Caring UK May 2011 by Script Media

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May 2011

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Investigation reveals care home failures By Dominic Musgrave AN undercover pensioner lost half a stone in weight in a week because meals were so infrequent and poor, an investigation by consumer watchdog Which? has revealed. In three of the four homes, residents sometimes had to wait 16 or 17 hours between dinner and breakfast without food but, in one, lunch was served at 11.30am despite breakfast being served just 90 minutes earlier. Three actors posing as residents lived in four randomly chosen care homes in England for a week for the study. They recorded their experiences in diaries which were analysed by a panel which included an expert in inspection, one in daily living and a dietician. Which? senior health researcher Joanna Pearl, who led the study, said: “There was some good practice recorded as well, but the experts were shocked by some of the issues that our actors found across the homes. “The poor nutrition was a real concern, particularly in one of the homes where supplements were served just before a meal to all residents. “They should only be prescribed to those residents who are

malnourished, and not be given to all. Guidelines also suggest that there shouldn’t be more than 12 hours between meals, and vulnerable people may not be able to ask when they are hungry.” Other concerns the investigation found surrounded a lack of activities for residents in all four homes, and basic health and safety in two. These included damp and dirty facilities to exposed wires and a blocked fire escape. And in one extreme case the inspectorate had to suspend admissions to a home after the researcher witnessed a staff member dragging a resident towards the toilet by one arm, while another was repeatedly pushed down into their chair by the head and shoulder when trying to stand up. CQC chair Dame Jo Williams said: “The evidence Which? shared with us describes care that falls below what people using social care services have a right to expect. In one case so seriously that we acted immediately to ensure admissions to the home were suspended and are now considering the best action for residents currently living there.” Which? plans to meet with Age UK to explore the possibility of working together on a programme to improve care in homes in future.

Illegal workers found at home

The executive director of My Home Life Programme, a UK-wide initiative to promote quality of life for those living, dying, visiting and working in care homes, has been lined up to speak at MJM Events’ forthcoming conference in association with Caring UK magazine in Reading. Professor Julienne Meyer will speak at the event at the Madejski Stadium on June 20. For a full list of conferences, and to find out who else is speaking, turn to pages 42 and 43.

THREE illegal workers have been caught in a raid on a Torquay care home by the UK Border Agency. A man and a women from the Philippines were found to be working illegally at Renaissance Care Home after their visas had expired, while another woman was working in breach of the conditions of her student visa. Kenny Chapman, who heads the UK Border Agency's local immigration team for the South West, said they had been released on immigration bail while arrangements are made to deport them. He added: “It is vital for businesses taking on foreign staff to ensure that they have permission to work in the UK.” The home faces a civil penalty of up to £10,000 per illegal worker unless evidence is provided that the correct right-towork checks were carried out.

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Sue’s innovative approach earns top industry award By Dominic Musgrave A MARLBOROUGH care home manager has scooped a top industry award for her innovative approach to caring for people with dementia. Sue Linsley, who runs the Orders of St John Care Trust owned Coombe End Court, won the British Journal of Nursing's Nursing Care prize for her project that saw her transform several rooms at the home. The main development has resulted in an unused snoozelum becoming a sympathetically decorated 1950s reminiscence room, complete with objects that have either been donated or bought from car boot sales and antique shops including flying ducks on the wall, a working Ferranti valve radio, a Bakelite dial telephone and traditional furniture. Sue, who has worked in care for almost 40 years, told Caring UK the facilities have made a difference to life at the home. She added: “The room has had a major impact on both the residents and staff. If the residents hear the Archers music on the radio in the afternoon they will often stop off and have a listen. “At night if a resident is feeling anxious a member of staff can sit them down in there and it calms them down as they feel they are in familiar territory.

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Coombe End Court manager Sue Linsley receives her award from Channel Four’s Dr Christian Jessen along with the home’s administrator Jean Clements. “Three-quarters of the 60 residents were on some form of anti-psychotic drug before we created the room, and that figure has since dropped to just three since it opened.” Other rooms have also been transformed, with a rarely used activities area now a home from home lounge with flatscreen television and DVD player, and another small lounge now an old-fashioned office. Sue said she has also noticed a change in the staff since the project has been

running. “People tend to think you need a lot of money and more staff when you do something like this, but that is not the case because the residents are much more content,” she added. “It is an extension of our person-centred care because residents and staff build relationships with one another. “Staff know more about the times the residents are talking about, and so it gives them a better understanding and they can empathise with them.”

Healthcare Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@whpl.net Group Deputy Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734458 Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ wharncliffepublishing.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur. You can now follow us on Twitter at caringuk

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Street party to celebrate birthday

Claim authorities are ‘failing’ the elderly

A CHELMSFORD care home celebrated its second birthday with a party for friends, relatives and wellwishers. Local MP and minister of state for health Simon Burns and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Dave Monk, joined residents at Care UK’s Manor Lodge as they held an indoor street party with singers, entertainers and karaoke. Home manager Bernard Mawoyo said: “Care UK has developed activity based care which focuses on keeping residents active in meaningful ways to maintain their physical health and mental wellbeing. “We are committed to putting residents at the heart of everything we do. Residents now take part in our employment committee so they have an active role in selecting the people who work here.” Residents have recently taken part in events including a visit from the cast of West Side Story and theatre trips to the Civic Centre. They have also been entertained by performances from local schools in the home. Facilities at Manor Lodge include a hairdresser’s, café, cinema and a sensory room.

By Dominic Musgrave A LEADING care association says it is scandalous that local authorities are failing to abide by their basic statutory duties towards older people. The Registered Nursing Home Association says Counsel and Care’s Care Concerns 2010 report confirms that government cuts in expenditure are being used as a cloak behind which poorly performing councils seek to hide their own deficiencies. The study of more than 250,000 calls to the charity’s advice service found that the main concerns for older people were: Being given incorrect and often illegal advice by their council; Unplanned hospital discharge, with social services not being involved in the process; Councils not declaring a standard rate for care, and imposing ‘across the board’ requests for third party topups from families.

RNHA chief executive officer Frank Ursell said: “Of particular concern is the way in which some local authorities appear to be insisting on top up payments from families towards nursing home costs, despite the fact that their loved ones’ financial circumstances mean they qualify for full social services funding. “You could reasonably conclude from this that some councils are trying to pull a fast one by making people pay when, in fact, they should not be paying anything at all.” “A second major concern is the tendency for cash-strapped acute hospitals to try to eject older people into the community with inadequate discharge planning. “Many badly managed discharges result in relatively quick readmissions to hospital when community care arrangements break down. This is not good for the individuals involved, nor is it good for

the hospitals themselves. In effect, it is a situation where everyone is a loser.” Frank also said the decision by some councils to refuse to undertake an assessment of an older person’s social care needs on financial grounds was further evidence that the system needed radical reform. “Such policies are flouting the law,” he added. “They also fly in the face of good practice. Older people have a basic right to have their needs assessed, even if the council itself does not subsequently fund the care provided.” The RNHA intends to write to the Health Secretary and the CQC to ask them to remind local authorities of their statutory responsibilities towards older people and to take action against those which do not comply with them.

Get your stories to editor Dominic Musgrave by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring 01226 734407.

Resident Leslie Chapman sows and grows with the help of xl programme executive for The Prince’s Trust Helen Thurston and Bupa’s community affairs assistant Caroline Davy.

Watering cans ready for fruit and veg project RESIDENTS at Bupa care homes across the UK have their watering cans at the ready as they prepare for their Community Crops ‘sow and grow’ events. The initiative promotes the health benefits associated with gardening and growing your own fruit and veg, and is being supported by young people involved with The Prince’s Trust xl programme. Residents have also been inviting local schools and community groups to lend a hand with planting and start their own vegetable plots. Caroline Davy, Bupa’s community affairs assistant, said: “For our

residents who were keen gardeners before they joined us, Community Crops offers a great opportunity to get back involved, but it also helps minds as well as bodies. “Particularly for our residents with dementia, sharing stories about ‘dig for victory’ and the tradition of growing your own are excellent memory triggers to aid connections with the past. “Getting the local community involved is important to us as well. It promotes healthy and active lifestyles, and lets everyone to see first-hand the benefits of growing your own fruit and veg.”

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Shocking report into Telford home By Dominic Musgrave

Resident Ivy Blake in the home’s new garden.

Home wins three awards A COLCHESTER residential and nursing home has picked up a hattrick of awards including chef of the year. And The Oaks also was named regional winner and national runnerup in the inaugural gardening competition run by owners New Century Care Ltd. The group has 27 homes nationwide, and the event was held to encourage fresh ideas from residents, relatives, staff and the wider community. Activities coordinator Lindsay

Ridley, who led the home’s entries, said: “For the garden competition we planted raised beds, revamped our shed and decking with help from teenagers from a local college, and painted bird tables in bright colours to add a splash of colour. “We also made wind chimes and memory pots to create a sensory area and a memory tree. Chef Zoë Clough won a cook-off at The Felbridge Hotel in East Grinstead after creating a menu that the residents would enjoy that could be created within the home.

A ‘SHOCKING’ CQC report into a Telford care home has found residents left smelling of urine and faeces and looking “unkempt and dishevelled”. CQC inspectors visited St George's Park Centre three times between December 2010 and January 2011 after concerns about the safety of people in the home triggered an unannounced review. Inspectors told the owners they were not meeting 15 of the 16 essential standards, and had 13 major concerns with the home, with visitors also reporting their relatives had been dressed in other people’s clothes that had not been ironed. Some residents had also been left unwashed and shaved for up to two months. CQC regional director Andrea Gordon said the owner was given a three-week deadline for a complete turnaround in services, and warned that the home would be closed if significant steps were not taken immediately. She added: “Given the breadth and severity of the concerns

identified at this home, we seriously considered moving straight to this course of action, which always needs to be weighed up against the impact that closure will have on a vulnerable group of residents. “But before taking this step, we gave the provider three weeks to demonstrate dramatic and wholesale improvements. “The provider has succeeded in implementing very significant improvements in services at the home, although it is regrettable that these were only achieved following the threat of radical action.” The report goes on to say that bins were also found overflowing and the bathrooms and toilets were all dirty, while residents were not supported to eat and drink in a dignified, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The home also did not have systems in place to gain and review consent from residents. Andrea added that the home will continue to be monitored closely to ensure the improvements are sustained and built upon.

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The sector has slammed the inspectorate’s plans to increase its fees to care homes, and the amount of notice operators were given. Dominic Musgrave reports

Bobby Davro

Bobby entertains guests at group’s charity ball COMEDIAN Bobby Davro was among the special guests at a Scottish care group’s annual ball that raised almost £39,000 for charity. Proceeds from the Balhousie Care Group event in Dundee, which had a Peter Pan theme to mark the 150th anniversary of author J. M. Barrie’s birth in nearby Kirriemuir, will go to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. In keeping with the theme, youngsters at Rachel House Scotland’s first children’s hospice – were asked to decorate giant banners

featuring the Disney characters, which were displayed at the ball. X Factor singer Gamu Nhengu was also on the bill, with a film script signed by Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor and a guitar signed and donated by singer Amy Macdonald among the lots up for grabs in an auction. Other lots included a trip to Marrakesh, a week in the Algarve, a trip in a hot air balloon, a theatre weekend in London and a VIP package to watch Scotland play the Czech Republic at Hampden Park.

Industry hits back at fee rise decision THE new pricing range, which was announced on March 29 and came into effect on April 1 under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, saw a small increase for larger homes and a phasing in of the price increase for smaller homes over the next few years. NCA chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE told Caring UK described the announcement as “extremely insensitive.” She added: “I do not think the CQC would consider it good practice if our members gave our service users three days notice of their intention to raise their fee levels. “How can any care provider properly plan their business strategy when its own regulator fails to give any adequate notice of a rise in regulatory fee levels, which for some providers could be thousands of pounds? “We believe our members will consider this announcement extremely insensitive coming as it does when almost every local authority in England is asking providers to take a reduction in fees. “We believe that at this time there should be no increase in regulatory costs, allowing funding to be concentrated on service users.” These opinions were echoed by ECCA chief executive Martin Green, who said the price increase is “totally unjustified given their poor performance.” He added: “It is taking a minimum of 120 days to register a care service and the star rating scheme has been abolished. The replacement excellence scheme is not due for a long time, and when it does finally

Martin Green arrive it will be an extra cost burden on an already underfunded sector. “CQC should be compensating service users and providers for the huge loss of earnings and disrupted lives their incompetence is causing, instead of raising their fees .” But Cynthia Bower, chief executive of the inspectorate, defended the decision, saying the changes have been based on the feedback they received during a consultation period. “Our approach to fees is based on fairness and on raising only as much income as we need to cover the costs of regulation,” she added. “We have listened to what providers told us during the consultation and have made changes to address concerns. “The new fees scheme standardises the way providers will be charged fees. All providers will receive a single annual invoice; provider and manager registrations and variations to registration will not be charged for separately.” What do you think of the new prices announced by the CQC? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring him on 01226 734407.

Increase timing slammed CARE providers have been hit by another increased cost at a time when they can least afford it, a regional care association association has warned. The Independent Care Group (York and North Yorkshire) said the cost was another blow to providers, who are already suffering. “Providers have no choice but to register their business and this comes at a significant cost,” said the group’s chair Mike Padgham. “Providers are already suffering

because local authorities are spending less on commissioning care and other costs are rising. “Fuel costs are hitting the care sector hard and providers have just had to take an increase in National Insurance payments. At the same time, businesses have also had to absorb an increase in VAT which, because they have to be zero rated, they are unable to claim back. The CQC’s additional fee is an unwanted burden at a time when care businesses are going to the wall.”

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Items buried in capsule at £20m facility LOCAL newspapers, family photos and coins currently in circulation are among the items buried in a time capsule at a £20m extra care development in Dudley. Over 80 guests attended the ceremony at Broad Meadow, with the capsule also including a trowel from the sod-cutting event, pictures of endangered species of fish and children’s toys. The 132-bed extra care scheme is being developed by Midland Heart in partnership with Dudley Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, who invested £6.4m, and contractors William Davis. It will provide a mix of one and two bedroom apartments for sale, shared ownership or rent for the area’s over 55s. Residents will have access to extensive communal facilities including a restaurant, shop, gym, craft and activity suite, as well as the opportunity to learn new skills such as painting, choir singing and taichi. Broad Meadow is one of two extra care developments due to open this year, and forms part of Dudley council’s extra care housing strategy which highlights the need for high quality, safe accommodation.

Home’s staff qualify to offer massages By Louise Cordell RESIDENTS at a Paddington care home will be able to regularly enjoy complementary therapies after four staff completed a six-week massage therapy course. Forrester Court staff Gisella Louis, Esther Aiyeobasanmi, Susan Baird and Sandra Seaton will be able to offer the treatments after taking part in the Westminster council run sessions. Last year the home opened a multisensory room and two members of staff gave their own time to train in massage therapy. Home manager Jemma Craig Dressike said their colleagues were so impressed by the benefits to residents that they decided to train as well. She added: ”Everyone living in our home is either frail or has dementia. The team’s hard work and dedication has meant many of them have a new lease of life. They usually massage residents in groups of three and it gives them a chance to relax and chat, which is good for their physical and mental health. “At Care UK we believe people should be able to carry on living the life they want to lead, and with the

Resident Rene Harris enjoys the benefits of massage with newly qualified volunteer therapist Susan Baird. spa, social club coffee shop, cinema and hair salon on site here they can do just that. “There is a wide programme of organised activity at the home, which is designed to cover a range of interests - from table tennis and cooking to sing-a-longs and reminiscence sessions. We also take small groups on shopping trips and on outings to the cinema.” Julius Adesanya, who was one of those who qualified last year, said they have recently been allowed to start offering massage therapy by the

head nurse. He added: “It has so many benefits. Residents with dementia become more relaxed and aware, and residents with circulation and joint stiffness benefit from the massage. “One lady was bed-bound when she came to the home but, with support from the team and lots of massage, we were able to get her out of bed, then into a chair and eventually into a wheelchair, which meant she was able to go back to her home. That lady’s story offers us the most amazing job satisfaction.”

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Apprentice Zoe Arnold with resident Muriel Smith.

Group reaps benefits of apprentices By Dominic Musgrave A CARE group’s homes in Oxfordshire have appointed three young people into permanent jobs after successful apprenticeships. The Orders of St John Care Trust are are benefitting from youthful personalities in many of the homes across the county after working in partnership with the county council on its OXCARE scheme. Valerie Jarvis, manager at Townsend House, told Caring UK the youngsters have new and exciting ideas. She added: “The benefits are two way; we have a valuable extra pair of hands, and a person who may well become a permanent member of staff, while the apprentice has a positive on the job learning experience that progresses at their pace. “Everyone has their own talents to bring into the home, which is very beneficial for our residents. We welcome the fresh ideas brought by our young apprentices and encourage them to share these with all of us.” The apprenticeship involves two different placements with two types of care provider. It is expected to take between a year and 18 months to complete through regular college attendance and practical skills in the work placement. Sharon Wheeler, the home’s activ-

ities and volunteers co-ordinator, said each apprentice has a line manager to monitor and assess progress which is tailored to the individual. She added: “It’s like having a blank canvas as apprentices have generally never worked anywhere else before. “This means we can enable them to develop their skills and experience from scratch, and gain a valuable qualification in care. “Any young person who comes into our care homes, whether as volunteer, apprentice or permanent employee, has a heartening affect on our residents. “We write a life history for each of our residents; our apprentices are great for assisting with such valuable projects and our residents love telling them their stories.” Zoe Arnold is a former apprentice who now works as a carer at Isis Court. “Being an apprentice has changed my life and future for the better,” she said. “With all the experience and training I have gained I now have a full time job at Isis Court and love working with older people.” Do you have apprentices working at your care home? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone 01226 734407.

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Company to run council’s nine homes SOUTHEND Care Ltd has beaten bids from three other providers to run nine of Leicestershire county council’s care homes. Last June, the county council agreed to transfer the homes, plus their existing residents and staff, to the independent sector. The council already commissioned 85 per cent of its long-stay care placements from the independent sector. The homes are: Hadrian House, Thurmaston; Huntingdon Court, Loughborough; Harvey House, Barwell; Kirby House, Kirby Muxloe; Woodmarket House, Lutterworth; Lenthall House, Market Harborough; Curtis Weston House, Wigston; The Limes, Hinckley; Tillson House, Coalville. David Sprason, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: “The company wants to invest considerable sums to ensure high quality care and it has pledged to maintain employment. “This is the best result for residents, for staff and for council taxpayers, as it will ensure a quality service, while achieving value for money, with the council saving £1m per year.” Catherine Dalley House in Melton Mowbray is proposed for redevelopment as an extra care scheme.

Activities play a vital role By Brinda Bungaroo SOCIAL activities are very important for all ages, more so for the elderly as it is a means of stimulation. Whenever you get visitors or potential service users looking for a home, one of the main questions asked is about the sort of activities that take place. They have become one of the main focuses when choosing and selecting the right home for your loved one. In my experience I have found pre-planned social activities very rarely tend to happen, due to many reasons such as residents not willing to take part or staff too busy. As the home manager I questioned why we had listed preplanned social activities that very rarely takes place. For that reason we have given a more personalised approach to them at our home. It seems that pre-planned social activities were more of a task orientated chore both for staff and service users. Daily social activities should be planned daily, spontaneous and at times on the spur of the moment. As carers we need to help create a relaxing mood that makes them fun and enjoyable for both our service users and staff. In the last few months we have adopted new ways of organising

social activities in the home. In doing so, we now focus more on what is suited to accommodate the individual person. The whole concept of structured activity programme for a group of people is unlikely to satisfy everyone. Since we have started our new approach, activity programmes at the home have gone from strength to strength. They have become one of the highlights of the day because residents find it enjoyable and stimulating. As a result we have noticed an increased motivation, confidence and willingness to participate in them from both service users and staff. The whole concept has changed staff’s attitude to participating and encouraging interactive activities. Staff have a better understanding and recognise the importance of one-to-one activities. We are more enthusiastic about organising more outdoor activities such as weekly shopping trips. Some service users who in the past had lost the confidence to go out now look forward to it. Others go out regularly for lunches or meet their friends at their social clubs. The anticipation and enthusiasm in planning for their following day outing starts from the night before as they all chat about what to wear. The hairdresser comes the evening

Brinda Bungaroo before to do their hair, and the whole change in the way service users look forward to everyday is fantastic. They also love having their photo taken, and these are displayed around the home for all to admire and enjoy. Social activities for older people do not have to be complicated, just simple and enjoyable. Brinda is the home manager of Neva Manor care home in WestonSuper-Mare.

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More care homes are holding regular fitness classes to improve both the physical and mental state of their residents. Dominic Musgrave spoke to two care home managers who have incorporated weekly sessions into their activities timetable.

The benefits of exercise THE manager of a Somerset independent living scheme says she has noticed a massive improvement in the mobility of residents who have started attending exercise classes. Elva Dennihy, who runs Gatchell Oaks in Taunton, completed the halfday ‘Flexercise’ workshop run by social enterprise and leisure trust Tone at the end of last year, and her Monday morning classes are regularly attended by a dozen lady residents. She told Caring UK the 30-minute chair-based exercises are changing the lives both mentally and physically of those who attend. “The ladies really feel good at the end of the classes,” Elva added. “They are energetic and are a moving a lot better than they were before we started holding the weekly sessions. “They really look forward to it, and we try to make it as fun as we can. They forget their aches and pains and have a smile and a laugh. “There is also a social aspect to the classes. They talk among themselves before we start and often go for a drink together to talk about what they have just done.” Classes begin with warming up exercises to music, and objects

Residents in the class. including scarves, balls, parachutes and balloons are all used in an average session. A sing-a-long to Dame Vera Lynn’s Wartime classic ‘We’ll meet again’ then rounds off proceedings. Gatchell Oaks is one of 14 sites in Somerset to have a member of staff qualified in the ‘Flexercise’ scheme. Louise Bulmer, active lifestyles

officer for Tone, added: “The classes we have devised are designed to help people with mobility, flexibility, general health and energy because we found that a lot of people who live in this type of environment are not the most physically active. “They can be adapted to suit all abilities, and from the feedback we have heard there are some real

success stories among the homes in the county. “It isn’t just about the physical activities though. Every effort is made to make sure the residents are happy and have a laugh while taking part.” Do you run exercise classes at your care home? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring him on 01226 734407.

Hula hoop sessions prove a hit at Edinburgh home THE hula hoop has made a return to an Edinburgh care home to help keep residents fit. Night shift worker Ann Ritchie, who is also a fitness instructor in her spare time, runs the hour-long classes at Clovenstone House, which regularly attract almost half of the 35 residents. Manager Pam Colston said the Wednesday sessions were a huge hit, with the hula hoops introduced as an extra tool to keep participants stimulated. She added: “The class creates a real buzz around the place, although there was a little bit of reluctance at first. A couple of the residents who prefer to be in their rooms all of the time have even come out to join in after hearing the hilarity. “As well as the residents being stimulated much more both mentally

and physically, there is also a lot more laughter around the home and there has been an improvement in communication as well.” Ann sits the residents in a large circle and warms them up with some basic exercises with soft equipment before distributing the hula hoops. Although no-one is able to whirl the device round their waist like they once could, a series of exercises involving the hoop can still take place. The hour-long session is also accompanied by the sound of classic war-time songs such as We’ll Meet Again and Roll Out the Barrel. “When Ann comes in at 10pm to start her night shift she often has residents asking her if she is here to do the exercises. They look forward to it so much.”

Museum visits Kent home RESIDENTS at a Kent care home were shown how rope was made when they were paid a visit by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Education Officer Sandra Delahoy brought along exhibits from the museum to Greensted residential home, part of The Abbeyfield Kent Society, and encouraged residents to join in and make their own rope

using a technique from the time of Nelson. Manager Sue Imms said: “We’ve had a few visits in the past from Chatham Historic Dockyard, but this was the first time we’ve had the rope making demonstrations and the residents seemed to really enjoy it.”

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Provider unveils new programme By Christina Eccles A NATIONWIDE care provider has introduced a series of care programmes across its homes to ensure its top hotel-standard accommodation is matched in the professional caring fields. The strategies and systems have been developed by Avery Healthcare over the past 18 months under the supervision of director of nursing Sandra Stark, and are in line with new regulations and the Essential Standards being introduced by the CQC. The three are known as Connect (a framework for dementia care), Optimise (quality assurance) and ARIES (Avery Resident Involvement and Experience Strategy) making sure the wishes and requirements of residents and their relatives are fully acknowledged and acted upon. Sandra said Connect is built around evidence-based care, a positive approach to dementia care and the re-enablement of residents. She added: “We have built this programme upon practices which have been demonstrated to have an impact on the promotion of highquality care and quality of life for people with dementia. “The manual and the programme

aim to bring together research and experiential evidence which demonstrates how older people with dementia and their relatives can be supported to have a voice and make a contribution to the home in which they live.” The programme presents current theory and best practice for the area along with an audit tool to support its implementation. Optimise covers care, hotel services, operations and training, all aspects of the management of the homes, medicine dispensing, health and safety, person centred care and planning. As part of this, Avery has also introduced a confidential free phone link for all staff to make management aware of any concerns and suggestions. The ARIES programme starts from the position that gaining the views and experiences of residents, their friends and relatives is vital in order to obtain a thorough understanding of their needs and wishes to constantly improve care and services. “This is a deliberate move to empower all our residents, enhance their individual choices and ability to control their lives,” added Sandra. “The three programmes together are unique in the British care system.”

A care group’s residents and staff raised more than £2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society through a series of fundraising activities. Hartford Care adopted the charity last year, and events held at the seven homes included summer fetes, cream teas, themed dinners and residents’ parties. Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser for Hampshire, Natalie Bettinson, receives a cheque from Hartford Care managing director Sean Gavin and operations director Jo Gavin.

Resident Elsie’s queen for a day wish comes true THERE was plenty of bowing and curtseying at a Bournemouth care home when a resident’s wish to be treated like a queen for the day was granted. Elsie Agent, aged 89, had taken part in Templeman House’s balloon release to mark Dignity in Action Day. Residents attached a wish to each balloon, and the Care South owned home has undertaken to fulfil each wish in the coming months with the

help of local businesses and the community. Her day included being the guest of honour at the home’s pancake tossing competition, and then she joined everyone for lunch before getting changed for her tour of the local area in a limousine, which was provided free of charge by a local company A book of photographs has been made for Elsie as a keepsake of her day.

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The first phase of a new building at a Coventry care home is set to open next month. Dominic Musgrave visited St Andrew’s House to find out more.

New home to meet demand THE 32-bed extension to the existing home will also include a new dining room, staff station and ground floor bathroom, and existing residents have been invited to declare their interest in the eight new rooms to be completed. It was originally established 55 years ago by the Free Churches of Coventry and District, and originally operated under the name of Coventry and District Free Church Homes for the Elderly. Services are still held at the home for people of all denominations twice a week for residents who wish to attend Trustee and chairman Kenneth Holmes told Caring UK the home needed updating, but also extending to meet demand. He added: “The current bedrooms are very small and aren’t en-suite so when we changed the name a couple of years ago we decided something had to be done. “We looked at converting three rooms into two with the middle room being the bathroom, but it still meant the rooms weren’t very big, which is why we then decided to look at building a new extension to the side of the existing building. “We have taken out a mortgage of

£750,000 from NatWest, and have managed to raise £580,000 ourselves through various means including trusts, legacies and corporate donations. The plan is to build the shell of the building and complete as much as we can.” The trust is also appealing for 750 businesses in the city to donate £1,000 each so they can pay off the mortgage. He estimates it will cost around £600,000 to fully complete the home, with each room around £25,000 to fully equip. He added: “We have asked the existing residents to declare their interest in the new rooms, which some may not be able to afford because they are slightly more expensive than the old ones. “If we have more than eight people I’m not quite sure how we are going to work it. “We will also recruit three extra people initially, and then we will have to work out what we are going to do with the existing building. “We may well pull it down because the spaces are not big enough. Long term we would like to create some independent living units with support services. We have planning consent to build six flats so we will see how we get on in future.”

St Andrew’s House trustee and chairman Kenneth Holmes with NatWest Commercial Banking representatives Bob Walker and Sukhjeevan Nat.

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An increasing number of care homes are allowing residents to bring their pets with them. Editor Dominic Musgrave spoke to two managers that say having animals around has had a positive affect on their residents.

Peggy’s plight leads to change at home RESIDENTS at Applegarth care home in Maidenhead can bring their favourite chair, bone china cup and now their pet when they move in with them. Manager Jenny Poole allowed animals to live at the home following consultations with both staff and residents after receiving a call from the daughter of Peggy Ridgers, an 84year-old blind woman. She lived 200 miles away and desperately needed to be in care closer to her family, but could not bear to be parted from her cat Amber. Jenny said she put together a policy, risk assessment and contingency plan before accepting the pair. She added: “There are many people out there like Peggy who cannot bear to be parted from their pets, and as well as the cat we now have a cockatiel, tropical fish and a Yorkshire terrier called Dan. “The lady moved in without the dog at first and was depressed and had given up. We took the dog in on a trial basis because we weren’t too sure

Resident Hylda Holdaway and Dan. how the cat would react, but they are now a part of the family. “Last year we also had a pets day for the residents, with both the staff and relatives bringing in their animals. Hamsters, rabbits and tortoises were

passed around the residents.” A rota has been put together for the residents to take it in turn to ensure the animals have been fed, and it has been agreed with the families that they will continue to remain at the home if the resident dies. Jenny added: “Relatives pay for the insurance and vet’s bills and we pay for all the food - it is a pretty good system we have put together. “Pets do have an impact on older peoples well being. We have seen so many positive changes with residents who suffer from depression or are very ill or have a dementia. “This generation of people were probably all owners of pets at some time in their life, and a lot of people who visit the home say having them around makes it more homely rather than institutionalised.” Applegarth is one of 30 pet-friendly homes nationwide that have been approved by the Cinnamon Trust - a charity for elderly people and their pets.

Fishy goings on as residents are given new room mates RESIDENTS at a Kidderminster care home have been given the opportunity to keep goldfish in their rooms as part of a new project. The idea was the brainchild of Herons Park activities co-ordinator Abby Campbell, who thought the residents may like something of their own to look after rather than just look at them in the lounges. She told Caring UK the goldfish are also used as a talking point, with residents reminiscing about when they used to keep them in the past. “We have a large tank of fish in the lounge, and also have an incubator for hand-rearing and hatching chicks each year, but the residents don’t have anything in their rooms,” Abby added. “After the home’s manager Sandra Packwood agreed that it was something I could do I asked the residents if they would like one and half a dozen of them said they would. “I bought the tanks and the gravel and we arranged for the residents to go and choose which fish they wanted, and they have given them a name.

Resident Maureen Johnston with her fish Albert. “We have put together a feeding chart, which the residents tick off when they have been fed. If they forget to feed them they tend to remember once they have seen me.” Abby said that if the project continues to be successful it will be offered to the other residents.

She added: “The residents have responded really well to them, and those with the fish in their rooms say how they look forward to seeing and feeding them. “The project was relatively cheap to set up so we will look at extending the offer to the other residents in the near future.”

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Personal touch most important By Dominic Musgrave

Residents Susan Davison, Louise Stafford, Betty Milburn and Dorothy Skipper with the home’s chef Mary Manners.

Home’s recipe book has an international flavour A NORTH East care home’s charity cook book which has taken a year to compile has gone on sale. Linda Steele, manager at Grovewood House near Alnwick had the idea to create a book – called Don’t Be Slow Have A Go – made up entirely of submitted recipes from residents and staff at the home, as well as their friends and family. There is also a recipe from the Duchess of Northumberland. Linda said: “It has really been quite a challenge. It has taken nearly a year. It’s one of those things, you think about doing something you start it and then think, what have I done that

for? “One of our families live in Sweden so we have a recipe from there, another was from Germany so their daughter has given us German recipes and we also have some from the Middle East. “The only sad thing is that because it has taken so long some of the recipes were given by residents who have now passed away. But we have included them, with permission, in memory of them.” The cook book, which costs £8, is on sale at the home. All proceeds will go to the residents’ fund.

RESIDENTS of a care home group have said the most important service they receive is the personal attention from staff. Against a backdrop of increasing guidance and legislation, Springhill, surveyed its residents with its own questionnaire to ask what they value the most. More than half (58 per cent) of the 200-plus residents across the group’s three homes in Accrington, Skelmersdale and Bristol put personal care as the most important feature of life. Chairman Ken Nolan said the study looked at key features of care home services to rank those elements from the residents’ perspective. He added: “Our commitment to personalising our services gives each person a say in how they want their service delivered. “We wanted to do something different with this survey, by asking them to rank the elements of the service they receive in the order that they consider most important to them as individuals. “We will be following up this survey with a further questionnaire to see how far we are delivering what residents see as important to them.

Ken Nolan These results will be used to further develop our services and ensure we continue to put people at the centre of everything we do.” Nutritious, healthy meals were ranked second on the list of residents priorities, with cleanliness of the home third, the opportunity to take part in a range of activities fourth and independence to organise their own time within the care setting fifth. Other features of the care home service which attracted votes and comments in the survey were: access to information on financial issues; well maintained grounds; and the opportunity to purchase further services.

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Grant helps residents to stay in touch By Dominic Musgrave RESIDENTS at a Lancashire care home will be able to keep in touch with relatives and friends around the globe after it was awarded a £6,000 grant. Hedges House in Lytham has received the money from the Social Care Institute for Excellence to spend on new technology for the residents including laptops, a projector screen and a freeview player. Manager Michelle Neville said the laptops will replace an old computer that the 32 residents used to use. She added: “The new laptops will allow the residents to receive photos, Skype and keep in touch with people living in New Zealand, America and Australia. “Previously we had one computer and I printed off all the emails to hand around the residents. They would then tell me what to write back and I would type that in and send it back.

“Having laptops also means we can take them to those residents who have to stay in their rooms. We will also make great use of the screen and Freeview player for events such as the Royal wedding.” Michelle has also had a vibration plate installed at the home for use by both residents and staff. She added: “We have a lady comes in each week to hold chair aerobics classes with the residents, and they are really popular with the residents. It also improves mobility. “The staff also put forward the idea of us getting a vibration plate machine to the owner for the use of them and the residents as part of their activities. “Staff use it in their lunch times as they work long hours and don’t really have the time to go the gym. Residents enjoy watching them on it and having a laugh at their expense.” DVD and knitting clubs also form part of activities at the home.

A Canterbury care home celebrated the career of one of its senior carer’s who has retired after 25 years. Gail Robinson joined The Abbeyfield Kent Society owned Connors House as a carer before moving up to a senior role, and was also responsible for organising the Christmas celebrations. Current and former colleagues, friends and residents gathered in the home’s newly developed activity room to honour Gail (pictured above) was presented with gifts, flowers and cards to mark her service and dedication.

MP opens provider’s training centre A BRADFORD care provider has opened a new training centre on the site of a former services club. The Czajka Training Centre in Shipley will provide the community care services and care group’s 550 employees with the necessary skills and training to help raise the quality

of care provided. The facility cost £250,000 and was opened by local MP Philip Davies at an opening ceremony attended by members of social services and primary care trusts, as well as contractors and suppliers who have been involved in the project.

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Residents’ bird artwork to remain in city’s museum By Dominic Musgrave THE artwork of residents from an Abergavenny care home is proving so popular at the Cardiff museum where it hangs that it is going to stay there for a few months longer. The ‘Treasures that Travel- Birds 2010 project’ brought together the 25 residents at Penpergwm house and 30 pupils from local primary schools, with work including paintings, screen prints, clay models and instruments to mimic bird song. The exhibition was planned to end at the end of last month but, due to its popularity, will stay there for a few months longer before moving to a museum in Abergavenny later in the year. The home’s artist-in-residence Vicky Wilson was the brainchild for the scheme, and is currently working with the residents on a new Art Trail boxes project. She added: “The idea of the boxes is to improve their lives - to motivate the older person to feel

good about themselves recognising their strengths and weaknesses and who they are now. “The first box involved creative writing, and out of the residents working together we have put together a 40-page book of poems that we are going to print and sell to raise money for the funds. “The next box that we are currently working on looks at the face, and encourages the residents to look at themselves physically in the mirror and do a self-portrait.” Vicky now plans to take the box project out into the wider community, and is working with Caerphilly county borough council on a similar scheme called Blox Up the Wall. She added: “I see the benefits that arts therapy has on the residents at the home each time I visit, and cannot see why this cannot be extended to the wider community. “These sessions build up relationships between the residents and care staff, and also give the residents a sense of achievement and something to talk about during

Vicky Wilson with 87-year-old Ena Young during the bird project. the rest of the day. “I never help the residents, and ask the carers not to do it for them. Some residents say they cannot do it at first but, once they realise they can they get a real sense of

satisfaction at the end.” Are you involved with a new project at your care home? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring him on 01226 734407.

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New £5m home boasts specialist Asian floor By Dominic Musgrave A CARE group’s latest state-of-the art £5m care home also boasts specialised care for Asian residents on a dedicated floor. Neem Tree in Middlesex is the first in the South of England for Sunflower Healthcare, who already own and manage three homes in Yorkshire and one in Staffordshire. The company was founded in 2004 by Meera Shah and Rupane Patel with the purchase of Rose Farm near Doncaster, and they have slowly built up the business since. Rupane said: “Most of my family are doctors, and my dad was in the care business for many years. I’m a chartered accountant by profession, but Meera has a lot of care experience and looks after that side of the business. “Rose Farm was perfect as soon as we

went to see it, and we have thought that about all of the homes we have purchased since. A home from home atmosphere is the essence of what we are all about - nothing institutionalised. “The acquisitions we have made have been based on our areas of expertise, and we are hoping that Neem Tree will become a centre of excellence - a blueprint for the future.” Facilities at the 49-bed development include a bespoke vegetarian kitchen and a multi-faith prayer room as well as Asian language-speaking staff. Activities will play a key part in day-today life at the home, which also boasts its own cinema room and sensory garden. Rupane added: “When my family were looking for care that we hope to provide at Neem Tree for my grandmother they really struggled, so this project is very close to all of us.

“We bought a disused pub where it now stands back in 2007, and it took a couple of years to get the planning in place. “We hope it will meet the needs of the large Asian community where it stands and also of those people who have dementia, and worked closely with Stirling University on how it should be built. “For the Asian market the prayer room is essential because some elders pray at least twice a day so need somewhere to go that is quiet. Food is also important, and because many Asian people are strict vegetarians it was necessary to include a separate kitchen for them in the building.” Are you building a new facility or planning a development at an existing care home? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or telephone 01226 734407.

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

In this issue: Spend now to

beat tax relief reduction Page 24

Have a contract

in place, home owners warned Page 25

Ensure you

comply with new immigration regime Page 28

Time to extend

your home or build another? Page 29

Fees growth weakened claims annual report

Sir Michael Parkinson

Parky helps raise £10,000 for charity SIR Michael Parkinson was the guest presenter of the annual Pinders Healthcare Design Awards held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The former talk show host gave his time for free, helping to raise more than £10,000 for The Lord’s Taverners charity from an auction and ‘Guess Who?’ game featuring some of the famous faces who have appeared with him. The awards, now in their 12th year,

aim to promote and recognise the best developments in the long term care sector. Winners: Restoration/extension Halsey House, Cromer; Specialist care - Purbeck Care, East Stoke; Dementia - The Russets, Winscombe; Elderly care (traditional design) - Alexandra Grange, Wokingham; Independent living - Richmond Letcombe Regis; Elderly Care (contemporary design) Broadway Halls.

FEE growth in care homes weakened last year despite average weekly fees increasing steadily over the last two, a report has claimed. Colliers International’s annual Care Homes Review, which measures occupancy rates, average weekly fees, payroll costs, nonpayroll costs and profit margins, says salary and national insurance costs as a proportion of total revenue remained at the same level as the first half of 2010 - around 57 per cent for nursing and around 54 per cent care homes. In the second half of last year non-payroll costs as a proportion of total revenue remained stable at 16 per cent for both nursing homes and care homes. Head of healthcare Jeremy Tasker blamed the decline in weekly fees on local authority and government spending cuts. He added: “Care home fees grew nominally by six per cent over the same period, although real growth only registered two per cent. “Fee growth has begun to show

signs of weakening over the latest reporting periods, especially over the last year of high inflation. “Annual average weekly fee growth fell in real terms by three per cent for nursing homes and increased by a marginal two per cent for care homes. “Worryingly, these real decreases have been accompanied by overall operating cost increases in line with inflation; even the most efficient operators are coming under increasing pressure.” The average level of occupancy across different sizes of care homes remained stable and, in line with overall occupancy rates recorded for both nursing and care homes at 91 per cent. Occupancy rates were slightly higher for both nursing homes and care homes with more than 61 beds. Homes in Scotland and the West Midlands registered the highest average levels of occupancy at 94 per cent, while those in Greater London registered the lowest at 88 per cent in the second half of 2010.

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Spend now to beat tax relief reduction By Dominic Musgrave

Taylor National has completed the sale of the purpose built Greencroft care home in Deeside, Clwyd, which is registered for 36. The facility, which stands in its own gardens and grounds, offers 34 bedrooms, 15 having en-suite facilities. The vendor Tony Drew (pictured above with Grayson Taylor) has owned and operated the home since 1982.

Christies sell Derby development CHRISTIES has sold the Willowcroft Hall turn-of-key development near Derby to the MHA Care Group. The sale was made on behalf of LNT Construction, and gives the company a flagship presence near to its headquarters. Willowcroft Hall is built over two floors and designed with two wings, comprising 30 residential places and

the same for dementia care. Every room has a mini fridge and plasma television, and lead to a secure garden specially landscaped for use by individuals living with dementia. All come with attractive fitted furniture, and some ground floor rooms are available with doors leading out on to a private patio.

CARE home operators considering making any major capital expenditure should do it before April 2012. That is because the annual investment allowance, which allows most businesses to gain tax relief for such costs is being slashed from £100,000 annually to £25,000 after this date. Jeremy Syree, accountant at Ballard Dale Syree Watson, who is also vice chairman of the healthcare group of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, told Caring UK a £100,000 budget can soon be used up when purchasing items. He added: “This allowance means that effectively you receive tax relief now rather than later. If you spent

£50,000 on equipment pre April 2012 and are a 40 per cent tax payer you will save £20,000 in tax relief. “If you leave it until after April 2012 you would receive tax relief of £10,000 in the first year, £2,500 in the second year, £1,875 in the third year and decreasing savings over subsequent years. “It would take over 10 years to achieve a similar tax saving achieved in one year under the current 100 per cent annual investment allowance.” “It makes sense for care home owners, who are used to managing tight budgets, to take full advantage of the £100,000 relief before the April 2012 reduction. Jeremy advises that a good starting point for operators would be to review the care home’s assets to decide if there are items that need replacing or updating.

Matthew James (Leadbitter Group), Martin Habelle and Ian Mortimer (Maybourne Projects Limited), David Ballard chairman of the trustees of Greensleeves Homes Trust and David Cook and Ben Alford (Leadbitter Group) at the ceremony.

Ceremony marks start of £4.8m home’s construction A TURF cutting ceremony marked the start of the construction of a £4.8m development in Winchester. The event at St Cross Grange was attended by staff from the Leadbitter Group, as well as the current residents of the home and their families. David Ballard, chairman of the trustees of Greensleeves Homes Trust, which owns St Cross Grange,

performed the cutting with a spade especially engraved for the occasion. Leadbitter will be constructing an extension to the historic building to provide two new residential blocks, as well as undertaking alterations and refurbishment to all existing facilities. The new development will more than double the home’s registration from 29 to 64.

Have you got a story for the Commerce section of Caring UK? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring 01226 734407.

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Have a contract in place, home owners warned By Dominic Musgrave CARE home owners must ensure they have a contract in place when instructing contractors to carry out building and refurbishment work, it has been claimed. David Platt, partner at Adams & Remers LLP belives operators risk an escalation of costs and serious project delays that could affect the services they provide for residents if they fail to do so. He told Caring UK: “I am increasingly coming across cases of care homes where substantial works are taking place and the owner hasn’t appointed anyone to oversee the work. “Many owners are then finding there are significant cost overruns and delays when deadlines are not met or that there are problems obtaining the necessary CQC registration for the newly constructed areas. “In the worst case scenario builders may just walk off site due to unforeseen problems or disagreements.” He believes this is partly due to owners not having the foresight to predict problems and assuming the job is straightforward, or trying to keep costs down by ‘project managing’ the work themselves. “Care home owners approaching any refurbishment work should ensure they have in place a properly drafted contract (there are standard form contracts which can be adapted),” David added. “These detail the scope of the work, materials to be used, standards of workmanship,

David Platt time frame, payment staging, responsibilities such as what happens if there are unforeseen ground conditions which require extra work or if the building is less structurally sound than thought. “In theory you can save costs by doing the project management yourself, but only if you thrive on stress and are used to running a building project on top of your day to day work load. “Once a builder starts work, the client can be very vulnerable and sorting out a dispute at a later date can be very costly and time consuming.” He advises operators to ensure a solicitor covers specific points in the contract such as a financial penalty for breaching deadlines, staged payments to withhold monies back until work is complete and a six to 12 month period at the end of the project to cover the correction of defects.

Bassett House

Operator opens second home A CARE home operator has opened its second care home on the site of the former St Ivel factory in the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett. AMS Care’s Bassett House is a 63bed care home, and its opening has already created 25 jobs. There is the potential for this to rise to 65 once the three-storey home is at capacity. The home has treatment rooms, landscaped gardens and a cinema room. The bathrooms also include

projectors so that images can be screened onto the walls to help create a calm atmosphere for the residents who will receive general, dementia and nursing care. AMS Care director Manish Chotai said: “We have learned through our experience that is it the attention to detail that makes the difference. We expect to see a tripling of our current staff numbers once all the rooms are occupied.”

26&27

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Ensure you comply with new immigration regime By Amy Richardson MANY care homes rely on employing non-UK/EEC workers and the majority of these workers come to the UK as a general skilled worker under Tier 2 of the UK Border Agency’s regime. Anyone that wishes to employ a Tier 2 worker must obtain a sponsorship licence and issue a certificate to each worker. The Government has pledged to restrict the numbers of workers in this category and is currently debating what level the cap should be. Until that is decided, interim measures have been put in place for new sponsorship applications. The UK Boarder Agency is currently being stricter with eligibility requirements when assessing new applications. If you are given a licence then they are limiting the number of certificates that each licence will be allowed to issue, and possibly giving a zero allowance for the next few months. Current sponsors will be given first priority in applying for new certificates, so new sponsors will only get allocation if there is

anything left. The UKBA are carrying out unannounced spot checks on sponsors to assess whether the rules are being complied with. For example, they may ask you to provide evidence that you carried out a thorough search for local workers before looking to overseas workers. Or they may check whether the employees are working in the same role as the one that had been agreed in the sponsorship certificate. If any flaws are identified, the UKBA will suspend the licence and ask for information and representations from the sponsor as to why the licence should be reinstated. The sponsor has one opportunity to provide a satisfactory explanation for any flaws, and if the UKBA are not satisfied then they revoke your licence with immediate effect. Once your sponsorship licence is revoked, your migrant workers must find an alternative sponsor within 60 days or return to their country. From the date of the revocation, it is illegal for the (former) sponsor to continue to

employ those workers and you could be subject to a fine if UKBA discover this. The employment contracts of all migrant workers must be terminated immediately. You are not required to give (or pay) any notice to them; their employment contracts become invalid the moment that they become an illegal worker. The obligation is on the sponsor to inform their staff that the licence has been revoked, and the consequence on the worker’s ability to stay in the country if they haven't made other plans within 60 days. The consequence to a care home of losing a licence is potentially catastrophic. As it is not possible to formally appeal against the decision to revoke a licence, the two options available to exsponsors are to: (1) Employ only UK/EEC nationals; or (2) Reapply for a new licence. If you apply for a new licence then, in addition to facing the hurdles explained above with the impending cap on numbers, the

Amy Richardson UKBA will also take past conduct into account when considering new applications. Therefore not only will you need to demonstrate that you took immediate action when you realised you were employing illegal workers, but you will also need to demonstrate that you have rectified the flaws that UKBA highlighted during their spot check. Amy Richardson is a solicitor in the employment team at Adams & Remers

Clarion appointed legal adviser by owner group Leicestershire based Redruth Care has acquired its third home, Cedarwood in Northampton, through nationally represented specialist agents Taylor National. The home had been in prior ownership for more than 25 years, and the sale represented 100 per cent of the share capital of Cedarwood Nursing Home Ltd. Cedarwood is currently registered for 32, but planning permission is in place to increase to 42. Taylor National’s June Willoughby is pictured with purchaser Manoj Mapara.

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

A NORTH of England based group made up of care home ownermangers and professionals such as investment consultants, IT experts and land acquisition specialists has appointed Clarion as its legal adviser. Associated Care Facilities aims to help new investors and care home operators tap into the £10bn private care home sector, and is already in talks over a number of developments. It will work with existing small to medium sized operators as well as those new to the market. “With estimates that a further 55,000 care home beds will be needed over coming years to cope with our aging population, it is

likely that private sector developers will be called on to fill the gap in services,” said Martin Grange, partner in Clarion’s property team. “Already, many high street lenders see care homes as a safer investment and are, therefore, willing to provide lending. “We aim to help investors to take advantage of this growing market by providing the specialist skills they need, drawing on our first hand experience and indepth knowledge of working with care home operators. As legal adviser we will initially be focussing on the North East, but plan to extend our services to other regions.”

BANK of Ireland UK has provided funding to construct and operate the 60-bed Holmesview care home in Broxburn, Scotland. The facility was developed by Randolph Hill Care Homes Ltd, whose offices are based in Edinburgh.

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Time to extend your home or build another? By Jeremy Huband OVER the past few months we have been inundated by bad news occupancy levels are falling, fee rates frozen or reduced. All doom and gloom, yet there will be care home owners out there keeping a low profile who are trading full and receiving healthy fee rates. You may be the minority, feel you have missed something and expect the worst, but your business is still going like a train and will in all likelhood continue to do so. You lucky few will spend your time worrying about other things such as CQC, staffing or fuel costs. If this is not enough stress you may turn to looking at your home and how you can develop it further. This could be a refurbishment, adding en-suites, extending the home or building one on a new site. All banks like to deal with proven, successful operators so you should get a good hearing. If you are trading effectively full, turning away potential residents and getting good fee rates it is probably worth extending. Typically you will try and use what you have got and build on your existing site. To do this you will need to employ an architect who understands the now defunct national minimum standards (NMS) and what your competitors will be doing. We have seen some real shockers where a cousin drew up the plans, another built the home and the resulting unit had 80 per cent en-suite as they misread the NMS, they also had some basement bedrooms. While your plans are being drafted you should be checking on the cost of the development so you should be talking to a quantity surveyor. Your budget should reflect the fee income you will receive, so if you are catering for private payers in a wealthy area your budget will be more generous than if you rely on social services. We have seen numerous schemes which have been granted planning permission but make no

Jeremy Huband financial sense. The planning process will take longer than you think. You will sit down with an architect who will draw and redraw the scheme until you are satisfied, and these will then be submitted for planning. If you plan for this to take six months you’ll probably be about right. Once you have planning the value of your unit will almost certainly improve, and as banks lend against multiples of profit and percentages of value this is good news. You will then need the architect to provide more detailed drawings prior to going out to tender. For large schemes you will need someone to liaise on your behalf to ensure you get what you are asking for, this is the employers agent and will pull the whole thing together. Your agent will then take you through design and build or traditional contracts and all the technicalities they have spent a life time dealing with. There is no trick to developments or short cuts. You need to employ people who know what they are doing, this is why you will be asked for details of your build team. If your team consists of an unknown builder and an architect who normally designs oil rigs it could be a fun meeting with your banker. Jeremy Huband is director of healthcare London for the Royal Bank of Scotland plc

Name change

New purchases

AN Enfield care home has had a name change after its owner’s application was successful. Clay Hill House, which was acquired by Scimitar Care last year, will now be known as Woodbury - the name it was originally given when it was built as a gentleman’s residence in 1853.

SANCTUARY Group has purchased three care homes from housing provider Orbit. The 23-bed Lammas House in Coventry and the 24-bed Montague Road in Felixstowe and Sidegate Lane in Ipswich join 42 other homes managed by Sanctuary.

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CARINGAPPOINTMENTS A WREXHAM care organisation has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Gill Hughes as its responsible individual. Gill previously worked as the team manager for the north of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, and registered all of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes apart from one during that time. Stuart Storrie, Sandra Ross and Jennifer Gardner.

New faces part of Balhousie adds to its senior management team expansion plan SIGNATURE Senior Lifestyle has made a raft of appointments as the company proceeds with major expansion plans over the next few years. Penny West is the new operations director for the south of England, having joined from the private hospital sector, while Creenagh Williamson and Tina Thomas have joined as the general managers of the soon to open Moorlands Lodge in Hindhead and The Miramar at Beltinge respectively. And Sadie Barker has also joined as

corporate human resources manager. The firm, which is developing a new concept in care homes by creating communities where residents have their own individual apartments, currently runs three homes with nursing, with another due to open later this year. A further three new developments at Bushey, Epsom and Brentwood are awaiting planning approval, with expected construction starts within the next year. Several additional projects are in earlier stages of development.

A SCOTTISH care provider has strengthened its senior management team with three new appointments, including two highly experienced specialists recruited from the care sector. Sandra Ross has moved from Southern Cross Healthcare to join Balhousie Care Group as director of operations, while Stuart Storrie has been appointed to the newly created position of director of specialist care, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the NHS and local

authorities. Jennifer Gardner has also joined as group human resources manager from NCR, where she was the HR consultant for European services for the past four years. Last year the group announced a major investment programme that will help to increase its number of beds by 1,000 over the next four years, extend and upgrade facilities at seven existing homes and build 14 additional new homes.

Care home provider Colten Care and property developer, Colten Developments have appointed Mark Aitchison as group finance director. He is currently the managing and corporate finance partner of Princecroft Willis, the Dorset and New Forest based firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisors. Andy Keeble, the company accountant, has also been promoted to group financial controller. He joined Colten in 1998, and is now responsible for all group accounting matters including information technology.

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CARINGDEMENTIA

Providers and company join for new study By Dominic Musgrave A NATIONAL community interest company has teamed up with two care home providers for a new study into dementia. Some of the questions Innovations in Dementia, Care UK and MHA will explore as part of the ‘Our House’ project will include: How can we best engage older residents with dementia in the life of their care home? Is it possible for people with dementia to feel a sense of ownership in the running of their care home? and what kind of methods and approaches can help care home staff to engage with people with dementia? Rachael Litherland from Innovations in Dementia said the voices, thoughts and feelings of people with dementia in care homes often go unheard She added: “The “Our House” project came out of some previous work with care home residents who have dementia. There was an incredibly strong feeling from people about the importance of “home” – that home is not just a physical place, but some-

where that you feel you belong, where you have a role and a contribution to make. “This might be making big decisions within the care home about budgeting or menu planning or smaller decisions that keep people engaged in day to day life such as deciding how to spend time or being involved in household activities. “All too often in care homes, involvement of residents is centred on meetings and surveys. With this project we want to try out some more innovative ways of engaging with people with more advanced dementia.“ The project will run for two years in Lennox House in London and Charnwood House in Coventry - two specialist care homes for people with dementia. Innovations in Dementia will provide training, support and mentoring to staff around the best ways of engaging with people with dementia. Residents with dementia will be asked to determine the kinds of activities and approaches that they would like to get involved in.

Deborah appointed to role DEBORAH Sturdy has been appointed head of dementia care by Southern Cross. Her role will focus on the delivery of the company’s Dementia Strategy, and she will also be involved with building the ongoing partnerships with key national bodies such as the Dementia Action Alliance and the Alzheimer’s Society. She will report to Irene Gray and work as part of the care team. Prior to her joining Southern Cross, Deborah was Government Nurse for Older People at the Department of Health, a role she

held for 10 years. Speaking of her new role, she said: ‘Dementia is a challenging area and requires specialist knowledge and understanding. “I am looking forward to working with the care team to help devise and implement new strategies for delivering excellence in dementia care that can be applied both in our homes, but also to the broader care sector.” Before working at the Department of Health, Deborah was a clinician and manager in a number of NHS posts including dementia services.

One of a care group’s facilities is celebrating becoming a specialist dementia care home. Carebase’s Honey Lane in Waltham Abbey has worked closely with Dementia Care Matters to improve the quality of the lived experience, not only of residents living with a dementia, but for all in its care. All of the group’s homes are audited every six months to ascertain which level it has achieved according to the model it works to. Dementia Care Matters founder and chief executive David Sheard is pictured with Suzanne Mumford, Carebase’s head of dementia care, Honey Lane manager Karen Dean, coun Ricki Gadsby, mayor of Waltham Abbey and Carebase’s operations director Andrew Mangion and business manager Carol Preston.

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CARINGDEMENTIA

Naming rooms has a positive effect says manager Sue By Christina Eccles

Westwood House staff Diosalina Sison and Kate Gibson join Jon Meech (Alzheimer’s Society), Hayley Foad (Barchester), author David Clegg and mayor Sir Steve Bullock at the opening.

Author joins mayor at opening AUTHOR David Clegg joined mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock at the official opening of a new Memory Lane dementia unit at Westwood House care home in Sydenham. David has written a variety of books about the recollections of people with dementia including ‘Tell Miss Mills her husband is still dead’ and

‘Ancient Mysteries’. The latter is scheduled to be serialised on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour next month. As well as the 25 bedrooms in the new facility at the Barchester owned home, there is also lounge areas and a life-skills kitchen designed to promote meaningful activities including baking and table-setting.

Home to boast latest innovation WORK has begun on a new 70-bed dementia and residential facility in East Grinstead that will boast the latest innovations. Care UK’s latest facility, which will include a shop, cinema, hairdressing salon and café, all set around an

indoor village green, is set to open next summer with the creation of 80 jobs. The East Grinstead home is one of 30 the group plans to build over the next five years.

NAMING residents’ rooms after the favourite place where they used to live has had a positive effect at one Bradford care home. Manager Sue Miller was looking for a solution to her residents, many of whom have dementia, wandering off during meetings, when she came up with the idea. Sue, who has worked her way up from the cleaner to her current role during her 28 years at the home, said: “Every time we sat the residents down for a meeting we had two or three that would get up and say they were going home when really what they meant was that they wanted to go back to their rooms. “We decided that we would put a sign on their doors with their house number from their favourite home on, whether it be with parent or when they got their first house with a spouse. “Those residents that were confused now see the address on their door and say that this is where they want to be because it

is familiar to them. “One resident who is originally from Ireland is taken back to when she was six when she sees her door.” Sue said it has also improved the relationship between the residents, with the television remaining off after lunch so they can chat among themselves. She added: “The residents are a lot more content and happy now, and they talk to each other and reminisce about life before they moved here. “Quite often they will repeat what they have said a couple of days later because of the dementia, but that doesn’t matter. The staff are happier as well because they are finding out a lot more about the individual. “Our chef Robert, who is also my husband, also gets involved with the conversations, and this has led to him cooking some of the food they used to like such as tripe and pigs trotters. The staff are almost sick with the smell, but the residents enjoy it.”

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CARINGNEWS

Report claims homes should listen to advice By Dominic Musgrave CARE homes need to take advantage of advice and education offered from various bodies to ensure palliative and end of life care in Scotland is the best it can be. The claim is made in a Care Commission report ‘Palliative and End of Life Care: Are we meeting the standards in care homes for older people?’ which provides a nationwide picture of the work being undertaken to support people and their families in this important service area. It finds that while care homes are making progress, improvements can be made to ensure standards consistently meet the needs of users. The report recommends care services should continue to seek educational support through various means such as working with colleagues in the NHS, local authorities and the third sector. Acting chief executive David Wiseman said joint working between care providers and stakeholders outside the care home sector is critical to ensure good care is delivered. He added: “It is now well recognised that care homes in Scotland are playing an increasingly important part in caring for people and their families

with palliative and end of life care needs. “Overall, our findings show that while care homes are making progress in how they deliver good palliative and end of life care, they can do much more to ensure people in Scotland’s care homes receive the standard of care that meets their needs, expectations and wishes. “We found that care homes are keen to deliver a high standard of palliative and end of life care, which is important as care users often have multiple long term conditions. “Staff, therefore, require the necessary skills, expertise and confidence to meet the needs of people and their families.” The report’s findings is based on information provided by care homes to the Care Commission in 2008/09 and reviews the progress of recommendations made in its 2009 ‘Better Care Every Step Of The Way report’. The report makes several recommendations calling on all care homes in Scotland to: Encourage and enable their staff to access e learning Continue to work closely with GPs and members of primary health care teams Support staff to access NHS NES educational support materials.

Home treated to bird display BIRDS of prey showed off their talons when they made a flying visit to Sanctuary Care’s Caton House Nursing Home for the elderly in Milton Keynes. The display included a snowy owl similar to Harry Potter’s pet Hedwig, a Chilean blue eagle, a kestrel and two Australian boobook owls called Bruce and Sheila from the birds of prey centre in Bedfordshire.

Residents at the care home were allowed to get up close and even hold the birds under the supervision of trained staff from the centre. They were also given a talk by expert falconers about the different species of birds of prey, and some of feathered visitors were allowed to fly around the activities room.

A Cheltenham residential home has been awarded a Visibly Better award by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Astell provides accommodation and care to 36 residents, some of which are partially sighted or blind. The award recognises the work home has done to help these residents maintain their independence including the use of bold colours to mark out window and stair edges, sloping ceilings and brightly coloured cutlery. Registered manager Barbara Wilson with Julia Barrand, older peoples impact officer from RNIB.

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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Naidex launch for range Mealtime New dryer market leader more efficient COMMERCIAL dryers are generally power hungry machines requiring considerable amounts of electricity to remove moisture from damp garments in the laundries of care homes and hospitals. Miele Professional’s first heat-pump technology dryers efficiently bring dry air to the required temperature level, which means it takes just a short amount of time to perfectly dry large quantities of laundry. The PT 8257 WP with a drum volume of 25l has a load capacity of between 10 and 13kg of laundry, while the PT 8337 WP – at 325l – is able to cope with 13 to 16kg. Both models excel in terms of short cycle times: 10kg of laundry drying times down to only 44 minutes (reduction in residual moisture level from 50 per cent to nothing). Thanks to their consistent use of innovative technology, Miele Professional’s heat-pump dryers are no exception.

Aidcall offers total service WITH over 30 years’ experience, Aid Call are the leading supplier of wireless nurse call systems for care homes. With first class knowledge, an innovative approach and reputation for delivering reliable, safe solutions, Aid Call offer complete service and support to the industry. The company understands no two care homes are the same, and have created a range of different products to suit every business. Whether you own a single small care home or a chain of larger homes, Aid Call can cater for your requirements. Wireless technology is flexible and quick to install with the minimum of fuss or disruption. It is also a lot cheaper than you might have thought.

DVDs launched BVS Training has released two new DVDs: ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ and ‘Dignity and Respect’. These two DVDs cater for the Common Induction Standards 2010 Standard 4, reflecting an increasing demand for equality, inclusion, dignity and respect in today’s diverse society. The government’s Dignity in Care initiative highlights that ‘...high quality health and social care services should be delivered in a personcentred way that respects the dignity of the individual receiving them’. While this is a valid point, how can busy carers put this into practice when they have so many daily tasks already? Attempting to shed light on this question, these two new DVDs illustrate points by presenting practical examples with a legal background to demonstrate how we can promote equality, inclusion, dignity and respect in our everyday life and work.

GAINSBOROUGH Specialist Bathing unveiled its latest range of walk-in baths at Naidex with the launch of a dedicated trade sales division Gainsborough Trade Direct is focused on keeping costs levels tight, and was set up in direct response to changing market conditions to offer trade professionals the opportunity to order products direct and online. From placing the order online to receiving the delivery, trade professionals can expect the same high quality and service synonymous

with Gainsborough Specialist Bathing, and all orders are dispatched within 48 hours. Dennis Goodes, international sales and marketing director, said: “It’s a major step forward and demonstrates our commitment to meeting customers’ requirements. “We are finding that buying behaviour is changing, and a large proportion of our customers want the simplicity of just buying products and don’t require an installation service.”

New range and colours DANFLOOR UK, leading suppliers of impervious carpets to the healthcare market, has launched a new range and colours into the market leading Equinox Collection. The Equinox and Equinox Tones ranges have been refreshed with exciting new colours including warm chocolates, vivid reds and mellow blues, which co-ordinate well with the striking new Equinox Stripe range. The Stripe range consists of nine tonal shades pulled from the new Equinox and Tones collection, and is

produced in a slightly heavier weight, making Stripe suitable for a variety of applications from bedrooms to corridors. The new Stripe, Equinox and Equinox Tones colours also include mædical™ an antimicrobial treatment which provides a permanent barrier against microbes. mædical™ is a coating on the carpet fibres which deactivates microorganisms by physically stabbing the membrane of the microbe and electrocuting the biochemicals within it.

The fastest way to label clothes RESIDENTS with dementia often experience distress if they cannot find the clothing they are familiar with, and, as with all residents, it is important that an individual’s garments are correctly returned to them after washing. Attach-a-Tag is a simple, cost effective method of labelling clothing and soft objects and is an ideal way to quickly label short term and respite residents clothing as well as normal laundry. Replicating a button, it attaches in seconds to the garment seam or laundry label, making it discreet and comfortable to the wearer.

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

First for door badges 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 door plates with smart, replaceable engraved inserts - easy to read and also available with Braille, and Braille and tactile, if required. Badgemaster provides a very fast, efficient service for replacement, low-

cost engraved inserts with no minimum order, as and when changes occur. Choose from two sizes (1” x 8” – 25mm x 200mm or 2” x 8” – 50mm x 200mm), now with handy end-stops that make for secure, tamper-proof identification of room use or occupier. If room use or details change, the service for replacement inserts is just as quick and efficient.

Magazine offers ideas and advice FORUM Business has launched a new magazine offering practical ideas for quality and safe care in adult social care. The first issue of Quality and Compliance includes a special feature on Provider Compliance Assessment forms as well as more than 20 pages of ready-to-use checklists and tools. Other topics covered include

infection control, medication, inspections, wound care, consent and medical capacity, safeguarding vulnerable adults from financial abuse and staff supervision and professional development. The magazine also features a question and answer session, with industry professionals offering solutions to common problems.

APETITO is the market leader in providing meals for the elderly and vulnerable. Apetito knows that meal times are often the highlight of a care home resident’s day, but also that this is a frequent area of dissatisfaction – the second highest complaint category, and one that often distresses residents and their relatives. With more than 200 tasty, attractively served dishes, of a consistently high quality and all meeting NACC nutritional standards, Apetito can help you overcome catering criticism. It has a unique range of support services, which include a bespoke nutritional database, menu planning, picture menus, dining experience training and can even host tasting evening’s for relatives, which all add up to a higher quality, and better value, food offering.

More sections now on offer

CAREDOCS’ latest release might have more new sections, assessment questions and useful features than ever, but it has lost none of the simplicity and ease of use that has made it so wildly popular with the 250 plus homes already using it. One of several new features in CareDocs 2011 is the Forms and Documentation section. This includes an easily accessible and ever growing selection of templates for the day-to-day paperwork most often used by homes as standard. Subscribers are able to download further forms and documents from CareDocs’ online library as these are added. Subscribers can also request for specific forms to be included.

Signs supplier HCE Solutions has marked its entry as a supplier to the care and nursing home sector with the introduction of a range of high visibility signs to help residents with dementia maintain their independence. Available in oblong and square formats, the signs can be purchased from the online shop, along with more than 3,000 competitively priced independent living and mobility products. Chief executive Richard Maher said: “We are building a product range which can help to achieve this and the introduction of specialist signage is an important step in the process.”

Free cushion NATIONWIDE is giving a memory foam topped seat cushion at no extra charge on all lounge chairs and settees during May. An even better deal from Nationwide who always keep their prices low, their quality high and their service the very best.

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Innovative approach wins London group top award By Dominic Musgrave A DOMICILIARY care group’s innovative approach to people living in their homes with dementia has scooped a top industry accolade London based The Good Care Group won the home care award at the Laing and Buisson Independent Specialist Care Awards for its services, which has seen it adopt the SPECAL programme. SPECAL, which stands for specialised early care for Alzheimer’s, was developed by Penelope Garner and is based at Burford in Oxfordshire. Head of care Zoe Elkins said the method can reduce the need for emergency care, eliminate the necessity for anti-psychotic medication and relieve the stress of carers. She added: “When we formed the company we knew we had a good core offering in terms of the staff and a robust training programme, but we felt we needed something extra when it came to dementia because it is a unique condition that requires a unique response from staff. “SPECAL is something that can be used for dementia 24 hours a day, and starts with understanding of the

condition from the point of view of the people living with it. “A photo album is used to allow staff to really walk in the shoes of the person to see what is actually happening, and looks at outcomes because feeling are more important than facts. A person with dementia often knows what they are feeling but not always why they are missing information.” Zoe added that two of the key messages carers are taught as part of the method are not to contradict clients or ask direct questions. She added: “Staff are encouraged to look and listen and not just right something off by saying that an individual has dementia. “Rather than asking direct questions where you are asking for information, staff are taught to present a choice. “We would then look to create a care plan that sits above that and helps us to work out how we can create well being for the individual. There are then three major building blocks: Explanations; Primary theme and Health.” The award was chosen by a team of 29 care professionals, and were presented at a ceremony in London.

Zoe Elkins (centre) receives her award from television presenter John Sergeant and Anne Williams, national director for learning disabilities at the Department of Health.

Provider raises money for Essex hospice

Manorcourt Homecare’s head of recruitment and personnel Dawn O'Neale, volunteer Valerie Walton, senior reviewing officer Sandra Dale, trainer Sue Cotton and registered manager Lavena Kenyon with their fundraising tins.

PATIENTS of an Essex hospice will benefit from more than £1,000 raised through the efforts of staff members of Manorcourt Homecare. The team, from the Thurrock branch, has been fundraising throughout the year for St Luke’s Hospice, which provides specialist care for those with an advanced disease who require end of life care, either in the hospice or in the patient’s own home. Manager Lavena Kenyon said her team is passionate about supporting the hospice, as many of them have cared for people who have benefited from its services. She added: We really do care about the people we look after, so we wanted to give something back to the hospice, which does such amazing work with them. “Over the year we’ve had various

events at our office such as ‘open days’, where we’ve sold tea and cakes, as well as holding raffles and tombolas. “We had a fundraiser at Halloween, where children from nurseries visited us in fancy dress and we judged their costumes, and we also welcomed Santa at Christmas. Supporting the hospice is very important to us, so we will continue to raise money in the future.” Manorcourt Homecare provides care services for people in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk who wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. It is managed by East Anglian care provider, Healthcare Homes, and its teams spend more than 15,000 hours in the community each week.

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CARINGHOMECARE

Care home owners look to expand into homecare By Louise Cordell THE owners of a Flintshire care home that celebrates its 15th anniversary this year are branching out into homecare. Brian and Jacqui Jones purchased Hollybank in Shotton from Jacqui’s grandparents in 1996, and have increased its registration from 19 to 24 by converting former living quarters into extra beds. Their daughter Natalie, who looks after the HR side of the business, told Caring UK the time was right to expand the business to offer domiciliary care to the surrounding areas. She added: “As well as the permanent residents here we also have a couple of people from the community who come here each day for day care, so moving into homecare seemed like a natural progression for us. “It is something we have spoken about doing for a few years now, and we are now in the process of registering for it because the

council has told us it is looking to use it more and more. “We have several staff who have been here longer than my parents have run the home so they are more than capable of doing a bit of both should they wish to, and I am sure they will welcome the fresh challenge. “We are going to start small at first and stick to a two-mile radius to ensure what we are offering is good quality care, and then gradually build it up over the next six months.” The home, which has an excellent inspection report from CSSIW, also provides respite care and is an 'approved provider' for Flintshire social services. The anniversary was celebrated with a party attended by residents, relatives and staff past and present, as well as representatives from other local organisations. Natalie added: “My mum looks after the care side of things and prior to purchasing Hollybank used to manage much larger care homes

Hollybank care home will be the base for homecare in the near future. than this. “Dad looks after the accounts side of things and I do all the other paperwork. We have looked into purchasing another care home in the past, and last year we did make enquiries about another home in the area that we had heard was

going to be put up for sale, but it was taken off the market. “We are going to focus all our attention on the homecare side of things for the forseeable future, as well as ensuring our staff are as qualified as possible.”

NVQ successes for staff at support service STAFF at an Accrington community support service are celebrating after completing a number of specialist NVQs. The five staff at Affinity Supporting People, part of the Springhill Care Group, all completed either an NVQ level four in leadership and management in a social care setting or a level two in health and social care. The successful group, who completed the qualifications through Burnley College, are: Stephen

Care provider appoints Andy A SOUTH of England domiciliary care provider has appointed Andy Dun as its new group CEO. Enara was established three years ago, and since then has completed 23 bolt-on acquisitions to make it the largest provider to the elderly in the region. Stephen Booty, who founded the business, has been promoted to deputy chairman. The company has been shortlisted in the domiciliary care provider of the year category at the HealthInvestor Awards. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in June.

Penketh, manager, Victoria Beardsworth, operations manager (level four); Peter Swain, support worker, Royce Shaw, staff member, and Chris Nolan, support worker (level two). Stephen said: “This extra level of training will mean our team is even more confident in providing personcentred support to enable the people we support to enjoy a great quality of life, fully participating in their communities and ‘living life to the full’, which is one of our mottos.”

Acquisition STAFFORDSHIRE based Allied Healthcare has acquired ScotHomecare for £2.5m in a deal that sees it become the largest provider of domiciliary care in Scotland. Allied Healthcare’s chief financial officer Paul Weston said: “The ScotHomecare acquisition is in line with our strategy of expanding Allied’s geographic footprint. The transaction will provide Allied with a market leading position in Scotland.” The deal was advised by Birmingham-based law firm Mills and Reeve.

The owner of a Harlow and Epping homecare provider will walk 26 miles in a bra to raise money for charity. Lee Taylor, who runs Caremark’s franchise in the London boroughs, is part of a group taking part in the annual London Moonwalk after a close friend’s sister lost her life to breast cancer aged 35. He said: “I decided to get involved with the walk as I wanted to do something to raise awareness and funds for such a good cause and hopefully contribute to beating this horrible disease.”

Show flat opens at site A NEW close care development has been launched in the grounds of a west Sussex care home with the opening of a show flat. The Strome Park 11 two-bed apartments at Sussexdown care home provide close care for people who want to re-locate or downsize to maintenance free accommodation in their later years, with the comfort of knowing that extra care and support

is nearby if needed. Felicity Irwin, chairman of developer Care South, said: “Close care provides an ideal environment if, in your retirement years, you want to move to accommodation where you are entirely free to enjoy the life you want, but with the peace of mind that professional staff and excellent facilities which ‘Sussexdown’ provides, are next door.”

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CARINGEVENTS

Quality the focus of event Large display of ‘QUALITY. What’s it worth?’ is the title of ECCA’s annual conference and exhibition this November. Government plans for the reform of health service funding may now be on hold while a listening exercise takes place, but the status quo will not remain. By the autumn the way forward will be clearer, and the timing will be ideal for a line-up of leading figures to set out their views on how social care providers can survive and flourish in a time of financial uncertainty. Chief executive Martin Green said: “Cutbacks in funding are already providing an enormous challenge for the

whole care sector. Older people, those with learning disabilities and long term conditions will all continue to require services and support, so providers must think carefully about how they manage their budgets. This event will offer a road map for minimising the impact of reduced resources while still providing quality care.” The programme will also feature an extensive seminar programme and an exhibition of products and services from a variety of specialist sector suppliers. The event takes place at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury on November 16.

Title of conference unveiled THE National Association for Safety and Health in Care Services (NASHiCS) is an association whose membership is open to all in the social care sector. NASHiCS strive to promote excellence of safety and health in care services, and their annual conference ‘A changing scene... be a part of it’ takes place at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel

on June 29 and 30. Social Care across the whole sector is changing, that is not disputed. New ways of delivering care are being explored, organisations are coming together and innovative means of provision researched. Day delegate prices start at £235 plus VAT.

Dementia head among seminar’s speakers A SOUTH London care home is hosting a free half-day seminar looking at the future of care for older people. Peter Watt, chief executive of Counsel and Care, and Paul Edwards, head of training and practice devel-

opment for the Bradford Dementia Group at the University of Bradford, are among the speakers for the ‘Older People and the Care Conundrum’ event at Nightingale on May 26.

products on show CARE Show Birmingham will boast one of the largest displays of care home products and services in the country, with more than 1,800 visitors also expected through the doors. Catering for owners and managers of care homes in the Midlands and North of England, the free event gives an insight into the latest industry developments and provides visitors with the opportunity to network with leading care home professionals. Visitors will also be able to gain an understanding into the latest developments in the care sector, including a seminar series, free training, product showcases and expert advice. The dementia seminar programme, in association with the Alzheimer’s Society, will address issues such as recognising and understanding the condition and training your staff to assist those living with it. At the MyBusiness seminar theatre visitors will benefit from educational sessions from some of the industry’s leading professionals on care sector growth opportunities, funding issues, legislation and much more. Another highlight will be the Keynote seminar theatre designed to help attendees meet current legal requirements. The full programme is yet to be finalised, but visitors can look forward to a collection of inspir-

ing and innovative sessions which have become synonymous with the Care Show brand. A diverse array of products and services from more than 160 leading sector suppliers will also be on display, adding to the vibrant showcase for the UK’s care industry. For further information on the event, which takes place at the NEC on June 22 and 23, and to register for free entry, visit: www.careshow.co.uk/birmingham In addition to Care Show Birmingham, other Care Show events take place across the UK. Care Show Bournemouth was held at the end of March, while Care Show London takes place at Olympia on October 11 and 12.

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CARINGNEWS

Tania Mackenzie from Owen Mumford Ltd will look at ‘Tackling sharps injuries in the home - delivering safe outcomes for staff and residents’ in her seminar.

Department of Health’s deputy regional director of social care in the South West Lynne Dean will deliver the ‘Looking ahead...the challenges and opportunites’ keynote speech at the Weston Super Mare event.

‘The new world of medicines management - delivering outcome 9’ is the subject of the talk of Opus Pharmacy Services’ Judith Manners.

THERE are so many issues competing for a manager’s attention that it may be difficult to know where to start, and what to prioritise. So, taking a ‘pause’, as the Prime Minister, his deputy and the health secretary are doing at present – to listen, learn and reflect has a message for us all. You may think you are too busy running your home or services to allow your self time to attend conferences, and sometimes that may be right. But MJM’s programme of regional care conferences in association with Caring UK – ‘closer to home’ –means you will spend less time travelling and more time learning, reflecting and meeting colleagues from around the region. The winning combination of speakers with national reputations, talking about topics that affect your service, alongside a trade exhibition featuring so many of the sector’s dedicated suppliers ensures that these events really do have something for everyone. The series – Focusing on outcomes: promoting and providing good care - kicks off in the south west with events near Weston Super Mare and Torquay on May 24 and 25, and moves on to the Madejski football stadium in Reading on June 20 for the Home Counties.

BCD Associates’ Les Bright, chair of all of MJM’s conferences.

Exciting programme of speakers lined up Tom Owen will deliver the ‘My Home Life leadership outcomes - promoting voice, choice and control’ seminar at the Torquay conference.

ElderCare Solutions director Nicky Cave’s seminar is entitled ‘Care Funding - finding the best outcome for your residents and families’.

AN exciting programme of speakers have been lined up for the first two care provider conferences in Weston Super Mare and Torquay in May organised by MJM Events in association with Caring UK magazine. The keynote address for the Weston event will be delivered by Lynne Dean, deputy regional director for the Department of Health, South West, Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships. And for Torquay it is Richard Gleave from the South West Region Strategic Health Authority. Both seminars are entitled ‘Looking ahead – the challenges and opportunities’. They will be accompanied by a wide range of speakers including Mark Ellis, head of health and social care banking at Lloyds TSB, who will talk about ‘Assisting your business through difficult times - helping you to achieve a positive outcome’. The Quality Solicitors Burroughs Day legal team made up of Hazel Phillips,

Rhiannon Thomas and Sage will look at the ‘Forest Care Home case - outcome for fees. Hiring and firing: New rights for parents at work’. And Dr Gillian Dalley, an independent consultant with BCD Associates based in London, will speak about ‘ Essential New Standards - an update on compliance - have you had a good outcome’. With other sessions will cover topics as diverse as dementia signage, paying for care, tackling the new EU ‘sharps’ directive and the My Home Life programme promoting ‘voice, choice and control’ there really is something for everyone. No conference for care providers would be complete without a presentation from the inspectorate, and the day will finish with a CQC representative giving an account of how the new system is bedding down, and for attendees to offer them a view on this topic too.

BCD Associates’ Gillian Dalley’s seminars are entitled ‘Essential New Standards an update on compliance - have you had a good outcome?’

‘Assisting your business through difficult times - helping you to achieve a positive outcome’ - Mark Ellis ACIB: Head of health and social care banking, Lloyds TSB

The Quality Solicitors Burroughs Day Legal team made up of Hazel Phillips, James Sage and Rhiannon Thomas will look at ‘The Forest Care Home case - outcome for fees. Hiring and Firing: New rights for parents at work: 10 top tips on contracts and policies’ in their

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Impey goes for growth with changes to its staff products and branding IMPEY UK, the leading authority on wetroom and specialist showering products is undergoing a period of change and investment with major changes to its biggest assets – staff, products and branding. Leading the way is new managing director Martin Carroll, who has a wealth of experience in the bathroom industry with a career encompassing famous bathroom companies such as Armitage Shanks, Ideal Standard and Ideal Bathrooms. Responsible for the growth and development of the Impey product brands, he has realigned and strengthened the team to give more focus to each market sector. Martin said: “We have a clear focus of where we want to be and have increased the marketing team from one person to a new and energetic team of four. Impey has a very good reputation for quality products and we want to capitalise on this, reinforcing our team and product offering in order to achieve the growth we are looking for.”

Dementia Life DRTS helps with CQC rating DEMENTIA Life’s digital reminiscence therapy software helped a Liverpool care home when the CQC inspectors arrived. The DRTS system has a full administration function, enabling managers and carers to create a full record of usage and personalising content for each patient. The care home’s manager said: “In our recent CQC inspection using the graphs we were able to easily demonstrate the activities that we had completed with the residents and the duration of the activities. We also use this function for our regular reporting to support and enhance the delivery of our activities each month.” DRTS is a communication tool designed by carers for carers, containing carefully chosen digital media content from an extensive library of archive photographs, videos and music. Enquiries: Call 0800 083 4533 to arrange a free demonstration or visit www.dementialife.com

Care home gets new hair salon

The new marketing team includes Steve Trigg, who has been with Impey for five years and is appointed as head of healthcare marketing. He will be announcing major new product introductions in the forthcoming weeks, which will be just the beginning of a new focus on Impey Healthcare products in 2011. A new face joining as head of retail marketing is Gemma Rickard, who has experience in the homes and DIY sectors, and has expertise in internet marketing. Responsible for marketing services including exhibitions and brochures is Debbie Smith, who has been with Impey for 18 months and, embracing new media, Neil Whitehead has been appointed as social media executive. He is responsible for building a media personality for Impey within online communities.

EVERYONE loves companionship and a chat, and where better to get it than at the hairdresser’s. This doesn’t change as we get older. The staff at this care home realised this and the importance of creating a nice, welcoming environment, for their residents to go to have their hair done and enjoy coffee and a chat while being pampered at the same time. Skand has been working closely with the management team and the hairdresser to achieve an environment to fulfil those needs, and we are sure that you will agree the end result is amazing. The general response has been excellent, and everyone is really happy with it, and really look forward to going to the salon each week. Have you considered how your salon looks? Have you even got one? Enquiries: Call 01892 544744 or visit www.skanduk.co.uk to discuss your options.

Enquiries: For further information visit www.impey-uk.com

Unique hospital opts for Tarkett Flooring Solutions TARKETT was selected to provide all the vinyl and safety flooring to the new £230m Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s Pembury Hospital. The majority of circulation areas, inpatient rooms and main departments at the only major general hospital in the UK with a fully admitting A&E to offer all inpatient accommodation in single en suite rooms have been fitted with Tarkett iQ Granit flooring. Tarkett Safetred Dimension has been used in the en suite facilities and staff and visitor toilets, while Safetred Aqua also features in wetroom facilities where its exceptional wet area slip resistance provides added protection for patients. A major requirement on the project was the reduction of waste and recycling including all packaging, vinyl off-cuts and wrapping. Tarkett organised regular collections of all vinyl waste, off-cuts and roll ends, which were taken for reprocessing into new flooring. Roll cores, bung ends and packaging were also removed from site. Enquiries: Telephone 01622 854040 or visit www.tarkett-commercial.com

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

AKW raises the standard with electric care shower AKW Medicare is celebrating the six-month anniversary of the launch of its LUDA electric care shower with soaring sales figures. The market leader in the provision of elderly and disabled bathroom products reports that sales for January exceeded half of the total sales for 2010. Uptake by the trade and extremely positive feedback from end users is confirming that the company has raised the standard for electric care showers with this product. In designing the LUDA, AKW has taken the industryestablished standard and added three key criteria identified specifically for the needs of the care market. With a range of features designed to offer safe, hygienic showering, the LUDA is an industry-first with a fully-waterproof IP45 rating. Other key features include an integrated double check valve to prevent backflow and a riser rail that doubles as a weightbearing grab rail. Enquiries: Visit www.akw-medicare.co.uk

Simple solutions SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems. The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition. With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur. Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry! It’s that simple... The WACMAT® will then be clean and odour-free, ready to perform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone. Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749

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New Alert Thermapen now available THE Alert Thermapen features all the benefits of the tried and tested Thermapen thermometer, with the added benefit of indicating when a critical temperature is reached. This is achieved by the digital display flashing ‘COLD’ between 0 to 5°C, ‘HOT’ at 75°C or above or ‘ICE’ at -18°C or below. The reduced tip, stainless steel, food penetration probe means the Thermapen thermometer reaches temperature in just four seconds, making it over 50 per cent faster than traditional thermometers. The probe folds back conveniently and safely through 180 degrees into the side of the instrument. The Thermapen indicates temperature over the range of -49.9 to 299.9°C with a 0.1°C resolution. The Alert Thermapen is available in four colours; white, yellow, red or blue, and is ideal for use as part of HACCP and health and safety procedures. The thermometer costs £50 plus carriage and VAT.

Improving standards, best practice and profitability ZEST Care Systems has released a full care management software package to help relieve the pressures and demands of compliance and administration within care home management. Called Fusion, the software manages staff and resident reporting to ease day-to-day management processes and provides valuable business planning and income management data. The secure and instantly accessible software boasts many time saving attributes. From recording and analysing staff time and attendance and budgets to multi-contract invoicing and home and room occupancy levels, the software is flexible enough to report within a single home to a whole group. Enquiries: Telephone 0844 504 4883, email info@zestcare.com or visit www.zestcare.com

Enquiries: Visit www.etiltd.com or contact 01903 202151.

YTM Furniture brings care home ideas to life at the Care Show Bournemouth YTM Furniture presented an exhibit as innovative and comprehensive as their offering at The Care Show Bournemouth, demonstrating the unique products and services they deliver to turn your care home ideas into a reality. YTM pride themselves on the principles of design, manufacture and innovation; with all elements clearly illustrated at the show. Their leading display formed a design studio, sampling the organisation’s creative expertise including spatial planning and 3D drawings. The remaining areas showcased their latest developments, including a luxuriously styled chair family, a contemporary range of fitted bedroom furniture and a more traditionally styled collection of bedroom furniture with features suitable for dementia care. YTM are the leading experts in the design and manufacture of furniture for dementia, with these new developments expressing their continued commitment to this area. They have produced furniture for care homes for over 25 years, and are the market leaders in creating inspirational solutions that anyone would want to call home. Enquiries: Telephone 01977 703271 or visit sales@ytmgroup.com

Housing association tenants welcome style and comfort STYLISH club seating, comfortable armchairs, versatile stacking chairs and matching tables from Knightsbridge Furniture’s Housing portfolio have been supplied to the new-look Barringers Court in Irchester, one of several sheltered housing schemes in the area managed by Wellingborough Homes. In common with all of Wellingborough Homes’ schemes, Barringers Court offers tenants a range of shared facilities, including the communal lounge, where a relaxed but stylish atmosphere is enhanced by furniture from the Knightsbridge Housing collection. Rossetti club chairs combine the comfort of supportive upholstery with the appeal of contemporary styling, and have been teamed with Selkirk armchairs, where shaped arms allow easy independent rising and sprung seats ensure a comfortable sitting position, even after extended periods. Palma tables and versatile Radley stacking chairs in both armed and armless configurations complete the Knightsbridge order, and enable residents to make the most of available space.

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

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

Enquiries: Contact 01274 731442, e-mail enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Reed Medical adds diabetic/healthy socks to range AS a major orthopaedic footwear manufacturer, Reed understands the importance of supporting the feet during daily activity. We are also aware of the importance of socks for support and prevention of injury, particularly to the diabetic foot. Reed Medical now offer specially designed diabetic/healthy socks which provide: An even fit which is not susceptible to creasing. No elastic cuff which can hinder blood circulation in the calf. A smooth closure by hand linked toes. Sizes 35 to 46 available in a range of colours. Socks manufactured using a combination of materials: cotton, amicor (cotton/acrylic), silver fibre and wool ensure comfortable fit while helping to limit foot problems. Enquiries: Telephone 01254 503333, email: info@reedmedical.co.uk or visit www.reedmedical.co.uk

Protect rooms stats, prevent tampering, reduce bills CW TECHNOLOGIES’ unique thermostat protection covers are designed to restrict who can adjust the heating controls. This is particularly relevant to nursing and care homes as thermostat heating controllers are frequently positioned in public or multioccupancy areas. Starting from just £13.86 and available from the company’s website www.SecuritySafetyProducts.co.uk, these lockable, tamper-proof Thermostat Protectors are made from tough, transparent polycarbonate so the dial can easily be read without removing the lid. Importantly, each Thermostat Protector features a robust lock. Supplied with two keys, additional keys are also available should more than two care home managers or members of staff need to gain access - perhaps during an active night-shift. Supplied with standard fixings, the Thermostat Protector is easy to fit and available in five different sizes to cater for all thermostat controller types. Each protector also features ventilation holes to ensure the thermostat continues to operate normally, even if it is a wireless device. Enquiries: Visit www.securitysafetyproducts.co.uk or telephone 0161 7970176.

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CARINGNEWS

Financial advice given DECISIONS about the use of a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income and savings are often best made by their relatives or close friends, but what happens when there are no willing or suitable relatives or friends, or those already involved in a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finances are no longer able to formally assist? Over several years Essex Guardians has developed its expertise to become one of the leading corporate deputy services in the country. It provides a dedicated team of profes-

THE achievements of 200 staff across 26 care homes were recognised by a North West care provider at an awards ceremony. The Mere Golf Resort & Spa was the venue for CLS Care Servicesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; event, which celebrated a range of professional accomplishments including NVQs in health and social care, catering, cleaning building interiors, customer service, business administration and team leadership, as well as specialist qualifications in medication and provision of activities.

sionals to expertly handle financial affairs for people when they no longer have the mental capacity to do so on their own. The service includes claiming, collecting, maximising and administering any state benefits, paying bills and ensuring that the individual has access to money for activities such as shopping and socialising. It can also safeguard savings and investments and oversee property and personal items.

Firm offers annual medication audit USING pharmacists to manage medication could cut mistakes in elderly care homes by 91 per cent, according to research. Yakub Chemist in Leicester offers care and nursing homes an annual

Signs

Fitness equipment

Alarm Systems

Transport

audit programme that includes a detailed feedback report on how care providers can improve on medication storage, administration and record keeping.

Occupancy specialist

If you would like to advertise in Caring UK please contact: 01226 734479 or email rh@whpl.net

Consultants

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