no.268 • £4.75 incorporating
February 2019
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Conference dates and speakers revealed
‘Give elderly hope’ urges group chair By Dominic Musgrave
A PROVIDER has called on the Government to publish the Green Paper on social care and give 1.4m people currently going without care some hope for 2019. Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, has published a New Year message, urging the Government to take action on the crisis in social care in the coming 12 months. In his message he said: “This year all the noise was about Brexit. Important as that undoubtedly is – and will be for many, many months to come – it is appalling how that debate has dominated all else. “Crime, education, health and the care of the youngest and oldest people in this country have all been pushed down the priority list. “Whichever side of the Brexit debate you are on, that cannot be a healthy state of affairs for Britain as we head into 2019.” He said the Government Green Paper on social care has now been delayed at least four times, with no date set for when it will be published. “If Brexit has a backstop, then social care should have a backstop too, over when the Green Paper is published, as we cannot wait any longer,” Mike added.
“Carers didn’t get much of a break this festive period. If the Government was truly concerned about the care of our most vulnerable they should have worked a day longer or should go back a day earlier, to start tackling the crisis. “Let’s see real change in social care in 2019 and not another year of drift. Then we can all have a Happy New Year.” In the message he called for: n An overhaul of the way social care is planned and funded, merging it with NHS health care. n Support for care providers, including making care zero-rated for VAT. n Proper reward for care staff, including a minimum wage above the National Minimum Wage. n Dementia to be treated as a health issue. n A cap on social care costs, including ‘hotel’ charges. n A whole new model for delivering care based on catchment areas like GPs operate. n Greater power for the CQC to oversee commissioning to ensure that people are getting the care they need. n What do you think? Let healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@ scriptmedia.co.uk
A former art student who discovered a talent for chainsaw sculpture has created a magnificent menagerie of woodland creatures. The collection of giant squirrels, owls and hawks carved by Paul Morris now adorn the grounds of the Pendine Park Care Organisation in the leafy suburbs of Wrexham. Paul, who is a skilled member of Pendine’s gardening and maintenance team, wanted to add colour to the rolling 11-acres at the and give the residents something extra to enjoy. He is currently working on one of his most ambitious projects yet as he carves out a grizzly bear at the personal request of proprietor Mario Kreft MBE.
THE line-up of speakers has been revealed for Caring UK’s conferences, which begin in April. The way to ‘Outstanding’ care events takes place at Ashford International Hotel and Bournemouth Football Club on April 10 and 11 respectively. Speakers already confirmed for this year’s events include National Care Association chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE, Dr Michele Board, principal academic in nursing older people at the Faculty of Health and Social Science at Bournemouth University and Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum. Delegates will also hear from representatives from the CQC, Skills for Care and Oomph! Wellness. An exhibition showcasing the latest products, advice and technology for a care home will run alongside all of the conferences. Further events are planned to take place on July 9 and 10 at St Mellion International Resort, Plymouth and Webbington Hall, Weston-super-Mare respectively. Conferences will also be held at Colchester United Football Club on October 23 and York racecourse on November 6. For more information visit www. caringukconferences.co.uk or see the adverts in this month’s magazine.
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Volunteer awarded British Empire Medal in New Year’s Honours List A GREAT-grandfather who began volunteering at The Royal Star & Garter Homes 25 years ago has received the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition of voluntary service to veterans. John Parvin first started giving up his free time for the charity in 1993 when his father-in-law moved into the old Richmond home. The Royal Star & Garter Homes cares for ex-Servicemen and women and their partners living with dementia or disability. The 82-year-old from Mitcham said: “It was a hell of a surprise when I found out. I thought ‘what have I done to deserve this?’” John spent 18 months as a volunteer before working for the charity as a carer. When he retired in 2001, he stayed on to work as a volunteer. His wife Lesley and sister-in-law Shirley have also volunteered at the Richmond and Surbiton homes since 1993. His brother-in-law Terry is also a long-time volunteer. John, who served in the Army between 1957 and 1959, is a retired carpenter and helps residents with woodwork activities. He also assists on outings and helps run the mobile shop, selling treats
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Editorial
and toiletries. John enjoys chatting to residents, reading newspapers to them or making them cups of tea. He said: “It’s just like spending time and talking to a friend or a neighbour. You have a good chat and share jokes and laughs. I get a lot of satisfaction myself when I’m there. “And I have no plans of stopping either, I enjoy it too much.” The Royal Star & Garter Homes’ chief executive Andy Cole said: “We are delighted that John’s dedication to
the charity and our residents has been recognised in this way. “We rely on volunteers such as John, Lesley, Shirley and Terry to help provide our veterans with the best possible care. After many years’ service in our Richmond and Surbiton homes, the British Empire Medal is a hugely fitting honour for John to receive.” John, Lesley, Shirley and Terry have also received long-service awards from The Royal Star & Garter Homes for their many years of volunteering.
At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk
Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Group Production Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio Manager: Stewart Holt Tel: 01226 734414 sth@scriptmedia.co.uk Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ scriptmedia.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur. Follow us on Twitter @caringuk
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CARINGNEWS
Provider shows it cares for valued EU workers
William Jakeman, 98, at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
VIP trip to Old Trafford for care home resident
WILLIAM Jakeman, a resident at New Care’s Ashlands Manor Care Centre in Sale, was treated to an exclusive behind the scenes tour at Old Trafford, courtesy of the Manchesterbased care home operator. A life long fan, 98-year-old William has visited the Theatre of Dreams many times, watching games in the Stretford End and enjoying corporate hospitality in the boxes. Having not been for about 10 years, William was thrilled when New Care told him about his surprise trip to the stadium. A resident at Ashlands Manor for just over one year, William said: “I was a little bewildered when I heard, but I guess I am one of Manchester United’s oldest supporters. “I used to love going to Old Trafford to watch the matches, being with the masses, and was over the moon to be back in the Stretford End. That was amazing. “The whole day was just great; being chauffeur driven and arriving in style to the VIP tour of the stadium and receiving my personalised shirt. “I have supported Manchester United for such a long time – I even used to go to games in Newton Heath.
Although I don’t actually watch the matches on TV anymore, I do keep up with the results on Match of the Day. “Plus, all of my family are Reds so we are constantly chatting on Whats App, commenting on the players’ performances and discussing tactics.” Having organised the trip to Old Trafford, Dominic Kay, chairman at New Care, added: “William has always been and still is a passionate supporter of Manchester United. “Having not been to Old Trafford for a while we wanted to take him there and enjoy this memorable experience alongside him. “Within each and every New Care facility we actively encourage all of our residents to retain their hobbies and interests and will do whatever we can to make this possible. “We firmly believe that simply because you live in a care home you do not have to stop living your life, nor lose your personality or individuality. William is a wonderful example of a resident with a real zest for life. “It was a pleasure for me to see William back in the Stretford End, making his way down the wing after all these years.”
MORRIS Care has acted to help its employees from the European Union after recognising many were anxious about their future because of Brexit. The family-run business arranged a series of workshops where staff were assisted to apply for their settlement or pre-settlement status which enables them to continue to live and work in the UK. Morris Care also covered the costs of the application fees for all those involved. It was carried out as part of a Home Office pilot scheme aimed at healthcare professionals from the EU. Chief operating officer Sue Austin said: “We value all our staff within Morris Care who are integral to us providing high quality and compassionate care for both the elderly and the growing numbers of people living with dementia. “Some colleagues from the EU have been anxious about their future in
the UK as Brexit approaches. We assured them that we want them to stay and gave practical help with the application process to enable them to do so.” Settled status means there is no time limit on how long EU citizens, who have been living here continuously for five years, can remain in the UK. Those here for less than five years will need to apply for pre-settled status, with a view to obtaining settled status later. The Home Office is testing the application process before the EU Settlement Scheme opens fully to the public on March 30. The UK government has committed to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members currently living in the UK. This includes the right to live here, work here and access public services such as healthcare and benefits.
Muryim Bi, a night carer at Well Springs Nursing Home in Bradford, was named the Asian Apprentice of the Year within the health, medical and social care sector. She was presented with her award at a ceremony in Birmingham.
Group makes additions to senior management team THE Randolph Hill Nursing Homes Group has announced a senior appointment to lead the team at its home in North Berwick and has also taken on its first group recruitment manager. Hilary Forbes has joined as manager at Fidra House in the East Lothian town, bringing with her more than four decades of experience working within the care sector. After qualifying as a registered general nurse, she spent much of her early career in nursing and care management positions in Wales. In 2010 she moved to Scotland where she played a pivotal role driving forward Care Inspectorate ratings for homes she managed for Southern Cross and the Salvation Army. Meanwhile Owen Edwards joins Randolph Hill in a newly created role of group recruitment manager, responsible for sourcing quality staff for the company’s six nursing homes across central Scotland. Owen has spent 12 years in recruitment, including several years working within the care sector for Newcross Healthcare Solutions and in his most recent role at Robinson Healthcare.
Hilary Forbes Randolph Hill managing director Peter McCormick said: “We are delighted to welcome Hilary and Owen to the Randolph Hill team. “Hilary is an immensely experienced and passionate care professional who will bring real strength and depth to this key leadership role at Fidra House. “Owen also takes on an important management role with responsibility for recruitment across the group. With a shortage of talent within the UK care sector his experience and knowledge will be essential in helping us continue to attract quality people to our homes throughout Scotland.”
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CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement
Why is an early diagnosis of dementia important? MY name is Dr Edyta Monika Hunter and I am the Managing Director of Dr Hunter Cognitive Health Harley Street practice and a long-standing chartered neuropsychologist specialising in cognitive health, ageing and memory disorders. Whilst I am based in Harley Street, I cover the whole country visiting care homes. After a long career in academia, recognising the potential for more specialised care from healthcare providers for people with dementia and cognitive impairment, I decided to apply my years of research to work on my mission of directly helping people. I believe my expertise and cutting-edge neuropsychological testing systems could offer care homes potential to optimise the care of many of their clients. A 2017 NICE report has suggested that as many as 75-89 per cent of those living in care homes have dementia, but that 50 per cent of cases go undiagnosed. Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, particularly in early stages, can be very difficult even for highly trained staff, due to the subtle nature of the condition and a lack of expert knowledge, and symptoms can often be confused or misunderstood as behavioural problems. I would like to offer care homes the opportunity to enhance both the experience of their clients who may be suffering from dementia as well as the care and knowledge of their staff who may be dealing with the difficulties of undiagnosed patients on a daily basis. Since dementia and cognitive impairment are not part of normal brain ageing, many healthcare providers and staff do not realise the specificities of the condition nor recognise dementia as a chronic disease requiring specialist care. This can lead to not only potentially avoidable suffering of patients and their families, but an added strain on staff and carers who may be regularly working with the unrecognised symptoms of this complicated condition. I strongly believe in healthcare providers offering the highest quality care for their clients, and in order to provide this extra support for the 50 per cent who may be living with undiagnosed dementia, it is necessary to identify who is at risk or already suffering from this disease. Research is regularly showing not only the psychological impact of dementia on people but the inherent dangers in living with the disease
undetected. Therefore, early diagnosis of cognitive impairment leading to dementia is fundamental for offering more effective treatment, care and improved safety and quality of life, but I know it can be hard for care homes to be able to provide this expertise and specialised diagnosis. With more than 15 years of experience providing neuropsychological assessments in this field I can help with diagnosis, treatment advice and care. I have worked with diagnosing the onset of dementia and cognitive decline privately and in the public sector for many years and I am able to provide my clients with the most modern, effective and detailed tests to detect the risk of this disease at its earliest stages. Furthermore I deliver workshops, seminars and training for individuals, healthcare providers and corporate clients, sharing the most advanced medical evidence around neurodegenerative screening and specialist advice in practical and approachable ways. I would like to propose to care homes the services of my advanced neuropsychological screening to help those of their clients who may be concerned as being at risk of cognitive decline get the correct diagnosis and understanding of the future risk of progression.
I believe that offering these specialised and tailored services would demonstrate eagerness to stay ahead of the game in relevant neuropsychological research and its application. Additionally, I would offer care home staff my unique and engaging training involving the most up-to-date research on how to detect early and progressive cognitive impairment, the best treatments and how to manage its symptoms in its various stages. If what I have said so far has not convinced you to the benefit of my services for you and your clients, recent research has revealed the significant added cost of treatment for people not yet diagnosed with dementia compared to those already diagnosed. This combined with the potential for slowing or preventing the onset of the disease and avoiding unnecessary or incorrect medication, demonstrates early diagnosis to be effective in reducing economic pressure for healthcare providers. A timely diagnosis offers the opportunities for early intervention, implementation of coordinated care plans, better management of symptoms, patients safety and cost savings. Going back to the astonishing research on the 50 per cent of undiagnosed cases of dementia in care homes, I assure you, discovering and diagnosing dementia early is an intelligent and effective investment against potential difficulties that can be caused by this condition and is vital to ensure the well-being of and best service for the people you care for.
Dr Edyta Monika Hunter www.drhunter.co.uk
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The day Grace Sloan joined Balhousie Care Group, she made a bold promise to chairman and founder Tony Banks: she was going to get the care home group its first ‘excellent’ rating. Caring UK reports.
How one rural care home went from below par to best of the bunch ... FOUR years later Grace, manager at Balhousie Wheatlands in the village of Bonnybridge near Falkirk, has made good on that promise not once but twice. Recently the formerly underperforming home was rated Grade 6 or ‘outstanding’ for the second year in a row. Following a recent unannounced visit from the Care Inspectorate, the home was praised for its “sensitive, patient and caring” staff, resident activities that range from language lessons to physical games, and the sort of person-centred care which Balhousie Care Group is making a national name for. For Grace, it was recognition of her long-held belief that the key to happy care home residents is happy and fulfilled care home staff. “The care had been very good when I arrived at Wheatlands,” she said. “Staff had not been allowed to develop and use the skills they had. They needed nurturing. They were like sponges, they wanted to learn.” Grace had been known as ‘a fixer’ – seeing care homes through periods of change and making improvements, then leaving once they were on track. Wheatlands, a renovated facility in a
Grace Sloan, manager of Balhousie Wheatlands in Bonnybridge. 19th century setting, was different. “For the first time in my career I wanted to be somewhere long enough to see something through and develop it further. The joy of coming to Wheatlands was to be left alone to fill it with the staff I wanted,” she added. Turning Balhousie Wheatlands around would take time and patience. Grace networked heavily with the local community and with
stakeholders such as Falkirk Council, building up trust and confidence and carefully developing a positive reputation for the home. It took a year for occupancy levels to rise. “For me that was all about inclusion and getting everyone involved in the decision making,” she said. She created an open-door policy – quite literally. There are two entrances to her office, one which had been permanently shut. Grace opened both doors and kept them open. There is now a regular flow of staff, residents and family members coming in and out to chat, meet and seek advice. Wheatlands’ lounge area doubles as a film screening area, its entry door and corridor decorated to resemble a cinema entrance. A small room on the ground floor has been turned into an area for Namaste care – multi-sensory therapies, music and massage which address the needs of residents with advanced dementia. Its community links are strong, with visits from schoolchildren and field trips for residents. There is a big emphasis on physical activity, either through games in the home, walks in the countryside or
dog walks with Jacob, Grace’s pug, who acts as a ‘therapet’ for residents. Wheatlands’ Grade 6 ratings were the first for Balhousie Care Group (although they have since been joined by three other facilities – Ruthven Towers care home in Auchterarder and the group’s two advanced specialist care facilities in Perthshire) and also the first for any care home in the Stirlingshire region. It is also the latest in a long line of accolades for the Perth-based care home group. In just the last few months Balhousie Care has seen its dementia consultant Yvonne Manson win an RCNi Leadership Award, care home worker Ross Balmer named a runnerup in the Scottish Care Awards, and the whole Balhousie Group named Service Provider of the Year in The Courier Business Awards. Grace, who also acts as a mentor to other care home managers across the group, said: “I’m so proud of my staff for this latest round of ratings, and the comments made by residents and their families are the icing on the cake. “To hear phrases like ‘nothing is a problem’ and ‘they are a credit to nursing’ make it all worthwhile.”
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Residents at a care home in Plymouth say regular visits from pupils of nearby St Budeaux Foundation School are ‘a breath of fresh air.’ The Year 4 pupils come to see their older friends at Freshfields care home as part of the Archie Project, a scheme that links local schools with people with dementia. The project aims to reduce the stigma and fear associated with the word dementia that links to local primary schools, care homes, sheltered housing schemes, businesses, and community members. Pupils are pictured with resident Paul O’Regan.
Group helps residents keep in contact BOROUGH Care has introduced a ‘Keeping in Contact’ area at its Reinbek home in Davenport. An area has been set aside so residents can Skype, telephone or email relatives or friends in private. The company has also introduced resident telephones at its Meadway Court home in Bramhall. Borough Care is working in partnership with telecommunications company One Call Connects All, which is providing ongoing support to both homes. Sophie Gardiner, area manager at Borough Care, said: “We’ve made it easier for residents to keep in touch
with their loved ones and give them privacy while they do so. We have already noticed an improvement in the wellbeing of many residents who have relatives living in other countries. “It’s great for people to be able to have regular contact with family and friends, and keep up to date with what is happening in their lives no matter where they are in the world. Borough Care providing easy ways for residents to speak to, or write to, their loved ones also gives relatives and friends peace of mind.” The telephones have safety features so no strangers can call.
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Project gets tenants moving TENANTS from a Stenhousemuir retirement housing development have been keeping fit and active thanks to pupils from a local high school. Pupils from nearby Larbert High School have been visiting Bield’s Robertson Court to hold sessions with tenants in an intergenerational initiative aimed at bridging the gap between young and older members of the community. Run by the Tryst Community Sports Club, the initiative – termed ‘The Generation Project’ – has seen pupils use their PE classes to plan and deliver the weekly exercise sessions. Linda McMurtrie, retirement
housing manager at Robertson Court, said: “The classes have been a great success and proven really popular with the tenants. “Not only do the sessions provide tenants with a great way of keeping fit, the pupils also stay to chat afterwards. “The tenants love talking to the kids and likewise the pupils are fascinated by some of the stories they have to share.” The programme received funding from SportScotland’s Go Live Get Active fund, aimed at creating sports programmes for those most at risk of inactivity to improve health, wellbeing and self-esteem.
Chocolate treats give staff a golden glow CARE sector staff who told Investors in People inspectors how much they ‘love coming to work’ have even more reason to be happy after being rewarded by their employers – with chocolate. Comments from staff were instrumental in the Regard Group retaining its coveted Investors in People Gold status. Staff across the whole organisation were randomly selected for interview by the inspector and encouraged to be open and frank about their views on how they felt Regard meets the Investors in People standard. Less than half of organisations nationwide succeed in retaining the Gold status when they are reassessed. To celebrate, everyone who works for Regard received a golden envelope with ‘Gold’ chocolates. There were also a number of randomly-placed lucky golden tickets which entitled the members of staff who found them to a Virgin Experience voucher. Carole Edmond, CEO of the Regard Group, said: “We were delighted to retain the Investors in People Gold Award and to learn that almost all our staff who were interviewed talked about high levels of job satisfaction and how interesting, challenging and inspiring they find their work. “We thought it was only right that we said ‘thank you’ and gave a little something back to staff, so we organised the Find a Golden Ticket event, sending out envelopes with the chocolates and generating some excitement and anticipation as people opened them to see if they
had a lucky golden ticket inside.” Carole also delivered a podcast to all staff to thank them for their contribution. Despite successfully retaining the gold accreditation, Carole said the group will not be resting on any laurels and remains fully committed to a process of continuous improvement. She added: “We have evaluated the reports and feedback, and as a result, are determined to continue to create the conditions where our staff can enjoy their work. We will continue to create career pathways, to empower staff to grow and develop and we will keep focusing on the health and wellbeing of staff, enabling them to fulfill their potential. “The Investors in People inspectors said they had noted our staff’s ‘deepseated commitment’ to the people they support, and staff’s expressed conviction that Regard delivers truly person-centred support, which was extremely satisfying and heartening to hear. We need to ensure we continue to encourage that kind of culture as it means our staff will have the skills, motivation and desire to provide the very best levels of care to the people we support.” Regard has a dedicated staff of over 2,600 people on 167 sites across the UK, caring for more than 1,300 people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and acquired brain injuries through specialist residential services, supported living services, outreach support and day resource centres, all focussed on positive outcomes.
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Staff celebrated for completing apprenticeship programme THE Healthcare Homes Group marked the completion of its first 12-month accredited Health Care Practitioner apprenticeship programme, which has seen eight members of its team make the grade. The health care practitioner role offers staff the opportunity to undertake the accredited programme, which results in them being able to transition to a skilled post alongside the Group’s experienced nursing team. The eight successful participants of the first programme received badges and certificates from the senior management team, and enjoyed a celebratory lunch for completing the programme. The staff that completed the programme are: Hanro Steytler – Oaklands House Care Residence; Dawn Culf – Aldringham Court Nursing Home; Hayley Day – field based (Suffolk); Kelly Duszynski – Barking Hall Nursing Home; Florin Popsecu – Home Close Residential Home; Ingrida Popescu – Home Close Residential Home; Trina Green – Meadow House Nursing Home; Tracy Eves – Meadow House Nursing Home. The accredited apprenticeship programme was developed by the Group’s head of learning and development Fran Brett, in partnership with training provider
‘Steadfast’. The training programme has been led by Steadfast for those who enrolled on the first 12-month course. Fran said: “Congratulations to the very first cohort of health care practitioners, who have successfully completed the accredited programme. “They are now able to operate as HCPs alongside our busy nursing staff, which is beneficial all round; extra support for our nurses and residents plus it gives staff a new development path within the business.”
A second group of apprentices will be qualifying in February, taking the total number of health care practitioners to 14. Following completion of the HCP, Trina Green and Tracy Eves have already signed-up to a new Trainee Nursing Associates Programme, which Healthcare Homes is offering staff. The programme is managed by the University of East Anglia and the Group is one of only two social care providers to launch a Trainee Nursing Associates scheme, in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney STP.
Melanie’s big plans A GLOUCESTER care home has appointed a new manager who wants to put high quality care, day trips and the local community at the centre of her plans. Melanie Marchant has taken over as the manager at The Knoll in Tuffley. With almost 30 years’ experience in caring for elderly people, she plans to launch a new programme of events for residents and the local community – on top of improvements to the home’s already high standards of care. Melanie said: “The Knoll is an amazing home for residents and I am thrilled to be here as the new manager. “First and foremost, the home has a first-class reputation for its care and the quality of the staff. I want to ensure those standards stay high every single day, but also look for areas where we can be outstanding. “Over the coming months, and working with the team, I also want to bring in new ideas which will give a greater variety of activities for residents. “This includes a new events programme, trips out to places of interest, and involving the local community much more at all times of the year.” The Knoll is part of the Redwood Healthcare Group.
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Red carpet rolled out for home’s grand opening
New Care has promoted Dawn Collett, a former registered nurse, to the role of commissioning director. In recognition of her achievements, Dawn, who has worked for the company for more six years, has also been appointed to the Board. Since joining New Care in 2012, Dawn has forged formidable relationships with industry bodies, such as local NHS Trusts, stakeholders, as well as residents and their relatives. In her new role she will continue to build these invaluable relationships, helping and guiding individuals when they are vulnerable, emotive and often at a loss as to what to do. Dawn is also tasked with imparting her knowledge regarding funding for elderly, utilising her expertise to support and advise those looking for a care home.
Starscape
THE red carpet was rolled out for the grand opening of new care home, Gracewell of Ascot. The care home will offer personalised nursing, residential and dementia care to older people in the heart of the local community. The celebration saw the welcoming of VIP guests including High Sheriff of Berkshire Graham Barker, Deputy Mayor Colin Rayner and Alan Carr MBE. Residents, local members of the community and health care professionals were also in attendance to enjoy the festivities, Prosecco and canapés. Guests were treated to a live performance from the Charters School Jazz band and the soothing sounds of harpist Luisa-Maria Cordell. A ribbon was cut by founder member of Gracewell of Ascot June Wheeler, who also sliced a threetiered cake that featured decorative jockeys and horses to tie into the day’s ‘at the races’ theme. Gracewell of Ascot is set to welcome up to 80 residents to its stylish en-suite bedrooms, with a full team of carers and nurses on hand to deliver personalised care. The home’s courtyard overlooks a sensory garden for all residents to enjoy. The luxury care home will be the 21st to be opened in the UK by Gracewell Healthcare. Each resident
will receive a tailored care plan, created with their individual needs in mind. Residents will also benefit from the home being within walking distance to the local high street, railway station and local shops, as well as Ascot Racecourse. And, like all of the group’s care homes, Gracewell of Ascot will offer a busy calendar to its residents, full of a diverse array of stimulating and engaging activities and events. Stella Putt, general manager at Gracewell of Ascot, said: “We are very excited to have opened Gracewell of
Ascot. We hope we showcased the high-quality and compassionate care we will strive to provide every single day, as well as the active role we are keen to play in the community. “I am very proud to be leading a team of dedicated staff, who have been busy preparing our new home to ensure it meets the needs of all residents. “We would like to thank everyone who made our opening event such a success and are now looking forward to welcoming residents over the coming weeks and months.”
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What are the costs involved in leasing a minibus for your care home? IF YOU read our guide last month on the benefits of leasing a minibus for your care home, we hope that you are now considering leasing your next vehicle and we’d like to share some information on what leasing costs. One of the main benefits of leasing is the ‘no hidden surprises’ nature of the financials. You know from the off what your outgoings will be and if you choose a fully maintained vehicle your only additional costs will be fuel and insurance. Our website www.minibusleasinguk.co.uk shows transparent pricing on all of the models available and our team are always on hand to guide you through a quote but here’s what some of the figures mean. You will be asked to pay an initial rental – this is
the number of months’ rental you pay in the first month. The more you pay in the first month, the lower the subsequent monthly rentals. You then pay a set monthly leasing fee for the duration of your rental (2-5 years). There’s an industry standard arrangement fee to pay which is £199. If your vehicle is fully maintained the only additional costs you need to consider are insurance and fuel. Enquiries: Browse our website www. minibusleasinguk.co.uk to look further into our current leasing deals. To have an informal chat with one of our team or to get a quote on a specific minibus call us on 01491 615516 or email sales@minibusleasing.co.uk
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CARINGNEWS
Let’s banish the blight of costly nursing agencies and Dickensian procurement By Mario Kreft MBE SOCIAL care is the glue that binds our communities together – socially, culturally and economically – but it is being blighted by a triple whammy of chronic underfunding, Dickensian procurement practices and the eyewatering cost of hiring agency nurses. As a sector, it directly employs 100,000 dedicated and skilled people who support hundreds of thousands of vulnerable adults and children across the land. It contributes over £3billion a year to the Welsh economy and underpins our NHS. Traditionally, social care has been the Cinderella service, with a constant downward pressure on fees with an emphasis on price not value – all of this coinciding with ever escalating costs, some of which are a direct result of extra and often overbureaucratic regulation and process. As a result, care homes have closed across Wales because they were not economically viable. Nursing homes are also being forced to shut or de-register their beds at a time when demand is soaring. One of the major problems affecting the sector is the dire shortage of nursing staff, with providers virtually being held to ransom by the exorbitant cost of agency staff which can exceed £50 and hour. Around 70 per cent of the weekly
Mario Kreft MBE income of a care home or nursing home goes straight out in wages. In the case of domiciliary care the figure rises to 80 per cent and that’s before factoring the cost of hiring agency staff. This is why we’re seeing closures in North Wales, and particularly a reduction in the high-end nursing beds. That, in turn, is putting more pressure on the NHS, making it less efficient and more costly than it should be. They, too, are also using huge amounts of agency staff, with millions and millions of pounds a year going into private businesses just to provide agency staff. What rubs salt in the wound is, that
more often than not, these are people who have been trained either by the NHS or the independent sector. I don’t necessarily blame the nurses themselves but there is something fundamentally flawed with a system that allows this iniquitous practice to happen and we need to take action as a matter of urgency to change the system so we can ethically ensure taxpayers’ money is spent on caring for people rather than on outside interests. A major step forward was the forward-thinking decision of the Welsh Government to choose social care as one of the four key foundation sectors in the Economic Action Plan for Wales. As a former Health Minister, our new First Minister, Professor Mark Drakeford, appreciates health and social care are actually one sector. At Care Forum Wales we were particularly encouraged by Prof Drakeford’s manifesto pledge to use the power of procurement and public investment to secure quality services in, for example, the care sector by linking that investment to fair pay and career development. It is extremely frustrating for care providers in fee negotiations when public sector commissioners question providers as to why they would pay staff above the legal minimum wage. This is even the case where those commissioners themselves have
committed to paying their own staff the real living wage. The recently published Welsh Government good practice toolkit on setting fees for care homes for older people, Let’s Agree to Agree, could be used to promote fee setting, based not just on the legal minimum wage and a similar approach could be rolled out to other parts of the sector. We would also like to see a move away from commissioning which encourages piecemeal contracts in domiciliary care and bartering in contracts for care for younger adults. With professor Drakeford at the helm, we hope that 2019 heralds a new and fairer beginning for social care. The demographics don’t lie. With the number of people aged over 85 set to double over next few years, providing social care for an ageing population is the challenge of our age. We need to value the wonderful people who work in the sector now and make it an attractive career for new recruits. That is about more than kind words. We have to have fair procurement that enables the sector to pay people properly. Investing in social care will benefit all of us. Social care should not be seen as a burden, it should be recognised as a sector that adds value to our nation. n Mario is chair of Care Forum Wales.
12
CARINGNEWS
New manager appointed to grow homecare business
Primary school pupil’s artwork is unveiled A BUDDING young artist from Cramond Primary School has had her winning artwork unveiled at Edinburgh’s newest care home. Six-year-old Lauren White was crowned the winner of the art competition run by Cramond Residence, after her poster depicting the village was chosen out of more than 400 entries. She has been presented with her impressive artwork at a special ceremony. A reproduced piece, inspired by Lauren’s winning work, has also been created and now takes pride of place in the home’s café. Eileen Gray, general manager of
Cramond Residence, said: “Lauren’s art competition win was very well deserved as she had clearly worked incredibly hard on her poster of Cramond. “Creating and cherishing memories is very important to us at Cramond Residence, so we are proud to have now unveiled the replica of Lauren’s wonderful artwork as the prime piece in our café. We know it will be loved and admired by our residents for many years to come.” Lauren also received a top-of-therange art set and easel, as well as Hobbycraft vouchers to allow her to continue her artistic ambitions.
HOMECARE and companionship provider MyLife Cambridge has appointed a new manager to enhance and expand its breadth of services, recruit a fresh wave of compassionate care assistants and grow the business by attracting new clients living in the city and beyond. Karen Nash is a care professional with more than two decades of experience in the industry. Most recently she was a senior manager at another leading domiciliary care provider, where she spent six years, but has also held positions at various care companies and nursing agencies. “I am beyond excited to join MyLife’s fantastic team and take the reins at Cambridge,” said Karen. “The branch received a ‘Good’ rating in its last CQC inspection and we are seeking to build on this by striving to deliver the highest quality of care possible to vulnerable people residing in the local area. “Firstly though, I am taking the time to personally visit each of our existing clients to establish a connection, as well as understand their care needs.” Karen is now responsible for all aspects of management at MyLife Cambridge and will ensure the branch is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led; all
Karen Nash categories of inspection under the CQC. She has a wealth of qualifications to her name, including a Diploma in Management and NVQ Level 4, Health and Social Care. Karen added: “I was attracted to MyLife Cambridge because of its local reputation as an outstanding home care provider, but also because it supports a wide range of vulnerable clients including older people and the less able. It also offers live-in care, which is a relatively new area for me. “I see this as an exciting opportunity to learn and develop myself professionally. “The team has been extremely welcoming, and although recruiting in the care sector is always a challenge, it is one I am grasping with both hands.”
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CARINGNEWS
Student paramedics from the University of Worcester – Sian Scott, Jacob Thomas and Chloe Tilley – with Lammas House resident Kathleen Rushton.
Trainees get first-hand work experience at care homes MORE than 200 trainee paramedics, physician associates, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are getting first-hand work experience at Sanctuary Care homes across the Midlands. Students from Birmingham City University and the University of Worcester are getting work experience at 20 of the group’s homes, including those in Worcestershire and Birmingham. The placements, which started in October and will be staggered until February, give the students the opportunity to develop their communication, social and practical skills. Sanctuary Care’s senior work programmes officer, Yunus Giwa, said: “We are proud to be supporting two of our local universities by helping their students to get such incredibly valuable work experience. “We welcomed around 50 students from the University of Worcester
into our homes last year and the feedback from themselves, as well as our residents and staff was so positive that we were thrilled to expand the project this year. “The placements are an excellent way to encourage intergenerational engagement – many of our residents really enjoy spending time with the younger generation, so this is extremely beneficial for them too.” As part of their placements so far the students, who shadow members of staff, have been doing everything from learning about resident care plans and how to write their life histories, to undertaking physical assessments, learning how to support residents who are less mobile, taking part in an array of activities and helping at mealtimes. The first groups from both universities have completed their placements, with a third cohort from Birmingham City University starting in the near future.
Care Providers Conferences 2019
The way to ‘Outstanding’ care
Delivering the latest care news and information that will enable your managers and homes to be at the forefront of ‘Outstanding’ care Listen to National speakers and experts, network with like minded operators, enjoy demonstrations in the exhibition hall of the latest products and technology that are designed to enhance your home, join us for lunch to debate the speakers notes and achieve practical solutions to roll straight out on your return. Ashford International Hotel, Kent -10th April Bournemouth Football Club - 11th April
St Mellion International Resort Hotel - 9th July
Webbington Hotel & Spa, Weston Super Mare -10th July Colchester United Football Club - 23rd October York Racecourse - 6th November
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Residents at care village Belong Morris Feinmann in Didsbury were treated to a series of opera workshops from SoundUp Arts, a community music service in association with the Royal Northern College of Music, whose aim is to engage, enrich and entertain people, including those living with dementia, through the power of music. The weekly workshops saw RNCM opera students, who are currently working on a production of Puccini’s comic masterpiece ‘Gianni Schicchi’, engage with residents through multisensory activities to explore themes and share the joys of opera. Weekly sing-a-longs and handlings of costumes, props and instruments were led by the performers to explore sensory and cognitive responses. Residents Tony Travis and Pearl Gruber are pictured with RNCM student John Ieuan Jones.
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The Way to ‘Outstanding’ Care Single delegate rate £25 per person Two delegates £35 Event attending: South East
Ashford International Hotel TN24 8UX
Wednesday 10th April 2019
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Thursday 11th April 2019
South West
St Mellion International Resort PL12 6SD
Tuesday 9th July 2019
Webbington Hotel & Spa BS26 2HU
Wednesday 10th July 2019
South East
Colchester United Football Club CO4 5UP
Wednesday 23rd October 2019
Yorkshire
York Racecourse YO23 1EX
Wednesday 6th November 2019
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CARINGNEWS
Society celebrates catering manager’s retirement THE Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society celebrated the retirement of longserving catering manager Jenny O’Neil with a tea party honouring her 16 years of service to the Bansteadbased care home. The charity, which specialises in delivering care to retired seafarers and their dependants, including those living with dementia, caters to around 90 residents and tenants, all of which have benefitted from her care in the kitchen. Jenny was responsible for the running of the kitchen, hiring and training staff and ensuring menus are kept updated with the best dishes and residents’ favourites. Her work was highlighted in the latest Care Quality Commission report of the home, which detailed residents’ praise of the food and staff’s understanding of the importance of promoting pleasant meal times. In a sector where hygiene, diet and nutrition are so important, Jenny ensured all residents’ needs were catered for, hosting regular tasting sessions and providing seasonal menus with quality produce. She ensured food and fluid intake for people at risk was regularly monitored with charts that helped to
identify and resolve any gaps in care provision, immediately. After the most recent Environmental Health surprise inspection, the kitchen was declared the cleanest ever seen. Highlights for Jenny during her time at the Royal Alfred included keeping the residents smiling by organising
dances, pancake tossing and many Christmas dinners with all the trimmings. She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Royal Alfred Seafarers Society and I will always have a place in my heart for all the residents and staff that have made my time here so special.
“I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life but the Royal Alfred will remain a big part of it as I continue to lend my support when needed in a voluntary role. I have worked with some wonderful people during my time here and am looking forward to keeping in touch with many of them.” Brian Boxall-Hunt, CEO at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, added: “We’re very sad to see Jenny go but we want to congratulate her on nearly 16 years of dedicated service to our care home. She has brightened the lives of so many of our residents and we wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement. “Having long-serving staff like Jenny work at the home is crucial in building relationships with and supporting the needs of our residents, especially those living with dementia. “We have a close-knit team here that provides important nutrition for everyone at the home and I am not alone in saying Jenny will be greatly missed. “We’re lucky to have benefitted from Jenny’s commitment and the team we have in place, led by Matt Goodman, is more than capable of sustaining the outstanding level of care and quality food provided for all our residents.”
15
CARINGTRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
Group’s staff get training with an equine touch Provider strikes gold A PIONEERING care organisation has struck gold for the support it gives to students and those looking for a career in the sector. Pendine Park Care won the gold award from Careers Wales after demonstrating its commitment to helping students prepare for their future careers. They were among more than 40 companies from across Wales who attended the glittering awards ceremony in Cardiff hosted by former BBC news anchor Sara Edwards. According to Careers Wales, Pendine Park are excellent role models in the way they train their staff. Last year they opened a new training complex when they invested £1million in massively refurbishing the 8,000 square foot building on Wrexham Technology Park where they are training the social care professionals of the future. Pride of place goes to the Pendine
Academy of Social Care which includes a ground-breaking new virtual training centre featuring totally realistic recreations of a residents’ lounge, bedroom and dining area. The organisation has eight care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon and employs more than 800 staff. Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: “We are passionate about the training and personal development of all our staff. It is in our DNA and something we have concentrated on since we embarked on this journey more than 30 years ago. “We were the first nursing home in the United Kingdom to be awarded ISO 9002, or British Standard 5750 as it was known then. “Meaningful work-based learning and partnerships with organisations like Careers Wales are a vital part of the success we achieve.”
SENIOR members of staff from Springhill Care Group went on an equine-inspired team building exercise to help them learn how to connect and communicate more effectively. Three employees from Springhill went on the training session provided for Diamond Ambassador members of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and praised the benefits of using horses for powerful learning experiences. Shirley Waling, associate director of finance and development, and Birch Green Care Home in Skelmersdale’s manager Vicky Sudworth and her deputy Emma Kay attended the programme run by Hornby and Birtwistle in Burnley. Vicky said: “This training programme was a positive way of learning new things we are able to communicate effectively. We had a great day and were surprised by the interaction. “There are many different ways in which we are able to communicate with our staff. Horses size people up in the way that needs you to connect on their level. “If you can lead a horse and control the horse, you can lead and motivate your staff.” The course combines interactions with horses on the ground – without having to ride – and non-directive coaching in powerful learning
experiences through which participants explore and expand their emotional intelligence, leadership, communication and influencing capabilities. Catherine Howley, co-director at Hornby and Birtwistle, said: “With their prey instincts and hypersensitive awareness, horses size people up instantly and accurately. “Horses do not role play. If you want a horse to co-operate and follow, you must demonstrate real leadership.”
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21 ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY Advances in care Cloud benefits home managers
home technology AS WE press in to 2019 after the traditionally busy Christmas and New Year period, it’s a good time to look forward to the coming year and take a look at what’s on offer to make everyone’s life easier, and even a little more paperless. We at Electronic MAR talk to a lot of care homes – those who are already using our technology, and those currently using paper processes, so we have a great view of the sector when it comes to usage and sentiment surrounding the use of technology in general. In Japan for example, the “Pepper” care robot is already in 500 care homes and helps residents with workouts, games and conversation. I think we in the UK are a little less cutting edge than this, but we are still moving forward apace. To understand where we are going, lets compare just 10 short years ago to now, with the advent of smartphones. These have changed the way we do pretty much everything, from booking flights (via the EasyJet app), banking (think of all the branch closures!) and even dating – these things are commonplace, but were almost unimaginable back in 2008. So where are we now? Smartphones and tablets are used by management and staff for work and personal email, Facebook (to check up on the grandkids) and Whatsapp almost
every day – great for communication between staff, but is this answering the new CQC KLOE: “How is technology used to support people to receive timely care?” Fundamentally any technology should have three attributes: be easy to learn and use (for example a meds giver can be trained to use Electronic MAR in 10 minutes), be cost effective with little or no upfront investment, and take over the jobs and tasks currently done by your most experienced and expensive members of staff – e.g. checking MAR Sheets for gaps every day, or even every round. Using technology sensibly and in the right places can drive your care home business forward in to 2019 and beyond – going paperless is a when, not if, scenario – and the smart care home managers are looking at this now. There are big opportunities for your bottom line, staff morale, having a clear evidence path, and even GDPR compliance around the security implication of having paperwork lying about. In a year when the Institute for Public Policy Research warn of a shortage of 350,000 care workers, rising to 400,000 if Brexit results in the end of freedom of movement, the challenges we face as a sector will need us to utilise new advances in technology.
A SURVEY of 860 registered care home managers by Research UK Partners UK Ltd revealed that four out of five feel more pressure at work than ever. Some were not prepared for the stress that came with the position, roles often varied from job descriptions and some weren’t intending to become managers. Courtney Thorne’s CT Cloud was created to help managers by providing a key audit tool measuring service improvement. By monitoring, recording and analysing care home activity (staff performance, efficiency and effectiveness), daily customised reports are delivered automatically
to PC, tablet or smart phone via email or browser. Managers can now have reports automatically prepared, rather than spending hours collating data by going through physical paperwork. These reports assist CQC inspections with data and analysis available showing best practice and where improvements are being made. Families might have concerns about loved ones – how often they were seen by a nurse, are they at risk of falling, how quickly carers respond. Data is automatically backed up and available providing custom reports to evidence the safe and responsive care provided.
State-of-the-art table to be displayed at numerous exhibitions CLH Healthcare will again be attending a number of exhibitions to display our state-of-the-art 40” Touch Screen Digital Interactive Table. Have you seen this exceptional product yet? If not, please give us a call – we will happily come and demonstrate it to you. While there are alternatives on the market, the feedback we have is that once you have seen ours there are no alternatives. So what is so special about this portable tableturned-tablet? Firstly, its versatility and manoeuvrability. It has mains and battery power so can be moved wherever you want both within the home or outdoors, with no trailing leads. It has a variety of uses – the screen can be used flat as a table (particularly helpful for group activities and table based games) but also its angle and height is fully adjustable, making it ideal for quizzes, memory games, films, staff training and much more. It can also be used for sensory apps, with light
and sound, particularly relevant for those living with dementia. Secondly, it is completely adaptable to your needs, allowing you to download and install hundreds of relevant apps free of charge, where some other options are far more restricted. Enquiries: If you would like to learn more, or book a demo please call us on 01392 823233 and check out our CLH website at clhgroup.co.uk
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22
ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY
It seems there isn’t an industry that hasn’t benefitted from advancements in technology, with even the care home sector reaping the benefits. Award-winning stair lift manufacturer Acorn Stairlifts explore how technology has helped care home residents with their mobility, their wellbeing, and their ability to perform day-to-day tasks.
How technology is supporting residents living in care homes The benefits of telemedicine GPs across East Lancashire have been showcasing the advantages that telemedicine can provide to care homes. A form of telecare, the scheme has been piloted in the north-west England region and sees calls carried out by care home staff being routed to a Hub monitored by hospital based-nurses – as opposed to the calls going straight through to a GP. Once answered, one of the nurses working at the Hub will be able to assess the reason for the call and then decide between the following three options: 1. Determine that a visit by a doctor to the care home is necessary. 2. Determine that a visit by a district nurse or another member of the healthcare team to the care home is necessary. 3. Determine that the care home resident will be better to attend the hospital’s emergency department. Due to their experience and skills, nurses at the Hub will also be able to provide care home staff with advice such as whether observations of temperature or blood pressure will need to be conducted. The benefits of handheld mobile devices installed with appropriate software According to professional services firm Deloitte, 85 per cent of those in the UK owned or had ready access to a smartphone as of 2017. 68 per cent of Brits also said they personally owned or had ready access to a tablet computer. Both of these handheld mobile devices can be installed with the appropriate software which will enable staff to update the care provided to the establishment’s residents. Any information that a care home staff member wants to make about an individual can also be accurately
recorded, dismissing the need to use paper notes which can easily get misplaced in transit. As well as being a resource for inputting and updating information about a resident, the software can be configured so that a user is clearly aware of what a person’s normal routine is. What’s more, some pieces of software allow family members to log on wherever they are and keep up-todate with their loved one. The benefits of acoustic listening devices A piece of technology for a care home resident’s room – and so long as the occupant consents to having it installed – acoustic listening devices can dismiss the need for care home staff to patrol rooms and possibly disturb someone’s sleep. Instead, the gadget can be turned on overnight and then staff members can monitor the sounds coming from the room that it’s set up in. Should an unusual noise be picked up, staff can go and check what the cause was. There can be a case for cameras to be set up to achieve similar goals,
though again consent will need to be gained from the occupant of the bedroom before any equipment is installed. The benefits of video calling services Thanks to the sharp rise in popularity of services like FaceTime and Skype, so many people have access to video calling services today. When it comes to the care home sector, this technology can provide benefits to various parties. Video calling can grant care home residents with an important lifeline that enables them to keep living independently, for instance, while family members can be kept informed and reassured about their loved ones as they can see people that they care about instead of just listening to them over the phone. Even healthcare workers at hospitals and other medical facilities may be able to use a video call to make a remote diagnosis if a resident isn’t feeling well. The benefits of robotics Sci-fi films may have you believing that robots will one day rise and take
over the world. However, the reality at the moment is that robotics can actually aid care home residents in so many ways. Take the robot Paro which has been developed in Japan as an example, which provides therapeutic care to people who are living with dementia. Then there’s Robear, a robot that has been assembled by researchers at Japan’s Meijo University in a manner that enables it to perform specific care tasks – it can help a person to stand or lift them into a bed or a chair, for example. There’s also a robotic suit that’s been created by researchers at Denmark’s Aalborg University. While it’s being especially designed to support those with severe mobility issues that were caused by stroke or arthritis, the suit can also assist elderly people to stand up and move around without the need for any assistance. Care homes across the UK can benefit so much from technology, as the examples above have showcased. As technological advancements are being announced on a nearly daily basis now, it will be intriguing to see what the next development to help care home residents and their staff will be…
Sources: http://balcombecarehomes. co.uk/2016/07/how-technology-improveslives-for-uk-care-home-residents/ https://www.consultancy.uk/news/14113/ uk-smartphone-penetration-continues-torise-to-85-of-adult-population https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/ support/technology/care-homes http://www.carehomeexpo.co.uk/news/ blog.asp?blog_id=4628 https://www.carehome.co.uk/news/ article.cfm/id/1572922/care-homes-ofthe-future-could-see-technology-take-aleading-role-in-the-delivery-of-care https://www.consultancy.uk/news/14113/ uk-smartphone-penetration-continues-torise-to-85-of-adult-population
Advertiser’s announcement
Wood-look Alertamat available now from Spearhead SPEARHEAD Healthcare, one of the UK’s leading suppliers to the care home sector, has added an innovative, woodlook fall prevention mat from Alerta Medical to its extensive product range. The Wood Alertamat is a robust, longlife mat with built-in sensors designed to alert caregivers when patients with a high fall risk leave their seat, bed or room. With a wood-look, non-slip top layer that matches the commonly chosen flooring in bedrooms, the Alertamat can be placed at bedsides or doorways to activate the nurse call when a resident treads on it. Matching the floor is a vital feature
to avoid aggravating confusion in dementia sufferers – and to discourage them from simply stepping over the mat. David Lindberg, product development director at Spearhead, said: “Proactively preventing falls and wandering among high risk residents is top priority for care homes, nursing homes and hospitals. “The Wood Alertamat is a top-of-therange fall prevention mat that gives care providers extra flexibility and choice when creating individual fall prevention programmes for their residents.” Based on a simple ‘plug-and-play’ system, the Alertamat is quick and easy
to set up and includes an additional six-inch lead to allow other Alerta accessories to be connected through a single nurse call point. It has long-lasting welded seals and strong wiring, and its antibacterial and easy-clean material help care givers adhere to the highest possible standards of hygiene. For more than 30 years Spearhead has been a trusted provider of high quality furniture, furnishings and equipment designed specifically for the care sector. The company has showrooms in Kilmarnock and Staffordshire, with fully-fitted room scenes to showcase the breadth of its interior product ranges.
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CARINGAWARDS ROUND-UP
Bluebird Care was triumphant at the annual Croydon Business of Excellence Awards. The team won the Best Business for Customer Service award and then went on to win the top prize, Business of the Year. For the Best Business for Customer Service the judges were impressed with how passionate Bluebird Care Croydon were about providing excellent customer service – everything they do is customer centric. In winning the overall Business of the Year, the innovative use of technology, excellent training and a passion for customer service were highlighted as reasons that Bluebird Care Croydon was selected for this prestigious award. They were finalists in two additional categories – the Technology Award and Employer of the Year, for which they were highly commended.
A south coast care home provider has seen off the challenge of companies from a range of sectors to win a coveted business award supported by blue-chip sponsors. Familyowned Colten Care, which runs 20 quality care homes with more 1,000 residents, won Company of the Year at the 2018 Solent Business Awards. Judges said the award, sponsored by KPMG, was made for “strategic thinking, an outstanding financial track record, a dedication to excellence and a dynamic approach to quality and innovation”. Daska Cason, senior care coordinator for Caremark in Plymouth, won the ‘Homecare Coordinator Award’ at the Celebrating Excellence in Care in Plymouth Awards. Daska’s commitment to her clients and wealth of knowledge in the care sector saw her being crowned as best in category. More than 250 people attended the glittering awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth, with guests including representatives from Plymouth City Council, NHS NEW Devon CCG and others from within the local health and social care sector.
RMBI Care Co. has received a commendation in the 2018 Learning at Work Week Impact Awards. The Learning at Work Week Impact Awards are presented to companies and organisations for running excellent Learning at Work Week campaigns. The awards are run by The Campaign for Learning, a national charity promoting lifelong learning. RMBI Care Co. received a commendation in the Networked for Learning category in recognition of its innovative Learning at Work Week programme, which involved all 18 of its residential care homes, as well as the charity’s head office.
The Manor House residential home in North Walsham, Norfolk has officially recognised a group of 15 staff members for their long and dedicated service to the home; totalling a combined 229 years of service between them. Head chef Chantelle Lown was specifically recognised for dedicating 29 years to the home, while Pauline Burton-Payne and Linda Blake were also highlighted for providing 24 and 20 years respectively of continuous service. Each staff member was presented with a framed certificate, pin badge and personally thanked by the operations director (homecare) for the Healthcare Homes Group, Janice King, alongside Paula Pawsey, registered manager for The Manor House, who also presented small gifts to all. Meddyg Care held its first awards evening in Pwllheli, North Wales. The provider currently operates two homes in Porthmadog and Criccieth, and more than 50 staff from both attended the event. Four awards were presented: Nurse of the Year, Carer of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and a special award for the ‘Employee That Goes The Extra Mile’. Awards were presented by MD Kevin Edwards and Michelle Barker and Joanne Cairns, clinical leads for Porthmadog and Criccieth respectively.
A group of top carers have been recognised for their outstanding performance and dedication at the Meallmore Staff Awards. Members of staff from the group’s 23 care homes across Scotland came together at Perth Racecourse to celebrate a successful year and recognise employees who make a real difference to the lives of residents and their family members. With 11 awards categories, including Excellence in Support Services, Staff Newcomer and Carer of the Year, more than 1,000 nominations were put forward this year by residents, their families, visiting professionals and staff. Foxburrow Grange manager Becky Pinnock won the Outstanding Leadership category at The Essex Care Sector Awards. She was presented with her award at a glittering ceremony at Chelmsford City Racecourse. The Essex Care Sector Awards: The Prospers are a celebration of innovative practice and outstanding achievement across the care sector. There were 185 nominations from more than 70 different organisations for the 14 award categories, with almost 200 people attending the glamorous ceremony.
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25
Graham is crowned care provider’s leading chef MONTHS of head-to-head heats and a showdown final have seen Care UK crown Graham Watson its Care Home Chef of the Year. Catering sector experts joined a panel of judges to name the champion, in a multi-stage competition open to the hundreds of chefs from across Care UK’s 119 homes. The trophy was lifted at the Residential Care Services Stars awards ceremony by Graham, head chef at Lauder Lodge in Edinburgh. Having worked in the hotel and leisure industry for much of his career, Graham has cooked for an impressive array of people, including wildlife campaigner and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough and Anne, Princess Royal. But judges say it was his willingness to challenge himself and set a new standard in the care home sector which truly tilted the balance in his favour in the hard-fought contest. Contestants were given a box of 15 ingredients to create a two-course menu. Graham’s menu consisted of chicken supreme stuffed with chorizo and chili rice cracker powder, classic fondant potato, butternut puree and a fig and red wine jus followed by an Oreo crumb and chocolate torte with brittle sugar and pineapple salsa. Graham said: “I love working in care homes, it presents a unique
Graham Watson set of challenges to a chef. We work in what is our residents’ home and there is nothing more personal than food – it allows people to express their preference, their past and their individuality and it is our job to cater to all of that. “The favourite dishes of residents at Lauder Lodge are slow cooked. They love stews and roast dinners, with all the trimmings, and our homemade Yorkshire pudding. They also have a sweet-tooth and they love all the fresh cakes and desserts me and my team make for them.” During the awards ceremony the team at Ferndown Manor, in Poole, were also presented with an award to mark their commitment to creating an excellent daily dining experience for their 75 residents.
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CATERING & NUTRITION SOLUTIONS Advertiser’s announcement
The importance of good nutrition for the older community By Helen Willis IN the last 40 years, the population demographic of the UK has changed dramatically. From 1974 to 2014, the percentage aged 75 and over increased by 89 per cent, making up eight per cent of the British population1. This move towards an ‘older’ population has seen an increase in the occurrence of medical conditions affecting both the way, and the amount older members of society eat. Conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s and strokes can lead to dysphagia, thus seriously affecting a person’s ability to safely consume food and equally importantly, enough food to remain healthy. The preparation of a nutrition plan for an elderly person is incredibly important at the best of times and when conditions such as dysphagia become a factor, this can become even more important and can present more of a challenge. With many losing their appetites in later life, consuming a fraction of what they used to, it is critical to make mealtimes as comfortable as possible. A failure to do so can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, causing serious health consequences.
It is estimated more than one million people aged 65 or over have, or are at risk of developing malnutrition, bringing an additional cost of more than a billion pounds to treat2. Coupled with the rising number of elderly citizens in the UK, means nutrition has never been more important. Another consideration for care home facilities is dining can potentially offer a resident the only chance for social interaction that day. If this time becomes an unenjoyable experience it can lead to social isolation, bringing with it damaging psychological effects. It is of paramount importance care is taken to ensure dining experiences for those living with conditions such as dysphagia are as enjoyable as possible. A way of ensuring those suffering from dysphagia continue to eat is maintaining dignity when dining. Poorly produced texture modified food can look like slop, which nobody would want to consume. Providing safe, nutritious and appealing texture modified meals is a challenge, but is of paramount importance. With technology now available to shape pureed food to closely
resemble its true form brings dignity back to dining. There are many challenges when looking to feed an elderly person, especially those with dysphagia; a lack of information and support for those involved with the care and wellbeing of these people. Those in the healthcare professional and care home industries are often undertrained and unequipped to tackle this issue and its challenges. It is imperative the profile of dysphagia
is raised, pushed to the forefront of the dietary agenda. Best practice guidelines should focus on safety and nutritional adequacy, but also the importance of retaining dignity within dining. n Helen Willis is a dietitian at apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods. References 1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/ peoplepopulationandcommunity/ populationandmigration/populationestimates 2. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/ programmes/malnutrition-task-force/
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Operator submits plans for Bingham care home
Page 31
Charity launches award-winning homecare service in Altrincham
Page 31
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CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE
Contract awarded for £15.7m care village CHESTER is to get a state-of-the-art dementia care village, and the build contract has been awarded to North West construction and property specialist Pochin’s by care village operator Belong. The £15.7m development will create in excess of 140 new jobs and provide world-leading dementia and nursing care, together with a range of amenities and services for the wider community. The four-storey development, which is anticipated to open in spring 2020, will follow Belong’s acclaimed village model of care, incorporating six households, each with 12 suites, providing a homely setting for expert 24-hour specialist dementia and nursing care. Also situated in the village will be 23 one and two-bedroom apartments for independent living, which will be available to rent or buy. Designed by architects Pozzoni, to incorporate dementia-friendly
principles, the village will boast a hub of facilities including a gym, bistro, hair salon and therapy rooms; all open to the general public. The new village will also offer a specialist day care service and the organisation’s award-winning home care service, Belong at Home. Tracy Paine, deputy chief executive for Belong, said: “We are delighted to
be working once again with Pochin’s and pleased that we are now a step closer to contributing to the provision of quality services for people living with dementia in Chester. “We have a number of exciting plans for the development and believe the city centre location will contribute to the creation of a vibrant community that is easily accessible to all.”
Belong currently operates seven villages in the North West and another new site in Birkdale, Southport is also currently under construction, with Pochin’s as the main contractor, scheduled to open in the Autumn. Pochin’s Ltd CEO Jim Nicholson added: “We have developed a strong working relationship with Belong, having completed their village in Newcastle-under-Lyme last year, and are delighted to be supporting them to bring their high quality dementia care model to Chester. “It comes on the back of numerous retail projects we’ve completed here in recent years, and it’s pleasing that we will be continuing to contribute to the city’s offering on a number of fronts.” The site of the new village in Chester will involve the landscaping of surrounding areas for the benefit of local residents and the nearby canalside conservation area.
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CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE
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Homecare provider expands by more than 700 per cent MyLife Edinburgh, which provides homecare and companionship to vulnerable people in the city and its local area, has cemented itself as one of the region’s hottest business success stories after growing by more than 700 per cent in seven months. “Edinburgh’s ageing population means there is a huge demand for care in the city, and MyLife is perfectly positioned to deliver it,” said manager Gail Pitbladdo. “We have diversified into providing specialist care for people with complex needs, built an excellent relationship with The City of Edinburgh Council and worked hard to earn the trust of our customers, whether they pay for care privately or are funded by the government.” MyLife Edinburgh has also experienced growth as word has spread of its first-class living
assistance and companionship services, which include personal care and accompanying customers on trips. It now delivers approximately 1,100 care hours each week in total, with referrals at an all-time high. The company’s success is creating employment opportunities for local people. Over the last seven months the company has recruited 50 new care assistants and currently has 20 vacancies, both for trainees and experienced carers. Gail added: “Our staff are the lifeblood of our business and perform vital roles in the local community, helping customers live independently in their own homes. “We have been lucky enough to recruit the right people to drive our business forwards and support their development by promoting from within.” Yorkshire Bank has strengthened its specialist national healthcare team with a senior appointment. The latest in a series of appointments across the country sees Kenny Nelson (pictured) join as a senior director, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to supporting SMEs ahead of the RBS Business Bank Switch Scheme, due to launch in February. The scheme aims to increase competition in the SME market by offering eligible RBS customers incentivised deals and rewards to switch their bank account to another provider.
Operator submits plans for Bingham care home PLANS have been lodged with Rushcliffe Borough Council to build a new 70-bed care home on the site of the former police station in Bingham, Nottinghamshire. The proposal has been put forward by Edwalton-based Charterpoint Senior Living – specialists in delivering purpose-built senior living accommodation. The scheme for the 1.4-acre site includes a 70-bed residential care home featuring residents’ lounges, a hair salon, cinema room and other facilities – mostly over two storeys, with one section over three storeys. It also includes residents’ gardens and 34 parking spaces, with access via the existing entrance. Charterpoint director Giles Nursey said: “We have listened and engaged with ward councillors and Bingham Town Council, and addressed previous concerns raised following an earlier application for the site by another company, and created a bespoke, contemporary design which will breathe new life into this piece of land.
“Having been vacant for some time, the brownfield site has been identified in the 10-year vision for Bingham as land for redevelopment and we hope our proposals to deliver an individually designed, 70-bed care home with facilities, will enhance the local community, economy and environment. “Our vision is to deliver a facility which will offer a range of residential care for local older people at a site which is convenient for the town centre, while at the same time bringing a redundant piece of land back into use to create an asset for Bingham.” The plans for the site have been designed by care sector specialist architect C-Squared. The application for full planning permission, which includes permission to demolish the former police station, has just been submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council. If successful, work would start on site in the spring, with completion by the summer of 2020.
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New home topped out
Charity launches award-winning homecare service in Altrincham BELONG at Home, the awardwinning homecare service operated by not-for-profit care village operator Belong, has launched in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in a move that will see the creation of new jobs in the area as the service develops. Also covering surrounding areas such as Hale Barns, Bowdon, Timperley and Sale, the service has already recruited its first team members and will continue Belong at Home’s approach of local people providing local services. Belong at Home tailors its packages to individual needs, with support ranging from assisting people with daily living and domestic chores in the home to going out in the community, whether to attend appointments, pursue hobbies, or enjoy days out. With rigorous selection, allocation and training processes to promote relationship-based care, Belong at Home staff are highly trained to provide specialist support for people
with dementia. The homecare service already operates across the North West, with services in Atherton, Crewe, Didsbury, Macclesfield, Newcastleunder-Lyme, Wigan and Warrington, all of which are rated ‘Good’ by CQC. Jo Ball, Belong at Home operations manager, said: “As a forwardthinking organisation we pride ourselves on sensitive, practical and compassionate care that enables people to remain within their own homes and communities. “We are thrilled to extend this service to the people of Altrincham and South Manchester, and we hope to create a lasting impact through both our home care and by creating employment opportunities in the local community.” Belong at Home is a Gold accredited Investor in People and Real Living Wage employer, with its remuneration packages including contracted hours and paid induction, travel time, mileage and DBS checks.
Lamont Johnson start the New Year where they left off in 2018 Managing Director Grayson Taylor and Director Dawn Taylor
With the enviable success of record Care Home sales in 2018 behind them, specialist property agents Lamont Johnson look on course to emulate that success in 2019, already having new sales nearing completion in just the first few weeks of the new year. With an unrivalled wealth of experience earned in nearly 40 years of working in the Care Home sector, both Managing Director Grayson Taylor and Director and wife Dawn Taylor have won many admirers within the industry, with their professional, friendly, hands on approach and NO SALE, NO FEE policy.
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THE final trim has been secured on the roof of a new luxury care home in West Sussex as part of a traditional topping out ceremony to mark the latest milestone at the development. The final roof tile at the care home in Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex was fitted by Donna Boobyer, senior commissioning manager for Caring Homes, and Kevin Coleman, construction manager for Caring Homes, in the presence of site manager Derek Paramanis from building contractors Lawrence Baker Limited. Broadbridge Park is a 70 bed, purpose-built home designed to meet existing and future demand for residential, nursing and dementia care in the area. Donna said: “It is very exciting for everyone involved that we have
reached this milestone at Broadbridge Park. “We will now all be working hard to get the home fitted out inside and recruit staff ready to welcome our first residents next year.” Broadbridge Park has been designed with many eye-catching design details. The living accommodation is state-of-the-art, with a wealth of communal areas for socialising and activities. Facilities will include a bistro area, private dining room, cinema, hair salon, quiet lounges, activity rooms and a private dining room for residents and their visitors to enjoy at any time. There’s a choice of individuallydesigned bedroom schemes which all feature an en-suite wet room to promote independence and privacy.
Housing & Care 21 has acquired a new extra care scheme from Midland Heart in Nottingham. The news follows Housing & Care 21’s commitment to invest in more specialist housing for older people of modest means. Seagrave Court is made up of 44 properties available for rent. The scheme will now operate as one of Housing & Care 21’s 126 extra care offerings, providing independent living with access to on-site care, in this case provided by Nottingham City Council.
Pioneering care facility opens THE Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson CBE, has officially opened the latest dementia-friendly care village development by charity Belong, unveiling a plaque to commemorate the occasion. The pioneering care facility, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, is the first in the country to incorporate a unique local heritage gallery and centre for world-leading dementia care at its heart – the Belong Heritage Gallery – created with the help of a £1.8m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. On the afternoon of the official opening, Belong Newcastle general manager Alison Peake led special guests, including the Mayor of Newcastle, Gill Heesom, and representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund, on a tour of the development. There was also a final chance to see ‘Lost & Found at Maxims’ – an innovative stage production, produced by Newcastle’s New Vic Theatre, bringing to life people’s memories of the historic building, performed by the people whose memories inspired it. Alison said: “It was a great honour to have the Lord-Lieutenant present. He had his own memories of the heritage gallery building when it was Maxims to share.
“Also, it’s been a fitting way to mark a significant event in the history of the local area, by looking back at the history of one of its iconic landmarks. The village has become a hub for the local community since we welcomed our first residents, and it’s great to bring together everyone who’s been involved in its development.” Open to the public, the Belong Heritage Gallery serves as a living time capsule, with spaces such as Samuel Bell’s Tea Room, a recreation of the Old Pomona Inn, a Maxims memories installation, a library and an arts and crafts room. Apart from being a cultural attraction, the heritage gallery is integral to the village’s world-leading dementia care provision. It serves as a centre for residents and members of the local community to engage in heritage-themed activities, as well as a catalyst for reminiscence activities – proven to be beneficial for those living with dementia. Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme care village incorporates 28 apartments for independent living and six households providing 24-hour care, including nursing and dementia support. These are centred around a village hub, which provides amenities, including a hair salon, bistro and exercise studio, which are all open to the public.
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Pupils create time capsule for new Wetherby care home PUPILS from St James’ Church of England Primary School in Wetherby have been creating posters and collecting artefacts to bury in a time capsule at new care home, Windsor Court. The facility has been built by LNT Care Developments, and construction was completed recently. The residential care home is due to open shortly, and home manager Paula Mountjoy said she wanted to create the lasting legacy of a time capsule to commemorate the completion of the build. She added: “We are so pleased that St James’ School were keen to be involved with the time capsule idea –
it is a really exciting project and I am sure it will be a great talking point at the home for many years. “I am extremely passionate about Windsor Court being part of the local community for several reasons, but most importantly to maintain fundamental links for our future residents. “We look forward to continuing our great relationship with the school.” Children from years one to six attended the event each bringing with them something for the time capsule. A copy of the Wetherby News, an Xbox controller, Harry Potter book and CD were placed in the capsule along with various pictures and notes.
Independent expertise, nationwide knowledge
specialist healthcare business agents We are delighted to announce the recent successful sale of Dr Anderson Lodge, a substantial purpose built care home located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire registered for 60 service users within the categories of elderly nursing and dementia care.
SOLD
The business has been sold on behalf of Mr Lakhan Kandola, who now seeks to focus on his other business interests in Southern England. The business has been acquired by Mr Jayanti Varsani, an existing operator in the East Midlands, with this latest acquisition expanding his existing care business portfolio.
Dr Anderson Lodge, Doncaster - Reg 60
When industry knowledge and wisdom are needed, when a discreet sale is desired, our clients choose DC Care to sell their healthcare business.
SALES | ACQUISITIONS | APPRAISALS | CONSULTANCY
01937 849 268
www.dccare.co.uk sales@dccare.co.uk
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CARINGNEWS
Uniforms that put staff at its heart WORKING in a care and nursing home setting demands a uniform that’s reliable, comfortable and capable of working as hard as your valued staff do. When you have a duty of care to those who are vulnerable, unwell, or in need of professional assistance, looking professional helps to reassure and comfort your patients. No matter how tough the demands of the job are, our hard-wearing uniforms are up to the challenge, providing your employees and your patients with that all-important extra peace of mind. With more than 100 years’ experience working in the healthcare industry, Grahame Gardner Ltd understands this need and is proud to offer one of the largest ranges of highquality uniforms in the UK. From traditional tunics and trousers, to vibrant scrubs, shoes and accessories, we offer everything your staff needs from head to toe. Organisations can choose from Grahame Gardner’s extensive colour palette to create uniforms which truly represent their identity, and make employees feel proud to be a vital part of them whenever they put their uniform on. Grahame Gardner can also customise uniforms and copy virtually any design or logo directly onto some garments through stateof-the-art printing, embroidery and monogramming techniques. Other benefits include free UK mainland postage and packaging on all orders over £99, next day delivery, and made-to-order options for fullybespoke workwear. We also offer, a free live chat web facility to keep you in touch with our team, and updated at every stage of your order. We are also delighted to announce the launch of our Advance range, an innovative new collection, that bring together state-of-the art fabric with the latest printing techniques in a UK first.
Shackletons celebrates 60 years of craftsmanship and comfort SHACKLETONS, the leading British manufacturer of high-quality furniture for healthcare, hospitality and retail, is celebrating 60 years of creating comfort. To begin their festivities, they have created a commemorative seal for the milestone anniversary. The commemorative seal encompasses the company’s rich heritage, the craftsmanship of their furniture and their dedication to comfort for the last 60 years to take with them into the future. From their factory in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, their approach to manufacturing chairs still echoes their long heritage of craftsmanship. Their highly skilled production
team take pride in the furniture they produce. Styles and fashions have evolved over the years but Shackletons has always stayed up to date with trends, whilst maintaining style, product quality and integrity. At the heart of everything, Shackletons are committed to creating comfort. Whether that is through the comfort of their chairs or the level of support given through their service, their dedication to customers comfort is always at the forefront of everything they deliver. Shackletons will celebrate their anniversary year with exciting product launches, events and much more.
New collection launched The Advance range utilises cuttingedge dye sublimation technology which allows customers to choose any colour, image or pattern as part of their uniform designs. You can even use your company logo to create bespoke panels and trims, allowing you to present a strong corporate image across your entire business, and ensure staff have workwear that truly aligns with your corporate identity. Combining the latest dyesublimation printing techniques with our cutting-edge ‘Aura’ fabric provides a collection that’s not only functional and well-designed, but that works hard for the wearer too, providing a more durable and performancefocused garment. Our 160gsm Aura fabric, can be hand washed or in a washing machine at 40 degrees, and is easy to maintain due to its fast-drying nature and inherent wrinkle and shrink resistance. Sizes are available from six to 26 (XS to XXL) and are available on minimum order quantities of 10 garments, with delivery lead-time of approximately six or seven weeks.
ACCOUNTANCY SAVVY!
Our goal is to work with you to carefully assess your personal or business requirements with the ultimate aim of reducing your tax liability – evaluating your needs and offering expert advice where and when you need it in a professional albeit informal environment.
With our unique understanding of the Care Home Business, we can assist in the following ways:
• Start-up business advice • Advice & assistance with the purchase or sale if applicable. • Tax • Preparation and analysis of financial statements. • Bookkeeping and payroll services • Sales invoice preparation and monthly analysis for credit payments • Tax planning strategies. • Understanding service user funding • VAT (if applicable) • Business succession planning.
JER ACCOUNTS SERVICE
7 St Pauls Yard, Silver Street, Newport Pagnell, Bucks, MK16 0EG tel: 01908 210666 Email:jane@jeras.org.uk mobile: 07956 917591
POLYFLOR is delighted to announce the launch of the new Polysafe QuickLay PUR Collection. Polysafe QuickLay is a loose lay safety flooring designed for adhesivefree installation and is the perfect solution for busy commercial environments in need of a quick turnaround and where sustainable slip resistance is a priority. Designed to be a practical choice for contractors and specifiers alike, Polysafe QuickLay is a temporary or permanent floor covering which achieves the same performance and durability as other Polysafe flooring collections but with the added benefits of adhesive-free installation.
The specially formulated studded emboss on the underside of Polysafe QuickLay works as a barrier – allowing moisture to escape from the subfloor – facilitating installation over new concrete floors of up to 97 per cent RH. The unique double sided Polysafe Quicklay tape is fitted around the perimeter of the room, underneath all seams and doorways securing the flooring in place. Polysafe Quicklay features a contemporary design in a tonal colour bank of 12 shades with a matt surface finish, providing a decoration suitable for dementia friendly environments.
Beaucare launch CareClean™ Premium Laundry Range BEAUCARE® Medical announces the launch of their CareClean™ premium concentrated laundry range, the new lines include bactericidal laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, destainer and sanitiser dedicated for use in professional environments including the care industry. The range is a cost effective solution which incorporates a powerful bactericidal action, along with the capability to work at low temperatures and deal with severe soilage problems. The detergent incorporates a spring fragrance
for long lasting freshness. All of the range is designed for use through Beaucare’s automatic dosing machines, ensuring ease of use for the care home laundry staff. They are available in 20, 10 and five-litre durable plastic tubs with secure screw lids for safe storage. Full product information literature is available on the range. Enquiries: For further details on the CareClean™ Laundry, contact the sales team on 01423 878899.
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.
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF INNOVATION IN FURNITURE DESIGN
THE NEW VALENCIA CLUB CHAIR To find out more call: 01924 868 470 For more information visit: shackletonsltd.co.uk