Caring UK July 2015

July 2015

incorporating

no.229 • £4.75

The Number One magazine for the care sector

Technology is pioneered by care provider

By Olivia Taylor FOUR Seasons Health Care is pioneering the use of technology to collect immediate feedback about care so it can find and fix issues quickly and give residents the experience they want.

Its new “Quality of Life Programme” is unique among major care providers. Purpose designed software systems are accessed via iPads that are being put into all of its 350 homes, so at any time residents, their families and visiting health professionals can tell the company what they think about any aspect of the services they receive.

The iPads are programmed with a touch screen satisfaction questionnaire together with space for additional comment. It is easy and convenient and takes just a couple of minutes to provide feedback. The information is transmitted in real time to the home manager and regional manager for immediate review to find and fix any issues or consider suggestions for improvements.

Each home will have an iPad in reception for use by visitors and another available to residents and staff.

Tim Hammond, chief executive,

said: “Being able to understand our residents’ experience on a day to day basis enables us to fix any niggles quickly and to do more of what they like, so they feel more at home and enjoy a better experience living with us.

“In the restaurant sector, where I previously worked, they drive standards by getting regular live feedback from customers. But in the care sector all that we have had traditionally is a paper survey, perhaps no more than annually and with limited participation and a slow turnaround.

“It is not a good way to understand and respond to the needs of residents and relatives. By contrast in just over three months of our programme roll-out to just the first 100 homes, we have acted on comments from well over 1,000 residents. I am encouraged that we also have been consistently recording satisfaction ratings from residents averaging circa 94 per cent.”

As a further element of its Quality of Life Programme Four Seasons has introduced a new Thematic Resident Care Audit (“TRaCA”) which home managers can complete electronically.

This is also designed to support the “find and fix” approach.

Resident publishes new book of poems

The Duke of Cambridge praised the 1,500 guests at Jewish Care’s 25th anniversary annual campaign dinner for their role in supporting older and vulnerable members of the community, commenting: “The results of your commitment to one another within the Jewish community are obvious – the real and loving care that thousands of elderly and vulnerable people receive, among the many works that you carry out.”

Before delivering his speech William spent time meeting Jewish Care clients, staff, volunteers and supporters. Crouching down to her wheelchair, he also chatted to 101-year-old Dolly Conway, a resident at Jewish Care’s Rosetrees care home.

JEAN Chesterman, a resident at Care UK’s Kingsfield care home, has published a new book of poems for children under her pseudonym of Jean Kenward.

Roundabout is the latest work in a writing career that spans nine decades, more than 18 books and over 250 poetry anthologies. But Jean is perhaps best known for her creation, Ragdolly Anna, which was made into a children’s TV series in the 1980s.

Although Jean has written poems, books and articles for adults, she’s mainly a children’s author.

“I’ve always felt an affinity for children and for the wonder that they have about the world and the joy they feel,” Jean explained.

Money raised from the sales of Roundabout will go to the Jonny Rhythm Foundation, a charity set up in memory of Jean’s friend and artistic collaborator Barbara Sedassy’s child who died from colon cancer at the age of 33, and who Jean knew from boyhood.

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Home buys its residents a beach hut at the seaside

By Olivia Taylor

RESIDENTS from Acer House Care Home in north Somerset have been so eager to take up residency in their newly acquired beach hut they have already been on an excursion to the seaside to sample the location.

The luxury care residency invested in the seaside hut as part of the company’s commitment to quality activities and as part of resident wellbeing.

When residents were asked what they most liked doing, visiting the seaside came out as a clear favourite.

The recreation and leisure team at Acer House will be involving residents and their families in the furnishing of the hut, and in planning events on the promenade throughout the coming year.

Acer House, owned by award winning healthcare provider Avery Healthcare, bid successfully during Weston-super-Mare Council’s first auction of 24 beach huts.

As news of the win was announced, an early delegation from the home went to inspect the hut, although it is not yet ready for opening.

Manager Kate Sweeting said the news of the acquisition has created a real buzz among the residents.

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Acer House residents Vickie Medley, Jean Barnes, Margaret Purcell and Edmund Kelly look forward to trying out the new beach hut at Weston-super-Mare.

She added: “They simply can’t wait to get there. I have already noticed a hugely positive change in the overall wellbeing at the home; they are excitedly planning their days, and what they are going to do at the seaside. One lady who has mobility issues has been doing additional exercises to improve her mobility.

“She loves walking along the seaside promenade, and now she knows she will

have a welcoming and restful place to relax in after her stroll.”

It will be furnished in a traditional beach hut style, with bunting, chairs, a parasol and other comforts, so the residents will be able to use it whatever the weather.

The home is also shortly to feature in a documentary funded by the Arts Council about elderly social inclusion.

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A Hampshire care home is going from strength to strength, receiving the Gold Standards Framework Care Homes Accreditation Award and an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission. Staff at Colten Care’s Kingfishers’ home celebrated the double success with a group photoshoot. The inspectorate’s report said: “The service was caring. People were treated with dignity, respect and kindness. Staff were highly motivated and knowledgeable about people’s needs, likes, interests and preferences.

Staff were exceptional at encouraging and supporting people to be as independent as possible and to live the life they chose.”

Rebecca Hannam, home manager (maternity leave), and Barbara Harris, acting home manager, are pictured holding the Quality Hallmark Award watched by staff at Colten Care’s Kingfishers home in New Milton.

Care provider setting the standard with its customer feedback ONE of Scotland’s leading housing and care providers is further cementing its reputation as a care innovator by improving the feedback platforms it provides to its customers.

Edinburgh based Blackwood believes the future of innovative care lies in the power of the customer and has therefore created a wealth of new platforms for resident feedback in a bid to truly ensure its service users receive the best possible levels of care.

Eight methods of feedback are now available to Blackwood service users including customer satisfaction forms, telephone surveys, questionnaires, consultation events, regional scrutiny panel participation, registered tenant groups and tenant ambassador opportunities.

Fanchea Kelly, chief executive at Blackwood, wants to ensure the company’s reputation is synonymous with providing first-class care and believes the best way to achieve this is to truly understand what its customers require.

She said: “We always strive to achieve the best results and the best provisions of care.

“At the heart of Blackwood are the people, and the feedback from them is what lets us know how we can

improve and adapt our service.

“We’ve implemented some fantastic measures for our users to communicate their likes, dislikes and improvements for the organisation and we have continued to achieve solid results.

“We know from speaking to our residents that people appreciate having the chance to give their feedback and shaping the future of our services and that in itself makes it an extremely valuable exercise.”

Blackwood has acted on much of the feedback from its customers down the years and it appears to be paying off, with regular five-star reports being received.

Fanchea added: “So far this year at least five of our developments have received five-star grades in, mostly unannounced, Care Inspectorate reports.

“We attribute a lot of this success to strong communication with our customers, tenants and residents – ensuring we have a clear picture of the care they require.

“Overall we are definitely pleased with the standard of care we currently provide – and want to make sure we can continue provide an even more enhanced level of care in the months and years to come.”

Group wins engagement award AGENDA Consulting has awarded The Royal Star & Garter Homes with an ‘Employee Engagement Award’.

The charity has been using staff surveys to monitor staff engagement.

This year it partnered with Agenda Consulting to run its first online survey. The company has been through a period of change over the past 10 years, including moving from one facility to cutting-edge homes.

Siobhan Creighton, director of HR, said: “The key to success was focusing on three key elements of ‘engagement’: communicate the big picture and everyone’s part in the plan; make the time to consider people’s views and concerns; and treat people as you would wish to be treated. As managers, we also developed this ethos through leading by example.”

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Apprentices celebrate at ceremony SOMERSET Care, Yeovil College and Yeovil District Hospital have celebrated its first cohort of clinical healthcare apprentices with a special awards ceremony.

Nearly 30 students working in the group’s homes across the county were the first to take the course, which is designed for healthcare assistants over the age of 19. The apprentices completed their training at Yeovil Hospital and in their workplaces.

Jane Townson, lead executive director of Somerset Care, said “Somerset Care is committed to providing continued professional development opportunities for all staff and encouraging personal development so that we can provide the best clinical care possible. I’m delighted so many Somerset Care staff have attained this qualification and looking forward to the next cohort of students starting in April.”

This apprenticeship is one of many courses provided through Yeovil College’s partnership with Yeovil District Hospital, all aimed at helping students develop the qualities and knowledge employers are looking for and filling a well-publicised skills gap faced by the health and care industry.

Charlie demonstrates benefits of gardening for older people

By Dominic Musgrave CELEBRITY gardener Charlie Dimmock hosted a special workshop at West Hall, Anchor’s flagship luxury care home in West Byfleet, Surrey.

Anchor invited Charlie to run the weekly gardening club and lead residents in planting fragrant herbs and plants to enhance the care home’s popular sensory garden.

The star of BBC’s Ground Force helped the residents to appreciate that gardening is not just a hobby which helps one to stay active in older age but is also regularly shown to help maintain good mental health.

The gardening club at West Hall, with guidance from Charlie, planted lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme and mint, all chosen for their evocative fragrance, in a raised outdoor flower bed, designed specifically for those with reduced mobility.

Lucy Brown, wellness manager at West Hall, said: “We find that the gardening club sessions at West Hall help both residents and staff to relax and the familiar movements of digging and weeding, as well as the evocative scents of lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme and mint, are particularly beneficial to the wellbeing of our residents who live

Charlie Dimmock shares a joke with resident Margaret Silver. with dementia, helping to evoke past interests and pleasures.

“Charlie’s visit has inspired our gardening club to continue to develop the gardens at West Hall into spaces which can be enjoyed by all residents.”

West Hall is a state-of-the-art care home, with luxury facilities including a library, hair salon, bistro and

croquet lawn, catering for people who want to live independently as well as offering unparalleled care support.

There is an innovative care model in place empowering residents to control the choices that impact their everyday lives and specialist facilities and design features are included for those living with dementia.

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Residents get connected as group rolls out Wi-Fi

Friends and relatives of the owners entertained residents at Half Acre House.

Home enjoys Spanish night RESIDENTS at Half Acre House Care Home welcomed their friends and family to a Spanish evening.

The house had been decorated and guests were offered authentic Spanish food and encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

The Mayor of Rochdale attended the event and enjoyed the selection of tapas on offer.

Home owner Anita Lewis said: “The evening could not have worked out so successful but for the helpful team of staff and friends.”

Visitors were surprised by a short concert which concluded the event

provided by a small guitar group formed by friends and relatives of the owners.

Nina Clegg, business manager, added: “These sort of social occasions keep residents in touch with the real world and offer the opportunity to enjoy a meal with friends inside the home, as many of them now over 90 years old are unable to venture out for meals.

“At Half Acre we are always looking for new and adventurous ideas to lift residents’ spirits and continue dignified lifestyles, even in their twilight years.”

FOUR Seasons Health Care has introduced Wi-Fi into its 370 care homes.

Residents have readily adapted to using the technology to keep in touch more frequently with relatives or friends who live far away.

Violet Amies at The Maltings Care Home in Fakenham said: “Having WiFi in the home means that my daughter and I can sit together and use Skype to talk to my other daughter who lives in the United States, which is much easier than trying to arrange a telephone call.

“It’s great to be able to hear her news more regularly and to be able to see each other and share photos online.”

At Cossins House Care Home in Cobham, a resident who used to be a ballet dancer and is now living with dementia, regularly watches ballet videos online.

This helps to stimulate positive memories, as well as encouraging her to reminisce about her earlier experiences with other residents and staff members.

Many residents are also shopping for books and other small items online in addition to adding to their Kindle libraries.

Alistair How, chief operating officer of Four Seasons, said: “It has been a significant investment to upgrade our IT systems and install Wi-Fi in all of

Carer Karla Petrie looks at the iPad with resident Dora McBride. our care homes, but it is one that we consider to be very worthwhile.

“It has enhanced our residents’ enjoyment of life in their home. They are able to connect more frequently via social media services and email and they can also keep up to date with their personal interests more readily, as well as maintaining their independence by shopping online.”

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Residents donate £750 to three local charities

Resident Arvid Tobiss with care coordinator Carolyn Riches.

Appeal celebrates birthday THE Abbeyfield Kent Society’s Wish Appeal celebrated its first birthday by taking a look back at the memories it made for residents during its first year of operation.

In 12 months, the fundraising initiative has raised over £15,000, making a huge difference to the lives of residents living in the Society’s care.

Created to grant final wishes for residents living in the Society’s homes, the Appeal has found that as we grow older, it is often the simple things in life we desire, such as a meal with our family or an evening at the theatre.

In just a year, thanks to the support of fundraisers and donors, The Wish Appeal has made a number of these wishes come true for residents,

including a nostalgic day at Hastings for residents who remember holidaying there when they were small and a trip to an art gallery for a former art teacher.

Leon Steer, chief executive of the Society, said: “As we are a charity, the success of The Wish Appeal relies solely on donations.

“We are overwhelmed and tremendously grateful for all the support we’ve received in the past year, from those who donated prizes and money to those who fundraised through events and challenges, we could not have had such a successful first year without them.

“We are looking forward to another year of success and making many more wishes come true for our residents.”

RESIDENTS from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution care home Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court in Mid Glamorgan have donated to three local charities.

Residents presented Sister Gwyneth Poacher MBE, SRN, with a cheque for £250 to the Sandville Self Help Centre. The Centre helps the community in many ways including respite stays, massages and acupuncture. The money will go towards helping the Centre with its motto of ‘never turning anyone away’.

This was followed by a cheque of £250 which was presented to Jessica Price who was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Jess has spent the last few months in hospital while battling Neutropenic Sepsis.

She is now on the road to recovery and would like to give back to all those charities that have helped her as well as people in the same situation, and has recently started her own charity ‘Jessica’s Dream’.

Finally, the residents donated £250 to Porthcawl Town Athletic Football Club. The club’s secretary Patricia Farrow accepted the cheque.

The club has 60 volunteers which enable children from the age of six through to university and beyond to enjoy playing football. This money will allow for 10 managers to attend first aid training to ensure the safety of the children.

Susan Barnes, care home church warden, presents a cheque to Patricia Farrow, secretary at Porthcawl Town Athletic Football Club.

The cheques were presented by church warden, Susan Barnes on behalf of residents at the RMBI care home.

She said: “As a charity it is important that we uphold the value of giving back to others and the church collection provides a fantastic way for us to do this.

“We are honoured that all the charities are within a five-mile radius of the care home and it is fantastic to support all age groups within the Porthcawl community.”

CARINGNEWS

Provider launches new accreditation for dementia care

By Dominic Musgrave NOT-for-profit housing and care provider Anchor has developed a new accreditation for its care homes that recognises exceptional care that enhances the lives of people living with dementia.

The newly created Anchor Inspires has been developed by the group’s inhouse dementia experts and is awarded to facilities delivering the highest standards of person-centred dementia care.

The innovative model of care for people living with dementia is based on theories and research from around the globe, as well as existing best practice in Anchor’s care homes.

Anchor Inspires uses 55 indicators to assess performance in four key areas: Memories; Safe living; Activities and Companionship.

Within Anchor’s care homes, staff work with residents to find out about their personality, past, interests, and create a safe and happy environment for that person. Focussing on four key areas of development has a beneficial impact on residents and encourages a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Care homes must undertake a rigorous process to gain accreditation and

continue to be monitored and reviewed by Anchor to ensure standards of dementia care are maintained.

The standards of dementia care delivered by Anchor Inspires accredited care homes will be regulated by the CQC. Joanne Laverty, dementia services manager at Anchor, said: “It’s exciting to be leading the way in improving dementia care in England. The Anchor Inspires accreditation celebrates best practice and is awarded to homes that deliver inspiring dementia services where person-centred care is embedded into every element of a resident’s life.

“Person-centred care is all about valuing the individual and we always emphasise that one size does not fit all. We have had real success and in the care homes that have piloted this scheme, such as our West Hall in Surrey; Greenhive in London and Tolson Grange in Huddersfield, where we cater for a number of residents living with dementia.”

Anchor now has 15 Anchor Inspires accredited care homes across England. A quarter of the group’s care homes will implement Anchor Inspires in 2015/16.

Bishop enjoys afternoon tea THE Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, met residents and staff at The Manor House, Whickham for afternoon tea The visit was part of Bishop Paul’s four-day Prayer Walk to get to know the people in Gateshead West Deanery, part of the Diocese of Durham. The Prayer Walk is the first of two happening this year in a cycle of walks over eight years.

Bishop Paul said: “It was a delight to visit The Manor House. The reason for doing these Prayer Walks is so I can get to meet a wider range of people but also as we walk and pray together we seek to bless, and be blessed by, the people and communities we visit. I love doing them."

Liz Dixon, manager of the Hadrian

Resident Mary Pat Lennard, The Manor House manager Liz Dixon and Bishop of Durham the Rt Revd Paul Butler.

Healthcare Group owned home, said: “We are involved with the churches in Whickham and were very excited to be chosen as one of the meeting points for the Prayer Walk.”

A host of feathered friends flew into Sandfields when the care home hosted a fun event in association with Walks with Hawks. Following the success of the care home’s participation in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch earlier in the year, residents at Sandfields had the chance to experience the art of falconry. There was an opportunity to handle the birds and the session also included a talk about the importance of protecting birds of prey.

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Care provider to create 30 apprenticeships ONE of the North West’s leading homecare providers is embarking on an apprenticeship-based training programme, offering a promising career in care for 30 members of staff.

As part of Cherish UK’s ongoing expansion programme, a total of 40 new care roles have been created.

The latest recruits will be joined by existing members of the workforce who will together undertake an ongoing apprenticeship programme to achieve a range of qualifications within the care sector.

Cherish UK’s chairman Peter Watson said: “As well as delivering excellent care to our users, we are also committed to creating strong career paths for our employees.

“Training and development is extremely important to us and apprenticeship pathways offer the perfect solution because as well as earning a salary, the work-based training is supported by a formal

learning framework, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications.”

Working with Lancashire-based training provider Holt Green Training, the team, which ranges from 18 to 65 year olds, will complete a 12-month programme encompassing a range of knowledge and competence modules including: dementia awareness; personalisation in social care; causes and spread of infection; how to administer medication and monitor the effects and many more.

Each apprentice also learns functional skills such as Maths and English; Employment Rights and Responsibilities; Personal Learning and Thinking Skills; and Employability Skills.

As part of the training package, the company is also implementing a new management system to ensure compliance with the requirements of ISO9001, Investors in People, Health & Safety, food safety and CQC.

Kelly Teasdale, carer at Piper Court care home with resident Lily O Connor and one of the home’s new guests.

Home welcomes hens RESIDENTS at Piper Court in Stockton have welcomed some feathered guests to their home.

The care home has taken delivery of eight hens and members of staff have prepared a pen in the garden where they can comfortably live.

The hens were provided by HenPower, a project managed by Equal Arts, a registered charity that aims to provide creative opportunities for older people.

The project is funded through the BIG Lottery Fund Silver Dreams programme.

Organisers from HenPower are visiting the home to teach residents and members of staff how to care for the hens. Many residents and their families grew up on farms and kept hens, so are well-accustomed with how to

care for the new additions.

Manager Tracy Hicks said: “We are always trying to think of beneficial activities that are a little bit different and stimulating for our residents and the hens have been a great addition to our home.

“The residents are really enjoying having their new guests at Piper Court and the hens have proved to be very friendly.

“Many residents have grown up on farms, so having the hens at the home is re-kindling lots of happy memories for them and looking after the hens means that our residents have that little bit more independence and responsibility.”

Piper Court is a purpose-built care home that provides nursing care for up to 60 elderly residents.

Advertiser’s announcement

Residents Peggy Ormesher, Eric Hope, Edna Roberts and Joan Harper enjoy the parlour with care assistants Sheila Flannery and Marilyn Roden.

Residents take a trip Vivark delivers fully flexible down memory lane fit-out for support centre

By Olivia Taylor A ST Helens care home has unveiled its new vintage parlour to help trigger residents’ memories of yester year.

Lymewood Court’s parlour is full of special old-fashioned items, including an 83-year-old grand piano and a 1950’s stereogram for the residents to enjoy.

The room has already been praised by residents and their visitors, with one resident’s friend saying: “I have just spent the most pleasant afternoon visiting my dear friend who is a resident.

“What a lovely idea the room is, especially being able to listen to all the old war songs on DVDs. Even though my friend suffers from dementia, it is unbelievable how she sang and remembered all the words to the songs. Thank you all.”

Members of staff are always on the lookout for extra objects to help trig-

ger the long term memories of residents who have been diagnosed with dementia.

Home manager Carol Morley said: “We are really pleased with how the vintage-style parlour room is looking.

It has been a fantastic addition to the home, with many residents spending time in the parlour, reminiscing and discussing their treasured memories.

“We are always looking to source more objects to enrich the residents’ experience and would really appreciate it if anyone would be able to donate items.

“They are fantastic to help re-kindle residents’ fond long term memories and it is very emotional to sit with the residents who have dementia and discuss their pasts.”

Lymewood Court is part of St Andrews Care Group, which is operated by Care Living, and provides nursing care for up to 46 elderly residents.

FACILITIES management and refurbishment company Vivark has conducted a programme of redecoration, repairs and maintenance at a highly subscribed Liverpool cancer support centre.

Vivark delivered a range of services for Lyndale Knowsley Cancer Support Centre, comprising painting, decorating, plumbing and joinery works.

The combination of Vivark’s fully flexible service, expert execution and reliability was vital to the North West healthcare provider.

The company completed the project in just two weeks and timetabled its work around Lyndale’s busy schedule.

This meant that the centre’s support sessions, classes and complementary therapies could continue unhindered by the activity of Vivark’s expert team.

Vivark’s executive director, Tony Cahill, said: “In order to secure this work and meet the client’s brief, it was imperative that we provided a

flexible approach paired with a high quality finish.

“The sensitive nature of Lyndale’s work also meant a rigorous attitude to health and safety was required. We took the time to understand the challenges the project at the centre presented and ensured that our work could easily overcome these obstacles.

“Our professional team exceeded expectations, providing a tailored programme of redecoration, repairs and maintenance in a timely manner, all with minimal disruption to the centre.”

To contact the Vivark team about your refurbishment and repairs projects, email enquiries@vivark.co.uk or call 0151 290 7894.

CARINGNEWS

Chefs create ‘soft option’ super meals for residents

By Dominic Musgrave CHEFS at an Oxfordshire care home have cooked up a novel menu for people who find eating or swallowing difficult.

Matthew Drayton and Charlotte Maisey, both head chefs at The Close Care Home at Burcot, have adopted the technique of serving pureed food in its original shape.

Using special moulds pureed fish is reformed into a fish shape, pureed carrots into carrot shapes and so on.

The aim is to make food more palatable for people with eating and swallowing difficulties such as dementia or dysphagia, to enable them to recognise what they are eating and to give them more dignity at mealtimes.

This new approach has resulted in residents in the home eating better and getting more pleasure out of meal time.

Now, thanks to Oxfordshire County Council’s adult social care team, the technique is being taught to other chefs in the county’s care homes.

The council regularly monitors the quality of care in residential homes and after seeing the work of the chefs at The Close promoted a number of courses where their skills could be passed on to others.

Three courses have been arranged for care home kitchen staff in the county where more than 40 chefs will

The Close Care Home chefs Matthew Drayton and Charlotte Maisey. see how to turn pureed food into a palatable meal.

Matthew said: ”The idea came from one of our team whose grandparents were in a care home.

“He was appalled by the food given to people with dementia which was just a meal blended to a paste.

“We all worked together to find ways of making pureed food not only recognisable but appetising.”

Charlotte added: “We often ask our residents what they would like to eat and create an easy to swallow version of that dish.

“It is far less belittling for people to have something that looks like a meal rather than a bowl of slop.”

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Home staff rocked against dementia

By Dominic Musgrave A POP concert at a pub raised the roof – and money to battle dementia.

Among the stars at the Rock Against Dementia night at the Commercial pub in Wrexham was Olivia Thomas, 26, a singer who once shared a stage with pop princess Pixie Lott.

She was joined by musical workmates from the award-winning care home organisation, Pendine Park They performed an energetic mix of pop, indie, R n B, and raised a total of £300. The proceeds are going to help raise awareness of dementia and support the work of Admiral Nurses, who are specially trained look after people who have it.

Olivia, an activities and wellbeing coordinator at Pendine Park, said: “The night went really well. We had a fantastic turnout. After everyone had performed we had karaoke at the end which was really funny. There were a lot of people dancing and singing along.

“We had a raffle, and there were loads of different prizes like wine, and chocolate. Places like Nando’s, ODEON, and Mecca Bingo donated prizes. We even had a big hamper from Unilever.

Bethan Williams, event organiser Anita Moran, Rob Hannighan and Olivia Thomas.

“They’ve all been very generous so we’re really grateful to them. We’re also really grateful to the Commercial because they donated an extra £100 on top of the £200 we raised and they put on free buffet.

“Music is very important to what we do here at Pendine Park. It’s part of our enrichment programme.

“The residents always remember the old songs. They bring back memories for them. Music connects with people on a different level.”

Also performing on the night was Olivia’s boyfriend Rob Hanaghan and care practitioner Bethan Williams, who works at Pendine Park’s Hillbury care home.

The driving force behind the event was Anita Moran, activities and wellbeing coordinator at the same home.

She is the first person in Wales to become an ambassador the worldwide Purple Angels dementia campaign that's been supported from the outset by Pendine Park.

New chairman sets dementia friendly target THE newly appointed chairman of Selby District Council is kick-starting an initiative to create the UK’s first dementia friendly council.

Richard Sweeting, who works as an activities coordinator at Barchester’s Highfield Care Home in Tadcaster was appointed chairman of Selby District Council following the recent election.

He will be acting as dementia champion for the district as part of his new role as the Council’s chairman and is already taking steps to create the UK’s first dementia friendly council.

In the first phase of the initiative, one of Barchester’s dementia care specialists, David Owen, will be providing several short training sessions to members of Selby District Council.

Richard said: “I’m delighted to have been elected to serve the local community as chairman of Selby District Council. As an activities coordinator at Highfield Care Home, issues around dementia are close to my heart.

“I think it’s fantastic that our district will be the first to have a dementia friendly council and am proud to be working in partnership with Barchester Healthcare to make this initiative a reality.”

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Oliver crowned care cook of the year at competition finale

Carol Giles receives a bunch of flowers at a surprise anniversary party.

‘Superstar’ home owner celebrates 25th anniversary

By Olivia Taylor A CARE home owner who’s been described as a superstar has celebrated a landmark anniversary.

Carol Giles originally started working at 12-bed care home Bayith in Waterlooville as a part-time care assistant, and when the opportunity arose to buy the facility Carol jumped at the chance.

She is now celebrating her 25-year anniversary.

Carol’s daughter Jane, who is the care home’s manager, said: “My mum didn't really have any money but by hook or by crook she bought the home.”

Carol purchased the premises on May 23, 1990 and since then has completely turned it around.

Jane added: “Over the past 25 years she has transformed Bayith into a loving, caring home from home for our residents and has helped so many relatives throughout that time.

Some of our residents have no family so we are the closest thing to family they have.”

Jane started working in the home

with her mother in 1986 when she was just 14 and things haven’t changed, the pair live just a few minutes away from Bayith now.

She said: “It’s something I love doing, I’d be completely lost without the home.

“I’ve always said that anybody can work in a care home but it takes a special kind of person to be a carer.”

70-year-old Carol takes more of a back-seat role in the day to day running of the home these days.

Jane added: “She still likes to come to staff meetings, just to let us know she’s still here.”

In recognition of Carol’s achievement, a surprise garden party was organised at Bayith, with visitors enjoying a cake stall, raffle, auction and entertainment.

The establishment raised just over £500, which has been put into the residents’ funds to arrange outings.

Jane commented: “To sum my mum in a few words, well she’s a superstar, she really is my hero.

“There’s three generations of us, even my son gets involved making tea.”

OLIVER Smith has been crowned the NACC care cook of the year 2015.

The chef at Wetherby Manor care home, Wetherby, claimed the coveted title at the national final of the culinary competition.

Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy played host to the finale of the annual competition that spotlights the skill, talent and dedication to excellence demonstrated by chefs in the care sector on a daily basis.

In front of industry colleagues, associations and media, 11 worthy finalists pulled out all the stops to impress the judges with their specially-created menus that showcased real knowledge and understanding of the nutritional and dietary needs of those in a care environment, as well as innovation and flair.

Oliver’s winning menu of pork tenderloin, celeriac purée, crispy potatoes and apple followed by chocolate mousse with beetroot gave him the edge that clinched the top prize.

Oliver impressed the judges with his well-balanced menu that tasted great and was fun to eat. He also demonstrated innovative use of beetroot in the dessert, great cooking of the pork and delivered on a nutrition front.

He said: “I am overwhelmed that I have won, especially within a group of such talented and like-minded chefs. The food they all produced was amazing. I absolutely loved the opportunity to meet other chefs and get an insight into what they do and their opinions. I also made new friends. It really has been an incredible experience.

“My residents have all tried my winning dishes so they will be thrilled that I have won!”

Matthew Dodge of Coombe Hill Manor in Kingston-upon-Thames

Oliver Smith took second place, with Samantha Smallwood of Sunrise Senior Living of Edgbaston taking third.

Matthew was also awarded Highly Commended Main, with Paul Burch of Dukes Court Care Home, Wellingborough, receiving Highly Commended Dessert.

Open to all chefs and cooks in the care sector (both NACC members and non-members), entrants are required to create a delicious and nutritionally balanced two-course menu, main and dessert, suitable for service users in a care setting and with a total food cost of no more than £1.50 per head based on four portions.

In just 90 minutes they are tasked with producing a first-class menu that demonstrates innovation, costing ability, suitability for the environment, adherence to nutrition guidelines, great taste, and overall menu balance.

As well as the esteemed title of NACC Care Cook of the Year 2015, Oliver received a prize package and trophy.

Residents enjoy motivational sessions RESIDENTS at a Sanctuary Care home in Bromsgrove have been enjoying some motivational music and movement sessions.

With the help of balloons, hoops and giant elasticated bands the residents at Breme Care Home have been stretching themselves and keeping fit.

Fitness instructor Andrew Kellyman of Progressive Mobility regularly leads exercise sessions at the home and is popular with the residents.

The home’s activities leader Helen Barron said: “Our residents absolutely

love listening to songs from their era and find it very motivational doing exercise along to music, it is extremely therapeutic.”

Three ladies who particularly enjoy the sessions are residents Millie Guise, who is 84 years old, Nancy Sheppy, 82, and Betty Fenton, who is 90. Helen calls the ladies her ‘Charlie’s Angels’.

Millie and Nancy, who are best friends and have known each other since they were 14, really enjoyed exercising to Scottish folk song Mairi's Wedding.

A husband and wife at a Bield retirement housing development in Fife have been ensuring the safety of the coast and those at sea between Anstruther and Elie Ness by volunteering with their local Coastwatch. Former coastguard John Kinsman and his wife, Ann, who live at Bield’s Abercrombie Court, have been volunteering at the Coastwatch look out in St Monans in Fife since it opened in 2013. John said: “I have several years of experience with the coastguard at Elie and so when there was an opportunity to volunteer as station manager at St Monans Coastwatch, I was very keen to step in.

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CARINGFIRE SAFETY AND SECURITY

In the first of a two-part feature, Martyn Walley, national technical manager at Aico Ltd, looks at the challenges presented in protecting people living in supported housing from the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide and the range of solutions available to protect vulnerable residents.

Fire safety solutions for supported housing SUPPORTED housing schemes are available for a wide range of people that need to be housed in properties that are decent and that meet their specific needs.

Each have their own requirements and it may be necessary to adapt the home they are living in to meet these needs in order to make it fit for purpose and to ensure they are safe; and that includes safe from fire risk and CO poisoning.

All residential dwellings should undertake a Fire and CO Risk Assessment to evaluate the potential dangers of fire and / or CO relative to the type of dwelling and needs of the occupier, this is especially important when it comes to Supported Housing.

The British Standard for domestic fire alarms – BS 5839-6:2013 – helps to determine the number and types of alarms required by the occupant.

These are referred to as ‘Categories and Grades’ within the British Standards.

The category is particularly important as it will affect how quick a fire is detected and alerts the occupiers to the danger and the Grades will look at how the alarms are powered and controlled. The British Standard for domestic CO alarms is BS EN 50292:2013, which outlines the areas

to protect and appliances to cover when installing CO alarms.

Standard fire and CO alarm equipment often falls short in meeting the needs of the diverse people living in Supported Housing, partly because an earlier warning may be required and partly because they may be in need of assistance to evacuate their home if there is a fire or CO leak.

The good news is there are a range of solutions readily available, including some that have only recently come onto the market, that provide people living in supported housing with the extra level of protection they need to keep them safe in their own home.

Reducing false alarms For people less able to evacuate their property false alarms can be traumatic, dangerous and, in supported housing schemes, is likely to mean time consuming intervention from on or off site staff to assist.

There are a number of ways to reduce false alarms, but top of the list is investing in a quality alarm from a reputable manufacturer. All domestic smoke alarms sold in the UK should be tested and approved (e.g. kitemarked) to BS EN 14604:2005 and heat alarms to BS 5446-2:2003, but

don’t make the all too common mistake of thinking that an alarm manufactured to this standard is an endorsement of the quality of the alarm; there are some major differences in the build and quality.

It is also Martyn Walley worth considering the manufacturer’s factory testing procedure. Many manufacturers only batch test smoke alarms, while others test every single smoke alarm that leaves their premises. It’s a major task that has an impact on the price of the product but when you’re dealing with a life saving device we believe it’s essential.

Selecting a quality alarm is vital, but ensuring it is correctly sited and fitted is imperative to reduce false alarms.

If in doubt, opt for a multi sensor which uses both optical and heat sensors to interpret fire signals providing

a better understanding of what’s really happening in the immediate environment prior to activating the alarm.

It provides the best response to all types of fires yet is virtually immune to kitchen fumes and contamination, so makes it the ideal choice for all rooms in a dwelling except a kitchen (where a heat alarm is preferred).

Early warning for rapid response The earlier the warning of a fire or CO leak, the better the chance of escape.

For people who are less mobile or less likely to hear an alarm, interconnecting those alarms is essential. If one alarm goes off, it will activate all the other alarms within the system, so can be heard throughout the property.

Of the two methods in which alarms can be interconnected, wireless interconnection (e.g. such as Aico’s RadioLINK) reduces the significant disruption and expense when compared to hard-wiring the alarms in a property. With hard-wiring, carpets and floorboards may need to be pulled up, channels may have to be made in walls to hide cabling or ugly trunking used instead, and redecoration required after an installation of hard-wiring; it’s costly and for more vulnerable people can be distressing.

26

CARINGFIRE SAFETY AND SECURITY

Meeting your fire obligations

Fire safety made easy with Fireco’s Freedor PREMISES with a big influx of people such as offices, restaurants and residential homes can as expected, get very busy.

Fire doors are safety devices which help prevent the spread of fire. They are a critical part of safety precautions and required to be closed in the event of a fire.

However, heavy fire doors can prove to be an obstacle when easy access is needed throughout a building.

Wedging or propping open the doors may seem convenient but ultimately poses a dangerous risk in the event of a fire.

Fireco offers an ideal and trusted solution with Freedor. Freedor is a free swing fire door closer which removes the weight and resistance from a fire door. This makes opening and closing the doors effortless, enabling greater ease of access and

provides freedom for everyone in the building. Keeping fire doors open also ensures that there is good air flow into the building which gives a fresh and healthy working and living environment.

Freedor then continually listens out for the sound of the fire alarm, and once the alarm has been verified, will automatically close the door, making it a safe and legal solution.

Simply fitted to the top of a fire door, the unit is wireless and battery powered. This ensures a quick and hassle-free install, meaning jobs on site are finished on time with no mess, making them a great choice for installers.

Complying with the relevant British and European standards, Freedor is a safe, inexpensive and easy solution to the problem of wedged open fire doors.

IT IS a legal requirement that all premises have a full and competent Fire Risk Assessment and then implement the fire protection requirements.

The ‘responsible person’ has the duty to ensure that they have carried out these obligations – but how can they be sure that they have used competent contractors?

There have been a number of fire incidents in care homes and many other business and public establishments which means that the pressure on owners to maintain competent fire protection is ever greater.

BAFE has developed a scheme for companies who carry out Fire Risk Assessments (SP205) which is a vital part of meeting the ‘responsible

person’ obligations under fire legislation. Providers are rapidly recognising the value of this scheme and gaining certification. After a number of fatal fires, such as the one at Rosepark care home in Scotland, there is now specific and, in Northern Ireland, mandatory requirements for fire protection in care homes across the UK. The Fire Risk Assessment is where fire protection starts, so companies need to ensure that it is provided by a competent company with skilled assessors.

BAFE is the independent, third party certification, registration body for the fire protection industry. Our aim is to support property owners and specifiers to ensure that they get quality fire protection for their premises, staff and service users.

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.

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CARINGNEWS

Scheme installs infrared saunas

By Olivia Taylor

Firefighter Justin Crosby with Maxine Ullmann and Hannah Cawthray.

Staff get a head for heights A TEAM of first-time sky divers are preparing to jump out of a plane 15,000 feet above ground to raise money to fund transport for residents at a care home in Harrogate.

The 13-strong sky diving team is aiming to raise £6,500 to help finance the minibus for Harrogate Neighbours Housing Association, a not-for-profit organisation that runs a residential care home at Heath Lodge, an extra care housing scheme at Greenfield Court as well as other support services.

Inspired by Christine Caird, daughter of a former resident at Greenfield Court, staff at the housing association together with friends, relatives and suppliers have all volunteered to leap out of the plane at Hibaldstow Airfield in North Lincolnshire.

Post-sky dive, Harrogate Neighbours is holding a pop-up afternoon tea at the airfield with staff, families, supporters, and some service users, while a barbecue and fun afternoon is being organised at Heath Lodge to enable the residents and tenants to join in the celebrations and commemorate Armed Forces Weekend.

Christine said: “Completing the sky dive will be the culmination of a 25year ambition of mine and would have made mum very proud if she was still alive.

“It is great to be able to also raise funds for such a worthwhile cause because the minibus will enable Harrogate Neighbours to organise more days out and give residents greater freedom to enjoy activities around town.”

TWO new infrared saunas are being installed at St George’s Park in Ditchling, East Sussex which promise a range of heath benefits for those who use them.

These are just some of the state-ofthe-art health and leisure facilities that residents can enjoy at St George’s Park, a retirement community designed exclusively for the over 60s, where the final phase of one-andtwo-bed apartments is now available for sale.

The new infrared therapy cabins supplied by BioWave use innovative far infrared technology which can relieve joint pain, muscle aches and arthritis, as well as offering numerous other health benefits.

Unlike traditional saunas, far infrared therapy cabins heat the body comfortably at a lower temperature, so the user does not feel dizzy or nauseous, yet the energy penetrates the body more deeply, helping to release toxins and aid circulation and relaxation.

The infrared rays are completely safe and the overall experience is ideal for older people who want to soothe and relieve their physical aches and pains.

The cabins form part of the new leisure centre and health club, known

as Rafael Court which is due to open this November.

Featuring a selection of one bedroom apartments, facilities also include an indoor heated swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi, games rooms, therapy rooms, café and hairdressing salon.

The development already offers a wide array of other leisure and social facilities, all in an attractive and leafy environment, making St George’s Park one of the most sought after and well equipped purpose built retirement schemes of its type.

Philip Smith, sales and marketing director at St George’s Park, said: “We are excited to be able to offer our residents use of two BioWave therapy cabins within the new leisure centre and health club and we hope they will enjoy the many benefits that will come with using these.

“The range of health and leisure facilities at St George’s Park is second to none and they are a major attraction for many of our buyers who still want to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle throughout their retirement, as well as being surrounded by the strong community that is already established here.

“With our final phase of homes now available, anyone who is interested in coming to live at St George’s Park should move swiftly.”

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CARINGNEWS

Testing for and managing risks of Legionella

By Geoff Shalders, MD of Brodex Ltd

Award winning Belong Warrington .

Care village scoops award BELONG Warrington, an innovative care village project designed by Pozzoni, has won the Best Inclusive Design category at the North West Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Awards.

CLS Care Services appointed Pozzoni on its first project in 2005 with the latest development, Belong Warrington, completing in August 2014. As it has won the regional award, Belong Warrington will automatically go through to the national LABC awards, which take place in November.

Damian Utton, director at Pozzoni, said: “These awards are really key for

us as they are submitted by the Local Authority Building Control officers for the projects they feel are well built and original. Belong Warrington is different to other care homes because it features an innovative fire engineering design, which allows for open plan household living for people with dementia.”

The 72-bed care home includes 18 independent living apartments plus a range of community facilities, which are also open to the public, allowing for a more diverse environment for residents and creating a community hub for the surrounding neighbourhood.

SIGNIFICANT publicity often surrounds outbreaks of Legionnaires disease but despite this, many people remain unclear about the legal obligations that surround testing for legionella, the bacteria responsible for causing potentially fatal illness.

Many more are unaware of the best practices that, though not legal obligation themselves, are worth following to ensure any risk assessment procedures are carried out effectively and efficiently.

In the care and residential sector, where the possibility of an outbreak poses an increased risk, it is essential firms have a comprehensive water management strategy in place.

They should include: Legal obligations There are several pieces of legislation that outline a care or residential home’s responsibilities.

They fall under the following tasks: 1) Identify possible sources of legionella exposure Managers are legally required to carry out risk assessments of water systems to identify where legionella bacteria is most likely to build-up. This tends to be where water temperature in all or some parts of the system is between 20-45°C, where water is being stored or re-circulated and where bacteria are likely to multiply, as a result of sources of nutrients such as rust, sludge or scale for example. Risk of exposure to legionella will then be greatest at the point where water droplets are produced and dispersed over a wide area, for example from showers and cooling tower aerosols. There is no set time period between risk assessments, but inspections should be regular and must be more frequent where risks are greatest.

2) Manage the risk Once you have carried out an assessment that identifies possible sources of legionella exposure, there is a legal requirement to manage this risk. Drawing up a schematic diagram of your system is always a good place to start. By doing this you can highlight the areas where risks exist, who is responsible for overseeing them and what control methods and other precautions are in place. These control methods should include avoiding water temperatures and conditions that favour the growth of legionella and other microorganisms, ensuring water is not stagnating in the system, and keeping the system and the water in it clean.

3) Keep records Keeping accurate records is a critical part of the legal responsibilities facing those in the care and residential sector. Records must report significant findings carried out during risk assessments. They should

also detail preventative steps taken to reduce and control these risk and dates of when any monitoring inspections, tests or treatments were carried out. Records of risk assessments should be retained throughout the period for which they remain current and for at least two years afterwards while records of any tests or treatments should also be retained.

Best Practices In addition to legal obligations, there are a number of best practices that are always recommend considering.

As well as giving you that extra peace of mind, they also ensure time and resources spent on water management are used effectively.

1) Bring in the experts While there is no legal barrier to a care of residential home carrying out its own legionella risk assessment, there are still many reasons why it pays to bring in outside experts.

Regular inspections can often be time-consuming and that’s without considering additional monitoring and treatment that may be required.

Bringing in a team of experts from a trusted water treatment company will speed this process up as well as ensure nothing is missed that could require attention at a later date.

Using an external pair of eyes is also a good way of checking if your system is best equipped for minimising the threats posed by legionella or whether implementing alternative water systems would be beneficial.

2) Implement a water management scheme Though legal obligations mean you must provide details of how identified risks are managed, it’s worth going one step further and implementing a water management scheme. Having one in place not only prevents and controls current risk, it also provides a future plan for ensuring all maintenance and development of you water system is legally compliant.

3) Train others to be vigilant While businesses, including care and residential firms, and are required to appoint a competent person to deal with legionella risk assessments it is also a wise move to encourage others within your organisation to be vigilant. At Brodex, as well as offering comprehensive legionella risk assessments and water management schemes, we also provide many of our clients’ staff with digital thermometers, record sheets and basic training so they are aware of where dangers are likely to occur and how best to tackle them.

By making sure your legionella risk assessments and control procedures meet both legal obligations and best practices you can ensure your water management strategy is working to minimise your risks and maximise your investment.

QUALITY IN CARESPONSORED BY

33 www.requiredsystems.com

Nicola Hambridge, Ann Marie Temperley, Debbie Hambridge and Brogan Mullaly.

Home wins prized accreditation Team of the year winners Howgate House Care Home in Bradford.

Staff’s efforts and impact recognised at glittering night

By Dominic Musgrave MARIA Mallaband Care Group and Countrywide Care Homes held their first annual awards ceremony at the Royal Armouries in Leeds The awards were created to acknowledge the efforts of staff and the impact they have on the lives of residents and their families.

Residents, colleagues, relatives and visitors placed a staggering 2,052 votes, which equated to 495 nominees across nine categories.

The categories were intended to represent all areas across the business for frontline staff such as ‘Dignity in Care’ and ‘Most Innovative Activity Programme’ through to ‘Behind the Scenes’ and ‘Head Office Hero’ for those who provide exceptional support to their colleagues.

Two special recognition awards were also handed out at the glittering event.

Phil Burgan, chairman and CEO, said: “It's always good to recognise the outstanding people in the company who really make a difference.

“Unfortunately not everyone went home with an award, but everyone there was a winner.

“We are only as good as our staff.

They are the ones who create our

Phil Burgan with Beyond the Call of Duty award winner Dawn Quinn. success.”

Winners: Dementia Champion – Rosalind Wood; Dignity in Care – Sean Thompson; Behind the Scenes – Penny Thompson; Head Office Hero – Daniel Younghusband; Housekeeping Highflyer – Marilyn Nichols; Most Innovative Activity Programme – Lorraine Jones; End of Life Care – Rona McPheators; Beyond the Call of Duty – Dawn Quinn; Team of the Year – Howgate House Care Home; Judges’ Special – Terri-Ann Clarkson; Phil Burgan Appreciation Award – Jill Atkinson.

The new CQC Essential Standards – call now to arrange your free trial ALL our Policy/ Procedures have been brought into line with the new 2014 Legislation and to make it even easier to demonstrate compliance we have developed a module that shows you how to meet each of the five new categories.

Enquiries: To find out more call 01236 782477 or visit www.requiredsystems.com

A CARE home has become the second in Coventry and Warwickshire to receive a prized accreditation in preventing painful pressure ulcers.

Arden Park Care Home in Coventry, part of the Clarendon Care Group, has been awarded the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Tissue Viability Accreditation – something it is offering to its own nurses as part of a campaign to stop pressure ulcers.

It means they are able to relieve and prevent pressure ulcers and advise families on what measures to take. Arden Park’s care staff also complete daily skin checks at the 31-bed care home and have introduced skin integrity care plans for residents.

It comes on top of a glowing inspection report from the regulator the Care Quality Commission

last year in which Arden Park was found to be compliant in all regulatory standards.

Arden Park manager Debbie Hambridge said: “We’re very pleased that the home has this important accreditation.

“The training and daily checks means our staff are fully aware of the risks of pressure ulcers and how quickly skin conditions can change.

This will help us to prevent them occurring and reduce the risks to our residents, so they can enjoy life without the discomfort these skin conditions can bring.”

Staff at the home were presented with their award at a ceremony at University Hospital, Coventry and Warwickshire’s clinical sciences department. The hospital has been running a campaign to stop pressure ulcers by training NHS nurses to react to red skin.

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Topping out of £18.9m care village

By Olivia Taylor CONSTRUCTION of a new £18.9m care village in Bowthorpe has passed a crucial milestone eight months after work began on site.

The project, which is a partnership between NorseCare, Saffron Housing, the Homes and Communities Agency, Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council, is progressing well.

A mild winter has enabled builders to make good progress on the 2.3 hectare site, which is being transformed into a modern care village.

The facility will boast an 80-bed specialist dementia care home, a housing with care scheme with 92 apartments and the central ‘village hub’ with facilities for residents of the care village including a shop, restaurant and social club.

There will also be extensive land-

scaped gardens in all areas and fantastic views over the River Yare Valley.

The project is on schedule to be handed over early next year ahead of the first residents and tenants moving in in mid-2016.

Karen Knight, managing director of NorseCare, said: “This is a major turning point in the construction of this incredible project.

“It's taken a huge amount of planning and effort by all the partners to get to this point and we look forward to the next stages and ultimately to welcoming residents and tenants here in 2016, where they will receive the highest standard of care.”

The housing with care scheme building/flats will be owned and maintained by Saffron Housing.

The flats are fully self-contained, all with their own bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms, but crucially also have access to round-the-clock care

Dignitaries celebrate the topping out of the new care village in Bowthorpe. provided by NorseCare.

Michael Harrowven, chair of Saffron Housing, said: “We shall be delighted to provide an additional 92 Housing with Care homes when this exciting project concludes.

“This partnership is a great way for Saffron to showcase its contribution to the housing sector in East Anglia and I know that our future tenants will be pleased with the facilities on offer.”

CARINGCOMMERCE

DC Care has completed the sale of Danes Lea care home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

The sale complements the earlier sale of Holyrood House in Hedon, East Yorkshire, with the same operator purchasing both homes. Danes Lea is a care home registered for 29 clients, providing residential and dementia care in this popular conservation area on the east coast. Alison Taylor, DC Care’s regional director, managed the sale of this home as part of a series of sales of homes from within the HICA Group, a regional not-for-profit organisation.

Double contract win for firm CASTLEOAK has secured a double contract win with new customer The Abbeyfield Society.

Worth a combined £9.6million, the contracts are for a residential and specialist dementia care home in Winnersh near Reading and an assisted living scheme in Tunbridge Wells.

Castleoak’s specialist development team identified and secured the site in Winnersh and, working in partnership with operator The Abbeyfield Society, developed a unique design for the specialist 60-bed dementia care home.

Castleoak later achieved planning permission and construction began in March. Spread over three storeys

and a semi basement, the scheme will offer 19 apartments and communal facilities.

Richard Virr, development director at The Abbeyfield Society, said: “Castleoak will play an important role in creating our new state-of-the-art dementia care development in Winnersh and in providing improved facilities for older people in Tunbridge Wells.

“The Abbeyfield Society has ambitious plans for the future and in our work so far with Castleoak we see the foundations of a productive working relationship that could help us to build the better future that older people deserve.”

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CARINGCOMMERCE Advertiser’s announcement

Eversley Care Home sold EVERSLEY Care Home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire has recently been sold to Richard Goss of the Wolverhampton-based Friendly Care.

This is a first time purchase for the company, although Richard and his family have an interest in other care homes throughout the Midlands.

The home is registered for 21, offers all single bedroom accommodation, a five-person passenger lift and planning approval pending for a further nine bedrooms.

Richard said: “Thanks very much indeed to Grayson and Dawn, and Lamont Johnson, for all their efforts in helping us acquire Eversley.

“From the introduction of a specialist solicitor who made such a difference to the process, to always being available at the end of a telephone, this is what makes Lamont Johnson, as agents, stand out from the rest.”

Richard Goss of the Wolverhampton based Friendly Care and Grayson Taylor of Lamont Johnson.

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CARINGCOMMERCE

Domiciliary agency secures funding to support expansion A MANCHESTER based care provider has secured a funding deal with The Royal Bank of Scotland and RBS Invoice Finance to support its ongoing expansion plans.

Human Support Group Ltd has reported a 26 per cent growth for the financial year 2014-2015, and are focused on expanding the business and specifically looking to grow their provision of re-ablement care.

It has also recently been announced as a finalist in the Health Investor Awards for 2015 under domiciliary care provider of the year.

Ashik Dossajee, finance director at HSG, said: “Re-ablement care is one area that we have focused on specifically. It enables a patient to leave hospital earlier with enhanced care at home for up to six weeks. Some local authorities have recently opened this

provision up to private care providers and is an area which has significant growth opportunities.”

HSG provides care services to local authorities and private individuals throughout the UK. The company works predominantly with adults, providing domiciliary, re-ablement and respite care, along with independent living support.

Ashik added: “The funding we have secured with RBS is allowing us to focus on expanding our core business and to accelerate our investment in developing our re-ablement services.

It is predicted that as budgetary pressures continue to increase and the UK population continues to age, opportunities will exist for providers who are developing and delivering flexible services to meet this growing demand.”

Marking the start of work on Shrewsbury's newest care home are (left to right) Coverage Care Services chairman Kenneth Bean, Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Beverley Baker, Coverage Care chief executive David Coull and Shrewsbury Town Councillor for Sundorne, Councillor Kevin Pardy.

Turf cut on new £8m Shrewsbury home A CEREMONY has been held to mark the start of work on Shrewsbury's new £8m care home.

The 90-room residential and nursing home is being built on the site of the former TA centre by Shropshire's largest independent care provider, the not-for-profit Coverage Care Services.

Once in full operation, before the end of 2016, the site is expected to employ around 130 people, creating new jobs in the area.

Mayor of Shrewsbury, councillor Beverley Baker, performed the ceremonial turf cutting with the group's chairman, Kenneth Bean, Shrewsbury Town Council member for Sundorne, councillor Kevin Pardy, and Coverage Care chief executive David Coull.

David said: “A new care home of this size is a major undertaking and it will be an important addition to the town.

“It was important to us to mark this start to the build with the people who have helped us to make it happen as well as those to whom it will become home and a place of work.

“While we had a ceremonial digging of the turf, it's really good to note that we already have rapid progress on the groundwork and footings, so already the building is taking shape and we can't wait to see it rise out of the ground to become an attractive new feature of this part of Shrewsbury.”

They were joined to mark the occasion by representatives of residents and staff from nearby Crowmoor House, which is operated by the group but which will be replaced due to its age by the new home.

Invited guests from the care sector, the developers, Castlemead Group, architects DWA and RBS, which is providing finance for the project, were also in attendance.

Property adviser Christie + Co is set to sell the former Oakhurst Care Home in the seaside town of Paignton, Devon. The former care home enjoys elevated views over the local park and encompasses 16 single bedrooms – 15 of which have en-suite facilities.

There are also three day rooms, a large fully equipped kitchen and chair lift servicing all floor levels. The sale is being handled by John Crocker, director at Christie + Co’s Exeter office. He said: “Subject to all necessary consents, this property can lend itself to a wide range of uses including hospitality or continued care use in some form or another.” Christie + Co is seeking offers of £395,000 for the freehold interest in the property.

Care provider’s new Perth office to create 18 jobs A SCOTTISH domiciliary care provider is set to create at least 18 new jobs with the opening of an office in Perth which will provide its services across the county.

Bright Care’s new facility, which has just opened, is the latest advance in the company’s growth strategy, building on its existing group portfolio of offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire.

Three office staff, including Jemima Vetha, business manager, and Alison Tanner, care manager, and at least 15 carers will be employed at the new premises on Charlotte Street in Perth city centre.

Tim Cocking, founder and managing director of Bright Care, said: “Bright Care's new office will serve not just the city of Perth; in addition our teams will cover all of rural Perthshire, in which there is great need for private care provision.

“There are limited options for senior citizens, taking into account the limitations of statutory services, often the only options available to older people and their relatives is a residential care home, which, in our experience is rarely what people would freely choose, given the choice.

Bright Care's service will alleviate this position.”

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CARINGNEWS

With the prospect of a CQC inspection never far from the minds of care home operators, Ellen Brown, care homes divisional manager at apetito, shares her advice on how you can ensure your catering provision is inspection-ready at all times…

Is your home ready for its next CQC inspection?

A CHANGE in government always brings the potential for new legislation impacting on care homes.

Yet getting to grips with the plethora of existing guidelines on food and nutrition for residents – let alone any changes that may be in store – can prove daunting enough.

Understanding exactly what you need to demonstrate to inspectors can be a particular challenge when it comes to your food and drink provision, as the requirements CQC has outlined regarding meeting nutritional needs are somewhat open to interpretation.

For example, it talks about the importance of a choice of ‘suitable and nutritious food’. No one can dispute this, but what does it really mean? What’s more, how can you demonstrate that your home truly provides this?

Here are a few tips to help get you started as you prepare to meet the inspectors:

1. Focus on the fundamentals A key part of CQC’s rationale behind the requirements for meeting nutritional needs is to address the fact that elderly people are at a particularly high risk of malnutrition.

As such, it’s vital to be able to reassure inspectors that carers are trained to spot signs that a resident may be under-nourished.

Our in-house dietitian recommends regularly assessing residents using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) to ensure any problems that may be compromising their appetite or ability to eat can be addressed promptly.

2. Include 24-hour choice With the CQC’s emphasis on choice, it’s important to offer more than just a couple of options at mealtimes and have snacks and drinks available around the clock.

3. Offer a top rate dining experience

Loan at base plus 1.95 per cent NEARLY £1m over 20 years with a margin at bank base plus 1.95 per cent and just a one per cent setting up fee.

That was the deal negotiated by Mark Widdows of Global Business Finance for his clients when they wanted to buy the site adjacent to their care home.

The clients had made direct enquiries to several banks but, without the ‘buying power’ of a

national broker behind them, were being offered much higher borrowing rates despite only needing a 40 per cent advance.

But within three days of engaging with Global as their brokers, Mark had negotiated the much lower interest rate and set up a bank meeting.

An offer was received by the clients shortly after and a swift legal process led to a quick completion.

Embracing the Care Certificate THE recent introduction of The Care Certificate means there are some big changes ahead for the care sector – changes that Avanta Care feel will only help to improve the overall standard of care.

With a new specialist training provider on board, and two additional candidate welfare officers added, Avanta Care is doing its utmost to ensure every candidate is prepared and ready for the additional training.

Avanta Care manager Sharon Bell has welcomed the changes, adding: “We welcome any new procedures and additional training, particularly if it means an overall improvement to healthcare in the UK. “We have been working hard for the past few months to ensure our training team are prepared for the change, and to ensure we can factor in the new standards.

“We have strengthened our team by adding more Candidate Welfare Officers, who are there to support the

candidates and assist with any queries or problems they may have with the training.

“We have created a handbook which is provided to each candidate to take to their placement, and to be signed off by their manager as they complete each of the 15 standards.”

appointments and visitors as far as possible.

Ellen Brown Inspectors will consider the overall dining experience for residents, so the importance of presentation and engaging the senses cannot be underestimated.

Have enough carers on hand to help residents where needed and keep mealtimes uninterrupted by medical

4. Seek support Many homes find that working with a specialist food provider such as apetito can provide a great deal of reassurance on their readiness for meeting the inspectors.

For example, as well as providing staff training on areas such as catering to special dietary needs, our Nutriplan system offers a clear outline of the nutritional content of each meal served.

We’re also on hand to provide support responding to any changes in legislation governing food and nutrition in care homes so that managers can avoid spending hours trying to stay ahead of the game.”

For advice on getting inspection ready or to book a FREE tasting session with the apetito care homes team, call 0800 542 2631 or visit www.challengeapetito.co.uk

Businessman gifts shares in care company to Trust HOMECARE agency Universal Care, which serves Beaconsfield, the Chilterns and the South East, has been gifted to a charitable trust.

The business was set up by Peter Cullimore and his late wife Gillian in 1986, with the main objective of providing care for people in their own homes rather than them having to end their lives in retirement or nursing homes or spend long periods of time in hospital.

Peter gifted his shares in Universal Care to the King/Cullimore Charitable Trust with an associated contract to ensure the business continues to operate with the same ethos and values in the future.

Peter said: “It has always been my concern that Universal Care continues to provide its own special brand of personal care and companionship long after I am gone.

“So many past and present members of staff, along with Gillian and myself, put in a lot of effort to ensure how the agency developed,

Peter Cullimore and Trudi Scrivener. and I don't want this to be lost."

Universal Care will continue to run unchanged under the chairmanship of Peter and in the safe hands of managing director Trudi Scrivener, who joined the business three years ago with over 25 years' experience in the care business.

Agency opens new branch in India CAREMARK’S not-for-profit home care enterprise in India has been officially launched.

The opening ceremony was attended by special guest of honour Dr M.K. Muneer, India’s Minister for Social Justice whose arrival at the

prestigious Gokulam Convention Centre was heralded by a group of traditional Indian musicians.

Caremark India’s newly trained team of 16 homecare workers were all presented with flowers and a gift from UK CEO, Kevin Lewis.

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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Claim VAT back on your home even if you are not VAT registered IT is true, care providers can reclaim VAT worth about £3,000 per bed for any residents who stayed in your home between 1993 and 2002 paid for by the local authority.

You don’t have to be VAT registered to make a claim. We can usually find the information required with minimal disruption to your business.

How is this possible? Well in 2002 a care provider called Kingscrest challenged the view held

by HMRC and won. There is no cost to you unless we are successful.

Typical claims: 50 beds – £240,000; 40 beds – £170,000; 287 beds – £1.25m.

And the best part is that you get the money in your bank account before you pay us. Don’t forget

the tax repayment is free of tax – it is extra profit.

Enquiries: Call 01233 640985 and ask for Howard to find out more.

esemtan® - effective skin cleansing for residents with incontinence esemtan® Cleansing Foam is a gentle, quick and effective skin cleanser designed particularly for the skincare of incontinent or bedbound residents.

Containing antimicrobial active ingredients, esemtan® helps protect the skin from infection, while also having a gently moisturising action. esemtan® Cleansing Foam is easy to use and should be sprayed onto the skin, left for 30 seconds, then wiped with a disposable cloth. The foam has a discreet but fresh scent.

Jan Buckley, manager of a Surrey care home, said: “We always use esemtan Cleansing Foam to clean the skin of all our

incontinent residents; it’s hygienic and discreet to use, gentle on the skin and has a very pleasant fragrance.

“The foam mousse is very easy to use, particularly at the bedside or where quick and tactful cleaning is required.” esemtan® 500ml spray is listed on NHS Supply Chain.

It can also be ordered from www.broschdirect.com/personal -care/personal-care/esemtans k i n - c l e a n s i n g foam/prod_4019.html Enquiries: To try a sample email mail.uk@schuelke.com or call 0114 254 3500.

Alternatively, visit www.schulke.co.uk

Medicines Management Guide from Rosemont Pharmaceuticals

Fixed price hire helps group to manage its laundry budget BELLFIELD is a recently refurbished residential home with an excellent reputation in Banchory.

With 34 single rooms, all en-suite, the home offers maximum independence backed up by 24hour care to its elderly residents.

The laundry at Bellfield consists of three washers, the newest of which is an Amazon 8kg washer with a thermal disinfect cycle supplied by Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems, and two dryers.

The new washer has been supplied on Armstrong’s increasingly popular fixed price hire arrangement which covers labour and parts on any repair and replacement when it is required.

The laundry handles all the bed linen, towels, table linen, kitchen items and residents’ personal clothing and, according to Janis Grubb, manager of the home, “works more or less non-stop, genuinely up to 20 hours a day”.

Janis has a laundry operator working five days a week, but all the care workers are trained to use the equipment so it carries on working through the night and weekends.

Enquiries: Telephone 01635 263410 or Armstrong Scotland 0141 892 2390.

Alternatively, you can email enquiries@armstrong-laundry.co.uk or visit www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk

Beaucare launches comprehensive new medical catalogue

A GUIDE to medicines management and older people is available from Rosemont Pharmaceuticals.

Called ‘Medicines management and older people – a guide for healthcare professionals’, the booklet aims to help healthcare professionals learn more about how medication works, how the ageing process affects medicines, common adverse drug reactions, the definitions of compliance and concordance as well as to give an overview of some of the legal aspects of medicines management.

The content of the guide is based on current best practice and the most

up to date evidence about medication management. The focus is on the care of older people, who have a higher prevalence of illness and take around 50 per cent of all prescribed medicines (Kelly 2011).

Four in five people over 75 take at least one prescribed medicine, with 36 per cent taking four or more medicines (NSF 2001).

Enquiries: To receive a copy of ‘Medicines management and older people – a guide for healthcare professionals’, email marketing@ rosemontpharma.com or call 0113 244 1999.

Questionnaires gently guide the carer through the tasks they have performed AS A registered care provider you are all too aware of the high quantity of record keeping that you must perform.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easy to use solution that substantially reduced the time spent on recording your daily care notes?

We think that we have developed the perfect solution by designing questionnaires that gently guide the carer through the tasks that they have performed.

This makes recording your information as quick and easy as ticking a paper based checklist but with the added advantage that all of your data care be quickly and easily monitored and used to assess your residents' care.

The Ablyss Care Management System is a

friendly software system which has been specifically developed for the care sector offering a suite of products to manage day-to-day running of a residential care home. Contact us today for a free trial or a demonstration.

Enquiries: Visit www.ablyss.co.uk

OUR most comprehensive catalogue to date is packed full of all the everyday medical equipment and consumables a care home requires.

We have broadened our product offerings within a number of ranges, including introducing new nursing profiling beds, which were showcased at the Birmingham Care Show last year, and dementia care products to mention a few.

We guarantee a one-stop shop policy, with orders placed by 5pm being delivered next day at no extra cost.

Beaucare® Medical Ltd, established since 1992, is the UK’s premier supplier of hygiene, medical supplies and equipment to individual care homes, care home groups, hospitals and NHS Trusts.

Enquiries: To obtain your copy call 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com

The simple way to meeting the new Fundamental Standards

QUALITY Compliance Systems provides high quality bespoke Care Quality Commission policies, procedure and toolkits for adult social care providers.

No matter whether you’re a start-up or an established service provider. QCS is the simple way to meet the new Fundamental Standards and prepare you for the new CQC inspection regime.

QCS can help you: Provide evidence to meet the five Key Questions.

Meet all your KLOEs. Support your PIR. Survey your stakeholder.s Coordinate your risk assessments.

Develop care plans and much more.

Our policies and procedures are continuously

updated in order to provide you with the most upto-date, comprehensive, and user-friendly documents available.

If you’re not a QCS customer, what are you waiting for? We offer a no-obligation free trial.

Enquiries: Call us on 0333 405 33 33 to find out why we are the go to resource for over 10,000 users nationwide or visit us on www.ukqcs.co.uk

Shapely retro styling ensures Jenny stands out from the crowd A SHAPELY profile combines with an evocation of retro styling in Jenny, a wide-ranging collection of upholstered seating introduced by Knightsbridge Furniture for the care sector.

Applications include foyers, lounges and breakout spaces in addition to residents’ rooms and guest suites whilst enquiries are also being received from specifiers fitting out offices and admin areas.

The initial Jenny collection comprises low profile armchairs plus twin and triple-seat sofas, all in lowback, mid-back and high-back styles.

Complementary upright chairs come in armed and armless formats, set on either tapered timber legs or contemporary wire frames, and completing

the line-up are smart armed and armless desk chairs on cruciform bases fitted with castors or glides.

Epitomising the move towards softer lines in contract seating, the curved profile at the heart of the Jenny design concept is emphasised by distinctive piping which runs round the outer back of each model.

The impact is therefore particularly striking when the seating is presented in two contrasting shades: Enquiries: Call 01274 731442, email enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

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Offer your residents the best path to wellness...

Yvonne Freeman-Wang, Julia Angel, Ruby Fernandes (head of fundraising) Jacqui Joseph, Leila Stone and David Sandground.

Tea dance benefits Project MORE than 80 guests of Nightingale House raised over £3,300 at a special tea dance for the Playlist for Life Project.

Residents and their relatives came together to dance their way through the afternoon and enjoyed a special tango performance by dancers Chris Stubbs, whose mother Sybil is a resident, and Doon Lovett.

The money raised will go towards the innovative Playlist for Life project, which aims to make it possible for every person with dementia – whether in their own home or in a care setting – to have access to a playlist of personally meaningful music from their past life.

There is evidence that those with

Signs

dementia can improve their present mood, their awareness, and their ability to understand and think if they have frequent access to music which is linked to their past experiences and memories.

The event was run by the relatives’ entertainment committee and there was also a raffle where two Nightingale residents won a Jimmy Choo bag and a Queen’s Park Rangers signed shirt respectively.

Ruby Fernandes, head of fundraising at Nightingale Hammerson, said: “This was a very special event raising money for a project which could transform the lives of our residents suffering from dementia.”

INSTALLING Power Plate® into your facility shows your commitment, offering the best path to wellness, so you’ll find new residents and keep existing ones, happy, healthy and independent.

Tri-Planar Power Plate vibrates up and down, improving muscle strength, as well as side-to-side and front- to-back to enhance balance and coordination.

Muscle Response In response to the tri-planar action of Power Plate, muscles reflexively contract, engaging more muscle fibres and connective tissue in a shorter amount of time than traditional exercise.

Harmonic Wave Power Plate delivers a harmonic, precisely controlled tri-planar vibration stimulus that provides a superior stimulation to the nervous system.

Our proprietary whole body vibration technology is optimised to deliver a precise harmonic wave, for the best neuromuscular response.

As a result, using Power Plate can: Stimulate proprioceptors through reflexive stabilisation, improving balance, stability and motor learning.

Facilitate circulation and recovery hormone production to aid in the recovery and regeneration process.

Elicit rapid, reflexive contractions throughout the neuromuscular system.

For a low capital or monthly investment, you can set your facility apart from the competition by offering all residents a bespoke wellness pathway by investing in Power Plate.

Empower your team to deliver inhouse strength and balance programming to all residents aligned to these new Quality Standards.

As a complete solution, Power Plate combines specific programming, accredited staff training & education, accessories, and measurement &

Auctioneers

monitoring tools, specifically developed with NICE QS 86 / Statement 5 and other age related needs in mind.

These programmes drive evidence based outcomes grounded in improving functional, independent daily living and health related quality of life.

With a footprint of less than one metre, Power Plate can be located discretely in a dayroom rather than occupy other revenue generating space, making it a stylish addition to your facility, while ensuring it is acces sible to all residents in an environment they are comfortable.

Strength Improves muscle tone, posture and endurance for activities of daily living, balance and fall prevention.

Alleviate Pain Promotes faster recovery of damaged muscles and tendons, decreases pain and improves joint function.

Circulation Improves and increases blood flow to strengthen the cardiovascular system.

Flexibility Increases range of motion, coordination, balance and stability.

Women’s and men’s health Stimulates subconscious pelvic floor activation.