March 2017
no.244 • £4.75 incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Conference dates and speakers revealed
Animal magic for residents in care homes By Dominic Musgrave
THE chief executive of Shropshire’s leading not-for-profit provider has welcomed a call for more residential homes to implement a pet policy to make the transition into care an easier process for older people. David Coull from Coverage Care says he supports the campaign by the charity Blue Cross for all care homes for elderly people to have a specific pet policy. Blue Cross’ research found that 40 per cent of UK care homes claim to be ‘pet friendly’ but, in practice, this often isn’t clear or consistent. The charity is recommending that care homes have clear criteria on where they stand regarding residents keeping their pets and the responsibility of residents living with their pet in the home. Coverage Care runs 14 residential and nursing homes across Shropshire in Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Wellington, Whitchurch, Bridgnorth, Bishops Castle, Newport and Market Drayton, mainly caring for older people. At Briarfields in Shrewsbury, the home has two resident cats Kirby and Leia who share the building with residents. Manager Denise Morris said: “We have had Cats Protection visit the home for some time which the residents really enjoyed so we
thought we would have our own pets. “The two girls have settled in very well and are real characters.” At Bridgnorth’s Innage Grange when resident Marjorie moved in she brought her cat Stacey with her, as did Mel with her dog Rosie. At Farcroft in Wellington, resident Edna arrived with her two budgies Billy and Bobby that she cares for. David said a transparent policy would make moving into care easier for people who don’t want to part with their pets. He added: “Moving into care is a life-changing decision and it can be stressful so anything that can allow it to be a smooth transition should be welcomed. “It would make it easier for people to choose the best place for them to live if every care home had a clearly stated policy. “We are happy to accept pets in our homes under most circumstances and work with potential residents so, wherever possible, they can bring their animals with them and they know what we expect from them in terms of their responsibilities as pet owners and neighbours. “We value the difference that keeping their pet with them makes to the lives of our residents.” Coverage Care Services is run on a not-for-profit basis.
Roy Hudd and Nichola McAuliffe will star in the stage production of the BAFTAnominated Waiting for God, which will begin a 12-week UK tour on April 20. All the favourite characters from the original primetime BBC series from the 1990s are reimagined for 2017, facing the challenges that come with growing old disgracefully in the era of the silver surfer at Bayview Retirement Home.
THE line-up of speakers has been revealed for Caring UK’s first conferences of the year in Bournemouth, Newcastle and Blackpool in May. The Leaders in Care: Raising the Standards events take place at Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth on May 10 and Newcastle Racecourse and Herons Reach Hotel, Blackpool on May 17 and 18 respectively. Speakers already confirmed include Care England chief executive Martin Green OBE, National Care Association chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE and independent social care consultant John Kennedy. Delegates will also hear from representatives from the CQC, Skills for Care, Stirling University, Zenith Lawyers LLP, the Orders of St John Care Trust and Oxford University, apetito and OOMPH! An exhibition showcasing the latest products, advice and technology for a care home will run alongside all of the conferences. Further events are planned to take place on July 5 at York Racecourse, and on October 4 and 5 at the Riviera International Centre, Torquay and Bristol Zoo respectively. Details of the conferences can be found on pages 15 and 16, and of the first Caring UK awards on page 30.