Caring Uk March 2011 by Script Media

15/2/11

16:21

Page 1

March 2011

incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector

no.178 • £4.75 In association with

Highest-rated homes could be hit hardest By Dominic Musgrave CARE standards could be suffering as a result of the abolition of star ratings by the inspectorate last year, it has been claimed. And those operators who have invested heavily in a bid to get the ‘excellent’ rating will suffer the most, according to Alan Firth, executive chairman of Meridian Healthcare. The head of the North of England based company, which has care homes in the North West and Yorkshire, was speaking at a dementia seminar in Leeds sponsored by DC Care, Lupton Fawcett and Santander. He said: “Care standards could drop as a consequence of star ratings going. I am nervous about what the regulator is going to do instead because I was a big advocate of the old system and didn’t think it went far enough. We all associate five stars with hotels and Michelin stars with restaurants as a measurement of quality, and it enables you to differentiate between something that is of poor quality and another that is excellent. “I thought the rating for care homes should have been broader, and for the CQC to do away with it is quite

bizarre. It wasn’t because the system wasn’t working but because they couldn’t administer it. “I am worried about those operators who have invested in large en-suite rooms, staff training and facilities for residents to ensure they are providing good quality care because it may be that they will be inspected by tick boxes in future. I hope the CQC introduces positive.” And Martin Green, chief executive of ECCA, said the regulator’s new approach to inspections could also hit those care homes at the top hardest. He added: “Star ratings were axed for no other reason than the CQC’s inability to deliver on it.” The CQC looks like it is going to take a reactive approach to the way it inspects, and I can see those poor quality providers lying on their forms. “I can see there being a large scandal that will hit the national newspapers and affect the whole sector, particularly those at the top because they will have invested in their facilities and staff training to ensure they are doing things right.” Do you share Alan’s and Martin’s concerns? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone him on 01226 734407.

Bupa support for film

Actors Alan Halsall (pictured above) and Lucy-Jo Hudson delighted residents when they visited two of a care group's homes in the North East. Alan, better known as Coronation Street mechanic Tyrone Dobbs, took a break from the cobbles to attend coffee mornings at Ideal Homes' Wynyard Woods and Middlesbrough Grange. At Wynyard Woods in Billingham he was presented with a cake modelled on the garage where he works in the hit soap, while the residents’ lounge was decorated like the Rovers Return. Picture: ITV Pictures

A NEW film highlighting the frustrations and joys of a wife trying to connect with her husband with advanced dementia has been launched. Ten Glorious Seconds features Emmy-award winning actor David Suchet, best known for his role as Agatha Christie's Poirot, and veteran British actors Paul Collard and Gabrielle Hamilton. The production has been supported by healthcare company Bupa with director of dementia care, Dr Graham Stokes, featuring in a special film alongside the main feature, offering advice to people on how to connect with loved ones in the advanced stages of the disease. Written by Carol Younghusband and Directed by the BBC’s Simon Pitts, Ten Glorious Seconds is privately financed by individual donors in the UK, the US and worldwide. It was filmed at Bupa’s The Springs care home in Malvern.

02 Courtney Thorne

15/2/11

13:50

Page 1

15/2/11

16:23

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Criticised home has improved By Christina Eccles A DUNDEE care home given a damning report last year by the Scottish inspectorate has already made dramatic improvements to the standard of care it offers. The Care Commission issued a highlycritical report of Moyness last October following an announced inspection. The Balhousie facility, which can look after 33 residents, was given the lowest mark possible in the report published last October, a month after it had been blacklisted by the city council's social work department because of concerns over the treatment of residents. It had also been reprimanded for the "unacceptable" treatment of the late John Ferguson, who died at the home in June last year, at he age of 86. It was found Mr Ferguson has been left in a “dishevelled” state and that staff had failed to properly monitor his physical wellbeing. However, a surprise inspection carried out in November following a complaint about inadequate facilities in the care home and the general health and care of residents found that the home was now providing ‘adequate’ care for residents. It was also given the same rating for the quality of staffing, environment and management – the third lowest out of six. A spokesman for the inspectorate said:

“The Care Commission carried out an investigation and upheld this complaint, before making a number of requirements against the service in order to improve the standards of care being provided to residents and their families. “The investigation findings were provided to the service and we are now awaiting an action plan detailing how these issues will be addressed. “We will agree this plan if it meets the improvements required and we will continue to work with the service provider and monitor Moyness to ensure the standards of care improve. “Should the improvements not be achieved we will take further action if necessary.” The improvements required included keeping relatives better informed about the wellbeing of residents and ensuring careplans are up-to-date. A spokesman for Balhousie Care Group said, “We are pleased that the Care Commission has awarded higher grades across the board at Balhousie Moyness Care Home following its most recent inspection. We continue to work closely with the Care Commission to address their recommendations and remaining points for action as we move forward, and look forward to continuing to build on these improved grades."

www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry

David Bellamy with Dianne King and Avnish Goyal

Botanist opens new site DOCTOR David Bellamy OBE officially opened a care group's new Wokingham site. The well known botanist joined Alexandra Grange general manager Sam Ndlovu, care staff and Hallmark Healthcare managing director Avnish Goyal at the launch event, which was also attended by sector professionals, prospective residents and councillors Dianne King and Mo Larkin, the borough mayors of Wokingham and Basildon respectively. David unveiled an official commemorative plaque before taking a tour of the home and helping guests play on the Nintendo Wii games console. He also had time to retreat to the home’s complementary treatment room for a spot of therapy. Other facilities at the 55-bed home, which offers residential, nursing and dementia care, include a café, surround-sound cinema room, therapy room and relatives' bedroom.

National Sales Executives: Rebecca Hazell Tel: 01226 734685 Email: rh@whpl.net Mandy Edwards Tel: 01226 734333 Email: mandye@caring-uk.co.uk Fax: 01226 734477

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

Editorial Group Editor: Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 Fax: 01226 734478 Healthcare Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 Reporter: Christina Eccles Tel: 01226 734463 Group Deputy Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734458 Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ wharncliffepublishing.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur.

You can now follow us on Twitter at caringuk

15/2/11

16:23

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Errors are more likely with liquid medicine By Dominic Musgrave

Sir Thomas Lipton manager Noreen Ross and her deputy Angela Caul receive the award from Maggie Stobbarts-Rowland from the National Gold Standards Framework.

Home achieves gold standard hallmark in end-of-life care A NORTH London care home has been accredited with the Gold Standards Framework quality hallmark for end-of-life care. Sir Thomas Lipton residential home in Southgate is one of approximately 180 homes nationwide to receive the award, and the second owned by Friends of the Elderly. All of the group’s 12 other sites are currently working on the programme to enhance end of life care in care homes. Manager Noreen Ross said the award demonstrates the ongoing commitment to high quality care and

their understanding of the importance of respecting the wishes of older people at the end of their lives. She added: “Not only has it enabled us to highlight the excellent care given by our staff, it recognises that our residents are treated with dignity and respect, and their wishes and preferences are listened to wherever possible. Supporting residents and families at end of life is an emotional experience for everyone involved, but we feel that respecting a resident’s choices at that time is an important part of the care we offer.”

CARE home residents are more than four times likely to get the wrong dose of medicine when it is in liquid form as they are when given pills/capsules provided in a dispenser, it has been claimed. Research led by Dr David Alldred, from the Academic Unit of Medicines Management at Leeds University’s School of Healthcare, also found that the likelihood of a mistake was 19 times higher when using a cream, injection or eye drop, and more than 33 times as likely when an inhaler was used. David told Caring UK dosing errors were picked up during the course of two drug rounds for each of the 233 residents in 55 care homes. He added: “Following an earlier study we wanted to know in more detail what errors were occurring on the drug round, and what influence the different type of medication being administered has. “The results of the study were surprising – mistakes in liquid medicine were four times higher than those in tablet form, and more than 30 per cent when using an

inhaler. The rate was twice as high for tablets/capsules provided in the manufacturer’s original packing as it was for pills provided in a dispenser. “We are not looking to criticise care home staff, but want to highlight the issue and push for more training and support for them in this area because those we have spoken to have said it is something they would be interested in.” The study found most care homes used two parallel systems of drug administration because swallowing difficulties mean some elderly people need to take their medicines in liquid form. Inhalers, injections, cancer drugs, and those requiring refrigeration, cannot be provided in monitored dosage systems intended to simplify rounds for staff and cut the risk of mistakes. David added: “Although dispensers seem to carry less risk of a dosing error, they are not without their difficulties. “They require the manual transfer and checking of pills, which is both labour-intensive and expensive, and this is not easy when several tablets are needed for one compartment.”

New chapter as Bupa homes introduce reading days RESIDENTS in Bupa care homes across the UK enjoyed a day of classic tales and poems during National Storytelling Week, which aimed to increase awareness of the value of sharing stories. The company teamed up with The Reader Organisation, which has been working with care homes since 2006, promoting the links between reading and wellbeing. Members of local communities and school children were invited to take part in the events, where extracts from “A Little, Aloud”, a collection of short stories and poems specifically chosen by the charity, were read out. Community affairs manager Siobhan Drane said: “Storytelling is one of the oldest and most loved pastimes there is. It captures imaginations and helps stimulate thoughts and memories. Good old fashioned storytelling really brings generations together, and this was a great opportunity to reminisce, share stories and let imaginations run wild.”

Resident Charlie Hopkins with Bupa's community affairs manager Siobhan Drane and Katie Clark from The Reader Organisation.

Nathan names new care scheme A CARE charity’s new £8.3m extra care scheme in Gravesend has been named by an eight-year-old from a nearby school. Nathan Sizer suggestion of Abbeyfield Kent Society’s Watling Court was chosen from 100s of

suggestions, and originated from the A2’s original name of Watling Steet. At a topping out ceremony the Society’s chairman Robert Barnes climbed 35ft up scaffolding to unveil a weather vane, which was donated by building contractor Osbournes.

15/2/11

16:57

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Animal-loving care group makes pet plan A CARE group has launched a drive to promote the inclusion of at least one pet in every home to improve the wellbeing of residents. Sanctuary’s 42 homes nationwide boast more than 15 cats, five guinea pigs, 15 rabbits, a dog, 15 chickens, ten fish tanks, 15 other birds such as budgerigars and cockatiels, and one hamster. In addition, residents receive visits from owls, rats, scorpions, donkeys, a giant snail and a water dragon. Director of care Len Merton said research shows stroking, playing with, feeding and looking after animals is good for the health and can reduce stress and blood pressure levels. He added: “It is all about creating homes from homes. Pets are very therapeutic and particularly to elderly people. “Many of our residents will have had pets before and it just creates a very nice atmosphere to see a pet given a special place in a home. We are passionate about ensuring our care homes are homely, and having a pet is just one element of creating a nice environment.” “We even produce care plans for our pets to ensure they are given the same

loving care as our residents!” One of the group’s homes, Chadwell House in Romford, Essex, which specialises in residents with dementia, boasts six rabbits, four guinea pigs, two budgies, 10 chickens and two cockatiels. Manager Chris Gammons said: “We find it enhances residents’ wellbeing. They love stroking the animals and it is very therapeutic for them. “We have one guy who likes to go out to see if the chickens have laid any eggs. Many of our residents will have had animals in their own homes so it helps to create a very homely effect here. “We all muck in looking after them and helping to clean them out.” When it comes to pets, Sanctuary Care homes for the elderly have proved they’re top dog. It also considers requests from people moving into its homes who may want to bring a pet with them. According to the Pet Health Council, pets can help prevent illness and allergies, lower blood pressure, aid recovery and boost chances of survival after lifethreatening illness.

Maxwell Craven officially opened Barchester Healthcare’s newest care home in Derbyshire. The writer and historian unveiled a plaque at Bluebell Park in Chellaston before helping six-year-old Judith Wilks, a pupil from the nearby Homefields Primary School, cut the celebratory cake. Judith gave the home its name when the build began last year. The 64-bed facility opened its doors to residents in the autumn after taking just 10 months to build. Picture: Maxwell helps youngster Judith Wilks cut a cake to celebrate the opening of Bluebell Park.

15/2/11

16:25

Page 1

CARINGPEOPLE

The owner of a West Sussex care home has celebrated her third anniversary at the helm. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Hard slog sees Zoe achieve her ambition WHEN Zoe Bates’ grandmother passed away in 2007 her partner and parents asked her whether she could make a difference in elderly care. The former hospital matron who later went on to become a general manager in the NHS drew up a business plan and, with help and investment from those around her she purchased Valerie Manor on the outskirts of Brighton. She told Caring UK the experiences she gained while working as a manager have proved invaluable over the years, particularly when overseeing the building of an eight-bed extension which has been plagued by problems. “I haven’t really looked back since,” she added. “Although there have been some difficult times and it has been a huge learning curve I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to fulfill my ambition and be able to change some of the lives of the elderly who have to make the difficult decision to move into a care home. “It has been a hard slog and stressful getting the extension built, particularly with the residents in situ and, because I live on the site, I see everything day in and day out. “We began interviewing for new jobs last year and, because the completion date has been put back a couple of times, it has been tough getting staff. Inevitably we have lost a few who have needed to find jobs.” Looking ahead Zoe says she has no plans to acquire any further homes, but would like to expand

Zoe celebrates her third anniversary with staff what we have by expanding too the business once her current much. project is fully functional. “People are constantly telling me She added: “Because we have that there is a need for dementia such a good reputation in the services, which is something we local area I wouldn’t want to dilute

may look at doing down the line, and I would also like to go out into the community and start offering homecare from here, but that is some way off yet.”

15/2/11

16:26

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Home closes amid concerns by inspectorate By Christina Eccles A LUTON care home has been closed down after the inspectorate feared for its residents. The CQC has said that it would have been forced to close the Griffin Care Centre had its owners, Southern Cross, not taken the decision to do so themselves. All 57 residents have been found alternative accommodation after serious concerns were raised about the way medicines were managed and administered. In one particular case the CQC’s pharmacy inspector found two medications being given together, which was not in line with the details on the administration sheet and the medication label. Regional director Frances Carey said this was raised with the operators, who were asked to ensure that this practice stopped. He added: "In our view, some elements of the failings we found were leaving people at continued risk. "It is a significant concern that during a visit to the home the inspector

had to take direct action to prevent trained staff from administrating these medications at the same time. “We had previously taken action to restrict admissions to the home, and asked for a series of actions to be taken to ensure that the home complied with essential standards of quality and safety. “These related to significant failings across a number of areas of care provision.” The CQC said it had worked closely with Luton Borough Council and NHS Luton to make sure people living at the home were found suitable alternative accommodation. A spokesman for Southern Cross said: “Regrettably, we can confirm that recent CQC inspection visits highlighted concerns regarding the administration of medicines within The Griffin Care Centre. “We apologise for any concern or distress this may have caused our residents or their families. “We have robust policies and procedures in place for the storage and administration of medicines.”

A former award-winning breeder, trainer and racer of greyhounds was reunited with his favourite breed in a surprise visit to the Bournemouth care home where he has lived for the last five years. A special visit to Care South’s The Fearnes was arranged for 80-year-old Kenneth Coulthwaite by Jenny Boyce, a volunteer for local voluntary group Caring Canines. Ken is pictured with Jenny Boyce from Caring Carines and deputy home manager Lynne Rourke.

15/2/11

16:26

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Liverpool home fined over resident fall A LIVERPOOL nursing home has been fined £18,000 after an 81-yearold resident fell to the ground while being lifted out of bed. Frances Shannon fell three feet and suffered a broken shoulder as well as injuries to her back and elbow at the Catholic Blind Institute run Christopher Grange nursing home. She died in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital the following day. The home was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for failing to carry out regular checks of the lifting sling being used. It pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court. The court heard Frances was being moved from her bed to a wheelchair on December 4 2008 when the sling failed. Sarah Wadham, the investigating inspector at HSE, said: “Mrs

Shannon's fall would have been prevented if the Catholic Blind Institute had complied with the law for using equipment to lift people. “There should have been regular checks of the sling and it should have been thoroughly examined at least once every six months. Sadly this did not happen. “I would urge care providers, including NHS trusts, primary care trusts and care homes, to ensure that they carry out the necessary examinations and inspections of lifting equipment, to prevent similar tragic incidents in the future.” The Catholic Blind Institute was charged with breaching Regulation 9(3) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It was ordered to pay £13,876 towards the cost of the prosecution in addition to the fine.

£7.1m housing scheme opens A NEW extra care housing scheme for older people in Sunderland has been officially opened by councillor Mel Speding. Bramble Hollow, which received £1.2m in funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, provides 48 purpose-built apartments for the over 55s along with on-site care and support services.

The £7.1m Housing 21 development also features a restaurant, shop, hairdressing salon, activity room and treatment room. The two bedroom apartments for rent or shared ownership have been built to wheelchair mobility standards and have under-floor gas central heating, walk-in showers and fully fitted kitchens.

Ena Young with Penpergwm owner Priscilla Llewelyn and artist Vicky Wilson.

Residents’ art hangs in illustrious company By Louise Cordell THE artwork of residents at an Abergavenny care home is hanging alongside the work of Renoir, Monet and Cezanne in a Cardiff museum. The three-month ‘Treasures that Travel – Birds 2010 project’ brought together the 25 residents from Penpergwym House and 30 pupils from two primary schools. The scheme was the brainchild of the home’s artist-in-residence Vicky Wilson, and the creations, which include paintings as well as screen prints, clay models and instruments to mimic birdsong, will be displayed in the National Museum until the end of March. Vicky said she borrowed 21 different species of bird for the scheme. She added: “The main aim of the project was to link the care home with the local community, and this enabled the residents to rise and shine and take an interest in something they may not have done before. “Life shouldn’t stop when an elderly person moved into a care home, and for a lot of people that I have spoken to who may have been depressed when they first moved in it just gets better. “There is no reason why they

should stop learning either, and they loved being with the youngsters each week on their work. Keeping them mentally active is just as important as keeping them physically active.” The school pupils visited the home each Wednesday, and were paired with a resident for the project. Funding was provided by the Arts Council for Wales. Vicky added: “We have worked with the schools on various things previously, and in the past I have also run a variety of different arts and creative writing projects in the home. “Art is great for reducing stress and anxiety, and I have seen residents grow in confidence over the five years I have worked at the home. “One resident in particular, Ena Young, really grew over the threemonth period. “She told me she hadn’t really done any art since she had left school, and she is 87 now. “It was lovely to see the relationships grow between her and the other residents and the youngsters.” The residents have visited the museum to see their work displayed, and blogs were also made during the project.

09 royal college of nursing

15/2/11

13:51

Page 1

15/2/11

16:27

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Failing home must act immediately By Dominic Musgrave

Residents at a Skelmersdale care home had a hoot when they were visited by a host of feathered friends. Birch Green, which provides nursing and residential care for 74 people, played host to a visit from Wise Owl World, based in Barrow, Cumbria. Residents spent time getting up close and-personal with the three birds on their visit, which saw them perch on hands or shoulders.

THE owners of a Leicestershire care home have been told they must take immediate action to ensure the safety of people in their care. Inspectors from the CQC have found that Saffron House in Barwell was failing to meet 12 essential standards of quality and safety. The main concerns surrounded safeguarding procedures, the standard of management, systems for assessing and monitoring the service, and support to staff. Owner Downing Barwell Ltd has been given 28 days to produce plans to show how it intends to achieve compliance. Andrea Gordon, regional director of CQC in the East and West Midlands, said her staff will monitor the home and take action if it becomes necessary. She added: “It is clear that the management failures we found showed that people who live at Saffron House have not been receiving the quality of care, support and treatment which they must have. We will be taking further

action to protect their interests. “We heard of numerous incidents which were reported by staff in the daily records for people. But there was no evidence that changes in needs following these incidents were investigated or that the incidents were passed on to the relevant agencies such as the local authority, or dealt with properly. “Every single person living in Saffron House is entitled to have their needs assessed properly and to be involved in important decisions about their care and treatment. But they weren’t always consulted, care plans weren’t updated and when things did go wrong the home didn’t seem capable of taking appropriate action.” The inspectors visited the home in response to concerns which were first raised through the county council's procedures to safeguard people from abuse. Since then CQC has been working closely with the council to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents. While there is no immediate risk to the existing residents, the council has now stopped new admissions to the home.

15/2/11

16:27

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Pavilion plan recommended for refusal By Louise Cordell A WREXHAM care group’s plans to build an eco-friendly single-storey pavilion at its main site have been recommended for refusal. Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft has invited members of the county borough council’s planning committee to visit the site before reaching a decision. He told Caring UK the idea for the pavilion came from a consultation with the residents and their families, and will be a place they can visit at a time to suit them. “We believe this is the first centre of its type in Wales, and it doesn’t add anything to the business in terms of expansion,” Mario added. “It is purely about well-being and trying to find a way to further enrich and fulfill people’s lives, to promote quality of life. “It’s an opportunity for them to go outside the four walls where they live, and is equally accessible to residents in each of the different homes. “We look after people with a whole range of needs and essentially this is a community centre for them. For some of our residents, even getting into one of our mini-buses is an effort. “So, the ability to go with a family member to another destination where there will be therapy, the opportunity to have coffee or go to the cyber café seemed to be the type of thing most people would want.”

Mario Kreft The new timber clad building would have high insulation values and a flat roof to utilise solar heating should it be approved. Mario added: “The pavilion would provide people the opportunity to get out of their environment and have a change of scenery. “In reality, it’s a relatively small building and people outside Pendine Park won’t be aware of its existence. When it’s landscaped, you won’t know it’s there. “It is one of the most important care sites in Wales, and the only losers if the pavilion does not go ahead will be the residents and their families.

Amanda Waring cuts the ribbon at Buckingham Lodge flanked by home manager Kerry Smith and councillor Nigel Wilkin (left) and Priory Care Homes’ MD Sharon Butler and Dr Dan Nightingale (right)

Actress Amanda opens Norfolk home ACTRESS, writer, director and producer Amanda Waring officially opened a care group’s newest home in Norfolk, which is expected to create up to 60 jobs. Priory’s Buckingham Lodge in Watton can accommodate 70 residents requiring nursing or dementia nursing care. There is also a choice of

lounges and dining areas as well as a secure, enclosed landscaped garden. The dementia house boasts the latest research into the condition, focussing on a person’s abilities. All residents have access to carefully planned activities and a wide range of professionals including a hairdresser, chiropodist, optician and GP.

15/2/11

16:28

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Matching residents’ interests and abilities with activities is a must By Brenda Clayton EVERYONE has an in-built need to participate in activity, and doing so can improve overall well-being and thereby quality of life. Understanding residents’ requirements is of paramount importance, and a personal activity plan is essential, acting as a constant reminder of the individual’s needs, preferences and capabilities of the client. Finding out about the residents’ likes/dislikes, background, previous jobs, family or the hobbies enjoyed before coming to the home will give an indication of appropriate activities, and this should be reflected in what is offered. While some may be happy to participate in social events, such as group sing-alongs, others may prefer private, one-to-one sessions like reading poetry – this, and all the variations in-between, must be catered for. It is vital to match the residents’ abilities with a complementary activity – presenting something to

a resident they can no longer do or have an interest in will leave both resident and staff feeling disillusioned, whereas offering something they will find stimulating will have a positive and uplifting effect on both parties. The general advice is to try and satisfy five important components into weekly event planning – incorporating physical, sensory, cognitive, emotional and social based activities. The key to success is keeping communication channels open at all times – the activity coordinator must thrive off resident interaction and must have the ability to quickly read a resident’s mood, and duly act upon it. Offering flexibility is also really important as residents can change their minds about participation or involvement, depending on how they are feeling. Voluntary participation is also essential For homes specialising in dementia, recommendations include: involving residents in simple games (using balls and balloons), dusting and rummaging

in reminiscence boxes (including things like lace, old dance programmes etc) to engage and stimulate the senses. Nostalgia quizzes work really well when questions relate to an era you know will spark good memories with residents – something ascertained during the event planning process. This type of activity helps stimulate the brain and, by working in physical elements, such as playing beanbag bowls, also keeps residents supple and active. The most crucial aspect of any activity co-ordination is to know the person you are working with and 'rolling with their world'. What they enjoyed many years ago may not be what they enjoy now. All groups – resident, carer and relative – thrive from the positive outcomes brought about by activities. Residents enjoy being offered a variety of events and gain a lot from voluntary social interaction and an increased sense of community within the home. For carers and relatives, residents appear happier and more content

Brenda Clayton in their home and communication is improved. Brenda has been the activities co-ordinator at the Canford Healthcare owned Barty House in Kent for the last seven years.

Centre of excellence wins major award A NEW centre of excellence to look after people with dementia has won a major UK award and is in the running for another. The Bodlondeb centre at Pendine Park in Wrexham, has been named as the best new dementia care facility in Britain at the UK Over 50s Housing Awards. The prize was presented to proprietor Mario Kreft during the ceremony at London’s Methodist Hall in Westminster. He said: “When we were designing Bodlondeb, we took a great deal of advice, and we have tried to distill the best ideas and best practice to create a new model of care. “We believe it is not only innovative but also affordable to families and

therefore sustainable to the broader community in North East Wales.” Bodlondeb has also been shortlisted in the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards, which will be held at Lords Cricket Ground at the end of March. As a finalist, Pendine Park has received £500 to give to a charity of their choice, which appropriately is the Wrexham branch of the Alzheimer’s Society. The £4m centre, officially opened by First Minister Carwyn Jones last November, has been designed to look after 64 people with dementia who need day care, respite care or residential services. It is divided into eight small, familylike units.

Work begins on development THE first sod was turned at a ceremony to mark the start of work on a new £8.1m housing development for older people in Bristol. Representatives of Housing 21, the city council, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Leadbitter Group gathered together to celebrate the extra care scheme for over 55s in Stockwood, which will provide 61 self-contained apartments with options to rent or buy on a shared ownership basis.

The development will also include a shop, restaurant and hairdressing salon which will be open to members of the local community. Apartments at the new scheme, which has received £3.6m in investment from the Homes and Communities Agency, will each have a fully fitted kitchen and walk-in shower with non-slip flooring to the kitchen and bathroom. An on-site team will provide care and support, tailored to meet individual needs.

13 Safelincs

15/2/11

13:52

Page 1

15/2/11

16:28

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Home trials a new approach to anxiety A WINCHESTER nursing home has successfully trialled a new, non-pharmacological approach to reducing anxiety and depression among its residents. Westacre staff have found that the combination of personal two dimensional memorabilia such as photographs, cards and certificates playing on a DVD with an individual’s favourite music used in conjunction with reminiscence therapy is a useful tool to tackle symptoms of dementia. Sylvia Morse-Carter, manager of the 50-bed Fernside Healthcare run home, said: “The company came into the home and, working alongside both the residents and their families, created a DVD of their life story that we regularly play to them. “A lot of our residents’ eyesight isn’t what it was, which means they struggle to see old

photographs. It was great to see them watching the photos come to life on the big screen, and I’m sure it evoked a lot of happy memories. It is also nice for the relatives to keep a copy to remember their loved one once he or she has passed away.” Anne Forrest, Memories UK founder, came up with the idea after following the work of Bupa’s head of service development Dan Locking. She added: “To anybody who is computer literate Musical Life Story Slideshows are comparatively simple to organise, and perhaps the family could compile one before a future resident enters a care home. “It is very important that they have a positive feel, and that what goes on them will enable carers to initiate conversations and understand the character of the client.”

Manager appointed at nursing home SALLY Chilvers has been appointed the new manager of a Needham Market nursing home. Before transferring to the ‘excellent’ rated Barking Hall she was manager at another care home in the town,

Uvedale Hall, which is also owned and managed by East Anglian care provider Healthcare Homes. Last year the home underwent an expansion programme to increase its number of residents to 49.

St Cross Grange

Residents set to double after £5m changes By Dominic Musgrave WORK has begun on a £5m redevelopment and refurbishment of a Winchester care home which once complete will more than double its registration. The Leadbitter Group has been appointed by Greensleeves Homes Trust to carry out the project at St Cross Grange, which is expected to create approximately 30 new jobs when it is completed in September 2012. The work involves replacing two existing extensions with a new unit, as well as bringing the existing building up to date. All bedrooms will be en-suite. Greensleeves chief executive Kate James said disruption to the current residents living there will be kept to a minimum. She added: “The care home currently there is a typical converted building. “It is a nice old house, but it is causing us challenges for delivering care, particularly as residents moving there have increased dependencies. Looking to the future it is in need of development, and it is going to be particularly costly because over the

years it has had two extensions added that have not been very good and need to be pulled down and replaced. “The original building will still look the same from the outside, but the inside has been designed flexibly so at the moment half of the beds will be for ‘ordinary’ care and the other half for dementia, but that can change.” Planning for the work was initially refused for several minor issues, which Kate said they could have dealt with had they known about them. She added: “We knew in advance that we would have to move some residents out, and the last thing we wanted to do was to move them out without prior warning. “At another of our homes in Wiltshire where we have just carried out a refurbishment the work has become an issue of entertainment. “One resident made a photo record of the progress of the building work so we will try and turn what could be a difficult and disruptive time into something fun.”

Ceremony marks village relaunch MAYOR Peter Jordan OBE performed a special ceremony to relaunch an established retirement village in Boston. The Minstrels has been renamed Park Place, while the two care homes on the site will now be known as Elmwood House Nursing Home and The Gardens Residential Home.

Retirement Villages acquired the site, which has 28 independent living apartments, a 47-bed residential home incorporating an 11-bed specialist dementia suite and the 48bed nursing home, three years ago. Since then an extensive programme of refurbishment and redecoration has taken place.

15 Beaucare

15/2/11

13:54

Page 1

15/2/11

16:29

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Sky in special March offer MOVING into a care home is an important time, offering quality services and creating a homely environment can help to make this transition a smooth process for both the resident and their family. Sky’s commitment to quality aims to help you make a comfortable environment that will make residents feel more at home. March is an exciting month for entertainment content, offering television programming for all tastes. The History channel’s ‘Rome’s Lost Legion’ will initiate discussion among factual entertainment lovers as it looks at the fate of the Roman army’s missing Ninth Legion. RSPCA Animal Rescue, a moving series that follows dedicated workers as they endeavour to come to the aid of animals in need from Sky Living It, and special UK editions of the Dog Whisperer from Nat Geo Wild are sure to touch hearts. Sports fans will gather in communal areas to share the excitement of the Cricket World Cup, which sees one-day games in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. March also brings the return of a new season for Premier League Darts, featuring the top eight

players in the world, and live horse racing on At The Races showcases the Dubai World Cup, a headline event of the racing calendar. Sky offers two packages to care homes that are sure to meet the individual entertainment needs of residents. The Sky Base package has a range of sports channels, music content, plus a variety of entertainment channels including captivating dramas and entertaining comedies from Sky 1 and intriguing documentaries from the Bio and Discovery Channel. For the real sport enthusiasts looking to get more from the Sky Base package, why not subscribe to the Sky Ultimate package which also includes additional sporting content on Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 4 and ESPN. Sky is offering care homes wishing to take a subscription in their communal areas introductory prices of £90 per month/per communal area (ex. VAT) for the Sky Base package and £100 per month/per communal area (ex. VAT) for the Sky Ultimate package. Both packages are available at a further reduced price when taking Sky content in-room, but this offer is only valid until March 31.

Helping make somewhere a true home for residents SIMPLICARE offers far more than just the supply of rubber gloves or cleaning materials. Though the physical environment is very important there is more to making somewhere a true home for a resident. Our catalogue includes a large range of sensory products selected especially for the care home market. They assist in making your clients lives more interesting and also assist such things as memory through the use of sensory products.

“It is great that Simplicare have products that really make a difference to the quality of life of care hone residents,” said operations manager Chris Sowerby. “And we are constantly looking at how we can expand our range across all areas.” Simplicare works with specialist suppliers to tailor an offering that meets all the needs of the modern care home industry, and allows you to choose all that you need from just one catalogue.

Home to feature a best friends’ cafe STEVENAGE MP Stephen McPartland performed a turf cutting ceremony to mark the start of a new care home for older people in the town. The new facility is a partnership project between Hertfordshire County Council and Quantum Care, and will replace the current Newhaven care home. It will open in the summer of 2012, and has been designed to care for older people with a variety of short

and long term care needs. The home is being constructed by GB Building Solutions Ltd and will have specially designed living spaces for people with dementia, as well as for those with physical disabilities. It will also feature a best friends’ café, which will enable people within the home, as well as the local community, to enjoy coffee and cakes with friends.

SKY

15/2/11

13:55

Page 1

15/2/11

16:30

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Carole marks decade with celebration County training managers Marion Grist, Cristina Pashmi, Dawn Sankey and Mark Turton receive their certificates from HR and training director Richard Durance.

Four achieve accreditation FOUR of a care group’s county training managers have been accredited by the Alzheimer’s Society. Marion Grist, Cristina Pashmi, Dawn Sankey and Mark Turton, who work for the Orders of St John Care Trust, received gold level certifications after successfully completing an assessment to become approved trainers. The accreditation allows each manager to deliver training to staff across the Trust’s 73 homes using resources from the Society’s new Education and Development training pathway, as well as being added to the approved trainers database. HR and training director Richard Durance said: “Recruitment and training is essential in enabling our staff to provide high quality, personalised care to those of our residents who have dementia, and as an organisation we have invested significantly in the continued development of our staff. Each home is assigned a dedicated dementia champion whose role it is to actively promote dementia care within the home and to enrich the lives of the residents.”

A CREWE care home manager's 10 years of hard work, success and innovation were celebrated with a party for staff, residents, friends and family. Carole Wardle has helped to make Care UK’s Station House nursing home, which has 69 residents, one of the best in the country, and her innovative and compassionate approach to care management has led to a string of regional and national awards for the home. Last year she won the North West Care Award, impressing judges with her commitment to developing care for residents with dementia; staff members Kelly Harrison and Carol Clarke were finalists in the regional care awards; and Jamie Coppell won the Great British Care Awards’ best newcomer of the year. Carole told Caring UK she was stunned at her surprise party, where she received a presentation case for the home’s awards, along with champagne and flowers from staff and residents. She said: “I was feeling emotional but when I was given a beautiful book of

memories of my time here, created by staff and residents, I just burst into floods of tears. “I am lucky to have a great team. We have worked hard together to create a home from home for the residents, a place where they can really live their lives the way they want to, enjoy their favourite activities and find new friendships. “I am so proud of everything we have achieved together and I’m looking forward to 10 more years and more trophies in the lovely new cabinet.” Carole is also north west training coordinator for Care UK’s Fulfilling Lives initiative which helps staff across the company to explore how they can make a real difference to the lives of the people they care for. The home also won the company's national award for its wide and varied activities programme. Is a member of staff at your care home celebrating a landmark anniversary? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone 01226 734407.

15/2/11

16:32

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Care group fined £150k after Vera is strangled by lap belt By Dominic Musgrave A CARE group has been fined £150,000 following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive after a pensioner died at a nursing home in Birmingham. Seventy-four-year-old Brigid O'Callaghan, known as Vera, died after being strangled by a lap belt when she was left strapped in a wheelchair overnight. Birmingham Crown Court heard that staff at BUPA Care Homes’ Amberley Court did not properly check on Brigid on the night of October 27 2005, leaving her in a wheelchair in her room rather than helping her to bed. She was discovered dead the next morning by a member of staff having slipped from the seat of the wheelchair to the floor, with the lap belt strap around her neck. An HSE investigation into safety standards at the home following her death found more than 15 failings in her treatment. Inspector Sarah Palfreyman said her death was a ‘preventable tragedy caused by a shocking case of mismanagement’. She added: “The managers of this, and indeed all care homes, have a duty of care for their residents. At the very least they should be making sure that residents are comfortable and safe at night, not left in a wheelchair. “There were some awful conditions for the elderly residents to live in and hazards that could easily have caused them serious injury. “The home's managers were not given appropriate monitoring or supervision and as a result the staff were not being properly trained or monitored. “Working in a care home is a specialised job and it's vital that all employees have the correct training in place, which in this instance, they did not.” The court heard that the home had failed to carry out a proper risk assessment and care plan for Brigid, did not communicate her needs to staff, failed to ensure she could call for help and did not monitor whether night time checks were carried out. HSE inspectors also identified more than ten further potential hazards that put residents at risk, ranging from a cluttered corridor to dirty conditions. The company was fined £150,000 in total and ordered to pay £150,000 in costs after pleading guilty to two breaches of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Patrick Parry-Okeden and his spaniel Sunny.

How Sunny brightens life for residents TWO unlikely volunteers have been recognised for their work with residents at two Oxfordshire care homes. Sunny the spaniel, Tam, a seven-year-old Rottweiler and their volunteer owners each received an award for their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to the care of elderly people from the Orders of St John Care Trust. Sunny and her owner, Patrick Parry-Okeden, have both been volunteering at Marston Court since 1997, while Tam, previously a rescue dog, and volunteer Mark Gregory started visiting residents at Glebe House in Kidlington 18 months ago. Both dogs have been assessed by a vet or a Pets As Therapy representative to ensure they are friendly, have a good temperament and react well to strangers or sudden noises. Activities and volunteers coordinator for the group in the county, Sharon Wheeler, said: “Having Sunny and Tam visit our Oxfordshire homes has been a fantastic comfort for the residents, especially those who used to have pets themselves. “It’s an important therapy for residents to have contact with animals, especially those with dementia, as it stimulates conversation and helps to recall past memories.” More than 30 volunteers received awards at a ceremony to thank them for their commitment across the Trust’s 18 Oxfordshire homes. A number of volunteers also received long service awards for 10, 12 and 30 years’ service.

Restyle for dated hair salon in Cumbria A HOME for the blind in Cumbria is looking to transform its dated hair salon into a modern pampering room. And Ostley House in Barrow in Furness is appealing to local businesses, residents’ families and friends to help them with donations of equipment as well as money. The home’s administrator, Annmarie Taylor, said: “The current salon is very dated, with old fashioned hoods on stands, so we decided it was time to bring it up to date.

“We have a designer coming in to assess the room for us, and once he has let us know roughly how much it will cost we will look to start fundraising. “We already plan to have a raffle for Mothers’ Day and will be hosting pampering sessions for families and friends.” Are you planning to give a room or rooms at your care home a makeover? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or call him on 01226 734407.

15/2/11

16:31

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Youngsters prove a big hit with residents THERE was no hint of a generation gap when a Norfolk dementia care home played host to a group of young people from a community project. Residents at Healthcare Homes’ Claremont Lodge were visited three times by Right Direction members – pupils of Great Yarmouth High School who have been identified as needing extra support. Acting manager Nicola Power said the youngsters were a big hit with the residents. She added: “The young people came in to play bingo, participate in craft projects and do cake decorating with the residents. “They also delivered a present to each resident who was there on their last visit, which was very moving as they had built up strong friendships by then. “The residents really engaged in the sessions and were sad to see the youngsters go afterwards. “Everyone involved has benefited hugely and we hope we might be able to welcome back Right Direction again some time later this year.”

What does training actually achieve? By Tony Willson EVERY care service has to train its people – fact. However, is it done because it’s what CQC demand or because having well trained employees enhances the quality of care – and therefore improves the business? In October we saw the new Regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. CQC’s interpretation of it says that a service has to demonstrate that there are sufficient numbers of staff with the right competencies, knowledge, qualifications, skills and experience to meet the needs of people who use services at all times. It dropped both the minimum requirement for NVQs/QCFs and mandatory training. To identify what this means we need to refer to the Skills for Care

‘Advice on Meeting CQC regulations’ where mandatory subjects now come under ‘advice and recommendations’ to ‘help you achieve this by highlighting key areas of training and development that will help you assist your workforce in achieving these goals.’ So this could be seen as a charter for organisations to reduce training if they can show that staff are competent but, if they do this, how might it affect their business? I’m sure we have all been into somewhere and have felt that there is a ‘buzz’ present. What does that do for us? I know that when a salesperson in a shop takes an interest in me, I will inevitably buy more. In a situation where a service is to be provided and I feel that everyone is motivated to give their best, my willingness to deal with them is vastly increased. In the care sector it is often a

service user, their relatives or representatives of contracting authorities who first come into contact with the setting, and most people can get a ‘feel’ for a service within minutes. If staff have not had training, or training is imposed upon them as something that they must do, they may feel that there is no interest being taken in their development and so they take no interest in the service they give. However, if training is seen as someone investing in them, then it will motivate them and they will give better service. So do the changes in the regulations mean that a service provider can cut down the amount of training that they give their staff? In my view, the answer is simple – only if they wish to see their organisation stagnate, or even fail. Tony Willson is managing director of Helmsman Services Ltd in Colchester.

New addition to network HOME-BASED care and support provider Carewatch Care Services Ltd has acquired its largest franchise operation Graham Home Care. This latest addition to its companyowned network of home care businesses further strengthens the presence of the firm in Greater London. Operating in eight London boroughs plus Edinburgh, Graham Home Care, founded by father and daughter Ian and Sally Graham in 1996, is the largest and most established Carewatch franchise business, delivering more than 13,000 hours of care a week. David Lyon, chief executive of Carewatch, said: “Graham Home Care represents a significant step forward

in our delivery of high quality services to the population of Greater London and Edinburgh. “We aim to continue the work Sally, Ian and the team have put into the business in order to maintain its high standards and further build the company’s support network.” The acquisition of Graham Home Care boosts the presence of Carewatch in Greater London, with operations already established by the support provider in Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Westminster. Graham Home Care employs more than 750 care workers to help service users with their support needs.

21 Bond

15/2/11

13:55

Page 1

15/2/11

16:33

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Group to bring in diabetes champion for every home A CARE group has revealed the results of a study it carried out into the medical, psychological and social needs of people with diabetes living in its care homes. The Care UK study of 3,294 residents living in its 57 homes nationwide found that the 14 per cent of those with the disease are well supported, and that staff looking after them are well equipped to identify symptoms, treat hypoglycaemia, provide good foot care, measure and monitor blood glucose levels and administer insulin. But, in preparation for the expected increased number of residents with the condition in future, a person from each home will attend a course run by Diabetes UK, and act as a local champion. Clinical quality manager Michael Redman is also working with Care UK’s training and development team to add a new module on diabetes to the e-learning package that is available to all staff. He said: “We believe the demand for residential care will continue to increase, particularly at the acute end of the spectrum where residents will increasingly have complex or multiple health issues. “Future care will need to be specialised and personalised to cope with conditions such as diabetes and dementia, and I want to make sure our service is well equipped to provide excellent care in these situations. “The way forward is to ensure all our staff in residential homes have

Michael Redman the expertise and experience to support people with diabetes and provide them with high quality care, as well as equipping them with the knowledge and skills to identify those other residents who may be at risk. “Good staff training and awareness can have a huge impact on improving the quality of life for residents by preventing the complications of diabetes as well as reducing costs to the NHS of unplanned hospital admissions.” Management and employees in most of the homes also reported to the audit team that they felt well supported locally by GPs and diabetic nurse specialists. The study is part of an annual programme of auditing exercises organised by the company’s care and clinical governance team.

Pupils drafted in to help choose home name EDINBURGH school children are being tasked with drawing up potential names for the city’s latest state-of-the-art care home. The £8m facility, being built on the site of the former Kings Inch Special School in the south of the city, is due to officially open later this year, and will be the fourth new home to be commissioned by the city council since 2007. Residents and staff from two current care homes, Balmwell House and Craigour, will move to

the new building in the spring. Pupils from Liberton Primary School, which is next to the new home, have been tasked to come up with potential names which will be shortlisted. Voting slips will then be issued to both residents and staff from the two homes and the child with the most popular name will be the winner. GRAHAM Construction, who are building the care home, will also be donating £100 worth of book tokens to the school.

15/2/11

16:33

Page 1

Care providers criticise plans to raise fees A GROUP of care providers have criticised the inspectorate’s plans to raise the fees they pay for registration as unfair and poor value. The Care Providers Alliance, which represents all the major national provider bodies, said the £5.4m rise in overall fee levels from April 2011 was unjustified based on the level of service the CQC is offering. The regulator issued the plans last October, and they are designed to increase the share of CQC's regulatory costs borne by fees from 56 per cent to 67 per cent. Miranda Wixon, chair of the Care Providers Alliance, said: “Our members are experiencing delays in registration of managers, new services and variations,

and as a sector we feel communication with us is poor. “Yet CQC are proposing considerable fee increases for some providers which means they will be paying more for what is, in effect, a reduced service which is not working well.” In its response to the proposals the Alliance calculated that residential care homes with over 61 beds will see their fees increase by 81 per cent. The CQC plans to divide providers into bands to calculate their fee rate; currently care home providers have their fees worked based on the number of beds they provide. The Alliance, whose members include representatives from ECCA, the NCA, RNHA and UKHCA, said there was no

justification for this, and it would disincentivise providers to expand into the next band up as they would face large financial penalties for doing so. Launching the proposals last October, CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: "We do not underestimate the impact on providers of paying fees, especially in the current economic climate. We have looked carefully at our costs and will continue to do so. “We have a responsibility to collect fees from those we regulate and to demonstrate we are an efficient and effective regulator.” What do you think of the proposed fees rise? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone 01226 734407.

Caring UK Commerce section brings you all the latest property, business and training news every month.

In this issue: How Miriam’s

‘little’ business flourished Page 24

Call to cut VAT

for providers Page 25

Contracts – time

for a spring clean? Page 26

Family duo set

for investment Page 27

Bank of Ireland has provided development funding to construct and operate a 78-bed care home in Nottingham, which will house nursing, dementia and residential units. The care home is to be developed by Prestige Leisure (North East) Ltd, whose offices are based in Stockton on Tees and have a range of similar care home developments across the country.

Bank loan brings expansion and new staff A CARE home near Barnsley is expanding and taking on new staff following a change of ownership, funded by a £1.1 million European Investment Bank loan, provided through Lloyds TSB Commercial. Thornhill House, on Church Street, Darfield was acquired last year by Huddersfield-based Strong Life Care. Former financial services worker Harpreet Banwait, who launched Strong Life Care to buy Thornhill House and other care homes, said: “When we first took over the run-

ning of Thornhill House, we didn’t want to make too many changes too soon, as we were concerned this would unsettle the residents and the employees. “Now, after a successful initial period, we are looking forward to expanding the services offered by the home, and the building itself with the addition of the new day care centre and elderly mentally infirm facility. “We have ambitious plans for Thornhill House, and when we have completed those we will eventually look for future acquisition

opportunities, initially in the north west of England but then potentially into the rest of the UK and possibly Europe.” Strong Life Care has already recruited four new staff, added two new bedrooms and introduced short term respite care in addition to the long term residential care the home has traditionally offered. It now plans to recruit five more staff and add a further three bedrooms. Graham Scott, senior healthcare

banking consultant for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “Thornhill House has been established in Darfield for a couple of decades now, and is a vital resource for elderly people in the area. “The changes already made by Harpreet, and those in the pipeline, further strengthen the home’s offering and will lead to increased services and capacity for care. Harpreet’s plans for the Strong Life Care business are ambitious but achievable.”

15/2/11

16:34

Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE

A live-in care company whose founder expected to earn her no more than £500 per week is now turning over almost £1.5m. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

How Miriam’s ‘little’ business flourished MIRIAM Warner created Miracle Workers 15 years ago to supplement her husband’s Army pension. A disagreement with the manager of the homecare company where she worked prompted her to set up her own type of care business. Miriam, a former cook who turns 70 this year, told Caring UK she never believed her business, which provides carers to help with everything from shopping and meal preparation to housework and companionship, would be so successful. “I only set up the business because I wanted to do something where I could stay at home and look after my husband,” she added. “I felt I could do better than the company I was working for at the time, but I went down the live-in care route because I felt it was easier to manage than drop-in as there was always a problem such as vehicles breaking down. “I worked from my dining room table and only had a computer and some paper and brochures that I had done at first, and I sent them out to everybody I knew and waited to hear.” After two years Miriam had a client base of 10, which she steadily grew to 18, and if she could not find a suitable carer for an individual she did it herself. It was only when she employed a care manager that the company really took off, with the client base doubling in just six months. Previous clients have included

Dame Barbara Castle and Sir John Mortimer, creator of Rumpole of the Bailey. She added: “We moved to bigger premises at Llanover in Monmouthshire 18 months ago, and I now have between 110 and 130 clients, a team of eight core staff, six assessors and a nationwide network of 150 carers. “In the past we have looked after people, usually British ex-pats, in Switzerland, Greece, France and Monaco, and my motto is that I will never say no to a request unless it is absolutely impossible. “I never believed we would be so successful, and didn’t have money in mind. All I wanted to achieve was a good secretary’s wage so I could put bread and butter on the table and go for a holiday or two each year.” Despite her age, Miriam says she has no plans yet to retire, although she did appoint her three sons and brother to the board when she made it a limited company in preparation for when the time may come. She added: “As long as my health keeps up I will carry on working. The joy of working for yourself is that I can go on holiday when I need one or take a long weekend. “We have received several substantial offers to buy the business in the past, but I am not interested in selling, and I hope my family carry on my work long after I have gone.”

Miriam Warner

Housing provider Anchor seeks sites to develop new ‘villages’ in the south By Louise Cordell

New ‘age exclusive’ site A LINCOLNSHIRE-based house builder and development company has launched a new ‘age exclusive’ development in a Cambridgeshire village. Spinney House is located within an existing residential part of the Yaxley and consists of seven one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom apartments that are all marketed for people over 55 years of age. After beginning work on site last year, Larkfleet will complete the development by autumn 2011. The site includes many existing mature trees and the firm also plans to provide allotments and cycle storage with each apartment, within the grounds, for use by like-minded residents.

RETIREMENT housing provider Anchor is looking for new sites across the south of England to build 1,100 new homes during the next four years. The new schemes will be based on the company’s flagship Denham Garden Village project in Buckinghamshire. The villages will typically house around 150 people, and will contain a combination of apartments or houses and a specialist care home. Chief executive Jane Ashcroft said: “With nearly one in five of us expected to reach 100, our ageing population provides real opportunities for forward-thinking organisations to develop groundbreaking

housing and care. “In a tough economic climate it will also provide a real boost to the jobs market.” Anchor is working with Keith Cockell, who formed ECV Partnerships two years ago to advise organisations on the care villages market, on finding sites, design direction and developing the village concept. The team is currently identifying sites across the south of England and the home counties. Keith added: “We share the vision that the time has come to create exceptional homes and communities for older people in this country; communities that inspire and reward by giving a superb second phase of life.”

17/2/11

15:39

Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE

Call to cut VAT for providers THE Government is being urged to reduce the VAT rate to five per cent for social care providers. Care Forum Wales says it would make paying for care more affordable for local authorities and the NHS – while helping to stimulate the economy at the same time. According to the main organisation representing the social care sector in Wales, the latest 2.5 per cent hike on VAT to 20 per cent adds up to an unfair tax on vulnerable people. Honorary chief executive Mario Kreft said the Government should adjust the VAT rules at the next Budget. He added: “We believe the Government has missed the opportunity to be really progressive by stimulating the social care economy as well as the wider economy. “We are calling on the Government to make a special case for reducing VAT in relation to social care down to five per cent. “Reduced rates of VAT already exist for things like listed buildings – surely caring for vulnerable people is

even more important. “This would have the effect of encouraging people to invest in capital items. As things stand, VAT at 20 per cent is a tax on care which makes it prohibitive; to improve quality.” The idea has received the backing of chartered accountant Peter McVeigh, a director at Wrexhambased Coxeys. “As well as providing a much-needed fillip to the economy, this would also be great news for the 500,000 working in the sector and the 450,000 who receive support,” he said. “While the economy is in a particularly difficult phase, there is an opportunity over a period of one or two years to offer special dispensation to the social care sector to invest. “It would kick start the economy and provide a boost for local communities, while at the same time improving social care in a more progressive and enlightened way. “The current situation is daft because it amounts to a tax on better care because these businesses cannot reclaim VAT in the way that most people can.”

Barchester Healthcare has received the keys to its newest care home in Basingstoke. Maureen McDonaugh, the newly appointed general manager of Marnel Lodge, accepted the keys to the 62-bed property from construction manager, Carl Martin. This is the first development project Barchester has worked on with long-term design and build partners, Castleoak.

15/2/11

16:35

Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE

New luxury home to bring 70 new jobs A NEW luxury care home in Gateshead is set to create over 70 new jobs in the latest of a major brand roll out from a leading North East care home provide. Hadrian Healthcare’s The Manor House is the latest development of the group’s Manor House Living brand, which will see the £6m development open its doors next month. The 70-bed care home will host

a traditional-style newspaper and sweet shop, a fully equipped residents’ bar, cinema room and ballroom, a village cafe and library; giving the feel of a community village. The Manor House will be managed by Liz Dixon, and will be the first of two new care homes the group will open this year, with plans for further three in the north of England by the end of 2012.

Bigger HQ for operator A STOCKPORT care home operator has moved to new, bigger headquarters in the town. Borough Care Ltd, which operates 12 care homes throughout the region, is also growing the amount of community-based services it offers, and has bought the purpose-built

headquarters as it is closer to Stockport's town centre and has better transport links. The company was advised on the purchase, for an undisclosed sum, by property consultancy GVA and law firm Squire Sanders Hammonds.

New funding for Housing 21 BARCLAYS Corporate has provided a £65m three-year revolving credit facility for Housing 21. The new funding will enable the company to carry out improvements and developments of both existing and new housing schemes. Glenn Sargent, relationship director

at Barclays Corporate, said: “Housing 21 has a robust operational and financial model, and we were impressed with the management’s clear understanding of the industry and its appreciation of adapting to its changing needs at this challenging time.”

Contracts – time for a spring clean? By Keith Lewin IT is perhaps difficult for people to muster much enthusiasm to review contractual documentation at any time; perhaps it is even more difficult when in tough times when survival of business month-to-month is regarded as an achievement. Contract review is inevitably thought of being of low priority; care providers are no different. It is, however, vitally important to keep appraised as to recent changes in legislation, processes and procedures (eg the new Local Government Ombudsman Procedure for investigating complaints) which, frequently, will call for subtle updates in key arrangements, placement contracts in particular. However, this year more than ever, Brunswicks is encouraging all care providers to engage in a through contract review. Most providers have a heavy reliance on services being commissioned from them by local councils; we all know that the budget review process is now underway. It seems that a message has been sent to many contract managers to put care providers under pressure to reduce fees; they say the cuts have had a serious effect and the effects need to be passed on. Having made a bargain, sometimes many years earlier, does not entitle the council to demand price cuts, especially as there may have been cuts or ‘frozen’ fees for some years already. The council cannot insist on a fee reduction. In fact the contracts departments are doing all sorts of things, visiting care providers to conduct ‘contract compliance’ inspections, demanding all manner of documents and date. Some of which they are not entitled to. So, careful and regular reviews of contractual documentation have clear benefits because the they go to the heart of the provider’s relationship with the council as commissioner of services and those documents govern, amongst other things, what the council can do – frequently, they do not have the legal entitlement to do what they claim is

their right. Courts and tribunals are reluctant to determine that any specific terms should be implied into any given contract; they prefer the parties to themselves to record, in clear terms, whatever their contractual arrangements are intended to be. Those who seek to assert that there was a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ on any given matter are unlikely to receive much sympathy from the courts – unless there is good evidence to demonstrate existence of the agreement and its principal terms. Effective contractual documentation has clear commercial benefits not least because it minimises exposure to misunderstandings, complaints, disputes and litigation through the courts. It also enhances the value of all businesses. If one intends to sell or dispose of a business the business will only command ‘top dollar’ if it has all of its contractual documentation in place so that the acquirer can be certain of what is being bought. Sound contracts also assist with the smooth running of the business as they create a regular and reliable income stream. Again, this is something which will enhance the capital value of the care provider. Good contract and document management go together and create a virtuous circle. Keith is a partner at Brunswicks LLP solicitors.

Tax reclaims for commercial property owners CAPITAL allowances are among the most valuable and least exploited methods of reducing property owners’ income tax or corporation tax liabilities. Capital allowances arise from capital expenditure on purchasing or constructing a new property along with extensions and refurbishments. We carry out retrospective, current year, and new build capital allowance claims, both for individuals and companies in relation to commercial properties right across the commercial sector. Most retrospective capital allowance claims that we handle lead to a significant tax refund for the client. We will quickly identify the validity of a claim without obligation. If a claim does not proceed, there will be no fee. We comprehensively survey the property which allows us to identify any qualifying items that, for numerous reasons, have previously not been claimed. Enquiries: Telephone 01246 293011 or visit www.salmon-business.com

15/2/11

16:35

Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE

A father and son owned care group plan to invest heavily in their latest acquisition. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Family duo set for major investment KEITH and Adam Hutchison plan to extend Edendale Residential Home in East Sussex over the next year, taking its registration from 31 up to 42. The £500,000 development of the previously ‘adequate’ rated specialist dementia care home in St Leonards-on-Sea will see the joining of two Victorian properties, and will include a day centre and kitchen as well as the installation of a new lift. Adam, who joined the business which trades as Belmont Sandbanks and has two other care homes in Kent two years ago, said the aim is to make it a flagship facility for the area. He added: “We were actively looking for a new site for a day centre, but as time went on we thought it would be more effective if we bought an active care home with a niche for dementia that we could grow. “We also looked to move out of our current catchment area because Kent County Council is cutting a lot of funding. “Many weren’t suitable and, although Edendale doesn’t have a good rating, that is mainly due to the paperwork, which is something we pride ourselves on and we knew we could quickly make changes.

“Although the day centre we are creating on the ground floor will not be profitable, we have found at our other sites that it is effective as a feeder, with 60 per cent of our clients coming through it. When families have to decide where to put their relatives when the need arises, where else are they going to put them?” Adam says he wants to build the business over the next few years so that it eventually has a portfolio of seven or eight, although he admits that in the current financial climate this may not be possible. He added: “We went under the radar when we bought Edendale because in the past when we have been looking to buy three-star homes we have been gazumped by the larger groups. “We would be looking at purchasing another care home on the south coast within a couple of years of the building work being completed on this one, but times do change. “We don’t want to move too quickly, and down the line I would love to build a home from scratch. I think the key is to keep residents and their families involved during the building process so they feel part of it as it is very people to put them off.”

15/2/11

17:01

Page 1

CARINGCOMMERCE

Poor knowledge is costing agencies claim solicitors POOR knowledge of the system of lasting powers of attorney is leaving care home and homecare agencies out of pocket, solicitors claim. Solicitors for the Elderly, a specialist association of lawyers, believe many pensioners seeking long-term care face delays and other problems, because banks have been refusing to accept the authority of people registered as LPA for a client, relative or friend. This, SFE members say, has led to delays in arranging and processing payments for long-term care. The SFE has compiled a list of common problems along with the Office of the Public Guardian and the Law Society, and has met with the British Banking Association, Barclays, Northern Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, HSBC and the Building Societies Association to discuss the problem. Chris Horlick, managing director for long term care at Partnership, said representatives from the banks have admitted there is a ‘lack of knowledge' about LPA legislation amongst their staff. He added: “It is important any confusion surrounding the rights of a power of attorney and their relationship with banks must be

resolved as a matter of urgency. “People with powers of attorney typically are responsible for the financial affairs for most people entering into residential care. This is a stressful time for all members of the family at a time when people with powers of attorney are seeking to make important decisions about which care home to place their relative in and how to fund their care. "Any additional stress caused by delays or failure to receive the right level of service is an unwelcome and unnecessary additional burden for them." He said the lack of awareness around LPA has led to banks demanding to see irrelevant documents or refusing to accept others, delays in obtaining passbooks and cheque books, inappropriately linking personal account details of professional deputies with accounts of vulnerable clients, and banks issuing incorrect information to the public. SFE has produced a letter for clients who act as delegated decisionmakers for friends or relatives, which explains different types of powers and authority and can be given to banks.

Advertiser’s announcement

‘The care industry is changing rapidly and call systems need to keep pace with those changes’ MEDICARE Systems’ appointment of Derek Gray (formerly Aid Call’s technical director) as technical director has sparked a development programme that MD Derek Timoney believes will result in the benchmark for all nurse-call systems. “We have always taken the view that nurse call systems need to be simple to use and very robust and that concept remains at the core of our designs,” he said. “However, the care industry is changing rapidly and call systems need to keep pace with those changes. “Care standards now place great emphasis on recording information to provide ‘duty of care’ evidence; however that evidence can sometimes highlight weaknesses in staff response and checking the residents on a regular basis. “We have addressed these issues by creating an environment where care staff can be automatically reminded to visit individual residents or even all.”

Further, staffing may be different at night than in the day, therefore automatically changing the zoning of the call system, or automatic adjustment of the volume to reduce disturbance will be useful features to many care managers. Private care facilities need to attract clients and the ‘institutional look’ of many call system panels, alongside an intrusive, unpleasant tone can be detrimental to the ‘feel’ of a care home. To overcome this we have developed a panel that is complementary to the ambience of the home and when there are no calls on the system the panels are discreet and in keeping with the decor. There are many new features that will aid in the provision of care as well as providing protection for care managers, staff and residents. The initial launch of the system will be on stand W85 at the Bournemouth Care Show on March 29 and 30, and further developments will be added during the summer and autumn.

15/2/11

16:36

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Tai Chi treat for residents RESIDENTS at an Ullenhall care home enjoyed a spot of exercise with a difference as they learned Tai Chi techniques. Qualified instructor Jacqui Fisher visited Alpha Care Homes’ Mockley Manor to show residents the possible benefits of the meditative exercise as part of the group’s New Year ‘keep active’ drive to help them stay healthy and mobile. The residents already take part in yoga and regular chair-based exercises to music, and recently tried out Zumba, which is a mixture of Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves. Activities co-ordinator Kerry Hant, Louise Davis

Louise wins top award for training project A NURSE facilitator who implemented an innovative and bespoke intensive end of life care training programme in nursing homes throughout Torbay has received a top award. Louise Davis from the care trust has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse, which is annually awarded to around 20 nurses nationwide. It is given in recognition of commitment to improving standards of care, learning, and leadership. Louise, who is one of three Devon nurses to be honoured, has contributed to improvements in the end of life care skills and knowledge of the staff undertaking the programme, which has led to the development of new end of life care assessment tools. She said the programme has played a key role in ensuring seamless and equitable care for all patients at end of life regardless of their home setting. “The scheme has looked at the learning and educational needs within a care home with regards to end of life care because the service a lot of these facilities are providing is

becoming increasingly complex,” Louise added. “Staff are now dealing with this difficult subject on a day-today basis, and we are asking the home and individual staff within it to do a portfolio of themselves based around several key areas. “Feedback we have received has all been positive, with staff saying they particularly enjoy learning as a team. “What we want the staff to be able to do is to help the resident in their care achieve a good death in their own environment, surrounded by people who know them. “Staff can have plans in place for up to a year to ensure a resident dies with dignity.” The project has been running for 18 months, and Louise visits three homes over a six-month period once each week. She says the training is also also likely to stop unnecessary hospital admissions. Queen’s Nurses work at a national level influencing policy and practice in primary care. Louise will collect her award at an official ceremony in London on 12th May 2011.

who is a qualified fitness instructor for the elderly, said Tai Chi helps residents develop strength, balance, posture and calm. She added: “Exercise is really important to our residents as it helps to keep them fit, mobile and well. “We hold regular exercise classes at Mockley Manor, and try to introduce new ways of exercising as often as possible to keep the sessions interesting. “The Tai Chi sessions should be a little bit different. “Our residents should really benefit from the new exercises.”

15/2/11

16:41

Page 1

CARINGCARE SHOW PREVIEW

Show will provide insight into new developments ... WITH more than 160 exhibitors and three seminar theatres packed with free content, Care Show Bournemouth offers guidance and advice to care professionals.

Catering for providers in the south and south west, the event takes place at the Bournemouth International Centre on March 29 and 30, and provides an insight into the latest developments in the care sector. Informative free seminar sessions aimed will take place throughout the show, with leading experts discussing a wide range of industry issues including: compliance and legislation, training, finance and the effect on the care industry as a result of government proposals.

One of its three seminar theatres will be dedicated to dementia care. Produced in association with Alzheimer’s Society, the programme offers educational sessions exploring the latest care techniques. Topics covered include: the impact of good training, medication among sufferers and the use of books and

Informative free seminar sessions aimed will take place throughout the show, with leading experts discussing a wide range of industry issues including: compliance and legislation, training, finance and the effect on the care industry as a result of government proposals.

pictures in dementia care. Additional highlights include: MyBusiness seminar theatre – Offering guidance on a range of topics such as legislative advice, funding issues and local authority fees. Keynote seminar theatre – Presenting an inspiring selection of seminars addressing the challenges currently affecting care professionals across the UK. The Secret Garden brought to you by Living Leaves – Featuring live demonstrations on how to build a garden that encourages engagement and interaction and illustrates how garden therapy can be used within your care home.

Knightsbridge’s portfolio for dementia care homes on display SEATING, cabinets and tables designed specifically for the dementia care sector will feature on the Knightsbridge Furniture stand at the Care Show Bournemouth in March. The stand will include examples of furniture supplied to the recently re-fitted Stonehouse Manor dementia care home in Dewsbury, where the Knightsbridge approach attracted high praise from the staff involved. “Knightsbridge have been innovative, proficient and professional,’ said Bev Dyrlaga of Plus Care Homes. “It is wonderful to find a company who care about developing a range of furniture which meets the needs of people with dementia, who listen to customers and who act on suggestions for improvement.” Central to the re-fit was the décor, and the Plus Care Homes team turned to Knightsbridge, having been impressed by the company’s expertise in designing seating, tables, bedroom storage and occasional furniture specific to the needs of dementia patients. Every room at Stonehouse Manor has been fitted out with furniture from the Knightsbridge Care portfolio, including the dining room, cafe and activity areas, the library, lounge and the foyer. Each bedroom has been equipped with a new-style package of Caspia cabinets, plus chairs in sizes and styles to suit the needs of the residents, whilst the corridors feature Knightsbridge tub chairs and occasional tables. Fundamental to the decision to consult Knightsbridge Furniture was the company’s innovative approach to care home furniture design. Advocating the positive role which furniture can play in supporting the confidence and orientation of dementia patients, product designer Catherine Hawcroft trained alongside care professionals and clinicians to develop her ideas in line with the latest research into person-centred dementia care. Enquiries: Visit stand W143 at the Care Show Bournemouth or telephone 01274 731442, email enquiries@knightsbridgefurniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

15/2/11

16:43

Page 1

CARINGCARE SHOW PREVIEW

Suppliers to the care industry for over 40 years NATIONWIDE Nursing Home Supplies has more than 40 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience of providing contract furnishings to the care environment. The move away from institutionalised care environments to homes which provide attractive, homely, comfortable and safe surroundings is something most home owners cannot fail to have noticed. We carry one of the largest selections of fabrics in the country, from

impervious contract fabrics in contemporary colourways alongside classic designs. Nationwide always has thousands of Queen Anne chairs, dining chairs and beds in stock for immediate delivery, whether it be a single item or a full turnkey service. We are proud of our quality and service, and we feel assured that our prices are unbeatable, with savings of up to over 40 per cent on new builds and individual items.

Carpets that care

Fire safety solutions to be demonstrated FIRECO will be demonstrating its range of simple, effective fire safety solutions at the Care Show Bournemouth on stand W54. These include new products Dorgard X, Deafgard X and Freedor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the unique, ergonomic solution for

holding fire doors open safely and legally while improving access. Fireco can also assist care home owners and managers to meet their responsibilities for Fire Risk Assessment through the company's training and consultancy services.

BRITISH fibre bonded carpet manufacturer Heckmondwike FB has been manufacturing and supplying the care industry for over 40 years. Its Care Range of tufted carpets, Pure Care and Total Care, boasts superior properties specific to the care industry and are commonly used in bedrooms, where appearance and performance are equally important to create a homely environment for residents, but with superior durability, easy maintenance, acoustic and thermal properties. Whereas heavy-traffic areas such as corridors and communal rooms are commonly carpeted with the Supacord and Montage product ranges. The bespoke logo service and specialist entrance areas can create a great first impression to visitors, residents and staff and help keep the rest of the flooring clean and dry. Heckmondwike FB will be exhibiting at the Care Show, stand W102. Enquiries: For more information visit www.heckmondwikefb.co.uk Enquiries: For more information visit www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk

32 fowler

15/2/11

13:58

Page 1

15/2/11

16:43

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Home boss warns second legal battle may be necessary By Dominic Musgrave

Care home directors Mike Davies and Sue Mason

‘Higher fees will cost extra £1.5m’ THE head of Pembrokeshire county council claims the higher fees it is going to pay around 30 care homes will cost it an extra £1.5m this year. Payment will be backdated to the beginning of the financial year, and the council will also make an additional oneoff payment to reflect the loss of interest which could have been earned if this fee had been originally paid from the start of the financial year. John Davies said as a result of the review only four others in Wales now pay more. He added: “This will inevitably result in a significant challenge to the council in ensuring that it continues to meet its statutory obligations to vulnerable individuals who have been assessed as requiring support.”

INDEPENDENT care homes who won a landmark High Court victory may have to resort to a second court battle, it has been claimed. They warn that local authorities are still failing to meet legal obligations in the aftermath of the case. The judge ordered Pembrokeshire county council to recalculate what it pays to privately-run care homes supporting elderly and vulnerable residents. As a result, the council has increased the fees by £58 per person per week, from £390 to £448, after a judge in Cardiff said the way they worked out fees in the county were “unlawful”. Mike Davies, a director of the four homes which took the legal action, said: “It is a good result and a positive step forward but we now have to analyse our current situation. “For example, fuel and food costs have gone up considerably. “I have spoken with other providers who worked closely with the legal team and none of us is flying the flag and saying this is a fantastic result in terms of keeping our

Care homes recognised for end-of-life provision THE latest batch of care homes have been recognised for their end-of-life care provision. Thirty seven of the 52 facilities that applied for the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) in Care Homes Training Programme were presented with Quality Hallmark awards to take the overall total to 200. The scheme aims to reduce the number of inappropriate hospital admissions and increase the numbers of residents dying in their preferred place, their care home, while delivering significant savings to the NHS at The awards were presented by National Care Forum executive director Des Kelly. He said: “Supporting people at the end-of-life has become an increasingly important role for staff in care homes.

“The development of the GSF, and its use within care homes, has helped to establish a nationally recognised standard for end of life care. “The practical emphasis on improved coordination supported by clear standards of quality assurance, underpinned by a programme of learning and training ensures the best outcomes for individuals – the GSF is beneficial in so many ways. “And, in addition, it helps to make it possible for people to choose the care that best meets their needs in the place of their preference.” The National GSF Centre has received the endorsement of the National Skills Academy, in recognition of the training and development it delivers in adult social care.

Home brought out of administration A SHEFFIELD nursing home has been brought out of administration after it was purchased by Country Court Care Homes. The sale of the converted Grade 2 listed Abbey Grange, an 87-bed nursing home providing elderly, residential, nursing and dementia care, was financed by Santander Corporate Bank and backed by European Investment Bank fund-

ing. Country Court Care, run by the Kachra family, owns seven nursing and care homes and a domiciliary service in the South Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire area. The home is currently being managed by the company’s operations manager Suria Webb, who has been with the group for 12 years.

homes going for the medium to long term. “The figure of £450 a week was the figure the banks said homes needed to operate at break even back in April last year, and we thought the figure was nearer to £480 a week.” “If the way Pembrokeshire council have set the fee at £448 is not in accord with the way the court wished, we would have to consider a second judicial review.” Barry Latham, policy advisor for Care Forum Wales, said for many years he has asked local authorities to take account of care homes’ legitimate costs when setting fee levels. He added: “We will be looking closely at the rationale used by the council in arriving at its new fee levels to establish whether they have fully taken account the implications of the judicial review judgement. “We are, however, deeply concerned that many local authorities in Wales have set their fee levels substantially lower than Pembrokeshire county council have considered necessary in order to comply with their statutory duties and Welsh Assembly Government’s commissioning guidance.”

15/2/11

16:44

Page 1

CARINGHOMECARE

Extra £162m funding welcomed By Dominic Musgrave THE care sector has welcomed the Department of Health’s announcement that an extra £162m is available to local health and care services to spend on front line services. The extra money this financial year will be spent on helping people to leave hospital more quickly, get settled back at home with the support they need, and to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital. Health secretary Andrew Lansley said the funding will bring forward the plans being put in place by health and local authorities to work together using NHS funding to support social care, as announced in the spending review. It will also enable local services to respond to pressures this winter. Martin Green, chief executive of ECCA, said: “At a time when budgets are under such great pressure, ministers are to be congratulated for ensuring that some of the money that has accrued from efficiency savings will go into direct services. “The independent sector provides high quality care and excellent value

for money and this extra resource should be going into the sector which has a record of delivery for both citizens and the Exchequer.” The money has come from savings the Department of Health has made in its budget, and will be allocated to Primary Care Trusts, for them to transfer to councils to spend on social care support. Additional short-term residential, respite or intermediate care places or more capacity for homecare support and investment in telecare are some examples of what the money could be spent on. Caroline Bernard, acting chief executive at Counsel and Care, added: “This initiative highlights the importance of health and social care working closer together to ensure that older people, who are after all the biggest users of the NHS, are able to have a smooth transition from hospital to home. “We see this funding as crucial to the delivery of the government’s vision for social care, and as a key part of the drive towards a fairer, more sustainable care system for older people, their families and carers.”

Special cafes to be in new £50k service A LEADING housing association provider has launched a new £50,000 service that will see a host of special cafes set up across a West Midlands borough to support people with dementia and their carers. Accord will unite with other organisations in Sandwell to host the dementia cafes, which will bring people with dementia, their families and health professionals together to provide support to those affected by the condition. Health and wellbeing manager Nicole Beeching said: “The great thing about these cafes is that everyone there has an awareness of dementia so visitors don't have to worry or feel embarrassed, instead they can relax in a friendly

and warm environment with people in similar positions to themselves. “This opportunity to socialise, and get help and support, is vitally important to people with dementia and their carers as many of them become socially isolated and cut-off from their communities as a result of the condition.” A dedicated dementia café cocoordinator will be available at each monthly two-hour session to give out information about local services and signpost people to where they can find help and advice. The dementia style café was originally pioneered by clinical psychologist Dr Bère Miesen in the Netherlands in 1997.

15/2/11

16:44

Page 1

CARINGHOMECARE

Retirement village company comes out top on website By Dominic Musgrave RETIREMENT Villages Ltd’s sites claimed six of the top seven places on an independent website which rates the best places to retire. Cedars Village in Hertfordshire took the top spot on the list compiled by bestretirementdestinations.com with a 100 per cent score, with Roseland Parc in Truro just behind in

second. The company’s Castle Village in Hertfordshire was third, with Thamesfield in Oxfordshire fourth, Elmbridge in Cranleigh fifth and Lime Tree in Warwickshire seventh. Retirement Villages’ sales and marketing director Sarah Burgess said: “As the population ages, the living options in retirement are expanding and the market is getting more com-

petitive. In these conditions, we are very proud to have held onto the top five places. “Our aim is to provide the very best in retirement living for our residents in some of the country’s most stunning settings. Our position in this list is testament to the fact we deliver on our promises.” Each community was reviewed

against a list of criteria which included residential options, visual appeal, recreational activities, social networking, and safety and security. The overall experience for residents was also taken into account. Richmond’s sites completed the top 10, with Painswick in sixth, Letcombe Regis in eighth, Northampton ninth and Nantwich 10th.

Charles takes award at conference CHARLES Folkes was named franchise owner of the year at Caremark’s annual conference. The managing director of the Redcar and Cleveland franchise was presented with his award by the company’s CEO Kevin Lewis and national operations director Sean Cragg. It was presented in recognition of the growth of his business, standards of care delivery, adherence to the Caremark process and system and also acknowledged the qualities of a business leader. The conference, which was entitled ‘Excellence through leadership’, was held at the Belfry Hotel in Birmingham. Pictured: Charles and his wife Julie at the awards

36 Required Systems

15/2/11

13:58

Page 1

15/2/11

17:07

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

New Milton House resident Ernest Hansell showcases his drumming talent with teacher Sheikh Nije and two pupils of Excalibur Primary School

A Cheshire care home has demonstrated how the power of music can unite not only different generations, but also people from different cultures. Dominic Musgrave reports.

Drumming bridges the generation gap RESIDENTS from New Milton House joined forces with primary school pupils to learn how to play the African drums in a series of workshops arranged by Mbollou Music. Funded by the Co-operative and Cheshire east council, the intergenerational project at the CLS owned 39-bed facility aimed to integrate people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds, while also promoting awareness and appreciation of traditional African tribal music and culture. The assembled group of residents and pupils from Excalibur, with ages ranging from seven to 95, enjoyed weekly drumming lessons,

with Mbollou members providing traditional clothing to wear as they practised their percussion skills. They also taught the group the art of African beadwork to make colourful jewellery and bracelets. Manager Julie Lawrence said the sessions have proved so successful the home is hoping to purchase its own set of drums to enable those taking part in the project to continue with their new hobby. She added: “We were delighted to get involved with the project when we were approached by Mbollou because many younger people don’t have grandparents so have never really had much contact

with elderly people. “It is important to build up that respect and share knowledge, and for our residents it gave them the opportunity to experience something new. I would definitely recommend a project like this to other homes. “Also, a number of researchers have confirmed the benefits of using musical activities as a form of therapy for people living in a residential care setting.” Julie said the project was also beneficial for those residents with dementia. “Our residents with dementia really enjoyed the project because

they relate better when they don’t have to struggle to communicate,” she added. “We had run events with the schoolchildren previously, but this has definitely brought the two closer together, and I’m sure we will look to doing something again in future. “Our activities co-ordinators would like to incorporate events like this into their programmes, and we plan to do a bit of fundraising to purchase a set of drums in future.” Have you forged close links with your local schools? Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

15/2/11

16:48

Page 1

CARINGDEMENTIA CARE

Staff create own projects as part of training By Dominic Musgrave

Norman Whiteside signs a Northern Ireland football shirt at the opening of Cairnmartin alongside Sharon Butler, managing director of Priory Group’s care homes division.

Former footballer opens latest Priory care home FORMER Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer Norman Whiteside returned to his roots to officially open the Priory’s latest care home in the country, Cairnmartin. The purpose-built Belfast facility boasts 62 beds for residents needing nursing or dementia nursing care.

The group already operates Ben Madigan care home in Newtonabbey and Bannview House in County Down, and has plans for at least 17 homes in Northern Ireland by the end of 2012, providing around 1200 beds, 1,000 jobs and representing an investment of £50m.

A DEMENTIA training programme which involves staff creating their own project has proved to be a big hit at a London care home. Appletree Court, Edgware manager Patricia Waldron devised the Alzheimer’s Society accredited ‘Tomorrow is another day’ scheme after she completed the Dementia Care Matters course run by David Sheard. Ten staff including the chef and administrator as well as carers attended several on-site training days over the year run by specialist consultant trainer Anne McKensie, and at the end they sat an exam. Patricia told Caring UK the staff came up with a variety of ideas of ways they could enhance the experience of the residents. She added: “Each participant decided on an individual project, and this formed part of their course work. “In between the study days the team did a lot of practical work, and they got a real sense of achievement seeing their project come to life. “One member of staff turned part of the hairdressing salon into a nail bar and was offering manicures and other treatments, and another took a

group of residents to the laundry room where they were doing their own ironing under supervision. “One of the carers came up with a 1950’s musical area and, for those residents who are bed bound, focal points were created in their own rooms. We also held activities in the evening such as pizza and cinema and a drinks trolley.” Ten more staff have been chosen to take part in the training programme this year, and Patricia said she has noticed a big improvement in residents’ behaviour since it was implemented. She added: “We do so much in the day that most of the residents are sleeping a lot better at night time, and we no longer have to sedate them. “The relationship between the staff, residents and their relatives has improved because they have learned a wealth of knowledge about the individual, which allows them to get into their dementia ‘bubble’. “Families and friends have loved getting involved.” This year’s projects include the creation of a 1950s sitting room, a library reading area and a bar where residents can go and have a drink in the evening.

Quick fix for labelling clothes ATTACH-A-TAG is a simple, cost effective method of labelling clothing and soft objects, and is an ideal way to quickly label short term and respite residents’ clothing, as well as normal laundry. Replicating a button, it attaches in seconds to the garment seam or laundry label, making it discreet and comfortable to the wearer. The patented design is easy to attach but difficult to remove, and cannot be

taken off by accident or come off during the laundry process. Each tag has the owner’s name etched onto it, which is guaranteed not to wear off in the wash. This combined with the unique fixing method of Attach-a-Tag means the owner is identified every time. Suitable for industrial laundry and iron proof, it is reusable, making it even more cost effective for your care home.

Time for a Cuppa day in aid of Dementia UK THIS year 156 care and nursing homes across the country took part in Time for a Cuppa day. The event is an annual awareness raising and fundraising initiative from the national charity Dementia UK, and takes place on the first Monday in February. We ask professionals, supporters and carers to Take Time Out and host an event, which is as simple as one, two, tea. Zoe Fairbairn said: “We had an absolutely fantastic day today at our ' time for a cuppa' day at Ashleigh Manor in Plympton. “We had three musical entertainers donate their services for free, fantastic support from the staff, residents and families. We had cakes, hands of hope cookies and quiches…and it was the perfect day.” Enquiries: To register your home’s interest for 2012, email us at timeforacuppa@dementiauk.org with your contact details. For further information and inspiration visit www.timeforacuppa.org.uk

15/2/11

16:48

Page 1

CARINGDEMENTIA CARE

‘More money is needed for training’ DEMENTIA services and training require further investment, the head of a specialist live-in care agency has claimed. The call by Nicola Warner, managing director of Christies Care, follows the publication of a report by the Alzheimer's Society which says 50,000 people with the condition will be forced into care homes early as a result of substandard care. Research undertaken by the Society has shown that 50 per cent of people with dementia are not getting the care and support they need, with more than half of all carers stating they feel they have not had enough support and guidance to fulfil their caring role. A further one in 10 carers has also admitted that poor care has resulted in unnecessary hospital admissions. Nicola said: “Over the past few years we have worked closely with The Alzheimer's Society to develop comprehensive training for all of our carers working with people suffering from dementia. “We know that comprehensive care can only be provided by fully trained carers, and we would support any initiative which would provide further investment into dementia services and training. “We strongly believe that further investment into dementia services and training is needed. In today's ageing society the number of people suffering from dementia-related conditions will continue to rise, so it is important that we act now, to ease the growing burden on local authorities and the NHS.” In the report, The Alzheimer's Society has spoken of the desire of

Pat Leahy and Carol Robotham

New members join team

Nicola Warner many dementia sufferers to remain living at home in comfortable, familiar surroundings, with 83 per cent of carers stating that living at home is very important to the individual. Nicola added: “With the right help and support, staying at home is an ideal choice for those with dementiarelated illnesses. “Research has shown that familiar surroundings can help ease the condition and it is vital that people are aware that this is a genuine option, which can be a cost-effective alternative to many care homes.” Christies has more than 70 clients with various stages of dementia related illnesses, who live in their own homes and have a carer 24 hours of the day.

Partnership looks to establish blue print THE UK's largest Jewish care home has joined forces with the internationally recognised Bradford Dementia Group centre for excellence to establish a blue print for care provision for its residents with the condition. The new partnership will not only mean that Nightingale can add to their provision of care, but also that the two organisations can jointly set guidelines for dementia care across the country. The South West London home will work with Bradford Dementia Group over the next two years to create a model and service design for older people living in care homes. Paul Edwards, head of training and practice development at Bradford Dementia Group, said the model will

challenge the current provision and lead and inform the sector in what excellence in care should look like in future. He added: “This project will transform care services for people with dementia and provide a blueprint of how we can develop, deliver and evaluate a model of excellence in dementia care. “Both organisations are united in the belief that we can make a difference to the lives of people with dementia and those who care for them. “This is an exciting venture that will benefit the lives of people with dementia and those who care for them at Nightingale, and will raise the bar in what we can expect of care organisations in the field.”

RESIDENTS with dementia in South Staffordshire Housing Association’s supported living schemes are to receive additional support from local care provider Care Plus thanks to the appointment of two community mental health specialists. Community mental health nurse Pat Leahy and support worker Carol Robotham have joined the team at the company, which was launched in June, thanks to the successful application for a grant from the county council as part of its Supporting People Innovation Scheme (SPINS).

Care Plus head Jo Grainger said: “South Staffordshire is a region which has the fastest growing elderly population in the UK, and the appointment of both Pat and Carol is a significant and essential boost. “The funding is crucial to us to continue our programme of help and support to not only residents who want to live independently and have a good quality of life but, also provides peace of mind to families knowing that their loved ones are being cared for by specialist carers.”

40 Naitionwide left

15/2/11

16:49

Page 1

41 Nationwide

15/2/11

16:53

Page 1

15/2/11

16:54

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Home owners struggling to cope in Torbay By Dominic Musgrave

Lady Gass cuts the 20th anniversary cake with Somerset Care chief executive Andrew Larpent OBE and group chairman Barrie Dale.

Care group parties to celebrate 20th birthday THE Somerset Care Group marked its 20th anniversary with a party for current and former managers, commissioners and other invited guests. Attendees included Lady Gass, Lord lieutenant of Somerset, councilor John Edney, chairman of Somerset county council and captain Mike Moreland, the company's first chairman. During the event chief executive Andrew Larpent OBE conducted Skype sessions with four of the organisation’s 31 homes, culminating in a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ to resident Hannah Valentine, who celebrated her century on the same day at Pulsford Lodge in Wiveliscombe.

He said: “Our first two decades as a modern social and public service enterprise have proved beyond doubt the success and the potential of our business model and, despite the economic pressures facing all providers of public services, we have every reason to look ahead with confidence.” The Taunton-based company operates 27 care homes in Somerset and Gloucestershire, which provide residential and nursing care for more than 1,400 residents. The group's homecare service provides more than 45,000 hours of community care every week to people in their own homes in 15 local authority areas.

FUNDING for care and residential homes in Torbay is falling behind and owners are struggling to cope, claims the town’s care association. The Torbay Quality Care Forum has raised concerns that the fees paid by the town’s Care Trust do not enable them to meet the rising costs of minimum wages, energy, food, repairs, medication and utilities. Together these account for around two thirds of a care home's operating costs. Recent increases in fees have failed to keep up with inflation, with an increase of just one per cent last year and the same proposed for next year. Claire Hunter from the Care Forum said Torbay is one of the lowest fee paying authorities in the South West for both nursing and residential homes. Five years ago it was midtable. She added: “The ever increasing drive for quality is counter to a cost saving environment. What aspects of care service quality should give, in order to operate within funding constraints?

“As most good homes will have a mixture of public and privately funded clients who pay far higher fees, public fees are well below the true cost of care. “Without private fee payers subsidising public fees good and excellent homes would close.” Claire criticised the trust’s proposed budget of £40.3m next year compared with £42.2m this, adding that residential care is a substantial contributor to the local economy, with over 80 per cent of fee income being spent on staff wages and locally sourced products and services. She added: “Although in the short term a reduction in bed capacity might seem desirable, demographic trends suggest that demand for residential and nursing care will increase substantially. “A loss of supply now will mean shortages and high prices in the future. The trust’s budget reports on the implications of the provisional spending target cites a 13 per cent increase in the over 65 population over the next five years.”

Company gets go-ahead for redevelopment HUNTER Healthcare Property has been granted planning permission to redevelop its Trinity Lodge Nursing Home in Edinburgh. The site was acquired in 2006 and a planning application was lodged last November to fully redevelop it, in part behind existing facades, to increase the number of bedrooms from 24 to 60. Iain Leheny, of Hunter Property Fund Management, who manage the

home, said the existing site is no longer fit for purpose. He added: “When construction is complete we will have created the best care home in Edinburgh, and the number of jobs, both full time and part-time, is likely to nearly double to 90.” The firm is seeking a partner to develop and operate the new home, and work is likely to start later this year.

New guidelines on dehydration launched NEW guidelines have been released to help those who work in care homes tackle the problem of dehydration and malnutrition. The NACC has worked with local authorities to develop an information sheet helping those who work in the care catering sector spot the signs before it is too late. The launch follows a report released by the Office of National Statistics which found that 650 care home residents in England and Wales died of dehydration between 2005 and 2009, with 157 dying of

malnutrition in the same period. NACC chairman Derek Johnson said approximately 40 per cent of elderly people arrive at hospitals and care homes already malnourished for various reasons. He added: “Many older people have to rely on those working in our industry to provide proper care and we must make sure everyone strives to provide them with the care they deserve “We hope they will act as a checklist, enabling all those working in the sector to spot the warning signs of malnutrition and/or

dehydration in older people at the earliest opportunity. Investing in the care catering sector rather than cutting these services will actually help save money in the long term and reduce the number of elderly people transferred to hospitals and care homes.” The new advice will be issued by the NACC through its members, and is available to all staff working in the sector via the website. Topics covered include: What is malnutrition? Who is at high risk of malnutrition?

Spotting the signs and symptoms How to improve access to food What is dehydration? Who is at high risk of dehydration? Spotting the signs of dehydration What to do if you are concerned A recent report published by the NACC ‘Personalisation, Nutrition and the Role of Community Meals’ identified people working in the care catering sector as being in an ideal position to monitor the health of the elderly and encourage them to eat well, lowering the risk of malnutrition.

43 Badgemaster

15/2/11

13:59

Page 1

15/2/11

17:01

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Sonia spreads massage to Durham residents RESIDENTS at a Durham care home are now enjoying a variety of treatments including full body and Indian head massages. Bowburn Care Centre manager Keith Garside decided to transform an indoor gardening room into a beauty therapy facility after the voluntary services of Sonia Carlin, daughter-in-law of one of the residents, proved so popular. Keith told Caring UK the home has employed qualified beautician Sonia in an activities co-ordinator’s role. He added: “Sonia first started going around the residents offering manicures and other simple treatments, but she has proved so popular that we decided to take her on and have given her a room. “She has transformed this into a health spa, and there is a lovely atmosphere in there as she has decorated it to create a very relaxing environment. “Her services have proved so popular that she is fully booked five days a week between 9am and 5pm, and all the money she takes goes into the residents’ fund.” As well as providing a relaxing atmosphere around the Guardian care owned home, Keith said he has

Sonia Carlin treats carer Melissa Hann noticed a big change in many of the residents. “The residents love going down there and come out feeling a million dollars,” he added. “We have a 94year-old gentleman who regularly goes for a head massage, while a 90year-old woman who rarely left her room is down there twice a week having things done. “Before the room opened we had a

very good relationship with the residents’ relatives, but this has been enhanced even more, and they are also using Sonia’s services either before they leave or together with their loved one. “It gives them a change of scenery, and adds another purpose to the visit.” Further developments ongoing at the 65-bed home include the

creation of a shop stocking a variety of goods for the residents to purchase, and a pet therapy room. Keith added: “Out gardener has built a mobile pen so staff can take the guinea pigs to visit those residents who cannot get out of bed, and he is now creating a dedicated room to house the hamsters, terrapins and fish we have here.”

Kathleen Slade and Sarah Barnett

Whistle-blowing assistants awarded for their bravery TWO Somerset care assistants whose whistle-blowing led to a nursing home manager being jailed for manslaughter have been presented with awards for their courage. Sarah Barnett and Kathleen Slade resigned from jobs at Parkfields residential home, at Butleigh, near Glastonbury, after becoming concerned about how Rachel Baker was caring for residents. They reported their fears to the

Commission for Social Care Inspection, and following a lengthy police investigation, Rachel was jailed for 10 years for manslaughter, possession of Class A and C controlled drugs and attempting to pervert the cause of justice. The pair were presented with Waley-Cohen awards during a ceremony at Avon and Somerset police headquarters.

45 Nationwide fp

15/2/11

17:06

Page 1

15/2/11

16:55

Page 1

CARINGNEWS

Fire death family in appeal to killer By Dominic Musgrave

Edith Stuart

THE distraught family of a 96year-old woman who died in a deliberate fire at a care home in Lancashire last year have spoken for the first time. Officers were called to the Cleveleys Park Rest Home at around 6pm on October 18. Six people were taken to hospital, but Edith Stuart died from her injuries the following day. Police have revealed how Edith’s bed was purposely set on fire as she lay in it. Daughter Shirley Fish said:

“They set fire to mum’s bed and walked away, leaving her there – it must have been so frightening. She must have been terrified. These are the thoughts which go through our minds. “I would beg that person to give themselves up. It would help all of us. It will never go away, that trauma will always be there because it’s happened.” A 29-year-old woman and a 17year-old girl both from Cleveleys were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but later released with no charge. Det Ch Insp Andrea Barrow, who

is leading the investigation, added: “The murder investigation into the death of Edith Stuart is still very much on-going, we continue to work on a number of lines of enquiry. “This is a difficult investigation in which a fire was deliberately started within a small rest home, but there are people out there that will know what happened that night, and the person or persons responsible for Edith’s death. I would urge anyone with any piece of information that could assist us to please come forward for the sake of Edith’s family.”

Firm secures £16.9m contract GB BUILDING Solutions has won a £16.9m contract to build a new care home in Surrey that will feature ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic cells and sedam roofing. The 117-bed Anchor development, known as West Hall, will comprise of three cluster buildings set in landscaped gardens and containing individual bedroom suites and a

shared living and dining space. The communal areas in each cluster will help foster a real community feel, and an existing building on the site will be converted to create a central ‘heart’ facility to provide reception, dining room and hair salon. The work started on site at the beginning of January and is expected to take 68 weeks.

Winners with their awards

Healthcare firm recognises hard work of employees THE hard work of staff from 23 of Shaw Healthcare’s care homes in the Midlands was recognised at an awards ceremony in Solihull.

(Abbott House, Oundle); Manager Anne Thompson (Spinneyfields); Regional star - Janet Williams (regional manager, Northants.

Prizes were given in a variety of categories, with CEO Jeremy Nixey providing the closing speech.

West Midlands winners were: Care Supporter - Rita Lewis (The Hawthorns, Evesham), second Linda Crampton (Barton Mews, Barton Under Needwood), third Julie Fulford (Orchard House, Withington); Carer - Giji Thomas (The Hawthorns), second - Joyce Ince (Ledbury NH, Ledbury), third Richard Baughan (Leadon Bank, Ledbury); Cook - Beryl Marshall (Woodside Day Care, Ross-on-Wye), second - Sue Overthrow (The Hawthorns), third - Karen Febery ( Leadon Bank); NVQ champion (care support) - Michelle Harrison (Froome Bank, Bromyard); Deputy manager - Jane Eversham (Ledbury NH), second - Alan Riley (Waverley House, Leominster), third Bernedette Simmonds (St Johns, Droitwich); Home manager - Mary Tasker (The Hawthorns); Regional star - Jane Harris (regional marketing, Midlands).

East Midlands winners were: Care supporter (joint first) - Lorraine Merrill and Glenda Tyers (Longlands, Daventry, joint second - Marlynn Black (Sandalwood Court, Corby) and Angie Cuthbert (Ashfield House, Raunds), third - Peter Bell (Spinneyfields, Rushden); Carer Kathy Loake (Beech Close, Desborough), second - Daniel Journeaux (Spinneyfields), third Julie Barry (Ashfield House); NVQ champion (care support) - Julie Walker (Turn Furlong, Kingsthorpe); Cook - Louise Wade (Thorndale, Kettering), second - Kerry Mitchell (Spinneyfields), third - Suzanne Moore (Abbott House, Oundle); Deputy manager - Lisa Duffy (Longlands, Daventry), second Sandra Cairney (Thackley Green, Corby), third - Suzanne Moore

15/2/11

16:55

Page 1

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Simple-to-use monitoring system MYAMEGO is an intelligent monitoring system designed to enable increased independence and choice for residents of care homes and extra care settings, while supporting care teams’ delivery of enhanced person-centred care. Of critical concern for care home managers is having the confidence that residents receive appropriate bedroom visits, particularly at night time. MyAmego’s comprehensive system not only sends automatic reminders for care tasks such as medication or bed-turning, but is an invaluable safeguarding tool for residents and staff. Auditable data providing evidence of the time and duration of individual carer’s visits to rooms is a feature of

the unique system. This data can also be used to review team operations, evidence increasing levels of care delivery to commissioners, or to support inspection requirements. MyAmego is simple to use and ideal for people with dementia and other cognitive impairment. It requires no pushing of buttons or pulling of cords – being passive to the user and automatic for the carer. The system encourages independent mobility, only alerting for assistance when required – where, for example, a person enters an area of risk, is at social risk, or stays too long in places such as a toilet or garden. MyAmego may also be used in a nurse call capacity. Its customised alerts, reminders and

reports facilitate evaluation and proactive management of an individual’s care. In dementia care, mobility assessment and reports are useful indicators of well being with outcomes including medication management, reduction in falls and highlighting of conditions such as UTIs. Information is delivered securely online, in a simple, user-friendly format. MyAmego is used by local authorities, private care homes and large care provision groups throughout the UK. Its wireless technology is quick, inexpensive and non-disruptive to install – whether in an older building, refurbishment or new build. The system is available to buy or lease, with possible tax benefits available.

Consultants

If you would like to advertise in Caring UK please contact: 01226 734479

Gerflor’s healthcare solutions now in one new exciting brochure GERFLOR has launched the new SPM International brochure. The brochure showcases SPM’s well respected and reliable range of products including protective panels, wall protection, ergonomic handrails, as well as door and corner protection. It is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with tabs for each part of the brochure making it easy to go straight to the relevant section. The brochure reinforces how widely applicable SPM products are in the healthcare industry; from hospitals to care and retirement homes. Lifestyle photography demonstrates examples of the protective and decorative elements of the product portfolio. As well as showing the extensive range of versatile product SPM has to offer, it provides critical information about the ranges in terms of their safety, easy maintenance and optimum hygiene properties. Gerflor’s extensive portfolio of vinyl floorcoverings is also recognised and installed in the marketplace for extreme durability, high design options, ease of maintenance and high performance slip resistance. Enquiries: Telephone 01926 622600, visit www.gerflor.co.uk or email contractuk@gerflor.com

HCAs and APs: Why they need to be a part of the RCN

Pressalit care brackets for height adjustable basins

AT the RCN we value HCAs and APs as an integral part of the nursing team, and are passionate about supporting them in their work to ensure that they can provide a high quality service for patients. We offer much more than other unions: An ever-growing range of resources to help HCAs and APs in their education and development including the largest nursing library in the world Numerous e-learning opportunities including an online induction training resource ‘First Steps for HCAs’. The first HCA and AP network to inform of topical health care news and share best practice. A dedicated team providing professional and emotional support and advice. Enquiries: Visit www.rcn.org.uk/hca or telephone 0345 772 6100.

PRESSALIT Care’s height adjustable basin brackets have been designed to bring flexibility for users with limited mobility, enabling them to carry out everyday washroom tasks with increased independence. For use in installations such as school hygiene rooms and changing places facilities, as well as home adaptations, the company produces a range of brackets suited to both frequent and periodic use. As specialists in providing bathroom and kitchen solutions for those with limited mobility, Pressalit Care’s basin brackets have been designed for functionality and ease of use, allowing standing or seated users to choose the individual height they need to use a washbasin in comfort. Where frequent adjustment is required – such as multi-user bathrooms in schools, hospitals, care homes or public places – gas assisted or electric brackets are recommended. Operated by means of a lever control or remote control, height adjustment of up to 300mm is achieved. Enquiries: Visit www.pressalitcare.co.uk or telephone 0844 880 6950.

New wipes designed to help reduce the risk of infections REFRESHENING Professional Caring Moist Wipes are specifically developed to help reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections by cleansing and preventing cross contamination through hand contact. The wipe is perfect for removing germs from hands, ideal for personal hygiene and guarantees effective cleansing, the professional way. These unique moist wipes are individually wrapped for that personal touch, infused with a natural Aloe fragrance and balanced to the skins natural pH. Caring Moist Wipes can also be personalised to your requirements upon the outer wrapping. Every wipe will be covered with your brand, your advertising message and what you have to offer. Give your business an edge by employing this unique product direct into your clients hands. No soap, no water, no problem. Enquiries: Visit www.refreshening.co.uk or call free on 0800 032 77 32.

If you would like to advertise in Caring UK please contact:

01226 734479

48 C-S page

15/2/11

16:59

Page 1

Personalised linen for care homes TOWELSDIRECT has been supplying the care sector for the last 20 years, and are providing premium Turkish quality towels that last up to 150 washes. Most towels that you see in a retailer will only last 60 washes. We also provide minimum iron bedlinen that is constructed of easy care polycotton, again designed to last longer than your average bedsheet and save your staff time. Bespoke embroidery designs are available, along with matching bedlinen and curtains. Please call free for a no obligation discussion. Since Towelsdirect’s inception, we have always tried to focus on our uniqueness. Customers are reminded that we offer free delivery on orders over £150, operate a no minimum order policy and next day delivery from stock. We recognise that our customers’ needs are ever changing, and it is with this in mind that we are updating our website daily. Enquiries: Telephone 0800 018 6935 or visit www.towelsdirect.co.uk for our online catalogue.

Armstrong reliability right for Bridge House THE Parnell family has been running Bridge House residential home in Bristol for almost 20 years, and care manager Jane cannot remember a time when the laundry equipment was not supplied and supported by Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems. “We work our laundry hard,” she said. “We need a high standard of support and that’s what we get from Armstrong.” When Bridge House needed new equipment last year, Armstrong recommended a 7kg Schulthess high spin washer extractor, a complementary Schulthess tumble dryer and a Schulthess stacking kit. Jane added: “Our laundry does absolutely everything, and the medical cycle in particular is a blessing. We run it at least five times a day, seven days a week. “We rarely have a problem, and when we do, Armstrong are always here to help us very promptly.” Enquiries: Telephone 01635 263410, email enquiries@armstrong-laundry.co.uk or visit www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk

New products from Impey at Naidex IMPEY will be showcasing new products, branding and literature at the forthcoming Naidex exhibition. New products will include the new and patented Level-Dec Advance Range, which allows easy installation of a wet floor shower, creating the ‘fall’ for easy drainage, waterproofing and incorporates a revolutionary drainage feature which can rotate by 360 degrees to avoid timber joists, allowing a wet floor shower to be easily installed onto any type of flooring. A new Level-Access Shower Tray which is very light weight with a textured surface to improve grip will be available in five different sizes including 900mm square, 1000mm square, 1200X750mm, 1200X900mm and 1500X750mm. The design team at Impey have also created a range of new grab rails with a co-polymer extrusion, which feel fabulously soft yet easy to grip so that the rails offer comfort as well as the necessary support. Impey will be on stand B60 at the NEC between April 5 and 7.

Alfamax looks after all your catering needs IF you are looking for any new catering equipment, whether it is a new dishwasher, refrigeration or cooking equipment, you can rely on Alfamax. We are able to supply standard or thermal disinfection dishwashers, and provide a full installation service and ongoing service contracts on your new or existing equipment. Alfamax can supply standard refrigeration or BioLine medical refrigeration units, with three-year parts and labour warranties. Whatever your requirements, Alfamax can supply the ideal products for your operation. Enquiries: Telephone 0844 357 4030, email info@alfamax.info or fax 01276 62696.

Beaucare launches new eCommerce website BEAUCARE Medical Ltd, the UK’s premier supplier of hygiene, medical supplies and equipment to private care homes, hospitals and individuals, has launched a new eCommerce website. It follows significant growth in online sales for the company, and reflects an increasing demand for online features and benefits from both Beaucare’s business and private customers. The site, which was originally launched in 2002, now benefits from easier and faster navigation through product categories; better in site search functions; more online special offers; links to social networking tools including Facebook and Twitter. Managing director Jonathan Brown said: “As a company, we are constantly striving to improve and expand on the products and services we offer and, having consolidated our range of both medical and hygiene products, we are now concentrating our efforts on improving the way we showcase them to our customer base.” All online payments will continue to run safely and securely. Enquiries: Telephone 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com

Creating wet floor perfection LEVEL Dec Advance from Impey, the leading authority of specialist showering products and wet floor showers, is the easiest way to create a wet floor shower. Fitted into the floor, the moulded base creates the ‘fall’ for the water to drain away successfully, and is the perfect way to create a wet floor shower which looks fantastic, is completely waterproof and is backed up by a lifetime warranty with the Impey no leak guarantee. Level Dec Advance is a dream product for installers as it is suitable for all floor types – timber, concrete and floating, and it incorporates a revolutionary drainage feature which can rotate by 360 degrees to avoid timber joists, which makes it incredibly easy to install. Available in a range of preformed sizes, LevelDec Advance can give a showering area of 1000mm square, 1150X850mm, 1450X1150mm and 1600X700mm allowing plenty of space for a wheelchair if required. Enquiries: Telephone 01460 256080 or email info@impey-uk.com

‘Power within the hour’ resolves problems for Larne Care Home NORTHERN Ireland’s Wilson Group Nursing Homes is ensuring essential services keep functioning at its Larne Care Home should a power cut occur with standby power provided by shentongroup’s unique, Powercall ‘power within the hour’ service. “Larne Care Home is in a relatively remote location,” said financial director Colin Nimmon. “When being built the project manager investigated the best option for standby power and suggested Powercall. “Although we have not had to use their services, it provides us with peace of mind knowing that if a power cut occurs our residents will not be inconvenienced. “It is also a cost effective solution and means we can ensure our homes continue to provide our residents with essential services such as heating, lighting, security systems, safety equipment and electrically operated beds if a powercut occurs.” Enquiries: Telephone 0844 888 4445, fax 0844 888 4446, email: info@shentongroup.co.uk or visit www.shentongroup.co.uk/powercall

Simple solutions SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems. The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition. With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur. Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry! It’s that simple... The WACMAT® will then be clean and odour-free, 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

49 Classi

15/2/11

16:57

Page 1

CARINGNEWS Alarm Systems

Occupancy specialist

If you would like to advertise in Caring UK please contact: 01226 734479

Fitness equipment

Transport

15/2/11

16:56

Page 1

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Medication training RESEARCHERS have highlighted the fact that the majority of teams working in more than 20,000 care homes across the UK do not include people with clinical training. Yakub Chemist provides medication administration training on site, accredited by the National Pharmacy Association and The College of Pharmacy. After an interactive training session carers complete an assessment under exam conditions. With a 90 per cent pass rate and no charge to the care home, Yakub Chemist hopes to increase the confidence and abilities of carers throughout Leicestershire. Providing a wide range of MDS systems such as Biodose, Manrex and Electronic, Yakub Chemist can provide a personalised solution based on the needs of your care home.

New staff app is released THE UK’s leading workforce management software supplier, The Webroster Group, has released the latest version of webroster.net The online application is used within the health and social care industries to automatically roster, manage and track staff, negating the need for manual rosters, timesheets,

Email your way to £100,000 giveaway

mileage forms and worksheets by storing all the necessary information in one easy to use online application. The upgrade includes a unique new booking enquiries facility that gives staff members more control and input into their own rosters. Whilst booking a requirement to a REQUIRED Systems has teamed up with Caring UK for a £100,000 giveaway that is free to enter. All you have to do is to reply to the email you will receive from Caring UK and you will get an instant reply telling you how much you have won. It will be at least £50 and could be as much as £600 that you can put towards any of their CQC

staff member, users can now choose to send an 'enquiry' message to staff members requesting whether they would like to accept the booking. This message can be sent to either one or multiple staff members, meaning the first person to ‘accept’ the enquiry is booked to the requirement. Outcomes Systems. Required Systems has produced devices for the care sector for more than 10 years, and are endorsed by the NCA and several other well know associations. Systems for the care of the elderly, adults aged between 18 and 65, domiciliary care, infection control and compliance audit tools are all available, with full details at requiredsystems.com

Wireless nurse Unique radiator New website, call system thermostat covers new design ... UNDERSTANDING the encounters facing today’s care homes is crucial, especially when developing smarter ways of working, for example, through reliable, efficient and safe nurse call technology. Aid Call offers a unique wireless nurse call system which combines safety critical features and leading edge, innovative technologies to meet these demands. These include the development of an advanced, two-way, class one, safety critical radio nurse call solution. All touchable elements of the system are embedded with antimicrobial additives to help combat the spread of infection. Through this state-of-the-art approach, high quality and service standards, Aid Call will provide the best wireless nurse call solution to meet operational needs and deliver better value-for-money.

Full design and fit packages ORIGINALLY involved in the domestic appliance sector, Fowler UK branched out into the commercial laundry and catering sector 25 years ago, and are still going strong today. We offer full laundry and kitchen design and fit packages to suite every pocket, be it through leasing, rental or outright purchase. All our machines are fully warranted, either by ourselves or the manufacturer, and come with WRAS approval. We have access to all manufacturers of quality commercial catering and laundry equipment at highly competitive prices, so we can always source the correct product for your needs.

particularly relevant to homes CW TECHNOLOGIES’ unique thermostat protection covers are designed to restrict who can adjust the heating controls. This is particularly relevant to nursing and care homes as thermostat heating controllers are frequently positioned in public or multioccupancy areas. Starting from just £13.86 and available from the company’s website www.SecuritySafetyProducts.co.uk, these lockable, tamper-proof Thermostat Protectors are made from tough, transparent polycarbonate so the dial can easily be read without removing the lid. Importantly, each Thermostat Protector features a robust lock. Supplied with two keys, additional keys are also available should more than two care home managers or members of staff need to gain access – perhaps during an active night-shift. Supplied with standard fixings, the Thermostat Protector is easy to fit and available in five different sizes to cater for all thermostat controller types. Each protector also features ventilation holes to ensure the thermostat continues to operate normally, even if it is a wireless device.

YTM Furniture has a new website www.ytmfurniture.com. The site has a completely new design, forming the final stage of YTM’s corporate rebranding scheme launched in 2009. It provides a comprehensive and easy-to-use tool where users will benefit from a clear

product display and straightforward navigation, as well as detailed product information and regularly updated news pages. Case studies demonstrate how YTM Furniture has helped care homes throughout the UK to create a supportive and comforting environment for their residents.

Trading pounds for pounds CHARITABLE care home staff in Otley are trading pounds for pounds for its local hospice. The group of women from Anchor Trust’s Teal Beck House hope to lose five stone between them over 16 weeks, and raise £500 for the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in the process. Team Leader Tracy McKeown said they have already lost a

stone-and-a-half between them. She added: “We are currently on target to raise the money for the hospice, a benefactor we all chose as many of our family and friends affected by illness have benefitted from the work it does.” Local gym Club Energy has offered free weekly training sessions to help the group achieve the goal.

Have you got a story for Caring UK? Contact our healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave on 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

Badges can improve customer satisfaction RESEARCH carried out in three countries has found that in businesses and customer facing staff, something as simple as wearing a name badge can make a huge and immediate difference to customer satisfaction levels. The study, carried out by Shopper Anonymous, found that when a range of businesses introduced name badges for all staff, satisfaction ratings rose by 12 per cent almost overnight, in comparison to those that did not require staff to

wear badges. The figure came out of the study of 116,000 mystery shopper reports carried out over the last eight years in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. John Bancroft, managing director of Europe’s largest name badge manufacturer, Badgemaster, said: “We can manufacture custom-made bespoke name badges, in line with a company’s corporate identity.” Badgemaster provides the name badges for the customer facing staff at the NHS, Bupa, Nuffield, Southern

Cross, Hallmark and Barchester Healthcare and are approved by both the NCA and RNHA.

51 eric howard

15/2/11

14:00

Page 1

52 Shackletons

15/2/11

13:59

Page 1