Caring UK November 2010

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November 2010

incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector

no.174 • £4.75 In association with

Overseas staff ban prompts judicial review

By Dominic Musgrave A JUDICIAL review has been lodged into the ban on care homes employing tier two staff such as RGNS or shift leaders from overseas.

Aston Brooke solicitors has initiated the legal challenge against the Secretary of State’s decision on behalf of ECCA to highlight the ‘illegality, irrationality and unfairness’ of its decision.

Martin Green, chief executive of ECCA, told Caring UK a judicial review was the ‘only viable option to bring about change’.

He added: “The care sector, and in particular care homes, are finding it nearly impossible to recruit unless they do so from outside the EU. “There are also good quality people who have been working here for years going to have to leave the country because their visa reviews are coming up and they are not going to be renewed.

“They are leaving a hole which on many occasions operators are having to fill with workers who aren’t of the correct standard.”

The judicial review has been lodged

Senior staff lend a hand at care homes ...

at the high court, and Martin is now calling on owners who have been affected by the implications of the ban to lend their support.

He added: “We want the Government to understand the implications this is having on the whole of the care sector, and business secretary Vince Cable has already said that Government needs to look again at the issue.

“While I haven’t yet heard of any care homes that are at a point where they face closing because of this ban, I do know of some that are having to employ some that are not nearly as compliant or as qualified as they would like.

“We want the Government to make available access to employees from non EU countries if required. If it was that easy for operators to recruit from the EU then I’m sure they would be doing so as I have never met anyone who went out of their way to make it harder for themselves.

“I would urge all care home operators who are worried about this to get in touch. They don’t need to put a large amount of money into the pot to back this, but it is something we believe will affect everybody if it is not changed.”

Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell will be the guest presenter at the inaugural Great South East Care Awards in Brighton at the end of November.

The 1992 400m hurdles champion and television presenter will host the event, for which Caring UK are media sponsor, at The Hilton Hotel on November 27.

For a picture special from the West Midlands, London and East Midlands ceremonies turn to Pages 36 and 37.

SANCTUARY Group’s senior staff swapped their usual roles for a day and lent a hand to staff and residents at three care homes for National Customer Service Week.

Ian McDermott, group director (property services) visited Watlington District care home to help serve lunch and take part in an art activity morning.

Tony King, group director (capital investment) went along to Beach Lawns Care Home in Weston-superMare and took part in an activities session and serving afternoon tea and cake.

And Craig Moule group director (finance and resources) had the difficult job at Heart of England’s Westmead care home in Droitwich of judging the residents’ cake competition.

National Customer Service Week aims to promote good customer service and the vital role it plays within organisations.

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Residents love home’s new canine friend A BROMSGROVE care home has given a new four-legged resident a second chance at life.

Skip, a rescue dog from Catshill Blue Cross, has joined the residents and staff of Bluebrooke Residential Care Home, and has quickly become a firm favourite.

The Oldfield owned facility has also started an informal dog walking club since getting the lurcher puppy, which manager Lianne Sturmery says also gets the residents out and about.

She added: “Many of our residents were dog owners before they came to us, and having a pet around the place makes it feel more like home. The adoption centre had never placed an animal in a residential home before, and we had to go through two interviews to get him. But he gets on really well with everybody and the residents love him.

“One resident in particular takes him out for a walk every afternoon without fail. Before we got him he used to get agitated, but he doesn’t any more.”

In the past the home has also

kept ducks, and currently has two rabbits and a tortoise.

Lianne and her team have also created a shop in the grounds of the home, which is stocked by the relatives with everything from sweets and biscuits to toiletries. Residents can pay for the good using vouchers when they win or take part in activities.

She added: “The shop is a safe activity for the residents to do in the garden, particularly for those who have dementia.

“The shop is next to the tearoom, which is somewhere the residents can go with a carer or a family member for a quiet drink away from the home.

“We are also planning on turning one of our lounges that is rarely used in the new part of the building into a day centre in the near future. It will only be available to the residents, but will be somewhere for the residents to meet and take part in a variety of activities such as cooking.”

The home is also raising money for its own minibus to take the residents out on excursions.

www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry National Sales Executives: Rebecca Hazell Tel: 01226 734685 Email: rh@whpl.net Mandy Edwards Tel: 01226 734333 Email: mandye@caring-uk.co.uk Fax: 01226 734477

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

Editorial Group Editor: Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 Fax: 01226 734478 Healthcare Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 Reporter: Christina Eccles Tel: 01226 734463

A London care home activities co-ordinator is in the final 12 of this year’s X Factor competition.

John Adeleye, who has worked at Forrester Court in Westminster for the last two years, was chosen in the over 28s category after impressing mentor Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne at the former’s Ireland home.

Mike Smith, regional director for Care UK, who own the home, said: “John’s speciali-

ty as an activity co-ordinator was clearly anything musical, and lots of our residents really loved the activities that he led.

“He was always careful to sing and play music that our residents would know and enjoy, and it wasn’t unusual to see them up on their feet and dancing or joining in with his singing.”

John has been filmed for the programme at Forrester Court singing and chatting to the residents.

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.

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CQC should ‘get its own act in order’ THE inspectorate has been urged to improve its own performance and give greater credit for major improvements in the quality of care since national minimum standards were introduced in 2002/03.

Registered Nursing Home Association chief executive Frank Ursell said the CQC should ‘get its own act in order’ on basic registration and inspection processes.

He added: “Rather than deciding at this moment to crow about the number of homes it has closed, we would prefer senior managers at CQC to be focusing on what matters most of all – ensuring that the vast majority of homes currently providing good services to their residents are able to continue doing so without fear of interruption by bureaucratic delays.

“To say that CQC’s timing is askew on all this would be an understatement.”

“It is also puzzling to many of us that CQC should feel it necessary, or even appropriate, to be portraying itself as the ‘tough guy’ gunslinger in classic Western style.

He also expressed his disappointment that the regulator’s early promise of closer partnership working with care providers seemed to be ‘evaporating in the wind’.

He added: “CQC staff would, we thought, be striving to understand the financial and other pressures on us, entering into a genuine dialogue about how we could improve quality within the resources available to us, and championing the cause of adult social care at a national level.

“All that now seems like a blurred dream. The reality is that there will be less face to face contact than ever before between nursing home managers and inspectors.

“The registration and inspection system appears to have become more paper-based than ever before, with all the inherent weaknesses that involves.”

‘New registration system is about to get tougher’

By Dominic Musgrave THE new registration system of care homes and agencies is about to get tougher, the inspectorate has warned.

Figures released by the CQC revealed that 34 care homes and eight homecare agencies closed in the past 12 months following regulatory action. And the regulator says the system is about to get tougher.

In six cases the inspector issued a legal notice to close the service, with the remaining being closed or sold after CQC took enforcement action.

Chief executive Cynthia Bower said it had needed to take strong measures in order to protect people’s safety.

She added: “We did not tolerate poor care under the old registration system and we certainly will not tolerate it under the new system.

“Services where problems have been identified can expect frequent inspections, and we will use our powers where it is necessary to protect people, even if it means shutting services down.”

In the same period another 51 services voluntarily closed after CQC rated them ‘poor’. This includes 39 care homes with about 900 residents, 11 agencies providing care in people’s homes and one agency providing nursing care.

The inspectorate had demanded these services improve, but had not taken formal enforcement action.

Cynthia added: “Closing a care home is not a decision taken lightly. These are places where

Chief executive Cynthia Bower people live. We have to weigh up the potential impact on residents.

In some cases, moving frail and elderly people may actually cause more harm than good.

“Our first step is to try to get the home to improve. This is always preferable to closure because it means residents get better care without having to go through the trauma of moving.

“But in some cases, the necessary improvements fail to materialise. It

becomes clear that the only way to properly protect residents is to close the home and move them to others where care is of a better standard.”

Cynthia was speaking at the launch of a new registration system under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. It introduces new essential standards of quality and safety that everyone should be able to expect when they receive care.

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Care home wins cash in chicken coup ...

AN East Sussex care home has transformed one of its unused staff rooms into a reminiscence kitchen for its clients.

And Galleon Care owned Lindsay Hall has also beaten off competition from the other homes in the group to win an environmental competition after it started to keep chickens in the grounds.

Manager Lyn Foster said the £300 prize will go into the residents’ activities fund.

She added: “The room was looking really tatty once the staff had relocated to another part of the home upstairs so we thought we would turn it into something for the residents.

“Although there is no oven in there, the residents can do some cooking, reminisce about their kitchens at home or recipes they liked to cook, or just go there and sit as it is nice and quiet.

“It has been a real success with the residents. We have one lady who spends most of the day in there, and a man often goes in as well to look in some of the memory boxes.”

Most of the equipment in the reminiscence kitchen was picked up from car boot sales and secondhand shops by activities co-ordina-

Resident Doona King, and senior care assistant Natalie Kent visit the chickens tor Lauri Leather, who also made all of the soft furnishings.

The 38 residents also help staff look after the four chickens the home recently acquired.

Lyn, who has been manager for seven years, added: “They have become the homes pets and, as well as the fresh eggs the residents eat at breakfast, another of their benefits is they are also therapeutic to sit and watch.

“The residents feed and generally help look after them, and it is

somewhere for them to take their grandchildren when they come and visit. They have been a real success story.”

Regular activities are run at the home, with a different theme or country chosen each month for events, with staff dressing up in traditional outfits and traditional food being served.

In the past these have included Scotland, China and France, with the most recent event held at the home a Mad Hatters’ tea party.

Staff recognised for their work achievements MORE than 180 staff at Orders of St John Care Trust homes in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire have been recognised for their work achievements at award ceremonies.

The Wiltshire event for staff at the group’s 20 homes across the county was held at the Corn Echange in Devizes, with the Gloucestershire one for 19 homes taking place at the Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham.

Certificates were awarded to staff who achieved NVQs in care, housekeeping and business and administration, as well as master of arts, educare and leadership and management qualifications.

Several special awards were also presented at the Wiltshire ceremony, with a special commendation going to Buckland Court for achieving a 100 per cent score as part of the Trust’s internal quality departments accreditation scheme for the home’s administration of medication.

Winners were: Young carer – Jamie Hughes, Coombe End Court; carer – Trevor Filer, Seymour House; manager – Sarah Hill, Anzac House; leader – Caroline Burton, Willowcroft; learner – Harriet Herbert, Athelstan House; unsung hero – Theresa Gladwell, Buckland Court; hospitality Lahmoum Elhouari, Willowcroft.

Long service awards for 25, 30 and 35 years’ service were also recognised.

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Readers’ letter

‘How is this a level playing field?’

ANNE BLAIR (matron) and JEAN FEARON (secretary), Silloth Nursing and Residential Care Home IN response to Tony Banks’ views (October issue, page 4) we currently receive £76 to £86 less per placement than council-owned homes.

We did not realise that councils take all the funding required for their own homes on day one of the financial year, regardless if the beds are full or not – and yet we are told it is a level playing field.

Earlier this year we raised the differential in fee levels with Cumbria County Council, unfortunately without success. We were told that this is the true cost of care in council run homes, yet we can't seem to get through to councillors that this must also apply to independent providers, some of whom have borrowed heavily to maintain the high standard of care expected by the CQC. We strongly feel councils should not be responsible for care funding, particularly when they treat the independent care sector differently to their own. Also, in our area some council homes cannot take people with mobility difficulties but still expect us to deliver this type of care at a reduced cost.

In fact some residents have been transferred from council run homes because we can deliver nursing care – again we receive less for the social and accommodation element of fees than the council home.

New manager working hard to transform home

By Dominic Musgrave THE new manager of a Wirral nursing home is implementing some of the ideas he learned while working in facilities in Scotland.

Karl Jones took over at the Sure Care owned Derwent Lodge in New Ferry in May, and since then has been busy transforming its fortunes.

He told Caring UK the way the two countries’ commissions approach the way care homes are inspected is different.

“In Scotland their approach is very much person centred led, whereas in England the focus seems to be very much on documentation and making sure your paperwork is in order,” Karl added. “What I am trying to create here is a sociable home where they can live their lives because they are not just here to end their days.

“As part of this I plan to put up a large board in reception so the residents know what activities are on and who is on duty so they are aware.”

Karl, who is the country’s first nutrition champion after qualifying while working in Scotland, has already created a hairdressing salon and sensory room.

His next plans include creating a pub room, turning the dining room into a more bistrostyle facility and also a sensory garden in the grounds, which will have a greenhouse for the residents to grow their own vegetables and herbs.

He added: “We have also renamed all the corridors leading to the bedrooms. After discussing a few ideas with the staff we decided to name them after gemstones because the residents are precious to us.

“The walls will be painted with a particular colour to represent the gems so those who have dementia will be able to identify them better.”

And the changes have not only been reserved for the fabric of the building but also for the staff in a bid to improve performance.

Karl added: “When I worked in Scotland we came up with a concept to take the staff back to basics in a bid to see how much knowledge they retain, and to help us see what training they may need.

“Twice a year I will be picking a random 10 questions from 220 that I have devised on a wide range of topics. If the member of staff gets a question wrong they will be put on a training course to bring them up to speed.”

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‘Providers can save £20m a year for NHS’

By Dominic Musgrave INDEPENDENT care providers can help save the NHS in Wales around £20m a year and prevent hospital bed blocking, it has been claimed.

Care Forum Wales’ senior policy officer Barry Latham says they have the answer to the double whammy that has plagued the Health Service for years.

He said bed blocking patients who do not need to be in hospital are a huge and costly problem – especially when savage cuts are in the offing.

Barry added: “There are reports that Welsh NHS faces making more than £380m worth of cutbacks by next April. We believe the independent care sector can be part of the solution to this dire financial crisis.

“We can help find at least £20m of the required savings across Wales and provide more appropriate care to vulnerable people at the same time.”

He said a nursing home placement would cost in the region of £450-£500 per week instead of the £350 pounds a day it costs in hospital, with more savings in domiciliary care.

“Bed blocking remains a big issue,” Barry added. “All too often when patients are ready for discharge from hospital, for various reasons it takes time to make the arrangements.

“As a result, people are kept in that

Barry Latham hospital bed much longer than they need to be –and every hospital bed costs something like £350 per day.

“If patients could be transferred into an independent sector, either to a care home bed or to their own home supported by domiciliary care, it would be for a much, much lower cost.

“It’s about developing something that could be regarded as intermediate care while their needs were assessed then the right care package put in place.”

Do you agree with Barry? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or calling him on 01226 734407.

Specialist consultant appointed A CLAPHAM-based care home has appointed professor Clive Ballard as a specialist consultant.

Clive is currently professor of age related diseases at King’s College London and honorary consultant in old age psychiatry for the NHS Trust.

He will be responsible for advising Nightingale on its dementia strategy to ensure the home continues to be able to offer the best level of care for its residents. He will also work closely with chief executive, Leon Smith, advising on how the home should be

incorporating the latest research and development in dementia care into its programming and strategy for those residents with dementia.

Nightingale is currently building a state-of-the-art dementia unit, the detail of which has been planned by specialist architects to ensure that residents are stimulated and cared for in the most appropriate way.

Clive will be charged with ensuring that the specialist staff are trained to accommodate the new developments.

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A Darlington care home is embracing the latest in technology after receiving two grants.

Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Gardens go global with new system RESIDENTS at The Gardens are keeping in touch with relatives and friends all over the world after a new computer system was installed.

Deputy manager at the Ascot Care owned facility, Emma Burrows, was successful in her application for a ‘Get Connected’ grant of £6,500 from the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

With the money she has installed three touch screen computers from Simply Unite, which enable residents to do everything from accessing the internet to uploading and printing photos and using Skype to chat with family.

Emma told Caring UK the computers are also going to be used for staff training, particularly for those who work night shifts.

She added: “The system is easy to use and video chats will enable those relatives of residents overseas seem a little bit closer to home than just talking on the telephone.

“We also have a few residents who have expressed an interest in researching their family tree, and recently held a cheese and wine evening for relatives to introduce it to them and encourage them to get involved. We have a 102-year-old

resident who is all for it. Some aren’t, but providing this service gives them choice, enablement and a better quality of life.”

The home has also joined forces with another in the area, Eden Cottage, Teesside University and GPs across the town for a new project.

The group has received £40,000 for the North East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership for a new system to measure the wellbeing of its residents.

“The health hub we have obtained from a company called Docobo enables us to input residents’ blood pressure, pulse, oxygen level, blood sugar weight and temperature. We can even do an ECG if necessary.

“It also asks specific questions for the resident designed by their own GP, such as how they are feeling.

The GP can access the information from a secure website, and if there are any abnormal readings they can take immediate action.

“The aim is to reduce GP visits and hospital admissions, which would therefore save the NHS money. If it is successful at the end of the year pilot we hope it will be rolled out to other care homes.”

Emma Burrows at one of the computers with 102-year-old resident Vera Willmott

Home tests quality system THE Gardens is also one of a group of care homes in the region testing a new quality assurance system called Paragon.

Manager Marie Nicholson said: “The new system is based around training and supervisions, with the idea that every staff member has their own page on the computer where they can put their

aspirations, goals and training needs.

“We hope at some point the council and CQC will take it on as it would make inspections a lot easier. Some of the staff here have never worked with a computer before, but this is something we have really invested in and they have taken it on board.”

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Home includes butcher and greengrocer in celebrations RESIDENTS and their families, staff and industry professionals helped a Lichfield care home celebrate its 20th anniversary.

There was even an invite for the butcher and greengrocer for the event at Rosemary Lodge, with the menu including everything from salmon parfait and four peppered roast beef to Alaskan pollock and orange and ginger trifle.

The 30-bed home, which is owned

by Guernsey-based businesswoman Susan Williams, has been run by director/care manager Judy Smith for the last six-and-a-half years.

She said: “We had approximately 145 people at the function, and invited everybody who has some involvement with the home because we like to think of ourselves as one big family.

“I try and care for the residents as I would want to be look after if I was in here because it must be a massive thing giving up your own house.

“It is not the end of the line coming into residential care, and I have worked in so many where you sense it is one way in and one way out. We are also here for the families as well."

The former farmhouse has undergone several redevelopments since it first opened in 1990 as an 11bed facility.

Judy added: “Over the years the owners have added a couple of extensions so that we can now take more residents, and also a large conservatory and cafe area where residents can take their families and friends if they want a bit of privacy.

“The activity lady is always trying new things with the residents, but you cannot get away from doing bingo or quizzes, although they do also enjoy the exercise programmes she does.

“We now ask families for a history of the resident so we can find out more about them as an individual and tailor activities to their interests.

“We introduced this because I used to hear things about a resident at a funeral that I never knew, which would be nice to know when they are alive rather than when they have passed away.”

A group of chickens entertain the residents in the garden as well as providing fresh eggs for the home,

Rosemary Lodge in Lichfield while Judy is also in the process of creating a hairdressing and beauty room 'Serenity Rose' for them to get pampered.

Is your care home celebrating a special anniversary or occasion? Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

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Notebook helps improve staff communication

By Dominic Musgrave

The successful cyclists are welcomed by residents and staff at Falstone Manor

Team members get on their bikes for charity cycle ride A SIX-strong team from Southern Cross Healthcare raised more than £1,000 for charity with a 150-mile cycle.

And the company has agreed to match the final total raised by the three-day challenge, which began at

Amathea Care Home in Workington and ended at Falstone Manor in Sunderland. Funds raised came from staff, suppliers and residents, and will be presented to Action on Elder Abuse by CEO Jamie Buchan, who took part in the ride.

COMMUNICATION among staff has been improved at a Nottinghamshire care home thanks to the simple introduction of a notebook in the staff room.

Alexandra House manager Sally Barry came up with the solution after noticing the problem shortly after joining the 37-bed home.

She told Caring UK it has brought the staff together as a team rather than working in small units.

Sally added: “We always get comments from people visiting the home about the friendly and relaxed atmosphere, which I think is because everybody knows what is going on.

“Prior to introducing the communications book we had people working in pockets of teams and not communicating any changes to a resident's condition or needs.

“A lot can change around the place if a carer is off for a couple of weeks, so in there we record everything to keep each other in the loop, such as if we are going to trial doing something a little differently or to

make them aware if a new resident is coming in so they know to expect them.”

The Eastgate owned home in Eastwood celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, and Sally, who previously worked as deputy manager at another home in nearby Ripley, said she has noticed a change in the type of resident now moving into the home.

She added: “I think the generations are moving on and we are starting to see residents asking for things that we would, such as the type of food they would like to see on the menus.

“In the past it has been traditional roast dinners but now they are asking for things like curries.

“Previously we had residents having a weekly bath, whereas now they expect en-suite bedrooms and take a shower every day. It is all about moving with the times.”

Plans to extend the home and redevelop some of the existing bedrooms next year are in place, which would increase the registration to 42.

Work should be completed by next autumn.

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Revelations by the inspectorate that almost 1,000 care homes do not have a registered manager in place have been criticised by the sector. Dominic Musgrave reports.

NCA challenge claims over home managers THE CQC says conditions have been placed on the operators of all of the facilities requiring them to appoint someone to the position.

Under the provisions of the new Health and Social Care Act 2008 that came into force at the beginning of October, many care homes must have a registered manager who is appropriately experienced and qualified in place by next April.

Chief executive Cynthia Bower said this does not necessarily mean people are receiving poor care, but that care services without leadership can struggle to address any problems that may arise.

She added: “It has been recognised in the care sector for some time that there is a shortage of experienced and qualified managers.

“The sector as a whole needs to take a robust approach to seeking solutions to the shortage of registered managers. It cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.

“We will use our enforcement powers in the best interests of people who use services. If a care provider is genuinely trying to appoint a registered manager and the quality of care is good, it might not be in the service users’ best interests for us to take enforcement action immediately. But if we find that people are being put at risk because there is no registered manager, then we will take action.”

But Nadra Ahmed, chairman of

Nadra Ahmed the NCA, robustly challenged the claim, calling it ‘ludicrous’.

She added: “We are mystified by this misleading claim by the CQC, which we feel has no basis in fact at a time when confidence in their services is at an all time low.

“The ‘1000 care homes without a manager’ claim, in part, refers to the fact that six months ago the CQC announced that the registration by potential new managers would not begin until after October 1, when the re-registration of care homes process was complete,

although potential new managers were asked to submit their applications.

“Therefore, to make headlineseeking claims that 1000 care home do not have a registered manager is a grotesque distortion of the facts. It is because of the actions of CQC itself that many of the homes do not have registered managers.”

National Care Forum executive director Des Kelly agreed, saying the CQC had ‘scored an own goal'.

He added: “This looks like a headline in search of a story. It is a spectacular ‘own goal’ by CQC and, if I were being cynical, I would say it was intended to divert attention away from the performance of CQC during the re-registration process experienced by providers through the summer.

"The statement gives the misleading impression of large numbers of care services operating without a manager and this is simply not accurate. At the very least CQC is being disingenuous.

"The registration system allowed only four weeks for completion. It is highly likely that the way in which CQC has managed this process has added to the number of apparent vacancies."

Have you found it difficult to recruit a new manager? Let Dominic Musgrave know your thoughts by emailing dm@whpl.net or ring 01226 734407.

Claim that current system is 'unworkable mess' THE regulation process is the problem and not the care homes themselves, it has been claimed.

And Paul Ridout, managing partner of law firm Ridouts, said the CQC should create a fast track process for registration of managers of two weeks, calling the current system 'an unworkable mess'.

“English care home regulation is the problem, not English care homes,” he added.

“Under this new law the reality is now that every care home whose

manager is not registered should close or risk being criminalised.

“In the current position the security of residents is at the discretion of the regulator, which will lead to inconsistency and perceived victimisation. Are we to conclude that hundreds of care homes open today now face imminent closure?

“This law should be changed or CQC made to improve its procedure and publish a clear policy on the criteria it will set in deciding

when to close homes.”

He said manager registration does nothing for resident protection, and that the new law is ‘already flawed’.

“Managers leave their posts for many reasons; some on very short notice.

“Recruitment procedures take at least two months and CQC take up to four months to complete registration, refusing to start until they have a police check even where the employer has one.”

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There is never a dull moment at a Lincolnshire care home. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

How Cherry picks her activities WIMBLEDON, the World Cup and Royal Ascot are just some of the events that have been celebrated at Tanglewood in Horncastle this year.

The most recent party at the home was to commemorate Lincolnshire Day, with residents tucking into food and beer from the region, as well as taking part in a quiz about the county and singing local songs.

Activities co-ordinator Cherry Wilkinson joined the home a year ago, having previously worked as a freelance journalist.

She said: “I also sing, and with a friend we put a programme of songs together that we thought we could perform around care homes for the residents.

“We wrote to many care homes offering our services, and after performing at a couple I really thought about what we were doing and how it was making a difference to the residents. I saw this job advertised and went for it. I see my job as trying to enhance the residents’ lives, and the activities and events I put on here reflect what is going on in the world.”

Cherry regularly organises cinema afternoons complete with ice creams at the interval, watercolour painting sessions, and is also planning to resurrect Tai Chi classes for the residents.

She added: “We also recently held a celebration of life to remember one of the carers here who passed

away suddenly last year. The relatives of the residents who had also died in the past 12 months were also invited to the home, and their names were read out as well as a couple of readings by a local vicar.

“The names of the residents were also written on gold leaves and hung on a tree to remember them.

It was a really inspirational day, and all of the money raised will be put towards a memorial bench for the garden.”

The home, like many nationwide, is currently working towards the Gold Standards Framework for end of life care.

Manager Di Roach, who has worked in the sector for more than 30 years and at Tanglewood for

almost two, said some of her staff were a bit nervous about it at first.

She added: “The home is run like a family home, and I'd like to think that I have instilled a sense of fun since coming here.

“We are never going to be perfect but strive to do our best, and I am still incredibly passionate about it and believe greatly in high standards. We have had a few poignant moments since starting the GSF, and I think we have become more open. In the past when a resident died it used to be hush hush and they were taken out of the back door, but now we take them through the front and our approach has become a lot more individualised and part of the care plans.”

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System benefits Miele washers MIELE dishwashers benefit from the decades of experience in developing warewashing appliances for commercial use.

Solid construction, high quality materials and sophisticated technology guarantee not only the best possible treatment of each wash load and incomparable wash results, but also the legendary longevity of Miele machines.

Miele cabinet dishwashers operate via a freshwater system, drawing in fresh water for each individual stage of the cleaning programme.

This system ensures a consistently high wash quality throughout the cycle, which is also compounded through the appliance’s two basket

levels - allowing maximum space for the water to circulate, as well as achieving a greater throughput of dishes and utensils.

Miele’s G7859 thermal disinfector dishwasher is particularly suited to care home kitchens where stringent levels of hygiene must be maintained.

The four standard cleaning programmes include three disinfecting cycles, which allow the final rinse to be carried out at a higher temperature for a predetermined and prolonged period.

Through this feature, the surface temperature of crockery and cutlery is elevated to 85 degrees C for a minimum of two minutes.

‘Fantastic’ Armstrong laundry at Harrison House THE £14m Harrison House mental health facility in Grimsby has been fully equipped with new laundry based on two 16 kg Primus free standing washer extractors and two stacked Huebsch tumble dryers installed by Goodman Sparks.

According to Tukes assistant manager Amy Charlton its performance is ‘fantastic’. The Tukes service operates the laundry as well as the coffee shop, cleaning and reception.

The laundry’s prime function is the care of all the unit’s flatwork. Patients process their own personal clothing in small ward laundries, each comprising a small Primus washer and matching tumble dryer.

“Goodman Sparks’ advice and service has been excellent throughout,” added Amy. “From the initial planning to the installation their support has been invaluable.”

Enquiries: Contact Goodman Sparks Ltd on 0114 258 9614 or visit www.goodmansparks.co.uk

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Label clothes effectively WITH winter approaching many residents will put away summer clothes and need their warmer jumpers and clothes labelling properly.

This is such a time consuming task that often clothing is left inadequately named and consequently it can easily get mislaid.

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.

Simplicare can save you money on detergent costs THE cost of laundry detergent seems small in comparison with other high value spends that a care home makes, but over a year it begins to mount up.

When considering offers, Simplicare looks to save you money on the everyday essential costs which seem to keep on increasing.

There are a range of savings offered on selected branded products across the laundry range, but the savings are not restricted to this area, with cleaning and

dishwashing also attracting up to 50 per cent discount.

“Washing clothes and bed linen is a regular job in a care home,” said operations manager Chris Sowerby. “Using our contacts with suppliers we have been able to negotiate real savings on laundry products.”

Simplicare continues to cement its reputation within the care home sector for offering real savings and providing a complete solution for all care home needs.

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New bus stop sign is just the ticket A NEW bus stop sign is taking residents at a Bradford care home on a trip down memory lane.

When Julian Shear, care manager at Spring Mount in Heaton, saw residents sitting in a lean-to shelter in the memory gardens he thought they looked as though they were waiting for a bus.

So he contacted local bus company Metro and asked if they had an old stop sign he could have.

The transport organisation went a step better and offered to make a new one. Now the sign, which has the number 680 on it, is in-situ and Julian has framed a bus timetable inside the shelter.

He said it has become a talking point for both the residents and their families who visit.

“The handyman created a shelter next to the coach house we have in the grounds a while ago, mainly for the few residents here who smoke,”

Julian added.

“I was a bit worried when it was first installed as I wondered whether they were just sitting by it or actually thought they were waiting for a bus.

It was a bit of a moral thing, but everyone tells me they think it is brilliant and a really good thing.”

The home was recently filmed for a forthcoming BBC Panorama documentary on dementia for its innovative no drugs approach to treating people with the condition.

Julian added: “Because we are set in a quarter of an acre of grounds the residents are encouraged outside, which is why we created an organic vegetable garden, which we have just had the first harvest from.

“We now plan to create an orchard so they can pick fruit while they are outside, and next year we are going to turn the coach house into a training and IT centre so the residents can keep in touch with their family across the world using Skype.”

Staff from a Care South care home raised £350 for the residents’ amenities fund with a sponsored 40-mile bike ride.

Manager Claire Brownless, her deputy Sam Bresland and carer Dan Goswell completed the ride from Maiden Castle House in Dorchester to sister home St Martins in Gillingham just ahead of their

target time of four hours.

Claire and Sam rode a tandem for the first time, and were backed up by a car driven by activities co-ordinator Jenny Webster.

Picture: Jenny Webster, Dan Goswell, Sam Bresland and Claire Brownless ahead of the ride.

By Dominic Musgrave

Activities co-ordinator Jenny Clay and resident Doreen Hooper

Pamper party for residents RESIDENTS at a Warwickshire care home held a series of special activities to mark World Alzheimer’s Day and National Reflexology Week.

The events at Waterloo House, Bideford on Avon included reflexology demonstrations by Jackie Skott Aromatherapies, a teddy bears picnic followed by an open air puppet show and a foot pamper party with treatments given by

The Body Shop at Home.

Activities co-ordinator at the Alpha owned home, Jenny Clay, said: “Reflexology and aromatherapy treatments can be very beneficial to our residents, and we have a reflexologist visit the home once a month. Treatments can be very calming and relaxing and the demonstrations allowed all our residents to see what can be offered.”

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Bulb plant will brighten up home in spring VOLUNTEER gardeners missed out on a world record attempt but their efforts will bring spring colour to a Wigan care home and help eradicate polio.

Staff and residents of Golborne House joined Rotarians and locals to plant more than 20,000 crocuses in just one hour. The event at the home formed part of a nationwide ‘Big Bulb Plant’, an initiative formed by Rotary International for Great Britain and Ireland in conjunction with the Eden Project and the International Flower Bulb Centre in Holland.

Manager Karen Alford said each person who took part was asked to donate £1 to the charity. She added: “Although we didn’t manage to beat the world record, we still managed to plant 20,000 bulbs in the allotted hour and had a fabulous time doing it. It was great to see everyone pulling together, and we’re thrilled to be able to donate the money we raised to such a worthy cause. We’re already planning our next attempt in 2011, and can’t wait to see all the purple flowers bloom.”

The crocuses planted in the care home’s grounds are expected to bloom in the New Year to coincide with ‘Rotary Day’ celebrations on February 23. The purple represents the dye that is dabbed on a child’s finger to indicate it has been immunised against the virus.

Good deed gives new garden to Swindon care home RESIDENTS at a Swindon care home can now spend more time outdoors thanks to a new garden.

Ashbury Lodge has unveiled the new area to enable the 43 residents to have more independence.

Registered care manager Pauline Pletts told Caring UK work at the Coate Water Care owned home was carried out by a local construction firm working nearby who carry out an annual project.

She added: “We have been in this property for 10 years, and we always wanted an enclosed garden so we could get the residents outside more.

“The old garden was never used because it was unsuitable, so we decided we would try and do something at the front. Just as we had started planning it we had a knock at the door from the men asking if they could do something for us as they like to give something back every year.

“They spent two weeks doing the work, and have transformed the garden to something we can now use for the residents. I don’t think they realise what their work will mean to us.”

Features of the garden include grass areas, a paved path and raised flower beds to allow residents to get involved in

gardening. A large fence has also been erected to make it safe for residents to go outside when they like.

Pauline added: “A lot of people from this generation loved their gardens when they lived at home and cannot wait to start planting.

“Because it is all fenced in we don’t have to worry about the residents having a member of staff with them all the time, which we couldn’t do before as we are

situated on a busy road.

The paved path being created in a figure of eight will also aid our residents who have dementia who haven’t been aware of what is going on around them. They will start at one point, walk round and end up at the start again.”

Pauline plans to created a herb garden in the near future, with staff also building a greenhouse to encourage the residents to go outside as much as they can.

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Dr Dan Nightingale and Sharon Butler

Care home dining should be similar to a restaurant

By Dominic Musgrave THE dining experience at care homes should be similar to that of a restaurant, it has been claimed.

Dr Daniel Nightingale, head of dementia services for the Priory Group, believes a person-centred approach that treats residents as individuals, looks at the world from the person with dementia, gives a positive social environment with an emphasis on practical application is the way forward.

Speaking at the inaugural SJB Associates dementia conference in County Durham, Dan said: “Simple things you would expect when visiting a restaurant such as being greeted at the door and acknowledged by the server can make a difference in any setting, including a care home. The server repeating the menu in a clear voice to ensure the resident knows the choices on offer, and well presented food combined with its smell can also encourage residents to eat better.”

To improve the experience across its care homes, staff, residents and

their relatives were encouraged to give their opinions as part of a ‘national themed dining area’ competition, with a monetary prize offered to the home that made the best suggestions.

Sharon Butler, managing director of the group, added: “We gave the homes a few months to come up with their ideas, which was judged from an operational and strategic standpoint.

“What we saw from the competition was enthusiasm and positivity for the project, a problem solving approach, teamwork and team building and a competitive spirit.

“This has led to an increased interest in the dining area from those living in all of the homes, not just the winning one, all staff offering support at meal times and a much more relaxed and calmer dining experience.”

The conference featured sessions led by Tony Duke, MD of Vitalyz, Susannah Thwaites from the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Foundation NHS Trust and Paul Smith, head of dementia development at European Care.

Forum reveals medical findings ALMOST seven out of 10 care home residents do not get a regular planned medical review by their GP, it has been revealed.

And almost half are not getting a regular planned review of their medication, according to research by the Older People’s Specialists’ Forum (OPSF) which asked care homes across the UK about their experiences of accessing healthcare services for their residents.

The survey also found that 59 per cent could access specialist dementia services such as memory clinics and community mental health teams. Most care homes could request input from specialist nurses when a problem had arisen, but very few appeared to have access to input from specialists to prevent them arising.

OPSF chair Dr Duncan Forsyth said: “Many people in care homes have complex and serious medical needs which require ongoing and comprehensive care and support.

“The results from our small snapshot survey suggest that such residents may not be getting the support they require. This is a cause for concern. What is particularly worrying is that only just over half of residents get a medication review. A recent study found that care home residents on average were taking seven medications each and over two-thirds were subject to at least one medication error.”

The survey received 125 responses. Some were duplicates, with different people from the same home responding, and these have not been eliminated from the raw data.

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Redevelopment progress

By Dominic Musgrave THE first phase of a £1.2m redevelopment of an East Yorkshire care home has been completed.

Work at the HICA Group owned Overton House in Cottingham has included refurbishing the dining room and reshaping the home so it is now made up of 39 en-suite single bedrooms.

A cinema room, garden area, quiet lounge and reminiscence kitchen featuring a range of appliances including a washing machine, microwave, fridge and hob are just some of the new recreational areas at the facility.

Manager Kerry Shepherd told Caring UK several of the ideas have been taken from the company’s award-winning retirement village in Chorley. She added: “The group has incorporated a lot of Stirling University’s ideas for dementia across its care homes. These include all

bedroom doors being different colours, with yellow ones symbolising toilets and cream ones to areas not suitable for residents.

“The corridors have been decorated with different pictures to indicate where they lead. Around the cinema room they are of old films or actors, in the sports area they are of local sports teams and in the music area singers and musicians.

“A key part of the redevelopment of the home was to make it as accessible as possible. It is all on one floor so we have replaced some of the walls with windows and the residents can walk from one part of the home to another and be in a different environment with different stimulations.”

A garden room leading to an internal courtyard and garden complete with greenhouse, raised beds to grow vegetables and two former battery chickens have been created as part of the work.

Kerry added: “Everyone that visits the home comments on what a change in atmosphere there is following the work, and when we unveiled the work to the residents some of them were really emotional.

“A lot of the residents’ relatives have commented how they have noticed a change since the refurbishment. One resident used to spend a lot of time just wandering around the home, but she will now sit in the dining room and have a cup of tea when her sister visits.

“We have had a couple of people visiting the home each week for the last few weeks, and for the first time in the home’s history we now have a waiting list.”

Phase two of the work is due to start in the near future, which will include refurbishing 19 bedrooms. It is set to be completed next summer.

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

In this issue: New home to

create 60 jobs Page 24

Dementia facility

to replace former care home Page 25

Extension gets

go-ahead after CQC inspection Page 26

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Bid to raise the standards of dignity and care

By Dominic Musgrave

An artist’s impression of the new home

Home to create 60 jobs A LUXURY residential and nursing home for the elderly complete with its own cinema and residents’ bar will be built in a Northumberland town after plans were given the green light.

Hadrian Healthcare has been granted planning permission to redevelop the site of the former Plessey Road School in Blyth and provide a 58-bedroom care home, creating up to 60 new jobs for the area.

Ridley House will also provide a hair salon, traditional-style newspaper and sweet shop, a bistro, occupational therapy room and library for its residents to give a community village feel.

Managing director Jas Gill said:

“Ridley House will be our latest care home proving elderly clients with spacious accommodation within a very homely setting, and we are delighted to have been granted permission by Northumberland County Council to commence building work.

“Ridley House will completely turn people’s perceptions of a stereotypical old-fashioned care home on its head.

“Being based in the centre of town, the new development will be in the heart of a thriving community, surrounded by local amenities which will help residents to very much remain part of community life.”

Ridley House will be open to residents from September 2011.

DC Care’s Anita to speak at Show A SERIES of MyBusiness seminars aimed at offering guidance to not only existing operators but to those seeking to invest or acquire care homes for the first time has been launched at the Care Show.

As one of the directors of the specialist care home agency, DC Care, Anita Allen has more than 25 years’ experience within the care sector, and as a banker turned agent, she hopes her seminar will

explain the processes and timescales involved.

The care home industry is one of the most highly regulated business sectors in the UK, and it is not just a question of acquiring bricks and mortar.

During this seminar Anita hopes to be thought provoking and help investors to consider why, what, where, when and also how do you acquire a care home.

Home opens extension A NEW £1.5m 24-bed extension has opened at a Uttoxeter care home.

The expansion at The Hermitage Residential Home has seen the registration almost treble from 11 to 30, and four new residents moved in to the ladies’ only facility in the first week.

Manager Louise Hurst told Caring UK the new en-suite bedrooms offer digital television and internet access.

She added: “The new building was necessary as the business wasn’t economically viable with just 11 bedrooms.

“We have recruited two new members of staff to take us to 22, and a lot of those already working here have increased their hours.

“It is going to be a tough challenge, but it is one that we are all looking forward to. We are going to hold an open day in early November to celebrate.”

Louise said she had hoped The Hairy Bikers would open the new facility as the residents enjoy watching their programmes on television, but they are unavailable.

The new wing has not yet been officially named as the home is seeking suggestions, and plans are now under way for landscaping the gardens next spring.

The home was established 74 years ago when benefactor Ellen Mary Bamford donated her family home and its grounds to the Uttoxeter and District Nursing Association, in memory of her husband Dr Charles Bamford.

Its purpose was to provide care services to long term residents of the town in need of care. Due to increasing costs the home has been challenged to keep afloat and the trustees have needed to sell land to continue to provide the care needed.

CARE home providers are being urged to put quality of care and client’s dignity at the top of their agendas.

Dr Daniel Nightingale, director of dementia services at Priory Care Homes, is instigating a number of initiatives within the group to drive standards higher and position the homes as centres of excellence for dementia care.

All Priory staff will complete a unique training programme aimed at developing dignity dementia champions.

Dan said the programme, which is designed with help from the charity Action on Elder Abuse and accredited by Brighton University, has the intention of raising standards of dignity and care within the sector.

He added: “Dementia care is changing rapidly. People’s expectations of care have increased

and this brings a number of challenges to providers.

“The key challenge is the provision of a first-class service delivered by a high quality care team in an environment that recognises and maintains the dignity of clients.

“This is something that all care providers must acknowledge and aim towards. I do not believe that this is happening as a matter of course in all care homes for older people.”

The course addresses subjects including: Implementing the Department of Health’s dignity challenge, person centred dementia care, supporting people who challenge the service and abuse awareness and prevention.

To further protect vulnerable older people from the effects of abuse, Priory has also joined together with Action on Elder Abuse to launch a confidential helpline for clients and staff.

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

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Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth, Barry and Vivienne Goldbart, launch the new project with manager Dave Vaitilingon and Reshad and Yasmin Koussa.

Demolished home to make way for dementia facility MAYOR Barry Goldhart launched a new project in Bournemouth which will see an existing care home demolished and rebuilt as a purpose-built specialist dementia facility.

The new Highfield Manor will include 45 bedrooms, and incorporate many of the latest design features for people who have the condition.

Manager Dave Vaitlingon told Caring UK that staff and most of the 27 residents at Highfield will be moved to The Sheridan care home, managed by Reshad Koussa.

The Sheridan has also reopened early this year after extensive refurbishment and a new extension, giving more facilities to people with dementia.

He added: “We are hoping to create another haven for people with

dementia and related illnesses to be themselves, with careful design to facilitate a higher degree of independence by providing new technology in each room and communal areas and a sensory garden.

“This will allow us to offer another strand of care in Bournemouth without compromising our high standard or dilute our philosophy of care we offer in any way.

“The guidance of the design project were innovative in the approach to new building for dementia care and meticulously design by Yasmin Koussa, the proprietor, and her son Ashley and daughter Saira, who also have a keen interest in the new project. Studies have found out that a proper design will reduce the need for related drugs for people suffering from dementia.”

DFE Commercial has completed the sale of Queen Anne Lodge in Southsea. The property dates back to the Victorian era and comprises of three substantial dwellings with accommodation over four floors. Registration is for 40 in 16 single rooms and 12 doubles, and the home also has a passenger lift.

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Extension gets go-ahead after CQC inspection AN extension to a dementia unit at a Wallingford care home has been given the green light following a CQC inspection.

The extension at Friends of the Elderly’s Old Vicarage consists of two new bedrooms to bring the total in the dementia unit to 12, and also included extending the dining room to include a cafe area, a wet room and a sensory room.

Director of residential care said the rooms have already been filled.

She added: “The fact is that

dementia in the area and the UK as a whole is on the increase so, for us to be able to extend our specialised care and services means a great deal.

“That we’ve already been able to fill the additional spaces merely underlines this and we will, of course, continue to look at ways to further extend our care services.”

In addition to the dementia extension, the three-star home is registered to provide nursing and residential care for 40 residents.

Zest integrates a competitive edge ZEST Care Systems has unveiled a software innovation which will relieve the ever increasing pressures and demands on owners and managers as they battle to manage quality of care, compliance, budgets and make a profit.

Called Fusion, software is a union of solutions for the growing number of administrative problems care homes face. It is a business tool which replaces many of the time consuming administrative tasks by integrating a number of systems into one.

Whether it is best practice or an improvement of personal centred care, the software has been developed specifically to allow care homes to manage some of these issues by allowing mangers to control rotas, staffing budgets, recruitment, training and reporting and legal compliance at the touch of a button.

With live updates and system back-up and on-site training it really is a case of just switching to a simple system to gain greater efficiencies and profits.

Enquiries: Telephone 0844 504 4883.

Mayor of Hereford Anna Toon opens Charles Court care home

Mayor opens new care home MAYOR of Hereford Anna Toon officially opened the Priory Group’s new Charles Court care home, which will create up to 60 jobs in the area.

She was joined by chief operating officer Matthew Franzidis, head of dementia services Dr Daniel Nightingale, home manager Susan Marshall and Millicent Luty, one of the first residents to move into the home.

The purpose-built nursing home has bedrooms for 76 residents needing nursing or dementia nursing care.

There is also be a choice of lounges and dining areas and a secure, enclosed landscaped garden.

All residents have access to carefully planned activities and a wide range of professionals including a hairdresser, chiropodist, optician and GP. One of the first events at the home was the launch of a training programme aimed at developing dignity dementia champions within the care group. It has been designed with help from the charity Action on Elder Abuse.

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Stuart Marchant

Emily Talbot

How to deal with Act restrictions

By Stuart Marchant and Emily Talbot THE transition from the old legal framework to the new brought in by the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) is finally drawing to a close.

Although most providers will have come through the process relatively unscathed, there will inevitably be some casualties, whether through the imposition of compliance conditions upon their registration or through a decision not to renew their registration at all.

As before, if you find yourself in such a situation, there are steps that can be taken, and it will be important to examine your certificate of registration carefully upon receipt.

If you feel that any restrictive or compliance condition is not fair then you will have to act swiftly to persuade CQC to have it removed.

Why is it important to remove unwanted conditions? Because CQC can prosecute for breach without any notice.

The Act affords the right for providers to make representations both in relation to Notices of Decision (in relation to conditions that will be imposed on registration) and Notices of Proposal (in relation to a refusal of an application for registration).

All representations have to be made within 28 days of the date the Notice is deemed to be served (if sent by email, the date after the email was sent; if sent by post, three days after the Notice was posted).

It is worth noting that CQC have expressed a preference for receiving representations on their standard form (available on the website) in order to “avoid any doubt

that representations are being made�. This is not binding, but do make any alternative document clear that it contains representations.

CQC will then have a further 28 days to consider your representations before coming to a conclusion as to whether your representations should be upheld or not.

In the case of a Notice of Proposal, if CQC decide not to uphold your representations, the original decision will be adopted and a Notice of Decision will be sent to the provider.

All Notices of Decision can be appealed by way of application to the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber), and its website details the process for doing so.

If you have missed the deadline for representations in relation to conditions your registration certificate, all is not lost. You still have the option of applying for a variation of the conditions.

However, it is worth remembering that there are fees for such applications; as much as ÂŁ1,093 for a care home where the variation would require a visit by CQC. And until the variation has come into force you will still have to comply with the conditions of your registration.

Finally, whenever representations are made (or applications for variation) robust evidence of why a condition should not apply, or why you should be registered as a provider, should always be supplied so as to give you the best chance of success.

You may need to take advice on this.

Stuart Marchant is a partner and Emily Talbot a solicitor at Bates Wells and Braithwaite.

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£1m refurbishment for Paisley home THE owner of a Paisley care home which has received a massive rating boost is planning a £1m refurbishment to give it luxury status.

Entrepreneur Arti Poddar’s 50bed Nightingale House has moved from a grade two to a grade five ‘very good’ rating from the Care Commission after just over a year of takeover.

And a major redevelopment will be carried out over the next year which will create a 45-bed home with en-suite bathrooms, and a range of facilities including LCD TVs with Freeview and Skype, power sockets at hip level, selfclosing doors, new carpets and wall coverings.

Arti said Nightingale House will also benefit from new boilers and radiators, lowered ceilings, an enhanced kitchen and day spaces plus a hairdresser/therapy room.

She added: “We are committed to providing a homely environment where our residents are respected, and feel content and secure without compromising their independence.

“These new grades are testimony to the commitment and dedication of our staff and reflect the views of our residents and their relatives. We are by no means complacent, but it is welcome feedback following our continued efforts over the past year.”

Keynote conference speaker named DIRECTOR general of social care David Behan will be the keynote speaker at ECCA’s conference and exhibition ‘For Better or For Worse?’

Other speakers at the annual event at the Bloomsbury Holiday Inn on November 17 include Liz McSheehy, chief executive of the National Skills Academy, professor Alistair Burns, national clinical director for

dementia and Paul Allen, chief executive of the Abbeyfield Society.

To complement the speakers a series of afternoon seminar sessions will offer solutions and advice on a range of topical subjects, while the exhibition area will again be filled with some of the care sector’s leading organisations.

Florence House

Home marks its 10th birthday with reception A SCOTTISH care home celebrated its 10th anniversary with a reception and concert hosted by a popular local entertainer.

Sam Poddar, chairman and founder of Lambhill Court Limited, who own Florence House, bought the former school and transformed it into a 55bed care home.

Two residents and six staff were presented with special awards at the event to mark the 10 years they have lived and worked at the home.

A special presentation was also made to Sam and his wife Sunita to thank them for maintaining high standards of care and attention at the home.

Sam said: “We strive to provide our residents with high quality care provided by dedicated and highlyskilled staff.

“We are equally committed to enabling people to grow older with dignity, independence and security, and we feel our progressive approach to care homes allows residents to feel they are truly in the comforts of home.

“Florence House is a great example of how a real community sprit can turn a care home into a real home from home for all its residents.”

Sam and Sunita run three other homes, while their son Deepak and daughter Arti operate one each under the banners of Everest Care and Sterling Care Homes respectively. All of their facilities are in the Glasgow area.

Arti, who has also won a string of awards in recent years including being named female business person of the year at the Scottish Ethnic Awards, said: “Working together has many advantages. It means we can share our resources and ideas, and utilise the specialist fields that some of our staff have, whether it be dementia or palliative care.

“We can also give each individual company our support. The only down side of working as a family is that we always seem to be talking about work.”

The family are opening a new care home in the city next month.

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Students Laura Slack and Chelsea Morris join Pamela Hill from Age Concern Blackpool and District, Donna Wiper from the University of Cumbria and Peter Brooks from Blackpool and The Fylde College at the launch.

Students design activity boxes for sufferers A LANCASHIRE college has joined forces with its local branch of Age Concern to design and produce activity boxes intended to engage with and stimulate the minds of people with dementia.

Blackpool and The Fylde College has struck up the unique partnership with the town’s branch of the charity as a result of a research project being undertaken by Peter Brooks, a lecturer in the School of Society, Health and Childhood .

He told Caring UK the boxes have a variety of themes. These include music, knitting and crochet, the seaside and everyday items.

He added: “I wanted to do some research which would have a positive impact for service users, their families and carers. I also wanted to involve the students from each level of courses we teach in Health and Social Care.

“While charities and organisations do a great job working with people who have dementia, I felt we could offer more meaningful activities than the traditional bingo and dominoes.

“I came up with the idea of the activity boxes and the students were really enthusiastic about making them so we decided to make some

prototypes to show Age Concern.”

Peter carried out independent research in residential settings in South and West Lancashire and found the boxes were well received, particularly the music one.

The lecturer also met with Pamela Hill, support services senior manager for Age Concern in the town, who was also thinking about developing activity boxes to encourage dementia sufferers and their carers to be able to spend quality time together.

She added: “I had been looking after my own mum who suffered from dementia and I used to engage her with a number of different activities that helped her. She inspired me to want to do something to help others who suffer the condition.

“Peter and I met up to look at how we could work together and we realised that we are both extremely passionate about the need to create something that can help to stimulate the mind of a dementia sufferer.”

Pamela obtained independent funding to employ a project worker to deliver and develop the activity boxes, which will be available to people with the conditions and their carers either in residential care settings or their own homes.

Children drop in for coffee A COUNTY Antrim care home welcomed pupils from a nearby primary school to a coffee morning to mark World Alzheimer’s Day. Residents at Massereene Manor have been exchanging letters with the youngsters from Antrim Primary School as part of a penpal scheme, and the event gave them the opportunity to finally meet each other.

Manager Olive Hall said: “The residents loved having the children around, and talked with them about how they used to live and how things have changed from then to now. They have been talking about it for days.

“The children were given a tour and learned a bit more about what it is like in a nursing home and dementia.”

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Programme ‘a rigorous but rewarding process’

By Margaret Stobbart-Rowlands AS BUDGETS are squeezed ever tighter the onus is on care home owners and managers to find fresh ways of making their home stand out from the crowd to both commissioners and the public.

As they tighten their belts many owners and managers may look to cut back on training, particularly in a sector with a reputation for high staff turnover.

The Gold Standards Framework is a programme that offers the care home industry an opportunity to better equip individual staff members and the whole organisation to deliver high quality care for all of their residents, particularly those nearing the end of life, and reduce hospital admissions and deaths.

The GSF in Care Homes Programme enables improvements across the whole organisation. It involves every member of staff in the training process to improve end of life care on three levels – for the individuals involved, for the home

as a whole and for the health and social care community around the home.

The care provider obtains not just a better trained and motivated workforce and better systems of working, but also improves collaboration and communication with GPs, district nurses and other health and social care professionals.

These simple but important steps enable staff not only to better plan their residents’ care but also avoid crises caused by unexpected events. With plans in place staff feel better able to cope. Many of the homes that have completed the training programme have increased the number of residents fulfilling their wish to die in the home rather than in hospital. This in turn gives staff a real sense of satisfaction from delivering genuine, individualised care to their residents.

Almost 1,500 homes have now completed the training programme. More than 100 homes a year are going through the

accreditation process. It’s a rigorous but rewarding.

Having completed the training, homes must undertake self assessment against 20 clear standards of best practice, submit a portfolio of evidence of integration of the principles and standards of GSF, and receive a supportive visit from a quality assessor.

The GSF Centre sends a letter to the CQC and to the local commissioners informing them of the award, and Age UK and all of the four major care homes organisations endorse the Quality Hallmark Award.

In January the latest round of successful homes will receive their GSFCH Quality Hallmark Award – recognition of the outstanding end of life care they are providing for their residents – at the GSF Annual Care Homes Conference.

This quality recognition provides families and crucially commissioners with a tangible assurance that the home is delivering personalised care and reducing inappropriate hospital

Margaret Stobbart-Rowlands admissions and deaths. It also provides owners and managers with the opportunity to initiate discussions with commissioners about paying a premium price for premium care.

Margaret Stobbart-Rowlands is the GSF’s care homes project manager.

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Online company lands £45m contract AN online purchasing company to the catering and hospitality industry has landed a £45 million contract with Southern Cross to supply them with milk and bread products for the next three years.

This comes after a five year relationship between Greater

Manchester based e-foods and the care home provider supplying meat and fresh produce. Specialist requirements are also catered for including sourcing Halal and Kosher products as well as dietary specific products such as gluten free, lactose intolerant and diabetic items.

Cornish charity unveils its Wall of Wishes A CORNISH charity marked International Older People’s Day by launching a unique piece of research to capture people’s ambitions for later life and shape future care provision.

Cornwall Care unveiled a Wall of Wishes on its new website, designed to enable people to share their hopes and desires for the kind of life they Residents at an Oldham care home had two reasons to celebrate. During British food fortnight, Millfield Care Home chef Roz Rhodes created a meal using all British produce in the home’s new kitchen installed with the latest high-tech equipment. Picture: Chef Roz Rhodes in her new kitchen

Residents touch down Keynote speaker RESIDENTS at a Cumbrian care home spent the day with players and behind the scenes staff at Carlisle Rugby Club.

Residents met with the club chairman, players and sponsors, had photos with first XV captain Mark Barron and were waited on hand and foot by the director of rugby.

Players from the club had previously attended Croftfield’s open day in August to celebrate the new registration and ‘good’ rating.

PROFESSOR Sayeed Khan, chief medical adviser of EEF and board member of the Health and Safety Executive, will give the keynote speech at the NASHiCS/NACC annual seminar. The provisional programme also includes presentations from Matthew Hamar, HSE health and social care lead, Mark Thomas from Health and Safety Laboratories and Patrick Hyde, a chartered physiotherapist at Loughborough University. The conference is at the John Charles Centre for Sport Stadium in Leeds on November 17.

want to lead when they are older.

Chief executive Douglas Webb said: “The Wall of Wishes is a piece of research designed to broaden our understanding as to the kind of life local people want to live in older age.

“Wishes registered will be used to steer the quality care provision we deliver across the county.”

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Changes to ‘chaotic’ dining experience serve up improvements at unit

By Dominic Musgrave THE manager of a dementia unit in the North East says transforming mealtimes has improved life at the home.

Karen James, who works at Seaham House, which is part of Barchester’s The Hawthorns Care Centre in Peterlee, said the number of incidents, the majority of which happened at mealtimes, has dropped, and the residents’ health and wellbeing has improved.

She told Caring UK the dining experience at the home was ‘chaotic’ before the changes were made.

“Prior to the changes we had meals being ordered a week in advance and mealtimes being given to the 30 residents over a short period of time,” Karen added. “But after I attended a leadership course with David Sheard we reflected upon the mealtimes as a hotspot for triggering incidents and decided to change the experience for the benefit of both residents and staff.

“The residents who needed full assistance with their meals were not getting any quality time, and those with early onset dementia didn’t

want people coming around picking the food off their plates. We were spreading ourselves around too thinly.”

The home’s mealtimes are now done in different sittings depending on a resident’s condition, with residents having a choice from two plates of food put in front of them rather than deciding from pictures.

Karen added: “Different areas of the home are now used for meals, with those who need full assistance eating first and staff then encouraged to sit down and eat with those that are more independent.

“The residents tend to follow what the staff are doing and sit at the table for longer than they did before. We also encourage the families to come in and eat with those residents who have a later stage of the condition.

“We don’t use the dining room for activities between 11am and 12pm, and we regularly make cakes or bread to create the smell of cooking in the area to attract the residents. We also have soothing music playing to relax the members during mealtimes.”

Karen has also banned the tea trolley being taken around the home to encourage as many residents as pos-

sible to maintain independence.

She added: “I heard a carer saying to a resident that the tea trolley would be on its way in half an hour and decided to get rid of it.

“We have created a living skills kitchen so the residents can make their own drinks and snacks with the help of a carer when they want one rather than wait. All of these changes have made the staff and residents a lot calmer.”

Barchester Healthcare, who own Seaham House, shows continued and sustained growth, according to the latest Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 league table.

Now in its sixth year, the league table ranks Britain’s 250 biggest midmarket private companies, the next tier down from the Top Track 100 biggest private companies, by their latest available audited accounts.

The care provider has more than 200 homes nationwide and is ranked at number 30, up eleven rankings from 2009.

Have you made major changes at your care home recently?

Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

Care group donates cash to hospice A SCOTTISH care group has donated more than £43,000 to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

The money was raised through a variety of fundraising events held at Balhousie Care Group’s 20 care homes across the country and a payroll giving scheme.

The Italian Job charity ball held at the Dundee Hilton Hotel earlier this year raised around £30,000 for the charity.

It will support the charity’s work providing the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with lifeshortening conditions.

Coffee time A CARLISLE care home raised £45 for charity when it took part in Macmillan Cancer Supports ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’.

Residents, relatives and staff at Croftfield, run by Wright Care Homes UK Ltd, enjoyed home-made scones with cream and jam made by cook Ellen Botterill, endless cups of tea and a sing-a-long session run by activities coordinator Heather Walker.

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CARINGCARE AWARDS

The cream of the care sector has been celebrated at three glittering award ceremonies.

Dominic Musgrave reports.

Former EastEnder helps care winners celebrate success ...

GLENYS Robinson MBE, a social care assessor at Staffordshire County Council, won the outstanding contribution to social care category at the Great West Midlands Care Awards.

The event, supported by the Department of Health and HET Software, is part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of regional awards which celebrates excellence in social care and pay tribute to those who work in the sector throughout England. Caring UK magazine is again the media partner.

Seventeen categories were available for nomination, which represented all areas of the care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services, and from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training or specialist care in areas such as dementia and innovation. Winners from the awards will be invited to attend the national finals for either the home care or care home sector, which will take place in May and June at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Des Coleman from BBC’s The One Show presented the ceremony, while the auctioning of a jeroboam of French rose wine raised £470 for the Care Professionals Benevolent Fund.

The Maggie’s Centre is once again the charity the awards are supporting.

Other winners: Care employer (more than 250 employees) - Helping Hands at Home, Alcester; Care employer (less than 250 employees) Martin and Wendy Beesley, All Care Shropshire, Shrewsbury; Care home worker - Heather Seabury, English Care Ltd, Shrewsbury; Home care worker - Kelly Bywater, Black Country Housing Group, Rowley Regis; Care newcomer - Callum Fowler, Housing 21, Walsall; Care home registered manager - Karen Cooper, Dukeries Healthcare, Castle Vale, Birmingham; Homecare registered manager - Carol Law, Crossroads Care, Kingswinford; Nutrition and hydration - Bowbrook House, Shrewsbury; Dignity in care Sandra Daniel, Brighton House, Newcastle-under-Lyme; Dementia carer - Sheila Heath, DH Homecare, Crewe; Care team - Darwin Domiciliary Carers, Telford; Activity organiser - Jarrod Mason, The Woodlands, Studley; Ancillary worker - Nicola Burton, BUPA, Bromsgrove; Care trainer - Tracey Kirkton and Fiona Burton, Stoke on Trent City Council; Care innovator - Samantha Marriott, Dignus Healthcare, Birmingham; Putting people first Tipton.

Award winners celebrate their successes with category sponsors, event organisers Mike Padgham and Lisa Carr and special guest Des Coleman.

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CARINGCARE AWARDS

The team behind the Great British Care Awards gather on the pitch at The Emirates, while actor Mark Moraghan celebrates with the winners.

Special guest Cheryl Baker and sponsors and organisers with the winners at the second Great East Midlands Care Awards.

MHA celebrate a hat-trick of awards MHA Care Group were the big winners at the Great East Midlands Care Awards.

The Derby-based company scooped three prizes at the second annual ceremony held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, which was presented by former Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker.

Anna Golightly took the care home registered manager category, with Beverley Murray and Lynne Bell winning the ancillary worker and trainer prizes respectively.

Seventeen awards were handed out in total, and the other winners were: Care employer - Church Farm Nursing Home, Cotgrave; Care home worker - Emma Herring, Morton Grange, Alfreton; Home care worker Angela Parker, Percurra Ltd, West Brigford; Care newcomer - Oliver Rutherford, Oaklands Community Centre, Derby; Home care registered manager - Heather Cave, Radis, Hatton; Care nutrition and hydration - Ridgeway House kitchen team, Towcester; Dignity in care - David Glover, Oaklands community centre, Derby; Dementia care worker - Liz Baker, Northamptonshire County Council; Care team - Specialist dementia team, Northamptonshire County Council; Care activity organiser - Ann Lloyd, Innova House,

Former Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker was the guest presenter.

Mansfield; Care innovator - Su Jarmulewski, Northamptonshire County Council; Putting People First/ Personalisation - Community Lives, Northamptonshire County Council; Carer’s award - Valerie Horobin, Two Dales, Derbyshire; Outstanding contribution to social care - Tina MorleyRamage, Nottinghamshire County Council.

Capital’s care recognised at inaugural event THE Emirates Stadium provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the inaugural Great London Care Awards.

There were a total of 14 awards categories available for nomination, and the awards were presented by Holby City actor Mark Moraghan.

Winners: Care employer - Dennis Mawadzi, Renaissance Personnel Ltd, Kentish Town; Care home worker - Patricia Bacon, Ashbrook Court, Stewardstone; Home care worker - Sophie Roberts, Enara Group, Kentish Town; Care newcomer - Sumer Kumar Paul, Greensleeves Homes Trust, Rita Road; Care home registered manager - Deborah Miller, Central

London Community Health Care, Regency Street; Home care registered manager - Sharon Popps, Home Choice Care, Chelmsford; Care home nutrition and hydration - Alaa Mohamed, Queen Elizabeth House, Greensleeves Homes Trust, Rita Road; Dignity in care - Grace Smith, RCHL, Ilford; Dementia carer - Laura Griffiths, Managing Care, Putney; Care team - Elm Grove House, Hammersmith; Care home activity organiser - Christina Nimako, Jewish Care, Brent Cross; Ancillary worker - Tony Becker, Ashbrook Court, Stewardstone; Care trainer - Gill Yentis, Jewish Care; Outstanding contribution to social care - Sushil Radia, Westminster Home Care.

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A Nottingham care home that was close to being shut down has been transformed thanks to the hard work of its manager. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Nora’s determination pays off WHEN Nora Gazeley took over the running of Kingfisher Court in Clifton it had a zero-star rating from the inspectorate, was less than half full and had a bad reputation.

Two years later it is graded ‘good’ by the CQC and, for the first time in its 20-year history, has a waiting list.

Nora said her priority when joining the home when it was purchased by Monarch was the welfare of the residents living there.

She added: “It was very tired and on the verge of closing when I took over, but my main focus had to be the residents living here and putting policies and procedures in place, not the fabric of the building.

“I also wanted to inspire the staff and get them the training they desperately needed. Some have left of their own accord, but a lot have remained and are flourishing here.

“We had to build a lot of bridges along the way, which involved lots of meetings and cups of tea, but hopefully we are now heading in the right direction, although we will certainly not be resting on our laurels. I firmly believe that you get out what you are willing to put in.”

Two-thirds of the 40 residents at the home have some form of dementia, and a redevelopment programme is in place which has seen carpets and furnishings replaced, and the creation of a reminiscence room complete with memorabilia from the 1940s and 50s.

Nora added: “We are also renaming and theming four of the corridors around the home. Nottingham Road will be decorated with old pictures of the city, and Matchday Way will have a sporting theme.

Resident Mary, 71, becomes a dignity champion

The mural which dominates the new sensory garden.

Nora Gazeley

First stage of garden opens

“Hollywood Boulevard will have stars on the floor with the names and pictures of the residents who live in that particular area on them, and Hit Parade will have old vinyl records with the same as well.

“Once that particular resident dies we will give either the star or the record to the resident's family as a keepsake to remember their time with us.”

The home also has its own wish tree in reception, which aims to make the residents’ dreams come true if possible. Previously these have included a resident meeting television presenter Jeremy Kyle and another the stars of a pantomime.

THE first stage of a four phase plan to create a sensory garden at Kingfisher Court for the residents was also recently opened by the city's mayor.

The home will be working closely with the nearby Trent University on the remainder of the project.

Nora added: “We wanted to create somewhere in the grounds where the residents could go, and the first phase included a mural on one of the walls painted by a member of staff’s husband.

“We have used the old toilets and baths that we have ripped out of the home as planters, and the residents have been working with the activities co-ordinator on some decorations.

“Phases two and three will see us

Mary Whitehorn

A GREENWICH care home resident has become a voice for local care.

The dignity champion role will see Riverlee’s Mary Whitehorn act as the spokesperson for people in care homes around the Greater London district in a bid to ensure all of them are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

The 71-year-old, who is wheelchair bound, has been at the Sanctuary Care home for five years.

She said: “The most important part of the role for me is to be the voice for residents who are unable to express their needs or wishes

themselves.

“I feel it is an extremely important role – although we live in a care home we still have our voice and we want to be heard and respected by everyone.

“My friends are pleased that I now have this role as they know I can speak out for them if necessary.”

The Dignity in Care campaign, launched nationally in 2006, aims to to inspire people to take action, spread best practice and reward and recognise those who make a difference and go that extra mile.

working with a group from the University called The Gorilla Force on creating an area that will have a large pagoda, aviary, pets corner and greenhouse, and we hope to have it complete by next summer.”

Phase four will see the erection of two log cabins - one to be used as a coffee shop and the other a sitting area.

Nora and her staff have raised a lot of money for the work through having stalls at car boot sales and various other events, with a committee made up of family and members of the local community recently being formed to help source funds for the remainder of the work.

Chef Jonathan Keedy with Sydney Calvert and Betty Holmes

Breakfasts to mark event CATERING staff at an Otley care home have been busy preparing cooked breakfasts as part of a national event to mark British Food Fortnight.

Residents living in Anchor’s Teal Beck House were treated to a variety of cooked delights as part of the care provider’s attempt to cook 5,000 breakfasts nationally.

Chef manager Jonathon Keedy said nutritious meals are a key part of a resident’s day at the home.

He added: “Our residents love our cooked breakfasts so we wanted to join the campaign for staff across Anchor to prepare 5,000 cooked breakfasts to highlight the importance of British food.

“We always cook meals made from fresh, seasonal ingredients as they are not only popular with our residents but it aids their physical and mental well-being.”

This is the third year Anchor has taken part in British food fortnight.

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Village gains new shop after 25 years

By Dominic Musgrave AN Oxfordshire village has a new shop more than 25 years after the last one closed.

The shop has been provided by Richmond Villages, and is located near the entrance to its new retirement complex in Letcombe Regis, and was formally opened

by John Naish, chairman of the Wantage and District Chamber of Commerce.

The new shop stocks basic goods as well as fresh produce, and as it develops it will sell locally sourced items, in addition to its own speciality biscuits, preserves and sweets.

Paddy Brice, managing director of Richmond Villages, said: “We are most grateful for the support we’ve received from the people of Letcombe Regis and actively encourage them to come into our retirement village and share our facilities, such as the wellness spa and swimming pool.

“It’s very much a two-way relationship. We were only too pleased to provide the shop and café, which is a good focal point for the entire community.”

Local people are employed in the shop, including Diane Ockwell who lives in Letcombe Regis, and Brenda

Groves, who went to school in Letcombe Regis and who now lives in Wantage.

Its running is overseen by Samantha De La Querra, who is also manager of the wellness spa at the retirement village and who was involved in setting up an award winning village shop in Tackley, around eight miles north of Oxford.

Geoff Owen, of Letcombe Regis Good Neighbours scheme, said the arrival of the retirement village has had many knock-on benefits for the local community.

He added: “Through various social events, we’ve established some great friendships with residents, and the opening of the shop is the icing on the cake.

“We can buy life’s little essentials on the doorstep instead of travelling two-and-a-half miles into Wantage, and the café is a lovely place to stop and have a coffee, something to eat and a chat.

“It’s good to see a local shop opening, instead of closing.”

Around 300 people of all ages attended the shop opening on a special community and information day, which included a free barbecue, entertainment and more than 30 community groups, organisations and charities.

Shop supervisor Diane Ockwell and assistant Brenda Groves in the new shop

Town’s first extra care housing scheme opens WASHINGTON’S first extra care housing scheme was officially opened by Sunderland city council, deputy mayor Norma Wright.

Developed by Housing 21 on a former care home site, the £5.5m Woodridge Gardens scheme features 39 purpose-built apartments with 24hour care and support services on hand for residents.

The occasion was marked by a commemorative plaque, and a performance of the famous Wearside

folk song ‘The Lambton Worm’ by year six students from nearby Columbia Grange School.

Facilities include a restaurant, activity room, hair salon and landscaped gardens open both to residents and the local community.

Woodridge Gardens is the third extra care scheme to be opened in the Sunderland area, following earlier schemes in Silksworth and Hetton Le Hole.

One in 10 elderly ‘at risk of malnutrition’ ONE in 10 elderly people in Britain are at risk of malnutrition, a new report has claimed.

The study by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) found that community meal services for pensioners are disappearing as local authorities have no legal obligation to provide them.

The NACC says investing in the care catering sector rather than cutting these services will help save money in the long term.

They cite research in Australia has shown that spending £1 on good nutrition is likely to save £5 on the health budget as care packages are

reduced.

In a bid to improve meal services nationwide the NACC and the Caroline Walker Trust has drawn up single Nutrition Standard to be used universally in a bid to improve food nutrition.

Chairman Derek Johnson said: “The Nutrition Standard will ensure consistency in the nutritional content of food provided throughout the care catering sector.

“The launch of the standard builds on the 10 Key Characteristics for Good Nutritional Care initiative launched last month.

“It is, however, still vital that government support this standard and

are committed to providing care for the elderly, not only allowing them a real choice in care services, but also saving the NHS money in the years to come.”

The report, compiled from a roundtable discussion chaired by Baroness Greengross, says good nutrition is not just about food, but also about care service provision, and community meal provision and access to food should be considered as a core part of the social care package provided for all older people.

Derek added: "The report identifies those working in the care catering sector as being in an ideal posi-

tion to monitor the health of older people and encourage them to eat well, lowering the risk of malnutrition.

"Regular delivery of meals to the home is key to ensuring older people have regular contact with others.

"However, the need for local authorities to cut costs due to slashed budgets has led to a reduction in these services, with personalisation reduced to the lowest common denominator in some cases, meaning social interaction and its vital role in good health is ignored.”

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CARINGHOMECARE

Paralympian Mark inspires Provider set to create delegates at conference 100 jobs in first year PARALYMPIAN Mark Eccleston, who defied the odds to become a gold medallist, motivated delegates at homecare provider Bluebird Care’s annual conference and awards evening.

Mark described how he overcame personal hardship and disappointment after a promising rugby league career was cut short when he was 16 by an accident which severed his spinal cord – leaving him paralysed and reliant on a wheelchair.

He also talked about the mental recovery which saw him triumph both nationally and internationally in

wheelchair rugby and later table tennis.

Bluebird Care’s group managing director Paul Tarsey said: “Mark’s story is an inspiration to us all and we hope it will enthuse and motivate our franchise owners and also help them gain a deeper understanding of the challenges as well as the achievements of a successful Paralympian such as Mark.”

More than 130 delegates attended the event at the Marriott Hotel and Country Club, Forest of Arden, Warwickshire.

Mayor of Havant Yvonne Weeks formally opened Echoes Community Care’s new offices in the town. The company has had an office in Havant for more than 10 years, and was purchased by the Somerset Care Group in 2004.

It now provides nearly 4,000 hours of care and support to people living in the area, and the event was attended by Somerset Care Group’s board members, as well as Echoes Community Care staff and representatives of other public services.

MORE than 100 jobs will be created by a homecare company being launched in Harlow and Epping which will offer a care and support service to people within their own homes.

Lee Taylor, owner and managing director of the new Caremark (Harlow and Epping) has spent the past 18 months researching the sector.

He has now completed his initial franchise training Kevin Lewis, founder and managing director of course with the Caremark, with Lee Taylor. company held by the support team in space and I have already identified Pulborough, West Sussex. It covers several potential locations. everything that a franchise owner Thereafter I will be completing my needs to know to start and build a CQC registration application and successful Caremark business. will recruit and train at least 10 Lee added: “It was of great imporcare and support workers ready for tance to me to be able to serve the opening day. community which is local to me.

“I hope to be able to create over Being able to offer such a valuable, 100 jobs within my first year of high quality care service within the trading. From then onwards the Harlow and Epping area was a key goal is to become Harlow and factor in my decision to partner Epping’s best provider of home with Caremark’’. care.”

“My next step is to locate office

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Embroidery service on contract linens for care homes

New Knightsbridge furniture website goes live

TOWELSDIRECT has been supplying the care sector for the last 20 years and provides 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.

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

VISITORS to www.knightsbridgefurniture.co.uk can not fail to have noticed major changes to the appearance and operation of the site following its extensive redesign.

The website is the on-line gateway to the company’s collections of seating, tables and cabinet furniture for hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and includes a link to Design at Knightsbridge, the company’s exclusive brand for the hotel and leisure sector.

A strong corporate feel is maintained throughout the website, enhanced by bright photography and contemporary styling: both facets reflect Knightsbridge Furniture’s longheld policy of balancing the craft of traditional furniture-making with advanced technology and materials.

Specific product areas are highlighted for easy reference, with clear signposting and a suite of userfriendly navigation tools. An on-line brochure provides a page-by-page guide to the complete Knightsbridge Healthcare Collection and useful case-studies, product specification sheets and a library of accreditations are provided as downloadable pdf files..

Enquiries: Visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

New laundry service ‘brilliant’ When The Disability Community launched an innovative laundry service they selected a 16 kg Primus washer-extractor and a complementary Speed Queen tumble dryer from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems. Customers say the service is ‘brilliant’.

The Disability Community provides a wide range of services to disabled and vulnerable people of all ages in Glasgow. It became apparent that laundry posed significant problems to many service users. Even some people with washing machines could not be adequately served by visiting care workers because the carer could not wait to unload the machine. So The Disabled Community decided to set up its own laundry service.

Customers are given a large or small bag for their washing. The Community collects it, processes it and delivers it back to the customer the next day. The laundry operators find the Armstrong equipment versatile, quiet and easy to operate and, says Melanie Fyfe, Volunteer and Operations Coordinator, the results are excellent and the customers are delighted.

For further information contact Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems, Ampere Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2AE Tel 01635 263410 Fax 01635 32434 E enquiries@armstrong-laundry.co.uk Website www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk

Safer showering for all with the LUDA AKW Intelligent Shower

Fish tanks create a splash ENTREPRENEURS Dan Green and Chris Hibbert are set to expand their established Lancashire based company Aqualease further afield with a new nationwide service.

The company hires fully serviced, hassle free fish aquariums to care homes and the health care sector, and have been running since 2003.

Since starting part-time seven years ago, servicing their hired aquariums to clients in the North West, Dan and Chris have gone from strength to strength, and now employ more than 10 staff at premises in and at Blackburn Rovers Enterprise Centre.

Their ultra modern displays can transform dull and boring locations into bright and welcoming environments, and the fact that they are also completely taken care of makes them very appealing.

Dan said: “Some of our customers have told us our fish tanks have helped create a noticeable reduction in stress and aggressive behaviour, and they have also noticed an increase in appetite in residents and overall happier mood.”

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 3 905 904 or email info@aqualease.co.uk

Apetito experience proving invaluable

NEW from AKW, the market-leading provider of elderly and disabled bathing products, is the LUDA Intelligent Shower.

This electric care shower offers a range of user safety and comfort features, including a fully waterproof IP45 rated shower unit, plus comprehensive BEAB care approval and RNIB accreditations.

Its advanced thermostatic control, featuring audio bleeps, LED illumination and tactile control buttons, gives partially-sighted users complete control of the power, temperature and water flow settings.

Ideal for both standing and seated users, the LUDA features an extended hose length, plus easy to use push buttons to adjust the height of the shower head, soap dish and shelf.

The 1m riser-rail doubles as a grab-rail and a lever on the base of the riser-rail allows users to easily adjust the direction of the shower head.

Easy to clean, the LUDA has three variable settings to save water plus a two-year warranty.

Enquiries: Visit www.akw-medicare.co.uk

New first in home security A NEW ‘first’ in economical home security is set to offer homeowners all round peace of mind with the most comprehensive protection and detection system on the market.

Securahomes, a leading producer of homecare safety systems, has launched Safety First, a comprehensive and fully twoway voice monitored wireless alert system.

It not only detects deadly smoke and carbon monoxide fumes but also guards against intruders and can send out emergency medical and threat or panic alerts for anyone living alone. It can operate either by land line or GSM. Designed to provide monitored protection and detection, the system automatically activates within seconds of harmful substances, such as smoke, fire and carbon monoxide being detected.

The system has also been designed to provide monitored detection for signs of intruders and offers a threat sequence for added protection. Mobile alert buttons known as ‘key fobs’ can also be incorporated.

Enquiries: Visit www.securahomes.co.uk

WITH over 50 years’ experience in feeding the elderly and vulnerable in hospitals and via local authorities’ meals on wheels service, apetito has the knowledge and expertise to provide care homes with cost effective catering solutions.

The apetito team works in partnership with care home customers to ensure they have the best solution, offering residents an interesting and varied menu, within a nutritionally balanced diet.

It offers a staggering choice of over 200 meals and desserts and the ability to cater for special diets, including diabetic, gluten free, personal preference and soft diets. All the meals are supplied frozen and can be reheated as and when required.

This year, the company introduced a range of soft and pureed dishes for those suffering from dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). Every meal looks and tastes like an ordinary meal and have proved much more acceptable to sufferers than meals prepared by liquidising ingredients.

For care home operators, the preparation of texture modified meals to achieve consistent texture, visual appeal, taste, and nutritional delivery is not easy.

Malnutrition is a subject receiving more attention from Government and the media. The cost to the taxpayer is estimated at £14bn a year and with the elderly population growing that cost looks likely to increase.

The elderly often have low enthusiasm for eating, and in order to ensure residents regularly consume sufficient calories and nutrients, it’s essential they maintain an interest in food. apetito works closely with care homes to ensure menus are not only nutritionally balanced but are varied and contain options that appeal to all individual tastes.

Nutridata, the company’s online nutritional information tool, ensures care homes can efficiently and consistently provide a catering solution which suits the specific nutritional need of each and every resident.

Enquiries: Telephone 01225 756071

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Clothing company is a brand leader and trusted supplier to the NHS PART of the successful Dimensions Clothing Group, Boyd Cooper now brings you a stock supported and made to order specialist range of healthcare and ambulance clothing.

Boyd Cooper has been developed with the philosophy that great workwear needs to recognise the working environment, encourage people to be team players and reflect the aspirations of your business brand.

In our new catalogues you will find workwear for every employee within your care home. There’s no role – chefs, care assistants, managers – that we can’t clothe in a style that reflects the professionalism of your team.

Visit us on stand B10 at the Care Show Birmingham on November 10 and 11.

Enquiries: To receive a catalogue telephone the new business team on 01332 856566 or email catalogue@dimensions.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

Badge manufacturer launches online facility ONE of the world’s largest manufacturers of corporate name badges and Britain’s market leader has launched a new, user-friendly, fully interactive online design facility, enabling customers to design their own name badges and create their own designs instantly.

Badgemaster first introduced a specialist, professional, free design service 18 years ago, and their designers regularly support many top designers, corporate clothing suppliers and leading companies across every industry.

Now this new and innovative website makes all the professional skills, experience and resources used by top badge designers available to everyone with internet access.

Via a user-friendly, step-by-step programme, it allows users to explore different looks for their new badge and to create their chosen options without any of the delays or costs involved in the need to use a designer.

Once happy with their chosen design, users can send it electronically straight to Badgemaster to receive a no-obligation quotation by return.

Visit www.badgemaster.co.uk or telephone 01623 723112

New company provides treatments for the elderly HAPPI Hands, a new, national British company, has been set up to provide massage therapy, manicures and hand treatments for the elderly in care.

Their therapists, who are all fullyqualified, CRB approved and fullyinsured, provide the gentle contact that we all crave but that, so often, the elderly don’t get. More than that, Happi Hands provides a fun, happy and pleasurable experience.

Their Tranquil Touch™ therapy has been specially designed to meet the needs of the elderly. Studies have shown that ‘slowstroke’ massage therapies like this are highly beneficial to Alzheimer’s patients.

“We believe that the benefits of touch are of immense value,” said founder Jane Lightfoot. “I always say to our new therapists that a 20 minute session for our customers has a similar impact as going to a spa for a week would be for us.”

Enquiries: Visit www.happihands.net or call Jeremy Novick on 0207 993 4993 / 07930 400798

Quality laundry consumables from PHS Laundryserv PHS LAUNDRYSERV has launched a new Supplies Direct catalogue featuring a complete range of quality commercial laundry and dry cleaning consumables.

You might think choosing the best possible commercial laundry equipment is the main consideration when installing or upgrading an on site commercial laundry. But in fact, it’s only half the story, as the choice and combination of laundry detergents is crucial to achieve maximum stain removal and provide superior fabric care.

With over 40 years’ experience in the on site commercial laundry industry, PHS Laundryserv has always provided customers with a combination of quality commercial laundry machines and a uniquely tailored range of laundry consumables.

With this in mind, the new catalogue is packed full of the best quality and most effective commercial laundry and dry cleaning consumables on the market.

It features everything a laundry could need from dry cleaning soap and spray starch to fabric conditioner and bleach.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 0850 60 or visit www.laundryserv.co.uk

Evacuation products from Beaucare Medical BEAUCARE Medical Ltd, the UK’s premier supplier of hygiene, medical supplies and equipment to private care homes and hospitals, has launched a new range of evacuation products especially designed to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order of 2005.

In situations of emergency, such as fire, residential care homes must be able to protect and safely remove residents who may require additional support to evacuate the building.

Beaucare have therefore introduced an Evacuation Sheet and Evacuation Foldaway Pad. The Evacuation Sheet fixes permanently to the bottom of a mattress, enabling the patient to be removed on the mattress, removing the need to move the resident.

The Evacuation Foldaway Pad, is designed to be attached to any wall and opened out to create a sledge to carry the resident out of the building. Both products are in stock and available.

Enquiries: Telephone 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com

Working to enrich the lives of people with dementia SJB ASSOCIATES work with home managers and care providers to enhance, enrich and personalise the lives of people with dementia by transforming their environment.

They have developed a wide product range to enable everyone to benefit from their customer led product base and expertise.

SJB Associates spend hours trawling the internet, researching dementia products and searching for specific items requested by their constantly growing customer base.

They are also happy to work with other suppliers in the same field to ensure that people with dementia receive the best possible products. Their current product base is available through the online shop and include signage, memory boxes, life story books, doll therapy tools, murals, placemats, menu boards and much more.

Enquiries: Telephone Samantha on 01325 464562/ 07849 770349, email info@sjbassociates.org.uk or visit www.sjbassociates.org.uk

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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

ISA 4U offers Care Show Birmingham homes Filipino features new seminars students ISA 4U Ltd (International Student Advisors) is pleased to offer the opportunity for nursing and residential care organisations to provide work places for Filipino nursing and healthcare students studying BSc nursing degrees, foundation degrees in health and social care and HND health and social care levels four and five courses at universities and colleges throughout the UK. With a wealth of experience in the Philippine healthcare arena, ISA is a full-service consultancy unrivalled by any other companies in the same field, and will support both the students and work placement organisations throughout the entire process.

With the ability to select student staff from video interviews, through internet, Skype or personal interviews in the Philippines, combined with ISA’s expertise, you can be sure you will be taking on qualified carers to look after the patients entrusted to your organisation.

Vine retained by care group VINE were retained by a residential care organisation as a consequence of a CQC/HSE inspection which identified major shortfalls in their management approach to health and safety.

Vine developed risk assessments and safe working procedures, planned maintenance, servicing and testing regimes, the review of existing contractor services compliances and facilities staff operating procedures.

As a result of the work undertook, our contribution to the overall improvements achieved in efficiencies, safety and working practices, our client’s subsequent CQC inspections have resulted in all standards having been met.

Bond launches respite service BOND Holidays and Holidays with Care have launched a new respite service for 2011.

It will be available across all the Bond Hotels, including Blackpool, St Annes and the new Bond South Beach, which is set to open in March.

Holidays with Care will provide a variety of packages which will be available from an hour a day through to a full day’s care, whether you simply want to relax in the hotel or explore Blackpool and the surrounding areas. Holidays with Care is registered with the CQC and will provide a comprehensive care service to all guests who should require assistance while on holiday.

A NEW set of seminars looking specifically at staff training are being launched at the Care Show Birmingham next month.

The QCF Training Pavilion will discuss the new Qualifications and Credit Framework, which replaces the National Qualifications Framework in January. Created in association with Skills for Care, the seminars will cover the reasons for the changes being made and how it will affect care workers.

Visitors can also pick up useful advice to help increase profit within their business without lowering standards of care.

The MyBusiness Seminar Theatre will provide a range of new moneysaving tips and offer guidance for anyone looking to acquire a new care home for the first time.

Speakers already confirmed include Nigel Newton-Taylor from Healthcare Property Consultants

and Phil Hall, director of Jones Lang LaSalle.

Returning to Birmingham are the popular keynote seminars, and the speakers include Heather Denby of The Sammons Group advising care homes on best practice in recruitment and staff retention.

Dawn Oliver, head of probate at Harrison Clarke, looks at the Mental Capacity Act and how to ensure you comply, while RNHA’s Frank Ursell addresses the issue of infection control in the care environment.

New exhibitors include Red Room Interiors, The Jackloc Company, CTec, The Talley Group and Hill and Hill Design. Industry leaders such as Boots Care Services, YTM Furniture, Huntleigh Healthcare, Electrolux and DDC Dolphin will also be among the 150 exhibitors.

The Care Show Birmingham takes place on November 10 and 11.

WITH talk of a ‘double dip’ recession, forecasted increase in unemployment and spending cuts in the public sector currently littering the media, business owners may well feel they should sit tight and see out the next few years before considering selling their business.

However, when the facts regarding business acquisitions are reviewed, it would appear that now is one of the most buoyant times seen in the healthcare sector within the last decade, and it may be worth considering selling now while you have strong historic trading rather than look to return to the market on the back of lower

figures.

Numerous purchasers are currently backed by private equity firms looking to venture into the healthcare sector in the next 12 months before consolidating, driving the values of businesses to a high level.

Business owners who are genuinely planning to sell within the next five years should give serious consideration to the financial requirements they need from a sale, as selling now may result in them receiving significantly more than they will receive if they wait another few years.

Murals create positive effect WALLPAPER murals and giant art have become very popular in care homes throughout the country as they have proven to enhance the environment and create a positive effect in the care of the elderly.

Murals FX is a family run business with over 15 years’ experience in wall art, who offer more than 400 different designs. They also offer a custom wall mural service where your own choice of image can be tailor made to become a unique piece of wall art or wallpaper.

Images usually around 12’ x 8’ 6”’ (3.6m x 2.5m) of woodland scenes, bright, colourful floral gardens or faraway places prove to be the most popular. There are also smaller vivid images such as door-size telephone boxes, indoor scenes and contemporary art, starting at around £21 including delivery.

CareDocs Sector is buoyant for owners stays ahead

New disposal unit for hospice ACORNS Children’s Hospice in Worcester has taken receipt of a new SOLO disposal unit courtesy of Haigh Engineering.

Designed to dispose of used commode pots, bedpans, urine bottles and other pulp items, the SOLO is an ideal solution for Acorns as it has a small footprint and is extremely efficient to use.

They had previously used a standard washer unit to try and meet their requirements. A vast improvement on the washer unit, the SOLO will deliver a wide range of benefits including cost and user efficiencies.

In addition to providing the team at Acorns with the new SOLO, Haigh also managed the disposal of the old machine.

CAREDOCS keeps ahead of the curve, in touch with subscribers, listening to their needs and suggestions, and building these into the system whenever and wherever possible.

One thing that has been mentioned more than a few times is that subscribers would love to be able to use CareDocs for everything within their homes, so, to meet this need, the company’s 2011 version comes complete with a new section.

‘Documentation’ will be the one place where all the paperwork you use every day in your home can be stored, accessed, completed and printed.

Not only will it hold templates for all the standard forms you use, it will automatically produce these when triggered by the addition of a relevant event report or daily occurrence to the system, automatically filling in whatever details are known by the system too, update existing reports, taking inputted information and automatically adjusting reports to keep them up to date.

MIT offers its knowledge

Haigh Engineering’s Steve Bond with Sue Curry from Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Do you have a story for Caring UK magazine?

Get in touch with healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave by emailing dm@whpl.net or call him on 01226 734407.

MIT Consultancy offers care home operators a breadth and depth of knowledge.

The company’s services include assisting the nominated person to complete outcome 16 visits and acting on homes’ behalf to ensure they are compliant.

They can also help with the reregistration process as care providers must complete a declaration to state that they are compliant with the new regulations and outcomes.

MIT consultants have successfully assisted a number of providers through enforcement/closure notices and adult protection issues.

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Caring UK A-Z Directory Art Print and Framing Easy Art Unit 1-4 Tylers Business Park Lewis Road Blackboys Uckfield PN22 5LF Tel 0845 1662 732 customercare@easyart.com www.easyart.com

Bathrooms/ Hygiene Cistermiser Unit 1 Woodley Park Estate 59-69 Reading RG5 3AN pr@wardturner.co.uk www.cistermiser.co.uk 0118 9691611

Business Services Network Care 15-16 Queen Square Leeds LS2 8AJ Tel:0113 281 6772 info@networkcareuk.com www.networkcare.com

Care Monitoring Systems CM2000 4 Oakhouse 160 Lychfield road Sutton Coalfield B74 2TZ Tel: 0121 3083010 www.cm2000.co.uk

Catering Fowler UK Unit 9 Link 59 Business Park Deanfield Drive Clitheroe BB7 1QJ 0800 6199337 david@fowleruk.com www.fowleruk.com

Catering Equipment

Construction

Laundry

Jab Enterprises 1 Bickenhall Mansions Bickenhall Street London W1U 6BP Tel: 0800 0141 366 jon@jabenterprises.com www.jabenterprises.co.uk

Electrolux Laundry Systems 99 Oakley Road Luton Bedfordshire LU4 9GE Tel: 08444 631 260 info.elsuk@electrolux.co.uk www.laundrysystems.electrolux.co.uk

Corporate Badges Big Badge 111 Waldegrave Road Teddington TW11 8B Tel 020 8614 8880 sales@big.co.uk www.biggroup.com

Furniture Specialists Care Chair Enterprise House Cranswick Industrial Estate Driffield YO25 9PF Tel 01377 271700 sales@carechair.uk.com www.carechair.uk.com

Health Care products Beaucare Medical Ltd Crimple Court, Hornbeam Square North, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate North Yorkshire HG2 8PB Tel: 01423 873666 Fax: 01423 873444 sales@beaucare.com www.beaucare.com

Holidays/ Excursions The Bond Hotel 120 Bond Street Blackpool 01253 341218 karen-dixon@bondhotel.co.uk www.bondhotel.co.uk

Home Care Providers

Alfamax ltd.

Watchmoor Trade Centre Watchmoor Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3AJ Tel: 0844 357 4030 Fax 01276 62696 www.alfamax.info

Caremark Domiciliary Care Providers Unit 4 The Colonnades 17 London Road Pulborough West Sussex RH20 1AS Tel 01798 873770 info@caremarkuk.com www.caremarkuk.com

Clothing

Infection Control

Boyd Cooper 3 Long Acre Willow Farm business park Castle Donington DE74 2UG Tel: 01332856566 catalogue@boydcooper.com www.dimensions.co.uk/Boyd_Cooper

Environmental Hygiene Solutions 65 Riverside 3 Medway city estate Rochester Kent ME2 4BH Tel: 08000 434270 www.enhys.com

Miele Fairacres Marcham Rd Abingdon OX14 1TW 0845 3650555 slawrenson@themediashop.co.uk www.miele.co.uk

Legionella Testing Aquacert Sentinel House 11 High street Long Buckby Northants NN6 7RE Tel: 0800 7835226 info@aquacert.co.uk www.aquacert.co.uk

Nurse call/Patient Safety Systems Safety Systems Distribution Ltd Unit 11B Hobson Industrial Estate Newcastle NE16 6EA neilrobson@safetysystemsdistribution.co.uk www.safetysystemsdistribution.co.uk 0800 3282951 Sensorcare Systems TP House Prince Of Wales Business Park Vulcan Street Oldham OL1 4ER 0870 4214288 Paula.matsikidze@tpgroup.co.uk www.sensorcare.co.uk

Safety & Security Universal Hardware Direct UK Ltd Unit 202 Kingspark Business Centre 152 178 Kingston Rd New Malden Surrey KT3 3ST Fireco 31-32 High Street Brighton BN2 1RP 01273 696007 Alan.buckle@b3partnership.co.uk www.firecoltd.com

Solicitors/ Legal Services Bates Wells & Braithwaite 2-6 Cannon St London EC4M 6YH 020 7551 7652 020 7551 7741 s.marchant@bwbllp.com d.tuck@bwbllp.com www.bwbllp.com

Training Healthcare Training College 7200 the Quorum Oxford Business Park North Oxford 6X4 2JZ 0844 8006801 info@healthcaretrainingcollege.com

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CARINGNEWS

Lesley adds her voice to campaign DIVA Lesley Garrett added her voice to a South Yorkshire dementia charity’s new fundraising campaign.

Lesley, who is a patron of Lost Chord, which provides interactive musical experiences for people with dementia in care homes and day centres nationwide, was the star guest at the launch of the High Notes Appeal, a campaign to raise more than £100,000.

Organisers are aiming to involve businesses, schools and the community groups of South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire in the new initiative by fundraising manager Tina Harrison.

The money will provide concerts by a team of professional musicians at 40 homes across the region each month for the coming year.

Chief executive Helena Muller said: “Although we are small we pack a big punch, affecting the lives of more than 1,000 people every month.

“Professional trained musicians provide more than 800 interactive concerts each year, operating in more than 70 residential care homes in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, London, Cardiff and Coventry.

“Our musicians use a variety of instruments and styles to produce a programme designed to stimulate responses from people living with dementia who may be unable to walk, talk, feed themselves or communicate in any other way."

The appeal was launched at an event at Sheffield United Football Club.

Lesley Garrett at the launch.

Ex-skater goes Speakers unveiled for conference back on the ice A FORMER professional skater was one of more than 60 residents from 12 Oxfordshire care homes who took to the ice as part of UK Older Peaople’s Day. Angela Humphrey, 81, from The Meadows care home in Didcot appeared in a number of television shows from the BBC’s early years of production in the 1950s.

The visit to the Oxford Ice Rink was arranged by Sharon Wheeler, activities and volunteers manager at The Orders of St John Care Trust’s Oxfordshire county office, was also attended by pupils from a local primary school.

They were treated to a performance from local ice skating troupe the Oxford Freestylers, winners of this year’s ITV Dancing on Ice talent competition.

Sharon added: “This is the fifth year we have organised this event at the ice rink, but we have never taken so many residents before.

“We regularly treat our residents to trips out and it’s a great opportunity for staff, residents and volunteers from the homes to get together, make new friends and show off their skating skills.”

Signs

SUE McMillan, north west regional director for the CQC, Paul Spencer, a barrister from 3 Serjeants Inn Chambers London and a representative from the Natwest Royal Bank of Scotland Group are the speakers at a conference next month Network Care UK has teamed up with law firm Beachcroft LLP to devise a programme of seminars to provide an insight into the future of inspection and regulation. They are in response to an increasing con-

cern amongst care providers about the complex process of re-registration under the new Health and Social Care Act. Director Sean Cassidy said: “The CQC is currently downsizing and is losing a significant number of middle managers through voluntary and involuntary redundancy programme.

“This loss of experience and knowledge from the organisation poses potential difficulties for our clients in the near future. The abolition of the

quality rating system has received mixed reviews from our clients and with no clear replacement for identifying the quality of services clients are beginning to raise concerns as to the scope of CQC’s remit.”

The first seminar will take place at Beachcroft's Manchester office on November 23, and will explore the regulatory, legal and financial implications of the legislative changes for providers of health and social care.

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

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Visit our website for photos of current stock www.hwpickrell.co.uk

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