Caring UK June 2017

June 2017

no.248 • £4.75 incorporating

The Number One magazine for the care sector

Provider urges people to talk about death

By Dominic Musgrave

A CARE group is encouraging people to talk more openly about death, and especially, to think about Palliative or ‘end of life’ care.

Morris Care launched a special video to coincide with the recent Dying Matters Week, to help everyone learn more about end of life care and how to choose what is right for a loved one when the times comes.

The provider’s chief operating, Sue Austin, said: “It is inevitably a difficult time when a loved one is coming to the end of their lives, but we believe that everyone deserves the best bespoke care at this time.

“We have created a short, poignant, but helpful video which sensitively introduces the subject in a way which will connect with people, open their minds to the choices available for those final hours, days or months of life, and how the right individually tailored care can be a great comfort and give peace of mind to loved ones and their families too.”

The group’s end-of-life approach to care emanates from its own wealth of experience, with its range of homes, which have been operating for over 30 years, with 426 nurses and carers.

It takes cues from other countries around the globe, helping residents

live well towards the end of their lives as part of its commitment to genuine person centred care.

Sue added: “Every individual deserves a tailored plan incorporating a care outline where food and drink, symptom control, and psychological, social and spiritual support is agreed, co-ordinated and delivered with genuine compassion.

“Person-centred care is a term that can be banded around in our industry but what does it actually mean? We believe that person centred care is about three things – the individual, their family and the staff caring for them – genuine person centred care cannot truly exist if only one or two components are in place.

“For example, finding out about the person’s preferences and wishes is central to being able to provide the very best end of life care.

“As part our end-of-life programme we map the care plan through a wheel of provision which expresses our areas of clinical and social competence amongst the professional network from the moment the resident arrives in our home.

“It encapsulates our full offer but importantly outlines how we work holistically with professionals, the family and the individual to reassure and build trust at this intense and difficult time.”

Home fined for failure to employ a manager

Alzheimer’s Society has launched a new campaign calling on the public to set aside their differences – from age to tastes and social standing to political allegiances – and unite in the fight against dementia, as it’s set to become the 21st century’s biggest killer. Celebrities and sports stars including Jo Brand, James Cracknell, Meera Syal, Robbie Savage and Uriah Rennie are backing the biggest ever campaign from the charity calling on people to come together to defeat dementia. The campaign is also being supported by Richard and Judy, Carey Mulligan, Hugh Dennis and Sally Lindsey.

A CARE home provider which failed persistently to comply with national standards regarding the employment of a registered manager has been fined £4,000 by the inspectorate.

CQC issued the fixed penalty notice to Epsom Lodge Care Homes Limited after inspectors found that a registered manager was not employed – which is a legal obligation. Inspections took place on April 8 2016 and September 19 2016 and the reports record that there was no registered manager in place. CQC inspectors found that the home in Epsom, Surrey had failed to have a registered manager from January 2016 until March 2017.

Epsom Lodge had told CQC that a manager had been employed since February 1 2016 – although the manager’s application to register had been rejected because there were gaps in the information needed. CQC subsequently issued a fixed penalty notice, which the provider has accepted and paid.

Debbie Ivanova, deputy chief inspector of adult social care for London and the South, said: “We will keep Epsom Lodge under review to ensure that standards are sustained. We will not hesitate to take further action if necessary to ensure residents receive the service they are entitled to expect.”

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CARINGNEWS

‘Pub’ is the perfect tonic for care home residents

By Dominic Musgrave

A GLASGOW care home has come up with an unusual therapy for its residents living with dementia – by providing them with their own traditional ‘pub’.

Bupa’s Golfhill facility, in the East End of Glasgow, features the ‘Dennistoun Arms’, which aims to provide a recognisable social environment in which residents can relive the past and share memories and stories over a pint or two.

Although not a licensed premises, the ‘pub’ is operated by care staff and set up like a traditional East End Bar complete with a TV, bar stools, sports memorabilia, a jukebox and even a pub bell to call last orders, much of which has been generously donated by local pub, the Crown Creighton, which was previously favoured by many of the residents.

The Dennistoun Arms also

opens out on to a patioed, outside area which has been transformed into a beer garden.

It is used daily during the summer and as regularly as possible during the colder months.

The space is popular with residents who use it to play cards or dominoes together, listen to music and sing songs, watch the TV and read the paper, all while enjoying their favourite tipple.

It also provides ample scope for a wide range of social activities with friends and family, including birthday parties and Burns suppers.

Nancyanne Smith, home manager, said: “Many of our residents are local and their families know one another.

“We had the space and it felt like a natural thing to make it into an environment where everyone can socialise, as they would have done in the old days.

“We’re also lucky to have

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Publishers Script Media 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk

Editorial

A resident enjoys a drink at the Dennistoun Arms. the outdoor patio as it makes they play cards and dominoes an ideal beer garden and is a together, and the women huge sun trap in the summer enjoy the garden space and months. listening to their favourite “The pub is open to all music on the jukebox. residents and appeals to the “Family visitors have vast majority as it allows commented that they love them to reconnect with the how it feels so normal to just traditional notion of ‘going for sit and socialise all together, a pint with your pals’. and all the staff take turns “Our male residents have playing barman or barmaid, created a men’s group where which is great fun.”

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

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CARINGNEWS

New Mayfair Hotel offers a unique holiday experience SAFEHANDS Holidays’ New Mayfair Hotel in Blackpool offers accessible short breaks for disabled people, their families, friends and carers.

Opened in 2011, the facility is registered with the CQC and provides a unique holiday experience with a specialist in-house care team that are able to offer a complete package of care ranging from personal care through to social and leisure support – everything from half-an-hour up to 24 hours.

Boasting spectacular sea views, the hotel on South Promenade has 43 accessible bedrooms made up of 19 singles, 12 twins, five triples and seven suites with inter-connecting doors — ideal for guests with care assistants or family members.

Combinations include triple with adjoining twin, twin with adjoining single and twin with adjoining twin.

Each is equipped with a large, specially designed shower room complete with a grab rail and shower chair, and most have an electric profile bed with built-in sides.

Several rooms also have overhead

tracking facilities, while all have accessible wardrobes, digital television and a hospitality tray.

For extra reassurance all rooms are fitted with an emergency call system linking rooms to reception and care staff.

Facilities at the hotel include a South Beach Restaurant that serves quality food using fresh produce from local suppliers wherever possible at breakfast, lunch and in an evening. Waitress service ensures guests and their carers can enjoy a relaxing meal. Wheat-free, dairy-free and other dietary requirements can be catered for.

Live entertainment is put on every night, along with bingo and raffles to keep everyone amused. Themed weeks offering everything from a Mediterranean Land Cruise to Abba and Elvis tributes, as well as Eurovision, St George’s Day and St Patrick’s Day, are always popular, as are the Turkey and Tinsel breaks over the festive period.

Twice a year the hotel also holds soap-themed weeks and welcomes

an actor or actress from the likes of Coronation Street or Emmerdale.

The most recent saw Alison King, who played Carla Connor in Coronation Street for more than 10 years, drop by to spend time with the guests and even have a go at bingo calling! A well-stocked bar offers in-house deals such as buy one get one free on drinks, while a games room complete with pool table is also available.

Day trips to local attractions such as the zoo, as well as nearby St Anne’s, Fleetwood and even the Lake District, are popular with guests.

Packed lunches are available for guests and their carers to take with them.

Safehands opened a sister hotel, The Esplanade, in Llandudno, two years ago. The CSSIW registered facility has 40 modern accessible rooms and boasts views of the Great Orme and famous pier.

Safehands holidays can put together a holiday package to suit all needs and budgets so why not give them a try.

Special offer

Pink party Bank Holiday special at both hotels.

Monday, August 28 to Friday, September 1.

Four nights dinner bed and breakfast.

Live entertainment each night.

Bingo and raffles.

Prize for best fancy dress.

Caring UK special offer from £160 per person.

Contact Juliette for more details 0333 999 8888.

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CARINGNEWS

New manager set to keep her staff fit and healthy

Avery award winners, from the left: Sam Potter, Louise Whiston, Rajbinder Oujla, Shelley Parker-Wain, Diane Lomax and Sharon Whitehead.

Provider successful at Awards AVERY Healthcare was successful at Qube Learning’s 2017 ‘Inspirational Learning’ awards at the Waldorf Hotel in London.

The organisation won the Large Employer of the Year accolade, while Louise Whiston was named Young Apprentice of the Year, Donna Howe the Outstanding Achiever of the Year and Diane Lomax the Higher Level Apprentice of the Year.

Shelley Parker-Wain, national

training and development manager for Avery Healthcare, said: “We are delighted to see our staff rewarded for their hard work and these awards further prove that Avery supports its employers to becoming high achievers.

“There are no barriers to learning or success in Avery.

“Anyone with a passion for learning will be fully supported to achieve their goals.”

THE owners of a popular Malvern home have appointed a new manager who is set to introduce fresh ideas to enhance its quality of care and keep residents active.

Maria Willis, who has 17 years’ experience in the care and medical sector, has joined Welland House Care Centre as its new manager where she is working to build on the home’s reputation for looking after people with a range of care needs.

Maria has wasted little time in stamping her mark on the facility as she develops a programme to keep residents fit, healthy and active.

She said: “To have the opportunity to manage the home and our fantastic team is a really proud moment for me.

“The team has worked hard over the years to keep a constant high level of care but I hope that I can introduce new ideas which makes Welland House an even more special place to live.

“I am keen to bring a lot of positive changes this year – including improvements to our entertainment programme, promoting the benefits of being outdoors, trips out and most importantly, trying to improve the

Maria Willis already high levels of care we offer.

“For example, we have such beautiful gardens and with Spring on the way, we want to ensure residents can enjoy it, help care for our grounds and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. Something which is especially important for our residents who suffer from dementia.

“I can’t wait to get going and everyone has been very supportive.”

Welland House is registered with the Care Quality Commission for 51 residents and takes private residents as well as those referred by local authorities. All its nurses are fully qualified and they employ a total of 53 staff. It is part of the Worcestershire-based Redwood Healthcare group.

sector?

It is the sole responsibility of the care providers to ensure that the correct measures are taken and that procedures are followed carefully when recruiting non-EEA migrant workers.

The onus is on the care provider to make sure the entire process, starting from the recruitment stage, tracking and monitoring of the migrants as well as HR procedures are followed in accordance with the Home Office Guidelines.

There is also a genuine concern that a Sponsor Licence revocation would have a considerable impact on the resident’s right to private life under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

It is feared that if a licence is revoked, the ensuing problems for the care home would have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of

the residents. It is therefore of utmost importance that care homes are made aware of the rules and regulations set out by the Home Office so that the care providers may act in accordance with the law.

Another major concern is that this ongoing issue will have an impact on care providers and the services they offer.

A decline in the quality of care for the residents will not only compromise the health and safety of the residents, which is the primary concern, but that it will also lead to complaints from disgruntled families who rightly want the best care for their loved ones.

It is imperative that all care providers comply with the rules and regulations of Immigration compliance as stated by law. There is a strong need for the issue to be taken seriously, and more effort needs to be taken to warn care homes of the repercussions of not complying with these new regulations.

Employers who fail to comply with the strict Home Office guidelines will be liable to face civil penalties of up to £20,000 per employee, and may also face up to two years imprisonment. n Kashif Majeed is a director at Aston Brooke Solicitors.

Home Office targets care home Sponsor Licences

By Kashif Majeed

THE Home Office has placed an even greater focus on the importance of compliance of UK care homes in a bid to eradicate poor management practices which have existed in the past.

The increase in unannounced visits to the care homes follows on from Operation Magnify which highlighted a number of care homes that were not complying with the Home Office’s rules and regulations specifically relating to the employment of nonEEA skilled migrant staff.

The social care representative bodies such as Care England and others have claimed that the Home Office tougher action on care homes is not justified. However, despite the protest made by the care sector the Home Office has continued applying pressure on care providers.

One of the main pre-requisites for a care home to employ non-EEA skilled care workers in the UK is to obtain a Sponsor Licence from the Home Office. Care homes are required by law to comply with certain obligations in order to maintain their Sponsor Licence. Recently, the Home office has placed greater emphasis on ensuring that care homes are complying with the rules set out by

them and the Sponsor Licensing Unit.

In order to ensure that this is being done effectively, the Home Office have sanctioned regular compliance visits to care homes.

A care home that is found to be in breach of the rules and regulations may find their Sponsor Licence being suspended; or in a worst case scenario it may be revoked. The revocation of a sponsor licence would have a significant impact on the care home as well as the employment status of the migrant workers. When a licence is revoked, the employers can no longer continue to employ or recruit non-EEA staff. The current migrant staff has up to 60 days to either find new employment, or leave the UK unless the care operator challenges the decision through a Judicial Review at the High Court.

The decision to revoke the licence from a care home would mean that they would have to turn to agency staff in order to fill the gap left by foreign sponsored workers who are no longer eligible to work for the business. This would have a considerable financial impact on the business, and in a worst case scenario, force the care home to cease trading.

What does this mean for the social care

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CARINGNEWS

Group’s director celebrates 25 years’ service with party

By Dominic Musgrave

Mike O’Reilly has joined Barchester Healthcare’s senior leadership team as general counsel, company secretary and director of care, risk and compliance.

Originally a commercial lawyer, Mike (pictured above) has extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory aspects of healthcare and worked at Four Seasons Healthcare for over six years as a member of their senior leadership team and board. He said: “It is a huge privilege to be selected for such an important role in such a fantastic organisation. I have been hugely impressed with the attitude and approach of everyone here, from the chief executive to care assistants, who really care about getting things right for the people living and working in Barchester homes and hospitals. I am looking forward to working with the team to ensure that Barchester remains a leading provider of quality care, the best employer in its sector and an innovator in care delivery.”

THE senior management team of the Healthcare Homes group, which provides residential and homecare services across the South East, marked the 25th anniversary of operations director Janice King at a special gathering.

Based in the Swaffham office of the Manorcourt Homecare division, Janice oversees the group’s 15 branches across East Anglia and Greater London, and has been described as ‘the centre of the organisation’, having devoted her career in care to the business.

Her career in the care sector began in February 1992 when she joined St Leonards residential care home as a cleaner before becoming a night carer.

The home was asked to provide care for a lady who wanted to stay at home and Janice offered to help.

Further similar enquiries followed, so Janice was asked to set up a homecare service and Manorcourt Homecare was born.

The company has grown from its few initial clients to a care provider that today delivers over 23,000 hours of homecare services every week.

Mike Osborne, managing director of the Healthcare Homes group, said: “Janice is such an inspirational role model to the whole of the

Janice King with David Bates (chief operating officer) and Graham Lomer (chief financial officer from the Healthcare Homes Group.

Manorcourt family.

“She is the embodiment of a motivational leader and has a team of loyal staff who have stayed with her for many years.

“She leads by example and the care and devotion she has to each and every client shines through in the work she delivers every day.

“On behalf of Manorcourt Homecare and the Healthcare Homes group, I would like to thank Janice for her many years of devoted service and for being such an integral part of the team.”

Manorcourt Homecare provides

a range of homecare services to the local community.

The services are designed to help people who require assistance on either a regular or temporary basis, and include personal care, companionship and 24-hour, live-in care.

Janice added: “I can’t believe it is 25 years since I started working in the care industry; I still love my work and in helping others.

“I’m surrounded by great people, who dedicate themselves to caring for other people and this continues to motivate and spur me on.”

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CARINGNEWS

Regular dental clinics – provided in the home – excellent care for each and every resident

Company solves the dental dilemma in residential care When did your residents last see the dentist?

For most of us, visiting the dentist at regular intervals is a normal part of life and something we all know we should do for the sake of our health and well-being.

Yet, oral health – which is key to a person’s ability to maintain their dignity, enjoy their food, smile and speak without discomfort – can be overlooked when mobility or independence are lost.

Moving into residential care should not mean that dentistry becomes hard to access but all too often it does, for reasons including dementia or disability, staffing and transport issues.

Where do you turn when a dental problem arises, or for advice on oral health and hygiene?

The days when local dentists would pop round for a domiciliary visit in their lunch hour are gone; most NHS dentists are no longer funded for home visits and CQC regulation means that many practices are not geared to offer treatment outside of the surgery.

NHS Community Dental Services often have strict referral criteria and long waiting lists.

NICE Guidance on Oral Health

for adults in care homes (July 2016) recently shone a light on this overlooked area of healthcare.

A NICE Quality Standard for Oral Health in care homes and hospitals is expected this summer and is likely to require that: n Mouth care needs are assessed on admission to the home. n Once assessment has been done, needs are recorded in each resident’s care plan. n Residents are supported to clean their teeth twice a day/clean and care for their dentures daily.

While residents will undoubtedly benefit from these changes, care homes will need support from dental professionals who understand the needs of the patient group and the challenges faced by care staff.

A positive solution The Mobile Dentist Company* has pioneered the delivery of private dental care to residential care homes.

Patients respond well to treatment in familiar surroundings and families find it reassuring that this vital aspect of their loved ones’ health is being looked after.

We aim to build strong working relationships with care staff and to be accepted as part of your team.

Our dental clinics in the home provide: n The dental team (dentist and nurses). n Portable equipment including digital x-ray. n Quarterly, monthly or fortnightly visits based on the number of registered beds. n Dental screenings for all residents (examination and dental report). n Dental clinics with examinations and a range of treatment including hygiene and fillings, which can safely be offered in the home environment. n Relatives welcome to attend and observe. n Dental clinic report for each patient to add to your CQC records. n Telephone advice between visits. n Oral health and hygiene training for care staff.

We charge a monthly fee which the home can pass on to residents or choose to absorb.

Talk to us We are based in Kent and can offer regular clinics in homes across London and much of the South East.

Outside these areas we may still be able to provide a service so please contact us; equally, if you are interested in offering clinics at all the homes in your group, please get in touch.

Our friendly team is keen to hear your experience of trying to access dental care for your residents and we will do our best to assist you. *The Mobile Dentist Company is a trading name of Advance Healthcare Logistics Ltd.

Call 01304 842995/0844 809 2660, email enquiries@themobiledentistcompany.com or visit www.themobiledentistcompany.com

CARINGNEWS

Anita Goyal, Hallmark Care Homes’ managing director Avnish Goyal, resident Merle Davies, artist Charlotte Jones and group lifestyle manager Debbie Sharples-Kirkbride MBE at the exhibition.

Residents’ artwork on display ELDERLY residents at five Hallmark care homes have displayed their best artwork to members of the local community at an exhibition held at the Penarth Pier Pavilion in South Wales.

The exhibition depicted memories of the artists working and growing up in Wales, and included 40 exhibits from individuals who reside at Ty Enfys, Regency House, Shire Hall, Greenhill Manor and Cartref Annwyl Fan. Over 80 guests attended a launch event, including representatives from charity, Age Cymru and the Deputy Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Throughout the afternoon, guests questioned residents about their masterpieces and enjoyed afternoon tea, and the musical stylings of Welsh opera singer Holly Clark.

Organiser of the event, and group lifestyle manager for Hallmark Care Homes, Debbie Sharples-Kirkbride MBE, said: “The residents, our lifestyle team, our artist-in-residence Charlotte Jones, as well visiting artists from Age Cymru whom we have been working in partnership with, have worked really hard to put together this exhibition, so that it can be enjoyed by members of the local community.

“The purpose of this event was to bring residents artwork to a wider audience so they can take pride in their work.

“It also serves as a platform to engage those living with dementia and complex physical conditions within the local community, encouraging others to see past their conditions.”

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CARINGNEWS

Duo complete course TWO Nurse Plus team members have successfully completed the new WellLed programme from nationwide academy, Skills for Care.

Branch managers Kieron Bobby from Maidstone and Erica Quinell from Folkestone were among the first to complete the course, and had the opportunity to learn ways to improve their leadership skills, share good practice and identify new ways to enhance and lead their teams.

The course focuses on expanding the skills of managers of adult social care services working in the private, public or third sectors and is made up of a series of practical workshops designed to teach participants how to

deliver quality, person centred care.

Kieron said: “The Well-Led programme has significantly extended my ability to put trust into my team and improve their commitment to the job.

“I learned that as a manager, the difficult conversations that I have so often wanted to avoid can actually turn into a leadership opportunity for both myself and my colleagues.”

The Well-Led programme offers a package of support and development over a three-month period, which includes interactive workshops, networking opportunities, access to Skills for Care’s resources and a certificate of completion.

A charity coffee morning at St Frances Church in Ingleby Barwick has raised hundreds of pounds for elderly residents and the Alzheimer’s Society. A raffle, bingo, cakes and hot drinks helped generate donations at the event, organised by Hill Care Group care homes in Stockton. Dozens of residents from Ingleby, Mandale House and The Beeches took part, raising over £240 for the Alzheimer’s Society and the homes’ residents fund.

Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “The Alzheimer’s Society is a charity close to our hearts at Hill Care and one we raise money for regularly. The coffee morning is one of several events we’ve been organising recently.”

Veterans meet their penpals VETERANS at The Royal Star & Garter Homes in Surbiton and pupils from Hinchley Wood School have become penpals in an initiative to get generations writing to each other run

by It’s not Your Birthday But. Glitter pens and fountain pens in hand, the 12-year old pupils and the residents, who are mostly in their eighties, have been sending letters and postcards to each other, sharing stories of their everyday lives and discovering they had a great deal in common.

After a flurry of letters, the residents finally met their young correspondents at a tea party held at the Surbiton home, where they chatted about their shared experiences.

When student Ruby complained in a letter that the teachers checked on her skirt length, her penpal Jean, aged 94, reassured Ruby that it was the same in her day.

Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry attended the event, and was delighted with the initiative.

“What a fascinating project,” he said. “This is a wonderful way for different generations to communicate and develop an understanding and respect for one another’s lives. It was great to see our Star & Garter residents sharing their lifetime of experiences with children from Hinchley Wood School.”

Funded by the Arts Council, the project It’s not Your Birthday But is the brainchild of Wendy Smithers who, inspired by letters from her own grandmother, encourages people to communicate and share the pleasure of exchanging letters.

The stories the letters reveal have been documented as poems by Tom Mallender of Write-London, which are then sent to other poets to develop. The poems will be collated into a book later in the year.

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CARINGNEWS

Commander Brian Boxall Hunt, CEO of the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, which runs a specialist maritime nursing care home, explains how the home tailors its care to meet the needs of former seafarers suffering from dementia.

Dementia care for an ageing population ...

THE world’s population is getting older, with research suggesting one in every 12 people in the UK will be aged over 80 by 2039.

Government figures show that at the same time, the number of people with dementia in the UK is rising and is predicted to be in excess of one million by 2021, requiring more specialised care and training for people living with and caring for those with the condition.

When the doors of the Society first opened in 1865, our residents had generally just retired from a seafaring life, sometimes in their 50s. But these days people are living far longer and the average age of the seafarers in our care has risen to 87; people are also entering care homes later in life.

Both factors mean care homes need to be able to offer specialised dementia care and facilities, as well as training for staff to help them deliver appropriate and tailored care for residents living with dementia.

At Royal Alfred we provide nursing and respite care to elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, as well as their widows and dependants. In 2011 we opened our specialised dementia annexe as an extension of Belvedere House, after staff identified that 40 per cent of residents at the time had some form of the illness.

Our dedicated dementia facility gives us the flexibility to provide residents with a full range of accommodation and care services all on one site, avoiding the need to transfer residents to other homes as their requirements change.

Music, especially singing, is a key way of unlocking memories for those living with dementia, as it is thought to access the brains of those with the illness in ways other forms of communication cannot, making it a

Commander Brian Boxall Hunt key feature of our specialised care. We regularly arrange activities involving music and singing as part of our dementia care, including working with musicians who make regular visits to our nursing home to spend time with residents.

Staff have seen first-hand the value of using live music in the home as a tool to stimulate and bring to mind long-forgotten memories.

We have also worked with live music charity Music in Hospitals and The University of Roehampton, who conducted a study to discover more about the science behind the therapeutic benefits of live music and

how it can improve the wellbeing of those suffering from dementia.

Researchers from the University visited the home to monitor the cortisol and saliva levels of residents in order to assess the impact of music on their mood.

Sensory equipment is also known to encourage memories and responses that have been suppressed by the illness, helping to improve residents’ moods, self-esteem and ultimately, their wellbeing. With this in mind, we have installed a sensory garden in the home’s grounds to encourage sensory development for residents with dementia. The garden has proven to be a hit among residents as it provides them with a safe and calm space to relax and explore independently.

For those with dementia, it is especially important to be around items that prompt memories and emotions, which in turn enhance their sense of wellbeing.

As all of our residents are former seafarers, we strive to create a familiar environment within the home to aid memory. We also have a collection of historic photography and nautical brass fittings which residents enjoy looking at.

The visual stimulation helps them feel comfortable in the home, reducing stress and anxiety for dementia sufferers, who can often feel frustrated and agitated. Our maritime theme even extends to our carpet design and the last-orders bell in our bar.

We also have a dedicated reminiscence room supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The room features original maritime uniforms, accessories and memorabilia, as well as traditional typewriters and sewing machines,

which prompt memories and make residents feel at home.

All residents living in our dementia annexe have a personalised memory box outside their bedroom, filled with photographs and mementos from their life.

Dementia sufferers often lose shortterm memories but longer term memories can be triggered by items from an individual’s life.

The Alzheimer’s Society recognises memory boxes as a valuable way of residents establishing a landmark in their new home and the content as a way of reflecting the owner’s life and providing invaluable information to carers.

They help residents improve orientation and encourage increased levels of communication between carers, residents and their families.

With many of our residents spending time enjoying the home’s facilities and taking part in activities, we place a real emphasis on enabling independent living wherever possible, so memory boxes are a good way of allowing them independence in recognising their personal space within the home.

Living with dementia can have a big emotional, social, psychological and practical impact on people. Many sufferers describe these impacts as a series of losses and adjusting to them is challenging.

We want to show that small and inexpensive furniture adaptations as well as a programme of stimulating and varied activities can make a positive impact in people’s lives.

As new challenges face our ageing population, it’s important for homes to look into the small changes they could make to help offer the very best care for those suffering with dementia.

CARINGNEWS

Hollybank Home Care Agency’s staff celebrate the fifth anniversary.

Agency celebrates five years A NORTH Wales home care agency is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Hollybank Home Care Agency, which is based in Flintshire, North Wales was launched in 2012 as an extension to the Jones’ family’s existing business, Hollybank Residential Home.

The family-run company responded to a change in local demand, with people wanting to stay in their own home longer rather than move into residential care.

As a result, the home care agency was launched to support adults and older people with dementia, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, learning disabilities and sensory impairment in the local

community.

Five years of hard work has paid off as the company has gone from strength to strength by winning national awards for its high standard of care.

Last year the agency was rated as the ‘Most Recommended Home Care Agency in Wales’ by a review website.

Agency manager Natalie Marshall said: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the past five years and owe our success to our fantastic team’s determination to always deliver the very best care possible.

“Often, we are the only people that our service users see each day, it is important that we make every day a better day for them.”

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Find everything your care business needs AWARD winning Health+Care will see over 4,000 care business owners, directors and managers gather for inspiration, ideas and in-depth sector knowledge.

A hard-hitting programme delivered by the highest calibre of speakers will showcase the latest innovations and expert advice to help tackle the mounting pressure on care businesses while providing enhanced care for patients and residents.

Mike Broad, programme director, said: “Delegates won’t waste time in long laborious seminars hearing from those who have no idea what it’s like in the real world.

“Instead, delegates can combine short inspiring talks from those

who have already changed the way their care businesses run and have improved their outcomes.

“Managers, directors and owners of care businesses will gain valuable insights into how to perform their roles better and run more effective operations.”

The care sector has faced an unfathomable cut to spending, budgets are being slashed and struggling businesses are now on the brink of collapse.

Health+Care will act as a safe haven for care businesses to collect vital information helping them to safeguard the future of their business so they don’t just survive but thrive.

Thomas Kelly, proprietor

of Margaret House, attended Health+Care in 2016.

He said: “I have met more people and found so many ideas from spending just two days at Health+Care.

“By donating a couple of days of the year to attend, we have changed the future of our business.”

New for this year: n Care Home Live – a real-life care home will be at the heart of

Health+Care where delegates have the unique opportunity to actually pick-up and test the latest residential care innovations. n Care and Nutrition Hub – for the first time, Health+Care delegates can learn about the latest guidance around catering and nutrition via a dedicated theatre as well as network with sector approved suppliers. n Care at Home Pavilion – Health+Care are delighted to announce domiciliary organisations can network, share best practice and build valuable contacts with the NHS, CCGs and Trusts at a unique pavilion area of the show.

The event takes place on June 28 and 29.

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Care Designs’ durable bibs with pockets

CARE Designs’ professional quality adult bibs have an inner waterproof barrier for protection, are absorbent, virtually stain resistant and are super durable, offering you long lasting value.

Made of our exclusive, tough, professional grade, PRO80™ fabric our adult bibs are washable at up to 80°C. to kill all bacteria.

The smart looking bibs have new, fold-out pockets and are available in three sizes and two colours.

Bulk discounts available.

Try one now with 15% OFF! Use promo code CAREDESIGNSCUK4 at the checkout or by phone.

Enquiries: Visit www.caredesigns.co.uk Call 01223 840236 or email purchasing@bibetta.com for a brochure.

Live laundry design and free laundry review from Girbau

GIRBAU UK is offering a free healthcare laundry efficiency review to visitors to its stand (D33) at Health+Care taking place at ExCeL, London on June 28 and 29.

The company is also sponsoring the Care Home Live arena and will be creating a real-life laundry featuring washers, dryers and ironers recommended for care homes looking to operate an on-premise laundry.

The laundry review is designed to ensure care home laundries are being run as efficiently and effectively as possible.

This free service examines a comprehensive range of operational and hygiene factors.

A specialist laundry consultant undertakes the audit to determine whether laundry running costs are too high, if the laundry could be run more efficiently and to check that the laundry is fully CQC compliant for infection control.

Products featuring in the Girbau laundry will include the ED Ecodryer range of energy efficient dryers, believed to be the most energy efficient

New guide published

commercial dryers on the market, and the Girbau HS 6 Series range of washers, which are Water Technology List approved.

Care home businesses purchasing new Girbau HS 6 Series washers can benefit from 100 per cent tax relief under the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme.

Enquiries: Visit www.girbau.co.uk

SKILLS for Care recently published a ‘Good and Outstanding Guide’.

The guide shares knowledge and experiences from organisations who are already rated good or outstanding.

Its practical examples for achieving good and outstanding highlight the use of electronic planning and recording systems, using technology for staff rostering and the electronic documentation of service users’ medicine administration records.

To discover how using technology in your care home can help to meet CQC requirements, improve ratings and resident outcomes then visit Care Control on stand C72 at Health+Care .

Developed by a care home, Care Control puts unparalleled care

monitoring and management at your fingertips.

The comprehensive, easy-touse App enables staff to record personalised care, improve quality and meet the CQC’s demands for robust evidence. The CQC stated “the system promoted people’s health and wellbeing”.

Care Control eMAR will be launching at Health+Care.

The eMAR system helps reduce administration and recording errors and gives managers visibility to oversee medicines management and quickly identify and resolve administration errors – all contributing to improved resident safety.

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CARINGHEALTH + CARE 2017 PREVIEW

QED Scientific QED Scientific developed the new to market CRT ‘controlled room temperature’ cabinets to provide a safe storage solution for 25°C pharmaceuticals. These cabinets are not only a cost-effective alternative to air-conditioning, but eliminate the need for constant temperature monitoring of the storage room, preventing temperature spikes, and protecting the efficacy of medicines. Also inspection compliant for complete peace of mind. A wide range of capacities available to suit all industries.

Contact: 01663 735494 or visit www.qedscientific.com

QCS Quality is our passion and we are committed to helping support registered social care, dental and GP services to deliver outstanding care through the provision of a bespoke, service specific management system that meet all ongoing regulatory requirements. QCS is growing and over 2,800 different registered locations use us to support the delivery of their high-quality care and support. We provide updates to policies, procedures and best practice online. We also supplement these updates in paper format to ensure that the right information is always available at your fingertips.

Blue Stream Academy Blue Stream Academy Ltd is a leading provider of eLearning to healthcare providers including GP practices, dental practices, nursing and care homes, urgent care providers, hospices and carers in the UK. Each suite has a highly sophisticated Management Information System ensuring that all training can be tracked and evidence of compliance accessed simply and easily.

Our system enhances trainee skills, patient experience and organisation reputation whilst improving efficiency and saving money.

Power Plate Power Plate® makes users feel better and can be life changing. For older people who are not as mobile as they used to be, and find themselves chair or bed bound, their days can be filled with discomfort due to their inability to move. Power Plate delivers comfortable vibrations into the body when users place their feet on the vibrating platform.

This helps increase muscle strength, improve circulation, and reduce swelling and pain. sales@powerplate.com 020 7317 5000 powerplate. com

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Beaucare Beaucare® Medical Ltd is a leading supplier to care homes and the healthcare sector since 1992. We supply the full range of medical, nursing, hygiene supplies and capital equipment. Alongside our product offerings, we offer national training and we supply servicing for care home equipment such as electric profiling nursing beds, patient lifting hoists and slings; all of which are carried out to industry standards including LOLER certification for hoists. We are also able to offer automatic dosing systems for laundry and dishwashing systems.

Snappy Tags Label all your residents’ clothes in a snap with Snappy Tags® and revolutionise your care home laundry! We laseretch the tags with your chosen name or number, which is guaranteed not to fade or come off in the wash. Tag your residents’ clothing quickly and securely using the hand held applicator, which can be used to remove Snappy Tags later if required. Unlike many other labelling methods, Snappy Tags are re-usable, making them an ideal long-term solution.

Come and meet our friendly team to find out more.

B57

C32

www.snappytags.co.uk

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Access 21 Interiors If you are managing a new build, extension or refurbishment project or maybe just wish to update some of the furniture or curtains we can help – saving you both time and costs. We also offer artwork, lighting, towels and bedding to complete the look. You will have no minimum orders, long-term contracts or deposits to worry about – just help, advice and good customer service. Let us know your needs and how we can best help you.

Call 020 8399 3091 or email info@access21ltd.co.uk

Gainsborough Gainsborough Specialist Bathing will be showcasing its latest height adjustable Gentona within the Care Home Live feature. The Gentona continues to deliver significant benefits to healthcare providers. It is a versatile and reliable bath designed to excel in today’s challenging high-traffic care environment. It ensures carers can operate at safe working heights and engage more with service users while the bather transfer seat negates the need for manual moving and handling.

0800 090 1502 or www.gainsboroughbaths.com

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CARINGNEWS

Document to help providers comply

Resident Lorna says hello to chicks Gladys and Barry.

Fluffy residents spring into action at Acacia Court A PUDSEY care home welcomed two new bright eyed and bushy tailed additions to the family recently when Gladys and Barry hatched into the world.

Residents and staff at Acacia Court witnessed the birth of the bountiful chicks following a special delivery of Living Eggs.

The little bundles of joy are expected to be joined by brothers and sisters in the coming weeks as other chicks begin to hatch in their specially designed incubators before being moved on to live with loving families.

Helen Fowler, care centre manager

at Acacia Court, said: “We were thrilled to see the chicks enter the world, they’re a real talking point at the home and both the residents and staff are always wanting a cuddle with their new housemates.

“The chicks give the residents a real purpose. They have watched over and cared for them ever since they were eggs and so to have the opportunity to see them grow over the next few months will be a real honour.”

The Living Eggs Ready Hatch is a comprehensive programme aimed at giving care residents and school children the opportunity to see all stages of the hatching process.

THE National Association of Care Catering has launched a new guidance document to support its members and the care sector – How to provide good nutritional care and comply with CQC’s fundamental standards.

Focusing on the importance of good nutrition and hydration as a central part of quality care, the document provides advice and information that will enable regulated residential and social care providers to give excellent nutritional care and meet the CQC’s Fundamental Standards, concentrating on the Key Line of Enquiry (KLOE), ‘How are people supported to drink and eat enough and maintain a balanced diet?’.

Each outcome pertaining to this KLOE with relevance to each regulated service is covered and the document details suggested recommended evidence in the form of records, observations and statements that an inspector would be looking for during an inspection.

Other linked KLOEs are also highlighted, and template checklists and recording documents included.

Using the guidance, care providers and caterers will be supported in understanding and driving forward improvements in nutritional care to help them achieve good or outstanding CQC ratings for their service and service users.

The NACC’s guidance also provides a practical resource for care services that are not covered by England’s regulatory framework.

Neel Radia, the NACC’s national chair, said: “The importance of food and drink in delivering excellent care cannot be overestimated.

An enjoyable meal, with the right nutritional balance, makes a huge difference to a person’s wellbeing and quality of life. We have produced this document for everyone who wants to ensure that mealtimes are a vital part of their care service.

“From nutritional benefits through to the cultural and communal significance of food and drink, we are giving care providers and caterers the tools to ensure catering is at the centre of care, in line with the fundamental standards laid out by the CQC. Every service user has a right to receive good food and drink that reflects their individual nutritional, cultural, physical and emotional needs. As the association representing care caterers in the UK, it is our duty to support the sector with the resources, such as this document, to do this.”

The essential guidance document is an update of How to comply with CQC’s outcome 5: Meeting nutritional needs and reflects the new fundamental standards inspections by the CQC. Stocks Hall care home in Burscough welcomed Pet Therapy dog Brad to celebrate National Pet Month. The Miniature Poodle regularly visits the home accompanied by his owner and ‘Pets As Therapy’ volunteer Eileen.

Activities co-ordinator Denise Corvan said: “Therapy dogs such as Brad can have a positive impact on the mood of people living in our homes, as well as our visitors. Regular visits from Brad have shown to relieve loneliness among less social or outgoing residents who find group interaction difficult. Not all residents want to handle the dog and some will benefit just from watching Brad interact with others. It’s been wonderful to welcome him as part of the Stocks family here at the home.”

Home secures place at RHS well dressing competition BURTON Closes Hall Care Home and Bakewell AJ Welldressing have been selected to participate in the new RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

The team is one of only five to showcase its well-dressing skills at the prestigious event – the first ever RHS Well Dressing Competition – when visitors will be able to vote for their favourite design.

More than 62,000 tickets have already been sold for the Show, which takes place from June 7-11, when the Bakewell team’s A.J. well-dressing will be on display.

The design focuses on one of Bakewell’s oldest buildings, Burton Closes Hall, which now operates as a care home.

Carl J D Fisher, home manager at Burton Closes Hall, said: “We’re delighted to be chosen along with A.J. Welldressing team to display at the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show Well Dressing Competition.

“Burton Closes Hall is a beautiful building with a great deal of history and worthy as the centerpiece for a magnificent well-dressing design by the talented and passionate Sue Hudson of Bakewell AJ Welldressing team.

“Our residents are absolutely thrilled to know their care home will be featured in such a prestigious competition.

“We can’t wait to see the final design in full bloom in June.”

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CARINGNEWS

Newgrange fire – negligence and lessons to be learned ...

By Ben Pepper

TRAGICALLY, two elderly residents died and three others were injured in a fire at the Newgrange care home on Saturday April 8, 2017.

The blaze broke out in the Cadmore Lane home in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, in the early hours of the morning.

The two residents who sadly passed away were Ivy Spriggs, aged 91, and Daphne Holloway, aged 88. 33 other residents were rescued, three of whom required hospital treatment for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

A joint investigation into the cause of the fire between the local police and fire service is being carried out and remains ongoing.

Families trust care homes to provide support and assistance for their loved ones.

The relationship is one based upon trust and confidence.

Care homes have a duty to ensure residents receive good and safe care.

When residents suffer avoidable injury or death as a result of a care home’s negligence, their grieving families will understandably feel completely let down.

If the joint investigation into the fire makes a finding of negligence against Newgrange, then those affected may

be able to bring a compensation claim.

A claim can be brought to compensate the injured person for their pain and suffering and also the effect the injury has had on their ability to do things, such as partake in their hobbies.

Also, any financial losses incurred as a result of the injury can be claimed for.

These include both past and future expenses and may consist of treatment, travel, alternative accommodation and additional care costs.

All care homes should carry insurance against the risk of such a claim being brought.

Strict time limits exist when making claims for personal injury.

Generally, court proceedings must be commenced within three years of the date the injury occurred.

There may be some exceptions to this time limit in specific cases, which legal professionals can advise upon.

In addition to civil claims, care homes found to have been negligent in respect of fire safety may also find themselves subject to criminal prosecutions. Individuals as well as companies can be held culpable for failings.

Although the cause of the

Ben Pepper Newgrange care home fire is still being investigated, the home should re-evaluate its staffing and health and safety practices to try and prevent such a catastrophic event happening again.

Resident safety must always be paramount.

Care homes should identify and assess potential risks to people and maintain high standards when it comes to fire safety. Staff should be adequately trained in how to react in

the event of a fire breaking out.

They should all know how to evacuate residents who struggle with their mobility and live in hard to access areas, such as those on upper floors.

As well as mobility problems, some residents may suffer from conditions such as dementia and could be at risk of causing fires themselves.

Risk assessments should be carried out in order to reduce the chance of this happening as much as possible.

As with all such residences, regular fire drills must be carried out, exits kept in good condition, escape routes kept clear, alarms and extinguishers checked and maintained and evacuation equipment properly installed.

The Government has issued guidance on fire safety in care homes and this must be strictly adhered to.

Those who require full time residential care are undeniably more vulnerable than an average person, in terms of their physical and/or mental ability.

They are particularly likely to have mobility problems. Care homes cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to their duty to ensure the safety of its residents. n Ben Pepper is a senior solicitor at Bolt Burdon Kemp.

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www.requiredsystems.com

Three new faces at Leeds-based care provider Members of Cormac’s STEPS and CORCARE teams collect their golden awards.

Workers learn ancient Chinese language and scoop a golden award A CARE team from Cornwall has won a golden award from parent company CORMAC after learning phrases from an ancient Chinese language in order to communicate with and rehabilitate an elderly customer after a fall.

The Camborne STEPS (Short Term Enablement and Planning Service) team won the Going the Extra Mile Award at the annual celebration held at the Atlantic Hotel in Cornwall, and were praised for their dedication, enthusiasm and determination to provide a positive outcome for their customer.

The awards celebrate excellence in innovation and customer service among the 1,800 strong workforce.

Their client had lived in Cornwall for 45 years but spoke no English and a direct translation of the care plan was proving difficult due to the ancient Chinese language, Hakka, which has numerous varieties and dialects Added to this, after a fall in his home, the client had lost confidence, strength and morale, confining himself to a wheelchair despite no underlying medical reason.

The STEPS team researched the language and culture on the internet, learning basic Chinese Hakka phrases, liaising with the family and combining this with picture cards as part of the care plan.

This led to greatly improved communication with the client and at the end of the intervention he was able to walk with a trolley, make breakfast and a hot drink and regained his confidence, morale and

“The team was so happy to receive this award which demonstrates the lengths our dedicated staff go to in order to make a big difference to our customers in a short space of time.” optimism.

Gina Pearson, head of CORMAC’s community services division, said: “The team was so happy to receive this award which demonstrates the lengths our dedicated staff go to in order to make a big difference to our customers in a short space of time.

“It is also a great example of our holistic approach to caring for our customers, where we recognise that emotional health and wellbeing also has a crucial part to play in re-ablement.”

Team leaders from CORMAC’s’s CORCARE service also won a Highly Commended COREleader award at the event, and were recognised for their adaptability and positive attitude during periods of rapid growth within the service One of the teams’ care apprentices also received a highly commended award for inspirational young worker/ apprentice.

WESTWARD Care, one of Leeds’ most trusted providers of tailored living and social care for older people, has announced three new appointments across the business.

Based at Westward Care’s Southlands Care Home and Independent Living Apartments in Roundhay, Laura Clegg joins as a general manager.

Working with the team, Laura will look to continue making a difference in the care sector and ensure that Southlands continues to serve and support the local community.

Having been in nursing for over 30 years, Laura has a wealth of knowledge to help shape the tailored living and care options available to residents.

Helen Lewis, previous general manager at Southlands, has moved into a new role as a health and social care consultant focusing on building wider links with the community and health and social care sector.

Helen has over 40 years’ experience, and will be exploring how Westward Care can support professionals, older people and their families make informed choices about the options available.

Helen will support potential new residents, informing them and their families of the options available and providing assistance from their first enquiry through to moving and settling in with the wider Westward Care community.

Managing the day-to-day running of the nursing unit, Nadine Padgett joins the team at Pennington Court as a nurse manager. Committed to helping Westward Care continue to provide high quality, tailored care, Nadine has spent the past five years working within the Leeds community to gain her district nursing qualification.

Peter Hodkinson, managing director of Westward Care, said: “With

Helen Lewis

Helen Lewis

Nadine Padgett their years of experience, wealth of knowledge and their passion, all of our residents and potential residents will feel the positive impact that these three individuals will bring to our offering.

“As an organisation we really value our staff and believe in continually investing in people’s professional development which enables us to attract the best care professionals to our team.”

New Required Systems document download manager AN online, cloud-based system giving you instant access to the most up-to-date procedures and forms required to evidence compliance with the new CQC Fundamental Standards for England.

We provide all the policies, procedures, forms and audit tools you need to comply with legislation where you are based.

Enquiries: Call 01236 782477, visit www.requiredsystems.com or email peter@requiredsystems.com

Management and care staff at Caremark (Three Rivers and Chiltern) said a fond farewell to care manager Diana Graves. She finally embraced retirement after a 30-year career in social care and decided to move to the countryside with her husband and enjoy a slower pace of life. Leading her care team at Caremark’s Chesham based office for the last year, Diana worked closely with managing director Abhay Shah to build the business while delivering a high standard of care to the local community. At a farewell party Diana was presented with a gift and a bottle of champagne.

Managing director Abhay Shah, operations director, Shilen Raichura, care coordinator Candice Barrett and retiring care manager Diana Graves.

CARINGNEWS

Some of the children with staff and residents at Home Meadow in Toft.

Toddlers bring joy to care home residents

By Dominic Musgrave

RESIDENTS at Home Meadow in Toft are experiencing a new kind of therapy thanks to the ‘Little Owls’ project run by childminders Nat Jackson and Amanda Strong.

Seven children aged between one and four are regular visitors to the care home after the pair forged a partnership to enable the children to learn more about older people in their community.

Home Meadow provides residential care for up to 49 residents, many of whom live with dementia.

Since January, Little Owls group has been based at the home every Monday.

The children spend the entire day with the residents and invite them to take part in their activities such as dance, arts and crafts and singing.

The group has a dedicated room to use for their lunch and for nap time, and residents are free to come and go as they please, visiting the children and joining in their day.

After some pilot sessions in

December when the children visited the home to make Christmas crafts, it was soon agreed to make the visits regular.

Nat and Amanda posted on Facebook to ask for toys and games to store at the home and were inundated with donations.

Home Meadow activities coordinator, Joe Ballard, said: “Having the children at the home is like a medicine to the residents.

“Many of the people here live with dementia and spending time with the young ones brings them joy and happiness that is so lovely to see.

Some of them have formed very tight bonds with the children and seeing them on a Monday is the highlight of their week.

“We’re always looking for new ways to connect with our residents and for new activities that will make a real difference to their lives here.

“Studies have shown that intergenerational care can have significant positive effects on those living with dementia and this has certainly been the case with Little Owls.”

The importance of silent call bells EXTENSIVE studies carried out in dementia care show that sufferers are sensitive to their surroundings with several common environmental triggers.

One of the most distinct contributors to high levels of stress and upset is noise. So, creating an environment that is free of repetitive, high volume noise is essential if you are striving to create a calm and happy environment for your dementia residents.

A study published by the University of Stirling found that call bell noise is one of the most common causes of stress to dementia patients, suggesting “fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building”.

Louise Arnold, of Peninsula Care Homes, decided

to do just that. InstaCare Systems installed the BlueBell paging system in their Exeter home.

So, let InstaCare Systems turn off the call bell noise in your home and create a silent nurse call system. You don’t even need to replace your existing system to achieve it!

We have access to all the major paging brands such as Scope and CST, plus we can supply the unique BlueBell pager which has many additional benefits including being waterproof, built in staff ID, exit alarm and is robust.

We can integrate any paging system with any call bell system, so there’s no need to replace your existing asset.

Enquiries: Call 01392 877267, email info@instacaresystems.co.uk or visit www.instacaresystems.co.uk

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CARINGNEWS

IIP Standard awarded to Brunelcare

CARE provider Brunelcare has been awarded the Investors in People Standard for the 19th consecutive year.

This is a standard recognising that Brunelcare is a great employer, is an outstanding place to work and has a clear commitment to sustainability.

Investors in People is the standard for people management.

Their standard defines what it takes for organisations to lead, support and manage people for sustained success.

This accreditation is underpinned by a rigorous assessment methodology and a framework which reflects the very latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to out-perform in any industry.

Robert Eales, Brunelcare’s HR director, said: “As a charity providing high quality housing, care and support for people in the South West, we are delighted with our reaccreditation as an Investor in People.

“The award recognises our commitment to excellent care delivery, effective management and teamwork and the development of our staff.”

Expanding catering team is a recipe for success ...

WEST Yorkshire based Czajka Care Group is expanding its catering division after promoting Hazel Betts and Stuart Bailey to deputy catering supervisors.

And the company is now looking to add two more experienced chefs to its 22 strong catering team.

Both Hazel and Stuart joined the firm in the last 12 months as mobile chefs working across the company’s Fairmount Nursing Home, Brookfield Care Home and Staveley Birk Leas Nursing Home, which are all in Nab Wood near Bradford, as well as Currergate Nursing Home in Steeton and Beanlands Nursing Home in Cross Hills, which are both near Skipton.

The company also operates The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park, which is a members’ only club with a wide range of leisure facilities and a renowned restaurant.

In their new roles, Hazel and Stuart will support Czajka Care Group’s management team, overseeing the day-to-day running of the company’s six kitchens as well as assisting with menu development and the sourcing of ingredients.

Area catering supervisor Gerard Raedcher said: “Every day we serve hundreds of meals across our kitchens and pride ourselves on serving freshly cooked food with a

Hazel Betts, Gerard Raedcher and Stuart Bailey.

“We’re now looking to appoint two focus on nutritional and seasonal more experienced chefs, who have ingredients that utilise local suppliers a good track-record and relevant wherever possible. catering qualifications, to work across “We also cater for vegetarians, vegans, diabetics and religious diets, our kitchens. as well as regularly sounding out “All our chefs normally finish work residents about their preferences and by 6pm at the latest, which is fairly unique in this industry, and we also updating our menus seasonally. offer a wide range of training so it’s “Because mealtimes are such an a fantastic opportunity for the right integral part of the overall service that person.” we provide, our catering provision Czajka Care Group currently holds has evolved into a vast operation and five-star Food Hygiene Rating Scheme the promotions of Hazel and Stuart Certificates across all five of its will further enhance the service we nursing and care homes, as well as provide as we continue growing our The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park. team.

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SPONSORED BY

www.bluerockcare.com

Staff first to gain moving and handling ‘Train the Trainer’ qualification Acute kidney injury champions, senior carer Chloe Hale, deputy manager Cathy Shaw and senior carer Ben Parker, all from Holmewood Care Home, Chesterfield.

Kidney injury champions THREE members of staff at a Chesterfield care home are being trained to help reduce the number of hospital admissions from the elderly.

Holmewood has put the trio through acute kidney injury champion training.

The Derbyshire Community Health Service NHS Trust course ensures the staff are trained to spot the early signs of kidney failure – one of the main reasons elderly residents end up in hospital.

Deputy manager Cathy Shaw and senior carers Chloe Hale and Ben Parker all attended the training, conducted by the NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group.

Cathy is the infection control lead, Chloe is the incontinence lead, and Ben is the mental capacity assessment lead for Holmewood Care Home.

They provide additional benefits not usually found in residential homes – unlike nursing homes that have nursing staff to diagnose and treat medical problems.

Kathleen Richardson, home manager, said: “We and our colleagues at the Derbyshire Community Health Service know and understand the growing demands being placed on the NHS. “The acute kidney injury champion training is a proactive approach that allows residential homes, such as Holmewood, to more effectively manage one of the main reasons why residents end up in hospital.

“Our staff can recognise the early signs of kidney failure and act quickly to treat cases and, therefore, reduce hospital admissions.

“This reduces costs for the NHS and GPs.”

A GROUP of 13 staff from care provider Hadrian Healthcare are the first in the country to achieve a new Ofqual/ROSPA Qualifications accredited Level 3 moving and handling training qualification.

Specialist equipment supplier Britton Price provides the ‘Train the Trainer’ course, which qualifies participants to train to Level 2 (People Handling) and Level 1 (Load Handling), specifically for the care and nursing home sector.

Karen Brimble, operations manager at Hadrian Healthcare, is one of the newly qualified staff.

She said: “As a company we do our utmost to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. Training and high quality professional equipment are key to making moving and handling as safe, comfortable and easy as possible.

“We can now deliver moving and handling training in-house to Level 2 at each of our six care homes.”

Practical training for the group was carried out over two days at one of the care homes.

Each member of the group was monitored by the Britton Price trainer throughout and their workbooks were marked for the final assessment.

Mark Cable from Britton Price and Hadrian Healthcare Group’s Karen Brimble.

Hadrian Healthcare’s newly qualified staff trainers now have access to Britton Price’s online training portal, which has a comprehensive range of training and reference materials including over 300 training videos, training manuals, safe systems of work and legislation guidance. Assessments of staff trained to Level 2 will be carried out by Britton Price.

Britton Price Training offers the only Level 3 ‘Train the Trainer’ course that is regulated by Ofqual and accredited

by ROSPA Qualifications. This ensures the highest standards and operating processes in the industry.

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CARINGNEWS

CQC prosecute owner of York care home

Residents and staff at Tall Trees care home in Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire, are eagerly awaiting the start of the season after sponsoring their neighbours at the local cricket club. The gardens at Tall Trees, a care home run by Caring Homes and providing personalised nursing, residential and dementia care for up to 60 residents, adjoin the village club. Chairman Russell Hayes and vice chairman Ian Lewis accepted a sponsorship banner to be displayed at the cricket ground to show the care home’s support for the club.

Tall Trees manager Michelle Little and administrator Lisa Bailey are pictured with cricket club chairman Russell Hayes and vice chairman Ian Lewis.

New receptionist joins Wynbrook SPECIALIST care home builders and residential property developers Wynbrook has appointed Sarah Morris as its new receptionist.

In her new role she will oversee all reception desk duties while also being responsible for providing administrative support to the whole office.

Sarah said: “I was excited to join an ambitious company that is able to provide me with plenty of opportunities to develop.

“After reading about Wynbrook in the local press and meeting the team, I knew I would enjoy working here and be able to contribute to their future success.”

Managing director, Mike Day, added: “Sarah has made a seamless transition into her new role.

“She is thorough and professional and will play a key role in ensuring Wynbrook creates the right first impression when customers call or visit our offices.”

A HOUSING trust that failed in its duty to provide safe care and treatment has been ordered to pay £163,185.15 in fines and costs by Leeds Magistrates’ Court following the death of a 98-year-old man in their care.

The Care Quality Commission brought the prosecution against the owners of Lamel Beeches, a care home in York, following two offences of failing to provide safe care and treatment with one offence resulting in avoidable harm to a resident, Alfred Colley, and a second offence resulting in people using this service being exposed to a significant risk of avoidable harm.

This is the fifth prosecution that CQC has brought against providers since inheriting special enforcement powers from the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities in April 2015.

The registered provider, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, based in York, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, told the court that In August 2015, Alfred fractured his hip during a fall at the home but was discharged back to Lamel Beeches after treatment in hospital.

Less than four weeks later he fell out of bed and re-fractured his hip.

He died in hospital. The court was told that this fall was avoidable if Lamel Beeches had followed correct procedures around bed rail safety.

A safety consultant had previously identified that 14 beds needed bed rail extensions to prevent the occupants falling – but the provider had not authorised the work, until after Alfred’s accident. There were four other incidents where he had become trapped in the bed rail, or attempted to climb over it, prior to breaking his hip.

When CQC inspectors visited the care home in November they found concerns around the use of bedrails used by all 10 people they checked on, suggesting that insufficient action had been taken to deal with risks or to

keep people safe.

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust was fined £100,000 for failing to provide safe care and treatment to Alfred and £50,000 for failing to provide safe care and treatment which exposed people to a significant risk of avoidable harm. They were also ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £13,000.15 and a £170.00 victim surcharge.

In a victim impact statement, Michael Colley, Alfred’s son said: “Although my father was very old and increasingly frail, I was still able to take him out for brief trips, and he maintained his former interests in golf, rugby and cricket as a spectator.

“He engaged enthusiastically with family matters, taking particular delight when new great grandchildren visited.

“Any bereavement is distressing, but these circumstances have made my father’s death particularly so. At the age of 98, death is not an improbable event. However, my father underwent unnecessary pain and distress. He deserved a better death.”

Debbie Westhead, CQC’s deputy chief inspector for adult social care, added: “It is clear that the provider in this case had failed to keep safe the frail people in its care. They had not ensured that the bed rails were being safely used. Risk assessments were not suitable, staff had not been trained and they had not taken action to deal with the risks which had been identified.

“This was avoidable. We know that Mr Colley had fallen out of bed, or become trapped in the rails a number of times - but still too little was done to keep him safe. Taken together, the provider’s poor governance and leadership at the home led to unsafe care and treatment on the part of its employees and it is for this reason that we have taken action in this case.

“If we find that a care provider has put people in its care at risk of harm, we will always consider using those powers to the full to prosecute those who are responsible.”

39

CARINGNEWS

Care village residents’ wellbeing is boosted by ‘Alpine cycling’ SPECIALIST care village Belong Macclesfield is helping residents in their 80s and 90s to experience cycling through the mountains of the Swiss Alps, walking through the streets of Amsterdam or rowing along the Rhine, thanks to the introduction of specialist virtual reality cardiovascular equipment.

The Silverfit kit has been proven to increase older people’s independence, balance, coordination, mobility and emotional well-being.

The exercise equipment is a virtual reality rehabilitation system with a high definition screen which shows images of geographical locations from around the world and several games set up on a separate screen, which are specifically designed for the older adult.

The system uses a 3D motion sensing camera to detect the participant’s movements during the game. The level of each exercise is programmed to suit the user’s physical and cognitive capabilities.

Belong Macclesfield lead exercise instructor, Barbara Tait, said: “The Silverfit equipment is based on the science that shows that when we engage our brains in a game, it prompts our bodies to move almost ‘in spite of ourselves’. Our residents have enjoyed the success

Resident Graham Wood using the Silverfit equipment with Belong Macclesfield lead exercise instructor Barbara Tait. of increasing their cognitive and physical capabilities through exercise that is fun and specific to their needs.

“We have certainly seen an increase in well-being, confidence and physical strength amongst customers who have used this gym equipment.”

All Belong village residents, tenants and experience day customers have access to an exercise studio specially equipped to meet the exercise and activity needs of older people.

A qualified exercise instructor, experienced in working with older people, helps to develop personalised training programmes to improve mobility and welfare.

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Residents of a Gloucester care home welcomed the city’s Mayor and Sheriff for afternoon tea. The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Neil Hampson, and The Sheriff and Deputy Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Said Hansdot, joined residents and staff at The Knoll. The civic dignitaries were given a tour of the home, meeting staff, residents and their families, while also learning more about the programme of daily activities designed to keep residents active.

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Neil Hampson is pictured with The Knoll manager Debbie Smith and The Sheriff and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Said Hansdot.

Residents visit Dame Kelly’s cafe RESIDENTS from Barnes Lodge Care Home in Tonbridge enjoyed a cup of tea and slice of cake when they visited a cafe owned by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

Despite not spotting the woman herself, social activities facilitator Nicola Newman said they enjoyed their time at the cosy café 1809 in Hildenborough.

She added: “The residents had a

lovely afternoon at the café, they all commented on how lovely their cake was and how nice the environment is there.

“We always aim to provide our residents with a varied calendar of activities and outings, so the wet weather is no excuse not to go out.

“If we can’t go to the beach for a day out, we’ll go to the shops or for a coffee if the residents would like to.”

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Green light for new care home on former site of Golf Club

Page 43

New care service opens its doors in Worksop

Page 44

£10m home in Kenilworth completed for WCS Care

Page 47

Burton upon Trent home has new owners KINGS Bromley Nursing Home in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, has been acquired by RD Capital Partners LLP (RDCP Care Limited) in a leveraged buyout deal supported by a seven figure funding package structured by Allied Irish Bank (GB).

The 55 bedroom facility has been purchased from its previous owners Embrace Care Group and will become RDCP Care’s flagship nursing home.

Kings Bromley Nursing Home provides specialist residential, nursing, palliative, dementia and physical disability care for older people.

It offers expert care and support to people with a wide range of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart and chest related problems, reduced mobility and dementia.

Despite the change in ownership, no changes to staff will be made at the care home. The new owners plan to make a range of aesthetic

improvements to the facility including redecorating and refurbishing the property.

Established in July 2015 by Sameer Rizvi and Iryna Dubylovska, RDCP Care is the care home management arm and subsidiary of London based investment firm RD Capital Partners LLP. Kings Bromley marks the company’s first nursing home acquisition of 2017, with a deal pipeline to acquire at least two further care homes this year.

Relationship manager David Booth from Allied Irish Bank (GB) developed a seven-figure funding deal to support RDCP Care’s acquisition of the nursing home.

Sameer Rizvi, managing partner of RD Capital Partners LLP, said: “As an investment firm, our main focus is buying out and managing care homes and nursing homes across the UK. “The UK has a robust care sector and arguably the world’s best investment landscape, which is

Allied Irish Bank (GB) relationship manager David Booth with Kings Bromley home manager Rosie Howell and new owners Iryna Dubylovska and Sameer Rizvi. supported by very favourable demographics and excellent service providers (lawyers, accountants, brokers and bankers). Over the next decade or so, we see a number of investment opportunities that will allow us to provide top returns for RDCP partners and investors.”

“We are very pleased that our acquisition of Kings Bromley Nursing Home has been a success. This is precisely the type of care home we look for: ‘Good’ CQC rating, stellar financial performance, largely purpose-built and run by a top management team.”

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Green light for care home LNT Care Developments has received planning permission to build a 66-bed care home on the site of the former Herne Bay Golf Club.

Canterbury City Council approved the planning application for the care home. The facility will provide residential and dementia care for those aged over 65 years.

Once complete, the home will be a strong community facility, integrating with the nearby local facilities of shops, churches and schools.

It will provide fully en-suite bedrooms, spacious communal areas, and state-of-the-art amenities including a cinema, library, garden room and tea shop, all surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.

The home is designed to best enable the delivery of quality care and

provide a positive lifestyle choice for local people who may be frail, elderly or living with dementia.

Christine Cooper, project director at LNT Care Developments, said: “We are delighted to be building such a fantastic care home for Barchester Healthcare. It is also great news for Herne Bay, creating 50 jobs in the local area and providing a high quality resource for elderly people in the local community.

“The facility will incorporate intelligent dementia design and be eco-friendly by benefitting from ground source heat pumps, solar thermal panels and LED lighting keeping utility costs low.”

Construction is due to start in June, with a predicted completion date for May 2018.

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What does the next Parliament hold in store for funding and other issues?’

By Zairab Zabier AS WE approach the General Election on June 8, the question on the minds of UK care providers will be: “What is the outlook for health and social care funding?”

In this article, we look at both the levels of current provision, and those pledged within the manifestoes of the main parties seeking to form the next Government.

In a largely interview-based report produced jointly between the King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust last autumn, we learn of “social care providers under pressure, struggling to retain staff, maintain quality and stay in business; local authorities making unenviable choices about where to make reductions; a complex set of causes of delays in discharging older people from hospital; and the voluntary sector keeping services going even when funding was curtailed.” (Social care for older people– Home truths, 15 September 2016).

(Report in PDF form: https://www. kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/field/ field_publication_file/Social_care_ older_people_Kings_Fund_Sep_2016. pdf) At a glance, it is clear that many providers are becoming increasingly

reliant on private, self-funding clients, as opposed to those which are local authority funded, for the sustainability of their businesses and the continuity of quality patient care.

Not least amongst the host of difficulties being confronted by care providers is the acute difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff.

Staffing crises are the norm for many enterprises: whilst many organisations rely heavily on the ability to recruit care staff from overseas – a large contingent of these hailing originally from Eastern Europe – the complicating factor in that regard remains the long term problem of the movement of, in particular, EU migrant care workers post-Brexit.

Beyond that key issue, a look at EU countries’ percentage of GDP spending on health and social care funding, compared to that of the UK, is fairly straightforward at first sight: we lag significantly behind most comparator [EU] countries.

It should be noted here that the overall picture is rendered less clear by a number of complicating factors, for instance that calculations of these national spends does not distinguish between public and private funding.

At the time of writing, none of the main parties have published their

Zairab Zabier election manifestoes; still it is likely to be the case that in the end, whichever party forms the next Government – a Conservative landslide victory is being roundly predicted – the same problematic themes will be around to torment them: funding sources – to raise taxes or not, and the availability, or otherwise, of high quality staff.

Finally, what happens in the event that Government funding continues to be the Achilles heel of the industry, to the extent that it currently is?

Well, it’s the scenario faced and contemplated with awe by local

authorities – responsibility for direct care provision falls squarely back on them.

It’s the situation least favoured by all stakeholders in the present climate; but can the pressure exerted by the industry on those who which to form the next party of Government be positively realised? n Zairab Zabier is managing director and solicitor at Zenith Lawyers LLP. The views expressed in this article are that of the author and should not be relied upon as legal advice.

Madelaine Richardson, Vice Chair of Bassetlaw Council, Laura Higginbottom, MD of Horizon Care Group and directors Rachel Higginbottom and Carol Higginbottom.

New care service opens its doors in Worksop GREENACRES Grange care service has opened in Worksop thanks to a seven-figure funding package from Yorkshire Bank.

The care service will be a boost to the Worksop economy, creating over 50 full time jobs in all areas of employment, from cooks to nursing and administration staff.

Laura Higginbottom, director, Horizon Care, said: “We are happy to have received Yorkshire Bank funding.

“It has supported us to undertake

the development of Greenacres Grange, which we know will go on to provide employment and support to the local community.”

The care service will offer residential, nursing and dementia care, along with a day support centre, café and aquatherapy pool.

The care service is operated by Horizon Care, an already well-known care provider in South Yorkshire.

They operate the Waterside Grange care services in Dinnington as well as Wood Hill complex in Sheffield.

£10m home in Kenilworth completed for WCS Care

By Olivia Taylor WCS Care has opened its doors to welcome older people and those with dementia at its latest care home, Castle Brook in Kenilworth.

Royal Bank of Scotland supported the development with a funding package to allow the Warwickshirebased care home charity to forge ahead with its expansion plans in the Midlands.

Providing specialist care for 84 older people, Castle Brook has been designed with individual households of 14 people to promote a sense of community and wellbeing.

It includes a mix of private fee payers and the relocation of 34 residents from the provider’s Woodside home in Warwick, which is set to be replaced by a new home for 72 older people and people with dementia.

The new development will see a 50 per cent increase in current occupancy levels and will pave the way for improved, modern facilities.

Work is expected to start in June, subject to planning permission, and the project has received £5.9million finance facilities from Royal Bank of Scotland.

Facilities at Castle Brook include a café, spa, cinema, salon and a shop, along with the latest innovative nurse

Kenny Nelson (Royal Bank of Scotland) and Christine Asbury (chief executive of WCS Care). call and acoustic technology to help maintain dignity and independence for people living with dementia.

Castle Brook is one of the first care homes in Warwickshire to have double apartments for couples or relatives wanting to stay together.

It has a community feel inside and outdoors, where keeping active is encouraged through secure, private gardens and a side-by-side bike for

two. Royal Bank of Scotland has sponsored the purchase of WCS Care’s second side-by-side bike (costing in the region of £3,000) for another of the charity’s homes to support the group’s values and ethos.

Castle Brook has already created 50 new jobs for the local area with more to follow, adding to the 650 employees across WCS Care.

This latest addition in its portfolio of 13 facilities will increase the turnover to £16million.

Christine Asbury, chief executive of WCS Care, said: “We’re delighted with Castle Brook and the positive impact this has already had for residents and their families.

“Royal Bank of Scotland has been avid supporters over the years and we are proud that they have worked alongside us to create state-of-the-art facilities in Kenilworth and continue to support us moving forward.

“We’re always looking for new ways to ensure that every day is well lived for residents, so we’re excited about our future plans – including our new state-of-the-art care home in Warwick – and how Royal Bank of Scotland will play an important part in our growth.”

WCS Care is the first care home group in England to have five homes recognised as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

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Group set to open second London site

SPECIALIST business property adviser Christie & Co has brokered the letting of the former Dowe House care home in Blackheath, London on behalf of Merchant Taylors’ Consolidated Charities for the Infirm.

The care home has been let for 25 years to The Cinnamon Care Collection, an exclusive retirement operator with eight further homes across the Midlands and South of England.

The home will undergo a £2m refurbishment and is set to reopen later in the year providing 41 bedrooms.

Bernard Wynne, director at Christie & Co who handled the deal, said: “We were delighted to assist such a renowned establishment and charity in leasing this care home to an increasingly established premium care brand.

“Cinnamon recently refurbished Leah Lodge, which is also near Blackheath Village, acquired through Christie & Co on a leasehold basis.

“They continue to demonstrate that following extensive refurbishment, existing care homes can deliver the highest quality environment and care.”

48

CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS

Activities co-ordinator Richard Dempslake and resident Yveline Yeoman.

Exhibition features residents’ artwork ARTWORK produced by five elderly residents of Camelot House in Wellington featured in an exhibition at the local offices of not-for-profit arts organisation Superact.

The exhibition was the culmination of the Handmade Wellbeing project, which was a collaboration celebrating the importance and value of creativity in care settings, between Somersetbased Superact and three partner institutions based in Finland, Austria and Estonia.

It showcased artwork created by residents in Wellington and Devon care homes with the support of community artists.

The Camelot House residents worked on a clay tile wall hanging, bearing the imprint of their own hand for over a month, with support from Somerset ceramicist Mary Kembery, project lead-artist Jon Lincoln Gordon, and Wellington artist Ruth Fielder.

The participants produced individual templates from which they developed clay models, finished off with a variety of textures and paints.

The completed wall hanging was returned to Camelot House after the exhibition and displayed for residents

and families to enjoy.

Clare Woodhead, operations manager for Camelot Care, said: “There is evidence that this kind of project has a positive effect on support staff as well as residents because it’s such a great way of keeping people with dementia engaged and stimulated.

“Benefits for participants can include a reduction in drug usage, and for care home operators such activities can contribute to reducing staff turnover so it’s a winner all round, really, and we’d be delighted to get more involved.”

The art exhibition was preceded by a one-day conference examining the issues covered over the two years the Handmade Wellbeing project has been running, focusing on why the use of creativity in care homes is so important.

The project attracted €46,000 worth of European funding, under the Erasmus scheme, to promote study of and share best practices for learning, and the partners will now jointly develop an education model to coach arts and crafts professionals and educators to work with the elderly in care.

All your care management needs covered with ZURI ZURI, the mobile, web-based care management solution developed

by Care Software Solutions, has added a rostering platform as well an eMAR system to its suite of solutions, making ZURI the most comprehensive care management solution in the care industry today.

ZURI Rostering creates a consolidated, end-to-end staff management solution allowing managers to more efficiently manage staffing schedules, taking into account and matching client and staff requirements and preferences with staff skills sets.

Newly implemented ZURI eMAR, streamlines the medication administration process by providing nurses and carers with real-time access to medication schedules, prescribed doses, improved legibility and instantaneous alerts that notify them of potential medication safety concerns, such as missed doses and signatures.

Although ZURI has grown into a comprehensive care management solution, at the heart of the

organisation remains personalised care planning.

ZURI Care Planning brings together all the vital features that carers need into one centralised, digital location allowing them to do their job much more efficiently, spending less time documenting and more time on what is important – caring for their clients.

Managers are better able to securely manage and personalise client care planning and monitor care delivery remotely.

ZURI’s unique suite of services creates a truly end-to-end care management solution, from HR and recruitment, rostering, time and attendance, and care planning, through to facilitating billing and payroll.

Care Software Solutions will be showcasing ZURI’s new suite of solutions on stand C76 at Health + Care exhibition in London.

Manor Art launches brochure and ‘Back in the Day’ packs

MANOR Art is a picture framing business established for some 25 years and built on the creation, manufacture and installation of impactful wall art projects.

The company operates extensively in the healthcare and hospitality sectors, working within leading brands including Marriott, Arora Hotels, Travelodge, Jury’s Inn, BUPA, Malmaison, HC-One, Anchor, Priory, and FSHC amongst others; managing projects from start to finish alongside interior design and fit-out partners.

Manor Art has extensive experience in managing care home projects.

Whether working from the client’s own ideas or working up the project via the Manor Art in-house design team and artists to produce a first class product that can include framed prints, canvases, acrylic and foamex art, tapestries and mirrors.

A nationwide installation service is also available, no job is too big or too small, and all our fitting teams are uniformed and trained by our charity partners at the Alzheimer’s Society to be ‘Dementia friendly’ Additionally, and having a strong heritage in producing ‘Pictures with Dementia in mind’, Manor Art has launched a new 146-page dementia picture brochure, along with an easy to order guide.

The pictures are divided into categories, to allow both easy viewing and to assist when grouping pictures in order to theme the room or corridor pictures.

The company also specialises in selecting ‘pictures of local interest’ specifically for individual homes and providing a unique and interesting

focus for residents, families and staff.

Alongside the new dementia picture brochure, and as part of our ongoing commitment to use pictures as a positive aid in dementia care, we are also pleased to launch in this edition of Caring UK the new vintage magazine packs.

Called ‘Back in the Day’ the packs include six carefully chosen magazines from the 50’s/60’s/70’s and 80’s and are available to order in ladies interest, gentlemen’s interest and mixed interest packs of six.

Available to order for individual carers at home, or in multiple orders for care home groups, the magazines having been extensively trialled offer a perfect way to positively engage and encourage and evoke reminiscence, nostalgia and happy memories.

Elderly Worsley residents have been researching their past as part of a Salford Museum reminiscence activity. Rations, the War and how life has changed were some of the topics being discussed by residents at Alderwood Care Home.

The Memory Matters service provides a mixture of photos, diaries, news clippings, displays and other assorted items to help elicit residents’ memories. Cher Jarvis, home manager at Alderwood, said: “The service encourages independent viewing – so the residents do their own research. It’s a great resource to prompt conversation and interaction through recognition of objects that elicit memories.”

Will your care plans stand up at the next inspection?

CareDocs has many years of experience supporting customers to create and manage care plans that will stand up to any inspection.

Using our simple three-step method, even care staff who have limited experience will be able to complete comprehensive and user-friendly assessments which are then used to build truly person-

centred care plans that detail the needs and preferences for all the people that you care for.

Any changes to circumstances can be quickly and easily updated in the care plan and these changes communicated to all the relevant staff. Managers can always be certain that reviews will be carried out on time, every time.

49

CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS

Combating isolation in the care setting ISOLATION has been linked to depression, mental health and even high blood pressure.

Age UK reported that 3.9 million older people regarded TV as their main form of company. How can care homes combat the effects of feeling isolated considering their often overstretched workforce?

For elderly moving around can be difficult, heavy fire doors make it difficult to move from one area to another.

This leads to residents staying in one place for long periods of time,

increasing their feeling of isolation.

Many care settings resort to propping their fire doors open, which is an illegal and dangerous practice.

You can instead hold your fire doors open legally with Dorgard, a batterypowered door holder.

Easy to install and wire free, Dorgard will automatically release the door on the sound of your fire alarm, allowing the fire door to close, preventing the spread of fire.

Your residents will feel more independent, which in turn will improve their mental health.

The missing piece of the jigsaw?

AT Eldercare Solutions, we regularly talk to care providers who are unaware that self-funders can, in effect, ‘insure’ their care fees.

It may not be an affordable or viable option for everyone but what we do know is that approximately 85 per cent of selffunders are not even told about it and instead just pay fees from capital, hoping it won’t run out.

If this happens, it’s not good news for anyone.

With more care providers

targeting the private fee payer market, surely providing those clients with access to specialist care fees planning advice needs to be a vital part of that strategy?

We can supply you with leaflets, free of charge, for display in your care homes and inclusion in enquiry packs.

These will give your self-funders access to our Freephone number 0800 082 1155 where they will be able to chat with one of our SOLLA accredited advisers about their funding options.

Stunning new Equinox Evolve DANFLOOR UK is receiving a warm welcome by clients to its new Equinox Evolve range which forms part of its award winning Equinox Collection.

The new Equinox Evolve has an elegant and contemporary pattern; available in 13 colours is has been designed to sit comfortably alongside the Equinox Tones range, enabling the creation of exquisite interior design schemes.

Also, coming soon is the new Nylon Collection Evolution.

Six new designs; aptly titled Scape, Geo Form, Origin, Glaze, Manhattan and Forest and will offer a variety of

Laundry: How to eliminate the risk of infection ...

CLEAN linen is a fundamental requirement of care, as items that come into direct contact with skin, such as clothing, bed linen and towels, become contaminated during use.

The incorrect handling or storing of this contaminated linen is a key point of risk for residents. Worryingly, however, research found one in four care homes in the UK are unaware of the Department for Health’s CFPP 01-04 guidelines on decontamination of linen for social care.

Ensuring compliance to CFPP 01-04 is something a care home can either do internally, via an in-house laundry service, or outsource to a commercial textile services partner.

An in-house laundry service is a time and space intensive process.

As such, increasing numbers of care homes are outsourcing to external laundry providers, such as Berendsen.

As a long term, major supplier to the NHS, private and social healthcare sectors, each of Berendsen’s healthcare laundry facilities are certified to the highest European Standard for bio-contamination control – BS EN14065.

The company’s service removes the day-to-day stresses of running an in-house laundry service, allowing for a substantial reduction in the amount of time that care home staff need to spend on laundry.

The only responsibility care home staff has is to handle its laundry according to the care home’s procedures, prior to collection and following delivery.

As the leading provider of textile services to the healthcare sector in the UK, Berendsen has the expertise to meet any care home’s textiles and laundry needs and enable enhanced infection control.

Wellbeing from the bottom up

designs from subtle to bold statement pieces and will be available to view at this year’s Care and Dementia Show in Birmingham.

MORE people in Britain suffer from faecal incontinence than from asthma or diabetes.

Any bowel issue is rarely discussed, but it has huge consequences in terms of health, hygiene and wellbeing.

New developments in assistive technology are enabling sufferers to deal with at least some of the consequences in a dignified, sanitary way.

Clos-o-Mat’s new range of Vita bidet toilets, with their built-in douching and drying, deliver the best performance available.

When triggered, the toilet simultaneously flushes and begins the warm water cleaning process, automatically followed by warm air drying.

As a result, any soiling is efficiently and consistently washed away, and the user’s bottom is left clean and dry without any need to use manually wipe with toilet tissue.

Risk of faeces left in skin contact and potential for skin irritation through excessive rubbing with tissue is removed. The potential for cross contamination through hand:body contact is reduced, even eliminated.

The new-look Clos-o-Mat Vita range now

includes options to suit every style and user preference.

The brand-leading Palma Vita is the UK’s biggest-selling automatic toilet. The Lima Vita is the wall-hung version, whilst the Lima Lifter brings full height-adjustability.

Enquiries: Call 0161 969 1199 or email info@clos-o-mat.com

Simple solutions

More affordable, more absorbent.

New incontinence range DEVELOPED over 12 months, Anov – the name of the new range, provides more absorption than leading incontinence brands and incorporates a variety of premium quality products.

Beaucare® Medical is the exclusive stockist and distributor of the new Anov incontinence range in the UK. It is estimated that incontinence affects between three and six million people in the UK. It affects both men and women of any age, but is more common in women.

The new Anov range includes products to suit all degrees of incontinence including Light Pads, Shaped Pads, Slips, Pull ups and Pants.

Operations director Heather Mawrey said: “We were aware that care home budgets were being squeezed and that residents’ comfort was key. We developed the new Anov range over 12 months with those factors in mind.”

To accompany the launch, Beaucare is providing care homes with full product training and support materials to help assess each patient for their individual requirements.

Contact Beaucare for more information plus a full comparison between the Anov product range and the leading brand.

Enquiries: Call 01423 873666, email sales@ beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com

SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems.

The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition.

With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur.

Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry! It’s that simple...

The WACMAT® will then be clean and odourfree, ready to perform time and time again.

Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.

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CARINGINDUSTRY NEWS

Care homes cycle more than 700 miles for the Alzheimer’s Society

By Olivia Taylor

Athena Health Care Group’s Parklands Lodge in Southport is celebrating after being named one of the top 20 recommended care homes from Carehome.co.uk and also its first birthday.

Gaye Clark, group head of care of Athena, congratulated manager Benn Mott on the success. He said: “We have a great caring team here at Parklands Lodge, and our residents are living their lives to the fullest.”

If you have got a story for the next issue of Caring UK, email it to ot@scriptmedia.co.uk or call Olivia Taylor on 01226 734407

VOLUNTEERS from across Teesside have covered hundreds of miles on static bikes to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Five care homes in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool hosted the charity cycling marathon over the space of a week.

Staff, residents, family, friends and volunteers from across the region took turns in the saddle to clock up 713 miles – more than double the original 300-mile target.

The homes, all operated by the Hill Care Group, raised £559 for the charity.

They include: n Queens Meadow, Hartlepool. n Mandale House, Thornaby. n The Gables, Middlesbrough. n Ingleby, Ingleby Barwick. n The Beeches, Newtown.

Among those who participated in the challenge were volunteers from the Middlesbrough FC and Hartlepool United National Citizenship Services.

Pupils and teachers from several local schools also took part.

The endurance challenge is in support of Hill Care managing director Wendy Waddicor, who will complete a 300-mile cycle from London to Paris to raise funds for

Some of the staff and residents from Hill Care Group homes who took part in the charity cycle, which raised £559 for the Alzheimer’s Society. the Alzheimer’s Society. volunteers who gave up their time to She said: “I’m incredibly proud of take part in the challenge, including our homes going to such an effort our staff who came in on their days to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s off, bringing their families and Society, which is a charity close to friends to take turns on the bikes. the hearts of everyone at Hill Care.

“The support our homes receive “They covered an incredible in the North East is incredible and distance throughout the week and means so much to our residents and have raised an astonishing amount staff.” of money, which will help fund The Teesside home’s fundraising research and education. efforts have pushed Wendy’s total to “I’d also l thank all those more than £3,000 so far.

High Sheriff opens £800,000 extension THE High Sheriff of Lincolnshire officially opened The Orders of St John Care Trust’s £800,000 extension of The Poplars in Market Rasen.

Jill Hughes joined Don Wood CBE, chairman of OSJCT’s Trustees, Dan Hayes, chief executive of OSJCT and people from the local community to cut the ribbon and declare the new facility open to residents.

Designed to meet the needs of older people with dementia, the new extension features 11 bedrooms, living space, dining and communal areas.

Dan said: “Adding this new facility to The Poplars has been a significant project for us and we’re grateful to everyone involved in its development.

“As a Trust we are committed to providing the best level of care to enable residents to feel safe,

comfortable and relaxed.

“The investment in this extension means our team will have the best resources we can provide to continue to make a real difference to people living with dementia.”

OSJCT, which operates 15 care homes in Lincolnshire, decided to extend the home following an increase in enquiries from people looking for specialist dementia care in the area.

The new household, which has taken almost a year to develop, has communal facilities, a large open plan sitting/dining area and kitchen for residents to enjoy.

The large single bedrooms have en-suite facilities, with assisted bathrooms. All rooms have digital television and telephone points, as well as a 24-hour nurse call facility.