Caring UK July 2020

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no.285 • £4.75 incorporating

July 2020

The Number One magazine for the care sector

Time to look to the future for social care CARE providers say the time is coming for the Government to start planning for the future of social care after coronavirus.

While warning against complacency, the Independent Care Group says it is time to be looking ahead.

Chair Mike Padgham said: “We cannot be complacent and let coronavirus take hold again after we have all worked so extremely hard to get Covid-19 under control.

“At the same time, the moment is fast approaching where we have to start planning for reform of social care once coronavirus is behind us.

“We need a clear plan on how we can rebuild social care in the future, as years of neglect and under-funding for the sector have been brutally exposed by coronavirus.”

The ICG has issued its wish list for care reform.

“We have long been promised a Green Paper on social care but it has been repeatedly delayed,” Mike added.

“The sources of the current problems are well documented, but almost £8bn cut from social care budgets since 2010 has left a sector on its knees, unable to deal with something like coronavirus.

“To ensure that never happens again, we have to have a root and branch reform of social care, matched by enough funding

to bring it to parity with NHS healthcare, alongside which providers have been battling to defeat Covid-19.”

The ICG’s suggestions include: n A root and branch overhaul of the way social care is planned and funded. n NHS health care and social care to be merged and managed either locally or nationally. n Extra funding for social care, funded by taxation or National Insurance. n A guarantee that people receiving publicly-funded care can receive it in their own home or close to where they live. n A properly-costed national rate for care fees linked to a national career pathway and salary framework for care staff. n Dementia to be treated like other high profile, high priority illnesses, like cancer and heart disease. n A fixed percentage of GDP to be spent on social care. n A cap on social care costs, including ‘hotel’ charges Local Enterprise Partnerships to prioritise social care. n A national scheme to ensure people save for their own care, as they do for a pension. n A new model of social care delivery based on catchment areas - like GPs. n Funding for leadership training.

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Ty gets on his bike for care home

Former models, professional footballers, teachers, flight attendants, estate agents, journalists and massage therapists, who have found themselves out of work in the wake of Covid-19, are forging new careers as frontline care and support workers at Caremark Limited. New recruits, located across the company’s 100 plus local offices all over the UK, are embracing their new roles, visiting vulnerable clients in their own homes to deliver personal care, assist with household chores and offer companionship and support. They include Erin Smith (pictured above), a Miss England contestant and professional footballer.

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A NEWCASTLE boy has raised more than £250 for HC-One’s Sutherland Court after organising and completing his own sponsored cycle.

Ty Almond, 10, decided to organise a 200-lap sponsored cycle around his housing estate in a bid to raise some money for his local care home to say ‘thank you’ for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Family, friends and neighbours cheered him as he pedalled around his estate always getting closer to that 200-lap target.

When Ty first set out to raise money for the home his initial target was £150, but he eventually ended up smashing that and raised a massive £260, which made all the hard work he put in worthwhile.

Ty, who has autism, had been finding the lockdown difficult with not being able to go into school and socialise with his friends, so he decided to turn that negative experience.

Sutherland Court manager Karen Stewart said: “It is absolutely amazing, we are all so overwhelmed by Ty’s kindness.”

Ty visited Sutherland Court, where his mother Sarah works as a care assistant, with biscuit and cake hampers for the team and residents, as well as a special gift for each member of staff.

This consisted of a candle burner, candle melt, a candle and either a small bottle of alcohol or chocolates.

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3

CARINGNEWS

Operator takes steps to show staff that they really do care A SHROPSHIRE homecare company has sent out care packages to staff and colouring pages their children to ensure that this tricky time is as cheerful as possible.

Bluebird Care Shropshire, which operates around the county and Oswestry, sent colouring pages and thank you notes to the children of staff to let them know how hard their parents work.

Amongst the colouring pages was a “Message from Claire” the director of Care at Bluebird Care Shropshire, also thanking the children for staying home and staying safe.

Claire Flavell, director of care at Bluebird Care, said: “I want to tell the children that they have a very special mum or dad; when he or she goes out to work they are helping people to live safe in their own home, and I am very proud to be able to say I work with them.”

“I thought the children might like to colour in something to show their parents how special they are and to help me say ‘thank you’ for everything they are doing. I also want to say a big ‘thank you’ for staying home and keeping safe too.”

That’s not all, however. Claire’s assistant Sammie Milton took further steps to thank the staff by putting together a “care package” for each and

www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Healthcare Product Manager: Bev Green Tel: 01226 734288 Email: bg@scriptmedia.co.uk Assistant Sales Manager: Tracy Stacey Tel: 01226 734480 Email: cuk3@scriptmedia.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

Bluebird Care Shropshire’s Claire Flavell with her colouring pages and message to the children. work. This is an incredibly challenging every care assistant. and stressful time for all of us.

Each package includes a face mask, “But at a time when lots of people are some sweets and a “thank you” bracelet. staying home to stay safe, many of our Sammie added: “We want to make sure staff members are out in the community, that every single care assistant who is doing absolutely essential work to ensure going above and beyond during these each customer is receiving the care they extraordinary times knows just how much we appreciate and value their hard require.”

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.

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

Follow us on Twitter @caringuk

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4

CARINGNEWS

Home welcomes call from Prime Minister praising role of staff during COVID-19 STAFF at a Hertfordshire care home were delighted to receive a video call from the Prime Minister, where he personally thanked them for their efforts in protecting residents during the pandemic.

Wanting to personally commend frontline workers for their “unbelievably” hard work in these “incredibly tough times”, the Boris Johnson joined staff at Foxholes Care Home, near Hitchin, via a Zoom video call.

Directly addressing staff at the family-run residential home, the Prime Minister said: “Thank you for everything you’ve been doing, I know it’s been an incredibly tough time. The work you have been doing has been of huge importance to this country.

“We were so worried about the epidemic in care homes, but you’ve managed to come through it, and you’ve got all your residents testing negative, and that’s a fantastic achievement.”

As has been the case for many of the 18,000 care homes across the UK, Foxholes has had to combat the virus, but by following the government’s guidance and maintaining a stable supply of PPE, all of its residents are now testing negative.

The Prime Minister also greeted residents, one of whom Shirley Saunders, had previously contracted coronavirus but has now made a full

recovery. He congratulated Shirley on her recovery and joked that she was “a lot tougher” than he is.

Neil Gandecha, estate manager at Foxholes, said: “It was a pleasure to virtually welcome the Prime Minister into our home.

“He was very interested in hearing how we’ve been coping during the pandemic, and appeared genuinely thankful for the care we’re providing, having been someone who has experienced first-hand what the virus is like.”

Staff at Foxholes described the experience as “surreal” and “inspiring” to receive personal

recognition for their work.

The Prime Minister even said he would drop by the home for a cup of tea next time he is in the area once lockdown has lifted, after sharing that he has visited Hitchin numerous times.

Home manager Usha Gandecha added: “It was great to speak with the Prime Minister and share our experiences of the pandemic with him.

“I also wanted him to know about the amazing support we’ve had from our District Nurse teams, who have stood by us 24/7. All the visiting paramedics have gone above and

beyond too.”

Number 10 Downing Street arranged the call having heard of the positive stories to come from the home during the crisis, which were relayed to them by the Department of Health and Social Care.

One particular story which caught their interest was that of 83-yearold resident Alfred Lewis having the Grand National brought to him following the cancellation of the world-famous steeplechase.

The home recreated the atmosphere of Aintree and aired the virtual event for Alfred, who was due to attend his first Grand National before the virus outbreak.

To keep up the morale during the crisis, Foxholes has also organised socially distanced musical performances and set up Facebook Portals around the home to ensure residents can interact with family and friends regularly in real-time.

Neil concluded: “It was very humbling to hear that the Prime Minister wanted to personally thank us for our efforts against coronavirus, and the call was something we certainly won’t forget in a hurry.

“None of our residents had ever spoken to a Prime Minister before.

To receive such recognition for the work our staff are doing to protect our residents is incredible and it’s proven to be a real morale booster for everyone at the home.”

Housing association appoints new CEO Residents Avril Shelton and Iris Erswell enjoy the afternoon tea.

Tea-riffic garden party lifts residents’ spirits STAFF of Dene Holm decided to lift the residents’ spirits and treat them to a tea-riffic garden party.

The event was the icing on the cake for residents of the Northfleet residential care home, as they embraced the spring sunshine and enjoyed an alfresco afternoon tea.

Donning their finest sun hats, the residents relaxed and nattered with one another, as they were served scones with clotted cream and jam, shortbread, cakes, strawberries and cream and sandwiches, alongside plenty of cups of tea in the finest china.

Activity coordinator Lea-Ann Shaw

said: “We’ve been having such lovely weather during lockdown that we decided to treat the residents to an afternoon garden party, complete with the staff serving them a delicious high tea.

“The residents had such a lovely afternoon, and they all commented on how special it was, considering all that is going on in the country at the moment.

“It was great for them to just be able to forget all that for one afternoon and relax.

“The whole team pulled together to make it so special and everyone had a wonderful time.”

ADULLAM Homes Housing Association has announced the appointment of Alison Sargent as its new CEO. Alison is an experienced strategic leader, having been group operations director for Capstone Foster Care for the past 17 years, and before that holding director roles at organisations including Mencap and Pathway Care Limited.

Her working life began with the Rathbone Society which works to help people with learning disabilities and difficulties reach their full potential.

She then went to Shropshire County Council/Telford and Wrekin Council, starting in 1990 as an EU social enterprise integration manager and eventually becoming a business strategy manager by the time she left in 2001.

Her most recent role at Capstone saw her hold overall responsibility for regional and corporate services including HR, IT, regulatory compliance, risk management and quality assurance.

As company director she worked with a small Board, leading the overall strategy and operations of six registered fostering agencies supporting more than 800 children.

Speaking of her new role, Alison

Alison Sargent

said: “I look forward to shaping the next stage of the business in partnership with the senior leadership team, ensuring that the most vulnerable people receive the support they so desperately need, particularly during these challenging times.

“I will lead Adullam into an exciting new chapter, building on what has gone before whilst recognising the culture of the organisation. I bring fresh ideas and perspectives alongside a willingness to listen and learn from staff and clients. Evolution not revolution is my motto.”

Alison will join the organisation on July 1.

6

CARINGNEWS

Visitor pods allow families to safely reunite with residents A SERIES of unique Covid-secure visitor pods are allowing families to visit their relatives at a retirement village near Darlington.

Designed and created by the maintenance team at Middleton Hall, the pods are providing a safe way to reunite residents with families and friends they have not seen in person since early March.

Featuring Perspex screens with a contact-free microphone and loudspeaker system, each pod has an external entrance door for visitors, with residents arriving from within the building on the other side.

Between bookings both sides are then disinfected.

Following the success of an initial trial pod at the end of May, the initiative has now been rolled out across all areas of the village community.

The opening of the pods follows the proactive steps that Middleton Hall took to lockdown and restrict external visitors from the end of February with the implementation of a detailed, staged contingency plan to respond to the pandemic.

MD Jeremy Walford said the employee-owned business made an early decision to adopt a philosophy of “better over-cautious than undercautious”.

“Our top priority has always been to keep residents safe and we started to put plans in place at the start of February,” he added.

“We considered socially distanced visits outdoors but these could prove difficult with our unpredictable British weather and for those with hearing difficulties.

“With the government lockdown easing and schools reopening in June we concluded there was also too much risk when infection levels are still

high. A number of people spotted an article about a care home in the Netherlands who had a purposebuilt pod outside and happily our maintenance team came to the rescue by building bespoke pods within each care service.”

Throughout their extended period of socially isolating from the wider world, Middleton Hall’s residents have still managed to adopt a very positive attitude.

Croquet on the lawn, bouts of table tennis, walking in the woods and sitting in the sunshine – all safely within social distancing rules – have helped to keep spirits up.

As the situation stabilised in May, the bowling green and golf course have been re-opened for individual households, allowing some gentle socially distanced competition and the space for some outdoor exercise classes.

Middleton Hall’s co-owners (staff) have also

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worked hard to make life as easy as possible for residents.

The healthy living team have provided exercises and living well support and entertainment for residents, a ‘Deliveroo’ style hot meals delivery service is available, the range of groceries in the site shop has been substantially increased and a post and package disinfection system has been put in place for those living in their own properties.

To ensure residents can keep in touch with families and friends, additional digital tablets and smart phones have been added to the iPads available for residents living in the care services, who are supported and encouraged to make video calls, and extra telephone handsets have been placed in rooms.

Jeremy added: “We also introduced measures to help us deal with the event of any Covid-19 infection.

“Self-isolating rooms have been set up for anyone with symptoms and we converted our closed spa into the ‘Rainbow Centre’ where anyone with Covid-19 could be looked after safely and away from other residents with separate staffing to avoid any spread.

“Ongoing monthly risk assessments take place for all our co-owners to reduce the risk of infection being brought into Middleton Hall and ‘Stay Safe’ packs and training have been provided to help everyone protect themselves from infection when they’re not at work.

“If there are any concerns about possible symptoms at home, strict self-isolation rules apply.

“We are relieved that we have had no infections at all to date, let alone fatalities.”

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CARINGNEWS

Operator encourages volunteers to join the National Care Force

First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Care staff to receive £500 extra payment KITCHEN and domestic staff working in care homes in Wales will receive the £500 extra payment for social care staff, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.

The payment will also be extended to agency and nursing staff employed in care homes, as well as personal assistants and domiciliary care workers providing care to people in their own homes.

Arrangements are now being put in place to start making the extra payment to tens of thousands of social care staff across Wales.

Mark said the Welsh Government is continuing to work with the UK Government and HMRC to try to ensure that every penny of the payment reaches people’s pockets.

He said: “Social care is the invisible scaffolding which holds our society together.

“Without the vital care provided by this small army of people who work in our homes and care homes, we know

the NHS would not be able to cope and very many people would not be living independent lives.

“This payment recognises the tremendous dedication of the tens of thousands of social care workers throughout Wales who are caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“It is right that this payment is awarded to those who play a role in looking after care home residents.

“As well as the important work social care staff are doing in people’s homes and care homes, we know that domestic and kitchen staff are working beyond their normal roles, providing care and friendship to residents during this pandemic.”

All eligible social care staff, including ancillary staff, such as cleaners and kitchen staff; nurses employed in care homes; domiciliary care workers and personal assistants who worked between March 15 and May 31 will receive the £500 payment.

Home’s ‘bingo-ing’ mad for some socially distanced fun A CARE home in Clayton-le-Moors is keeping residents on the ball and in high spirits with games of socially distanced bingo.

Hope House is using tablets and WhatsApp video calls to allow residents who have opted to selfisolate to join in the fun with their friends.

Residents who are not isolating gather in the home’s lounge to hear the numbers being called, and staff are supporting residents who would prefer to stay in their rooms to participate via technology.

This ensures that anyone in the high-risk categories being shielded under NHS advice can still be included in group activities and avoid feelings of loneliness.

Cathy Yates, home manager at Hope House care home, said: “Our residents have been amazing during the coronavirus crisis, as they’ve had to respond to a number of changes, but they’ve approached everything with a smile.

“We love a game of bingo, and it was important to us that even those

who’d been advised to shield, due to being in a high-risk group, could still see their friends and join in group activities we have going on.

“At Hope House, community is at our very heart, and we will do everything in our power to ensure everyone feels included and happy.

“The residents love using the technology and we’re happy to help them use it.”

A CAMBRIDGESHIRE care community is encouraging volunteers from across the county to sign up to the National Care Force, which looks to help provide much-needed support to the social care sector during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Askham Village Community, a specialist rehabilitation and care group near Doddington, is appealing for people to sign up to the free online platform, delivered by a notfor-profit organisation that enables volunteers to book shifts at registered homes, of which Askham is one.

With more than 20,000 volunteers and 2,000 care environments already signed up to the service, the National Care Force has announced a bid to reach 100,000 volunteers as it looks to help fill staffing gaps both during and after the pandemic.

With projections suggesting up to 80 per cent of the UK population could be infected with Covid-19 by May 2021, staffing gaps caused by the illness could add even more strain to social care services already stretched prior to the outbreak.

As is the case for the majority of care homes across the country, Askham has been impacted by the pandemic with staff having to selfisolate and work remotely when showing any sign of symptoms.

Although the care group hasn’t had a recorded case of infection yet, it isn’t immune to the burden the virus is placing on the social care sector and is welcoming any support from volunteers as it looks to maintain its high standards of care.

Aliyyah-Begum Nasser, director at Askham Village Community, said: “The National Care Force is a fantastic initiative that offers muchneeded support to our sector, helping

to direct resources to the areas that are most in need of them.

“We’ve been very fortunate so far, having put stringent measures in place at the earliest opportunity and going into lockdown a week ahead of the Government’s advice to do so. This has meant, in terms of infections, we’ve avoided any outbreak so far. However, that doesn’t mean we haven’t been impacted.

“Although testing is starting to become more widespread, the lead time in results is anywhere between 48 hours and up to five days.

“This delay means there have been periods where staff have had to selfisolate, being unable to work during that time. It’s these periods that have presented us with staffing problems.

“The services provided by the National Care Force though, help us to bring in extra resources swiftly, ensuring there’s no break in our delivery of care.

“With that in mind, we’re encouraging as many people as possible to sign up, helping to expand and grow this vital support service.”

A family-run business for over 30 years, Askham Village Community provides specialist nursing and care for the very young to the elderly, offering day visits, respite or long-term care, goal-focussed rehabilitation, and continuing reablement support.

The National Care Force is a nationwide network of care providers, healthcare workers, and volunteers, ready to support the UK’s social care services in looking after the most vulnerable members of society.

Care England has endorsed the use of the National Care Force to help support social care through the challenges of coronavirus.

Gracewell of Sway hosted a drive-through visit event for residents and their families.

The team at the care home carefully planned the visit so everyone involved could maintain a safe social distance and comply with government guidelines. Staff at Gracewell of Sway have ensured all families have contacted their loved ones, using video calls, phones and email. However, this was the first time since March that the residents were able to see their families in person. Residents were seated outside at the front of the home, as they enjoyed snacks and drinks. Families stayed in their cars as they slowly paraded past the residents and got to spend some quality time with them.

Many families decorated their cars with messages of love, bunting and posters.

9

CARINGNEWS

Activity co-ordinator begins work at home ALEXANDRU Vasile has started work at Gracewell of High Wycombe as the new activity co-ordinator.

Prior to this he had been a selfemployed web-designer and an assistant manager at Compass UK & Ireland.

He said: “I chose to apply for a job in the care home as I love making a difference in someone’s life, and I think everyone working in this sector will agree with me when I say that caring for someone brings out the best in all of us.”

In high school, Alexandru was involved in organising different activities and projects for his peers.

He studied an events management degree at Coventry University, and now hopes to put into practice both his studies and his devotion to caring for others.

Alexandru added: “I love the atmosphere and the fact that I can have fun while working. The environment here is very relaxing and pleasant.

“Listening to the residents’ stories and sharing our common thoughts on different subjects is something that I love doing.”

The Covid-19 crisis has restricted Alexandru’s capacity for organising events and activities in the home.

He adapted all the activities he was planning to run so that social distancing could be in place.

Alexandru has also used activities

Alexandru Vasile to help the residents at Gracewell of High Wycombe cope with everything.

In their Arts and Craft club they created cards for loved ones that could be sent to their families who have been unable to visit.

He has ensured that residents stay busy over lockdown, organising socially distanced clubs. These have included Cooking Club, Art Club, Book Club and Gardening Club.

There are also clubs organised where they discuss non-Covid 19 related current affairs, memorable phrases and do general knowledge quizzes to keep residents’ minds active.

Hazel Dunn, divisional manager for Head Medical, delivers face visors and hand wash to Jordan Russell, recruitment and resourcing lead at Balhousie Care Group.

Recruitment firm donates PPE AN INTERNATIONAL recruitment company has gifted a Scottish residential care provider a face visor for every member of staff in the company.

Head Medical, a recruitment business within the Taranata Group, along with its pre-employment screening partner Surecert, delivered 1,400 visors, which is the equivalent of one for every person working at Balhousie Care Group.

Jill Kerr, group chief executive officer

at Balhousie Care Group, said: “The kindness of businesses large and small during this extremely difficult time has been overwhelming.

“We would like to thank Head Medical for their generosity in supplying so many protective face visors for our teams to use across our homes.”

The visors will be used for staff and for visitors to use as well for when the homes are able to re-open to nonessential visits.

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17/03/2020 15:45

CARINGTRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

11

Advertiser’s announcement

Instantly accessible online COSHH materials available SPEARHEAD has supplied the UK care sector for nearly 30 years and throughout its history has gained a reputation for its in-depth expertise in the safe use of chemicals and infection control procedures.

Last year, Spearhead re-launched its complete Care and hygiene flagship program: The Platinum Plan, an innovative range of high quality, affordable and colour-coded chemicals with their relevant Control of Substances Hazardous to Health sheets and detailed guidelines to achieve and maintain high standards of infection control.

The correct and safe use of chemicals is essential to contain infection outbreaks in care homes, and COSHH training ensures that all staff are acutely aware of the dangers caused by chemical misuse and are competent in utilising cleaning supplies.

However, the lockdown and social distancing measures are negatively impacting upon the availability of in-depth face-to-face COSHH training as the majority of care homes across the country are shielding and significantly reducing contact with the outside world.

This lack of training becomes quite problematic at a time where COSHH is more useful and important than ever in protecting residents.

To ensure that homes stay safe and manage infection outbreaks

Sandstone Care Group’s James Parkin, Richard Shore and Ben Challinor. effectively during these difficult times, Spearhead has made available a range of instantly accessible online COSHH materials that can function as a temporary training solution for homes during the current lockdown period.

The materials include a generic COSHH training video and associated resources that can be found in the blog section of Spearhead’s website.

These materials are intended to educate staff on the basic principles of COSHH and provide supporting documents that function as a guide to achieve daily cleaning tasks as safely and efficiently as possible.

A further video has been created and made available for all Platinum customers, detailing specific instructions related to the secure use of Platinum chemicals.

Spearhead’s Platinum customers are invited to get in touch with their local area coordinator to gain access to the Platinum COSHH video.

How supported are your ratings?

ARE assessments made under the CQC Emergency Support Framework inspections? CQC say they are not.

All other commentators including me say they are.

Section 61 provides that reports of inspections must be published, so let’s not get too excited, these assessments are not fit for purpose as inspections.

If you did your risk assessments over the phone without evidence .. well you know the rest.

The “support” element of the ESF is limited to a list of links to external guidance and nothing else. CQC has yet to answer my query as to why these have not just been sent to all providers by way of support anyway.

In all other respects the risk assessment process of the ESF is an inspection, albeit conducted in the aether (“We won’t typically ask for evidence”, I quote). Of the safety of the service. Of your infection control. Of the adequacy of staffing, without regard to the pandemic. Of the margins in your stocks of medicines and PPE. Of the risk of abuse. Of your monitoring activity.

Of the financial viability of the service.

Seriously? Yes, one of the sub-headings of the assessment report is “Financial concerns”.

Not sure whether that’s yours or theirs. They call it “data scraping”. The outcome is binary – “Managing” or “Require support”.

Providers and managers need to be wary of the possibility, the likelihood even, that assessments will fall short and wide of a reasonably accurate picture of the service.

They are general impressions of compliance and safety, snapshots

through a long lens, closed to submission of evidence let alone challenge, although a considered response could be sent to the local authority with which a ‘thumbs-down’ is automatically shared.

And whatever their true status as ‘inspections’, they will “inform regulatory planning if needed during the pandemic, and when normal inspection activity begins again”. My advice is to prepare for them as you would for a provider information return, taking outside advice if that reduces your risk.

The minutes of the CQC board meeting of May 20 record the following exchange: “(QC Sir Robert Francis) asked, given that the ESF is driven by information the provider gives to inspector, how is that information verified? (Chief inspector Kate Terroni) responded that inspectors are using their inspection and travel time not only conducting these calls but also to have more conversations with other agencies and advocacy groups in the wider system to bring together collective knowledge.”

HSC Professional (Consultancy) now offers consultations on Zoom including free support and advice on the legal aspects of guidance in relation to Covid19. Email Richard Fairburn at mail@ hsc-prof.com to sign on for regular alerts and updates on coronavirus and the rest.

Visit my Facebook page or Twitter page at @hsc_prof to view my videos on notifications, Riddor, the ESF, and more. facebook.com/HSC-ProfessionalConsultancy-1715456902020143/ And please stay as safe as you can

Group to create 30 jobs A LUXURY care home in Mid Wales has embarked on its second major recruitment drive in the space of a few months.

Sandstone Care Group already employs 66 full and part-time workers at The Oaks care home in Newtown following its opening in January.

It now expects to recruit a further 30 people across a range of roles including senior carer, carer, domestic and catering assistant.

The new recruitment drive coincides with the opening of the second phase of the purpose-built care home.

It will take the total number of people employed at the 73-bed care home to around 100.

The care home is the brainchild of Sandstone Care Group’s directors Ben Challinor, James Parkin and Richard Shore.

All three are experienced care professionals.

James said: “We have been delighted with the response we have had to the opening of The Oaks in January.

“We quickly filled the ground floor and most of the first floor of the home and had a great response from local people keen to work with us.

“We are now embarking on the recruitment campaign for the second phase of our home and anticipate increasing the number of people we employ to around 100.”

The Oaks provides residential, nursing and dementia care tailored to the precise requirements of its residents in a safe, secure and friendly environment.

The home offers a range of facilities including extensive communal areas, a café bar, hair and nail salon, cinema/activity room and library.

CARINGNEWS 12

CARINGNEWS

Maritime charity cuts Estate welcomes its carbon footprint experienced new general manager SURREY-based care home The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is reaping the rewards of its green initiatives after cutting its plastic usage by 74,000 items per year to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint.

The maritime charity caters for 68 residents at its Belvedere House nursing care home and has prevented 52,000 plastic cups and 22,000 wet wipes from reaching landfill by rolling out an environmental plan, fronted by staff.

Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, chief executive of the Society, said: “Although public awareness and willingness to reduce carbon emissions is currently high onhas the A CARE home near Barnsley news need foundagenda, a novel we wayidentified to get its the residents to investing in by green technology outbegin in the sunshine, recreating a many ago and are experiencing day atyears the races. the benefits every day.Care Home Staff at Buckingham “As to a not-for-profit organisation, took the race course in a bid to we have to manage challenge of boost morale duringthe lockdown. keeping costs down where possible This unique idea came from home while delivering an outstanding manager Clare Erskine, businesslevel of innovative careBirch to alland our activity residents manager Joanne that depend on us for a good quality co-ordinator Cath Kaye who wanted of to life. bring residents together during a “While investing green see loved time where peoplein cannot technology was a big investment for ones. the only are beginning Allhome, of the not costumes forwe the jockeys to reap the financial rewards, can and horses were made on sitebut as well be proud of our to reduce our as the buffet andefforts bar, Buckingham carbon footprint asfor much as possible.

Arms, was opened residents to “Ourastaff have been pivotal to this enjoy tipple. and theposted fact they have prevented Staff a message on its

thousands of unnecessary single-use plastic objects from being thrown away demonstrates our ability as a collective society to drive meaningful environmental change.”

In addition to this, the senior management team has been working to reduce the home’s reliance on fossil fuels over the last three years by installing solar panels, which have cut electricity bills by around 15 per cent.

The site’s sustainable pellet-fired biomass boiler has reduced gas usage by around 20 per cent and a 135m borehole has also been sunk to supply fresh water at a projected saving of £8,000 per year, allowing the charity Facebook for followers to and to invest inpage facilities for the home choose names for the horses which its residents. included Kitchenroyd Ted’s Law, Alongside its work to Girl, reduce waste Blue Rum – with residents and carbon emissions at its careusing Monopoly to place their bets home, The money Royal Alfred Seafarers’ on the winner.

Society has also produced a top tips Everybody was encouraged to dress guide for like-minded businesses to up in their best formal reducing plastic waste: attire and embrace sunshine. n Preventthe waste contamination by A spokesperson “We justnonusing a second binsaid: to separate want to bring joy and laughter to our recyclables. residents lockdown period. n Recycleduring contactthe lenses at your “We knew how lonely it was at nearest opticians. times our residents beingofable n Use for microfibre clothsnot instead to see theirthat loved so we try to wet wipes canones be washed and come up with more and more fun reused ways achievingpaper this. straws rather n Useofrecyclable “Residents than plastic. have had such a laugh that everyone was a cups winner the n Use compostable as at opposed Buckingham Races.” to single-use plastics.

Staff take to the racecourse ow to boost residents’ morale don care

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THE Huntington & Langham Estate has welcomed a new general manager to its team.

Comprised of a combination of two specialist family-run care homes offering residential, nursing and dementia care, the estate is housed within 30-acres of garden and woodland in Hindhead, Surrey.

Stuart King has been appointed to head up the estate’s day-today running, as it looks to employ his diverse array of care industry experience in enhancing and building upon the estate’s existing legacy.

He replaces the estate’s former general manager Louise Blezzard who recently moved into a role with the Care Quality Commission.

He said: “It’s an ideal setting in a lovely part of the country, but it was really the ethos of person centred care that ticked the boxes for me. A key area I’m hoping to support, is around the home-making element and expanding on the activities for residents.

“The approach I’m looking to nurture and encourage focuses on understanding the inner person. We want to go to someone’s room not to assist them with personal care, but to have a conversation.

“This is already a part of life at Huntington & Langham, but I hope to help take it further and expand upon it.”

Stuart’s far-reaching background

spans working with the Prime Minister of Albania during the Kosovo War and helping with the subsequent rebuilding process in partnership with the EU and United Nations Mission, to working in the Priory with drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities – his first exposure to the care industry.

From there he’s worked for Barchester Healthcare as general manager, running two flagship homes, before overseeing the building and opening of a new facility for Hallmark Care Homes, followed by a period as operations director for a family run group of care homes in South London.

Charlie Hoare, director of the Huntington & Langham Estate, added: “Stuart’s CV really stood out. Not only in his experience in the care industry across family-run homes and corporate homes, but also prior to that when he’d had some experience in what’s essentially crisis management.

“It was such a strange time to be recruiting amidst a pandemic, that I couldn’t believe we had a candidate who came through with experience of dealing with crises.

“Not only did he tick the boxes for the short term then – and he has, he’s hit the ground running – but he also has all that experience in the care industry that’s going to benefit us long term as well.”

A resident at Hollywynd Care Home in Worthing has celebrated his 100th birthday. Cyril Shorten was born in Shipley near Horsham soon after the end of the First World War. He worked as a clerk with British Rail until the outbreak of World War II when he served in the Royal Air Force for five years. After the war he continued working for British Rail. In January 1945 he married his wife Alma and they settled in Worthing. The couple had no children and, after nearly 70 years of marriage, Alma passed away in 2015. Cyril moved to Hollywynd Care Home in February.

Without QCS we wouldn’t have been rated as an ‘outstanding service’ Rupert Stocks Registered Manager, Guyatt House

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@QualityComplianceSystems

200514 A4 Ad.indd 1

18/05/2020 09:07

CARINGNEWS

How can we care for people living with dementia during coronavirus?

By Bernadette Mossman 850,000 people currently live with dementia in the UK, but this is set to reach 1.6 million people by 2040 due to the ageing population.

Caring for a loved one living with dementia at any time brings challenges, but a global pandemic makes daily life that much more difficult.

Even once lockdown restrictions have lifted, carers must continue to be careful and make sure they don’t take risks so that their loved one stays safe.

Bernadette Mossman Using a range of ways to Communication communicate can also be very Maintaining communication is helpful, and more importantly, allow crucial but this depends on the the person living with dementia the capacity of the individual. time to process information, ask It’s important to remember that questions and acknowledge their people living with dementia may understanding. process information differently, but TV, newspapers, family support and it should never be assumed that they regular conversations are all essential can’t understand what they are being in enabling meaningful conversations told. and connections.

Families need to find a way of It is also important to consider connecting with their loved one that’s appropriate for their current cognitive choosing the right time to have this conversation. functioning and understanding, and A time when the person living with won’t overwhelm them. dementia is rested, willing to enter Explain the current situation in the into the conversation and have any same way something would usually devices such as hearing aids turned be explained, and when chatting 1 17/03/2020 15:55:08 on will all aid communication. about dayArquella_Marketing_CaringUK_Final01_CMYK_OL.pdf to day events keep it simple and easy to follow.

Remember to keep information

simple to follow and repeat regularly to support understanding.

This can also involve repeating the information throughout the day.

The benefits of repetition include being able to adapt the style of sharing information if previous attempts weren’t successful.

Replicating normality We all need routine, so continue with what is deemed ‘normal’ which might include daily routines, cooking, cleaning and hobbies in the home.

Having a purpose is very important at this time to avoid boredom and restlessness, and to build a structure in the day.

Explore simple games and activities that stimulate the brain, help concentration and promote a sense of achievement such as jigsaws, art, knitting or dancing and singing.

Give the person living with dementia what they want, and then try and do this as much as possible.

For example, if they want to get ready to go to work, let them do this but say they are working from home for the day.

Every person living with dementia is different and so each home will have its own normal, so families should stick to this as much as possible.”

Keeping connected It’s also essential to keep connected

so that loved ones living with dementia feel part of everyday family life and avoid losing recognition of key family members.

Video calling, letters, phone calls and photographs all play a part in supporting the person living with dementia to remain connected with loved ones.

Reminiscence is also essential so storytelling with photographs is a great activity.

People caring for loved ones living with dementia should be prepared to answer questions and manage anxiety and frustration around not being able to go out.

Be patient and take guidance and support from professional services (GP, mental health team etc) to ensure all physical, emotional and mental health needs are met.

Coronavirus and the changes that have followed have meant that caring for someone living with dementia has become increasingly challenging.

Families must also remember to look after themselves and prioritise their own mental and physical health and wellbeing.

If someone is feeling stressed or unhappy they won’t be able to provide the most effective care for their loved one. n Bernadette Mossman is healthcare director at dementia care specialist Vida Healthcare.

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16

CARINGNEWS

Operator wins prestigious accolade for second year Grace celebrates 107th birthday in lockdown ONE of the oldest living residents in West Sussex has celebrated her 107th birthday with a relatively low-key, lockdown celebration at Elmcroft care home, which is run by Shaw healthcare.

Grace Lilian Biggs, born in Cambridgeshire, started out working in domestic service in London, where she met her first husband, Reginald Apted.

They married in 1933 and had two sons, Basil and David.

After the outbreak of World War Two, Grace decided to complete her training to become a welder – a skill she would later take to London’s Oxford Street for demonstrations.

During the war she worked on building the fuselage for aeroplanes.

Grace, who has six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, remained an active woman throughout her life, becoming

a line dancing teacher in the 1980s, representing her county in lawn bowls, and taking up ocean swimming – a pastime she continued even after turning 100.

Monica Donald, home manager at Elmcroft, said: “Since moving into the home in June last year, Grace has been a joy to be around.

“She often tells us how daily yoga exercises and garlic pills have kept her healthy into old age, and it shows.

“From teaching other residents how to play bridge to providing a reassuring arm around the shoulder, Grace is a wonderful character and we’re glad we were able to celebrate this milestone with her.”

She was surprised by staff with a birthday celebration at the home, which included a socially-distant Neil Diamond tribute act, and culminated in a special video call with her niece, Di.

BARCHESTER Healthcare has been honoured with a prestigious award for its contribution to occupational health and safety in the healthcare sector.

The Healthcare Services Sector Award comes, for the second consecutive year, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The expertise embedded and recognised by RoSPA has meant that Barchester teams have been brilliant in implementing infection control procedures, during a period of time when it has been needed most.

The operator continues to demonstrate a consistently excellent and continuously improving performance for ‘Best in sector’ and is the only care provider to hold the prestigious Healthcare Services Industry Sector award from RoSPA. Barchester Healthcare previously won two RoSPA ‘Gold’ awards, ‘Commended’ and ‘Highly Commended’ and then Winner 2019 for the whole care sector.

The Health and Safety team at Barchester entered into the competitive ‘Healthcare Provider’ category again in 2020, and the business proudly took home the highly coveted ‘Healthcare Services Award as a ‘Winner’ of the major National Sector Award for a second time.

Paul Mason, director of health and

safety at Barchester, said: “We are delighted to have received such a prestigious award, in recognition for maintaining the highest level of health and safety management throughout Barchester homes and hospitals.

“Winning this is testimony to the commitment shown by all staff employed by the group and the importance and focus placed on health and safety by Barchester’s executive management team.”

The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisations around the world, recognises achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Advertiser’s announcement

Recognising the achievements of Kare Plus Norwich’s ‘singing carer’ LIFE has changed for so many of us in so many different ways since coronavirus first struck.

For the hundreds of thousands of care workers fighting the disease on the front lines, however, it has been particularly challenging.

They have been under great pressure, and it is very important that we recognise the enormous sacrifice that these courageous men and women make every day.

To mark Carer’s Week (June 8-14), Quality Compliance Systems in partnership with The Care Workers Charity, invited registered managers in care homes and domiciliary care agencies to nominate their care heroes.

In the first of three articles, QCS celebrates the achievements of Sarah Cawdron. Sarah, who works as a carer for Kare Plus Norwich, an award-winning domiciliary care agency in Norfolk, is one of 60 staff who have gone beyond the call of duty, to deliver compassionate and person-centred care to its 86 clients.

But for managing director Gordon Anderson she stands out.

“Sarah has worked for Kare Plus Norwich for the last two years,” he said “She’s worked continuously throughout the pandemic and consistently goes above and beyond.

She is a fantastic example of what being a care worker stands for.”

Victoria Lee, a compliance coordinator at Kare Plus Norwich, agrees.

She added: “Sarah is an extremely popular member of the team and is praised regularly by clients and their families, along with other staff members she works with.

“The feedback received on Sarah is always amazing, and she is often requested to be a client’s primary care worker. She builds impeccable relationships with her clients and their families and this is expressed in how happy they are.”

For Gordon, Victoria and the rest of the Kare Plus Norwich team,

however, it is Sarah’s commitment and desire to “always go the extra mile to ensure her clients are safe and happy” that truly makes the greatest difference.

Perhaps this is best evidenced in Sarah’s remarkable singing ability, which she has used as a force for good. Every day she participates in a daily sing-along with her clients, which Gordon says “means the world to many of them”.

He added: “Sarah’s singing doesn’t just lift the mood of all our clients, it has been a marvellous tonic for clients living with dementia, or for those who have learning and physical disabilities.”

For one client, who wishes to be referred to as Service User S, the regular singing sessions have been positively life changing.

Victoria added: “Service User S has always been a very keen signer, and is extremely talented. He loves country music and the late Don Williams is one of his favourites.

When he sings ‘You’re my best friend’ with his vintage metal microphone he’s a match for any professional singer.”

However, Service User S, who Kare Plus visit four times a day, is shy and sometimes struggles to come out of his shell. That was, however, until he

heard Sarah sing.

Victoria said: “We have nicknamed Sarah the ‘singing carer’ as she often quietly sings to herself as she works.

“One day, Service User S noticed her talent and asked her if she would perform a duet with him, which he could post on his YouTube channel.

Sarah agreed and they sung, ‘You’re my best friend’ together. It was an extraordinary effort.”

Within hours the touching video had captured the public imagination, receiving 90,000 views and tens of thousands of ‘likes’ on social media.

Gordon concluded: “The pair have such great voices. They could have won any talent show. I think that’s because they bring so much joy to their singing.

“But on another level the video captures what domiciliary care is really about. It’s not just outstanding care that makes a difference, it’s carers who are fully engaged with their clients in a person-centred way – and are prepared to go the extra mile to put a smile on their face – that really counts. That’s why we nominated Sarah.”

QCS has pledged to make a donation to The Care Workers Charity on behalf of all nominees.

The money will assist the CWC to help other unsung heroes.

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Making Space named as care provider at Cheshire scheme

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CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE

Work resumes on £21m care village WORK is to recommence on Chester’s new £21m state-of-the-art dementia care village, as Seddon Construction is appointed to complete the project by care operator Belong.

Cheshire contractor Pochin’s originally began work on the development in 2018, before going into administration last year.

Seddon has a track record in completing care developments to a high specification and has previously built the operator’s care village in Wigan, which opened in 2009.

Director of Seddon Construction, Jonathan Seddon, said: “We are delighted to be picking up the reins of the Chester project.

“As with our other work with Belong there’s a real sense that together we are creating a place that will be an asset to so many people, both those in need of care and the wider community.”

Belong Chester is expected to open

next year and will provide highspecification accommodation and specialist dementia and nursing support for more than 100 people.

24-hour support will be across six

DESPITE THESE CHALLENGING TIMES LAMONT JOHNSON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES ANOTHER DISCREET SALE

extended family sized households, and the village also includes 23 independent living apartments that are available to buy or rent.

Outreach services will also

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Dear Grayson and Dawn Thank you so much for a fantastic job in selling my Care Home, The Keepings. Despite the first buyer dropping out at the last moment, you managed to find another buyer in the same week. Finally we managed to exchange contracts despite the problems with the Coronavirus last week.

I will be selling my other home, possibly next year, and I will not hesitate in using Lamont Johnson again.

The Keepings, Dudley, West Midlands In existing ownership since 1996, and only coming to the market for genuine reasons of retirement. The home is in an attractive conservation area in Dudley, is registered for 23, and offers 21 residents bedrooms. The home was sold on behalf of Mr. Gordon Nuttall and acquired by Mr. Singh and Mrs. Uppal, locally based in Dudley.

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be available to people in the wider community, including the organisation’s award-winning home care offering, Belong at Home, and a specialist day care service.

Designed by Altrincham-based Pozzoni Architecture, the village hub will feature a range of facilities including a bistro, hair salon, exercise studio and function rooms, with space for intergenerational activities.

Belong’s chief finance officer Chris Hughes added: “We are thrilled to have recruited a trusted partner in Seddon to support us with the next stage of the project.

“We look forward to opening Belong Chester in 2021 and bringing much needed older people’s services to those in the local community.”

The site of the new village will involve the landscaping of surrounding areas, including the canal-side conservation area, for the benefit of local residents.

An architect’s illustration of Belong Chester.

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18

Acquisition enhances firm’s ‘live-in’ service

Operator secures new care home in Wiltshire

LAW firm Royds Withy King has advised the regional and family-run care provider Coate Water Care on the acquisition of a new home in Devizes, Wiltshire.

The facility, to be called Avebury House, has been acquired and refurbished despite being undertaken during the current Covid-19 crisis and will shortly open to provide a range of nursing and dementia care for up to 47 residents.

Geraldine Smith, director of Coate Water Care, said: “We are delighted to have secured this new property to re-open a much-needed care home in Devizes.

“It was not without its challenges during this difficult period, but our team has been brilliant in refurbishing the home in a matter of weeks.

“We could not have done this

without the expert support and advice of Royds Withy King, who guided us through the legal process from start to finish. It has been a real team effort and I am so pleased we have managed to pull it off.”

Specialist business agents Christie & Co advised the seller and funding for the purchase was provided by NatWest Bank.

Paul Daniels, partner and head of real estate at Royds Withy King, added: “We are really pleased to have supported Geraldine and the Coate Water Care team through this transaction to enable them to acquire this exciting opportunity.

“The home is in a lovely setting next to the Kennet & Avon canal and, with the level of care provided by Coate Water Care, I am confident it will be very attractive to its new residents and their families.”

HOME Instead Senior Care has acquired SuperCarers as part of ambitious plans to extend its ‘live-in’ care offering to enable more older people to be cared for at home.

The purchase of SuperCarers, a care introductory business, is in response to the changing needs of elderly clients who are looking for live-in care as an alternative to care homes.

Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care UK, said: “Home is the place people feel happiest and most secure, and our services support that.

“We know from our research that 98 per cent of over 65s say it’s important to them that they stay living independently in their own home.

“Acquiring the SuperCarers business is an exciting development for us and will allow us to build on our homecare offer to support even more people at home for longer.

“This can be from early stage care, which might only involve using technology to stay in touch with an older person to ensure they are safe, right through to more support around personal care, home help, and then eventually live-in care and palliative care.”

The SuperCarers operation will be implemented into the Home Instead Senior Care model in the coming months.

Adam Pike, co-founder and CEO of SuperCarers, added: “Home Instead Senior Care is incredibly well respected in the homecare market and we were delighted with the opportunity to join forces to support even more older people to receive the care they so deserve at home.

“We look forward to working with the team at Home Instead to achieve this.”

Caring Homes has announced the acquisition of Homefield Grange in Winkton, Christchurch. The home specialises in residential, nursing and dementia care, offering facilities and accommodation that allow residents to feel welcome, relaxed and secure while also enjoying an active and independent lifestyle. All 64 bedrooms are en-suite and decorated to a hotel standard. Rooms come with flat screen TV, telephone point, safety features and nurse call system. Facilities also include a café, a cinema room, dining room and a hair and beauty salon, as well as landscaped gardens.

First peek inside new Sandbach facility A NEW state-of-the-art care home in Sandbach is getting set to open its doors for the first time after the original launch earlier this year was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Elworth Grange will provide a safe and luxurious home for up to 66 residents and will employ more than 50 local people once fully staffed.

Care provider Ideal Carehomes’ latest development has benefitted from a £10million investment, giving Elworth Grange all the finishing touches you would expect from a new facility.

Christina Durnan, regional director for the North

Elworth Grange in Sandbach, Cheshire.

West, said: ”I am extremely excited to finally be in our beautiful home.

“Our future residents will benefit so much from our facilities and the full and varied activities programme organised by our dedicated lifestyle manager.

“I am so proud to work with such a wonderful staff team and we can’t wait to welcome and support our first residents to live life to the full!’.

“Everything at Elworth Grange puts us at the forefront of care and, with the established Ideal Carehomes team and policies behind us too, we have all we need to ensure the continued wellbeing of our residents and staff.

“The new build allows us to be completely on top of infection control from the very start, and the large social spaces give us the means to social distance with ease.”

The spacious en-suite bedrooms and latest care technology will allow the staff team to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible.

The well-appointed care home boasts large, open plan social areas designed with residents in mind.

The vintage tearoom will provide plenty of space to host coffee mornings and afternoon tea, and residents will be able to enjoy a touch of Hollywood in the cinema room featuring its very own popcorn machine.

The on-site beauty parlour will be ready for residents to receive regular treatments such as haircuts, chiropody appointments, manicures and much more once this can safely be resumed.

The cinema room for residents to enjoy movie evenings.

Elworth Grange’s pièce de résistance is the lavish Sky Bar which features panoramic views from the top floor and will become the go-to place for special occasions and celebrations.

Spacious landscaped gardens will flourish with the help of green fingered residents attending regular gardening clubs in the relaxing botanical rooms.

Elworth Grange hosted a virtual ribbon cutting recently to mark the opening.

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New village welcomes first residents HAMPSHIRE’S newest retirement village is celebrating the arrival of its first residents – having been forced to wait for a move in date due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions.

Friary Meadow, in Titchfield, initially opened for viewings in midMarch, but with the advent of the coronavirus crisis, had to delay the arrival of its new residents until it was safe to do so.

Now, with lockdown measures slowly easing, and the housing market officially open again, the necessary arrangements have been completed, meaning the first residents have finally been able to move in.

With the first permanent residents now in situ, the village has taken its first steps towards becoming a thriving retirement community.

Dr Stephen Ladyman, founder of Oak Retirement – the firm behind Friary Meadow – and a former Minister of Health responsible for Social Care, said: “We’re delighted to finally be able to welcome residents to Friary Meadow.

“Having been years in the making, including both planning and building, it’s tremendously rewarding to see the first members of the new community arrive.

“Our ethos at Friary Meadow is centred on offering those of retirement age the opportunity to be part of a collective of like-minded people who, at a similar stage of life, share similar values and interests.

“Thanks to on hand care support, residents can maintain their independence for longer while still being part of and involved with the

specialist healthcare business agents

wider community.

“We’re very much looking forward to seeing this develop as the number of residents grows over time.”

The development is centred on the Extra Care Living model, which aims to offer support to older people, while allowing them to retain their independence.

With the coronavirus crisis an ongoing concern, measures around resident safety on site are strict – something that has seen video tours only being offered over the past few weeks.

Stephen added: “We’re extra cautious in our approach to our residents’ safety.

“A sizeable proportion of prospective residents sit within the vulnerable category, so we’ve taken precautionary safeguarding measures

in line with Government guidance.”

“This crisis is likely to be ongoing until either a vaccine is found or efficient track and trace starts to minimise any spikes in infection.

“With the very real prospect of a second wave happening over the next few months though, those who choose to live at Friary Meadow will be doing so with an added layer of protection, being able to stay in their homes, while their needs are catered to by our on-site staff.”

The £35m development is comprised of 86 luxury homes, consisting of a mix of apartments, bungalows and townhouses.

The undertaking is a joint project, operated between independent retirement living specialist Oak Retirement and real estate fund manager Frogmore.

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20

Free online course to help carers to support people with dementia Purpose built home sold for long-standing client HPC acted for the vendors in the sale of Prospect House care home in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

The property is purpose built, and provides accommodation for 33 residents across two floors, most of which have en-suite bedrooms.

Prospect House had operated within a larger group of homes for many years, and has been sold due to retirement of the directors.

The home has been acquired by Global Care (Birmingham) Ltd. The sale was handled by HPC director Ian Wilkie, who said: “The home has been run by an experienced operator, and maintains good occupancy levels.

“I have known these clients for more

than 20 years, and this is the sixth sale HPC has transacted on their behalf.

“We are pleased to have successfully concluded the sale of another of their homes, and wish the purchasers every success in the future.”

Speaking on behalf of the purchasers, Billy Dulay, added: “We are delighted to have made this acquisition.

“Although this is our first care home, we have experience in the sector within our family, and we look forward to continuing to deliver the same high standards of care with the excellent staff team at Prospect House.

“We hope to have many more dealings with HPC in the future.”

Liverpool home to open under new ownership

AMBERLEIGH House Care Home in Aintree, Liverpool is under the new ownership of West Midlands-based healthcare provider Armighorn Capital.

The deal was funded by a £2million package provided by Frontier Development Capital.

The deal marks the latest in a round of acquisitions for Armighorn Capital, which currently operates five homes across the Midlands and West Yorkshire, successfully managing the care of approximately 350 elderly residents.

The newly named ‘Abbey Wood Park Nursing Home’ is located adjacent to Aintree Hospital and will soon be opened following a full refurbishment programme that is currently underway.

The home will be able to offer beds and services for up to 38 residents.

The funding package also enables Armighorn Capital to complete two further care home acquisitions in the city.

Navjot Singh, director at Armighorn Capital Ltd, said: “Armighorn has a

strong track record of reopening and transforming care homes requiring improvement.

“Residents are our most important priority and that is why when acquiring a new site we work hard to not only make physical upgrades, but also assess and implement operational changes to raise service quality.

“We plan to apply the same principles to Abbey Wood Park, ensuring that existing and future residents receive the highest standard of care.

“This £2m funding line, in addition to the initial £3m investment received in 2019 from Frontier Development Capital’s growth capital team, enables Armighorn Capital to continue the delivery of our ambitious growth plans.”

Both Colin Rodrigues of Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers and Philip Smith of Semper Eximius Management acted for Frontier Development Capital, providing legal and commercial due diligence, respectively.

A FREE online course that provides dementia carers with tools and advice to better support the people they care for is now open for registration.

The eight-week course, Foundations in Dementia, run by FutureLearn for the University of Nottingham, is open to both the general public and professionals, and will explore the signs and symptoms of dementia, interventions, support networks and more.

It is estimated that 500,000 people with dementia live in the community in the UK and the Alzheimer’s Society says it fears for those at home who rely on carers who may need to selfisolate.

The charity recently reported that it was facing unprecedented online demand for support during the coronavirus crisis, with a 600 per cent increase in people signing up to its online guidance for those affected by dementia.

The University’s online programme, which has contributions from 30 University dementia experts, as well as family carers, offers those taking the course to learn to understand people with dementia and to care appropriately as a professional or family supporter.

The course spans six topics, from prevention and diagnosis to end-oflife care, as well as offering insights from recent research.

It is the second time the course has been run after launching in January, with 3,500 people registering worldwide, ranging from nurses, people living with dementia and their families, care workers and health and social care students.

Dr Justine Schneider, Professor of Mental Health and Social Care at the University of Nottingham, who with Dr Sarah Goldberg set up the course, said: “It has never been more important to give people the tools and support to help them care for a person with dementia.

“Lockdown is having a profound effect on people living with dementia,

especially those living in the community and their family members who are their primary carer.

“The course offers discussion areas that may help meet carers’ needs for peer support, which are particularly acute at this time. There is no limit to how many people can take part.

The interactive learning materials are available in bitesize chunks, with a recommended three hours per week study time.”

By engaging with the resources, which includes almost 30 videos, and exchanging views with others, those taking the course will gain knowledge, skills, and confidence in dealing with people with dementia.

Key achievements will include the ability to: n Identify how lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of dementia n Assess the signs and symptoms that may indicate dementia and describe the pathway to diagnosis and treatment n Identify communication approaches which can support the person with dementia to communicate their needs n Compare the impact of different interventions including medication and psychosocial approaches. n Understand the needs of a person with advanced dementia and respond well.

The organisers suggest this course would suit health and social care professionals, such as nurses, doctors, therapists and social workers, and will also interest students, carers of people with dementia, individuals with a recent diagnosis, volunteers, and dementia researchers.

The online course makes up one of the modules that the University of Nottingham’s Adult Nursing students complete as part of their undergraduate degree.

While the course is open to people worldwide, some of the material is specific to England and Wales, such as the legal context and health service provision.

Marton Care Homes Limited has announced the purchase of 11 care homes based in the North East, Yorkshire and Lancashire. The homes were formerly operated by Four Seasons but have been managed by Marton Care Homes for the last few months and have been bought from administration. Richard Hoggart founded the business specifically to create a new brand to complement the existing Burlington Care brand. Richard said: “The staff and management team in these homes have worked tirelessly over the last few months, not only dealing with a new operator but also the Covid-19 pandemic. I appreciate the effort they have put in and the success they have delivered in such a short space of time. We look forward to the future with optimism about what else we might achieve.” Amanda Cunningham, former COO of Four Seasons Healthcare, joined the business in March, and it is intended that further acquisitions will be made by Marton Care in future.

Making Space named as care provider at Cheshire scheme NATIONAL adult health and social care charity Making Space has been announced as the care provider for a new multi-million pound extra care housing scheme in Warrington.

The £11m development from north west growth and regeneration organisation Torus will provide stateof-the art independent living for people over the age of 55.

Harpers Green is the latest development in the company’s extra care portfolio and includes 97 one and two bedroomed apartments available for affordable rent or sale through shared ownership.

They have been sensitively planned and designed to create individual homes within a community where older people can live with the reassurance that tailored care and support is available, assessed to their individual needs.

Warrington-headquartered Making Space provides the care at 10 other extra care housing schemes around the UK, all of which are rated ‘Good’ by the CQC. The team will be on site to support residents with everything from checkin visits, personal care, domestic tasks, healthcare visits, travel and more.

Rachel Peacock, CEO of Making Space, said: “The coronavirus pandemic is affecting so many people in so many different ways and what is the best way to provide care for a

Harpers Green extra care housing scheme in Warrington Residents at Harpers Green will family member can change. have access to the latest facilities “Our care goes beyond keeping including spacious communal areas, people safe and supporting basic landscaped gardens, a guest suite and physical needs. We are here to assisted bathroom while the onsite support our residents to live happy, hair and beauty salon, bistro and fulfilling and enriched lives. bowling green will be open for the “We will get to know each resident wider community. personally and will ensure we Following a delay from the understand what matters to them, coronavirus pandemic, Harpers including their hobbies, interests and Green is expected to be completed familial needs. in September, but people are “We have a robust health and encouraged to register their interest safety and infection control training now ahead of the planned autumn programme and e-learning modules launch. for all of our staff. With an excellent All viewings will take place within track record, we have the resources in Government guidelines and adhere to place to ensure we can safely protect social distancing rules. staff and residents.”

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the evidence

21

Home creates cinema room

AVONBRIDGE care home in Hamilton has thanked its local community for helping to create an in-house cinema room for its residents.

The home sent out an appeal to the public for unused DVDs to which they received hundreds of well-known titles including John Wayne and Betty Davis box sets and musicals including Les Misérables.

So far, residents’ favourite movie has been Calamity Jane, which they have enjoyed singing along to.

Along with the donated DVDs, the home sourced VIP red ropes, cinema-themed cushions and American-style popcorn boxes, ready for weekly cinema screenings of films selected by the residents.

During the films, residents have been treated to lots of sweet delights by the staff including ice cream brought round by the handdecorated ‘Avon Ice’s’ trolley, made from an unused medicine trolley.

Resident Ian Young was invited to cut the ribbon to declare the cinema room open.

Home manager Michelle-Ruiz Beltran said: “We’re really grateful for the hundreds of DVDs we received from our local community, it has really helped to get our in-house cinema up and running.

“The residents have thoroughly enjoyed the cinema screenings however, I think they like the VIP treatment the most!”

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22

CARINGNEWS Sefton Hall in Dawlish held a successful ‘drive thru’ event which was featured on the BBC and had more than one million views.

The event was created by the team to facilitate safe visits from their loved ones after two months in lockdown.

Free Assessment Guidance on CQC’s Emergency Support Framework

Second Covid-19 update and support available FOLLOWING our recent Covid-19 feature release which introduced new tools to record and monitor symptoms in care home residents, a second focused update is now available (version 4.3.5).

It’s now possible to record symptoms of staff members and visitors, as well as record test samples and results for staff, and view detailed reports tracking developments.

With these additional functions, CareDocs can help give you a clearer overview of who may have coronavirus, who has been in contact with that person and from who it may have originated from.

CareDocs Connect is another new feature designed to help your residents’ loved ones be more involved in the care process and encourage support and contact.

With social distancing measures making it a challenge for people to see each other, Connect allows your residents’ family, friends and health

professionals to stay up to date with the care being logged on the system remotely by going to our website.

They can also send personal messages and photos back to your residents, and GPs can send health updates or instructions over the internet, protecting everyone involved.

To help our customers use our features efficiently, as well as providing daily support, we release new training videos and user guides each month and have regularly scheduled live webinar demonstrations to make sure everybody can learn the software in a way that suits them.

Our website is also home to coronavirus-related resources, blog articles, news, as well as a variety of downloadable documents for you to use at your care home/business.

Thank you again to the hardworking care staff and keyworkers keeping this country moving forward.

Client toileting assessment needed?

Closomat has all the answers

CLOSOMAT is now able to fully support adaptations professionals in undertaking client assessment for toilet needs, by whatever means are safe for all involved.

The company has executed rigorous risk analysis, to enable its team of product specialists to work alongside occupational therapists and adaptations teams, to undertake assessments at the client’s home.

All appropriate health and safety measures will be in place- social distancing, PPE etc, as required.

Thus Closomat can support adaptations teams at whatever level is required for each client: the home assessment capability compliments the remote assessment procedure already in place.

Under the remote assessment format, Closomat can provide comprehensive advice and support either over the telephone or via video conferencing services.

Closomat has already recommenced manufacturing at its UK factory.

Thus any wash and dry toilets ordered can be built to the client’s individual requirement/

specification and delivered to site for installation either by one of Closomat’s own engineers, its network of trained installers, or the HIA approved contractor.

Closomat’s product specialists can be contacted via the usual routes to arrange an assessment, be it a home visit or remote option.

Enquiries: Email info@closomat.co.uk or telephone 0161 969 1199 to arrange assessments.

LOG my Care, a free care management system, shares a free Assessment Guidance on CQC’s Emergency Support Framework.

Since mid-March, the software company has produced, together with UK experts, a free series of resources to help care services manage coronavirus related issues and has been inundated with responses ever since.

The Care Quality Commission has developed an emergency support framework in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This approach will be used during the crisis and will be used in all health and social care settings registered with the regulator.

Log my Care has recorded more than 2,700 downloads of its free coronavirus support resources and has thought of a way to help care providers with CQC’s new emergency approach.

Expert Stuart Prince, special advisor to Age UK, has created together with the software company, a special assessment guidance on CQC’s Emergency Support Framework, to be downloaded for free by anyone who needs it.

The software company has been producing helpful coronavirus related resources and features to share with care providers across the country since the crisis started in the UK. Since then, seven official documents have been shared with thousands of care managers and carers across the country.

The Log my Care engineering team meanwhile built coronavirus symptoms monitoring tools within its management software, for free.

The help team was trained to respond well to emotional stress that can affect care workers and has continued sending gifts to members of the community, to help keep the spirits up.

These tools help carers and care managers track their clients’ potential symptoms easily, make decisions accordingly and report coronavirus deaths more accurately to the government, the latter being the most recent problematic to date.

These new features are entirely free.

Enquiries: Please click HERE to visit the website.

Helping learners to start their career journey in care iHASCO has created a complete eLearning package to cover the “theory” for those who are working towards their care certificate, with 15 separate, concise and engaging courses.

This online training plays a vital role in helping anyone who is starting out in the care sector – to learn about the 15 standards of care.

They also provide a great refresher for experienced workers, because it’s vital that everyone who works in this industry provides top quality care.

It has taken the eLearning provider eight months to complete the full 15 courses, with the production of the programmes requiring 10 locations, 25 actors and 45 extras.

The high quality footage and carefully written scripts have been designed to communicate the key learning points simply and effectively. iHASCO is also a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning and Development Provider, so users can have confidence in the content and quality of these courses.

The 15 courses can be completed online, in under eight hours, but at the learner’s own

pace and convenience.

Some of the key courses include Duty of Care, Fluids and Nutrition, Basic Life Support and Infection Prevention and Control.

“Now we’ve added the last of the needed courses to our 15-part bundle, we can proudly offer the complete eLearning package for those in the health and social care sector, who are working towards completing their Care Certificate,” said Lottie Galvin, studio manager at iHASCO. “We completely understand that the current climate is throwing so many challenges at those who work in the care industry, and that training may not feel like a priority at this time.

“But eLearning is a simple and time-efficient solution that can strengthen a worker’s confidence and competence, while making sure that their training stays up-to-date.”

An employer can offer their staff access to all 15 courses for as little as £2 per course, per person. iHASCO is encouraging employers requiring health and social care training to get in touch to discuss how they can be supported with eLearning.

Enquiries: Visit www.ihasco.co.uk

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