benefits platform that gives employees access to over 100 practical, recreational and salary-sacrifice perks including discounts on groceries and travel as well, as free spa days, meals out and discounted cinema tickets. In order to address the ubiquitous issue of staff engagement and high labour turnover in the sector, care organisations must take collective responsibility for elevating their work culture and rewards programme to new levels. Leading by example and setting a new benchmark for employee happiness will catalyse positive change. Carers make an invaluable contribution to the quality of life of the elderly people under their care, and demand for this service will only increase. Soon, carers will become even more vital for survival, dignity and maintaining a decent quality of life. The disturbing repercussions of this talent deficit looms. It’s about time all organisations that operate in care start paying closer attention to their own strategy for attaining this; not only for the good of their business but for the sector as a whole. Saurav Chopra is CEO of employee benefits provider Perkbox
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Scottish care and housing provider is praised by Cabinet Secretary A CARE and housing provider has been praised for its use of Government funding to improve its services for older people living with dementia. Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights, commended Bield’s effort to develop its community dementia services using £75,000 awarded to the organisation through the Government’s Empowering Communities Fund. Since receiving the grant last May, Bield has launched new services and enhanced existing ones within their 5,300 properties including IT training programmes, an evening support service, restaurant services, movement and art classes, and a sensory garden. The Cabinet Secretary recently visited Oakburn Park Day Care Centre in Milngavie, to learn how Bield developments across Scotland have benefitted. Kevin Rowe, fundraiser at Bield, said: “Bield has hugely benefited from the £75,000 received through the People and Communities Fund – it has helped us enhance and enrich the lives of people who use our services across Scotland. “The grant is the second largest we have received in our 40 years of providing quality housing and care to older people in Scotland, and the reality of this funding is that it will improve so many lives across the whole country. “There are many individuals at all of our
Belmore Lodge staff party with children at Pennington Infant School. developments who work very hard to enable such positive projects, and there was a lot of excitement generated with the announcement of this funding. “It is vitally important that older people in this country have access to fulfilling and beneficial projects and this is very much in keeping with Bield’s ‘free to be’ ethos.” With the funding provided, Bield has expanded an innovative restaurant style
service at Oakburn Park from once a month to twice a month. ‘Wee Betty’s Bistro’ allows people with any form of memory impairment to celebrate a special occasion with family and friends by enjoying a fine dining experience. Bield has also been able to encourage tenants at Oakburn Park to be more involved in outdoor activities by using the funding to create a bespoke sensory garden.
Welcome to the modern-day home with Sky Business RECENT years have seen an increased emphasis on improving the wellness and wellbeing of residents beyond their immediate and long-term medical needs. Providing fun and engaging activities and entertainment that meet the ability of residents, from the very active to those with reduced mobility, has become a new focus for care homes. This made Sky think about what makes a great modern-day care home… 1. Innovative activities plan Innovative activity plans are crucial to enhance the health and wellbeing of everyone in the care home environment. Care home residents are looking for a holistic experience, where both their practical, leisure and entertainment needs are met. Having a comprehensive activities plan that utilises new and emerging technologies is a vital resource for staff teams when thinking creatively about the activities they can deliver. Good internet and connectivity are more important than ever to help deliver engaging and effective activities. 2. A comprehensive entertainment package TV is a very popular entertainment and information resource for people of all ages, and the quality of content is important. Within the over 65s age group, Sky Sports, Sky News and Sky 1 all feature in the top 10 channels, including terrestrial TV. When older people move from their own homes into care, being able to
decline. By joining popular programmes with innovative activities, it’s never been easier to encourage the people you support to get active. With Sky’s entertainment package, whether it’s setting up a game of chair football to get residents in the mood for the next live Premier League match or coordinating a lively sing-a-long to their favourite musical, you can help get residents motivated and active.
access the same channels and the same digital services they are used to is essential in making them feel at home in their new surroundings. Fulfilling the modern needs of entertainmentfocused and tech-savvy clients and their families is increasingly important, allowing residents to be active online and giving them access to a comprehensive entertainment package. 3. A rigorous exercise schedule A regular exercise schedule is very important for residents of all abilities. Exercise improves cardio-respiratory and muscular fitness, bone and functional health and reduces the risk of unhappiness and cognitive
4. Connecting family and friends Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness. In an era of increasingly globalised and dispersed families, where family members can be thousands of miles away, care home providers are working hard to overcome the isolation that may be experience by some residents. Having a comprehensive WiFi and entertainment package can make residents feel more connected and at home, reducing the risks of loneliness and social isolation. Sky’s package for care homes provides access to channels in communal areas and residents’ own rooms as well as WiFi services delivered via The Cloud. The functionality offered by the provision of WiFi ensures residents have easy access to the internet, and can also access it via a range of devices including tablets and smartphones. To find out more about how Sky can help your care home, contact James Tweddle, sales director at Sky Business. james.tweddle@sky.uk www.business.sky.com
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Care home’s ‘pub’ is perfect tonic for Paisley residents A BUPA care home is offering an unusual therapy for its residents, providing them with their own traditional ‘pub’. Bupa’s Elderslie Care Home, in Paisley, features the resident-named ‘The Ship Inn’, which aims to provide a recognisable social environment for residents to relive the past, and encourage the sharing of memories and stories. Although the ‘pub’ is not a licensed premises, it is fully equipped for social activities with a dartboard, pool table and karaoke machine, and also comes complete with personal, traditional beer tankards for each of the care home’s residents. The benefits of the pub are further enhanced by an adjoining spacious family area, with both rooms providing ample scope for a wide range of social activities with friends and family, including birthday parties, Burns suppers and games of bingo. Fiona Truesdale, the home’s manager, said the pub delivers a creative form of therapy for residents, especially those living with dementia. She added: “The ‘pub’ is a comfortable and familiar social
setting for our residents which helps to makes them feel more at ease within their surroundings. “It is open to all residents and appeals to the vast majority as it allows them to reconnect with the traditional notion of ‘going for a pint with your pals’. “We currently use it for all manner of activities and special events – everything from a quiet Friday night in to Mother’s Day lunches and celebratory family occasions. “We also like to decorate the pub depending on the season which the residents really enjoy. It is currently looking very sparkly as a Winter Wonderland and we are planning on transforming it into a Hawaiian beach bar for the summer.” Dementia takes various forms and can leave people living with the condition feeling confused, isolated or distressed. In some cases they will not recognise even close relatives and loved ones. However, research has repeatedly shown the benefits of helping those with the condition to channel and focus on positive memories from their lives. Fiona believes the pub helps to
‘The Ship Inn’ at Bupa’s Elderslie Care Home, in Paisley. improve cognitive stimulation for Elderslie’s residents living with dementia. She said: “This concept improves the living experience for residents by providing extra cognitive stimulation which inevitably improves their mood and general sense of wellbeing. “Families can also benefit from
spending time in an enjoyable setting which enhances the visit to their relative or friend – helping to create a friendly, relaxing atmosphere for all parties. “Spending time in the ‘pub’ can also improve co-ordination – even if this just involves a resident raising a pint glass.”
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Residents make handmade gifts Holcroft Grange residents Lisa Cohen and Doreen Harding with staff from Black Sheep Wools.
Care home knits for peace RESIDENTS at Holcroft Grange, the CLS-run care home in Warrington, have picked up their knitting needles and cast off for charity after a donation of materials from a local wool shop and craft barn. The donation of wools and wooden knitting needles by Black Sheep Wools delighted staff and residents and, buoyed by the generosity of the donation, they decided to put their newfound skills to good use and give back to those in need. During fortnightly craft workshops hosted by volunteers from Black Sheep Wools, the residents will learn new styles and patterns while creating a series of colourful knitted squares. They will be combined into blankets to be donated to Knit for Peace, a charity that distributes donated knitted goods to over 80 outlets, including hospitals, refugee
drop-in centres, community groups and to developing countries. Knitting has been shown to offer a number of benefits to health and well-being. Needlework has been proven to reduce pain caused by arthritis by improving dexterity in the hands and fingers, and, as an intellectually stimulating activity, can also help to significantly delay dementia. Activity coordinator Nicola Newens said: “It was great to have so many residents getting involved creatively and turning the knitting workshops into a social event. “The residents have really taken to it and some didn't need instruction at all. Everyone at Holcroft Grange would like to give a huge thank you to everyone at Black Sheep Wools for their kind donation, and we're all looking forward to learning more about knitting in the future.”
RESIDENTS at Connors House in Canterbury have been busy embracing their inner artists, making an array of handmade gifts to sell within the residential home. The facility houses a number of creative residents, from accomplished painters to talented seamstresses, but for this activity the home’s newly appointed activity coordinator, Bev Furr, invited all of the residents to find their inner artists and get inspired. With the weather taking a turn for the worse, the residents have regularly been getting together over a cup of tea and a natter in the conservatory for some craft making sessions, where they work together to create some beautiful handmade gifts. Accompanied by Bev, the residents have made some magnificent handmade items, including a variety of cards, bird boxes, bookmarks and trinket boxes, which they plan to sell on the home’s craft stall to raise money for the amenities fund. She said: “Many of our residents here at Connors House are very inventive and they really love to get involved with artistic activities. “The group of residents participating in the sessions is
Resident Stan Caton making a gift to sell at Connors House. growing week after week, so it’s an excellent opportunity for them to keep busy and be inventive while socialising with one another.”
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A Tunbridge Wells care home has been rewarded for its end of life care at the 3rd Sector Care Awards. Caring UK found out more.
Importance of a good death MOUNT Ephraim House takes the approach that all its residents and their families become part of the bigger family which has been created within the home. Being surrounded by people the residents feel they can trust, they are much more open to talk about any concerns or wishes they may have for the last stage of their life at the home. However, it takes time for a new resident to settle into the care home and build the trusting relationship with their key worker and other care home staff. Once this has been achieved, conversations on the subject of dying become less daunting for the resident. The care team at the home ensures that they can fulfil any special requests/wishes the resident may have before they die. One resident wished to see Elvis Presley so the team arranged for an Elvis impersonator to come to the home and make the resident’s wish come true. A personal end-of-life plan is created for each of the residents, which includes life histories to help the staff work with families and the resident to create a plan that will meet their
needs. Having a life history is particularly important if a resident with dementia may not be able to express their own wishes. The plan is then discussed with the family members and friends, who the resident wishes to involve in the end of their life, to ensure that they understand the wishes of their loved one. All documents are signed by all parties involved in putting the plan together. Residents and their families know that these plans can be changed if the need arises. Having strong relationships and trust with all the healthcare professionals is important, as they provide vital support at the end of the resident’s life.
With the support of the healthcare professionals, the staff at the care home are able to ensure that they have all the equipment they need to provide good end of life experience for everyone involved. The residents who are approaching the end of their life are registered with a specialist GP and put on the end of life register. This helps to avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital, which can cause an additional stress for the resident and their family/friends at the crucial time in the resident’s life. The local GPs are also able to keep in touch with families through the end of life process. On the important day, the care team take time to sit with dying residents,
making sure they wear favourite clothing and have valued items at hand. The ambience in their room is created to match the resident’s wishes. The staff also ensure their support is extended to friends and families. They spend time with families and friends giving them the time and space that they need. When the resident dies, care home staff and other residents attend funerals and they are allowed to pay their last respects if they wish to. The life of the resident who passed away is celebrated by having memorial teas. The relatives of the past residents often hold wakes at the home and come back for tea on the anniversary of when their loved one passed away. The staff at the home recognise how important it is for individuals not to feel that they will quickly become forgotten. The home has in-memoriam plants, benches, murals and even an art studio in memory of one of the residents. Relatives and friends often continue to support Mount Ephraim House as volunteers, as they miss coming into the home after their loved one has gone.
Manager’s mission to make Sandfields the home of choice A NURSE with more than 30 years’ experience working with the oldest and the youngest in our society has taken the helm at Sandfields care home in Cheltenham. Deanna Lane spent decades working as a nurse and midwife, then as a care home trainer and manager before taking on the role of home manager at Sandfields, which is run by health and social care provider Care UK. Since her appointment, Deanna, from Gloucestershire, has made some big improvements to the home, such as bringing in a new chef – who has worked in Rosette-awarded restaurants– to revamp the menu. She has also bolstered the existing clinical and care workforce with staff who have worked in the hotel and leisure industry. Deanna said: “Many people have a misconception of care homes. “However, at Sandfields, we have a committed and compassionate team, and I want to build upon this talent and level of care to make Sandfields the care home of choice in Cheltenham. “After all, the best care should make a resident feel like they’re at home, but enjoying the high quality services of a hotel.” Deanna, who has previously worked in another Care UK home – Scarlet House in Stroud – brings a successful track record to Sandfields.
Tony Cullen, business development manager at Bristol Street Group Fleet ,with Kevin Styles of Cleeve Care Group.
Deanna Lane Daniel Turner, regional director at Care UK, said: “Deanna’s appointment strengthens the team here at Sandfields, and we are all very pleased to have her on board. “This is one of Care UK’s most popular homes and, while every detail has been considered to provide the highest standards of care, having the right people working in the home is key to the overall experience of residents. Deanna is a highly experienced, skilled individual and she has had a successful track record in the care sector. “I know Deanna will play an important part in driving standards to ensure Sandfields builds on its reputation for quality, person-centred care.” The purpose-built Sandfields care home offers a range of services from short term respite care to residential and specialist dementia care.
Provider invests £700,000 in a new fleet of vehicles CLEEVE Care Group, which provides home care, residential care and specialist care, has made an investment of over £700,000 in a new fleet of vehicles for its community carers and Rapid Response rescue service. As one of the largest providers of care in the Midlands and South West, operating in and around the six counties surrounding Gloucestershire, the provider has taken delivery of eight Jeep Renegades and 54 Fiat Pandas from Bristol Street Motors Group Fleet division. The Jeep Renegades will be used by Cleeve Care’s Rapid Response rescue service, which ensures the group’s clients still get their scheduled visits even in the most perilous weather and road conditions. The 54 Fiat Pandas will be used by the team to visit clients in their own
homes, helping them to prevent or postpone the need for residential care. Robert Flexer, who co-owns the Cleeve Care Group with his wife Maura, said “Our new fleet marks a large investment for the business and is part of a continuous development of our offering and services. Over the next few years we will continue to invest in our care services and are aiming to provide 100 more beds, as well as increasing our community care offerings for which the Fiat Pandas and Jeep Renegades will be indispensable. “It is crucial that we are able to reach all of our clients at all times, regardless of the weather. Having put the Jeep Renegade through its paces on a rigorous test drive, we are certain that we will be able to reach even the most rural location with ease.”
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Combating abuse: Why cameras should be installed in homes ... By Philip Scott
WHILE the vast majority of care homes are safe and caring environments it is a sad fact that there are cases of serious abuse that occur, even in the best homes. As a former nurse myself I strongly believe that the use of properly and independently monitored surveillance cameras is something that the sector needs to consider and debate, to safeguard both service users and staff. Many relatives have taken matters into their own hands when they have been rightly worried about the standards of care their loved one was receiving. There have been numerous cases where care workers have been dismissed or prosecuted after family members installed hidden cameras to find out what was happening when their family member was being ‘cared for’. Shocking video footage showing carers physically and verbally assaulting or wilfully neglecting vulnerable people has proved vital in securing convictions and raising standards of care. No vulnerable adult or child should have to suffer at the hands of the very people who are there to care for and protect them; to make their lives happier and more manageable.
Sadly, the unthinkable does sometimes happen. But the onus should not be on relatives to make sure that the high standards of care they expect are being met. There needs to be a systematic way to safeguard care home residents. The use of cameras for surveillance within a care setting is understandably an emotive subject. But, just as we feel more protected in our town and city centres knowing that trained professionals are combating crime through the use of CCTV, research shows there is a real appetite for a change in the care sector, particularly from relatives, and a desire for more openness and transparency through the use of monitoring. A onepoll survey carried out for Care Protect found that two out of three people in the UK would be more likely to choose a care home for a family member if independently monitored surveillance cameras were in place. The results demonstrate that families are rightly concerned and would welcome innovative ways to combat these issues. Privacy concerns have naturally been raised whenever the use of surveillance cameras within care homes is discussed. For relatives and residents to have confidence in such
a system, it is vital that it operates independently of providers themselves, with trained health and social experts monitoring any incidents. They can use their experience and training to assess incident severity and recommend what action is required and Philip Scott in what time frame. Families should also give prior consent. It is important that care homes have no ownership of the data and no ability to edit it. No camera should be continually rolling. Care Protect works through alerts on abnormal movement, sounds or changes in residents’ rooms. Any serious alerts are fed to home managers immediately and any criminal activity is also reported to police. The kind of shocking, systematic abuse which, all too often, hits the
headlines should be stopped in its tracks. By adopting a transparent and independent review of camera images that may constitute incidents, the wellbeing of adults and children is improved and they are better safeguarded and protected. No image can ever be suppressed or hidden. There’s no question over whether those bruises on a resident’s arm appeared as a result of an accidental fall or abuse. There’s no question about whether vulnerable people are being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Using technology in this way will contribute to the raising of standards and lead to greater confidence among service users and their families. The Care Quality Commission has issued its own guidelines for families considering covert filming, but the regulator needs to take an in depth look at the use of surveillance cameras as the norm and it is my profound hope that one day soon it will be an accepted part of quality care and safeguarding. Care providers and commissioners need to welcome advances and systems, which boost confidence in the sector as a whole, drive up standards and protect both staff and service users. Philip Scott is the founder of Care Protect.
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More money raised by nursing home’s residents and staff By Dominic Musgrave
Health and wellbeing company ECL, which recently rebranded from Essex Cares and is wholly owned by Essex County Council, has appointed Keir Lynch as its new chief executive. Currently executive director for strategy, transformation, commissioning support and traded services at Essex County Council, Keir takes on the role having spent the past six months as a non-executive director for the company. Mike Fitzgerald, finance director and acting chief executive of ECL, said: “With Keir Lynch at the helm we will be driving forward ECL’s offering as a prime and a subcontractor for commissioners and healthcare partners in Essex and further afield.” The rebrand to ECL followed a two-year transformation to address changes introduced by the Care Act and reshape services to be market driven.
ALMOST £380 has been raised for charity by nursing home staff, residents and their families and friends. Czajka Care Group’s Staveley Birkleas Nursing Home, which is based in Nab Wood near Shipley, hosted a ‘tickled pink’ day where everyone paid to wear pink for the day in support of Breast Cancer Care which is the only UK wide charity to provide care, information and support to people affected by breast cancer. The home also hosted a special fund-raising event where a group of young performers came to sing and dance for the residents. The girls have previously performed at events raising money for children’s charities the Starlight Children’s Foundation and ActionAid. They have also performed at the Lord Mayor’s parade as well as at the Harrogate Royal Theatre. All six were also finalists in the Royal Academy of Dance Moving North competition. A bring and buy cake stall and generous donations from residents’ family members ensured that enough money was raised to split between Breast Cancer Care, Manorlands Hospice and the homes’ residents’ fund. Sarah Chilton, who organised the fundraising with colleagues Cath Bradley, Joe Beverley and Gemma
The performers who helped Staveley Birk Leas care home raise almost £380. Sheikh said: “We were delighted with how much everyone got involved and supported the two different events. There was a real buzz in the home on both days with plenty of visitors and family members joining in. The young performers have been asked by our residents to come back and sing and dance again at Christmas time as they loved it so much. “We have previously donated money to the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, and were keen to support them again. “The hospice plays an incredibly
valuable role providing palliative care and complementary therapy services to support people with life-limiting conditions which can involve complex physical or psychological problems. “The breast cancer charity also does such worthwhile work, and we are really proud to play a part in helping both of these charities.” Some of the money raised will also be donated to the homes’ residents’ fund, which has previously been used to buy everything from karaoke machines to Nintendo Wiis.
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Team awarded after daughter tells boss how they cared for her mum THE entire team at Osbourne Court Care Home in Baldock have received an award in recognition of their care and kindness after the daughter of a resident was so moved by the way they cared for her mother that she contacted the company chief executive to tell him. Anne Page said: “My mother Marguerite Joan Page was very happy there. The staff are so dedicated, kind and hard-working and they look after their residents exceptionally well. “Particular emphasis is laid upon enriching and enhancing the experience of the residents, so that they can enjoy their later years in comfort. “After visiting the home at least once a week for seven years some of the staff had become friends, but even so their love and kindness for me and mum was extraordinary and way beyond the call of duty. “All the staff and the manager were most concerned about mum's health and my welfare. In the final stages of her life, a bedroom was provided for me to get some rest, although I barely used it, and the staff provided meals so I could be with her for as
The team at Osbourne Court Care Home in Baldock. much as possible.” The home is part of Four Seasons Health Care Group, and Declan Miskelly, home manager, and his nursing and care staff have been presented with the company’s ROCK award (recognition of care and kindness). The award is reserved for staff who are nominated by families of residents or colleagues for consistently doing that bit
“In addition to Mrs Page’s recommendation we took into account that the home has received a 97 per cent satisfaction rating from its residents.”
more to provide outstanding care with kindness and compassion to make a real difference to the lives of residents. It is normally awarded to individual staff members and it is exceptional for the entire staff of a care home to receive it. Tim Hammond, chief executive of Four Seasons, added: “After hearing from Mrs Page we felt that all the care team at Osbourne Court should receive the award. “We recognise that as a loved one nears the end of their life it is an extremely difficult and emotional time for their family and our care staff try to support them as much as they are able. I know the team were delighted to learn how much Mrs Page appreciated them. “In addition to Mrs Page’s recommendation we took into account that the home has received a 97 per cent satisfaction rating from its residents. “We recently introduced a Quality of Life Programme that enables residents, relatives, our staff and care professionals to provide immediate feedback on any aspect of care, using iPads placed in the home that are linked to purpose designed software. “This ensures we always have up to date information about how they feel about the care they are providing. “We are now using their feedback effectively to find and fix issues and niggles and to do more of what they like. This is helping to raise standards.”
Chichester care home set to recruit 120 staff THE manager of a state-of-the-art residential and nursing home due to open in Chichester has begun putting her 120-strong staff team in place. Clare Gibson is heading the 72bedroom Wellington Grange, purpose-built by family-owned Colten Care on the site of the former Roussillon Barracks. The three-storey home features best practice in design and architecture with the latest in impressive, elegant interiors and therapeutic gardens. Clare said: “We are well under way with recruiting staff who share our values in focusing on the care of the individual. Team members include registered nurses, health care assistants, activity organisers, caterers, housekeepers, gardeners and others. We are creating new jobs for up to 120 people in the local area.” The home is Colten Care’s first in Sussex and, at 4,138 square metres, its largest to date. “Wellington Grange is the 20th home we have built over the past 30 years,” added Clare. “With that level of experience comes a huge learning process. I can honestly say with confidence that Wellington Grange is the best home Colten Care has ever built. “It will offer beautiful, creative interior spaces, imaginatively landscaped gardens, delicious homemade food and state-of-the-art facilities, all underpinned by
Wellington Grange manager Clare Gibson. exceptional care standards. We want to help our residents and their friends and families find comfort and enjoyment in each day. I truly believe that future residents will consider it to be ‘their home’. “It’s a great privilege to be taking the reins. It’s not often that you are given the opportunity to be in at the start of something like this. I will really enjoy building a great team, working well together. We believe we are going to fill a need with the home setting new standards in quality of life for older people in Chichester.” Altogether, 426 site workers were involved in the home’s 84-week construction programme. The Mayor of Chichester, Councillor Peter Budge, recently planted the first of 39 trees that will surround it.
A West Sussex home care provider has announced that from February 1 all care and support workers at its company owned office in Pulborough will be receiving a substantial increase to their hourly rates of pay. In addition to an attractive package, a 23.5 per cent increase is being awarded to the current weekday rates for contact time, or time spent with the client, which will increase the weekday hourly rate to £10.50 per hour pro rata. Care workers can also expect to earn an increase to their current wages at weekends and over bank holidays. Kevin Lewis, Caremark Limited’s owner and founder, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our care workers this uplift in pay. The need for well trained, compassionate care staff is ongoing to meet the increasing need in the local market. We feel these increases will enable us to continue attracting and recruiting the very best staff and retain the excellent care workers currently delivering a high quality service to all our clients.”
The new CQC Essential Standards – call now to arrange your free trial ALL our Policy/ Procedures have been brought into line with the new 2014 Legislation and to make it even easier to demonstrate compliance we have developed a module that shows you how to meet each of the five new categories. Enquiries: To find out more call 01236 782477 or visit
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CARINGNEWS
Loneliness a key factor in elderly not eating a daily hot meal, claim By Dominic Musgrave
Abacare CEO Peter Angelides with director of care Iola Jones.
Welsh care agencies announce merger TWO leading and award-winning Welsh care agencies have merged. Caredig has joined forces with Abacare to create one of the largest agencies in North and Mid Wales, and is now looking after around 1,000 vulnerable and/or elderly in the area. Peter Angelides, CEO of Abacare, who was recently given the title of most outstanding leader in the care sector at the Over 50s Housing industry awards, said: “We are both highly successful care agencies and have worked tirelessly together in the past two years to develop and link our systems and processes, and to further raise the already very high standards of care we provide. “As a result of our joint hard work, we’re officially now able to announce our merger and to look forward to a bright future together serving the residents of the area. “The company overall is now known as Abacare, but operates with those values of both Caredig and Abacare combined.” Caredig, which had its headquarters in Park Menai, Bangor, was owned by
husband and wife team Iola and Wyn Jones, who have both now joined Abacare along with all their 125 staff. Iola, who is now the director of care at Abacare and is a registered nurse and midwife, said: “We have been looking after the elderly in the community all over Anglesey and Gwynedd and part of Dwyfor for more than 18 years. “This merger is the best thing we have done in all the years we have been supporting and caring for people, it has helped us grow collectively as a company and with Abacare we now employ more than 600 staff across North and Mid Wales. “As a result of this collaboration, we have just been awarded, for the second year running, the national title of most outstanding care agency in the UK, beating off 3,500 other agencies all over the country to win the award.” Abacare’s management and carer teams and members have also received numerous accolades and nominations this year in various industry-wide awards.
NEW research in an online survey of UK adults aged 70 years or more outlines a number of trends in eating habits among elderly people. The survey, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Wiltshire Farm Foods, found that almost a quarter – 23 per cent – of the people aged 70 or older surveyed online don’t always eat a hot meal daily, and almost one in 10 (nine per cent) of those surveyed eat just one hot or cold meal a day, with or without snacks. The survey’s results highlight some of the eating habits that can contribute to an older person becoming malnourished. Key findings include: For 19 per cent, almost one-fifth, of those surveyed who don’t eat a hot meal every day, this was down to the ‘loneliness factor’: they either said there is no point cooking a hot meal for one person, or that they sometimes eat alone and prefer eating hot meals with others For another nine per cent of those surveyed who don’t eat a hot meal every day, this is because of practical obstacles: they either find it too difficult to cook for themselves, or don’t have anyone to help them cook 46 per cent of those who don’t eat a hot meal every day have gone a few days without a hot meal in the last year, whilst a small but shocking proportion – four per cent – have gone a fortnight or longer without a hot meal in the last 12 months Over half the survey’s respondents (53 per cent) say their portion sizes are smaller today than when they
were in their forties. 36 per cent of these say their portion sizes have halved, and five per cent are eating portions just a quarter of the size they used to. 63 per cent of respondents do not usually meet the Government’s ‘five a day’ target for fruit and vegetable consumption. Lee Sheppard, director of public policy and external affairs, apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods, said: “Almost one in two of those surveyed who don’t eat a hot meal every day confirmed that they have ‘gone a few days without a hot meal’ in the last year. “This is a worrying statistic: it is vitally important to maintain your intake of calories and nutrients as you get older, yet over one-third of our survey’s respondents report eating only half of what they did in their forties. “At the same time, just two per cent of respondents in our survey believe they may be underweight. It’s crucial that we dispel the myth that it is normal to lose weight as you get older; eating too little can easily lead to malnutrition, which impacts one in ten over-65s in the UK today.” Lesley Carter, programme manager at the Malnutrition Task Force, added: “By not regularly eating hot meals, many older people are being put at risk of malnutrition which could easily be prevented. “With figures showing us one in 10 older people are suffering from or at risk of malnutrition, it’s so important to raise awareness of malnutrition amongst older people, their carers and professionals.”
Community gathers for dementia unit opening RED Brick House, in Prudhoe, has made a significant investment that will benefit its residents and the local community, with the opening of a new dementia unit. Staff and residents were joined by guests and Prudhoe GP Dr Stephen Haywood, of Adderlane Surgery, who officially marked the opening of Butterfly Valley. The residents at the home, which is operated by Akari Care, were given the opportunity to name the unit, as part of the celebrations on the day, which also included live entertainment and tours of the facility for members of the community. The unit comprises contrasting coloured themed rooms, in similar fashion to the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development
Centre model, which makes it easier for furnishings or items to be noticed and promotes a safer, more navigable environment. Angela Chisholm, home manager at Red Brick House, said: “This significant investment will benefit even more people and offer those residents, who live with dementia, a comfortable and homely setting to relax in. We have taken into consideration that an older person with dementia will perceive their surroundings differently and this reflects on our choice of colours throughout the unit. “Dementia affects so many people and the unit will go a long way to helping to deal with the illness. Angela added: “I would like to thank everyone who attended the home to mark the launch of Butterfly Valley.”
A resident at a Weston-super-Mare care home has been presented with France’s highest military award, the Légion d’honneur. Former Royal Navy Able Seaman, James Cyril Sutton, was presented with the medal at Acer House by the French Honorary Consul for Bristol and South West Josette Lebrat. With him were his daughter Janet Gifford, grand-daughter Heather Gifford-Jenkins and Alexandra Crew, manager of the Avery Healthcare-run facility. James (known as Jim) was informed last year that he had been appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Légion d’honneur, in recognition of his bravery in the liberation of France during the Second World War, which included a key role in the D-Day landings.
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New management for Mansfield care home
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Provider reveals new facility following £6.5m investment
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Building our future – by Andrew Long
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Home gets dementia-friendly revamp By Olivia Taylor HAYDOCK Court has celebrated a major refurbishment, which has introduced a more stimulating and dementia-friendly living environment for its residents. The home is part of national social care charity Community Integrated Care. It delivers specialist support to 20 people who live with dementia. The celebration event was enjoyed by family, friends and supporters of the home. The charity has made a significant investment into improving its living spaces. This investment has introduced improved living facilities at the home and enhanced communal spaces. Colleagues from the charity have also developed a number of themed rooms that reflect the life-history of residents and will promote active
lives. This has included areas such as a St Helen’s Rugby Club space, seaside and indoor gardens rooms, dressmaking facilities, and the introduction of local historical mementos that reflect the history of its resident’s lifetimes. This has created an inspiring, multi-sensory environment for residents to enjoy, helping to promote their wellbeing and mental stimulation. These refurbishments were made possible thanks to Alex Service from Saints Heritage Society; Hannah Longford, curator at St Helens World of Glass; Mike Hughes, harbour master at Fiddlers Ferry Yacht Haven; and Jeffrey Barber, from Phoenix Maintenance, who generously donated memorabilia and historical artefacts to the project. Sam Brennan, regional manager at Community Integrated Care, said: “We are thrilled to launch this signifi-
One of Haydock Court's themed areas – the Seaside Room. cant refurbishment of Haydock Court. “This home is now full of reminders of the things that have been important to our residents throughout their lifetime – the rugby team, their local community and hobbies they enjoyed. “This new environment puts a
smile on your face, inspires conversation and encourages activity, and we believe it will make a big difference to people we support. It was a real pleasure to unveil it to our guests. I’d like to thank all of the community groups in St Helens, who generously shared their ideas and resource to make this happen.”
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Spencer Ford (Royal Bank of Scotland) with Hanif Landhani and Didar Landhani – the new owners of Richmond Care Home.
New management for Mansfield care home RICHMOND Care Home in Mansfield has been acquired by new owners in a deal supported by Royal Bank of Scotland. The 40-bed all single en-suite facility has been taken over by the Ladhani brothers, owners of Richmond Court in Wolverhampton and Brookholme in Chesterfield. Richmond Care Home caters for elderly residents requiring daily treatment and supervision, as well as those needing simple social care. Staff have a breadth of experience in providing care, regularly nursing residents living with dementia, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairments, as well as
providing palliative care. The home has a range of facilities for residents including various lounges and a peaceful enclosed garden. Royal Bank of Scotland has supported the acquisition with a sevenfigure funding deal. Hanif Ladhani, managing director of Rosecare Shirebrook Limited, said: “We are really pleased that our acquisition has been successful. “Richmond Care Home is a very reputable care home in our region and a great addition to our group. “This is now the third care home that we own and operate and we intend to continue to run it to a high standard.”
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Care home’s construction is complete BCP has completed the construction of Callywhite, a state-of-the-art care home located within the grounds of The Green in Dronfield. The new facility provides 39beds for those living with dementia and the elderly. Callywhite’s accommodation also includes eight additional close care units and was designed in conjunction with the client. It incorporates the University of Stirling’s design guidelines for dementia care, allowing staff at the new facility to deliver a personalised level of care for each resident, within a highspec, comfortable and engaging environment. Callywhite covers three floors with 39 large, en-suite bedrooms, three lounges, three dining rooms, multiple sensory rooms, a library, hairdressers and a landscaped courtyard. Located on the same site as the existing The Green care home, the official opening of Callywhite takes the number of available beds to 80. Like The Green, Callywhite will be managed by The Green Nursing Homes Limited.
Provider reveals new facility following £6.5m investment By Dominic Musgrave AN award-winning North East care home provider has unveiled a stateof-the-art facility overlooking Newcastle Racecourse following a £6.5m investment. Melton House, Melton Park, Gosforth, is the latest addition to the portfolio of homes owned and operated by Prestwick Care, a division of the privately-owned, Newcastlebased Malhotra Group PLC. Business leaders and health professionals were among those invited to watch group chairman Meenu Malhotra officially open the home, which is due to welcome its first residents within days. They were then given a tour of the 67-bedroom home, which is aimed at those requiring residential care, as well as general and dementia nursing, and boasts a range of services and facilities, including in-house physiotherapy, a cinema, full laundry service and hairdressing salon. Prestwick Care’s director of care, Bunty Malhotra, said: “I am delighted to be able to introduce the 11th home in the Prestwick family. “It is the first in our new Platinum range of homes and, in terms of care and quality of accommodation and facilities, I would like to think it is one of the best homes in the north of England.
Meenu Malhotra cuts the ribbon to officially open Melton House. “My joy has been doubled in that, by opening this facility, we are able to save 50 jobs being lost as a result of the imminent closure of a nearby care home. “And, most importantly, we will be able to provide the continuity of care for that home’s elderly and vulnerable residents, that is critical to their welfare.” More than 80 jobs have been created by the development of the purpose-built home, on the site of the former Northumberland Records Office. Building work is already underway
to create the second home in Prestwick Care’s Platinum range; an 87-bedroom facility in the centre of Alnwick. Work will also begin in the summer on a new care facility at Sunderland, with the company planning to open a further three new homes over the next three years. The company is also involved in a range of other initiatives, working closely with occupation therapy students at Newcastle University and with Northumbria Health Care Trust on research around the therapeutic value of medication.
A well-known Aberdeen facility offering care for the elderly has celebrated the completion of its multi-million pound refurbishment with a new look and a special event. Rowan Court Care Home in Cults has been the focus of investment totalling in excess of £3million by owners Deeside Care LLP. In line with the fresh new look, the facility will now be known as Deeside Care Home. The suburban facility has been transformed into a luxurious location featuring 64 beds spread across three floors. Phase one saw the rejuvenation of residents’ lounges, dining rooms and bedrooms followed by a second phase which included the creation of a new entrance atrium, spa, cinema, hair salon, therapy room and café/bar.
DC Care to sponsor award FOR the fifth year running DC Care Specialist Healthcare Business Agents is once again proud to be a major sponsor of the upcoming Pinders Healthcare Design Awards. Northern region and southern region directors Alison Taylor and Andy Sandel will be in attendance at the Lancaster Hotel in London, hosting the awards luncheon for the third time, on March 16. For 2016, DC Care will sponsor the award for the best new build elderly care homes.
Alison said: “The annual Pinders Healthcare Design Awards celebrate the healthcare facilities that provide the best quality of life and well-being for those in their care. Each year the quality of the finalists gets higher.” Andy added: “We are delighted to be involved. Every year we see healthcare facilities with impressive and innovative designs that also provide the highest standards in the provision of care to their residents.” DC Care would like to wish the shortlisted finalists the best of luck.
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Building our future By Andrew Long
THERE is nothing novel about new built care homes, but what has changed is the amount of new builds the sector is now wanting to do. Having been involved in this sector for 20 years I can honestly say there is now more genuine interest in finding land and building new homes and more money chasing in this segment of the sector than ever before. The reasons are all well documented but what is astounding is the length of time it has taken for the market to really grasp the demographic pressure and lack of quality available across the board. For many of the same reasons that the country needs new houses, it needs new place settings for frail elderly and dementia care clients. The two go hand in hand and more of the latter means that existing houses can be released to couples and families. It is staggering how difficult the process can be of finding, buying and getting planning on sites can be if you have not got the wealth of experience LNT has collectively. There are matters to consider around location, access, highways, traffic generation, scale, massing, design and landscaping. None of these are insurmountable, but combined can often weave a ‘mesh’ of irritating obstacles over a site that slows the process down. Our Big Map technology gets us
over these hurdles with ease as without even visiting a site, we can assess the suitability from a physical, geographical and demographic vantage. We are Andrew Long therefore able to review a large number of sites with relative simplicity and pick the most appropriate land propositions to progress to the next stage. There are then legal matters to consider such as covenants, easements, claw back and overage provisions, restrictive title and a plethora of complex legal jargon. For the uninitiated this can prove a bamboozling prospect, stirred with a healthy dollop of sceptical advice from lawyers which can blunt commercial judgement if not balanced with prior understanding and encounters of such issues. Finally, there is the planning process itself. Our in-house planning team have experience sitting on the other side of the fence in the planning-departments. With the data provided by our Big Map technology, we enter the planning process with confidence that we’ve covered all aspects to make a convincing pitch for the development. Two of the biggest discussions going on at government level is how to release more land for housing devel-
opment and how to look after our growing elderly population. The desire to build from the care sector is there, but as experts in buying and developing land for the care sector, we know only too well the difficulties faced when opening a new care home. We frequently call on the Government to review planning policy with a wider lens. The concentration on housing as opposed to care fails to recognise the positive impact care facilities have in releasing pressure on the housing market, freeing up often large residences for the families who are being priced out of the market. At least part of this could be solved by a more straightforward planning system and one that allows applications to be processed quickly and with the end result of meeting these urgent needs at the forefront of the process. Unless you have expertise such as ours assisting your care home project, you are likely to find the process difficult, frustrating and expensive. For many, this will be enough to put them off attempting any large scale projects without support of developers such as us, who can guide them through the process. This is a great shame and will unduly slow the growth of care facility development in the UK, regardless of the desire in the sector to do so. Andrew Long is development director at LNT.
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Preston care home has a new owner SWILLBROOK House, a converted residential care home on the outskirts of Preston, was sold during the final days of 2015 following a successful marketing campaign by specialist property adviser Christie + Co. The home, which sold to an existing operator from the region, is registered for 23 service users and offers residential elderly care in nine single and three shared rooms located over two floors. Gary Yeardley, of Christie + Co’s Manchester office, who brokered the sale, said: “By utilising our client network, we have been able to match the previous owner with a care provider who already has facilities in the region and who is keen to expand in the North West. “The sale of Swillbrook House is an example of the appetite for care and rest home facilities in the area. “We are seeing an increase in enquiries from existing operators who are looking for properties across the North West, and the completion of this particular sale right at the end of the year shows that this strong demand will continue into 2016.”
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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
Electrolux Barrier Washers – the perfect hygiene partner ELECTROLUX Professional’s extensive range of barrier washers is the perfect solution for care operators looking to achieve peace of mind and the best defence against the spreading of micro-organisms and cross infections. From the ergonomic loading and unloading height to the largest and lightest doors on the market, the design of the Electrolux Professional Line 5000 healthcare solution has been optimised to help save time and money.
With Electrolux Professional barrier washers, operators can benefit from intelligent features such as the unique Certus Management™ Information System for the highest level of control and traceability throughout the whole hygiene process. For guaranteed hygiene meanwhile, the Electrolux Hygiene Watchdog ensures that any wash programme is performed in full before the machine can be emptied on the clean side.
Existing operators extend portfolio EXPERIENCED operators have completed the purchase of another care home to expanding their portfolio to four. The well-established home provides quality care in a homely environment for 62 residents. Finance was successfully completed by Sean Hurden, senior broker at Chandler & Co. He said: “My clients are highly experienced and professional nursing home operators and have established
an excellent reputation particularly in Surrey, where they operate two homes very successfully. “I have no doubt whatsoever that this latest purchase will become a perfect addition to their group in the future.”
The importance of good, safe seating for activity sessions MOST care providers now recognise the necessity for effective and meaningful residents’ activities sessions. In the main, activities programmes are designed to improve physical fitness, and arrest cognitive decline. The benefits are well documented; regular stimulation of the mind and body result in healthier, happier people. One difficulty encountered by activities co-ordinators is getting non-ambulant residents to the room where the activities are being provided, and seating them safely and comfortably during the sessions. This is where specialist seating
comes in. Your Mobility provides a range of specialist ‘tilt-in-space’ chairs which all have wheels so that once the resident is transferred into it, no other transfers are necessary into other chairs. The chairs, which are all pressure relieving and width adjustable, can be used for a variety of end users with an assortment of seating needs, and simply wheeled to the activities location, either in a quiet room or lounge area, or in warmer weather out onto a patio or paved area in the garden. Most chairs include a fold away tray table which is useful for many activities.
Health and safety forum dates WORKING in the care sector presents everyone with an emotional see-saw; sometimes on your own and isolated or getting bogged down in complex topics, while aiming to deliver fantastic outcomes for all those people being supported and cared for. So in order to support social care delivery relating to health and safety look out for the NASHiCS Forum for Safety and Health near you. Four Forums across the UK:
Know your Landscape – Safety and Health Matters March 22 – Edinburgh. May 10 – Cardiff. September 13 – Lincoln. October 4 – Belfast. These forums will give a unique opportunity for care providers to find solutions and hear about good practice that will help with the dayto-day health and safety challenges while networking with likeminded colleagues.
To claim or not to claim – that is the question By David Waters WHEN it comes to claiming on care home insurance, it is essential that owners assess the financial impact it can have on their premiums; otherwise they may be in for a nasty shock. For example, a care home owner based in Herefordshire approached Howden (formerly CHIS and PrimeCare) for an insurance quotation. He could not understand why, upon renewal, his monthly insurance premium had more than doubled from £275 to nearly £650. However, after checking his record we found he had made the following claims over the preceding two years: Broken window – £516. Lost hearing aid – £724. Leak – £708. Sign damaged – £1,168. Waste disposal unit – £712. Refrigerated food – £854. This means over the two years he paid a total premium of approximately £6,600, but the total his insurer paid out in claims was £4,682. Also, insurers’ own systems cost them about £500 for each claim, so adding the direct costs of £4,682 and £3,000 (six x £500) makes the insurance completely non-economic from the insurers’ perspective at £7,682. The number of claims is also a concern to insurers, as this makes the insured appear to be a ‘serial claimant’. An average of three claims per annum is far higher than any insurer would want or expect. At the time of making these claims we expressed a degree of concern as to the future impact on premiums, but our client was adamant that it was his entitlement. Indeed the owner’s premiums shot up, but he refused to accept that the claims had an impact and accused insurers of trying to put him out of business. Seeing as both care home owners and insurers are trying to run a profitable business that seemed a little harsh to us. The gentleman was right though, he was entitled to claim. After all he pays his premiums and all the damages listed above are covered under the terms of his policy. However, making lots of small claims for damages and losses, which he might have resolved easily and relatively inexpensively himself, has ended up costing him more in sky high premiums than he got back. Insurers are equally able to refuse to insure any client at renewal, if they so wish. That is why we strongly advocate all our clients to see insurance as a relationship exercise, not a simple cost transactional exercise. In the end the care home owner
David Waters decided to accept the insurance quotation, but had to agree to raise his excess to £2,500 on all claims to reduce his monthly premium to £475, equivalent to an annual premium of £5,700. Working out whether or not to make a claim involves some serious number crunching and a basic understanding of how care insurance companies will view you when it comes to renewal. The more claims a care home owner makes, the riskier insurers will assume them to be. What’s more, claims often stay on record for years, which can have implications at renewal. Over the last few years the care home insurance market has hardened thanks to an explosion in claims, which has led to companies such as Ecclesiastical suffering big losses and withdrawing from the business. The few remaining care home insurers are assessing care home owners and their claims histories on an increasingly individual basis to lessen their exposure to risk. Historically, care home owners have had the luxury of being able to simply switch to another cheaper insurer, which meant they did not feel financial pressure to worry about how many claims they made. This is no longer the case! What this means is that care home owners must balance the need to claim on their insurance with keeping premiums at an affordable level, a tricky feat. Ultimately, we buy insurance for a reason and if a serious disaster strikes claiming is often right choice. However, with minor issues it may be cheaper in the long run for all businesses, care home owners included, to tackle them themselves. David Waters, Howden Care division (previously CHIS and PrimeCare Insurance)
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CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS
Forbes makes financing new equipment the smart choice FORBES Professional gives access to the best commercial laundry and dishwashing equipment without large capital outlay or associated ongoing service costs. Our Complete Care solution offers the latest Miele equipment with a fixed, fully inclusive monthly payment structure. Forbes director Kevin Herring said: “If your current laundry equipment is due for renewal within 2016, we would be delighted to show how your business could be using premium Miele commercial equipment. “We offer a cost calculator service
for complete transparency of package affordability and projected savings.” Forbes always ensures that clients are fully compliant with industry regulations, and our expansive nationwide network of in-house engineers provide an unrivalled same day service backup. Businesses are acutely aware of the pitfalls of buying depreciating assets, and Forbes Professional offers a solution that gives access to premium brands without the financial risks, and with periodic upgrades that enable clients to keep inline with the latest technology.
Free resource to banish odours A FREE step-by-step scientifically researched advice guide offering methods to tackle nasty smells and stains has been launched for the care sector. Researched and published by Odourdoctor.co.uk this useful information provides practical advice and invaluable knowledge that helps to simplify the science behind how odours are created so managers can prevent and banish bad odour in their care home environments. The simple instructions tackle everything from keeping on top of kitchen work surfaces to mopping floors and dealing with unfortunate spills. It also provides top tips and lists things you must never do to
prevent odour. If you’re responsible for keeping a care home clean you’ll be aware that it doesn’t matter how much elbow grease you use – lingering odours from cooking, rubbish, the toilet or a spill; can smell dirty, making it an unpleasant place to live and a difficult place to work – not to mention being off-putting for visitors. So if you’re looking for one helpful guide that outlines the proper way to tackle those nasty smells and stains – this is an invaluable addition to any care home operational policy. What's more, the people behind Zybax eco-cleaners have created it, so you can be confident it’s tried and tested.
Hand washing facilities vital when caring for the elderly THE care industry understands that the only way to keep residents safe from germs, illness and infection is to provide hand washing facilities wherever and whenever they may be needed. The welfare of the elderly is vital as they are at a much higher risk of contracting illness and infections through poor hygiene. Manty Stanley, managing director at TEAL Patents, said: “While all viruses are not lifethreatening, extra precautions must be taken to protect those with weaker immune systems. “To prevent the spread of common contagious illnesses such as norovirus and influenza many care homes are investing in additional facilities that provide the gold standard of hand hygiene – washing hands with soap under running hot water. “TEAL has been working with nursing and residential care organisations for over 10 years and has developed a range of portable hand wash units which have been tried and tested to meet the stringent requirements of the care home environment.” To improve hand hygiene and prevent the
spread of infections, TEAL has designed the WashStand and PatientWash. Both lightweight and portable, the TEAL units can be positioned at the point of use without the need for mains water or drainage. The TEAL range is now available for sale or hire and can be delivered within 24 hours to any UK mainland address. Enquiries: Call 0121 770 0593 or email enquiries@tealwash.com
Tailor made nurse call technology from Aid Call AID CALL wireless nurse call systems offer an efficient and personal centre for care. Their flexible, highly adaptable solutions allow you to create a unique and lasting care system that is specific to the needs of your residents and the demands placed on your staff. Aid Call has been leading the way in wireless nurse call technology for 35 years and offer a wide range of products and bespoke solutions designed specifically to meet the needs of care homes. Our first-class knowledge, innovative approach and reputation for delivering safe and efficient solutions positions us as the leading supplier of wireless nurse call technology.
As our systems are wireless their installation is quick, undisruptive and can be specific to each home. They are future proofed so you can add to and enhance your system without incurring large costs or necessitating infrastructure changes. This flexibility allows them to adapt to change and evolve as the care environment does. Beyond providing a personalised service, this means our systems are relevant and useful for far longer. In addition, Aid Call manufactures an extensive range of assistive devices. These allow you to adapt your system to support residents with varying needs. Consequentially, you can build a truly unique centre for care that doesn’t compromise on reliability or security.
Claim VAT back on your home even if you are not VAT registered IT is true, care providers can reclaim VAT worth about £3,000 per bed for any residents who stayed in your home between 1993 and 2002 paid for by the local authority. You don’t have to be VAT registered to make a claim. We can usually find the information required with minimal disruption to your business. How is this possible? Well in 2002 a care provider called Kingscrest challenged the view held by HMRC and won. There is no cost to you unless we are successful. Typical claims: 50 beds – £240,000; 40 beds – £170,000; 287 beds – £1.25m. And the best part is that you get the money in your bank account before you pay us. Don’t forget the tax repayment is free of tax – it is extra profit.
Enquiries: Call 01233 640985 and ask for Howard to find out more.
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 odourfree, 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.
Jaga LSTs feature new arthritic TRV adaptors JAGA Heating Products UK has announced that its industry-leading Low Surface Temperature radiators are now available with a specialised Arthritic TRV adaptor. The new arthritis-friendly adapter fits easily onto the radiator’s standard TRV head and enables better grip for those with a loss of dexterity in their hands. Phil Marris, managing director of Jaga Heating Products UK, said: “Arthritis is a common condition for occupants in these premises, but we hope this new design feature will at least help residents to retain precise control over their heating comfort.” The NHS estimates that 10 million people in the UK live with arthritis, many of whom are over the age of 65 and live in care homes. By combining the Arthritic TRV Aid with Jaga’s safe-to-touch LST radiator technology, care home operators can ensure they have the most appropriate heating package for maximising residents’ comfort and well-being.
The arthritic TRV is compatible with the Jaga Thermostatic Head, High Level Valve and Remote Controlled Head, which are used across Jaga’s range of LST radiators. This includes the Guardian, Sentinel, Maxi, Tempo and Cocoon – each of which features Jaga’s energy-efficient low- Phil Marris H2O technology, which incorporates highly responsive heat emitters that are fast reacting to ensure occupant comfort and can provide energy savings of between nine and 16 per cent. Enquiries: Visit www.jaga.co.uk
Beaucare’s Beauwash™ range BEAUWASH is an efficient, cost effective and ecofriendly laundry cleaning products range, specifically formulated with healthcare establishments in mind. It is cleverly designed to provide superb cleaning performance at lower temperatures, shorter wash cycles and kill bacteria at just 30°C, providing a more sustainable laundry cleaning process in terms of overall running costs and for the environment. Available in powder or liquid form: 10kg tubs, 5lt, 10lt or 20lt liquid containers. When combining
the laundry liquid with automated dosing systems, it creates one of the most efficient laundry solutions available on the market today. Beaucare also offers advice on the most efficient way to run all healthcare laundry needs and provides expert fitting and maintenance of automatic dosing systems by its own service engineers. Enquiries: Call 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com
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Group’s chief executive urges Government to value older people
If you’ve got a story for the next issue of Caring UK magazine email it to Olivia Taylor at ot@scriptmedia.co.uk
THE head of one of Scotland’s largest providers of housing, care and support services is encouraging staff and customers to help create a new five-year plan that will allow it to continue its fantastic success as it turns 50 years old. Speaking at the Bield AGM, chief executive Brian Logan praised the success of the last five years, which has seen over 100 change and improvement projects delivered, while day to day services remained at its renowned high level. Now, with the organisation approaching its 50th year in 2021, Brian is asking the staff and customers who helped deliver that success to contribute their input in creating a new 2016-2021 five-year plan, helping the organisation to deliver an even better, more efficient service during a difficult period of Government cutbacks and rising costs. He said: “Our operating environment is not going to get any easier. We face the double whammy of funding cuts and rising costs. “But over the next five years we will be more efficient than ever before, we will lobby the Government for more money and we will continue with our strategy of trying to reduce our reliance on Government money. “We know there are big changes ahead and there are some tough decisions before us, but with our committed and skilled staff team and volunteers, with tenants and customers with such amazing spirit and stories to inspire us and with our shared passion for improving older peoples’ lives, I am hugely optimistic about the future. “Jackie Billie, the Labour MSP for Dumbarton, recently described Bield as ‘the gold standard for the forever young’ and I am convinced that we can continue to develop to maintain this impressive reputation.”
Bield chief executive Brian Logan. Over the next five years Bield will be putting customers and staff at the heart of everything they do by involving them more in their decision making process. With a diverse customer base of tenants, owners, residents and other service users their input is essential. Bield will continue to invest and develop their staff team, building confidence skills and making them feel valued. Brian added: “Over the next few months, we will be consulting with tenants, customers and staff finding out what they think and how they would like the organisation to progress. “For me this is the exciting bit. Setting the vision, the direction for the next five years, listening to people’s views, trying to pull them all together into a coherent plan that we can all rally behind.”
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