July 2018
no.261 • £4.75 incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector
Time running out to enter your home for awards
Study claims home carers need support By Dominic Musgrave CARE workers who provide personal and domestic care to older people with dementia in their own homes are at risk of feeling under emotional strain and some don’t get as much support as they need, according to a new study. Researchers at Kingston University and King’s College London explored some of the pressures facing home care workers in London and the South East of England. They found that, while managers and home care workers had clear ideas of what their professional boundaries should be, home care workers sometimes found themselves crossing that line, or being asked to take on tasks beyond their job role. The combined impact of supporting older people with complex needs, such as those arising from dementia or those requiring end-of-life care, alongside working in someone’s own home, where typical workplace conventions may not exist, add to such pressures the researchers found. More than half a million people receive care in their own homes in England, according to the Care Quality Commission. Most of them are aged over 65 and have care needs arising from long-term health
conditions, including dementia. This new research interviewed 30 home care workers and 13 managers, and found that some home care workers find it difficult to refuse requests to carry out extra tasks from their clients’ families, particularly if there is strong emotional attachment. Home care workers juggle a desire to be compassionate and helpful, with maintaining professional boundaries. Dr Tushna Vandrevala, health psychologist and senior lecturer at Kingston University’s School of Social and Behavioural Sciences and part of the research team, said home care workers sometimes seem to over-invest emotionally and find it hard to set boundaries. She added: “Many are torn between their professional role and wanting to go beyond that to help the person they have grown attached to. They are often supporting clients’ families and their emotions, and this can be very difficult – sometimes placing considerable emotional and mental strain on themselves.” “Looking after people with dementia can be rewarding but unpredictable, and often require home care workers to be flexible, prepared for change, and able to put in place creative solutions.”
Broadcaster, journalist and royal commentator Jennie Bond bought a regal touch to the opening of Baycroft’s second home in Chelmsford, Essex. The home, in the village of Great Baddow, is now ready to offer residents their own bespoke bedroom within luxury surroundings and hotel standard services. New residents will be able to enjoy the landscaped garden that is overlooked by the luxury dining area where fresh, locally sourced and seasonal meals will be served. To break down loneliness, use of the on-site cinema, library, hair salon, spa treatment room and activity room will be actively encouraged. The home is also equipped with the latest dementia care and resident safety technology so that older people living at the home and their families feel secure.
TIME is running out to submit your Caring UK Awards’ entries, with nominations for this year closing on July 30. The Caring UK Awards, in partnership with Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, recognise excellence and achievement throughout the care industry and recognising team efforts across the UK. They have been created to highlight and pay tribute to the care home teams who make an outstanding contribution to caring for the elderly. Taking place on Thursday December 6 at The Athena in Leicester, there are over 20 trophies up for grabs at this year’s awards including Regional Care Home of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year and Activities Team of the Year. Derek Breingan, national head of health and social care sector at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, said: “With so much media attention on the Care Sector currently it is more important than ever to ensure that the fantastic work that is undertaken in care services across the country is positively recognised and highlighted. “As an important sector that Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank supports we are delighted to again be main sponsors of these Awards and to help to further promote everything that is good about the industry.”
specialised nursing & care TRAINING Blue Stream Academy is a leading provider of eLearning to healthcare professionals including Nursing & Care Homes, Hospices, GP Practices, Dental Practices, Urgent & Emergency Care Providers and Carers in the UK.
Our system enhances trainee skills, patient experience and organisation reputation whilst improving efficiency and saving money. Join over 4000 UK sites and 180,000 trainees in gaining high quality training with a nationally recognised provider.
Our 60 mandatory and best practice modules If you would like to find out more visit are all RCGP accredited and CPD approved, www.bluestreamacademy.com, or with printable certificates with each alternatively contact us on: completion.
01773 822549
Each suite has a highly sophisticated Management of Information System ensuring that all training can be tracked, and evidence or at info@bluestreamacademy.com and a of compliance accessed simply and easily. member of our team will be happy to help!
3
CARINGNEWS
Caring Ann mingles with royalty at garden party A TRAINING boss from Flintshire was among hundreds of community heroes from across the UK who mingled with royalty at a garden party in the regal surroundings of Buckingham Palace. Ann Farr, who runs the Pendine Academy of Social Care in Wrexham, was honoured for her dedication to the social care sector for nearly four decades. The event was hosted by Prince Charles accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall. Other guests included the Kingdom Choir, who wowed a global audience when they sang at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Ann, 58, from New Brighton, near Mold, was accompanied by her fiancé, William Serridge. She has been running the in-house training arm of the Pendine Park care organisation for 10 years. They now provide training for 300 care practitioners every year, not just for staff from Pendine Park but also for other social care organisations. Last year the academy moved to new 8,000 square foot premises on Wrexham Technology Park which also houses
Ann Farr and her fiancé William Serridge at Buckingham Palace. Pendine Park’s admin team. It includes a virtual training centre featuring totally realistic recreations of a residents’ lounge, bedroom and dining area, as well as a pop-up pharmacy, pub, ice cream parlour and even a hair and beauty salon. Ann said: “It was a wonderful day and something we will always remember. William and I get married next month so
this was the perfect way to enjoy an early celebration. “It was amazing to see Prince Charles and Camilla. It’s not every day you get to be in their company especially in such a relaxed environment. “The gardens were stunning with trees more than 200 years old that were planted in honour of King George. We sat enjoying afternoon tea and cakes while listening to some wonderful bands. “All in all it was a wonderful occasion and something to remember. It was an unforgettable day.” Ann has worked in social care for 38 years after starting out as a care practitioner at a Deeside care home. Pendine Park proprietors Mario and Gill Kreft were delighted that Ann and William had such a memorable day. Mario said: “Ann has worked exceptionally hard to build and develop our Pendine Park Academy of Social Care. The fact it is so successful is down to her hard work and dedication. “Gill and I are really pleased that Ann and William had such a lovely time at the Buckingham Palace garden party and of course we wish them well for the forthcoming wedding.”
At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk
www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising
Healthcare Product Manager: Bev Green Tel: 01226 734288 Email: bg@scriptmedia.co.uk Assistant Manager: Tracy Stacey Tel: 01226 734480 Email: ts@scriptmedia.co.uk National Sales Executive: Mandy Edwards Tel: 01226 734692 Email: mandye@caring-uk.co.uk Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 Email: tb@scriptmedia.co.uk
Publishers Script Media 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk
Editorial Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Group Production Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio Manager: Stewart Holt Tel: 01226 734414 sth@scriptmedia.co.uk Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ scriptmedia.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur. Follow us on Twitter @caringuk
4
CARINGNEWS
John wins NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018 Tracey Cumby
New manager is appointed
ALDRINGHAM Court Nursing Home near Leiston has appointed Tracey Cumby as its new manager. Tracey is an experienced nurse, with an advanced qualification from the English National Board of Nursing, and has worked within the NHS and the independent healthcare sectors. She has managed care homes for the past five years, a role she pursued due to her passion for providing palliative care and for caring for the elderly. Tracey said: “As soon as I set foot in Aldringham Court I felt at home and knew that it was somewhere I would be very happy. “The welcome was warm and friendly from both the staff and the residents who have been supported in making it their home.”
JOHN Grover of Auchtercrag House in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, was crowned 2018 NACC Care Chef of the Year following a thrilling national final. The prestigious competition, organised by the National Association of Care Catering, seeks out the UK’s best chef working in the care sector. Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy hosted the final, where 12 chefs from across the country showcased their talents under the expert scrutiny of the panel of judges. They all demonstrated exceptional culinary skills, creativity and knowledge in the specialist field of care catering. The standards of all the finalists was incredibly high, which made for an exciting contest, however, John stood out to claim first place and the coveted title thanks to his menu of lamb with black pudding and herbs followed by chocolate and raspberry fondant cheesecake with caramel port cream. The judges were impressed with John’s well-presented, unique dishes that showed inventive use of classic ingredients, featured varied textures and tasted great. They also highlighted his use of inexpensive produce. From a nutritional perspective, his knowledge
John Grover – NACC Care Chef of the Year 2018. and understanding of the needs of care home residents was praised. John said: “I’m absolutely elated to have won. This is the fourth year I’ve entered the competition and my second time in the final. It’s been a long time coming. “This year’s menu has been a year in the planning. I took on board the judges’ comments from previous years, practised in a different kitchen, and got my residents and various people in and out of the industry to try my dishes and give feedback.
Planning and practice was definitely the key.” Martin McKee of The Hawthorns, Aldridge, took second place, with Brian Gollan of Ivybank House Care Home, Polmont, Falkirk, taking third. Brian was also awarded Highly Commended Main and David Oswin of Loxley Park, Sheffield, took the certificate for Highly Commended Dessert. Neel Radia, the NACC’s national chair, added: “It was an exciting and closely-fought final, so John should be incredibly proud of himself, as should all of the finalists.” Sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks and Premier Foods, the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition is designed to continually challenge care chefs and celebrate their talent, skills and professionalism. It also raises the profile of care catering as a rewarding, dynamic career choice. The competition requires entrants to create a nutritionally-balanced, two-course menu (main and dessert) that is suitable for service users in a care setting. The combined food cost for both courses must be no more than £2.25 per head based on three portions and it is to be produced in 90 minutes.
Check-in to CareDocs Cloud. Wherever you like to go, CareDocs Cloud allows you to check-in to your home’s data whenever needed. A clear and easy-to-use interface on devices of any size allows you to provide “smart care, anywhere”.
Fully Personalised.
Chart Entries.
Notes & Assessments.
Simple to Maintain.
Safe & Secure.
Automatic Backups.
Learn more on how CareDocs Cloud can deliver smart care home management: 0330 056 3333 www.caredocs.co.uk enquiries@caredocs.co.uk
6
CARINGNEWS
Standing with the new sweet stall, built for the dementia suite at Lever Edge Care Home, in Bolton, are maintenance man Alfred Barnes and Dave Edgerton, North West regional decorator for Hill Care.
Longmoor Lodge resident Margaret (Gwen) Tolson with her hand-made dolls house.
80-year-old dolls house brings back memories A 92-YEAR-OLD resident has been reunited with her favourite childhood memory after moving into a Sandiacre care home. Margaret Tolson’s hand-made dolls house, created over 80 years ago, has been moved into her room at Longmoor Lodge. Margaret, who prefers to be called Gwen, made the dolls house with her grandmother when she was just 10 years old – keeping it in storage until she had the space to erect it again. Lacking the room in her home in Chilwell, it wasn’t until she moved
into the care home that she saw the dolls house again. Her son Richard surprised her by installing it in pride of place on her dresser. Samantha Ely, home manager, said: “Gwen has been with us for almost a year but it wasn’t until recently that she saw the dolls house again. “It has been hugely uplifting for her and you can really see the impact it has had. She wakes up with a smile in the morning, having been reminded of some of her fondest childhood memories.”
Care home builds shops for residents with dementia MINI shops are to be built inside a Bolton care home following the success of a new sweet stall. Lever Edge, in Great Lever, is now aiming to build their own newsagents, haberdashery and book stand. Residents enjoy popping to the sweet stall for a treat and staff are hoping a full street of shops will prove equally popular. Familiar sights and tasks, such as a shopping trip, also provides added benefits for those living with dementia, according to home manager Karen McMahon. She said: “Our residents love a sweet treat, just like everyone. So the sweet stall has been a huge hit. “For our residents living with dementia, a trip to the shops can be a very enjoyable experience, as it’s something they remember and are
familiar with. “It’s not always possible to take everyone into town, so a street of shops at the home will be a great additional feature that everyone can enjoy.” The home is now appealing for materials to help create the shops, which will be installed in the home’s dementia suite. The sweet stall was constructed by Alfred Barnes, Lever Edge’s maintenance man, and Dave Edgerton, North West regional decorator for Hill Care, which owns and operates the home. They used recycled MDF, 2x2 and 3x2 wood panels, wood beading and steel casters. “We’re appealing to any businesses out there for donations of similar spare or scrap materials,” added Karen.
8
CARINGNEWS
Residents find happiness in Rainbows A CARE home in the Wirral has become the first in the region to host a new local toddler group activity morning as part of a fun intergenerational activity. Staff from The Hazelwell, a residential, nursing, palliative and respite care home in Heswall, responded to an invitation from community playgroup, The Residents Rainbows. Aimee Sadler set up the group after she had her first baby, Amelia, in July, 2016 after realising the positive impact her daughter had on her grandfather when she took her to visit him in a hospice last year. Aimee said: “I found that no matter how much of a bad day he had had, and even if he was in tremendous pain, by seeing Amelia it would bring the biggest smile to his face and he
would find this new lease of life by playing little games or singing nursery rhymes with her. “From seeing his happiness, it made me wonder if I could spread the happiness. I then thought of setting up a playgroup in residential homes, but due to my granddad’s ill health I put it on hold. “Sadly, my grandfather passed away in September 2017, which is when I decided to take the plunge and contact local residential homes to see if it was something they would be interested in, and that is when The Hazelwell responded.” Aimee took 18 children, ranging from 0 to four years old, accompanied by parents and grandparents to The Hazelwell. She starts each group with some free play, which allows the children
to play with a huge range of toys and gives the parents and guardians time to interact with the residents by introducing their children. The group then get together to sing well-known nursery rhymes, with Aimee providing a giant rainbowcoloured parachute for parents to hold as the children run underneath and watch the colours move around. She finishes the session with a hot drink for the adults and a snack for the children who then sit on a mat with a final story. The Hazelwell care home manager Kathryn McGuinness said The Residents Rainbows has had such a positive impact on residents that she has invited Aimee and her group to visit every Friday. Kathryn added: “We work very hard to make The Hazelwell a wonderful
place to live for our residents and we are always looking for activities and events that improve their overall happiness and well-being. “We were delighted that The Residents Rainbows got in touch with us and are proud to be the first care home in the Wirral to trial this fantastic project which bridges the aim between the young and the elderly. “Our residents had a wonderful time and many of them have not stopped talking about it. “Aimee and her group were absolutely brilliant. There was lots of laughter and fun. We saw endearing relationships forged between some of our residents and the children, which was wonderful to see. Our residents can now look forward to them visiting us every week.”
11
CARINGNEWS
Colten Care has become the first major provider in the UK’s private care home sector to begin a group-wide reduction of single-use plastic. Caring UK reports.
Operator to end use of throwaway plastic THE family-owned operator, which has 20 care homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex, is aiming to cut avoidable plastic waste across all its departments. Residents, families and team members have all fed in ideas on how to eliminate non-recyclables and replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives. “We are going even further and targeting plastic consumption in everything we do,” said Tim Wookey, director of marketing and companionship. “That means all our supplier relationships for the materials and packaging involved in catering, gardening, waste handling, laundry services, repairs and maintenance, and administration. This is an acrossthe-board, one-team commitment to get rid of all unnecessary plastic.” The ‘Caring, without plastic’ campaign began at Colten’s Abbey View home in Sherborne, Dorset, where a dedicated residents and staff committee has been set up to put forward ideas to champion the environment. One of the first projects has been to cut the large number of plastic bags used for removing rubbish and waste. Previously, housekeeping staff re-supplied a plastic liner every day for the bin in each of the 52 residents’ en suite rooms.
Abbey View care home in Sherborne, Dorset, will save nearly 19,000 plastic bags from landfill every year by taking a different approach to the daily clean of residents’ waste bins. Pictured, from left, are: Jo Ellis, home manager, Carol Martin, domestic supervisor and Gill Holland, clinical lead. Now, instead of using a bin bag, bottles used per year when the rollwaste is removed into a trolley out is complete across all homes. The container on the rounds and the cartridges that produce the magic individual bin is cleaned out there water will be collected by a supplier and then as part of infection control. and reused. The home estimates this will save On the nutrition side, nursing home nearly 19,000 bags from landfill per residents tend to use a large number year. of drinking straws, for example when The trial has been so successful, the taking dietary supplements such as same approach is being rolled out for protein-rich smoothies. the 1,000 bedrooms across Colten’s 20 Colten Care has removed all singlehomes, offering the potential to avoid use plastic straws from its catering 365,000 bags a year. services, replacing them with ones An anti-bacterial ‘magic water’ that are fully biodegradable. This dispenser is also being adopted to will remove around 480,000 pieces of cut down on the number of bottles plastic a year. of cleaning liquid being used. This is Other initiatives include replacing expected to see 19,000 fewer plastic disposable plastic water cups by
water coolers with recyclable paper ones, changing the coffee supply packaging used in foyer coffee machines to a non-plastic alternative and laundry staff replacing disposable latex gloves with washable, re-usable ones. Colten laundry staff had already begun cutting out plastic by replacing plastic bags for soiled linen with a safe, reusable product that lasts for up to five years. This has saved an estimated one million plastic bags from going to landfill since 2011. Colten Care’s gardening team has also written to their suppliers to request support on a reduction in plastic plant pots and packaging materials. Explaining the rationale for the ‘Caring, without plastic’ campaign, Tim added: “Our residents have exactly the same environmental concerns as their families, our staff and suppliers, and everyone else. “The truth is that more and more people are becoming aware of the terrible global problems created by the rapidly-increasing consumption of plastic. We feel that now is the time to make radical changes within our business to be part of a solution that improves the communities in which we operate. We want all our suppliers to commit to supporting us. It’s all about leading the way and making a positive difference.”
12
CARINGNEWS
Mike Reid
Group’s finance director scoops national award
BALHOUSIE Care Group’s Mike Reid has been named finance director of the year at the prestigious FDs’ Excellence Awards. He won the award in the category of private company with turnover of £20m+ for his work in helping turn around the Perth-based care home group. Mike joined the company in 2014 and has helped transform Balhousie Care from a firm facing major challenges and losing money, to one which is a leader in its sector and turning a profit. In 2017 he oversaw a £49m refinancing of the business, now in its 25th year of operation and with 25 care homes across Scotland. The FDs’ Excellence Awards were held at the Royal College of Physicians in London as part of the 2018 FD Surgery which brought together more than 250 entrepreneurial finance directors for a day of debate, learning and networking.
Having enough good quality staff is vital for improvement, study finds FINDINGS from the Care Quality Commission’s ‘Driving Improvement’ report – exploring how adult social care services from across the country have managed to turn around their inspection quality rating from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ – show that the recruitment and retention of capable, valued and supported staff has never been more critical to achieving the high quality care everyone has a right to expect. The collection of nine adult social care case studies provides an honest insight from a wide range of people – including those who use services, their families and carers, staff, managers, directors, chief executives and other professionals – describing how it felt to be rated as inadequate, what impact this had, the challenges they had to overcome and how they got back on track. Across the country 80 per cent of adult social care services that were originally rated inadequate have improved their overall rating, and Driving Improvement highlights examples in County Durham, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Hampshire, Suffolk, Essex, Surrey, Kent and Dorset. Andrea Sutcliffe, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care, said: “As the independent quality regulator, we know the devastating impact inadequate adult social care has on people, their families and
Andrea Sutcliffe carers. “That’s why it’s vital that the people in charge of providing care tackle the problems our inspections identify so improvement can be achieved. “Our Driving Improvement publication shares the experiences of those who have been able to transform the care they deliver to explain how that journey of improvement can happen. “My hope is that people running or working in care services rated as inadequate or requires improvement can use these case studies as practical guidance to improve for the benefit of the people they support and care for. “Key lessons we have seen from the case studies include understanding and accepting that problems exist; creating a clear vision to improve and
putting that into action; appointing strong leaders who can establish an open and transparent culture where improvement can truly thrive; and focusing on developing a workforce that is valued, well trained and supported to deliver safe, effective person-centred care. “But we’re not saying that improvement is easy. Pressure on resources, increasing demands and workforce shortages mean these are challenging times for adult social care. Providers and their staff have a responsibility to deliver good care – but commissioners, funders and national bodies and the health and care system as a whole has a responsibility to work together to help create the environment that makes this possible.” Minister for Care, Caroline Dinenage, added: “Despite the challenges facing the sector, many social care providers are doing an incredible job, with over 80 per cent rated as good or outstanding by CQC. “Those who have turned around their rating should be especially proud and CQC is rightly sharing these lessons with the whole sector so others can improve. “I am committed to ensuring social care in England is of high quality, safe and compassionate and will shortly outline reforms so the sector is sustainable for the future.”
Three members of staff at Richmond Nantwich have been recognised for achieving a total of 60 years’ service. Margaret Williams and Rebecca Reade, part of the housekeeping team, and hospitality manager Debbie Mercandelli have each been awarded 20-year service certificates, flowers and champagne. Making the presentation was village manager Lynne Griffin, who has already reached her own 20-year anniversary. Pictured left to right are Margaret Williams, Rebecca Reade, Lynne Griffin and Debbie Mercandelli.
01202 233463
Wright Care Solutions Ltd
For care, nursing, dementia, learning disability and other care providers nationwide
Quality & Compliance Consultants
Services and support include: • Preparing you for CQC Inspection (including mock inspections) • Full Quality & Compliance Monitoring Visits, with detailed findings reports and easy to follow, step-by-step action plans • Crisis Management; supporting you if you’ve already had an unfavourable inspection, and guiding you through improvement plans • Reviewing and implementing fully compliant and legal care plans, and guiding staff on care planning requirements and techniques • Support with the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS Legislation • Investigations and support on Safeguarding, and other, incidents • Advice, guidance & hands-on support with Dementia Friendly Environments • People management, employment & performance issues, training analysis and delivery, where required For a full list of services available, please visit
www.wright-care.co.uk/services Or, please call our dedicated enquiry line:
07557 761141
enquiries@wrightcare.co.uk ͘͘
, K&&/ ͗ dŚĞ KĨĨŝĐĞ ^ƵŝƚĞ͕ ^ŬŝƌůĂƵŐŚ sŝůůĂŐĞ ,Ăůů͕ ĞŶŶŝŶŐŚŽůŵĞ >ĂŶĞ͕ ,hϭϭ ϱ dĞů͗ Ϭϭϵϲϰ ϱϲϯϵϳϲ
16
CARINGNEWS
Sue Austin, chief operating officer, with registered nurses.
Bouquets for nurses on International Day MORRIS Care ‘said it with flowers’ to recognise the dedication of its nurses and mark International Nurses Day. The operator delivered bouquets to the nursing stations at its six nursing homes in Shropshire and Cheshire with a personal note from director, Timothy Morris. The valued contribution of nurses all over the world is celebrated every year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth in 1820. Sue Austin, chief operating officer, said: “It never fails to amaze me
when visiting our homes and I see the skill, commitment, affection and enormous patience that our nurses have as they provide care to our residents and support families and colleagues. “The flowers were one way to show our appreciation on a special day in the nursing calendar. Our residents and visitors can enjoy them also.” 18 bouquets were created for the Morris Care homes in Shrewsbury, Telford, Bridgnorth, All Stretton and Audlem.
Group recognised as one of Lincolnshire’s snow heroes HOMECARE provider Walnut Care has received a commendation from Lincolnshire’s Resilience Forum after its carers went above and beyond the call of duty to help the vulnerable. The domiciliary care company, which provides adult home care across the county, picked up two commendations at an award ceremony held for Lincolnshire’s snow heroes. The company received its commendation in the nonemergency group category. One of its senior carers, Pauline Wood, was also individually commended after being nominated by her service users in Winthorpe and Ingoldmells. She walked over four miles through blizzards to reach those in
need. Pauline said: “It’s a real honour to receive this commendation. It’s even more special to know that I was nominated by many of the people I care for. Many of them are reliant on me coming to help them, which is even more true during cold weather. “Their needs are greater than mine, so I didn’t think twice about walking to them. It’s given us all a boost. I’d like to thank the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum for a wonderful evening.” The ceremony, at Hemswell Court near Market Rasen, was to officially recognise individuals and organisations in Lincolnshire who went the extra mile during the treacherous weather conditions in March.
Ellis-Ellis
Care Management Consultancy
WHO WE ARE:
A team of care professionals with an excess of 30 years experience of operational experience with registered premises, including care and nursing home settings, supported living/care village development.
WHAT WE DO: Valuation & Buying
If you are an existing or new market entrant we can provide advice and support in achieving your ambitions, in an acquisition, sale and planning.
Consultancy
We provide specialised consultancy for existing businesses or those starting in their new venture within the healthcare sector. Offering support in:
• Home audits • Mock inspections • Organisational review • CQC rating reviews Please contact us, we are here to provide advice, support and guidance: Jean-Pierre Ellis, 07785 241973, jeanpierreellis@gmail.com
19
CARINGNEWS
Following on from the last part of this series, which looked at new integrated health and social care models for older people, Tim Barclay, CEO of Appello, now explores who will fund this care, and how technology could alleviate financial pressures.
Who really pays the price?
WITH the anticipation that the upcoming social care green paper3 may shed some light on the matter, and with the integration of health and care being such an area of ambiguity, the question of who’s responsible for footing the bill across an integrated health and care model is more prevalent than ever. If the Government does manage to integrate services effectively, there is still some question over where the extra funding will come from as Janet Morrison from Independent Age outlines: “It’s clear that the Government needs to be more honest about funding. We cannot keep up the pretence that if we all work a bit harder in health and social care then we can make it work. “The Government must start a public debate that addresses the funding that will be needed by individuals to fund their care and support in older age, and what is available in terms of funded assistance. When we come to fund this as individuals, I think we need to look at whether social insurance is the answer.” The concept of individuals taking more responsibility for their own old age care is something that comes up
again and again as a solution to the current funding crisis, but as Matthew West from the Better Care Support team mentions, the rhetoric needs careful consideration if it’s to be sold to a public, already feeling the pinch. Matthew believes the Government must position it in a way that the public sees the value and that it must be looked at as an insurance, rather than an additional taxation, and the conversation must be about how the Government will share the care, health and housing risk with the public. We welcome Hunt’s plans to cap4 individual care costs – only when this is in place will there be a clearer structure around self-funding. How can technology help reduce the financial weight on the public and Government? I feel frustrated that technology is not being used more widely to fill the glaring gaps in funding and to better understand the needs of older people. This is a view also held by Alan Long from Mears Group: “I think we must look at how money is already being spent. Can we make savings, by utilising technology and integrating it better with other services – I think we absolutely can.”
We also need to break down the outdated perception that older people will not want technology. Housing & Care 21 is a housing provider keen to also break down this perception and has been Tim Barclay on a drive to provide its residents with the digital technologies that will benefit their everyday lives from a safety and social point of view, as Bruce Moore their CEO explains: “We need to overcome the assumption that older people will not adapt to using technology – if we can demonstrate the benefit with the technology as the enabler of improved quality of life or particular benefits, then our experience is that it is very well received. “But there is still a tendency to view technology the same way as we view care workers – it’s at the bottom of the pile. Many personal alarm systems are straight out of the ark. In an emergency, an older person pulls a string and a stilted conversation
ensues. So, having the right technical infrastructure in place is crucial. “We have already introduced digital care systems that are allowing older and vulnerable people to live much more independently within assisted living developments – this means that on the whole they are not in acute care and are proactively being monitored so that trigger points to other long-term conditions can be identified sooner.” Conclusion If we think again about how we are going to collectively manage the funding and availability of health and social care for older people, technology has to play a significant role in making care more effective and affordable. What I hope to see above all else this summer from the social care green paper is honesty from those delivering services, whether health, housing or social care, and from the Government, about the changes that need to be made so that health and care can be delivered to those that need it.
3. https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-8002 4. https://www.theguardian.com/ society/2018/mar/20/jeremy-hunt-confirmsindividual-costs-for-social-care-capped
Laundry in a muddle? ...You need “...the best and most cost effective
solution on the market...” Andrew Winstanley, Managing Director of Baycroft
A recent study has noted the benefits of music and singing, which has shown the activity can: • Evoke emotion, helping to bring back memories • Encourage emotional and physical closeness • Assist in changing mood, stimulating dementia patients and encourage interaction
From only £9.95 for 25 tags (inc VAT)
As recommended by
Label all your residents’ clothes in a snap! We laser-etch your required name or number onto the tags - guaranteed not to come off! * * * *
Secure & will not fade Quick to apply Discreet Re-usable
The knowledge that Music appreciation is one of the last remaining aptitudes in dementia patients, lead Robert and Fran Ives to incorporate Golden Memories Karaoke as a charity in Australia, and produce an amazing range of Singalong DVDs specifically designed for the elderly and those with dementia. With captivating videos and large font lyrics on screen the DVDs, packed with well-known songs, are available to purchase here in the UK with many residents in care homes benefitting so far.
www.goldenmemories.org.uk email: goldenmemoriesuk@outlook.com
www.snappytags.co.uk
call (0344) 5611994
SPONSORED BY
20
Commitment to training is recognised CARING Homes Group has been recognised as Large Employer of the Year by training provider Qube Learning. The business showed significant investment towards apprenticeships and was presented with the award at a ceremony held at the Montcalm Hotel in London hosted by multiple gold medallist and world record holder, Colin Jackson CBE. Over the past year, Caring Homes Group has continued to invest in its staff training, learning and development needs offering apprenticeships in health and social care and business management. Their apprentices attend an external training academy, complete shadowing to provide a mentoring service and ensure good knowledge of policy and procedure with colleagues having to complete the care certificate within a period of 12 weeks. Carol Corstin, training manager at CHG, said “We’re delighted to receive this award. In the health and social care sector it is really important to have colleagues who have the knowledge and skills to help the people we support, and residents and apprenticeships are a brilliant way for them to learn these. “They receive thorough training and come away with a solid understanding of how we can provide high quality care and support.”
www.requiredsystems.com
Care provider is first in UK to champion dementia research LINCOLNSHIRE-based Tanglewood Care Homes has become the first residential care provider in the UK to become a Join Dementia Research Champion. Tanglewood, which has five care homes across Lincolnshire, has pledged a commitment to Join Dementia Research, a nationwide campaign which allows people from all over the country to register as vital participants into dementia research. The JDR campaign, run by The National Institute for Health Research, is calling for more volunteers to take part in studies and clinical trials for an insight into dementia and its causes. The aim of the campaign is to achieve early diagnosis so better treatment and quality of care can be provided for those with dementia. To mark the occasion Tanglewood held an official launch event at its Cedar Falls Care Home in Spalding. The care home held its monthly dementia café for residents and dementia forum for relatives of those living with dementia before launching Tanglewood’s new status as a JDR Champion. Five Tanglewood members of staff were presented with certificates by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust thanking them for taking part in vital research with the trust. LPFT provides specialist health and social care services for people with a learning disability and/or mental health issues. They were the first whole NHS organisation to become Join Dementia Research champions,
Tanglewood staff Sam Jackson, Sue Bell , Mel Hinton, Tracey Collishaw and Karl Smith receive their JDR certificates. Fellow certificate holder Lauren Sharman is not pictured. JDR champions is our gift to them.” and their research team have been Having obtained this new status, supporting Tanglewood to become Tanglewood is pledging to integrate JDR Champions. JDR within all areas of its overall Tracy Ann Shelbourn, director and provision of care for residents with founder at Tanglewood Care Homes, dementia and the support given to said: “We’re proud to support any their relatives. initiative which aims to improve the As part of this new role, staff will lives of residents living with dementia commit to: and the lives of their families. n Including Join Dementia Research “As Join Dementia Research in staff induction and training so Champions we can help to find a cure that all staff know about it and feel for this condition sooner. We felt this confident to talk to residents and year was the right time to sign up, not relatives about it. only because we are huge supporters n Displaying information about the of this work, but because it also service in all of its homes. coincides with the 70th birthday of n Telling all residents and their the NHS. families about Join Dementia “It’s the perfect opportunity to Research so that every relative is celebrate the achievements of one of given information on a consistent the nation’s most loved institutions basis. and dedicated staff – and becoming
Staff on their way to new practitioner role NINE members of staff from the Healthcare Homes Group have successfully passed assessments to secure new roles as health care practitioners. The group, a provider of residential and domiciliary care services, announced the introduction of the new HCP role in November to support nursing care across the group. It offers staff an accredited apprenticeship programme that results in staff transitioning to a skilled post alongside the experienced nursing team. The initiative has created a development opportunity for staff who wish to expand their knowledge, while helping to address the nursing shortfall currently being seen in the industry, therefore helping to address the nursing skills gap. Twenty two candidates were initially selected to begin the course and nine members of staff from the first cohort have now completed six months of classroom training and individual mentoring. They have passed their mid-point assessments and will move to their new roles this month. Over the next six months the HCPs will begin the new roles within the group’s homes, while continuing to
learn through specialist workshops and mentoring, working towards their accredited qualification, with final assessments and grading in November. Healthcare Homes’ head of learning and development, Fran Brett said, “I’m delighted that our first trainee HCPs have met this important milestone. This is a fantastic achievement and paves the way for future cohorts representing all of our homes. “We have been keen to address the skills gap we have been seeing within the industry, so this provides an excellent way to support our existing team of nurses, while also providing developmental opportunities as mentors to our senior staff. Fully trained HCPs will be able to undertake a number of tasks to support nursing teams, such as taking observations and providing medication. “This initiative reflects a significant investment on behalf of the group. We are heavily committed to our residents and to our staff and we’re confident that the introduction of this role will further improve on our fantastic track record of delivering quality care.”
Springhill Care Home has created three new roles which will see staff stepping up to take responsibility for key areas of care. The new positions, clinical leads, will play the important role of maintaining and raising the standards of care at the Accrington home. The three staff are qualified nurses: Susan Balazs will be the palliative care lead, with Ann Waring holding responsibility for medication and infection control. Deborah Bennett will lead on ‘react to red’ and wound care.
New Required Systems KLOE Audit Tool AN online cloud-based Audit Tool giving you instant access, that will assist you to evidence compliance to the way the KlOES are being inspected by CQC. Very easy to use and will save you time. Go to our web site to see the comprehensive on-line demo. Enquiries: Call 01236 782477, visit www.requiredsystems.com or email peter@requiredsystems.com
CARINGINTERIORS, DESIGN AND FURNISHINGS
Dementia-friendly colour scheme for newly decorated care home STAFF at a care home in Burnley are redecorating the communal rooms in dementia-friendly colours to create a relaxed environment for its residents. The team at Wordsworth House conducted research to identify the best colours to help residents living with dementia feel at ease. The staff from the dementia unit, led by manager Collette Sharples, decided that the walls could use a splash of colour, and thought that considering the effects of different colours on the brain would not only brighten up the home, but would also help the residents. They researched the colour scheme, and selected shades of blue, purple, and yellow, for the different impacts they will have on the residents using the facilities. Collette said: “We chose light blue for the dining room as it is soothing and serene, and it helps the residents to feel calm while they’re eating. “We painted the corridors lemon because this is a stimulating colour which is used to increase brain wave activity. “Stimulating colours are good for Alzheimer’s patients as they can trigger memories and cognitive function. We painted the handrails royal blue to contrast with the yellow, for safety reasons. “We chose lilac and purple for the lounge, as this colour is also soothing
David Hartley, Linda Menzies, Andrea Chadwick, Debbie Stevens, Maggie Albones, Collette Sharples, Laura Wolstencroft, and Aimee Green do a spot of decorating. and calming and can make the space “It looks fantastic, the residents love seem bigger. Purple is also the colour it, and they’ve done a brilliant job. that represents the Alzheimer’s “We want our residents to feel Society and Dementia, so we thought comfortable and safe, and the it was very appropriate for the unit.” research the staff have put in to pick Aimee Green, home manager at dementia-friendly colours supports Wordsworth House, added: “I am this. incredibly proud of the team at “We are delighted and are looking Wordsworth House, as they have forward to decorating more done a lot work to redecorate the communal areas in the home.” dementia unit, from choosing the Wordsworth House forms part of colours to picking up brushes and Larchwood Care and is managed by paint rollers. Healthcare Management Solutions.
Creating a sensory experience with your walls – Stunning Vinyl Wall Graphics and Murals, created and installed by Lustalux Lustalux Ltd, A2 & A3 Anchorage Business Park, Preston, PR2 2YL 01772 726622 www.lustalux.co.uk/viny-graphics
Home goes green with its benches A BLAIRGOWRIE care home has demonstrated its green credentials with an investment in four new benches, which are made from recycled milk cartons, in a bid to brighten up its garden in an ecofriendly way. Muirton House purchased the recycled benches, which are made from 4,492 four-litre milk cartons. This repurposing means the cartons were not left in landfills, where they would take approximately five years to decompose. The benches were bought from Marmax, a company based in the North East of England, which specialises in making furniture out of recycled plastic. The home paid for the benches with prize money it won in the Larchwood Care’s best presented care home competition. It was selected to represent the region in the national finals, and received £1,000 prize money. Catherine Russell, home manager, said: “The happiness of our residents is incredibly important to us, and making sure they have a comfortable place to sit in an attractive garden is a key part of this. We just hope there are plenty of sunny days in store to enjoy the new benches.”
21
Proud To Be British
CARINGNEWS
CHRISTOPHER GU FOR THE ULTIMATE INTER
Ask About Our 5 Yea
Our Price Compari
Save Up To and Over 30% On Check their respective
Shackletons - Barons - RenR Furnitur Loch Florence
Large Range of Oak Furniture
Piccadilly From £169 + VAT Florence From £189 + VAT
42" Dining Table From £139 + VAT
York Dining Chair From £99 + VAT
Loch Lomond
Tudor Dining Chair From £85 + VAT
Windsor From £145 + VAT
Notting Hill Je From F £13 £169 + VAT
We carry a vast range of curtain fabrics of the highest quality but lowest possible prices in the cou van going throughout the country lounge displays & dining room di of a new build or refurbishment, an appointment with no obligatio turnaround on chairs.
Contract Beds From £89.99 +VAT
500 Jemma Chairs To Clear In Top Quality Vinyl 10 Colourways From £129
Christopher Guy Interiors, Units 2&3 GB Business Park, Tel: Cutler Heights Lane, Em Bradford, We BD4 9HZ
Proud To Be British
R GUY INTERIORS NTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE
New build turnkey available Lamps mirrors Flower Displays Artificial Plants Holly Bushes Garden Seating Statues Conservatory Furniture Interior Lighting Highest Quality Wallpaper
ur 5 Year Guarantee
mparison Challenge
% On Our Competitors Prices 0%
pective costs details costsfor detailsfor
- RenRay - CareChair - YTM urniture
Notting Hill From £169 + VAT
Edinburgh
Chesterfield Faux Leather Chairs From £799 + VAT
Hill
Jemma From £139 + VAT AT
curtain and coordinating chair lity but delivered to you at the ality the country. We have a show country with bedroom displays, room displays. If you are thinking hment, do not hesitate to book bligation. We offer a 7 day obligation.
rk,
Coffee Tables From £69 + VAT
500 Queen Anne Chairs To Clear In Top Quality Vinyl 10 Colourways From £119
Tel: 01274 660 123 Email: enquiries@christopherguyinteriors.com Website: www.christopherguyinteriors.com
Chesterfield Faux Leather 2 Seater Sofas From £959.99 + VAT
Christopher Guy Interiors now offer a completely free interior design service for new builds and home refurbishments offering curtain design and manufacture, the highest quality wallpapers, feature wall art and one of the best ranges of accessories in the country, flower displays, paintings, pictures, chandeliers, garden furniture and silk flower displays, giving your home the highest possible standard in furnishings offering you a complete one stop shop at 30% less than our competitors.
Chesterfield Faux Leather 3 Seater Sofas From £1199.99 + VAT 200,000 times abrasion tested. No animals were harmed in the making of our Furniture.
24 CARINGINTERIORS,
DESIGN AND FURNISHINGS
Advertiser’s announcement
Relax under the stars THERE’S something remarkably soothing about the gentle twinkle of fibre optic stars, and major airlines take advantage of this, putting stars in the cabin headliners of their longhaul jets. The stars help passengers to relax and settle down for those long nighttime sectors. Care home companies in the UK are also increasingly appreciating the appeal of the stars, whether for bathrooms, sensory rooms, lounges or TV/cinema rooms. Traditionally, the major downside to fibre optic star ceilings lay in the difficulty in installing them, particularly as a retrofit.
However, Northumberlandbased Starscape Star Ceilings has made a specialty of designing and manufacturing panel-based products which hugely reduce the amount of time and effort required to install a star ceiling. The company can supply panels made from a wide range of materials – plasterboard, aluminium composite, mdf – to suit specific needs and environments. Star density – the number of stars per square metre – can be adjusted to suit preferences and budget – while the effects available range from a subtle white twinkle to dynamic colour change routines, as desired.
Luxury nursing home hosts a big reveal THE completion of a £2million improvement project at Chatterwood House nursing home in Liss was celebrated with Portsmouth Football Club defender Jack Whatmough and members of the youth team. The open afternoon gave owners Robin Cheesman and Janet Lloyd Leech the chance to show off the results of 18 months of renovation work to dozens of invited guests, including residents, staff, friends and family, contractors involved in the renovation and members of the community. Many took a walking tour to see the transformed building; its 37 stylish bedrooms, extended dining room with purpose-built kitchen, new office, staff room and reception and the brand new hairdressing salon, in which residents now enjoy a relaxing, well deserved pamper. Robin said: “When the company bought Chatterwood in 2002, we always had plans to extend this lovely old building and bring it up to date, but we really wanted to retain the ambience and personality of the home. “Finally in 2015, we found the right architect and development plan, and we’re all truly delighted with these beautiful results.” Guests were treated to a traditional, home-made afternoon tea and entertained by local harpist Danielle Clarke.
It’s not just the interior of the renovated former Victorian hunting lodge that’s enjoyed a makeover. Outside, there’s a new wheelchair accessible sensory garden – this new area features raised beds, rubberised paths and attractive themed planting. Robin added: “We have so many people to thank for making our already beautiful home into a really stunning place to live and work. “Keeping the home open throughout the works wasn’t easy, but manager Di Cooper and all her team ensured the high standards of care and good humour in the home were maintained throughout all the works.” A ceremonious ‘cutting of the ribbon’ by members of staff concluded the celebrations.
Laundry and Dishwashing Solutions for Care and Nursing Homes Designed to Meet the Hygiene and Quality Standards of the Care Sector
Complete Care Forbes
No repair bills No capital outlay Breakdown cover Monthly payments
Dishwashers
Rental, lease and purchase options available - Call now for a quote or to book a free survey
Forbes Professional 0345 070 2335 | info@forbes-professional.co.uk | www.forbes-professional.co.uk | since 1926
26
CARINGNEWS
New operations manager for Belong at Home
Residents knit squares RESIDENTS of Rogers House Residential Care Home in Wigmore have knitted mother and baby bonding squares for the baby unit at St Thomas’s Hospital. Knitted in pairs, bonding squares are becoming increasingly popular within neonatal units in hospitals to help mothers bond with their premature babies. One square is placed with a premature baby and another is worn against the mum’s skin, then the squares are swapped round every 12 hours, or every time mum visits. As a result, the baby can smell mum’s scent even when she isn’t there or isn’t able to get the baby out of its incubator, and then when she goes home she can still smell the baby’s scent on the square she has with her, which is a big comfort.
Not only this, but many mums also find that it really helps with expressing breast milk. Lots of the ladies at Rogers House are keen knitters, regularly making blankets, booties, hats and other items, so when they heard about the bonding squares, they were thrilled to get involved with the project. Some of the staff have been knitting squares in their own time too. Lorraine Laker, care coordinator at Rogers House, said: “Our residents love knitting so they were more than happy to get involved with knitting some bonding squares for St Thomas’s Hospital and our staff were keen to join in too. We’ve made lots already and the residents want to carry on, as they’re having such a positive impact on the mothers and babies who receive them.”
Scarborough care provider Saint Cecilia’s enjoyed a triple slice of the Royal Wedding and FA Cup celebrations. The company held parties at its care home, nursing home and day care centre. At the homes, residents gathered to watch the Royal Wedding and enjoy a special celebration tea as well as the chance to watch the FA Cup final. At the day care centre visitors enjoyed their own Royal Wedding celebration, with ‘Harry, Meghan, Prince Charles and Camilla’ all calling in on Friday. Care home residents from Balhousie North Inch and North Grove in Perth celebrated the Royal Wedding with pupils from Balhousie Primary School. The pupils are frequent visitors to the care home for inter-generational activities. This time it was the residents’ turn to visit the school for a themed tea party.
NOT-for-profit care village operator Belong has appointed Jo Ball as operations manager for the organisation’s growing home care service, Belong at Home. Jo joins Belong from Home Instead, and, over the last seven years, she has held the posts of senior care manager, national quality support manager, and latterly, operations manager. She joins Belong at a time of expansion of the bespoke Belong at Home service, which now supports communities surrounding its care villages in Atherton, Wigan, Warrington, Macclesfield, Crewe, Manchester and Newcastle-underLyme. In the new position, Jo will be responsible for operational management of Belong’s care service, which takes the organisation’s bespoke support packages into the community, in particular providing expert care and companionship to people living with dementia. Just as at each Belong village, customers of Belong at Home have access to Admiral Nurses, who specialise in providing expert advice and support for carers and families of people living with dementia. Jo said: “Belong is a forward thinking organisation, which is reflected in the way it designs and provides care for its customers – as well as in the fact that all its home care services have been rated Good
Jo Ball or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. “The staff are second to none in providing the sort of sensitive, practical and compassionate care that enables people to remain within their own homes and communities. “It is a level of quality, service and expertise that I shall look to uphold in the new position, as Belong at Home is made available to more and more communities through the planned programme of new village developments.”
To mark a combined age of 183 years, two Glaswegian tenants dressed up to the nines to celebrate their double-birthday on the day of the royal wedding. William Glen, who turned 97, and Polly Macallum, who turned 86, called in their friends and family for a very British get together as they celebrated their birthdays with Kings and Queens themed festivities at Bield’s Carntyne Gardens. David Baxter House and Rob Copeland House, Rapport Housing & Care’s supported homes in Beckenham, marked Harry and Meghan’s special day with a party. Armed with their flags and Union Jack hats, the patriotic residents spent the day watching the Royal Wedding on the television together and hosting their own celebration. Residents were treated to an afternoon tea fit for a queen, as they made themselves comfortable in the lounge.
28
CARINGTRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
Angela proves it is never too late for a new career
SweetTree scores a hat-trick with IiP gold award SweetTree Home Care Services, which provides home and live-in care services to people across London, has been re-awarded the Gold Investors in People accolade, recognising the company’s commitment to helping its staff deliver their best performance in the workplace. It comes just months after SweetTree was announced as one of the UK’s Top 100 Best Companies to work for and it has also been rated as ‘Outstanding’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. SweetTree’s co-founder and operations director Nikki Bones said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have received the gold award from Investors in People, which recognises the incredible amount of work SweetTree has undertaken to support our staff as they in turn help others. “It is recognised that Investors in People has become far more demanding and only 16 per cent of businesses achieve the gold award, so it really is something to be proud of. Our trio of accolades really demonstrate our commitment to following best practice in everything we do.” SweetTree, which was established 16 years ago, has more than 500 staff and serves more than 350 clients including the elderly and those with learning disabilities, brain
injuries, neurological conditions and dementia. The IiP inspection report stated: “The directors have developed ways of working which encapsulate the best of small business culture – flexibility, agility, responsiveness to client needs, quick decision making, strong personal relationships. “High professional standards are expected, and there is a comprehensive learning and development offer beginning with induction through to a flexible and tailored approach to coaching and training individuals to achieve their potential in the business. “They have demonstrated the highest levels of trust, and achieved positive outcomes in terms of motivating people and developing leadership capability. There is a real strength that emerges from this assessment of a leadership team embracing change, focused on creating sustainable growth and long term success. “People share and understand the values of the business and enjoy both the high professional qualities and supportive personality which are equal parts of the culture at SweetTree Homecare Services. The SweetTree Charter continues to underpin and guide all aspects of the service. Fast growing care home operator New Care has continued to expand its team and has appointed Kad Daffe as centre manager for its soon-to-open care home Ruddington Manor in Nottingham. In his new role, Kad takes responsibility for the new state-of-the-art 66-bed care facility, its residents and 60-strong employee team. He will work to create a thriving, vibrant community and to ensure that the home becomes renowned as a centre of excellence. No stranger to New Care, Kad has worked for the company for 18 months and was previously part of the team at The Grand in West Bridgford.
A FORMER nursery nurse, who became an apprentice aged 55, has been named this year’s top health and social care apprentice at Cheshire College South and West, beating 200 other health and social care apprentices to the top spot. Angela Roberts, now 57 and a support worker at Belong Warrington, was a nursery nurse for over 20 years before deciding she wanted a change of career in order to care for older people, especially those living with dementia. She started working at Belong Warrington in 2015 as a care host, cooking and providing personal care for residents on one of the village’s 24-hour care households. Angela was presented with her apprenticeship award at a ceremony at the college’s Ellesmere Port campus. Belong supported Angela to undertake the apprenticeship in health and social care at Cheshire College South and West while training at the care village. She soon became a support worker and is now training to become a senior support worker. She said: “It’s a very rewarding job in itself, but it’s still nice to be recognised for the hard work. I worked hard, and I learned a lot. Doing the course together with on-the-job training was very rewarding.” Janine Curwell, general manager at
Angela Roberts (left) with her apprentice award and Belong Warrington household lead Carol Norman. Belong Warrington, added: “Angela’s award is extremely well deserved. She has shown exemplary commitment to her work and development and is always incredibly enthusiastic. “She has made huge progress in her role and made a big impact since she began working with us. We look forward to seeing her advance to the position of senior support worker and continue with her newfound career at Belong.”
Connect your home and workers via innovative new app GO to any major care home event in the UK today and you will be struck by the extent of innovative new products on display – from baths to beds and everything in between. But you will also be struck by the extent to which online and apps are now becoming integral to the social care market. Whether it be record keeping, online certification or legal issues, the app is rapidly becoming a part of social care. Squeezed as they are between heavy regulation and funding issues, home owners are continually having to focus on how they can become more efficient, and the app is one of those solutions. All of you in the home care sector are aware of just how much time and money can be spent trying to fill shifts when people ring in sick. It happens all the time and when it cannot be filled homes are faced with a big agency bill. There is a solution and it can be found in the app world. The founders of the PickaShift app have recognised that connecting homes and workers via in app is an innovative answer.
It is now up and running in three home groups in Northern Ireland having been introduced to the market at the start of 2018. And we’ve received major interest during our first introduction to the wider UK market at the NEC in Birmingham. It’s a simple tool. Full, part time and bank staff download the app to their phones. The home no longer has to begin a lengthy ringing round session. It simply fills in an online form and all of those using the app are informed of the upcoming shift. A push of a button and it is claimed. While you are trying to avoid the agency fee you may be prepared to pay the staff a little more and so the app also allows for an upward auction by way of encouragement. Already one of those homes using the app says it has almost completely cut out the use of agency staff. With that kind of success the app is not just becoming a part of social care – it is here to stay and play a valuable role. Enquiries: Find out more at www.pickashiftapp.com
30
CARINGNEWS
Residents’ fitness and wellbeing Street murals inspire boosted by dance aerobics class dementia residents A DANCE aerobics class has seen elderly Teesside residents making the most of the sunshine in their care home garden. Residents at Ingleby Care Home, in Ingleby Barwick, are benefitting from the fitness and wellbeing sessions following a Lottery grant last year. They are being run by Billinghambased social enterprise Nouveau Wellbeing, who won the grant to engage with more than 600 people over the age of 60. The firm’s specialist practitioners have been visiting the care home to put the residents through their paces. Emma Bryan, a member of the Nouveau Tees Valley Team, decided to run the latest session in the care home garden to take advantage of the spell of good weather.
They have also taken part in armchair exercises and dancing during previous sessions, aiming to improve their mobility, confidence and social interaction. Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “The residents have absolutely loved the sessions run by Emma from Nouveau Wellbeing. “They have been a great way to get the residents active and engaged. “There are visible improvements in their mood, sociability and mobility during the sessions and lasting for days afterwards. “We’re so grateful to Nouveau Wellbeing for selecting Ingleby Care Home to benefit from these sessions and we hope to continue working with them in future.”
A WHITLEY Bay care home has introduced a variety of wall mural installations aimed at inspiring conversation and improving the wellbeing of residents living with dementia. Earsdon Grange added a series of murals to its dementia care floor in order to develop a more demetia friendly environment The murals include high street shop fronts, a traditional sweet shop, library and a garden corner. It is hoped that the murals will encourage socialisation and creativity among residents. As well as their aesthetic appeal, the wall murals also incorporate practical elements to give them an added functional purpose so residents can interact with them. The sweet shop window wall mural leads to a functioning traditional-
style shop featuring a counter, sweets jars, till and scales, while the library offers a quiet seating area for reading and reflection, and the garden corner contains a garden bench and flowers. The home also added framed photographs of local landscapes and landmarks in corridors to help spark conversation and memories. Studies of care setting environments have shown that wall art and murals can help to reduce stress and promote an increased use of communal areas and sociability in people living with dementia. Manager of Earsdon Grange, Nicola Bell, said: “Since the wall murals have been introduced we’ve found that more residents are opting to use these additional seating points around the home, which is exactly what we hoped for.”
Home’s staff embark on maritime training Emmerdale star visits Llandudno care hotel SAFEHANDS Holidays is pleased to be able to continue to bring you the very best in live entertainment at both its venues. Recently we have had many tribute acts at our Llandudno hotel which proved to be very popular during the months of March and April. We also played host to a star from the Dales where guests at both our hotels enjoyed a special visit from Matthew Wolfenden AKA David Metcalf. Matthew visited the Esplanade Hotel in Llandudno where regular guests from The Isle of Man bombarded him with questions about his screen wife Tracy “how you could cheat on her?” – “we don’t like that Layla shouted the crowd”. One lady had been an Emmerdale fan for many years and caught
Matthew out with some of her questions. Some guests were rather disappointed to find out that although he has split with on-screen wife Tracy Metcalf there is still no hope as one of his favourite moments other than the birth of his children Buster and Bowie, was pulling off his marriage to co-star Charley Webb. Matthew explained he had all of the guests believe they were attending Charley’s 30th birthday party until they arrived and announced they were getting married. There was plenty of time for photos and Matthew made time to speak to all the guests individually while having the camera flashing away by in-house photographer Karen to ensure all the guests left with a signed photo souvenir from the evening.
STAFF at maritime charity,The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, have taken part in the care facility’s pioneering Maritime Acquaint Training programme which helps staff better understand their seafaring residents. The training day, which was funded by a supporter of the Society, took place on a P&O cross channel ferry from Dover to Calais. It follows the format of the charity’s Maritime Acquaint Training Programme first established by the Society’s CEO, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, in 2016 to help staff better understand the physical and psychological needs of their former seafaring residents. He said: “As a charity dedicated to the cause of caring for aged and infirm seafarers we are always looking for ways to integrate our staff into the seafaring community. “Our care offering is unique in that we offer tailored care plans for a small community of retired Merchant and Royal Navy seafarers and fishermen; to ensure this works we strive to give our staff the best opportunity to empathise with our resident’s backgrounds. “By offering the Maritime Acquaint Training programme and bespoke sessions such as this we ensure all staff can build rapport with and relate to the colourful experiences of our
residents. “It is a very successful initiative which we hope to grow in the future with more hands-on experiences like this session with P&O ferries.” Staff from the charity’s specialist nursing care home in Banstead, Surrey took part in the training to build an appreciation for the lives of residents who have worked at sea. The training programme enables staff to understand the often extreme conditions of life at sea and help tailor their care as such. The care offered to residents takes into consideration the particular struggles of the diverse ways people live at sea, and the many issues former seafarers may face in later life. Staff from across the Society’s departments were joined by a former Trustee of the charity who had served in the Merchant Navy for over 40 years. Staff were shown the responsibilities, leadership skills and instinct required to lead a crew in often perilous journeys around the world. The group were invited to see first-hand how large vessels are controlled and steered. Staff emerged from the experience appreciating how unpredictable the weather can be out at sea and the significant responsibility for those working aboard ships.
32 lamontjohnson.com
ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING? Phone us today for a no obligation appraisal and free market advice
Totally dentia Confidential No Obligation
07920 475 440 or mail us
lamontjohnson@btinternet.com
CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE
Operator plans to transform Hertfordshire nursing home
Page 35
Operator to take over Fife care home threatened with closure
Page 36
Enquiries open for new Harrogate care home
Page 37
Plan to build centre of excellence in Lichfield PROPOSALS to create a state-of-theart centre of excellence for people with dementia in Fradley near Lichfield took a leap forward as the planning application was submitted. A site has been acquired for the proposed multi-million pound flagship centre which is being developed by Symphony – a consortium made up of Accord, Housing Association and Engie who are working in partnership with Staffordshire County Council. The project has been designed by InDesign, Accord’s in-house, awardwinning architects practice. The outcome of the application should be announced in July and it also includes an adjacent development of housing for sale. The centre of excellence will provide a new scheme for Fradley comprising of a communal hub with café/foyer, kitchen, hairdressing salon and a meeting room.
Care will be provided within six households, each with a communal kitchen, dining area, lounge and access to gardens and outdoor space. Each household will offer 15 individual en-suite bedrooms, and the centre will be home to up 90 people. The scheme promises to transform care and support for residents and
SOLD
their families, with a specialist team who will work alongside people with dementia, 24 hours a day, delivering personalised and quality care, support Maxine Espley, Accord’s executive director, health, social care and support, on behalf of the Symphony consortium, said: “This is a really exciting partnership with
Staffordshire County Council and Engie, and we are delighted to be at the first stage of delivering this dementia centre of excellence. “Accord is a leader in dementia excellence and has a successful track record of running services for those with dementia around a personcentred care model called the ‘Eden Alternative, upon which the new centre is based. “We are also grateful for the continuing support of Homes England who have provided grant funding of £2.67m to this project for the benefit of older people in Lichfield and surrounding areas.” Staffordshire County Council and Symphony will continue to work closely with customers, families and colleagues to allow the smooth transfer from existing schemes, Meadrowrythe and Bracken House, into the new dementia centre of excellence over the next 18 months.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
C
IN AFFLUENT OAKHAM RUTLAND, LEICESTERSHIRE
O is h e G s a n
Sold on behalf of Larkfleet Group
WITH PLANNING PERMISSION FOR 60 BED HOME
Landforcare SOURCING LAND
FOR C2 USE
O o c y a
SELLING CARE HOMES N
re
33
‘Turning of the turf’ begins development LINCOLN-based Lace Housing (part of the Blue Skies Consortium) has broken ground at the turning of the turf ceremony for a publicly-funded mixed tenure residential development for older and vulnerable people in Washingborough. Designed by Cambridge-based Saunders Boston Architects, the ceremony officially kicked off the first of many future development partnerships between the architects practice and Lace Housing. Attending the ceremony on behalf of Saunders Boston Architects, director Darren Heffer said: “Breaking ground is always one of the most exciting moments of the whole process as it marks that pivotal moment when our vision for the property, and its future residents, is set in action. “On this occasion we feel especially gratified as the ceremony celebrates not only this development but also our on-going working relationship with Lace Housing, and its parent company the Blue Skies Consortium, as we embark on a number of similar schemes in the region. “The next development to commence, in the summer will be located in Nettleham, and further projects are in the pipeline within Lincolnshire.” This first phase of the wider Washingborough development will provide a total of 32 independent
living dwellings – 26 of which will be two bedroom apartments, and eight of which will be two bedroom bungalows. The development features light and spacious homes which are purposely designed to cater for residents’ unique requirements: residents or visitors using wheelchairs, or with limited mobility, will benefit from level access facilities; and safe and accessible spaces to enjoy each other’s company have been incorporated into the communal facilities and the secure landscaped gardens. Nick Chambers, chief executive, LACE Housing Association, added: “We have an excellent relationship with Saunders Boston. “They have assisted us in the design and subsequent application for planning in respect of development opportunities within the county of Lincolnshire. “Their professional team bring a range of expertise and knowledge associated to specialist support housing which in turn will help us to deliver much needed homes and support services for older and vulnerable people.” Lincolnshire contractor Lindum will build out the development. Thornton Firkin (Lincoln) is acting as project manager and quantity surveyor.
Carterwood completes deal for Octopus Healthcare CARTERWOOD has concluded another deal on behalf of Octopus Healthcare. Barchester Healthcare has agreed to lease a proposed care home in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire. The 1.3acre development site was recently granted full planning permission for a two-and-a-half storey 75-bed care home. The catchment area of the proposed home benefits from a substantial shortfall of market standard bedspaces and a strong wealth profile.
Combined, these factors create the opportunity to develop a market leading care home. Matthew Drysdale, associate director at Carterwood, said: “We have supported Octopus Healthcare with agency and consultancy services for many years, and are delighted to see this transaction complete within such a short timescale. “The site location and demographics are so strong that we have no doubt that with Barchester’s expertise it will become the leading modern care home in the area.”
Borough Care gets home extension go ahead BOROUGH Care, the largest notfor-profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, has been given the go ahead to extend one of its homes. Planning permission has been granted for a new wing to be
added to Bruce Lodge in Offerton, Stockport. The new wing will be based on the ‘household model’. The two-storey extension will provide 18 new bedrooms and a social dining space.
WE SPECIALISE ONLY in the SALE OF CARE HOMES, LAND FOR CARE HOME DEVELOPMENT, and NOTHING ELSE!
Totally Confidential No Obligation RECENTLY
SOLD
Antron Manor Care Home, Penryn, Cornwall.
BY LAMONT JOHNSON Our success in the sale of Care Homes is second to none in the care sector, and has been achieved through the 37 years experience of principal directors, Grayson and Dawn Taylor, specialising solely in the discreet sale of Care Homes and sites/developments for C2 use nationwide. Our proven track record is confirmed by our clients recommendations, and their continued trust in us over the years, with additional purchases and resales.
Thinking of selling this year?
PHONE US TODAY Belton House, Belton, Rutland, Leicestershire.
NO
Mobile:
07920 475 440 or mail us:
“UPFRONT” FEES or INFLATED COMMISSION RATES!
S NATIONWIDE
01937 842 758 lamontjohnson @btinternet.com
Lamont Johnson PROPERTY ADVISORS TO THE CARE SECTOR
lamontjohnson.com
35
Operator plans to transform Hertfordshire nursing home A FAMILY owned care operator has acquired a Hertfordshire nursing home and plans to transform it over the next couple of years. Acacia Care has recently taken over the 42-bed Chalfont Court in Rickmansworth, and will be carrying out a major internal refurbishment to bring it to the same standard as their existing home in Nottingham. Prior to refurbishment works, the group will also be looking to improve local links, supporting community engagement and helping residents and staff to form relationships with groups and businesses in the area. Jay Patel, owner of Acacia Care, said: “We are delighted to be taking
over Chalfont Court and have some ambitious plans to improve the quality of the care and the environment of the home. “Our existing care home, Acorn House, provides a real home from home atmosphere, and we want Chalfont Court residents to also benefit from this type of luxurious and cosy atmosphere. “We also look forward to welcoming the community into our home.” In addition to refurbishment and community engagement, the group will be looking to further improve the quality of care at Chalfont Court, as well as provide a weekly programme of personalised wellbeing activities.
specialist healthcare business agents
Independent expertise, nationwide knowledge
SOLD
DC Care is delighted to announce the sale of Glenarie House in Liverpool, a well performing and fully compliant care home registered for 20 service users within the categories of mental health and personal care (over 18 years of age). The business has been sold on behalf of Mr & Mrs Grugel to the Fairhome Group. We would like to wish Mr & Mrs Grugel a happy retirement. When industry knowledge and wisdom are needed, when a discreet sale is desired, our clients choose DC Care to sell their healthcare business.
SALES | ACQUISITIONS | APPRAISALS | CONSULTANCY
01937 849 268
www.dccare.co.uk sales@dccare.co.uk
36
Operator to take over Fife care home threatened with closure Canford Healthcare has announced the appointment of Stephen Bates to the Board as company secretary, effective immediately. Stephen is a seasoned director and brings with him a wealth of experience gained through working for a top 10 London firm and a variety of senior leadership roles within fast growing businesses. He is highly accomplished and brings a significant range and depth of financial experience as well as exceptional business acumen to the company. His appointment to the Board will further reinforce the company in its ambitious growth plans. Chairman of Canford Healthcare, Barry Lambert, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen to the Board, his appointment will strengthen the capabilities of the team and help us in our ambition to provide exceptional care to our residents and become a leading player in the care market.”
A DEAL which will see all residents and staff transfer from a Bield care home to a local provider has been finalised. Last year, Bield announced 12 of its care homes across Scotland were to close and has since been working to find other providers to keep them open. Following extensive discussions, the housing and care provider has announced that an agreement has been reached which will see locally based Kingdom Homes Ltd buy Finavon Court in Glenrothes, Fife. The deal means that residents seamlessly transfer over to the new Kingdom Homes, with very few changes being experienced and, in particular, all existing staff will keep their jobs. Charlie Dickson, director of housing and care services, said: “The deal ensures that high quality care is still provided to existing service users with no need for upheaval or disruption and also safeguards the jobs of staff.” “We were fully aware of the serious impact the decision to close the care homes made on the lives of the people who use our services, their families and our staff. “Our service users and staff have remained of paramount importance throughout what is clearly a stressful and traumatic time.” Colin Smart, managing director at
Over 37 Years Experience in the Sale of Care Homes
Grayson Taylor (Managing Director, Lamont Johnson)
•1981 FOUNDING PRINCIPAL of Taylor National •2001 FOUNDING PRINCIPAL of DC Care •2012 FOUNDING PRINCIPAL of Lamont Johnson Our success in the sale of Care Homes has been achieved through the 37 years experience of principal directors, Grayson and Dawn Taylor, specialising solely in the discreet sale of Care Homes and sites/developments for C2 use nationwide. For a no obligation appraisal and advice on how we can help sell your home, phone us on 07920 475 440 or mail us at lamontjohnson@btinternet.com
Lamont Johnson PROPERTY ADVISORS TO THE CARE SECTOR
NATIONWIDE
Kingdom Homes Ltd managing director Colin Smart with Charlie Dickson, director of care services at Bield. Kingdom Homes Ltd, added: “We are the local authority about Finavon, pleased to bring Finavon Court into they stressed to us that they felt the our group of 12 care homes. With facility was a real community-based over 30 years in the care sector in care home and they were very keen Fife we are confident that under our to see it continue to provide the care management the home will continue it does for the local community in to flourish. Glenrothes. “From the moment we first visited “Great credit should be given to the the home and met with the staff staff who have maintained a positive and residents we knew that Finavon attitude at the home and ensured Court could not be allowed to close that the residents have remained well and thus we worked tirelessly with cared for. Bield to come to an agreement to “We will look to build on this allow Kingdom Homes to takeover and support the existing staff to and ensure the continuation of the continually improve the service service. for the residents at Finavon in the “When we had discussions with future.”
Care home welcomes Lynn as its manager LYNN Phillips has been appointed manager of Balhousie Luncarty care home, which is currently undergoing a refurbishment of the public rooms and bedrooms. Lynn joined the Perthshirebased care home at the end of last year and is currently overseeing a refurbishment programme including redecorating the home’s public rooms and beginning the refurbishment of the home’s 29 bedrooms, all with input from the residents. She started her career in the travel industry before pursuing her passion for the care profession. Having worked for the group on a few different occasions over the years, Lynn gathered a wealth of experience working as a care assistant at Balhousie Lisden care home before working in the community providing home care services, then eventually coming back to an administrative role. Lynn worked her way up to the deputy manager position at Balhousie Glens care home in Edzell, then subsequently took on an interim manager position there before making the leap from Angus to Perthshire to become manager at Luncarty. She said: “Building relationships with the residents, their families, staff and our professional partners has been incredibly important to me. Strong relationships and involving everyone is the key to running a good
Lynn Phillips
care home. Everyone has been lovely since I arrived at Luncarty and it has been wonderful seeing the home transform during its refurbishment.” The residents have been consulted on the refurbishments, choosing paint colours, fabrics and menu designs. They have also been enjoying a new garden room to use when loved ones come to visit. With six Dementia Ambassadors working at Luncarty, the team has ensured that all the changes being introduced are person centred and dementia friendly. Lynn added: “We have been looking into introducing a dementia friendly garden which will make a massive difference to our residents. We have also introduced signage throughout the home to help our residents who are living with dementia keep their bearings while moving around the building and ultimately feel safe.”
37
Enquiries open for new Harrogate care home HADRIAN Healthcare Group is now taking enquiries for its latest luxury care home – The Manor House Harrogate. The £12m development is currently under construction and is due to open in September. Situated on the prestigious Duchy Estate, The Manor House Harrogate will have 87 large private suites and will provide residential, dementia and respite care. It will create around 100 full and part-time jobs within the local area. Stephanie Foulds has been appointed as home manager. She previously commissioned and managed the group’s Oulton Manor care home, which opened in 2016. Stephanie has a degree in clinical sciences from Bradford University and gained a Masters degree at Durham University, focussing on the care of residents with dementia. She began her career in care as a senior care assistant and has experience in health and social care training as well as care home management. “We’re really looking forward to welcoming our first residents and becoming an active part of the community,” said Stephanie. “We are already recruiting a great staff team to provide the highest quality of individualised and
compassionate care, to enable each of our residents to enjoy life to the full.” Facilities at The Manor House Harrogate will include a hair and beauty salon, wellness lodge with hydrotherapy pool and physiotherapist, landscaped gardens, bowling green, a concierge and a chauffeur service to help make trips into town much easier. There will be wifi throughout, library areas, and an old-fashioned sweet shop also selling everyday items such as greetings cards, newspapers and magazines. As well as the restaurant and bistro there will be a traditional style tearoom where
Trusted and award-winning healthcare property consultants. Directors with 50 years' experience
I!=;
Over 12,000 care home beds valued
LI
CHARITY and care and housing provider Brunelcare has made three new senior appointments. Michelle Richards has been promoted to property and housing director, with responsibility for the charity’s property, housing and customer services teams. Michelle began her career with Brunelcare in 1999 working as a care assistant in one of the charity’s care homes. Brian Whittaker has been appointed as the new human resources and organisational development director. In previous jobs he worked as group HR director at The Aster Group, a social landlord and care and support provider based in Wiltshire. He also has extensive experience within human resources, including several years as the employee relations manager for Forte Hotels. Matthew Bell has been appointed the new head of marketing and business development and will focus on developing and delivering the marketing strategy. Matthew brings to the role over 10 years’ marketing, communications and care sector experience, having worked previously for St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol.
residents can enjoy time with families and friends, and a private dining room for special family occasions. Jas Gill, managing director of Hadrian Healthcare Group, added: “I am really pleased with progress being made and that Stephanie has started to form the team. I’m also pleasantly surprised at the level of interest already at this stage. “Stephanie has excellent experience and commissioned and managed Oulton Manor very successfully. We’re delighted she is leading the team at The Manor House Harrogate, which will be our seventh Manor House care home.”
Selling your care home made easy
g 0
Appointments to strengthen senior team
Buyers with over £2oom of approved funding 1oo's of care homes appraised
Contact HPC today! J 01904 529 110 II enquiries@healthcarepc.co.uk
4
Q www.healthcarepc.co.uk
't,c)�
,,,,,, .
11..�.
'I healthcare pc
i�co,,.S- � t,
�
re),,,
Cy
38
Tier 2 immigration cap on doctors and nurses lifted by the Government to boost the NHS By Kashif Majeed DOCTORS and nurses from outside EU will be given visas to boost the NHS as the Home Secretary relaxes Immigration Rules to let thousands more highly-skilled workers into Britain. Sajid Javid has imposed a relaxation to the tough Immigration Rules first imposed by Theresa May. The Tier 2 cap is part of the Government’s approach to controlling net migration, which it aims to reduce to the tens of thousands. That target has consistently been missed since it was set in 2010. However, the recent announcement has meant that doctors and nurses are to be excluded from the cap on skilled worker visas, meaning there will be no restriction on the numbers who can be employed through the
Tier 2 visa route. Applications made via the Tier 2 route, which has had an annual cap of 20,700 since 2011, have in recent months exceeded the allocation of visas. This pragmatic change will also free up hundreds of additional places a month for other highly skilled workers, such as engineers, IT professionals and teachers. It was reported by the Financial Times that 2,360 visa applications by doctors from outside the European Economic Area were refused in a fivemonth period, apparently because of the cap. Mr Javid said: “I recognise the pressures faced by the NHS and other sectors in recent months. Doctors and nurses play a vital role in society and at this time we need more in the UK. That is why I have reviewed our skilled worker visa route.” Mr Javid is believed to favour a
Kashif Majeed vision of Britain as a global country, open to business from beyond the EU after Brexit. It is understood that Mrs May was persuaded to support a ‘time-limited’ exemption for doctors and nurses after Cabinet ministers wrote to her
backing Mr Javid’s plan. It is believed Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, Greg Clark, the Business Secretary and Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary have written to the Prime Minister in support of Mr Javid. The relaxation of immigration rules follows a vociferous campaign by NHS organisations and medical groups. They had argued that doctors and nurses should be exempt from the cap on skilled workers, in order to tackle the deepening workforce crisis in the NHS. Mr Javid is also expected to launch the first review in five years of the professions that could qualify for visas, meaning that GPs, teachers and other skilled migrants could gain the right to enter the UK under tier 2 visas. n Kashif Majeed is a director at Aston Brooke Solicitors.
Provider strengthens team with new appointments CHARITY and care and housing provider Brunelcare has made three new senior appointments. Michelle Richards has been promoted to property and housing director, with responsibility for the charity’s property, housing and customer services teams. Michelle
began her career with Brunelcare in 1999 working as a care assistant in one of the charity’s care homes. Brian Whittaker has been appointed as the new human resources and organisational development director. In previous jobs he worked as group HR director
at The Aster Group, a social landlord and care and support provider based in Wiltshire. He also has extensive experience within human resources, including several years as the employee relations manager for Forte Hotels. Matthew Bell has been appointed
the new head of marketing and business development and will focus on developing and delivering the marketing strategy. Matthew brings to the role over 10 years’ experience, having worked previously for St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol.
Recent Sales Nationwide
Work begins on new dementia care home
We are delighted to have recently arranged the sale of many prestigious properties nationwide, including Oriel Care Home, West Midlands. Highgrove House, Sussex. Belton House, Leicestershire. Antron Manor, Cornwall, and the dual properties, Heaton Lodge and Clyde House, Greater Manchester. For a no obligation appraisal and advice on how we can help sell your home, phone us on 07920 475 440 or mail us at lamontjohnson@btinternet.com
Lamont Johnson PROPERTY ADVISORS TO THE CARE SECTOR
NATIONWIDE
WORK has started on Solihull Council’s new dementia care home in Shirley. The 60-bed, purpose-built facility will be on land adjacent to a medical centre. It will help meet the needs of the increasing number of older people in the borough. Due to be completed in summer 2019 by building contractor Speller Metcalfe, it will provide a mix of affordable care for those funded by the Council, the NHS and people who pay for their own care. As the population of older people in the borough grows, so too does the demand for high quality care and support services. The proposed new home is in response to the Council’s challenge of trying to find affordable care within
the borough. Councillor Karen Grinsell, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “Our aim is to care for people suffering with dementia with dignity and respect. “The new care home is important to us and we aspire to make it a centre of excellence in dementia care. “It will be purpose built to meet the specific needs of people with dementia and will help us to cater for the growing number of older people in the borough. “Crucially, it means more people will be able to receive good, quality care in the borough as opposed to moving further afield and away from loved ones. I look forward to the day, next year when the care home opens its new doors.”
We make insurance a walk in the park Care Homes • Nursing Homes • Domiciliary Care • Hospices • Children’s Homes
Contact Us for a Free Quotation Phoenix Specialist Risk Solutions Ltd Enterprise Centre, Denton Island, East Sussex, BN9 9BA T: 01273 977221 www.phoenixsrs.co.uk
40
CARINGNEWS
Shackletons has a long history of support for leading care and health providers that demand bespoke handmade specialist furniture for dementia-friendly environments. Here, sales director, Sarah Thompson – FF&E, outlines how we met the specifications of a new flagship nursing and day-care centre.
CQC Target-beating antimicrobial baths from Gainsborough Striking the right tone PART of the Gainsborough Healthcare Group, Gainsborough Specialist Bathing will be demonstrating its world-leading assisted baths with BioCote antimicrobial protection at Health Plus Care (Care Home Live feature and stand D60, June 27-28, ExCeL). Gainsborough advanced baths, such as the Gentona with hi-lo functionality and bather transfer system, are proven to deliver utmost care and performance in today’s challenging care environment. This unsurpassed reputation has been enhanced with antimicrobial BioCote – a first for the UK specialist bathing market.
This invisible protection is integrated during the manufacturing process so cannot be wiped or worn away. It significantly reduces the risk of cross infection and illness – ensuring CQC hygiene targets are met or even exceeded. BioCote provides 24/7, 99.99 per cent protection against Influenza H1N1, E.coli, Salmonella and antibiotic resistant CRO, CRE, VRE and MRSA. Luke Torkington, Four Seasons Health Care, said: “BioCote is vital for our care homes’ infection control process. No other premium supplier can deliver such a robust infection control solution.”
Suite offers wide range of setting specific modules BLUE Stream Academy Ltd is a leading provider of eLearning to healthcare providers in the UK. The care sector currently has a very high training and recruitment requirement due to sector growth and staff retirement. It has therefore never been more important to have access to affordable, uncomplicated and comprehensive training. Our Nursing and Care Home Suite offers a wide range of setting specific modules which precisely fulfils this need. We currently have over 60 individual subject modules covering
more than 300 topics. Within the suite, managers can set up individual training roles, modify training roles, easily create numerous reports, add in external training information/upload certificates, track all training both incomplete and complete, be reminded of when training should be redone and use/ modify over 200 generic policies. Trainees benefit from being able to work at their own pace rather than that of the trainer, with the ability to digest and analyse the content having a significant impact on the amount of information retained.
Check-in to CareDocs Cloud CareDocs Cloud allows you to checkin to your home’s data whenever and wherever you need to, so you can manage the provision of care effectively, even when you’re away from the care environment. Assessment data, daily notes and chart records can be entered through the Cloud Portal, ensuring personcentred care records are available in
real time. Alternatively, use your CareDocs laptops or desktops to update care plans, complete audits or review company policies, whichever location you’re working from. With the variety of solutions available, whatever your needs, CareDocs Cloud has the flexibility to meet them.
with dementia care WE have worked with Gabriel Martinez, director of a small, family-owned group of high quality residential and care homes for the elderly in Farnham and Fleet, Surrey, for 15 years. Always impressed with our chairs’ durability, support and comfort, he tasked us with some very specific additional requirements when planning a pioneering newbuild with 60 residents and 90 staff to meet the needs of dementia sufferers, Gabriel said: “While our environment is calming, all outside and interior spaces are as bright and stimulating as possible. “We have six households, each with its own themed artwork and distinct colour scheme. “This meant that each batch of furniture had to both complement a unique décor while contrasting sufficiently with it and vinyl oak flooring to be clearly visible to dementia sufferers.” The Shackletons design team worked closely with Gabriel to render the six individual ‘house colours’. Our craftsmen then hand produced every item to a tight deadline – with hundreds of dining room, bedroom and lounge chairs,
recliners and soft furnishings in place for Farnham Mill’s opening. We have long promoted the wellplaced use of colour and contrast to enable independent living by helping residents find their way around and remember and use fixtures and facilities. The exercise is vital for the creation of a comfortable setting where confusion is avoided and the symptoms of dementia are not exacerbated. Gabriel added: “At the end of the day, we are a home and that’s exactly how we want our residents to feel when they are with us: at home.” Farnham Mill sits in five beautiful acres of landscaped gardens, which include five large ponds, streams, woodland and wandering ducks and geese. They feature 15,000 new plants and 140 transplanted mature trees residents are encouraged to get out in the open and interact with their surroundings as much as possible. Shackletons has longstanding, highly productive partnerships with a diverse range of academic, trade and commercial organisations to pioneer dementia-friendly furniture design and manufacturing techniques.
41
CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS
15 per cent OFF dignified, waterproof scarf bibs from Care Designs CARE Designs’ Pashmina Scarf Style Clothes Protectors combines the look of a stylish ladies’ scarf with the waterproof practicality of a bib and so and can be worn all day with a high level of dignity. The two silk-like fabric layers on the front are highly absorbent whilst the waterproof layer on the back keeps clothes dry and has quick fastening Velcro for ease of fitting. Available in three pebble print colours and two plain colours. Get 15% OFF; use code CAREDESIGNS-CUK5 at the webshop checkout! Enquiries: Visit www.caredesigns.co.uk call 01223 840236 or email purchasing@bibetta.com for a brochure.
NOW is the time to place digitisation at the forefront of care services according to a lot of people. But why? This article from Sekoia unravels a few truths about this new “holy grail”. But what actually motivates a change in the first place?
Heads up on style in bathroom adaptations HOW easily can your clients manage going to the toilet on their own? Being able to do that simple thing is crucial if the client is developing limitations. It is one of the 10 qualifying activities for social care. The bathroom is the top room for adaptation. Latest research also shows minor home intervention adaptations are proven to reduce the need for physical and mental health intervention and/or hospital treatment. Closomat is developing solutions to help occupational therapists and health professionals deliver timely adaptations, in style. The biggest selling shower toilet in the UK, Closomat’s Palma Vita, has been redesigned to be more contemporary in its overall styling, and to have more ergonomic controls. Its new, softer contours are more appealing to potential users. Yet it can still be easily accessorised – unlike
any other shower toilet – to enable accommodation of individual user needs, initially and as they change with time. Additional bathroom fixtures from Closomat are also reflecting the need for products to look less institutional. The company’s range of washbasins, fixed and height adjustable shower seats, and fixed height or height adjustable shower toilets are all evolving to reflect the changing marketplace. Enquiries: Visit www.clos-o-mat.com or call 0161 969 1199.
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.
The ‘outside-in’ reasons Some care providers find their brand image to be such a strong asset for their business that it helps facilitate their KPIs, such as their occupancy rate. This is then among the reasons for wanting to be a modern-day care service with updated tools and powerful data. Other reasons could be regulatory, trying to be fully compliant with the different bodies safeguarding the care home sector. One of these being CQC. Maybe a certain KLOE needs attention? The ‘inside-out’ reasons Another set of arguments deal with traditional provider challenges. These could be workforce related. Either it is hard to recruit new staff, or to keep those that are already in place. Another reason to be paperless resonates well with the operations team. How can we provide an overview of different sites, from the individual resident and staff level to entire administrative processes, not to mention alleviating the paperwork burden that in so many services take up hours of every shift? Transforming social care With the immense focus on technology in care, it is important to know where we are today. In a simple overview the digital
transformation could be outlined as follows: 1. Business as usual: paper is regarded as the go-to solution and no change is imminent. 2. OK Computer: five per cent of the organisation uses computers for administrative tasks. 3. Electronic: 25 per cent of the organisation uses computers but one to one with the paper format. 4. Strategic level: 50 per cent of the organisation have adopted to a digital workflow, but the ambition is predominantly executive. 5. Converged: dedicated digital operations on person-centred goals is up and running. 6. Big data: how would things look when data supports prediction and prevention. Outlining these stages, it is important to emphasise that none are right or wrong. Looking across the country many “Outstanding” homes are working in stage one and two reluctant to change, because more risk than benefit relates to them going digital. The most important takeaway for tech in care must then be to know what is wanted from digitisation. Considering the strategic influence can enable care delivery and benefits realisation.
Enabling style and comfort ASANA by Closomat takes independent living into a new realm of style and enablement. Historically, assistive technology to support disabled and elderly people to live as independently as possible has either been purely functional, when developed for that purpose, or a compromise if sold into the disability market from the mainstream. Closomat has always been the only manufacturer of wash and dry (automatic bidet) toilets that developed its solutions specifically for users with limitations. Now, it has combined the latest engineering advancements with contemporary design to launch Asana by Closomat. The wall-hung WC can function as a conventional toilet or, by appropriate selection via easy to reach push buttons on the side of the toilet, which trigger the flush, and eliminate the need to wipe clean by triggering of the integrated douching and drying processes. Asana also benefits from Closomat’s unique support offering – UK pre- and after-sales support,
The ultimate in infection control VICKI Wilson, national trainer for Beaucare® Medical, was invited to showcase the CareClean™ range at the Lancashire County Council infection control conference, which was attended by NHS Nurses and Carers. The specialised chemical cleaning range, which garnered a lot of attention at the conference, is formulated to BS EN 1276 and BS EN 13704 standard and is designed to simplify any healthcare facility’s chemical usage. Approved by NHS Infection Control, the range features colour coded labelling to minimise the risk of cross-contamination and to help ensure that the
Going digital – but why?
right product is being used correctly. Beaucare’s Versan Disinfectant for Disease Control is an ideal accompaniment. It is a broad spectrum hard surface disinfectant and is effective against C.Difficile spores, Norovirus, MRSA and more. Beaucare provides free support materials and national training, offering instruction on minimising the risk of cross-contamination and guidance on cost effective application and dosing. Enquiries: Call 01423 873666, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com
in-house installation and commissioning, and in-house service and maintenance. Asana by Closomat is complimented by a range of flush options and spray options, that will enable users to tailor its looks and function to their own personal needs. Enquiries: Visit www.clos-o-mat.com or call 0161 969 1199.
Direct Debit for care homes
SUCCESSFUL care homes are built on the concept of maximising the efficiency of every part of the business. This is never more important than in the collection of care fees from clients, and the method you use to collect regular payments and monthly fees will make a big difference on your time, resources and finances. Direct Debit guarantees income dates and improves cash flow. It’s reliable, secure and puts you in control. Eazipay has been working with organisations in the sector for over five years and we’ve developed an enviable reputation for our reliability, responsiveness and the highest levels of customer service.
Whenever you contact Eazipay, you will be treated with respect and courtesy by staff who are both understanding and committed to giving you the best service we possibly can. We set the customer service bar high and when we feel we have reached it we set it a little higher. Enquiries: To find out more about how Eazipay can help your care home visit www.eazipay.co.uk
42
CARINGNEWS
Spotlight on mental health and diabetes at fourth conference DIABETES Professional Care 2018 will hold its fourth annual conference and exhibition on November 14 and 15 at Olympia, London. This two-day event will once again be free-to-attend for all healthcare professionals and feature an eightstream CPD-accredited conference programme. The emotional and psychological impact of diabetes will be a major theme at this year’s show, with several conference and workshop sessions dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of people with diabetes. Aimed at helping healthcare professionals to better support their patients with both diabetes and mental health problems, these sessions will also be flagged with a special ‘Mental health and wellbeing’ key, to ensure visitors can easily identify them. “It is known that people with diabetes are at increased risk of a number of serious physical complications, such as cardiovascular disease, foot disease and kidney disease,” said Maggie Meer, founder, Diabetes Professional Care. “But greater awareness is also needed of the mental health risks and challenges for those with this condition. This is why we’ve invited some of the foremost practitioners in this area to share their real-world knowledge and expertise with our audience of healthcare professionals at DPC2018.” This year, we are increasing our focus on diabetes co-morbidities,
including several sessions on mental health in both our main Conference programme and our practical Workshops programme. These will include: ■ Parity of esteem – reducing the diabetes risk and improving diabetes management for patients with a serious mental illness. Anne Moore, group nurse director for Safer Care, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust ■ Diabetes management – considerations for patients with serious mental health/learning disability. Claire Thomas, deputy chief pharmacist, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. ■ Frailty and dementia care for people with diabetes. Jill Hill, independent diabetes nurse consultant, TREND-UK. ■ Diabetes and learning difficulties: Long term conditions and their effect on mental health – psychological support for depressed patients with diabetes. Speaker TBC ■ Don’t be afraid to open a can of worms: addressing feelings in a consultation about diabetes. Charles Fox, R&D Unit, Northampton General Hospital. Visit the DPC website to keep up to date on the latest show developments and register online for your free place.
ACCOUNTANCY SAVVY!
Our goal is to work with you to carefully assess your personal or business requirements with the ultimate aim of reducing your tax liability – evaluating your needs and offering expert advice where and when you need it in a professional albeit informal environment.
With our unique understanding of the Care Home Business, we can assist in the following ways:
• Start-up business advice • Advice & assistance with the purchase or sale if applicable. • Tax • Preparation and analysis of financial statements. • Bookkeeping and payroll services • Sales invoice preparation and monthly analysis for credit payments • Tax planning strategies. • Understanding service user funding • VAT (if applicable) • Business succession planning.
JER ACCOUNTS SERVICE
7 St Pauls Yard, Silver Street, Newport Pagnell, Bucks, MK16 0EG tel: 01908 210666 Email:jane@jeras.org.uk mobile: 07956 917591
Call systems have come a long way. While their primary function remains the same, they offer so much more than communication, says Derek Timoney, managing director, Medicare Systems.
Transform care at the touch of a button ... THE safety of residents should be of paramount importance to all staff and care homes can now employ a range of technology to ensure they remain safe and secure at all times, from surveillance to nurse call systems. Nurse call systems are designed to be functional as well as to integrate with technology. Enhanced technology has enabled a wider range of features to be integrated, which can transform the way in which care homes operate and has many advantages for carers. Advances in technology have led to significant changes in the way in which a call system operates and they now have numerous additional functions including emergency call and the ability to provide real time data as well as operating wirelessly, enabling installation to be completed in days rather than weeks. Technology is an integral part of our everyday lives and with the increasing demand in the care sector, it must facilitate all expectations and needs. The key to a contemporary nurse call systems is being multi-functional yet still retaining the same simplicity in terms of use as earlier models. Call systems are no longer just about alerts and alarms, they are an important part of the information technology employed in a care home environment. Care homes want more information, more data analysis and more
functionality. A system can record all events and produce tailored evidential activity reports so that key performance indicators such as staff response can be monitored or data provided if an incident needs to be investigated. Routine or regularly required reports can be saved and automatically delivered to the required recipients by email and maintenance is made easy by an automated status reports. There has been an increase in demand for location and tracking features, particularly where vulnerable residents require monitoring. In these instances it is important to know where an individual who requires assistance or intervention may be; knowing where someone is also helps to ensure an efficient and timely response to unforeseen events. Nurse Call systems continue to develop and adapting line with the increasing pressures that care homes face. The growing demand for information at the point of care delivery has prompted the introduction of a host of new products and technologies designed to aid those at the frontline. Looking at the progressive nature of the nurse call system and the new technology developed year after year, there is certainly more to come.
DESIGNED, HAND-CRAFTED AND DELIVERED WITH CARE, ATTENTION AND QUALITY
WE ARE BRITISHMADE FURNITURE EXPERTS FOR THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR, HERE TO HELP YOU SIT COMFORTABLY
To find out more call:
01924 868 470
For more information visit: shackletonsltd.co.uk CREATING COMFORT