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March 2015
incorporating
no.225 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Ratings display guidance is set out for homes By Dominic Musgrave THE regulator of health and adult social care has issued draft guidance for consultation on how providers across England can make sure they are meeting the Government’s new requirement for them to prominently display their performance ratings from April. This follows an amended regulation laid before Parliament by the Department of Health that will require providers to display their CQC ratings at their registered locations and on their websites. The Care Act 2014 places a duty on CQC to inspect the performance of health and adult social care services and to present these judgements as ratings. The inspectorate rates services as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate so that the public has clear information to help them make informed choices about their care. CQC has been doing this for the NHS since last March, for adult social care since last October and for general practices since November. Guidance has now been developed to set out how providers can meet this new requirement, and the CQC has launched a four-week consultation for providers,
members of the public and others to share their comments. At the same time, the regulator is consulting on draft guidance for providers on some minor amendments carried over from the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009. Anyone with an interest is invited to have their say before final guidance is published in March and Government’s new regulations begin in April. Chief executive David Behan said: “Our role as the regulator is making sure people have access to health and care services that are safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led – it’s what everyone should expect and deserves. “Following an inspection we publish our report and rating on our website. In the future there is a new requirement for all providers to display their rating. This will provide even greater transparency in helping people to make more informed choices about their care, either for themselves or their loved ones. “I hope as many as people as possible will take the time to read our proposals and tell us what they think.” I What do you think of the CQC’s announcement? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@scriptmedia.co.uk
Valuing staff and the arts promoted
Care home residents in North Wales are going to be pampered by a beauty queen. Miss Conwy and Denbighshire, Kerie Reveley, will be running beauty sessions at Pendine Park care organisation, Wrexham. Kerie, a beautician at Bora Bora salon in Prestatyn, will be giving treatments from mini facials and facial threading, to manicures and pedicures as part of Pendine Park’s enrichment programme. She is being sponsored by Pendine Park to compete at the Miss Wales 2015 Grand Final at the Princess Royal Theatre, in Neath Port Talbot on Saturday, March 7.
THE annual Care Home Open Day takes place on June 19 and will promote the themes of “The Arts and Valuing Staff”. Supported by a group of leading care providers, associations, charities and care regulators, Care Home Open Day aims to reinforce the connections care homes have across their local communities, as well as challenging misconceptions about residential care and showcasing the excellent services that are at the heart of communities across the UK. To date, Care Home Open Day has proven to be a great success and the event is growing year-onyear, with more care homes signing up to take part each time. Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said: “Care Home Open Day is an important event to participate in. It is a great opportunity for the public to see the range of care services at the heart of their communities and for care homes to establish valuable connections.”
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Speakers announced for first conference By Dominic Musgrave THE line-up of speakers has been revealed for Caring UK’s first conference of the year in Wetherby in May. The Shaping the Future of Care event takes place at the racecourse on May 13. Care England chief executive professor Martin Green OBE will begin the event, followed by Skills for Care locality manager Fiona MacMillan, whose talk is entitled ‘Supporting the dementia workforc.e’ After the mid-morning break the CQC’s head of inspection north Ros Sanderson will begin the session with an update from the inspectorate, followed by the NCA chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE who will discuss ‘Ensuring the future of care’. The final two speakers at the event will be Neil Hargreaves from apetito Limited, who will discuss ‘Dining with dignity’. And, following the lunch break and the opportunity for networking and visiting the extensive exhibition which will run alongside the conferences, John Kennedy, director of care services for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, will talk about
Care England chief executive professor Martin Green OBE. ‘Care in the 21st century – what must change?’ Further speakers will be confirmed in due course. Caring UK editor Dominic Musgrave
said: “As you can see we have once again put together a stellar line-up of speakers who will talk about a range of topics throughout the day. “With the exhibition running alongside and the opportunity to network, this conferences is truly not to be missed, and I would urge all care home and domiciliary care operators and managers in the area to attend this event. Caring UK’s conferences are held in association with Care England and the NCA. Further events are planned to take place on July 1 and 2 at The Bristol Pavilion in Bristol and the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay respectively. And on September 29 and 30 the conferences move to The AGEAS Bowl in Southampton and The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury. To find out more about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, or to book your place at these must-attend events, turn to pages 10 and 11 or visit www.caring-uk.co.uk and follow the link.
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Provider launches ‘Your Vote Counts’ election campaign
Resident Min Norman with the handmade blanket she made with the help of a volunteer.
Weekly club keeps residents busy RESIDENTS at Rogers House in Wigmore got together for their weekly Wednesday club to sew, stitch and get stuck into a morning of creative crafting. The weekly club, which is run by the home’s volunteers, sees a number of residents coming together to embrace their inventive sides, making a range of items from pin cushions and knitted hats to birthday cards and toys. Many of the handmade items produced by the volunteers and residents are on sale at the home and
are available to buy at their fetes and bazaars. Lucy Dixon, home manager, said: “Our Wednesday club is a great success every week, a huge number of residents join in and they really enjoy making a variety of different things. “We are so grateful for our dedicated team of volunteers, who do a wonderful job in helping us to support our residents. “Without them, things like the weekly craft club may not be able to run.”
ONE of the UK’s leading not-forprofit care providers has launched a campaign to help residents living in its care homes have their say in this year’s General Election on May 7. The Orders of St John Care Trust's Your Vote Counts initiative will set out to proactively encourage residents at the group’s 69 homes to vote during the election, as many of the key issues concerning the way older people are treated and cared for have a direct impact on their lives. OSJCT strategy director Sara Livadeas said: “Older people living in care homes are too often ignored when it comes to the democratic process. This can’t be right and we’re determined to change it. That’s why we’re launching this innovative campaign to make sure all our residents are supported and empowered to have their say at this election. “We are working in partnership with the Electoral Commission to make certain that every one of our residents is properly registered before the April deadline. We don’t want our residents to “disappear” from the electoral registers through lack of access or information." OSJCT will also identify Voting
Sara Livadeas Champions in each of its care homes, all of whom will receive training from the National Development Team for Inclusion. Sara added: “We’ve enlisted the support of the NDTi to encourage greater engagement in the political process. With the help of our appointed Voting Champions, we’ll be organising activities in our homes around the important issues – many of which directly affect the lives of older people – and inviting key players on all sides of the political campaigns to come and visit. OSJCT will also help residents get to polling stations to place their vote.
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Care home’s new ‘pub’ is the perfect tonic for residents By Dominic Musgrave A GLASGOW care home has come up with an unusual therapy for residents who are living with dementia – by providing them with their own traditional ‘pub’. Bupa’s Craigbank opened ‘The Doncaster’ as a concept to provide a recognisable social environment for residents to relive the past and encourage the sharing of memories and stories. Although the ‘pub’ is a not a licensed premises, it is fully equipped for social activities with table football and a darts board and comes complete with traditional beer mats and pint glasses to help create an authentic atmosphere. A range of drinks are also provided – which are mainly donated by residents and family members – and the ‘bar’ has already proved a huge hit with residents, relatives and staff. The benefits of the pub have been further enhanced with the development of a beer garden, allowing residents to sit outside (weather permitting) and to enjoy spending time with friends and family in similar facilities to those found in most community settings. Alan Twigg, home manager, said The
Doncaster is delivering a creative form of therapy for residents with dementia. He added: “By providing a mock pub we have created a comfortable and familiar social setting for our residents which really helps to makes them feel more at ease within their surroundings. “While it is open to all residents, we have found it has a particular appeal to male residents, allowing them to reconnect with their traditional notion of ‘going for a pint with your pals’. “The pub has been a complete success with the residents and has become so popular we now use it for events, celebrations and birthdays. “We want our residents to have the best care possible and that means developing new ideas to improve their quality of life.” Pauline Hunter, clinical services manager at Craigbank, supports the progression of cognitive stimulation for people with dementia – and approves the benefits of The Doncaster. She added: “This concept undoubtedly, in my view, improves the living experience for residents in the unit by providing cognitive stimulation which inevitably improves the mood
‘The Doncaster’ pub at Craigbank in Glasgow. and general wellbeing of the residents. “Families can also benefit from spending time in an enjoyable setting which enhances the visit to their relative or friend – helping to create a friendly, relaxing atmosphere for all parties. “The facility can also improve co-
ordination – even if this just involves a resident raising a pint glass. “We are already seeing male residents responding positively to the pub environment, and have even noticed the social situation has meant they are opening up more to each other which is a positive thing to see.”
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Results of annual survey revealed By Dominic Musgrave
Residents craft their own plasticine characters at the Animex workshop.
Residents get creative RESIDENTS at two care homes were able to try their hands at stop-motion animation for the first-time during a creative workshop held by Teesside University. The Animex workshop was held at The Gables care home in Middlesbrough and was attended by residents from Ingleby care home in nearby Ingleby Barwick as part of Animex, The International Festival of Animation and Computer Games, which is organised by the University. During the workshops residents were able to craft their own characters using plasticine, googly eyes and pipe cleaners to star in their very own stop-motion animation movies. Artists from the Animex Festival showed residents how to film their characters a frame at a time, adjusting them in between each take
to make it appear as though they were moving. The residents were then able to edit these using an iMac and showcase their directorial debuts to one another at the end of the workshop. Christine Wilson, activities coordinator from Ingleby care home, who helped organise the activity, said: “The residents had a wonderful time during the Animex workshop, especially as they had never tried their hand at animation before. “It was great to see the residents laughing and enjoying themselves as they created the leading characters and planned the storylines for their films. “Everyone commented on how much fun they had getting creative, and we hope that Animex will return when the festival takes place again next year.”
THE UK’s largest and most authoritative survey of care home residents, Your Care Rating, has announced the results of its 2014 annual survey. The study looks at the views o more than 20,000 residents who take part in it from 29 different providers in more than 1,000 homes. Each facility is awarded an overall performance rating out of 1,000. The national average score this year was 872 with scores ranging between 631 and 995. Care providers in the North East received the highest regional average of 886, followed by the North West which scored an average of 880. This contrasts with London which received the lowest regional average score of 863. The national average scores across the survey’s four main themes were: staff and care, 871; home comforts, 852; choice and having a say, 854; and quality of life, 922. However, the high and low scores varied considerably across the themes, for example for home comforts the scores ranged between 454 and 996. The survey paints a broadly positive picture of the state of the UK’s care
homes, which is at odds with the negative perception the sector often receives. Douglas Quinn, chairman of Your Care Rating, said: “We need to listen much more to the people who actually live in care homes. They are best placed to judge if the care they receive is good or bad. “This year the results show that most residents are very happy with their care – they are treated with dignity, kindness and respect and most care homes are actually doing a very good job. “While there will always be negative headlines, for the overwhelming majority of residents day-to-day life in a care home is pretty good.” The Your Care Rating survey has 28 questions and residents are provided with opportunities to add comments, which are then fed back anonymously to the care homes, alongside the survey results. All participating care homes receive a detailed analysis of the results, along with benchmark scores for other care homes and provider organisations. This insight also directs care improvement plans for each provider and provides invaluable feedback on what is most important for residents. The survey was undertaken for Your Care Rating by Ipsos MORI.
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County Council Leader Philip Atkins, director of Choices Julie Harding, relative Peter Crockett and Choices MD Nigel Downs.
Street transformed for opening THE High Street at Limewood was transformed into a 1950s street party to celebrate the opening of the new dementia care home in central Stafford – part of the Northfield Village development. Partnership organisations Choices Housing Association, Staffordshire County Council and The Wrekin Housing Trust gathered to celebrate at the event at the purpose-designed facility for 59 residents with the condition, providing residential, nursing and respite care. Attached to the building is a reality street called the High Street, offering residents a safe place to wander down memory lane. With its cinema, pub, cafe , hairdresser and snug, a stroll along this street is like stepping back into the 1950s. Decoration throughout is packed
with memorabilia, including retro radios, vintage china and a street lamp. The High Street is also open to the local community, providing a resource area for families struggling to come to terms with a dementia diagnosis. Managing director Nigel Downs coopened the building with county council leader Philip Atkins. Manager Sue Gibbs said “Limewood is a truly incredible building, and one that will offer excellent care to 59 people with dementia. “The adjacent High Street is a wonderful resource, enabling residents to re-live memories and enjoy an outing while safely supported by staff. The whole Northfield Village project will be a great addition of care provision for the people of Stafford.”
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Care group makes finals at double SPRINGHILL Care, based in Accrington, has made it through to the finals of two categories in the prestigious Red Rose Awards. The care home group has been shortlisted for the Health and Care Business of the Year as well as Large Business of the Year. The group, which operates three homes in Lancashire and Bristol, as well as a supported living service, was named winner of the Customer Services Award and the Health and Care Award in last year’s event. Ken Nolan, chairman and founder of the Springhill Care Group, said: “It’s pleasing to make it through to the finals again of a major business awards. This is a credit to everyone at Springhill and all the staff should be proud that we are consistently recognised at this level.” Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on March 12 when approximately 1,000 representatives of the county’s business community will recognise the best in class. The awards are judged by panels made up of independent business experts and sponsors.
Residents keeping fit with innovative exercise class By Dominic Musgrave A HARTLEPOOL care home is helping residents keep fit by introducing specialist exercise classes designed for the elderly. Abbeyvale Care Centre, which cares for 48 residents, invited Nouveau Dance and Fitness instructor Carly Taylor to introduce chair exercise to the class. Chair exercise has been recognised as a way of maintaining and improving the health and fitness of the elderly and less mobile in a safe way. Julie Shield, manager at Abbeyvale Care Centre said: “The residents really enjoyed the class, which saw them get active and carry out exercise in a very safe and secure environment. We are hoping to make the class a regular event and I have every confidence that it will improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of the residents here at Abbeyvale. “The expertise and experience that Nouveau Dance and Fitness have made it a perfect partnership for us with our residents in mind.” Seated exercise has been noted to lubricate joints and keep them flexible, strengthen and stabilise individual muscles and increase blood circulation. Studies have also supported improved outcomes for
Carly Taylor from Nouveau Dancer and Fitness with residents of Abbeyvale Care Centre. chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis. Nouveau Dance and Fitness is an award winning community interest company based in the North East, and is an NHS approved supplier of health and fitness classes. Carly, who has been an instructor for four years, added: “The class at Abbeyvale Care Centre were a great group to work with as they were enthusiastic and the staff were very helpful and encouraging with the
residents. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is very beneficial to elderly people as it maintains independence and mobility, as well as providing a fun and enjoyable past time.” The class will include flexi band exercises as well as Zumba style dancing from the comfort and safety of a stable chair. Participants are encouraged to stretch their legs and arms through aerobic style movements adapted to their abilities.
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New manager at helm of £9.2m Cheadle home The classes encourages young children and residents to sing and play musical instruments together.
Sessions connect generations PRE-SCHOOL children are helping to bring the joy of music to residents at RMBI care home Barford Court in Hove with a new music group. The Full Circle Music Group, run by music leader Debra Wade, is held weekly at the home and encourages young children and residents to sing and play musical instruments together. It also aims to create social interaction between young and older people, with some families having four generations taking part in the activity. Debra said: “The residents join in with gusto when we sing older songs, such as ‘Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary’ and ‘I Had a Little Nut Tree’, because they remember the words. “And the younger ones benefit from
coming into contact with a different generation. They are so young they don’t notice that some of the residents have dementia.” During the sessions at Barford Court, which have been sponsored by a masonic grant, the children hand out instruments to residents to stimulate conversation. Debra said: “I try very hard to find songs that the older residents know and also to find songs that reflect the seasons – for example, last month it was Christmas songs and in November they reflected Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day.” Debra got the idea for the group a few years ago when she realised how much her father-in-law enjoyed singing songs with her own children.
CARE UK has appointed Mark Shockledge manager of its new stateof-the-art care home Abney Court as it gears up to welcome its first residents in April. Situated within the grounds of grade II listed building Abney Hall, Abney Court is a £9.2m facility which is on track to create up to 100 jobs. The home will offer a range of services including residential and nursing care and specialist dementia care, together with palliative, respite and end-of-life care. Mark said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as home manager for Abney Court and I am now making the most of the opportunity to play a part in getting the home up and running as we head towards our opening date. “I strongly believe residents should be the focus of the home and at the centre of everything we do, and I will be leading the way in listening to our residents and getting to know them and their families as they make Abney Court their home. “At the same time, I am focused on putting Abney Court on the map as a home that delivers the highest quality care and is a valued part of the
Mark Shockledge community here in Cheadle.” The care home has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, with features including a café, a cinema room, a hairdressing salon and library. There will also be a sun-filled garden room and safe, wheelchairfriendly landscaped gardens.
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Provider rewards staff with treats and activities By Dominic Musgrave
The tenants and volunteers who have been making blankets for Blythswood Care.
Tenants get crafty for charity CHARITABLE tenants at a very sheltered housing development have been putting their knitting skills to good use, making blankets to help keep people in poverty warm this winter. The group of tenants and volunteers at Bield’s Dickson Court in West Calder have been getting crafty for the Blythswood Care charity, who send the blankets to some of the poorest parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. The committed team made up of seven tenants and seven ladies from the local community, have been knitting vests and patches for blankets all year. The patches are then sewn together
by the residents from the development before being shipped out in shoe boxes. Eileen Milne, a 70-year-old retired Good Neighbour Network coordinator, has been running the craft group, which meets every Monday morning throughout the year, since her retirement in 2005. She said “The blankets and vests go wherever they are needed so it’s good to know they will be helping people keep warm in some of the coldest and poorest places in the world. “It’s obviously a great project to be involved in, but it also benefits the residents at Dickson Court as it’s great to have something to be actively invovled in.”
MEMBERS of staff at care homes across the North East have been treated to pampering sessions, meals and special activities as part of the UK’s first National Employee Motivation Day. The homes, all part of the Hill Care group, took part in the nationwide initiative, introduced by Argos Business, to show staff appreciation for their work and to encourage them to feel motivated about their jobs. Each home celebrated the occasion in a different way with Mandale House, in Stockton-on-Tees rewarding their staff continental style by holding a French themed day. The home was decorated with flags, balloons and bunting while staff and residents were treated to delicious French cuisine for their lunch and evening meal. The staff also dressed in traditional stripy T-shirts and everyone enjoyed taking part in a European quiz at the end of the day. In Hartlepool, Queens Meadow care home treated their employees to pampering sessions in a relaxing
chair, complete with a duvet and pillows. Each member of staff was also served drinks and chocolates and had other colleagues, including managers, at their beck and call while they enjoyed the experience. The Gables, in Middlesbrough, provided their staff with relaxing traditional massages and ancient Reiki treatments, carried out by local professionals to make their workers feel special. Liz Jones, customer relations officer at Hill Care, said: “We have amazing staff across all of our homes who work tirelessly to ensure our residents have a wonderful experience and everything that they need. “After hearing about National Employee Motivation Day, we knew that we wanted to take part and make our staff feel appreciated for everything they do and to inspire them to continue their invaluable work. “Everyone really enjoyed the activities that were planned and, as the day was so successful, we will certainly be taking part again next year.”
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Ayr home is commended by inspector A CARE home has continued its reputation for unrivalled excellence, receiving a five-star rating for its services after an unannounced inspection. Blackwood’s St Leonards Court, in Ayr, was commended by the Care Inspectorate for its stellar care and the support provided to residents. Findings from the report showed the home had achieved top grades for its ‘excellent’ level of tenant participation, the quality of care and the leadership and management skills demonstrated by staff. The report also noted that St Leonards Court had taken on board suggested improvements from its last review, including actively encouraging tenant gatherings as well as the usual quarterly meetings. Irene Morrison, service manager, said: “St Leonards Court is like a family community and to have the Care Inspectorate recognise this is fantastic news. “The fact it was an unannounced inspection makes it even more satisfying as it demonstrates that we provide five-star services all the time and not just for the days we know we have an official review.”
Pioneering care centre to create 100 new jobs AN OPERATOR has started recruiting staff for a new centre of excellence for dementia care in North Wales. Pendine Park is creating 100 jobs at the £7million complex at the site of the former Bryn Seiont community hospital on the outskirts of Caernarfon. Construction work is on track and Canolfan Gofal Bryn Seiont (Bryn Seiont Care Centre) is due to open in September. The pioneering facility is the brainchild of Mario and Gill Kreft, the proprietors of the award-winning Pendine Park, who say it will be the perfect way to celebrate the organisation's 30th anniversary. They already employ more than 600 people in seven care homes in Wrexham, which cater for a variety of needs, a domiciliary care company and their own in-house training company. According to the couple, the bilingual centre and 16 extra care apartments to enable couples to stay together and people to stay independent will provide ‘world class’ facilities. Mario is the chair of Care Forum Wales, the main representative body for the care sector in Wales, and was awarded an MBE for his contribution to social care in the country. The model for Canolfan Gofal Bryn
Mario Kreft checks out the progress at Canolfan Gofal Bryn Seiont. Seiont is a development of their centre in Wrexham ,which was officially opened by First Minister Carwyn Jones in 2010. There, the Bodlondeb care home is divided into eight small, family-like units so that the residents receive individual care and attention while benefiting from the back-up of a larger organisation. Mario said: “The builders are very confident that they can meet the deadlines that we have to hand over the first phase of the development by the end of September. “Recruitment has already started and we’re currently in informal
discussions with a number of people about senior roles, and we’ve also had a very successful jobs fair in Caernarfon with the Jobs Centre. “We are all very encouraged by the goodwill and support we’ve received and I think the fact that it’s a new development and a new way of doing things interests people, not least because of Bryn Seiont's history as a hospital providing care to the community. “Our challenge at Bryn Seiont is to recruit people who want to buy into this concept of creating a community care centre, with high quality domiciliary care at the heart of it.”
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Avanta Care predicts another successful year ahead ... “PUTTING the care in to careers” is not just Avanta Care’s motto – it is their mantra. The unique selling point for this CQC registered company is the two arms to their business – they recruit healthcare staff for care homes nationwide, and they provide a local domiciliary care service. “We pride ourselves on providing quality staff, at a competitive rate,” said recruitment manager Paul Murray. “We value our healthcare staff, and go that extra mile by finding them a suitable position and assisting with relocating to a new area. “We believe that by treating our staff with care, this will be reflected in their attitude.” The company grew significantly in 2014, and 2015 shows no signs of slowing down. With an expanding client base and new partnerships forming with recruiters in the EU, Avanta Care have already employed five new staff members in their Leeds head office, with a further three recruits starting in March. “We are growing fast, which I’m obviously delighted about,” said busi-
ness development manager Craig Roberts. “I am happy with our progress, and we have invested heavily in new staff to ensure a smooth transition as we welcome more clients and candidates.” The second string to Avanta Care’s bow is their domiciliary care service, which covers Leeds and surrounding areas. During 2014 this service also expanded at a rapid rate. “We are growing week on week,” said domiciliary care manager Sharon Bell. “We provide a unique service, creating care plans that suit the client’s individual needs. “We are aware that people’s needs differ, and we treat every case individually. “Whether you or a loved one needs 24 hour care assistance, or maybe just a little help around the house, we can help.”
A number of employees at Park House Healthcare were presented with their IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management. The Foundation Certificate provides training for those who have recently become involved in environmental management, or for whom environmental management is an integral part of a wide range of responsibilities. Managing director Stephen Owens presented the employees with their certificate. He said: “These achievements do not only highlight Park House Healthcare’s commitment to environmental aspects, but they also demonstrate that our employees and their family’s futures are important.”
Group celebrate 25 years MORRIS Care celebrated 25 years of long serving staff with an awards ceremony at its’ head office in Shrewsbury. Bill Morris, founder of the care division, presented all six staff with a commemorative gift, while Nicky Thomas was presented with a watch for her 25 years of service at the group’s first pioneering care home in Radbrook. She said: “In 1989 I was aware of the newly built Radbrook Nursing Home. Knowing the reputation of the local family company, I felt they would be successful in the new venture and it would offer me job security, as well as meet my aspirations in having a career in care. My duties as a care practitioner involve delivering a high standard of personal care, looking
after each resident and respecting their own personal needs. “Over the years I have many fond memories and the interaction with the residents and their families is the most rewarding part of my job as everyone has a different story to tell. I really enjoy working with the families to help deliver a personalised care plan for their relative or friend so that we are able to anticipate care needs and make sure we deliver the very best quality care. “I believe the success of the home is like any business, it is down to the high quality training provided and the people who work there which make it happen. Being recognised by Morris Care for my long service means a lot to me and I enjoy being part of the team at Radbrook.”
Advertiser’s announcement
Exclusive deals for partner employers AS CARE operators face ever increasing scrutiny through Ofsted-style inspections, it’s now even more important to ensure that your staff are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to deliver premium quality care at all times. With the health and social care sector currently experiencing rapid growth, investing in staff training is a wise choice as competent and proficient healthcare workers are key to the provision of high quality care and business success. National training provider for the care sector, Connect 2 Care (C2C), offers a wide range of professionally recognised health & social care apprenticeships, short courses and traineeships to help increase the overall effectiveness, confidence and profitability of staff working with elderly and vulnerable individuals, across the range of care home functions. Operating out of 45 centres across England and employing over 150 professional staff, all of C2C’s professional trainers have substantial, appropriate experience from working in the care world. This extensive sector experience means that they have a valuable understanding of what learners and
employers alike need to develop their respective fields of expertise. In addition to apprenticeships for many roles within the health and social care sector – not just care workers, care supervisors and managers, but also for chefs and kitchen staff, housekeepers, cleaning staff, receptionists and administrators – C2C offers a range of professionally recognised short courses. These include Dementia Awareness, Infection Control, Understanding the Safe Use of Medicines, Moving & Handling and End of Life Care.
Also available is a Health & Social Care Higher Diploma which provides the skills and knowledge required to manage, practice and lead others, as well as Level 1 and Level 2 Functional Skills courses for staff aged 16 and over requiring maths and English training. C2C can also help source government funding for eligible learners, to help reduce training costs. Businesses using C2C’s tailored vocational training services can now also enjoy the benefits of the exclusive HIT 100 Club, which gives access
to a wide range of exclusive offers such as preferential rates and discounts on all short courses including food hygiene, infection control, health and safety and customer service. The discounts can be accessed through C2C’s website and applied via a unique monthly code available to all members. The HIT 100 Club has been launched by HIT Training Ltd, which comprises the national hospitality and catering training provider Hospitality Industry Training (HIT) and its sister divisions Connect 2 Care and Work Ready People (WRP). “We work closely with apprentices and trainees to not only improve employees’ skills, but also to increase their employer’s bottom line,” explained Sara Goldie, C2C’s director of care. “Our new HIT 100 Club will continue to strengthen our relationship with our partner employers who are all committed to expanding the knowledge and skills of their workforce.” To find out more about Connect 2 Care’s apprenticeships and short courses, the HIT 100 Club or to arrange a free, no obligation training needs analysis for your business, contact Connect 2 Care on 0800 954 2803 or visit www.connect2care.net
Come and see us on Stand S157 at the Bournemouth Care Show – March 25 and 26
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Home care provision in the UK is facing funding pressures like never before. In a sobering assessment of the sector, Greg Palfrey, an advisory and restructuring specialist at accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson, explains why.
Is home care funding in crisis? Background AS WITH the health care sector generally, UK domiciliary care is experiencing significant difficulties as councils endeavour to satisfy the ever increasing demands for social services (from an aging population) with the reducing level of public funding available to them. Increasingly, public funding is used to purchase care services from independent sector providers rather than councils providing these themselves. With the UK population aged over 65 set to increase by 15 per cent over the next seven years there are serious financial implications for both councils and providers, now and in the future. Key issues In 2013/14 public expenditure on day and domiciliary care in England, across all adult age groups, totalled £7.8billion. Close to half of all older and physically disabled people living in care homes are self- funding with this number expected to rise. Equally, it is predicted the number of people selffunding domiciliary care is expected to rise by 21 per cent by 2020. Circa 89 per cent of publicly funded homecare is now provided by
the independent sector compared to five per cent in 1993. The main purchasers of homecare are local authorities who are estimated to buy 80 per cent of the hours of care provided by the independent sector. In response to reduced funding, councils have tightened eligibility criteria, with 87.5 per cent of councils only offering care to those defined as having “substantial” or “critical” needs. Concentration is now on those who need more intensive support – defined as more than 10 contact hours and six or more visits during the week, covering about 41 per cent of users. Domiciliary care providers Many companies providing domiciliary care services to the public sector are increasingly experiencing acute operational and financial pressure. Specific problem areas include: Growing regulatory requirements, monitored by the Care Quality Commission, tend to increase operational costs. Local authority social care commissioners are restricting the amount of care that they buy and the price that they are willing to pay for it, as well as reducing the number of care providers that they use. This has
that this practice is unlikely to continue.
Greg Palfrey resulted in a serious reduction to contract prices offered to providers, often failing to keep pace with inflation. There has been a rise in the number of 15-minute appointments, rather than 30 minutes, resulting in a significant increase in homecare workers travel time, estimated at c.19 per cent of their working hours. This clearly impacts on operational processes and cost, in particular workers travel time significantly increasing the providers’ costs. In an effort to address this, certain providers viewed travel time as not constituting working hours (being exclusively those hours spent at homecare visits). However recent actions, where a social care provider was told to repay over £600,000 in arrears of wages who had not paid its staff for travelling time, demonstrate
Financial challenges Not surprisingly, care and domiciliary care businesses now increasingly appear within our financial warning criteria. While each business is different, common areas for review would, amongst others, include: Staff costs – Utilisation, retention, training, agency fees. Buying policy and outsourcing opportunities. Head office structure. Funding options. Mergers/acquisitions. Summary Cuts in public funding make it increasingly difficult for councils to provide domiciliary care themselves. However, in calling upon independent sector providers to do so, those providers are being asked to provide increasing services for a falling contract price – resulting in financial difficulties for them. Consequently, we are experiencing an increase in demand, for our advisory and restructuring services, from companies seeking to actively address such issues and to ensure a successful future.
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CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement
Reaping the business benefits of signing up to the Social Care Commitment ... EMPLOYERS from across the country have been signing up to the Social Care Commitment, which is the sector’s promise to help provide high quality services to those people who need care and support. One of the first organisations to make the commitment was HomeCareDirect, a national care service helping people to take control of their care needs at home, working with older people, children, people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments. Tamara Bishop, enquiry support officer, said: “We decided to sign up for the Social Care Commitment as it’s an important national initiative. “It is helping us to keep those people who work for us, and those that we support and care for, at the centre of our ethos.” Employers like HomeCareDirect and their employees sign up pledging to improve the quality of the workforce and to deliver the highest standards of care and best practice. It’s also designed to give people who need care and support greater confidence in service delivery. For HomeCareDirect the benefits of making the commitment has been in helping the organisation to focus,
plan and improve its services. Evidence generated through the Commitment has been submitted for the Care Quality Commission inspection and in support of the Common Induction Standards. The commitment has positively supported the organisation’s desire to continually improve its communitybased, personalised services. “The commitment has made a difference to our quality of support. We can promote a higher skilled workforce and our positive approach to social care in the home,” explained HomeCareDirect’s Bruce Adams. “It has allowed us to closely engage with the independent living team and the personal assistants who provide support to those people using our services.” The Social Care Commitment has supported HomeCareDirect operationally from streamlining care planning and budget creation processes to personal assistant selection and care provision. The commitment has also been instrumental in developing their training strategy helping their training department deliver more innovative, online learning methods. The community-based independent living nurses, providing practical
training to personal assistants, are also designing and delivering individual training plans. “The commitment has allowed us to add greater value to personcentered plans for those we support and care for,” said HR manager Mandy Shaw.
“We access the Social Care Commitment tools to keep abreast of training methods and to disseminate information to our field staff.” To find out more about the commitment and to sign up today visit www.thesocialcarecommitment .org.uk
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Dehydration ‘common’ in patients admitted from care homes ... By Dominic Musgrave
Team members at The Aldbury in Poole prepare to post thoughts on their ‘Digni-tree’ – from the left: Bianca Turner, Jodie Sherwood and Megan Austin.
Home backs annual day RESIDENTS, relatives and team members at Colten Care have been doing their bit to support Dignity Action Day. Care homes in Dorset and Hampshire have held activities including themed tea parties, message boards and discussion groups to highlight the importance of respecting vulnerable people’s dignity. At The Aldbury, a dedicated dementia care home in Poole, residents and visitors were invited to pin paper leaves on an indoor ‘tree’ with messages describing what dignity means to them. Activities organiser Bianca Turner said: “We had a wide range of thoughts including respect, privacy, having pride in yourself and being
able to exercise choice. It was very much about everyone treating each other as the wonderful individuals we all are. Often it was about the small things rather than grand gestures. One message highlighted six ‘Cs’: care, compassion, courage, communication, competence and commitment.” As well as constructing their ‘dignitree’, the team at The Aldbury held an afternoon tea party dubbed ‘dignitea’ where they discussed the idea of dignity with residents and families. At Woodpeckers, Colten Care’s home in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, team members constructed a similar dignity tree with paper leaves that residents and visitors wrote messages on. The home also held its own ‘digni-tea’ afternoon.
PATIENTS admitted to hospital from care homes are commonly dehydrated on admission and consequently appear to experience significantly greater risks of dying in hospital, a new study has claimed. Researchers from the University of Oxford, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that old and infirm people are at increased risk of dehydration, especially if they require assistance with drinking. It says left to themselves, they may not drink enough to avoid dehydration. Dehydration leads to high sodium levels, which can have severe consequences and are an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. They reviewed the data of more than 20,000 patients aged 65 years and over admitted to a London hospital trust for the first time between January 2011 and December 2013. While one per cent of patients admitted from their own home were found to have high sodium levels, the
figure for patients admitted from care homes was 12 per cent. After adjustment for a number of possible explanatory factors, including age and dementia, the risk of high sodium levels was still over five times higher for those admitted from care homes. Co-author, professor David Stuckler, from the University of Oxford, said: “Clearly this level of dehydration is a problem. “Further research is needed to understand why it is occurring. Are care home residents choosing to drink less than they should? Or, as has been speculated, are care home staff not offering enough water to reduce incontinence and the amount of assistance their residents require?” Lead researcher Dr Anthony Wolff, of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, which acquired Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals in July 2014, added: “Our study shows that too many patients admitted to hospital from a substantial number of care homes are dehydrated, leading to unnecessary loss of life. “High sodium levels in care home residents should raise questions about adequate support for drinking.”
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A County Durham care home has undergone a large-scale refurbishment aimed at improving and adding additional home comforts for its service users. Residents of Rose Lodge in Newton Aycliffe have been treating themselves to beauty treatments and pampering in the new beauty room and enjoying socialising in their refurbished lounge. The home has also been developing facilities in its specialist dementia unit, including the addition of an indoor garden room so residents with dementia can enjoy the sensations and therapeutic benefits of the outdoors even in poor weather, with the area being used for activities and for picnics. Crossroads House residents take part in the project.
Unusual art intervention for care home residents By Dominic Musgrave A PROJECT which brings artists and creative experiences into care homes in Cornwall saw an innovative concept become reality. Led by Arts for Health Cornwall in Penryn, the home service project is designed to enrich the lives of older people living in care homes. A specially designed artwork, in the form of a range of crockery, was recently put to use for the first time by care home residents. Designed in collaboration with residents and staff, the cups and saucers are intended to help spark conversation and rekindle memories among the residents at the home, which specialises in caring for people with various forms of dementia. Each identified by a different word, the range of cups and saucers are the work of artist Jonty Lees, who has been developing ideas for an original and practical art intervention at Crossroads House in Scorrier for several months. The cups and saucers were delivered recently and will be used at mealtimes and tea breaks, becoming an integral part of these important daily routines. Jonty said: “I wanted the lasting legacy of my project at Crossroads House to reflect the importance of conversation; it's not always easy for
us to find that point of departure that sparks a conversation – that helps us identify shared aspects of our individual history. The cups and saucers, inscribed with a single word free from any context, act as a prompt or visual trigger, which stimulates the imagination or provokes an unexpected response. Jonty tested out words using flashcards, choosing 100 which inspired the most reaction. The cups and saucers were then specially made by British-Japanese designer Reiko Kaneko using fine bone china. Like other artists taking part in the project, Jonty's work has been commissioned in collaboration with Cornwall's top art institutions; in this case Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange. Home Service is a three-year initiative which will have a lasting impact; other strands of the project include storytelling, dance, theatre and music. Care organisations involved are Brunel Care in Bristol; Cornwall Care, who are Cornwall wide; and Anson Care based in Redruth, Penzance and Portreath, with Falmouth University also playing a key role in the project. Home Service is funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation, who jointly committed over £250,000 to the project in January 2014.
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Specialist caterer Is your dishwasher meeting wins new contract infection control standards? FAST-growing entrepreneurial operator Dine Contract Catering has launched into the care sector with the win of a contract with Borough Care, a charitable organisation based in Stockport which aims to provide safe and comfortable living for older people across 11 homes in the area. Borough Care was previously supplying the catering provision inhouse but wanted to ensure consistently high standards for residents’ food, both in terms of how it was produced and how it was presented, as well as not having to worry about recruiting and retaining the right catering staff. They chose to work with Dine Contract Catering as they were reassured by the company having a dedicated in-house nutritionist, who ensures that the nutritional content of all menus are specifically calculated and balanced around factors such as calorific intake and GDA’s. Every Borough Care resident now has a care and support plan, including a nutritional assessment and personal preferences, which is used to provide tailored menus. Kathryn Farmer, chief executive of Borough Care, said: “Since working with Dine Contract Catering we have had some great positive feedback – not only from our own staff
and care home managers but also from residents and their relatives. Now that we have worked with Dine Contract Catering and seen the benefits of working in partnership with a specialist catering operator, we would never go back.” Borough Care has been impressed by Dine Contract Catering’s innovative Nutrition Pathway System, which enables care caterers to easily monitor whether each resident’s nutritional needs are being met. By providing an accurate breakdown of what an individual may need to maintain their health and wellbeing, it has meant that their care managers have been freed of added responsibilities such as planning menus and ensuring guidelines on health standards for food are met. Dine Contract Catering business development director, Zoe Green, added: “This new contract win spearheads our growth in the care industry and is part of our continued expansion. We have over 17 years’ experience and are thrilled to be bringing our expertise to this new sector. Our success is based on the service we offer and we are excited to be introducing new innovations such as the Nutrition Pathway System to successful companies like Borough Care.”
WITH hygeine being, as ever of paramount importance, we ensure that our clients fully adhere to the requisite CQC guidelines. All of our machines are WRAS approved and meet the necessary requirements for cleanliness and infection control. Forbes Professional has seen a rise in the demand for our Miele PG8059 HYGIENE freshwater dishwasher from within the care sector. With the final rinse maintaining a water temperature of 83°C for five minutes, this dishwasher meets the critical requirements of safe hygeine control by killing off viruses and bacteria. We offer full on site training for users to guarantee that the machines are fully optimised. Features such as autoclosure, 13minute wash cycles and integrated steam condensors enable care staff to work safely and enjoy ease of opera-
tion. All of our laundry and warewashing equipment is backed up by our Complete Care package. This gives clients the peace of mind afforded by a first class engineer response, seven days a week, with no initial capital outlay or repair costs.
Firm appoints two new engineers LaundryStruff.co.uk has responded to increased business demand by hiring two new engineers. The appointments, which cover Lincolnshire and the Midlands, have been made to directly allow the company to respond to customer call outs and breakdowns. An extra benefit is LaundryStuff.co.uk’s first apprentice Joe Benton has become a permanent member of the team as an engineer and has begun servicing his own customers. LaundryStuff.co.uk stocks a wide range of machines programmed specifically to handle care home laundry, increasing infection control and
improving cleanliness and hygiene. The machines are programmed in-house, allowing the team to provide the bespoke laundry solution the customer requires. Director Trevor Benton said: “The care home industry has become our biggest customer and we have grown our workforce and product range to cater for this.” Enquiries: Visit www.laundrystuff.co.uk or call 0800 840 9598.
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As Nutrition and Hydration Week approaches, apetito Dietitian Helen Willis shares her top 10 top tips for helping residents remain wellnourished and hydrated …
Tips for keeping your residents well-nourished and hydrated NUTRITION and Hydration Week (March 16-22) is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of good nutrition and hydration as part of quality care. Ensuring residents eat and drink well is, of course, a major priority for care homes, but with factors such as fluctuating appetite levels and the confusion that often goes hand in hand with dementia, at times this may prove particularly difficult…. Here are my tips on how carers can help residents get the nutrition and hydration they need on a daily basis: 1. All fluids count Contrary to popular belief, caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee still contribute to good hydration and should not be discounted when encouraging residents to drink more – especially as a good cup of tea is often a firm favourite! 2. Aim for five a day Most of us are familiar with the popular ‘five a day’ mantra, but not many realise it’s not just fresh fruit and vegetables that count towards this goal. Frozen, dried and tinned all count and are often easier to incorporate into a resident’s diet. 3. Cater to smaller appetites Some residents may prefer to eat little and often, which is where initiatives such as the Worldwide Afternoon Tea to promote this year’s Nutrition and Hydration Week can work particularly well. Afternoon tea is an ideal opportunity to encourage those with smaller appetites to take on extra nutrients and calories by offering an appetising range of snacks and drinks. 4. We all eat with our eyes It may sound obvious, but don’t forget the importance of good presentation. This means food should look and smell as appetising as it tastes to encourage residents to eat. A well-presented dish with a tempting aroma needn’t be complicated. Simply making food identifiable by not covering items in sauces or gravy and serving up on a warm china plate can make the world of difference. 5. Make mealtimes count With mealtimes often a highlight of the day, make them an important occasion for residents by encouraging
them to use it as an opportunity to socialise with each other and their carers. Similarly, ensure that carers are on hand to offer any help needed with eating and drinking. 6. Keep it simple Attractively set tables will help create a setting conducive to the enjoyment of food, but remember to keep presentation uncluttered. For residents prone to confusion, such as those with dementia, ‘fussy’ decorative touches can prove distracting and take away from their enjoyment of the food in front of them. 7. Screen for malnutrition As most care home managers will appreciate, the weight of their residents is an important barometer of their overall health. As well as regular weigh-ins, using a validated screening tool (both at the time a resident is admitted and on an ongoing basis) will pick up on any signs that an individual may be at risk of malnutrition. 8. Don’t discount skimmed milk Despite widely held misconceptions, skimmed milk provides just as many micronutrients as full cream varieties, so for residents who require lower fat or lower calorie diets, don’t be afraid to encourage them to drink semiskimmed or skimmed milk. 9. Eating for health Remember that each resident has their own nutritional needs and it should never be a case of ‘one size fits all’. When it comes to the elderly and vulnerable, ‘eating for health’ is far more appropriate than ‘healthy eating’. After all, while a diet lower in fat and calories may be appropriate for some residents, it certainly wouldn’t be for those at risk of malnutrition. 10. Appetising texture-modified meals Catering for residents on texturemodified diets can prove challenging, but it’s important to remember that they are at particular risk of undernutrition and therefore special effort must be made to ensure they receive enough to eat and drink throughout the day. Serving puréed meals that are moulded to look just like the food enjoyed by other residents will go a long way in encouraging them to eat.
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Donwell House celebrates re-opening following fire RESIDENTS and members of staff at Donwell House are celebrating after the home officially re-opened following a fire which damaged some areas. The fire, which broke out in an upstairs bedroom at the Shaftesbury Care Group Ltd owned facility, caused smoke damage to nearby bedrooms and corridors. Thankfully no-one was hurt and the few residents who had to be evacuated to local sister care homes coped well with the move. The home has since been re-decorated and all the areas affected have a fresh new look, with walls painted and new carpets, lighting, curtains and furniture installed to make the areas comfortable and appealing for residents. Donwell House provides care for 62 residents, including personal, social and general nursing care for elderly residents and care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia and physical illnesses. There is also a day centre on site that provides care for up to 45 clients, including the elderly, physically infirm and individuals requiring dementia care. Tracey Garland, manager of Donwell House, said: “We are thrilled that the home is now fully back up
Activities co-ordinators Sue Temple and Kirsty Orton with residents Eleanor Sweeny and Joyce Longworth. and running and its fresh new look will provide a safe and comfortable environment for residents to receive quality care. “The safety of our residents is always our priority and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff at Donwell House who responded magnificently after the fire, including offduty employees who came in to help
out. The hospitality of our local sister homes where some residents were temporarily moved was fantastic and provided a smooth transition for residents. “I’d also like to say a big thank you to the fire crews who attended the scene, we are extremely grateful for how quickly and efficiently they dealt with the situation.”
Feathered theme to activities RESIDENTS and teams at several of Care UK’s care homes had their binoculars at the ready and their bird feeders filled as they took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Known as the largest wildlife survey in the world, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch encourages people throughout the UK to take a closer look at the nature on their doorsteps by counting the different birds which visit their garden in any one hour over the last weekend of January, as well as recording any non-bird species of wildlife such as badgers and hedgehogs. Pyela Mwale, home manager at Scarlet House in Stroud, said: “Connecting with our outdoor space and taking the time to observe birds and wildlife can be extremely beneficial for residents, particularly for those who are living with dementia.” As well as providing feeders and seed, Care UK teams in the homes are also making use of a bespoke CD of British bird songs and a booklet designed to help care home teams run reminiscence sessions with residents including those living with dementia.
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Suites launched at The Grand NEW Care Projects has opened the doors to part of The Grand, its new £7million facility in West Bridgford, Nottingham. The operator, who was recently awarded ‘good’ on all five domains of care delivery at its two other care homes under the new CQC awards system, has unveiled two clinically proficient show suites which are available to view seven days a week. In response to feedback provided by the inspectorate, the en-suite bedrooms at The Grand have been dressed and styled by clinical staff in collaboration with an interior designer, with their design addressing all the clinical requirements of current legislation yet creating a comfortable and practical space. Chris McGoff, CEO of New Care Projects, said: “Construction of The Grand is coming to an end and we
will now be focusing on the finish internally, so the show suites were a natural the first step to complete, giving those interested in reserving a room the opportunity to view what would be their own private space within the home. “We have taken on board comments from the CQC so each of the rooms at The Grand have been carefully designed with clinical expertise and decorated by an interior designer, complementing the excellent care delivery we will provide. “We are very aware that choosing a care home for yourself or for a loved one can be daunting. We want to make the experience as pleasant as possible and we believe that meeting our team at the newly opened show suites will help individuals and families, making their decision that little bit easier. We are on hand seven days
One of the new suites at The Grand in West Bridgford. a week to assist with any enquiries and appointments, and are keen to encourage people to visit the home as many times as they feel necessary.” The Grand will officially open at the
end of March. The purpose-built 82 bed care home has a variety of communal lounges and dining rooms, a cinema, gymnasium, hair dresser and retail coffee shop.
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Company making it mark in sector INNOVATIVE company Expertise Homecare has enjoyed a fast start to 2015, securing the launch of a supersized franchise and receiving strong interest in a further two territories, which are currently under offer. Expertise Homecare Central & West Kent will provide high-tech home care to residents living in and around Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Maidstone. Central & West Kent is the second Expertise Homecare franchise to be established, following the sale of Canterbury & District last October. A third Kent franchise, as well as a London territory are also under offer to join the Expertise Homecare brand in the coming weeks. Managing director Natalie Richards said: “The high-quality Expertise Homecare model provides franchisees with the specialist and bespoke tools they need to develop a profitable business and deliver valuable services to the local community at the same time. “I am pleased this message is not only reaching more and more potential franchisees with every month that passes but that the model is also standing up to intense scrutiny, leading to the creation of Central & West Kent, our second franchise. “I’m now focused on supporting the experienced 10-strong Central & West Kent team and continuing to grow
the network of high-quality franchises across the UK.” Expertise Homecare has developed its own software and systems to streamline the delivery of care and ensure the highest standards are maintained. One example of Expertise Homecare’s innovative approach to home care is its bespoke and simpleto-use real time notification system, which enables carers to record each completed care task on a hand-held device during each visit – making paper care plans, hand-written records and notes, and incessant filing a thing of the past. This time-saving software also sends automated email notifications to family members, letting them see all completed actions – that a meal has been eaten or medication has been given – providing them with much-needed reassurance and peace of mind that their loved-one is receiving the care they need. The system significantly reduces Expertise Homecare’s carers’ admin and form-filling workload, freeing up more time for them to devote to caring. Natalie added: “Our software and processes will raise the standard of care delivery in an open way that builds trust between our care providers and the people we care for and their families.”
Hartford Care celebrated its new home in Romsey being one step closer to completion with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony. The event took place on site at Abbotwsood Court and Sean Gavin, CEO of Hartford Care and Malcolm Mintram, director of Highwood Group ,were joined by the chairman of Romsey Extra Parish Council, Councillor Chris Wesson and Romsey Town Mayor, Councillor Peter Hurst. The Mayor and chairman marked the occasion by putting the final roof tile in place.
DC Care sponsors the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards WITH the annual Pinders Healthcare Design Awards fast approaching, DC Care Specialist Healthcare Business Agency is once again proud to be a major sponsor for the prestigious event. This year’s ceremony will again take at the Lancaster Hotel in London, where specialist business appraisers Alison Taylor and Andy Sandel will be both in attendance. For 2015, DC Care will sponsor the Best Small Group/Individual New Build Care/Nursing Home Award.
Alison said: “Standards are rising all the time and each year we see further innovative ideas being implemented by architects, developers and care operators. “The awards are definitely one of the most well attended events of the year.” Andy added: “We are now in our fourth year of sponsoring this event and continue to be delighted to be involved.” DC Care would like to wish all of this year’s finalists the best of luck.
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INNOVATIVE company Expertise Homecare has enjoyed a fast start to 2015, securing the launch of a supersized franchise and receiving strong interest in a further two territories, which are currently under offer. Expertise Homecare Central & West Kent will provide high-tech home care to residents living in and around Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Maidstone. Central & West Kent is the second Expertise Homecare franchise to be established, following the sale of Canterbury & District last October. A third Kent franchise, as well as a London territory are also under offer to join the Expertise Homecare brand in the coming weeks. Managing director Natalie Richards said: “The high-quality Expertise Homecare model provides franchisees with the specialist and bespoke tools they need to develop a profitable business and deliver valuable services to the local community at the same time. “I am pleased this message is not only reaching more and more potential franchisees with every month that passes but that the model is also standing up to intense scrutiny, leading to the creation of Central & West Kent, our second franchise. “I’m now focused on supporting the experienced 10-strong Central & West Kent team and continuing to grow the network of high-quality franchises across the UK.” Expertise Homecare has developed its own software and systems to streamline the delivery of care and ensure the highest standards are maintained. One example of Expertise Homecare’s innovative approach to home care is its bespoke and simpleto-use real time notification system, which enables carers to record each completed care task on a hand-held device during each visit – making paper care plans, hand-written records and notes, and incessant filing a thing of the past. This time-saving software also sends automated email notifications to family members, letting them see all completed actions – that a meal has been eaten or medication has been given – providing them with much-needed reassurance and peace of mind that their loved-one is receiving the care they need. The system significantly reduces Expertise Homecare’s carers’ admin and form-filling workload, freeing up more time for them to devote to caring. Natalie added: “Our software and processes will raise the standard of care delivery in an open way that builds trust between our care providers and the people we care for and their families.”
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Arcot House in Sidmouth.
Falklands hero acquires third Devon care home ARCOT House in the East Devon seaside town of Sidmouth has been sold in a deal brokered by specialist property adviser Christie + Co. The 23-bedroom property has been acquired by Keith Mills of Doveleigh Care Ltd, a former Royal Marines Officer who commanded the defence of South Georgia against the 1982 Argentina invasion. The latest acquisition brings the group’s total tally of care homes to three, with their other facilities situated relatively near in the Devon towns of Seaton and Colyton. John Crocker of Christie + Co, who handled the sale, said: “We have enjoyed a long-term working relationship with Doveleigh Care and congratulate them on this fantastic
acquisition. As a former Royal Marine, it is fitting that Keith has acquired a care home with a strong association to World War II, and I wish Doveleigh Care every success at Arcot House.” At the end of World War II, a public meeting decided that the Sidmouth War Memorial should take the form of a home for elderly people. An appeal for funds resulted in approximately £10,000 being donated, Arcot House being purchased and adopted to accommodate elderly residents. Outgoing vendors Guinness Care and Support wish to focus their resources on the supported living and social housing aspects of their business.
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Care provider has a light bulb idea AN ambitious plan by Scottish housing and care provider Bield to appoint a dedicated property energy manager has resulted in some impressive savings. Katarzyna Stradowska has taken on the task of making the group’s energy usage as streamlined as possible, offering advice on various energy saving products, raising awareness among staff on environmental pressures, and developing and delivering an energy policy and strategy. Since starting her role at Bield in April, Katarzyna’s work has saved the charity around £40,000 per annum through simple changes implemented throughout the business. One key success has been a change in water supplier to Severn Trent. The new contract with Severn Trent not only ensures savings of around 19 per cent on its standard water charges, but also includes the installation of meter loggers which give Bield control over their water consumption and may help detect any water leaks or unusual patterns of usage. Meter loggers have already saved more £4,500 at one of Bield’s care homes in Glasgow after finding that its bathroom facilities were using more water than necessary. Katarzyna has a wealth of energy management experience, having previously worked with the likes of Hilton Food Group and City Facility
Management in Glasgow. She said: “Our changes so far have received very promising feedback from tenants and staff, which is really very encouraging. “It is important to us that we implement sensible and realistic changes throughout the organisation so all ideas have to be researched thoroughly before progressing. A main target for Bield is a plan to install LED light bulbs in the communal areas and bathrooms within developments, as a way of reducing cost and energy. Katarzyna added: “With this task, the complete light fitting needs to be changed, not just the bulb, but when this does happen, it means that we will reduce energy and CO2 emissions by as much as 70-80 per cent, which is a really positive result. “There is also reduced maintenance cost associated with LED fittings due to the longer lifespan of the lamps and their five-year warranty, so I am confident that we can make significant savings on relamping and installation costs.” Having already carried out a trial run for LED light bulbs in two of their developments in Shiell Court and Rannoch Court in Dundee, Katarzyna has received positive feedback from tenants and staff, who were impressed by the fittings and the savings to be made from the switch.
Sue Glanz, Caring Homes’ regional operations director and Kevin Coleman, the group’s construction manager.
Group celebrates ‘topping out’ of newest care centre A PURPOSE built care home moved a step closer to completion as the team behind the development celebrated the traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony at the property in Bexhill on Sea. Southlands Place is the latest stateof-the-art care centre to be built by award-wining independent provider Caring Homes, and will offer residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 72 residents. Those living there will benefit from the variety of communal areas that the home will offer, including landscaped gardens and living accommodation laid out over four floors. Julie Mason, regional operations director for Caring Homes, said: “Caring Homes is synonymous with high quality care delivery, which extends to the care and attention we put into building new care homes.
“Our focus is on providing residents with specialist care; tailoring the support they receive to their individual needs, ensuring that the care available is best suited to them. The homely surroundings of this wonderful property will benefit our exceptional standards of care. “Every aspect of Southlands Place has been designed with its residents in mind, from the carefully considered layout of the living accommodation to the safe, accessible landscaped gardens.” Brigid Sedour, who has more than 25 years of home management and senior management in the care sector, will be in charge of the day to day management of the home. The home is already proving to be quite popular and is due to open in the summer.
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INNOVATIVE company Expertise Homecare has enjoyed a fast start to 2015, securing the launch of a supersized franchise and receiving strong interest in a further two territories, which are currently under offer. Expertise Homecare Central & West Kent will provide high-tech home care to residents living in and around Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Maidstone. Central & West Kent is the second Expertise Homecare franchise to be established, following the sale of Canterbury & District last October. A third Kent franchise, as well as a London territory are also under offer to join the Expertise Homecare brand in the coming weeks. Managing director Natalie Richards said: “The high-quality Expertise Homecare model provides franchisees with the specialist and bespoke tools they need to develop a profitable business and deliver valuable services to the local community at the same time. “I am pleased this message is not only reaching more and more potential franchisees with every month that passes but that the model is also standing up to intense scrutiny, leading to the creation of Central & West Kent, our second franchise. “I’m now focused on supporting the experienced 10-strong Central & West Kent team and continuing to grow the network of high-quality franchises across the UK.” Expertise Homecare has developed its own software and systems to streamline the delivery of care and ensure the highest standards are maintained. One example of Expertise Homecare’s innovative approach to home care is its bespoke and simpleto-use real time notification system, which enables carers to record each completed care task on a hand-held device during each visit – making paper care plans, hand-written records and notes, and incessant filing a thing of the past. This time-saving software also sends automated email notifications to family members, letting them see all completed actions – that a meal has been eaten or medication has been given – providing them with much-needed reassurance and peace of mind that their loved-one is receiving the care they need. The system significantly reduces Expertise Homecare’s carers’ admin and form-filling workload, freeing up more time for them to devote to caring. Natalie added: “Our software and processes will raise the standard of care delivery in an open way that builds trust between our care providers and the people we care for and their families.”
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QUALITY IN CARESPONSORED BY
43 www.requiredsystems.com
The value of a brand in the care industry By Edna Petzen TO THE casual observer, the national media coverage on the care industry can seem unremittingly negative. Stories abound of failed CQC inspections, irresponsible home managers and neglected residents. However, any care practitioner will know that this doesn’t match the dedicated, conscientious and passionate reality of the care industry in 2015. The question that we must ask ourselves is: “how do we communicate the positive reality of our industry to the wider public?”. More specifically, each business must find a way of articulating its values and what makes it both special and different from its peers. Until a care organisation can articulate what makes them credible and trustworthy, it runs the risk of having to answer for the sins of the unrepresentative minority. Even without the threat of negative perceptions, communicating a strong brand message is still a necessity for any business that needs to find a voice in a crowded and competitive market. Many care organisations can suffer from the lack of a distinct identity and a way to communicate their values: the key cornerstones of a brand. No two organisations are identical, and each has a unique set of principles which sustain the business.
The challenge for care industry professionals is to identify these elements within their own businesses, and find the most effective way to communicate them to the market. Indeed, a brand isn’t something that’s simply created by a marketing team. Instead, it’s a way to communicate the core truth of a business. This is why a brand must reflect the deeply held beliefs and behaviours of an organisation: from top to bottom. That means that any branding exercise must involve the leadership team from the outset, whilst paying attention to how employees, residents and families feel about the organisation. The uninitiated may assume that a brand is simply a logo and a slogan. This, however, couldn’t be further from the reality. A logo and written material are manifestations of the core values of a brand: what it stands for and the mission it has set for itself. When these core elements of a brand have been determined, the more tangible elements, such as logos and messages, will naturally flow from them. For example, during our recent brand refresh, we felt that warmth and accessibility were important parts of the RMBI promise. With that in mind, it was a simple decision to alter much of our written material to make the tone more human.
New Care Projects’ Allingham House Care Centre, in Timperley in Greater Manchester, has received the prestigious Dignity in Care Award. Part of a national awareness campaign, the accolade recognises homes, hospitals and individuals who demonstrate respect for residents, offer a personalised service, encourage independence and confidence, listen, act to alleviate loneliness and engage with families. Before receiving the title ‘Trafford Dignity in Care Award’, Allingham House was assessed over a period of time, with both paperwork and best practice comprehensively reviewed, with the award presented by Philomena Ferrell at Trafford Council. In addition to Allingham House Care Centre receiving the award, the home now boasts eight members of staff who hold the title ‘Dignity Champion’, including home manager Gulzar Nazir.
Helping you to comply with the regulator IT IS not just CQC that require services in the care sector to be able to evidence compliance. Your bank and local authorities placing service users are becoming more demanding. The two major failures in CQC inspections are poor record keeping and drug administration. Required Systems Ltd has all the quality systems you need to be compliant, incorporating all the forthcoming changes from CQC. To find out more call 01236 782477 or visit www.requiredsystems.com
Edna Petzen We favoured direct language, active verbs and plain vocabulary, while tailoring our voice to the majority of our audience: those above the age of 60. Likewise, the refreshed visual brand imagery was designed to reflect many
of the values which the RMBI holds closest: accessibility, professionalism and trustworthiness. Having made the effort to understand the values, we were able to articulate them through visual and written materials in an authentic and consistent way. While a strong brand can increase enquiries and sales, it is just as important to make sure that those messages are clearly articulated within the business. When a company can explain its mission and priorities to employees, it can generate a sense of shared purpose and direction. The feeling of reaching for a common goal is a large element of job satisfaction, and a strong brand can increase employee engagement and retention. Every business, both inside and outside the care industry, has the opportunity to consider what makes them different, and what they bring to their customers. Building upon these unique elements and formulating a clear and consistent brand identity can generate a sense of purpose, authenticity and; ultimately; sustainable profitability in the long term. Edna Petzen is assistant director, marketing and quality at RMBI. A CIM chartered marketer, Edna led a wide-ranging brand refresh for RMBI in 2014.
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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
Easier management at your fingertips
Shackletons delivers for first extra care environment DEWSBURY healthcare furniture manufacturer Shackletons has partnered with Sussex based healthcare interior design company HomeSmiths to create the first extra care environment from West Kent Housing Association. Called Montgomery Court, the facility offers 62 one and two bedroom apartments for people aged 55 and over who are looking for independent living with access to 24hour care and support should the
need arise. Under the guidance of HomeSmiths, Shackletons designed and manufactured the furniture for the site’s communal areas. Intimate seating zones were created on each floor to offer a comfortable space for reading, the lounge was fully furnished with a mix of sofa and chair styles; complemented by occasional furniture, and a sophisticated restaurant was furnished to offer the ultimate in high quality dining.
Prize winners announced Beaucare® exhibited for the first time in 2014 at the Birmingham Care Show, and, following on from the show’s success, has announced the winners of its prize draw giveaway totalling £1,285 worth of equipment. Winner of the first prize of a ProBed® Emily was Mulberry Care Homes’ Astley Grange in Huddersfield, with The Manor House in Chatburn scooping the second prize of a Beaulift Silver Maxi Hoist.
Silk Healthcare in Barnsley won a Magnum of Champagne for third. Managing director Jonathan Brown and a number of the sales team visited the homes to deliver the prizes. The winners were overjoyed to have won, with the profiling bed and hoist being worthwhile assets to both facilities. Beaucare will be running a similar competition at the Bournemouth Care Show on March 25 and 26.
CoolCare has been designed with users in mind, making it an allinclusive programme covering every aspect of care home management. It includes individual dashboards which are tailored to the needs of each user, whether a care assistant, marketing manager or chief executive. Care home management software has never been so userfriendly and comprehensive. Our software is compatible with multiple platforms, such as iPhones, iPads, and Android devices – you can even access the software remotely, enabling you to use the software on the move, wherever you are. CoolCare is a completely integrated product suite that covers every administrative and recording task in a care home. These include client records including assessments and care planning tools, staff records from an HR perspective including training and time and attendance functionality. In addition, various
financial tasks such as client billing, private monies and petty cash records are all included along with a host of other useful features. Part of the implementation of each CoolCare installation is its tailoring and configuration for each customer so that it fits in with existing systems and content naturally. This flexibility sets CoolCare apart from other similar systems and enables users to create a solution that suits their needs. With over 1000 sites using CoolCare today we have the experience to help and support each user appropriately It is a completely cloud-based solution with a simple pricing structure that includes training, support, data migration and configuration and is guaranteed to realise ROI in a very short space of time indeed. There has never been such an easy to use, comprehensive care home management platform, and we think you’re going to love it.
Company offers complete service SOUTHERN Contract Furniture is a UK manufacturer of quality healthcare furniture based near Southampton, Hampshire. We produce, and supply direct, a range of furniture for many different environments including: residential care homes, nursing homes, challenging behaviour environments, extra care units and housing associations. We cater for all lounge, dining room, bedroom, conservatory and garden furniture requirements. We also offer specialist services including: Complete interior design service. Colour consultancy and materials selections. Interior design with mood board colour pallet, incorporating fabrics/soft furnishings and wood finishes. Delivery and installation using our own dedicated team, and vehicles. Survey/ measure/ audit service. All SCF’s furniture comes with a five-year guarantee* on frames to ensure its longevity. The fabrics we
use are waterproof, breathable, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, stain resistant and CRIB five-flame resistant, compliant to all to all British Standard regulations required for commercial environments. We also supply cane conservatory furniture, with fabrics to the above standards, and a range of outdoor garden furniture. * Upholstered furniture only
Driving quality, integration and person-centred care THE largest national event for health and social care returns to Excel, London on June 24 and 25. Join us and enjoy a more personalised experience, new feature areas, more expert speakers, learning zones and a more streamlined programme tailored to your needs. The conference programme will ensure your business is provided with the very latest thinking, successful efficiency and probability boosting ideas, more ‘for’ and ‘against’ debates, answers to the most burning care provider questions and solutions for tackling real caring for the vulnerable issues. Health+Care will host 12 conference streams in total and will feature the latest ministerial speakers post-
election, so you can be the first to hear how latest legalisation will affect the care sector. Delegates will also get access to the largest sourcing floor in the UK plus a dedicated cost savings hub and telecare area showcasing cuttingedge developments to help you provide better care services. Health+Care has released 3,000 complimentary passes for health and social care professionals who will be able to access seven shows: The Commissioning Show, Integrated Care Conference, The Residential Care Show, The Home Care Show, Public Health, Care Commissioning and Technology First. Register for a complimentary pass at www.healthpluscare.co.uk/careuk
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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
Cut your bills with a ‘biomass boiler’ BIOMASS boilers are efficient, durable, clean and easy to use, requiring minimal installation disruption and management time. You will save 20 per cent on average year on year on your heating bills, with the greatest savings coming by switching to wood pellets from expensive oil and LPG based systems. You get clean, green energy to heat your property and power your business. Biomass boilers are close to carbon neutral and would make a significant improvement to the energy rating of your building and
your business’s green credentials. They are easily integrated into most buildings and ideally suited to businesses with high heating (or cooling) and hot water requirements including hotels, high footfall leisure venues and establishments, offices and commercial buildings. To qualify for your free biomass boiler, your business must have been trading for at least five years, must be paying business rates and must maintain a strong balance sheet. Applicants must also own the business premises or have at least 20 years left on the lease.
Expona Flow – a unique addition to the family POLYFLOR is pleased to unveil Expona Flow, an exciting collection of 50 heavy commercial sheet vinyl flooring designs launched under the renowned Expona brand. A unique addition to the Expona family, Expona Flow is available in a two-metre wide sheet format with a 2mm gauge and a 0.7mm wear layer. Developed to provide a broad range of engaging and innovative design options, Expona Flow is suitable for use in a range of heavy commercial environments such as the healthcare industry. Authentically replicating natural wood planks from a diverse range of tree species and wood treatments, combined with innovative abstract and fantastical materials, the variety of colour and pattern combinations available is vast. The Expona Flow collection is UK manufactured and enhanced with Polyflor PUR, Polyflor’s exclusive and robust polyurethane reinforcement which is cross linked and UV cured to provide superior cleaning benefits and a simple polish-free maintenance regime. Enquiries: Sampling can be ordered free of charge on the Polyflor website or by calling the Polyflor Samples Direct Hotline on 0161 767 2551.
Our recommendations are tailored to your precise needs and client group. There is no deposit to pay and no minimum order and we work anywhere within the UK. If you think we can help then please contact us for further information or to request a free consultation without obligation. Enquiries: For further information visit www.a21careinteriors.co.uk or call 020 8399 3091. Our new address is The Sanctuary, 23 Oakhill Grove, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6DU.
Snug Positioning Pillows
Simple solutions SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems. The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition. With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur. Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry! It’s that simple... The WACMAT® will then be clean and odourfree, ready to perform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone. Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.
SNUG Positioning Pillows are uniquely shaped cushions designed to secure stable and comfortable body positioning in bed and armchair. Intended to improve quality of life, Snug Positioning Pillows help to redistribute and minimise pressure on vulnerable body areas, helping to prevent sores and irritations. Durable, comfortable, washable and flame retardant, Snug Positioning Pillows secure patients’ stability and improve carers’ accessibility for washing, changing, feeding and medicating. Perfect for use in care homes, Snug Positioning Pillows facilitate patients’ alertness, self-awareness and perception of surroundings. Alertness enhances interaction with carers and participation in rehabilitation, recreation and other activities for faster recoveries and better quality of life. Snug Positioning Pillows help people with brain injuries, apallic syndrome, dementia, visual
impairment, hemiplegia, limited mobility, people at risk of pressure ulcers, elderly and terminally ill. Available in several shapes that meet different patients’ needs, Snug Positioning Pillows improve standards of care and quality of life. Enquiries: Call Win Health Ltd on 01835 864866 or visit www.win-health.com
Save money giving better care
Claim VAT back on your home even if you are not VAT registered IT is true, care providers can reclaim VAT worth about £3,000 per bed for any residents who stayed in your home between 1993 and 2002 paid for by the local authority. You don’t have to be VAT registered to make a claim. We can usually find the information required with minimal disruption to your business. How is this possible? Well in 2002 a care provider called Kingscrest challenged the view held by HMRC and won. There is no cost to you unless we are successful. Typical claims: 50 beds – £240,000; 40 beds – £170,000; 287 beds – £1.25m. And the best part is that you get the money in your bank account before you pay us. Don’t forget the tax repayment is free of tax – it is extra profit.
Take the hassle out of your new build IF you are looking to remove the hassle from your new build or refurbishment project, while saving time and money then we can help. Good design ensures that your bedrooms are easier to market, increases the value of your home whilst improving the environment and comfort for your residents or service users. We work exclusively for the care sector providing interior design, project management and procurement services including all aspects of your interior covering furniture, curtains/blinds, carpet, artwork, tableware, towels and bedding.
THE 2015 Care Show (25-26 March in Bournemouth) will see Total Hygiene/Clos-o-Mat publicly unveil its ‘care home package’ aimed to give the client in line with the CQC Regulation 17 greater dignity, privacy and independence. It has ‘knock-on’ benefits for staff, and profitability. The care package focuses on the company’s Clos-o-Mat Palma Vita and Lima Lift wash/dry (automatic shower) toilets and Aerolet toilet lift. The wash/dry toilets do just that, so there is no need for manual cleansing with toilet tissue and all its associated considerations of manual dexterity, hand:body contact, risk of faecal transfer/ contamination. The Aerolet toilet lifts help people with flexion/balance problems easily get on and off the toilet. The products will be on Total Hygiene/Clos-oMat’s stand, W138, enabling visitors to see how they work, and appreciate the benefits they bring, individually or combined, to the care home environment. Enquiries: Video and further details are also available online at www.clos-o-mat.com
Beaucare launch new medical catalogue
Enquiries: Call 01233 640985 and ask for Howard to find out more.
OUR most comprehensive catalogue to date is packed full of all the everyday medical equipment and consumables a care home requires. We have broadened our product offerings within a number of ranges, including introducing new nursing profiling beds, which were showcased at the Birmingham Care Show last year, and dementia care products to mention a few. We guarantee a one stop shop policy, with orders placed by 5pm being delivered next day at no extra cost. Beaucare® Medical Ltd, established since 1992, is the UK’s premier supplier of hygiene, medical supplies and equipment to individual care homes, care home groups, hospitals and NHS Trusts. Enquiries: To obtain your copy call 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com
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Esplanade opens its doors in Llandudno SAFEHANDS Holidays offer a fantastic choice of two hotels The New Mayfair Hotel, Blackpool or the newly opened Esplanade in Llandudno. Both of our hotels are situated on the promenade at each resort and are fully accessible with specialist facilities. So if you need a holiday and require a bit of assistance, reassurance or want to have a break away with your family or carers then look no further. The New Mayfair in Blackpool has been a popular destination for guests, old and new, their friends, families and carers for over four years. Its success has led to the expansion of Safehands Holidays, with an investment of £3.5million seeing the grand opening of the second hotel The Esplanade, Llandudno. Boasting an enviable position on Llandudno’s elegant Victorian promenade, this listed property has been carefully renovated over the
Signs
past year and has now opened its doors to the public, offering holidays with a difference. Fully accessible facilities in a hotel environment where you will be treated with dignity and equality by staff, who along with their own jobs within the hotel, are trained in care and first aid so you can rest assured that you are indeed in ‘Safehands’ Bedrooms in both hotels have modern level access shower facilities and many boast panoramic seaviews. Many of the rooms also feature electric profiling beds, ceiling track hoists and shower chair commodes. Twins, singles, adjoining suites and family rooms are available across three floors. With both hotels offering nightly entertainment and holiday packages including bed, breakfast and evening meal you can relax and unwind in the ground floor restaurant and lounge while taking in the serene and tranquil sea views these resorts have to offer.
Tailor made nurse call technology from Aidcall AID Call wireless nurse call systems offer an efficient and personal centre for care. Their flexible, highly adaptable solutions allow you to create a unique and lasting care system that is specific to the needs of your residents and the demands placed on your staff. Aid Call has been leading the way in wireless nurse call technology for thirty-five years and offer a wide range of products and bespoke solutions designed specifically to meet the needs of care homes. Our first class knowledge, innovative approach and reputation for delivering safe and efficient solutions positions us as the leading supplier of wireless nurse call technology. As our systems are wireless their installation is quick, undisruptive and can be specific to each home. They are future proofed so you can add to, and enhance, your system
without incurring large costs or necessitating infrastructure changes. This flexibility allows them to adapt to change and evolve as the care environment does. Beyond providing a personalised service, this means our systems are relevant and useful for far longer.
New cordless bed and chair leaving alarm MEDPAGE Limited T/A Easylink UK, has launched a new cordless bed and chair occupancy alarm system. No more wires for patients and staff to trip over or get tangled in. The bed sensor simply slides under the patient’s mattress and is ready for use. The sensor contains a small transmitter that regular sends status alerts to the alarm monitor and quickly detects any problems, and of
course, raises a wireless alarm if the patient leaves their bed. The new low maintenance, low cost system ticks all the boxes for CQC compliance and is easily moved from bed to bed as required. For chair use, slip the sensor under a cushion and everything is out of sight, neat, tidy, and away from temptation to tamper. At £130 for a bed and chair kit, fall prevention has never been more affordable.
Sign firm is choice of thousands FOR award winning, top quality room and residents’ door signs be sure to look at the Badgemaster range. It’s already the choice of thousands of residential and nursing homes. There are gold or silver plates with smart, replaceable engraved inserts – clear, durable and easily changed. Choose from two sizes (25mm x 200mm or 50mm x 200mm), now
Signs
Accountancy
with handy end-stops that make for secure, tamper-proof identification of room use or occupier. Just let Badgemaster know your requirements, e.g. name of room or name of room user. Your handsome doorplates should be with you in five days or less. If room use or details change, the service for replacement inserts is just as quick and efficient.
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