Caring UK November 2020

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November 2020

The Number One magazine for the care sector

Home adapts game to help its residents A BESPOKE care home has adapted an ice breaker game to help residents with dementia.

Staff at Mansfield Care’s Belhaven House care home in Troon, South Ayrshire, have introduced ‘conversation balls’ to help encourage better social interaction and mental exercise with residents.

Random questions are attached to each ball which are designed to spark a memory or share a fond experience with other members of the activity group.

According to the development, 85 per cent of the residents are taking part in the activity which has seen a positive reaction from both engaged staff and residents.

The activity can also be conducted as a one-to-one session with a dedicated and highly skilled member of staff.

Manager Fiona Hunter said: “It can be a comfort to those who have dementia as it encourages them to reminisce and maybe focus on different things that day.

“The activity also helps spark conversations with other residents who have similar thoughts and experiences and build relationships with others within the home.

“In the past we would’ve had large groups maybe 10-12 at a time, however during these last few months it’s been one to one

with staff. Currently 85% of our residents are taking part in the sessions which shows what an impact it has had.”

The activity is not only helpful to residents, but also to staff members who find it useful to learn about each resident and to develop long-term relationships.

Fiona added: “We look to ensure the activities are led by the wishes of the residents.

“Not only does the Conversation Balls develop cognitive behaviour, but it also helps our residents get some physical exercise.

“The balls are thrown to each resident and they are encouraged to catch the balls, before standing up and throwing them to the next resident.

“Other methods we use to help our residents are memory boxes and this also links with our use of music to help jog the memories of our residents. We find all of these activities are intertwined in making their experience at our home more comforting for them.

“One of our residents Sadie said when she arrived at Belhaven House she didn’t know anyone, but the ball helped her start conversations and allowed her to be herself.”

Belhaven House is one of 11 bespoke care homes run by Mansfield Care.

01937 849 268 www.dccare.co.uk sales@dccare.co.uk

Celebration postponed until 2021

A resident at an Eastbourne care home has been stunning fellow residents and staff with his talent for art with the production of more than 60 paintings. Artist John Martin, 81, moved to Sovereign Lodge in July and has recently rekindled his passion for art, having taken a break from the hobby due to the impacts of Parkinson’s Disease.

Now, having found solace and relaxation in painting once again, he has created more than 60 canvas paintings since moving to the home, with the support of activities coordinator Tracy Wenham.

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PLANS to celebrate all the heroes who care for older and vulnerable people across North Yorkshire have been postponed.

The Celebrate Social Care event will now hopefully be held in Autumn 2021 after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic prevented this year’s gathering.

Organiser Mike Padgham said: “This week we should have been putting the finishing touches to preparations for this year’s event but instead we are planning for next year.

“We are sad, but the amazing job social care workers are doing in the fight against Covid-19 has inspired us to create an even better event next year.”

The first Celebrate Social Care was held in October last year and was a great success, attracting around 500 people from social care to Scarborough Spa for an inspiring evening.

The organisers had hoped to repeat that success and had booked the Spa for another party.

Mike added: “It is out of our control but we will make sure that next year’s will be a fantastic event, truly honouring those amazing people in social care who, alongside their colleagues in the NHS, have performed miracles helping the country to fight Covid19.”

North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to be the principal supporter of next October’s event, which will again be held at Scarborough Spa.

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CARINGNEWS

Operator wins award for its approach to risk mitigation SUNRISE Senior Living UK has won the award for ‘Best Approach to Risk Mitigation’ in the Excellence in Procurement Awards 2020.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the awards, organised by the Chartered Institute of Procurement. The Excellence in Procurement Awards are the top procurement awards in the UK, with an expert panel of independent judges who are all leaders in the profession.

Sunrise Senior Living UK won the award for its triumph in ‘Project PPE’, as the business successfully procured sufficient Personal Protective Equipment supplies for all its UK care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Within 24 hours of being tasked with securing adequate supplies of PPE, the small procurement team had sourced enough to supply all Sunrise Senior Living UK homes, while also buying emergency stock for Sunrise US. Additionally, they helped 12 other UK care providers use their supply channels to source their own PPE. Christopher Dean, director of procurement at Sunrise Senior Living UK, added: “We are absolutely honoured to win this CIPS Award for Excellence in Procurement.

“Our quick thinking has helped

www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Healthcare Product Manager: Bev Green Tel: 01226 734288 Email: bg@scriptmedia.co.uk Assistant Sales Manager: Tracy Stacey Tel: 01226 734480 Email: cuk3@scriptmedia.co.uk Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 Email: tb@scriptmedia.co.uk Publishers Script Media 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk Editorial Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk

Christopher Dean and Shaun Green. minimise risk of transmission and maximise the safety of residents. It was also amazing that we could help our colleagues in the US as well as other care providers in the UK with procurement of essential PPE. “We look forward to supporting all our care homes in transitioning smoothly out the other side of this and establishing a new normal. I am so proud of the team for all its hard work throughout this pandemic.”

Sunrise Senior Living UK’s Procurement Team earned praise from the judges for leveraging the supply chain for market intelligence and developing sustainable local sources at speed.

The judges also commended the team for demonstrating a good appreciation for solutions to the challenges faced.

The team gained recognition for its ability to go above and beyond in helping Sunrise US and other care providers in the UK.

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

Group Production Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio Manager: Stewart Holt Tel: 01226 734414 sth@scriptmedia.co.uk Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ scriptmedia.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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CARINGNEWS

Residents whip up treats for charity Home launches fundraiser to purchase sensory table HOME Meadow in Toft, Cambridgeshire is calling upon its local community to support a fundraising effort to bring hightech sensory equipment into the residential home.

The facility provides dedicated residential care for up to 49 people with a range of needs, including sensory impairments and dementia.

They are looking to raise £3,000 to purchase a Digital Rainbow Virtual Table, which will offer an additional form of stimulation and engagement as part of the home’s varied activities programme.

Home manager Laura Adams said: “Many of our residents face challenges every day so we are always

looking at new and effective ways to support their wellbeing and ensure they are happy.

“In the current challenging climate it’s even more important for us to be innovative with our activities and entertainment plans. “We’re now looking at ways we can raise the money we need for an interactive Digital Rainbow Virtual Table so we would be incredibly grateful for any donations, no matter how small, to support our overall fundraising initiative to reach £3,000.”

The interactive table contains touch-screen interactive apps, games, quizzes and activities, plus immersive experiences such as dancing, music videos and virtual darts or bowling.

RESIDENTS and staff at a Hertfordshire care home rolled up their sleeves for charity by whipping up a concoction of delicious treats and glorious bakes, with funds raised proving to be the icing on the cake.

With an array of designs and indulgent flavours worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake, residents at Foxholes near Hitchin served up the sweet treats as part of the nationwide Macmillan Coffee Morning.

From cupcakes and muffins to pastries and show-stopping chocolate cakes, residents and staff donned their aprons for Macmillan Cancer Support, with sponsorship going towards the millions of pounds needed to pay for Macmillan nurses, who support people living with the disease.

As well as putting on a banquet of treats at the family-run residential home, the Foxholes team also held a raffle which people could enter following every £2 donation.

The winners, Chris and Jo Hewson, relatives of a resident at Foxholes, received a summer berry layer cake made by the home’s head chef Manuel Tovar Angulo.

Estate manager Neil Gandecha said: “All our residents and staff rolled their sleeves up and baked some delicious cakes for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Everyone had fun while raising much-needed funds for charity.

We regularly host activities where residents can get mobile, learn new skills, and have fun along the way.

“We also do our part for some of the amazing and important charities in the UK, and this was a total success for all involved.

“We thank everyone who took part and donated – every penny counts.

Overall, everyone got stuck in and got to have their cake and eat it – of course, without a soggy bottom in sight.”

Advertiser’s announcement

CredoNE – working for you

By Steve Skipsey IMPLEMENTING software or new technology can be both daunting and expensive.

When it comes to the energy costs of a business it is undoubtedly important to understand where your costs sit in line with your budgets but equally you need to consider the cost you are prepared to pay for that understanding.

For larger businesses, there is potentially greater benefit to be gained from implementing technology to identify cost saving and efficiency.

However, there is generally a law of diminishing returns the smaller the consumption.

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Steve Skipsey preparation of trend reports for consumption.

While much can be achieved if you have invested in building management software, sometimes the cost of implementing such a system will outweigh the benefits received to the business overhead.

We regularly assist our clients with understanding their usage patterns and help them identify where they can make savings.

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Managing contracts of energy meters for a care home is much like any other business where the finance managers and owners receive a constant stream of calls from brokers

each promising to get you the cheapest deal.

As a family business we take pride in the fact that our support does not stop at the signing of the supply contract.

Queries can be time consuming and we are always available to support you in obtaining the right outcome for your business throughout our relationship. For many business owners this ‘added value’ is high in their priorities.

With this in mind, we value the relationships we have established so

much that we generate a significant proportion of our business from referrals via our clients and other business professionals.

We operate with integrity and believe transparency is key.

Credo is OJEU registered and happy to assist care homes around the UK. n Steve Skipsey is a director at Credo (North East) Limited.

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CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement

Supporting providers at an affordable rate NORTHERN Care Consultancy Ltd was created to support any and all health and social care providers at an affordable rate.

Our team is made up of ex CQC inspectors with a combined 10 years’ experience in regulation, we are committed to improving services, alongside the workforce.

Our lengthy experience in inspection and regulation has allowed us to view the best of the best services and we can bring those processes, techniques and ideas with us to support you and your service.

Our staple work comprises of mock inspections and monitoring visits.

Our mock inspections are designed to mimic the inspections completed by the CQC. We also leave you with a rating based on the CQC’s ratings characteristics and a prioritised action plan.

Monitoring visits are regular visits we make to providers to improve your service and work alongside management.

However more recently, we have been supporting services with the fight against Covid-19 and documenting the evidence trail.

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We have developed systems and process to take these stresses away from you.

In addition to these lines of work, we can help with anything linked with the running of an adult social care service.

Previously we have supported services with, but not exhausted to CQC report challenges (and had them overturned), support on day of inspection, disciplinaries, electronic care planning support and training (our managing director has completed the train the trainer course).

During our employment with the CQC we often saw the damaging effects a poor rating can have against a service.

The spiralling knock on effect from banks not lending money against their assets, to commissioners not placing within the service to negative press and publicity leading to further loss of business.

This often has a devastating effect on services when with the correct input, it could have been reversed. So, we often ask services, can you afford not to have external professional input.

Our function is to immediately stop this spiralling effect and reverse the course the service was traveling in.

The sheer fact of contacting an ex CQC inspector (and you can use us by name) will often offer a lot of comfort to the CQC and is viewed as good evidence for the ‘Well-led’ domain.

Andrew Foster, managing director of Northern Care Consultancy Ltd.

People and services are often anxious about making the step to use a consultant, weather they think it will cost them a fortune or they feel they can find the information out themselves.

Whatever the reason, we offer a free initial consultation.

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ADULT SOCIAL CARE PROVIDERS – CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT? Northern Care Consultancy Ltd

What’s your COVID-19 response?

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If you are not sure about any of the questions above, or anything in regulation, just imagine having your own personal consultant for your service. Well, in short, ‘now you can, and it won’t cost the earth’!!!

Northern Care Consultancy believe that health and social care consultants should not just be something a big corporate company can afford. We recognise small private homes and home care providers often offer a fantastic service at the core, albeit they struggle with regulation and how to evidence this.

With this in mind, our fees are kept to a minimum to allow us to work with everyone, no matter the size of the company. If you are unsure about anything or anxious to ask for our help, or just want more information, we offer a COMPLETLEY FREE initial consultation. This allows us to meet, discuss your needs, what we can offer, our rates and most of all in this meeting, we are confident you will see our passion, knowledge, commitment and drive to support you and your services.

of our clients end up sharing a long-term relationship with us, primarily due to the hard work and progress we achieve, but also in-part to our nature, professionalism and friendliness.

But don’t take our word for it, please read our ‘testimonials’ at www.NorthernCareConsultancy.com to see what other adult social care services thought about working with us.

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CARINGNEWS

Change of manager at Winchester home

Volunteers help transform care home’s outside area VOLUNTEERS from GoodGym and the local community helped to transform the grounds at The Guinness Partnership owned Mavor Court in Crewe.

GoodGym is a nationwide charity that combine regular exercise with helping local communities, either with projects or with individuals, who might need a hand.

15 runners made their way to Mavor Court, which consists of 38 flats mostly for those over 55, either by running, walking or cycling.

Along with the help of the residents, adhering to social distance rules, the volunteers pruned, raked, dug,

chopped and bagged up all the garden waste, clearing up the whole area.

Kenny Macdonald, customer liaison officer, The Guinness Partnership, said: “It was a fantastic achievement by everyone involved and the area looks so much better.

“The volunteers from Goodgym really helped to make a difference.”

As part of transforming the grounds at Mavor Court there are plans to build a seating area, a new drying area, build composters out of recycled pallets and generally make the area a place where the residents can really enjoy their home and the outdoors.

WESTACRE Nursing Home has welcomed Lynne Seymour as its new general manager.

Lynne, a qualified mental health nurse who has devoted her working life to healthcare, stepped into the senior job at the Winchester nursing home which provides dementia care and residential care for up to 50 people.

Though new to the home, she is not a stranger to the Westacre family, coming from her role as matron at Peartree House Rehabilitation Centre in Southampton, which is under the same ownership as the nursing home.

Lynne said: “I am excited to be leading the excellent team at Westacre; I want to bring all my skills and experience to bear, along with new energy and fresh ideas.

“My focus going forward will be maintaining the home’s high standards and long-standing approach, which has always been to build everything around the residents, promoting dignity, respect, and independence, and ensuring they get the best care and experience the happiest times.

“This is undoubtedly a challenging time for everyone working in social care, but I feel confident in the team and this beautiful setting.

“We are ready and well-equipped to keep our residents safe and well whilst ensuring they are enjoying life and staying connected with their families and friends.”

Lynne Seymour Lynne’s healthcare career extends right back to her first job upon leaving school at 16; she began in housekeeping and was promoted to support worker before training as a mental health nurse at Southampton University School of Nursing and Midwifery.

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CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement

Do CQC ratings matter anymore?

A lawyer’s perspective

By Neil Grant Introduction Due to the pandemic, CQC is no longer carrying out inspections based on overall ratings.

Inspections are only undertaken when a service’s CQC risk rating is judged to be sufficiently high to warrant a site visit.

Even then it is highly unlikely a comprehensive inspection will be undertaken.

Instead, CQC is carrying out either targeted inspections which do not lead to a change of ratings or focused inspections which only lead to a

change of rating in respect of the key questions inspected, typically Safe and Well-led.

How the system works A provider won’t know their risk rating.

It is a computer generated rating based on weightings given to the content and source of information coming into CQC. A service might have an overall Inadequate rating but have a low risk rating based on current evidence.

While before the pandemic, CQC would have come back into that service within six months, that is not the case now.

Implications Ratings still impact on multiple areas.

For example, insurance premiums will be higher for services rated overall Requires Improvement or Inadequate, compared to those rated Good or Outstanding.

Indeed, it may be difficult to obtain insurance with an overall Inadequate rating without paying far higher premiums.

In addition, banks look at ratings when deciding on whether to approve loan applications.

There are then local authority and NHS commissioners who issue

Neil Grant

embargoes if services are rated overall Inadequate or simply will not place in services with overall Requires Improvement ratings.

A possible solution CQC says that it wants to move to real time regulation based on up-to-date evidence.

Ratings under such a system will reflect the current position in a service, not when it was last inspected.

Controversially, this will require a form of desk-top regulation with ratings being changed without site visits.

However, this change is unlikely to be introduced until next May at the

earliest, following a CQC consultation on its future regulatory strategy due out in January.

Conclusion Until the regulatory changes come in, a provider will have to satisfy insurers, banks and commissioners that any concerns raised at their previous inspection have been addressed.

Finally, it is more important than ever that providers submit positive information to CQC about their services so that this can be taken into account in determining risk ratings. n Neil Grant is a Partner and senior lawyer at Gordons Partnership LLP Solicitors

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CARINGNEWS

Association honours exceptional efforts at its annual accolades MEMBERS and supporters of the National Association of Care Catering came together at the NACC Awards 2020 to recognise the contribution of care caterers in this extraordinarily challenging year.

Determined that the Covid-19 restrictions would not put a stop to the annual celebration of outstanding innovation, excellence and dedication that teams and individuals from across the care catering sector demonstrate, the prestigious event took place virtually.

Hosted live by the NACC’s national chair, Sue Cawthray, the event was well-attended by members, ambassadors and supporters, including sponsors, fellow industry associations and media.

She said: “Congratulations to the NACC Awards 2020 winners.

“In what’s been an incredibly challenging year for our sector, it’s been an absolute honour to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary efforts and frontline contribution of everyone in care catering.

“Care caterers have shown without a shadow of a doubt how innovative, dedicated, compassionate and selfless they are – and how fundamental they are to quality care.

“They’ve ensured residents who suddenly found themselves isolated from the outside world continue to receive nutritious meals and met the

increased demand for meals delivery to the vulnerable older population in the community confined to their own homes. And always with the specific needs and overall wellbeing of each resident and customer at the heart of what they do.

‘The virtual awards ceremony was a very special occasion and we’re thrilled that despite the difficult circumstances we all find ourselves in, we’ve been able to celebrate the amazing achievements of our sector with members and friends.”

New and exclusively for 2020, The Triumph Over Adversity Award honoured the extraordinary efforts of care caterers during the Covid-19 pandemic – from those working in

How safe are your ratings?

By Richard Fairburn IF YOU were to put a post on your twitter feed that “Richard Fairburn may or may not be an abuser of small children”, then strictly speaking the plain English of that statement would be correct.

Just one problem though. Namely the inference that I might be. And so it is with the published reports of statutory inspections by our friends at the CQC. Take breaches of regulations. If you do the sort of research that I do you will know that findings of breaches are recorded in domains according to a fairly well-defined pattern. Subject to just a tad of random variation.

Consent and nutrition under Effective.

Complaints under Responsive. Staffing split between Safe (suitable staff deployed, etc) and Effective (training, supervisions, etc). Recruitment under Safe (it’s the perceived risk of someone getting though the net rather than some judgement that Jane Doe shouldn’t have been appointed).

But if you look at the introduction to a domain that has been rated Requires improvement, it will commonly start with the text of the general criterion for that rating, saying “Regulations may or may not have been met”. Including where no breach is identified in that domain. As if that judgement remains to be made, and the inspecting officer is reserving comment. And that, of course, is perfectly ridiculous and completely unacceptable.

When you politely ask them to remove these unjustified nudge-anda-wink inferences they just shrug their shoulders and tell you that this is the “standard text” (but you should challenge them anyway!).

To coin a phrase, these are not just

reports, these are CQC reports.

That is to say they are statutory reports of statutory inspections carried out by the duly authorised national regulator, published on the world wide web under the provisions of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

These reports will be relied on by everyone having regulatory interest, from the senior officer who might be asked to consider a warning notice, to the Care Standards Tribunal or even the magistrate’s court (present company excepted). As a matter of law they are not an opportunity for some magniloquent blog about those awful care homes.

The one that really gets to me, however, is the line that “systems were either not in place or robust enough to demonstrate (for example) that safety was effectively managed”. To coin another phrase, you can not be serious.

If there was a finding that systems were not in place, there wouldn’t be a report, because you would have been served with a section 31 notice closing your care home immediately followed by the arrival of a fleet of ambulances to rescue your abused residents. In the vast majority of cases, thankfully, it is in fact undisputed common ground that the insinuated meltdown of compliance with the regulations is not the true position. But the report says that it ‘may or may not be’.

We mostly want to ‘look for good’, don’t we. Admittedly not all of us. But there is very little ‘good’ to be found in an inspection methodology, having not the merest shred of evidence of any, let alone effective, checks and balances, in which there remains a documented presumption that the care ‘may be utterly unsafe’ after said inspection.

Email me at mail@hsc-prof.com

care homes to those supporting the vulnerable in the community.

The judges could not pick one overall winner and the title went to Michael Buccu, sous chef at Gracewell of Ascot, and The Umbrella Café CIC, Whitstable.

Other winners were: Care Establishment – Pear Tree Court, Care UK; Meals on Wheels – Hertfordshire Independent Living Service; Catering Team – Meallmore Ltd; Catering Manager – Anne Dudley, catering support manager, Hampshire County Council; Our Care Catering Hero – Peter Hall, head of kitchen, Cranleigh Paddock Care Home; Region of the Year – North Region; Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement – James Clear, hotel services manager, Care UK; National Chair’s Award – Neel Radia.

Mark Bird has been appointed home manager at Candlewood House, TLC Care’s new luxury care home opening in Cricklewood, North West London. He has 18 years’ nursing and leadership experience spanning across the NHS, Metropolitan Police and care homes. As home manager at Candlewood House, Mark will oversee the dedicated care services teams, daily activities and hospitality services for TLC Care’s flagship 86-room home. He said: “I am pleased to have joined TLC Care and lead the Candlewood House team.

Although Covid-19 has brought many challenges to the care home sector, the health and wellbeing of residents – as we welcome them to our new home – will always remain at the heart of everything we do as part of our personcentred approach.”

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CARINGNEWS

Star-studded line-up for care home’s poetry book

Cake Away raises more than £200 for charity BLUEBIRD Care’s offices in Stamford & Rutland and Bluebird Care Peterborough & Oundle raised more than £200 for Macmillan Cancer Support at their ‘Cake Away’ stall.

The homecare provider has been taking part in Macmillan’s annual World Biggest Coffee Morning for the last six years.

However, Covid-19 has meant that these events were not possible this year due to social distancing measures.

Determined to continue their fundraising tradition, both offices sold home-baked cakes to passers-by, friends and colleagues at an outdoor cake stall.

Their innovative fundraising technique also went one step further to deliver cakes to customers who were unable to visit the stall.

Customers were given the opportunity to order an afternoon tea box in return for a £5 donation.

These boxes included freshly baked scones, fresh sandwiches, cakes and savoury snacks and received 18

orders from generous customers.

Leisa MacKenzie, owner and director of Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland and Bluebird Care Peterborough & Oundle, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people helping us to make a difference by getting involved and supporting such a great cause.

“Everyone was thrilled with their treats. Most of us have been or are affected by cancer in some way or form, losing family, friends, customers or suffering ourselves, so supporting this charity is immensely important for the whole Bluebird Care family.

“Every year we support Macmillan and we were determined to not let Covid-19 stop us this time around as we know how charities have suffered during the pandemic.

“It’s been lovely to be involved in delivering the afternoon tea boxes because, for some, our delivery was a visit they wouldn’t normally have had, bringing cheer during the lonelier times of Covid-19.”

SEVERAL of the UK’s leading poets and writers have agreed to participate in a Taunton care home’s upcoming poetry book.

The book will be named ‘We Are Family: Poems from a Care Home’ and will feature a range of poems written by a variety of special contributors, including members of staff and residents at Oake Meadows.

The care home has already begun to announce the names of some of the stars that have agreed to participate in the project, including award-winning filmmaker and author Dave Jeffery, filmmaker, publisher and author Justin Park, and authors, editors and twins C.L. Raven.

Each name brings with them a wealth of talent and experience, with their work commonly featuring in novels, magazines and anthologies across the UK, USA and Australia.

Louis du Toit, activities coordinator at Oake Meadows, said: “This is a wonderful project and we are both honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work with some of the UK’s leading writers on this project.

“We are huge fans of all of their work, and it is a real coup to be able to get them involved with our upcoming poetry book.

“This project has been in the offing

Resident Margaret Hill with a copy of the poetry book. for some time and it seems like the stars have finally aligned for us to get it completed!

“Creating the book in aid of the residents, and managing to get some star names involved, is an amazing feeling and is our way of demonstrating our thanks and gratitude to our wonderful residents.”

The book will be released and sold via Amazon Kindle, with hard copies also available for purchase at a later date.

Home brings joy to dementia Staff celebrate after residents through initiative award accreditation

ASHLEY Court in Poole, Dorset has embarked on a new music initiative to bring joy and stimulation to residents living with dementia.

The care home has connected with Global Purple Angel Music, which is a dementia awareness organisation that strives to offer a better standard of life for people living with the condition through a music programme.

Purple Angel Music has supplied Ashley Court with three specially designed MP3 music systems, created for individual use.

They are loaded with music selected around the person’s tastes, memories and preferences, interlaced with simple and clear reminders to carry out everyday tasks such as having a drink to keep hydrated.

Home manager Gigy Johnson said: “Purple Angel was originally started by someone who was diagnosed with dementia so really knows from personal experience what effect music can have.

“In fact, studies also show that

musical memories are some of the last to be affected by dementia.

“These MP3 players will not only improve overall wellbeing for our residents, but will give them a sense of purpose. We are delighted to be involved with this wonderful project.”

STAFF at a Kent care home are celebrating after being awarded a prestigious accreditation for the delivery of outstanding end-of-life care.

Abbotsleigh Care Home in Staplehurst has been awarded a ‘Commend’ accreditation from the Gold Standards Framework following an inspection, having completed its highly regarded Care Homes Training Programme.

Part of the family-run Nellsar group, a group of 13 care homes throughout Kent, Essex and Surrey, Abbotsleigh provides a wide range of care services including residential care, dementia care, respite care, rehabilitation and end-of-life care.

To get the accreditation, staff had to undergo training that provided a practical, evidence-based approach to optimising care for all people nearing the end of life.

It focused on quality care, improvement with training, quality assurance with standards of care, and

quality recognition.

Abbotsleigh’s unit manager Joy Cagande led the way in guiding and implementing GSF at the Kent home and, upon receiving the accreditation, staff thanked her for all her hard work and dedication with a bouquet of flowers and a gift voucher.

She said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded such prestigious recognition for our end-of-life services. This only proves to further highlight our commitment to providing outstanding care for all those at the home and we look forward to continuing to implement our newly acquired skills.”

The GSF training enables frontline staff to provide a gold standard of care for people nearing the end of life.

GSF improves the quality, coordination and organisation of care, leading to better patient outcomes in line with their needs and preferences, and greater cost efficiency through reducing hospitalisation.

13

CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement

Christmas decorations – a new approach DECORATING your home for Christmas is always an enjoyable event for both residents and staff.

But this year, as we deal with Covid-19, we might like to put some thought to the amount and type of decorations we plan to put up.

Recognising the difficulty in keeping Christmas trees and traditional decorations clean and tidy, Care Home Murals now offer an effective solution with its new Pop-Up Christmas Roller Banners.

We are all familiar with roller banners, and we know how visually striking they can be.

Care Home Murals has produced a new range, featuring specially created festive designs, that present a simple and practical alternative.

At 2m high and almost 1m wide, these colourful Pop-Ups are certainly eye-catching as well as convenient.

At the time of going to press, designs include

richly decorated Christmas Trees, Christmas Firesides with stockings ready for Santa’s visit, and delightfully accessible Christmas Carols.

Pop-Ups are suitable for any room or corridor, taking up minimal space against a wall or in a corner.

If you have found traditional decorations cluttering your home or hindering movement for staff and residents – and the tea trolley – Pop-Ups could be the perfect answer.

Each Pop-Up comes ready for use and is very easy to put up with built-in feet for added stability.

The printed surface is tough and smooth making it easy to wipe down and keep clean.

Of course, nothing compares to the traditional Christmas decorations that we know and love.

But when space is at a premium and cleanliness is paramount, these Christmas Pop-Up Roller Banners are a perfect alternative.

The Pop-Up Christmas Roller Banners come complete with a carry-bag, so they may be easily and safely stored for use next year. n Care Home Murals design wallpaper murals exclusively for care homes.

Their murals are more than just beautifully decorative.

They have significant purpose and offer many benefits for care home residents, including those with dementia.

Inspiration for their mural designs comes from their customers – carers who have a desire and vision to use wall imagery to enhance the environment and day-to-day lives of their residents.

Their team of professional mural artists, illustrators and photographers have created a range of murals that seeks to meet these aspirations as imaginatively as possible.

For more information visit www.carehomemurals.co.uk

Pop-Up Roller Banners for Christmas

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CareHome Murals

Roll of

HONOUR 2020 C A R I N G U K M AG A Z I N E

Have you nominated your lockdown hero?

Nominate your lockdown hero who has gone over and above in these most testing of times in the Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour.

We want to hear from you if you know someone who has gone above and beyond in 2020 to make a difference and help their residents and colleagues get through these harrowing times.

The Caring UK 2020 Roll of Honour will appear in our January 2021 issue.

Send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some of your stories in Caring UK magazine, and our weekly Caring UK digital newsletter.

Closing date for entries is Friday December 4.

We can’t wait to read your stories ‌ Sponsorship opportunities are also available by calling 01226 734 605

CARINGNEWS

Supporting your workforce during the crisis

By Rachel Moffat ORGANISATIONS and businesses across all industries have had to adapt and evolve in the face of the coronavirus crisis, and nowhere has this been more apparent or crucial than in health and social care.

The sector has, and continues to, experience unprecedented demand, placing additional pressure on an already strained industry.

However, while public perception is, understandably, positive, behind the scenes the mental health impact this increased demand is having on care workers is significant.

Employees are likely to be experiencing a wide range of emotions, from concerns about their health and that of family members, to anxieties over their job and financial security as well as stress due to the disruption of normalcy.

Some will be experiencing loneliness or isolation, while others grapple with competing priorities and burnout.

This substantial strain on the workforce can’t be ignored. We need our people to be at their best at the very time when that is most difficult to achieve; they may be struggling to stay engaged and perform the day-today tasks of their job.

So how can employers help?

Implementing or adapting policies that support work-life balance will help reduce stress within the workforce, enabling care providers to perform optimally.

Encourage two-way communication While it’s critical that organisations are ensuring visibility, it’s just as important for employers to ensure employees’ voices are heard. Provide them with a platform to voice their opinions and concerns. Collecting feedback to identify patterns and trends in employees’ emotional states can help organisations build action plans to respond quickly to employee concerns, as well as help reduce turnover, burnout and absenteeism.

Rachel Moffat

Increase visibility Maintaining visibility during times of change is essential for employees to feel informed. Be as transparent as possible about what you know and what you don’t know and manage expectations to the best of your ability. Ensure employees are kept informed of company information, policies and changes and where to access it.

Leveraging a system to centralise company information will help organisations deploy time-sensitive material quickly across the entire workforce.

Additionally, managers will need to rethink their standard tactics.

During a crisis, they are traditionally coached to be visible and physically present but, given today’s unique scenario, managers must adapt and look to maintain visibility digitally through virtual office hours, calls and video chats.

Empower employees to manage their schedules As Covid-19 continues to shake up the routines of the workforce and their families, further flexibility is needed.

At the same time, businesses must meet demand. Employees should be empowered to balance their work and personal lives by scheduling time away from work, or work on flexible schedules.

Additionally, workforces have dispersed as some employees are transitioning to a work-from-home model, while others may need to work on-site. Regardless of where employees are, they will need access to their schedules from anywhere, at any time.

Provide a flexible pay experience If possible, organisations should think about adopting innovative on-demand pay technology that allows the workforce to access their pay on the same day, rather than waiting for the next pay period to be

paid out to help reduce stress.

Offer holistic benefits Employees are grappling with many changes and navigating day-today life with an uncertain future.

Consider offering employee wellness programs with mental health benefits to help prevent, treat, or manage psychological distress and burnout.

In addition, employees could also be given the opportunity to customise their benefits packages to meet their individual needs.

Maintain a positive employee experience Leadership must set the tone for the workforce and this starts with genuine engagement, as well as open and honest conversations every step of the way.

Offering an intuitive, personalised and consistent experience – from communication to benefits and the way employees are paid – will reduce friction points and help employees manage stress and anxiety.

With coronavirus cases back on the rise and enforced restrictions back in play across the UK, it is still more important than ever to look after your workforce, especially those on the front line.

However, with the right software and a few simple policies, you can ensure your workforce remains engaged and take steps to support those who may be struggling. n Rachel Moffat is the enterprise account executive, health and care sector, at Ceridian.

GIVE YOUR CARE HOME A CONFIDENCE BOOST WITH COOLCARE Following lockdown many care homes were faced with the ultimate challenge of keeping the UK’s most vulnerable adults safe. Moving forward, staff well-being and the ability to boost infection control are now considered even more high-priority for those looking to live or work in care.

CoolCare has been the lifeline for many care homes, its detailed suite of unique reports has given many care home operators confidence by keeping them updated with what’s happening within the home when having to work remotely.

HERE’S HOW:

Occupancy Management Now the doors are open, our specialist CRM system is designed to give your staff the confidence to look after their enquiries and waiting lists. To also allows you and your team to monitor feedback from prospective residents through its integrated notes functionality, ensuring you are providing them with the information and comfort they need to overcome their concerns.

CoolCare enables easy oversight and KPI monitoring so you can keep track on lead generation and conversion rates.

02 03

Increased Infection Control From PPE to social distancing, our virtual notice boards are being used daily to help communicate key processes and safety measures, keeping your staff and residents safe.

Smart Rota Planning Give your residents and their relatives the confidence in knowing that if a member of your team is unable to attend work, you can very quickly adapt and ensure that your home is staffed appropriately.

To find out more about how CoolCare4 will save you time and money visit:

www.coolcare4.co.uk or call 0113 385 3853

“

We had a lot of KPIs, and I would say the systems that we had to pull data made it a lot easier.

Al-Karim Kachra

CEO Country Court Care

“

01

15

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CARINGNEWS

Caring duo set to retire after more than 65 years of combined service TWO care industry professionals who have worked at a family-run West Yorkshire care company for more than 65 years between them are retiring.

John Carrington joined Czajka Care Group 35 years ago in 1985 as a care assistant, while Margaret Watkins joined in 1990 as a care assistant at Fairmount Nursing Home in Nab Wood near Shipley.

Both have enjoyed successful careers with the provider, progressing and developing their skills and qualifications over the years.

Managing director Konrad Czajka said: “To say they will be missed is an understatement. Margaret and John are a part of who we are.

“They have worked tirelessly over the years, with a sensible and calm approach to everything that has come their way. It’s the end of an era.”

John has worked in the care industry for a total of 45 years, 35 years of which have been spent at Czajka Care Group in a variety of roles including care, administration and as a personal assistant to the managing director.

For the last eight years he has worked in a recruitment role helping thousands of people embark upon a career path in care.

John Carrington and Margaret Watkins.

John said: “I’m particularly proud of being chosen to be part of a special group of frontline care staff that inspire and encourage more people into the industry in my role as an ‘I Care Ambassador’.

“As part of a national team of ambassadors, which was formed by the ‘Skills For Care’ organisation, I have been able to highlight the numerous jobs available in the industry and hopefully get across the passion I have for what we do.

“Sharing my knowledge and training philosophy with so many people in schools, colleges, job centres and

employment organisations has been very rewarding and I will miss it.

“Luckily because I’m part of the retirement community at Fairmount Park, and live in an apartment owned

by Czajka Care Group, I will still very much be part of the Czajka family.”

Margaret came to work at Czajka Care Group as a care assistant and progressed to a senior care assistant before becoming the training officer at Fairmount Nursing Home.

She then took on a training role for the whole group of homes, as well as the community care division before it was sold.

As senior training manager she has run a programme from the operator’s state-of-the-art training centre in Nab Wood, Shipley for 10 years.

It provides training for all new staff, as well as offering courses and training contracts to a number of other care and nursing homes across Bradford and Keighley.

Margaret has been responsible for courses on everything from manual handling to new care standards and adult protection safeguarding.

She also ran the four-day training course in induction standards, which covers subjects including first aid, health and safety, infection control, communications, client

confidentiality, palliative care and food hygiene.

Margaret said: “Helping people progress from gaining their care certificates to achieving their level 2, 3, 4 and 5 diplomas is what has driven me for so long.

“All the courses we provide are fully certified and candidates can also use them as a pathway to go on to complete NVQs and other professional qualifications and it’s great to have seen so many people succeed over the years with our support.

“All the paperwork that comes with the role has been an ongoing challenge, but all the hard work has definitely been worth it.

“The face to face training we provide at Czajka Care Group delivers much better results than the online training and it allows us to get a much better feel for a new starter and their suitability for the roles on offer.

“Working in the care industry isn’t for everyone, it’s a demanding job, especially at the moment with the Covid-19 pandemic, but its part of who I am.

“I’ll miss all the people terribly, but I might be needed to work on some projects in the future, so will definitely be staying in touch.”

LAMONT JOHNSON

DISCREETLY SELLING CARE HOMES AND CARE HOME SITES NATIONWIDE NO “UPFRONT” FEES or

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IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SELLING PHONE US FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION APPRAISAL Grayson Taylor (Managing Director, Lamont Johnson)

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07920 475 440

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P R O P E RT Y ADVISOR S

TO THE CARE SECTOR

Charity’s video shows importance of music ROYAL Star & Garter celebrated the power of music and song to mark World Alzheimer’s Month in September, the recent National Day of Arts in Care Homes and to support the Music for Dementia UK campaign.

The group provides care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

It has put together a video showing the importance of music in care, and the impact it has on residents, especially those living with dementia.

Pauline Shaw, director of care at Royal Star & Garter, said: “It’s wonderful to see the impact music has in our homes.

“The positive effects it has on our residents, and especially those living with dementia, are well known.”

Music plays a vital role in the care provided by the charity.

For people living with dementia, music helps to lessen anxiety and depression and can become a communication lifeline when a resident’s speech fails.

It prompts an individual’s recall and stimulates breathing. Above all, it brings emotional release and joy to residents.

Music in the homes is carefully chosen and wide-ranging to reflect residents’ choices.

These vary from Beethoven and Mozart, to wartime classics and modern masters.

The range of activities which involve music, such as Music Club, the Star & Garter Singers choir and Movement to Music, also reflect its significance.

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CARINGACTIVITIES AND WELLBEING

Sponsorship encourages all homes to help residents take part in art

Royal Star and Garter has celebrated all things American at its care home in Surbiton. Residents enjoyed a threeday America Day party, singing songs

by US legends including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, tucking into iconic meals and dressing up. The home was decorated with bunting, a giant poster of the Statue of Liberty, and the Star Spangled Banner. At lunch, veterans tucked into a Feast of America, which included quintessential dishes such as Cobb salad, sticky bourbon barbecue chicken, loaded hot dogs and Cajun chicken burgers. Desserts included pancakes and New York cheesecake.

The party was organised by the home’s activities team.

CARE UK is the official health and social care sponsors of The Big Draw Festival 2020 which this year is themed: The Big Green Draw: A Climate of Change.

For the second year running, the operator is hosting Big Draw Festival events in more than 50 of its care homes across the UK throughout October.

For The Big Draw Festival 2019, more than half of Care UK’s 123 homes teamed up with schools, nurseries and groups of young people to draw, craft and create together alongside residents as part of their Big Draw Festival ‘Drawn to Life’ activities.

Thanks to the challenges brought about by Covid-19, Care UK is exploring a more digital approach to its Big Draw events in 2020 by continuing to encourage intergenerational participation – but remotely.

Activities will reflect this year’s Festival theme by encouraging participants to embrace their creative sides, get back to nature and explore environmental and wildlife themes .

Care UK’s dementia expert Suzanne Mumford said: “The recent pandemic has shown very powerfully how important and rewarding creative activities can be to care home residents, particularly when some of the more usual trips out and visitors

The life drawing class at Sherwood Grange that was held during the 2019 Big Draw event. have not been accessible.

“The Big Draw initiative really resonates with our activity-based approach to care. As we did last year we plan to involve young people participating alongside residents in our homes. Although visits in person are not going to be possible so that we can keep everyone safe, we’ve got some cunning plans up our sleeves to use things like Zoom and Facebook to link with schools and other groups.

“Arts are an essential part of life in our care homes and I’ve seen firsthand how drawing and painting can bring satisfaction and pride to older people.

“Using art materials can also be

a powerful reminiscence activity for people living with dementia – prompting long forgotten skills and bringing into focus memories of a person’s earlier life.

Bowes House in Hailsham is preparing to take residents on a virtual safari with the help of Knockhatch Adventure Park, while colleagues and residents at Larkland House in Ascot are creating an autumn scene after discussing their relationship with nature to inspire their artwork.

And at Harrier Lodge in Whitstable, they are producing their interpretation of Kandinsky’s Concentric Circles.

Holbeach care home crowned winner of annual competition

MAG launches Ozone generator proven to kill Covid–19 ONE OF the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial laundry solutions, MAG Laundry Equipment, can now offer a generator that has been proven to kill the Covid–19 coronavirus.

In a ground-breaking study conducted by Nara Medical University, it was confirmed that ozone gas can effectively inactivate the virus up to 1 / 10,000 CT (cycle threshold).

In real conditions, it shows that Covid–19 can be inactivated on all surfaces and that ozone can be used in the sanitisation of all environments.

Putting the new discovery into the practise, the MAG Ozone Generator emits ozone through the air to sanitise surfaces and kill bacteria, microorganisms and viruses including Covid–19, while permanently eliminating unpleasant odours.

Proven to eliminate SARS coronavirus, norovirus, E.coli, salmonella and more than 99 per cent of harmful bacteria and viruses, ozone is recognised as the strongest and fastest method of destroying

microorganisms.

With cycle times from 15 minutes to 72 hours, the generator is suitable for quick cleans and full air-regeneration projects and can be used across all business sectors.

Commenting on the new product, Mark Dennis, managing director of MAG Laundry Equipment, said: “The ability to offer a product that has been proven to kill the Covid–19 coronavirus is a real triumph for us as a business.

“With the UK economy now officially in a recession, it’s important that the Government and businesses look at how people can return to work safely, protect jobs and keep the economy moving.

“The ozone generator could be a key part in that, with the ability to sterilize office spaces, hotel rooms or hospitality venues quickly and effectively.”

Enquiries: More information on MAG Laundry Equipment is available at https://maglaundryequipment.co.uk/

RESIDENTS and staff at Beech Lodge Care and Nursing Home in Holbeach were delighted to be crowned overall winners of Country Court’s group wide gardening competition ‘Country Court in Bloom’.

The nationwide annual event is a hotly contested competition between the 33 care and nursing homes in the Country Court group.

There were five categories that care homes could enter; Best Flower Display, Best Feature for Wildlife, Best Meal Made from Homegrown Produce, Best Outdoor Activity and Best Upcycling Project.

Each care home sent in photos of their entries that were reviewed by the judging panel that included Country Court chairman Abdul Kachra and managing director Alykhan Kachra.

“We are delighted to be overall winners of Country Court In Bloom,” said home manager Karen Atillo.

“This has been a real team effort, with both residents and the staff team putting a huge amount of effort into our garden this year. Our residents have loved getting outside and making the most of the summer sunshine.”

In addition to being overall winners, Beech Lodge scooped first place in the ‘Best Flower Display’ category for

their planters and hanging baskets.

Their garden is full of flowers and vegetables grown by residents who had also had a sunflower growing competition and painted rocks in bright colours and messages.

The care home also took third place in the ‘Best Upcycling Project’ for its innovative use of an old tea set to make bird feeders.

CARINGACTIVITIES AND WELLBEING

21

Ann Hodgson visits her mother Mary McAvoy.

Home welcomes loved ones to its safe visitation suite RESIDENTS at an Oxford care home are welcoming their loved ones back indoors following the completion of a new self-contained and safe visitation suite.

Chawley Grove has successfully completed extensive renovation work to make indoor visits cosy and comfortable.

As the winter months approach, operator Hamberley Care Homes is committed to ensuring relatives and friends are able to see their loved ones in the comfort and safety of the home thanks to the Covid-secure Family and Friends Lounge.

Home manager Theresa Whitford said: “Maintaining relationships and seeing loved ones is a key part to anyone’s emotional and mental wellbeing.

“This has been one of our greatest

focuses during Covid-19.

“It is so important to keep these personal ties. Now we have a wonderful Family & Friends Lounge which allows people to stay connected.

“This is a very welcome addition to our home, and we are glad to see it being used so joyfully.”

The specially designed visiting space features a floor to ceiling clear screen which allows visits to take place without the need to wear PPE while in the lounge.

The totally enclosed space, which is accessible both internally and externally, means relatives can enter and exit the lounge without having any contact with the main building.

This maximises infection control measures and cleaning practices are conducted between every visit.

Dignified dining for your residents Make sure everyone is looking stylish, dignified and elegant at mealtimes, and especially at Christmas time!

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Advertiser’s announcement

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Enhance the experience of your residents mentally, physically and emotionally IMAGINE a piece of equipment for your care home that can enhance the experience of your residents mentally, physically and also emotionally.

Inspired Inspirations has been working directly with care homes in developing their interactive touch screen activity tables over the last few years, to provide a range of screen sizes and units to suit every care setting.

Just think of a giant Android tablet built into a solid oak surround, on a base that houses a large battery to allow you to use it all day long and smooth running wheels for easy movement between rooms in your care home.

classes, hand eye coordination, increased movement to move hands around a large screen. n Emotionally – Reminiscence tours on Google Earth, past and present clips on YouTube of hobbies or interests, religious services and Group ZOOM calls to loved ones who cant get to visit in your residents person!

“This amazing bit of technology is making a huge difference to our residents” Melanie Dawson, manager, The Lawns at Heritage Manor

With Christmas coming up and social interaction more difficult this year, the interactive tables have become a necessity rather than a luxury within care homes.

All tables are made to order, if you’d like to enquire on a price guide and time scales for deliveries, just visit the website www.inspiredinspirations.com or scan the QR code on the right.

Alternatively email them direct at stewart@ inspired-inspirations.com

The screen is 5mm tempered glass for your residents safety and sealed against fluid ingress meaning a spill of a cup of tea won’t ruin your equipment.

It also means an easy clean solution to stop cross contamination using any normal surface cleaner.

How to enhance your residents’ experience n Mentally – Brain training apps, memory apps, quizzes, board games, reasoning challenges. n Physically – Exercise for the elderly online

“We use it daily and would not be without it now, even the residents find it easy and fun to use. Thank you!”

Sandie Evans, registered manager, Oakland’s Care Home, Crickhowell

“We’ve noticed that quieter residents who didn’t interact too much with others have suddenly been more active and more vocal.”

Lindsey Davies, home manager, Cwrt Enfys

226

CARINGACTIVITIES ANDCARINGNEWS WELLBEING Advertiser’s announcement Served: caring for care homes

HEALTHY food company Gourmade has launched an innovative way to ensure care home residents get the exact levels of nutrition they need.

Disappointed by the nutritionally poor and tasteless food offerings that their loved ones were getting in places of care, the company decided to help change things for good.

So, drawing on some of the team’s 20 years of experience working within the healthcare industry, they developed the Served concept.

Served meals offer a huge variety of fresh tasty and healthy meal choices, prepared in a clean and safe environment and brought into care homes to cater for every taste and dietary requirement that there is.

With Served meal options, care home residents can choose for themselves what meals they would like for the week. Staff can sit with them to record those choices and ensure they are getting exactly what they want.

The aim is to change mindsets, when it comes to looking after this special part of our nation, by ensuring all provisions for nutrition and hydration are met, through person centered care.

The Served creators have also created an app which tracks nutrition and allows family members to check that their loved ones are getting what they need.

Served can help control and forecast spend, with a fixed price per resident per day and the facility can provide a full nutritional breakdown for all food consumed per day.

Managing director Rolf Lynes said: “We understand that leading everyone isevent different. each THE UK’s forThat dementia dementia experiences and a individual person has5their dietary runs on June andown 6 attastes, Olympia wide range of dementia and care requirements and conditions which demand that London. exhibitors. there are only certain types of food that can be The two-day conference and New for 2020, the Virtual Dementia tolerated. exhibition Tour will be delivering their complete “We believe inshowcases person centredthe care,latest which means that, when it advice, comes to our menus, there information, products andis training session involving an eightno services ‘one size fits all’healthcare approach. professionals for minute simulation followed by a “It’s this that we took those with us with when and theconcept public helping 75-minute debrief giving visitors the we created Served – a version of the Gourmade Alzheimer’s and dementia. opportunity to fully understand the concept, but one which was designed specially for A full conference behaviour and needs of people living the residents of care homes,programme to help ensure they features leading and with dementia. Spaces are limited could get the right levelsexperts of nutrition that they so professionals desperately need”. in three separate and should be booked in advance.

Gourmade provides high question quality ready theatres, as wellluxury, as daily Tickets cost £17.50 online, £25 on busy folk spend more time living life and less time meals for sessions, the 21st century. time panel debates, Q&A the door. in the kitchen.

High in vitamins and nutrition, and low in the sessions, practical activity workshops, The full Virtual Dementia costs Enquiries: Call 01243Tour 939660 or nasty stuff, the food can be found in farm shops professional advice clinics, interactive £45 and includes entry to the show. and other retail outlets, specially crafted to help visit https://servedmeals.co.uk

Maritime charity cuts its carbon footprint

SURREY-based care home The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is reaping the rewards of its green initiatives after cutting its plastic usage by 74,000 items per year to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint.

The maritime charity caters for 68 residents at its Belvedere House nursing care home and has prevented 52,000 plastic cups and 22,000 wet wipes from reaching landfill by rolling out an environmental plan, fronted by staff.

Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, chief executive of the Society, said: “Although public awareness and willingness to reduce carbon FAMILIES residents high at Colten emissions of is currently on the Care’s 21 care we homes in the the south news agenda, identified need have been sharing in thegreen gift of music to begin investing technology with their loved through a many years ago ones and are experiencing personalised ‘request the benefits every day.show’.

More 100 relatives responded “As a than not-for-profit organisation, to invite to send in wean have to manage theradio-style challenge of listeners’ dedications, an idea put keeping costs down where possible forward

by Fionaan Pritchard, Colten’s while delivering outstanding level music and artscare partner. of innovative to all our residents Shedepend said: “Our roving show that on us for arequest good quality has provided each resident with of life. a most marvellous journey “While investing in green down memory lane. technology was a big investment for “The moments when heard the home, not only are they we beginning me readthe outfinancial the dedication, to reap rewards,saying but can why the piece of efforts music to held special be proud of our reduce our meaning for the family, and carbon footprint as much as then possible. hearing it played just for them,tohave “Our staff have been pivotal this been magical. and the fact they have prevented

thousands of unnecessary single-use plastic objects from being thrown away demonstrates our ability as a collective society to drive meaningful environmental change.”

In addition to this, the senior management team has been working to reduce the home’s reliance on fossil fuels over the last three years by installing solar panels, which have cut electricity bills by around 15 per cent.

The site’s sustainable pellet-fired biomass boiler has reduced gas usage by around 20 per cent and a 135m borehole has also been sunk to supply fresh water at a projected saving of £8,000 per year, allowing the charity has been a joy to to“It invest in facilities forsee theresidents home and smiling, joining in with songs, tapping its residents. their feet inits time, and on Alongside work to reflecting reduce waste whatcarbon the music meansattoitsthem. and emissions care “Sometimes a ballad been home, The Royal Alfredhas Seafarers’ soothing and relaxing, while other Society has also produced a top tips peoplefor have been energised by to guide like-minded businesses up-tempoplastic tuneswaste: they danced to when reducing they were waste younger.” n Prevent contamination by Aftera gathering the Fiona using second bin to requests, separate nonarranged one-to-one time with each recyclables. resident she could play n Recyclesocontact lenses attheir your particular song or piece of music on nearest opticians. anUse iPad and read cloths out theinstead personal n microfibre of message theirbe family. wet wipesfrom that can washed and From Bing Crosby to the Bee Gees, reused Chopin to Chattanooga Choo rather Choo, n Use recyclable paper straws the requests than plastic. have included classical nocturnes, jazz standards, hits n Use compostable cups aspop opposed and rock andplastics. roll favourites. to single-use

Home’s residents tune in to The Alzheimer’s Show personalised ‘request show’ 2020, Olympia London

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CARINGACTIVITIES AND WELLBEING

Home enjoys quirky Harvest Hoedown

Welcome to your free Medau Movement double DVD ...

FURTHER to the alert in our last issue, as promised, we are delighted to include your FREE double DVD of Medau Movement chair-based exercises.

We are very fortunate that Sport England, through National Lottery funding, has given us this opportunity to create this DVD for you and your residents.

We are very concerned that our normal classes cannot continue during Covid-19.

Now more than ever it is important to keep active, we felt this was the perfect option to help the care homes we usually teach in, and also those who do not have our teachers visit, to

provide suitable exercise sessions.

We do hope you and your residents enjoy the exercises and the variety of music, rhythms, and accompaniments.

Our aim for each session is to enhance the mood of participants, improve coordination, mobilise joints and stimulate both circulation and the brain and to develop focus.

It is important that everyone works at their own pace and within their own movement range although the exercises and use of apparatus are designed to also present a gentle challenge.

Above all else, the aim is to have fun and smile.

Taking combi steamer productivity to the maximum

ONE of the stars of Rational’s new iCombi Pro combi steamer is an advanced feature called iProductionManager which, the company says, not only increases productivity but also adds enormous flexibility to production schedules.

At the same time it reduces running costs.

The option of cooking different products at the same time in a combi steamer isn’t new, but iProductionManager takes the whole concept to a higher level.

As well as telling you what products can be cooked together, it allows chefs to select whether they want all the food to be ready at the same time, or if they want it all to be cooked as quickly as possible, or if they want it cooked as energy efficiently as possible.

Depending on the choice, iProductionManager then automatically prepares the optimum schedule.

For example, suppose a full breakfast is being cooked where everything is wanted at the same time.

The system will inform the chef when to load the eggs, the bacon, the tomatoes, and so on, staggering the start times so that the hash browns are perfectly cooked at exactly the same moment as the mushrooms – and all the other breakfast components. On the other hand, chefs may want each food cooked as quickly as possible.

In this case, food is loaded onto the different shelves and iProductionManager simply lets staff know when each shelf’s load is ready.

As one shelf’s food is being taken out, iProductionManager automatically compensates for the loss of temperature due to the door opening, and recalculates the cooking times for food on all the other shelves.

Energy efficiency is increasingly important and iProductionManager can help here, too, by creating the most energy efficient schedule for multiple different foods.

The iCombi control panel makes everything simple. Once the chefs have selected what type of schedule they want – synchronised, speedy or efficient – they simply drag the relevant icon, such as sausages, onto the appropriate shelf on the panel, so the system knows which food is where and can monitor it accordingly.

With iProductionManager chefs can even split shelves, so that two different foods can be cooked on the same shelf, with the system monitoring each to ensure they are perfectly cooked.

Enquiries: For information and brochures, or to find out about free Rational Live online demonstrations and webinars, call 01582 480388 or visit www.rational-online.com

BIRCHWOOD House in Tunbridge Wells hosted a socially-distanced Harvest Hoedown in its grounds for staff and residents.

The event was arranged by the senior team who were keen to give staff and residents a mini escape from a challenging time, as well as helping the local community and St Mary’s Church with harvest donations.

The harvest celebration took place in the fresh air, with a country and western theme, complete with straw bales, staff in checked shirts and cowboy hats and hats for residents.

Country music was the backdrop for a range of games for staff, such as sponge throwing, apple bobbing, country dancing and an obstacle course.

Seated activities included a tin can alley game and giant dominoes.

The hoedown followed the success of the summer BBQ and afternoon tea and was the care home’s biggest event to date.

Owner Niral Patel said: “Following the difficulties that the Covid-19 crisis posed for us all, we wanted to provide everyone with a way to socialise and have fun in a safe and enjoyable environment.

“We also wanted to say a big thank you to our fantastic staff, who we are very lucky to have.

“Our previous parties have gone down really well, and this was our biggest yet. It’s also vitally important that we are able to make a difference

to the local community, even though we are currently still in lockdown.”

Manager Helen Geer and her deputy Claire Tye also asked for contributions of sealed food produce, which will be given to St Mary’s Church and the local community.

Birchwood House is a family-run care home run in a period property dating back to 1841, set in extensive landscaped gardens.

Better device charging with PowerTray from Gratnells Medical IT HAS now been widely reported that the use of technology, specifically iPads, Galaxy Tabs and other electronic devices is helping communications in health and social care settings in the Covid-19 era.

In many care homes, they are used by residents to video call and keep in regular ‘face to face’ contact with family and friends. With visiting curtailed this has a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals.

Staff also use video to speak with the family members of shielded residents in their care, helping to alleviate anxiety and concern.

This increased use of technology can result in problems as more and more devices need charging.

Gratnells PowerTray safely stores

and charges up to 10 USB devices, with intelligent charging technology. Each device receives an optimum charge rate and cycle time.

PowerTray is tested and certified to the highest operational and safety standards.

It is silent in operation and comes in two size options.

Perfect for quick charging of devices in health and social care settings, PowerTrays are treated with an antimicrobial additive to minimise surface contamination and they are compatible with all Gratnells trolleys.

Enquiries: PowerTrays are now available with a 10 per cent discount at www.gratnellsmedical. com/charging-solutions or contact Gratnells on 01279 401550.

Inspired Inspirations interactive touch screen activity tables……

Imagine a giant Android tablet, built into a table, on wheels that you can take to your residents and do activities with:

• Google Earth tours • Youtube past and present entertainment, music, and sporting events • Brain Training Games • Table Top Games • Creativity Apps • Pub Games • Relaxation • Exercise • Sensory • VIDEO CALLING via Zoom, Skype or Facebook messenger, on a huge screen

We recently purchased an interactive table for our care home. It has gone down excellently with the residents and it was a Godsend for the lockdown period.

- Darren Somauroo, Director, Digby Manor.

The team at Cwmcelyn thank those at Inspired Inspirations for their tutorials they provided for staff here, to enable us to empower our service users.

Inspired Inspirations interactive touch screen activity tables

We have also just upgraded our two main tables, which come in 32” and 43” screens: • The latest Android 10 comes as standard • Faster processor and more memory for slicker user experience for residents and staff

- Leanne Smith, Service Manager, Cwm Celyn part of Shaw.

We speak to care workers every single day and we have been absolutely astonished by what you have all been through this year. As a huge thank you for the amazing work you guys are doing and the support you have given us, we would like to offer you the chance to win a 32” fixed height interactive touch screen activity table, delivered to your care home absolutely FREE of charge, including training from our owners on how to get the best use.

• Upgraded batteries for longer use between charges • Stronger screens to be even more durable in a care home environment • Longer warranties, now 3 years as standard

Scan the QR code for your chance to win and to see Ts & Cs.

For more information, to see more information on our tables, or to enquire on placing an order, just visit

www.inspired-inspirations.com

CARINGCELEBRATIONS IN OUR CARE HOMES

26

A Bristol care home resident who made headlines last year when she was “arrested” has celebrated her 106th birthday. Anne Brokenbrow, a resident at Stokeleigh in Stoke Bishop, had her wish granted in March last year. Police turned up to “arrest” her, put her in handcuffs and took her away in a police car with its siren on and blue lights flashing. Though she had not done anything wrong in her life, Anne wanted to find out what it was like to be a “criminal” for a day. She found the whole experience “very exciting”.

Anne, who worked as a secretary to a sergeant major during World War II, celebrated with a birthday cake and a card from her grandson who lives in Singapore with 106 kisses inside.

Memories of the mid-1950s were rekindled as a Lymington couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in the New Forest care home they both moved to a year ago. Staff at Colten Care’s Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst helped Fred and Iris Woodford mark their special day with a Covid-safe party for family and friends. As they opened their cards and presents, Iris, 87, and Fred, 89, shared their personal views on what it takes to sustain a successful marriage for so many years. With 65 years being the sapphire anniversary for marriages, Woodpeckers staff presented Fred and Iris with personalised keepsake pillow coloured white and sapphire blue.

A resident at White Rose care home in New Tredegar has celebrated her 105th birthday with her son, friends and staff due to lockdown restrictions.

Nellie Dando enjoyed a socially distanced party with fellow residents and staff, which included a cake and a card from the Queen. She has two sons, Ivor who lives in Australia and Kenneth who moved into White Rose in March. Nellie loves knitting and spends most of her day stitching and purling. She also loves singing along to music during activity afternoon sessions. She has lived at the home since December 2019 and enjoyed a birthday celebration with a buffet and a tipple.

Two residents at Sunrise of Westbourne have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Jean and Alan Watts celebrated the milestone with a restaurant-style dining experience in the home’s private dining room with a three-course meal. .

They both moved into Sunrise of Westbourne in March. Jean and Alan now have four grandchildren and have recently had news that they are expecting a greatgrandchild in the new year. In previous years, the Watts family have celebrated the couple’s major anniversaries by getting all three generations together. These celebrations took them to many locations, including their beloved Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth, as well as Jersey and the Algarve.

A resident whose husband was killed in action during WWII, and who later raised money for Royal Star & Garter, has celebrated her 102nd birthday at the charity’s home in High Wycombe. Ena Mitchell enjoyed a socially-distanced party thrown by the care home, with staff and fellow residents helping her to mark the special day.

Ena loves Indian food so she and the other residents were treated to a curry lunch.

Later they tucked into cake and sipped bubbly, before the home presented Ena with a bouquet of flowers.

A resident at Saxlingham Hall near Norwich has marked his 100th birthday with a special celebration at the home.

Herbert Witard has been living at the care home since last October and reached his milestone birthday recently.

Herbert grew up in Norwich, living at the Keir Hardy Hall working men’s’ club, then at the Falcon pub on, which were run by his parents. His main passion has always been Norwich City Football Club, for which he was a season ticket holder for many years. To mark the occasion, Herbert’s family visited him from a distance while observing Covid-19 restrictions.

A resident at Aldringham Court in Aldringham has marked her 100th birthday with a special celebration.

Wendy Botterill has been living at the care home since July. To mark the occasion her family were able to visit her from a distance while observing Covid restrictions. She also enjoyed a special cake and celebratory barbecue with her fellow residents. Wendy grew up in Ipswich and worked for the Electric Corporation during WWII. In the early 60s she moved into a bungalow in Aldeburgh, just three miles away from Aldringham Court, where she worked at the Aldeburgh Surgery. Wendy was happily married to John for many years, having met at the electric company.

They enjoyed traveling together and Wendy has always particularly liked visiting Greece. She has two step-sons, John and Peter, who were both born in Ipswich in 1932.

A resident at The Hall care home in Thornton Le Dale was sizzling with excitement as she experienced her first ever barbecue, just days before her 94th birthday. Joyce Allen was recently given the opportunity to select a theme for the care home’s party. Having never been to a barbecue, she decided to bring summer vibes to the home as she chose a holiday theme, allowing residents to enjoy a barbecue in the sun. During the event it was discovered that other residents at The Hall had never been to a barbecue.

So, the care home chef prepared a feast for all to enjoy. The care home garden was decorated accordingly to celebrate the occasion, complete with sunny weather and a beach backdrop. Residents indulged in burgers, sausages and other barbecue essentials out in the sunshine.

Without QCS we wouldn’t have been rated as an ‘outstanding service’ Rupert Stocks Registered Manager, Guyatt House

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28

CARINGTECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Advertiser’s announcement

Why the regulator and the care sector need to embrace creativity

By Christine Asbury THE Covid crisis has shone an extremely positive light on the UK’s courageous and dedicated care workers.

They’re the beating heart of the care sector and it’s their spirit, energy and compassion that’s this diverse sector’s most precious resource.

The vast majority of you reading this article already know this of course, but I feel it’s important to begin by writing about some of the care sector’s greatest assets, because I’d like to also zero-in on some of its key weaknesses, which – if they are suitably tackled – would, I believe, be transformational.

So what are they? As somebody who has worked in the sector for 30 years, I feel the sector has two major weak points.

Firstly, the care sector is not particularly creative or innovative, and secondly it’s become overly-focused on compliance and regulation.

Take the CQC’s rating system, for instance.

Instead of the sector defining its own version of what outstanding care looks like, it

has allowed the CQC to set the benchmark on which excellence is measured.

In my view, it should be the other way round.

The sector needs to find its voice and define its own version of outstanding care.

So, where does innovation fit in?

Well, while the CQC’s senior leadership team places great value on innovation and creativity as tools to deliver outstanding care, inspectors on the ground don’t always recognise it as an enabler because often innovation by definition can’t be prescribed.

But, let’s not be too hard on the CQC. The insight gleaned from the external reference group and from senior level discussions with a range of innovative providers will hopefully prove to be a catalyst for change, notwithstanding – or possibly accelerated by the challenges COVID has brought to the care sector.

In time, this new way of thinking will cascade down to inspectors, who will be more open to recognising innovation that genuinely enhances the lives of service users.

However, that’s not to say

that providers should wait for inspectors to change tack.

In my new role at QCS, as director of insight and innovation, my primary objective is to work with the QCS team to create tools for the care sector that go way beyond current regulatory standards.

There are lots of innovations and technologies out there – all of which can make a profound and positive difference to the lives of service users.

However, for care leaders it’s really important not to confuse the terms ‘innovation’ and ‘creativity’.

Often people think that innovation is technology. It isn’t.

Technology is just one of the tools that deliver a better and richer experience for service users. It’s not a solution on its own.

Therefore, my message to leaders in the care sector is to develop a culture of creativity and innovation within a service first, before looking at the introduction of technology.

In my last role at WCS Care, where I served as chief executive for eight years, we built an innovation hub in Warwickshire to showcase all

the different innovation that the home was utilising.

In the three years it has been open, more than a thousand care and health professionals have visited.

When they first arrive, they’re not shown the state-of-the-art technology in the home.

Instead, they’re given an introduction to the vibrant life of the home and get a chance to walk around and see that for themselves.

It’s only after the tour, when they’re looking at the technology in the innovation centre, that they begin to understand the value of seeing how, when and where the technology helps deliver WCS Care’s ambition of “Every Day Well Lived”.

And the most important takeaway? Leadership and culture are what you need to focus on, not the kit.

And dare to be different and ambitious in what your care service should offer!

To find out how you can join QCS, contact our compliance advisors on 0333-405-3333 or email sales@cqc.co.uk n Christine Asbury is the director of insight and innovation at QCS.

CARINGTECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

29

Advertiser’s announcement

Boost occupancy and restore confidence with good care management software THE coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for the care home industry, however businesses and organisations have demonstrated strength, fortitude and resilience in coping with the worst that the virus has had to give.

Care homes nationwide are now seeking ways to help restore confidence in those looking for care or a placement for a loved one.

Care home management software is now being more widely adopted to help capture core information from prospective residents and their relatives, which in turn is helping care homes to overcome and address some of the issues that enquirers may have.

At CoolCare our team has compiled a number of ways in which care home management software could not only help you boost occupancy in a postpandemic era, but could also restore confidence in your prospective residents across the care home industry.

Using data in care home management software to increase quality conversions Care home software management streamlines the process of capturing the relevant data from each enquiry to ascertain quickly, the exact needs of the potential resident to understand if there is capacity or where that capacity might be, across

normal levels as required.

a multi-site business.

Care home management software facilitates easier and quicker assessment of cases, and matches it to available beds.

By capturing this key data, it empowers staff to assess enquirers more effectively as well as address concerns that relatives or potential residents may have, which are heightened given the current situation.

Gain insight into your conversion timeline Care home management software enables admissions teams to closely

monitor each enquiry, understanding at exactly which stage each potential resident is at. This is critical, given how volatile the market is at the moment.

Adopting and incorporating care home management software gives you and your staff the ability to keep close tabs, through accurate forecasting of admission dates, gives your residents, relatives, staff and prospects confidence that your home will be staffed appropriately.

This means that staff numbers can be increased to support a new resident’s arrival and returning it to

Using care home management software to restore confidence Technology is the future and it has powered our way forward, especially during the lockdown.

By taking records and processes digital, it removes the need for paperbased records – they’re expensive to store and take time and resources to properly manage.

Utilising care home management software means digital records.

Digital records can be stored in the cloud yet accessed instantly; they don’t need to be touched or shared.

In this new world of infection control, that alone is reason enough for many operators to get rid of paper-based records for good. A paper-free office is exactly that, with costly stationery deliveries slashed.

In terms of data cleanliness, digitally-managed data means that it will be easier for you and your staff to be GDPR compliant, with clear and concise data dashboards generated in seconds. It’s these data dashboards that make it so much easier to make informed decisions that will drive your business forward. n To see just how dynamic CoolCare software is, check out the CoolCare YouTube channel or to see it in action simply request a demo by visiting www.coolcare4.co.uk/

TIME TO SAVE WASTED STAFF HOURS AND BECOME COST EFFECTIVE TIME TO SAVE WASTED STAFF HOURS AND BECOME COST EFFECTIVE with our Electronic MAR system which is easy to use and very user friendly. You are not tied to any particular pharmacy, making it ideal for Groups who have homes in different locations.

Staff instantly recognise the format as it replicates paper mar charts making the transition across seamless. Electronic MAR can save up to 30 minutes on each meds round, alerts are given which gives you peace of mind that there are no missed meds and ensures that staff add notes when administering PRNs which is essential.

Our Management Portal gives a complete overview of all meds administered and by whom, you can view all the notes for all residents, input stock and view current stock levels for each medication - all of these back office functions and more are available at the click of button saving considerable time on audits.

All historical information is stored safely and securely so you have every piece of information to hand when needed without having to shuffle through piles of paper.

Transparency is a must with CQC and with Electronic MAR you will be able to evidence that you have administered meds in the correct time frame, that you have no missed signatures, notes have been written for each PRN administered and respond to any questions immediately when asked.

We are constantly striving to ensure that Electronic MAR is the best e-mar available and will update the system with new developments that we impliment as a current customer these will be included within your subscription.

Our dedicated team of trainers and support staff are here to ensure that your transition from paper to Electronic MAR is smooth, both of which are included within your competitively priced monthly subscription.

Our Sales Team look forward to hearing from you on 0117 911 3889 and can remotely log you onto Electronic MAR to carry out a quick, informative remote demonstration (which is free and without obligation) at a time and date that is most convenient to you.

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CARINGTECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Advertiser’s announcement

Cura launches a new duty roster MANAGING caregiver resources have never been so critical as they are now with restrictions brought about by Covid-19.

Planning for the right people in the right places plays an even more crucial role in supporting the health and safety of service users.

Cura’s Duty Roster is designed from the ground up, specifically with long term care homes in mind and to address the complex issues arising from Covid related challenges.

The Cura Duty responds to the questions: who goes, where for what and when?

Following the successful launch of an Invoicing system in August 2020 that is uniquely designed for long term care homes, Cura is now releasing its latest module ‘Duty Roster’ to better manage work schedules with greater flexibility.

This is Cura’s answer to getting the most from limited resources within the social care sector.

The module comprises a userfriendly interface, including “drag and drop” and alternative planning views – features that make scheduling so much easier – ensuring the right people are assigned the right tasks at the right time.

The duty roster module highlights the ability to manage shift patterns, track availability of caregivers, set up job roles, monitor employment and leave entitlements and seamlessly manage caregivers across multiple locations.

The module boosts the visibility of caregiver workloads and provides better coordination and control of various activities within the home.

It also significantly decreases

the time, cost and effort put into administration, increases productivity and freeing up precious time for more important tasks.

Here are just some of the benefits: n Simplify scheduling – create rotas with a few clicks. You can add staff individually or in batches and register details such as skills, job roles, employment type, location, leave entitlements and working hours. n Up to the minute information – improve resource management allocation with more accurate data in real time. You can view who is assigned at a particular time and location, and get an instant access to staff’s availability, time off, upcoming shifts and other tasks. n Increase efficiency – eliminate unproductive manual work with a simplified and highly configurable workflow process. n Reduce operating and labour cost – avoid overstaffing due to scheduling conflicts, minimise risk of understaffing and fill empty shifts. n Centralised information – obtain information from various departments or locations at one time and enable management to make critical decisions in a timely manner. n Minimal training and implementation time – requires C minimum training and M implementation effort with an attractive and easy-to-use interface.Y …and a lot more!

CM While there are a number of systems currently serving the market, Cura is MY the most intuitive care home software in terms of the widest scope of CY functionality within a single suite of CMY modules.

Cura Systems are equipped with K a rich set of tools and features and committed to bringing further innovations to benefit all involved in the provision of care.

Let us help you and your care team with the tools to help deliver the best possible care.

Book a full online demonstration on 020 3621 9111 or email at info@cura. systems

31 Advertiser’s announcement

CareDocs: more than a software provider CareDocs has a fantastic reputation among care providers.

Many people will have heard of us because of our digital care recording and management software.

Our user-friendly system, industry experts and unrivalled customer service has gained us thousands of loyal users across the UK which we help to deliver outstanding care.

But did you know there’s more to us than just our software?

If you’re still using a paper-based system, you’ve probably thought about making the switch to digital but unsure what exactly goes into the transition.

Overhauling your entire way of working sounds like a lot of effort but CareDocs was created to reduce timeShould you wish for multiple staff consuming admin tasks – and we to use the system at once you can want that benefit to start before you hire additional laptops and dedicated even turn on your new computer. mobile devices like smartphones and We’ve been supplying and installing hardware, answering tech queries and tablets to provide essential point of care recording. repairing equipment since our launch After you’re up and running you’re in 2008. not left to fend for yourself.

Our aim is to make the entire We have a dedicated, UK-based process as simple as possible. support team and an out-of-office This includes setting you up, service that includes evenings, customising your system and training weekend and bank holidays. you on the software.

We’re always standing by to help That way, when we leave, you can you with your questions and to fix or continue your care and instantly Arquella_Marketing_CaringUK_Final01_CMYK_OL.pdf 1 17/03/2020 15:55:08 replace your hardware if you find a benefit from a more efficient way of working. fault.

32

CARINGTECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

‘Rainbow Room’ keeps residents connected

Larchwood Care has been shortlisted for the prestigious LaingBuisson Large Residential Care award. The key drivers for the nomination were: The way Larchwood Care supports staff with career progression and training. How Larchwood Care utilises technology and innovation to ensure the efficient running of the homes, with in-house tech products including Care Portal, the IMPaCT Audit system and the HowDidWeDo? feedback app.

Improvements in regulatory body ratings in the last four years, including CQC scores rising from 41 per cent Good or Outstanding overall to the current figure of 85 per cent Good or Outstanding. Managing director Lynn Fearn said: “We firmly believe that whatever an individual’s means, they deserve to be cared for in a dignified and respectful manner, to feel safe, and to receive that in as comfortable an environment as possible.

Advertiser’s announcement

FORNHAM House care residence in Fornham St Martin, near Bury St Edmunds has unveiled a gardenbased visiting ‘pod’ to help residents safely connect with their loved ones.

The purpose-built wooden cabin, which the residents have named the “Rainbow Room”, is located in the grounds of the home and provides a safe space for relatives to visit residents while Covid-19 continues to pose a risk across the country.

Home manager Desiree Jooste said: “We’re so delighted to be able to offer this lovely new facility. The garden room structure enables loved ones to get together without increased worry.

“With visits still needed to be kept outside of the main home, having this warm, welcoming and comforting space is making such a difference to residents and their families.

“Seeing friends and relatives is so important for the wellbeing of those we care for so we’re delighted to be able to offer this new innovative facility. It has been warmly welcomed

by residents and their relatives alike.”

With all external visits halted since before lockdown began in March, Healthcare Homes Group, which operates Fornham House, has been researching ways to make it safe for residents to see family members.

The answer has been to create temporary garden rooms, which are equipped with a Perspex screen to separate visitors from residents and an intercom to make communicating easy. The room is also equipped with heating when required, insulation and nurse call buttons.

Residents cycle for gold Accelerating digital healthcare FUSION’S development of digital technology to the care sector has proven to have driven higher standards of both care and efficiency by spearheading enhancements in time consuming reporting and care processes.

This is exhibited by numerous outstanding CQC reports achieved by our tech savvy clients.

NHSX has been tasked to set out minimum mandatory digital functionality and its suggested in the recent White Paper “Accelerating Digital Healthcare” that this must be achieved to attain CQC registration and that It’s no longer possible to deliver acceptable standards of safe care of an individual without basic digital records of the care the individual received.

Fusion is one of the only suppliers of an end to end solution to the sector so no need to look any further for staff management, resident administration and care planning, one portal for one system will unleash the potential of your business by empowering your team to let them focus on what really

matters.

In the current difficult climate now is the time to get over what is preventing you moving to digital.

There can be a rational fear of change, but change in whatever form is inevitable and we are all experiencing this in our everyday private and business lives in these Covid-19 times.

Once you have grasped the nettle and you and your staff have seen the benefits then the change will be accepted.

The ability to have both your care and business statistics collated automatically from simple and straightforward points of entry in an easy to understand format is great for you, your business, your stake holders and your regulator.

The care sector has to step up to the digital revolution and embrace new technologies to streamline its care and business practices giving the ability to share information with all areas of healthcare.

It’s not going away so embrace the change today. www.Fusion4care.com

LOCKED down residents have been going for gold by travelling the world on their bikes — all from the comfort of their care villages.

With the help of their support workers, residents across Belong’s facilities have worked hard to cycle their personal bests in this year’s Road Worlds for Seniors, a global competition for older people and those with dementia.

Amongst the thousands competing, Belong residents have been exploring breath-taking landscapes through a linked screen, thanks to the event’s organiser, Motitech, whose mobile bikes make it possible to bring cycle equipment to residents in their households.

Belong’s seven care villages throughout the North West and Midlands clocked up more than 2,500km (1,553 miles) — about the equivalent of cycling from John o’ Groats in Scotland to Lee Valley Velo Park in London’s Olympic Park, and back again.

Anthony Harley, lead fitness instructor for Belong, explains: “Exercise can really transform quality of life and is a fundamental part of life at Belong, so it was devastating for us when our village gyms had to close during lockdown.

“Since then, we’ve been exploring other ways to continue exercise

provision and Road Worlds for Seniors is a perfect opportunity to get everyone excited about exercising, so we were really up for taking part.”

In addition to the health benefits cycling brings, the annual initiative aims to bring participants living in care facilities into a shared community across international borders.

This year, Belong’s participation has been widened to include all seven of its state-of-the-art care villages, having been trialled at its Crewe and Wigan sites in 2019, when Belong Wigan made the top 10 in the UK and the global top 50 for number of kilometres cycled.

Anthony added: “The benefits of regular exercise for older people are well documented, including increased muscle strength and flexibility, decreased stiffness and pain and lower blood pressure.

“Exercise enhances mood, improves sleep and provides stimulating activity, all of which have been shown to boost the wellbeing of older people, many of whom remain socially isolated from their loved ones.

“Road World for Seniors has proven to be a big hit with our residents as no matter their ability, they can all take part and many have enjoyed having a bit of friendly competition.”

34 lamontjohnson.com

LOOKING FOR A DISCREET ConfiTotally dential No SALE? Obligation Phone us today for a no obligation appraisal and free market advice

07920 475 440 or mail us

lamontjohnson@btinternet.com

CARE HOME SALES NATIONWIDE

Operator announces refurb and new start for Poole care home

Page 36

Home operator enters assisted living market

Page 37

Forward sale of Hailsham care home is agreed

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Dementia ‘village’ opens doors to patients A NEW ‘village’ that will support people to live well with dementia has opened at St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton.

Situated in the grounds of the hospital, the Lowther hub is home to around 40 patients with complex dementia and Huntingdon’s disease.

Based around a village theme, it aims to offer more than a hospital or nursing home environment, instead featuring areas such as a village green where family and patients can meet and spend time together, a post office and pillar box, as well as a village hall which acts a social hub for meetings, activities and get-togethers.

The village feel aims to normalise hospital care, a concept based on De Hogeweyk, a gated model village in the Netherlands which was designed specifically as a dementia care facility. The environment has been designed in order to reduce restrictions as much as possible.

Dr Inga Stewart, consultant clinical

psychologist, said: “The physical environment for people living with dementia is often the silent partner in improving their engagement and

overall quality of life.

“The new village at our Northampton hospital is fantastic, balancing patients’ safety and

“ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A C2 SITE TO DEVELOP A HOME?”

security, in a comfortable, homely and welcoming environment.

St Andrew’s have incorporated visual clues into the building’s design, such as memory boxes, coloured doors and visual prompts, which aim to aid recognition and reduce confusion and frustration.

The village also makes good use of technology, with Circadian Rhythm lighting (which follows the 24-hour internal clock, or rhythm, helping the mind to be active during the day and restful at night).

Other features include dementiafriendly bathroom taps, which look like traditional cross-headed taps but are automated and will report changes in cognitive ability, for example if someone repeatedly leaves the taps on.

Reminiscence sessions, arts and music are all standard at St Andrew’s, and the new environment ensures patients have the space to enjoy these activities.

lamontjohnson.com Affluent Leicestershire - 3 acres, £900,000 unconditional, £1.2 million subject to planning.

60 beds.

Chippenham, Wiltshire - 1.5 acre site, suitable for 60 beds, alongside new housing.

Chipping Campden, Oxon - excellent 1.5 acre site, could accommodate 60 beds, circa. £2.2 million.

Newbury, Berkshire - 2 separate sites, each potentially for 60 beds, subject to planning.

Affluent Cheshire - Planning pending for 65 bed Care Home.

Mid Staffordshire - Planning pending for 80 bed Care Home.

Bishops Waltham/Hamble, Hampshire - 2 separate sites each with potential for 60 bed Care Home.

Lamont Johnson has a number of valuable sites nationwide, either with Planning Approval in place, or can be bought on a Subject to Planning basis.”

The majority of these sites are genuinely “off market” opportunities which would allow you to negotiate on a one to one basis, directly with the land owner/developer.”

Th sp di Ho sit C2 wi ap ou in us pr co wh ag em Th th inc ad pr on an co pr an

LamontJohnson

P R O P E RT Y ADVISOR S

TO THE CARE SECTOR

LAND FOR CARE

SELLING CARE HOME SITES NATIONWIDE

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Bicester MP welcomes new 30 new jobs care home to community created at VICTORIA Prentis, the Conservative MP for Banbury and North Oxfordshire, paid a visit special visit to Launton Grange in Bicester to mark the home’s imminent opening.

Launton Grange is Ideal Carehomes’ latest development and has benefitted from a £10million investment, providing all the finishing touches you would expect from a luxurious new home.

The spacious en-suite bedrooms and latest care technology will allow the care team to deliver personcentred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible.

Victoria was impressed with how well the home lends itself to current guidelines and is designed with space and residents in mind.

Home manager Anne Measures explained in depth how she and her team have already started implementing Ideal Carehomes’ ‘Ideal Fresh Living’ initiative which sees them being at the forefront of infection control policies.

Victoria was complimentary about the new facilities available for residents to enjoy at the care home including large social and dining areas, a cinema room, handy convenience store located on the first floor, on-site beauty parlour and airy botanical garden rooms leading onto spacious landscaped gardens.

The combination of specialising solely in the discreet sale of Care Homes of all sizes, and sites/developments for C2 use nationwide, along with our very personal approach to business and our breadth of knowledge in the care sector, gives us an edge which practically no other company can match, and which no ordinary estate agent can ever hope to emulate.

The service we offer in this specialised sector includes free market advice, realistic valuations, provision of knowledge on statutory regulations and requirements, and coherent liason with other professionals involved in any transaction.

Totally Confidential No Obligation

Home manager Anne Measures and local MP Victoria Prentis plant a commemorative tree at Launton Grange.

During the tour the pair discussed the ways that new residents would not only become part of the Launton Grange community but also continue to be at the heart of Bicester.

THE CARE HOME SOLD MARKET REMAINS STRONG. ARE YOU LOOKING TO SELL?

£2m wing

A £2M private investment by Dunluce Healthcare in Bangor has created 30 jobs with the opening of a dementia wing at its Oakmont Lodge nursing and residential home.

Designed specially around residents’ needs, the new 24-bed dementia wing will provide residential and nursing care, housed in modern surroundings.

It now brings the total number of beds at Oakmont Lodge to 80.

Situated in Bangor West, the new development also includes a large sensory garden which has been designed specifically for those living with dementia, with leading pathways, ambient lighting, and fragrant flowers and shrubs.

Ryan Smith, chief executive of Dunluce Healthcare said: “When we began planning our new dementia wing, we looked at current best practice, and to the future, in order to develop a centre of excellence.

“The feedback from interested families and our nursing and auxiliary teams has been fantastic and we believe we have created a centre, offering the highest quality of care in an environment that all residents can regard as their home.”

The Shelley, Worthing

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Dawn Taylor (Director, Lamont Johnson) Grayson Taylor (Managing Director, Lamont Johnson)

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Our success in the sale of Care Homes is second to none in the care sector, and has been achieved through the 40 years experience of principal directors, Grayson and Dawn Taylor, specialising solely in the discreet sale of Care Homes and sites/developments for C2 use nationwide.

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Victoria said: “Launton Grange is an excellent addition to this constituency, built to ensure residents are comfortable and situated near a lovely local park.

“I am pleased that the home is able to open as planned and I was very impressed with the safety measures put in place that will protect residents and staff.”

Anne explained how the dedicated lifestyle co-ordinators will provide a varied activities and social calendar that is tailored to the residents’ interests and hobbies with the aim of helping residents to make new friends within the home.

Victoria was also keen to learn about how residents are able to remain in close contact with their loved ones via Skype and FaceTime, as well as window and garden visits.

To commemorate her visit she planted an apple tree in the gardens for future residents to enjoy once it begins to fruit.

Anne added: “It has been wonderful showing Victoria around our beautiful home and to be able to discuss some of our key initiatives around infection control and also about the Launton Grange lifestyle.

“The apple tree we planted is a wonderful addition to our home and I am sure our chef will be excited to bake a delicious apple pie for everyone enjoy once our tree fruits.”

LamontJohnson

P R O P E RT Y ADVISOR S

m.07920 475 440

TO THE CARE SECTOR

lamontjohnson@btinternet.com

SELLING CARE HOMES NATIONWIDE

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36

Operator announces refurb and new start for Poole care home Bunty Malhotra, CEO of Prestwick Care with the Duchess and Meenu Malhotra, group chair of Malhotra Group PLC.

Duchess praises new Alnwick care home THE Duchess of Northumberland has praised the company behind a new £12m state-of-the-art care home in Alnwick.

Her Grace officially opened Beech Tree House, an 86-bedroom facility created by Prestwick Care on a previously derelict site.

The new development, which one visitor remarked is “like a five-star hotel”, joins the operator’s portfolio of residential care homes, many of which provide specialised care.

The Duchess said: “We are very grateful to the Malhotra Group for creating a site like this and choosing to do it in Alnwick,” she said.

“It is especially heart warming, given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves, to celebrate something really good which has been developed for the benefit of our region.

“Around 100 jobs are being created a time when we watch in dismay as familiar businesses find themselves in financial difficulties, some of which may have to close their doors for the last time.”

Wishing the Malhotra Group and the staff success, Her Grace added: “ I congratulate them and thank them for their investment and commitment to our community in such a difficult social and economic time.”

Along with providing nursing, dementia and residential care, the home is equipped with all the

necessary specialist facilities to care for young, physically disabled people, bariatric residents and those with brain injuries.

Facilities include a coffee shop, cinema room and hair salon, along with a number of stylish residents’ lounges on each floor.

Patient rooms have been designed to be both functional and attractive, with stylish fittings, smart bathrooms/wet rooms and flat screen tvs.

Bunty Malhotra, CEO of Prestwick Care, which is part of The Malhotra Group PLC, added: “We were both delighted and grateful that the Duchess came to open our 14th home, which is one of our Platinum facilities and our largest to date.

“We are very confident that the facilities and services, particularly for bariatric residents and for neurological rehabilitation, will benefit not only the people of Northumberland but of the whole region for years to come.”

Beech Tree House is Prestwick Care’s second Alnwick residential care home after it purchased Hillcrest Care Home in 2019 – and the second in its Platinum range of homes.

The company’s 14-strong portfolio across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland will be joined by new, purpose-built care home facilities at Ryhope, Sunderland and at Whitley Bay later this year.

LUXURYCARE, which operates five care homes across Bournemouth and Poole, has announced a new direction for Birds Hill Nursing Home in Poole, including a new manager and a new name – Eagles Mount.

The home, which previously provided a mixture of nursing care and care for those with dementia, will now exclusively offer residential care with some provision for those with low-level dementia.

As part of this new direction towards residential care, a £200,000 refurbishment project has been completed, and a new manager will take over in the near future.

Mandy Kittlety, managing director of the Luxurycare Group, said: “Since the Covid-19 pandemic we have had so many more enquiries from families seeking residential care for loved ones as they have struggled to get the support they needed at home and found it harder to access the community services they rely on.

“As a group we wanted to meet this need and create a home that could focus on this kind of provision – Eagles Mount is the clear choice.

“It’s in the heart of Poole and on a main bus route, so it’s ideal for residents who want to be able to get out and about and connect with the wider community.

“The building itself is very homely rather than clinical – ideal for residential care rather than nursing care.

“While our other homes have always had a clear focus, be it the provision of dementia care, or caring for residents with physical disabilities, that hasn’t been the case for this unit.

“This new direction provides a much-needed service for the community and that specific focus for the home; it’s the perfect fit.”

The refurbishment includes new en-suite bathrooms in all the rooms to allow residents total independence.

The communal areas have also been redecorated, including new carpets and furniture.

Mandy added: “It looks and feels like a new place, so it is only fitting that it should also have a new name.

“Eagles Mount was inspired by the eagles on the entrance gates to Poole Park, and of course, is a nod to the

Alicja Wysocka old name too.

“It symbolises a fresh start for the home and the exciting new focus on high-quality person-centred residential care.”

Alicja Wysocka will join as manager to drive this new residential care provision forward.

She is relocating from Redhill in Surrey where she is employed as a senior social worker.

Alicja has spent her life working in social care after coming to the UK from Poland in 2006, supporting people with a range of needs while training to be a social worker, qualifying in 2013.

She said: “I always knew I wanted to work with people and for people – I wanted to feel like I was making a difference.

“But I’ve found that the higher up you go in social work, the less contact you have with people.

“That’s what is driving this move for me – I want to have that close involvement with people day to day, to have that continuity again.

“I wasn’t looking for just any care home – I didn’t want to be part of a huge corporate machine. In meeting the people at Luxurycare and Eagles Mount I could see that they are what they say they are – they really do care.

That’s been a big part of my decision.

“The changes being made are very exciting. We are going to have everything we need to do a great job and provide the best quality of life possible for residents, according to what that means for them. My heart is already there – I can’t wait to start.”

Home offers ‘brighter’ future to community centre A NEW specialist nursing home in Surrey is offering a brighter future – quite literally – to its community centre neighbours.

Cornerstone Healthcare will open Marula Lodge in Mytchett in January.

The home will offer care for up to 42 adults with challenging behaviours associated with complex neurological and mental health needs.

The group, which operates two other specialist nursing homes in Hampshire, has donated £1,000 to the Mytchett Centre for it to install lights in its car park and to

re-decorate the interior.

Although the function facilities are restricted, the Centre has re-opened its bar to members.

CEO of Cornerstone, Johann van Zyl, said: “This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long relationship with everyone at the Mytchett Centre.

“We will look to use the centre as an extension of our building for staff meetings, get-togethers for families and we also hope to use their grounds for activities for our residents.”

37

Home operator enters assisted living market A LEADING care home provider has taken the bold step to enter the assisted living market.

Having been at the forefront of care and design in the care sector, winning more than 100 awards in the last 23 years, Hallmark has created a new retirement living brand called Santhem Residences.

Their first project is Santhem Residences Shenfield, a luxury retirement living village in Shenfield, Essex with 55 one and two bedroom apartments shortly to be released for sale. The apartments are scheduled to open next spring.

The Essex-based company will be overseen by Avnish Goyal as CEO, running alongside his role as CEO of Savista Developments and chair of Hallmark Care Homes.

He said: “I am pleased to launch our first retirement village scheme Santhem Residences, which has been named after our wonderful parents, Santosh and Hemraj.

“This exclusive retirement village in Essex is the first of its kind but its creation and ethos have been decades in the making. It began with myself and my brothers and our aspiration for our parents to have the retirement lifestyle they deserved.

“Santhem Residences will give residents the freedom to live the life they desire, with equal opportunities for socialising and peaceful privacy,

£5m nursing home to create 150 jobs Avnish Goyal so should the resident wish to spend more time on existing hobbies or discover new passions, there will always be an abundance of events, trips, clubs and activities for them to get involved in at their leisure.”

Facilities at this £20m project will include a restaurant and bar with a highly trained chef, a state-of-theart cinema, a warm and inviting café, gym with a range of classes tailored to over 65s and a beauty salon. Residents will also benefit from landscaped gardens and private outdoor space in the form of patios, balconies and roof terraces.

Santhem Residences will work closely with its sister company Savista Developments to source land, obtain planning permission and build and fit out its next generation of assisted living projects into the next decade.

specialist healthcare business agents

AROUND 150 jobs will be created in Wyke, Bradford next year at a new complex needs care home by specialist nursing provider Exemplar Health Care.

The state-of-the-art home named Wykewood is set to open in 2021. The £5million home will support 40 adults living with complex mental and physical health conditions.

Wykewood will provide personcentred care and rehabilitation that focuses on maximising independence, building everyday living skills and empowering people to live as fulfilled lives as possible.

The home will begin recruiting nurses, support workers, administrators, kitchen and domestic team members and other support staff at the start of next year.

Sharon Burton, Wykewood’s commissioning home director, said: “I’m delighted and proud that Wykewood will support Wyke’s

community.

“We know the Bradford area well, having two fantastic, high-quality homes over in Leeds. We’ve also closely consulted with local clinical commissioning groups and the council to understand the keen demand for a high-quality home like Wykewood in the area.

“Our new home means that local people who need support can live close to their own homes and get back their independence and everyday living skills.

“Wykewood will also create 150, stable, secure, full-time and part-time jobs, allowing for many different shift patterns and skill-sets.”

Wykewood is one of specialist nursing care provider Exemplar Health Care’s 32 homes across England. Once completed, the home will be comprised of 40 large bedrooms – each with an en-suite wet room – spread over three floors.

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SOLD

Carr Holm Care Home, Prestatyn, North Wales - Reg 20

On behalf of Mr Paul and Mrs Debra Mallows, DC Care is delighted to announce the successful sale of Carr Holm care home located in the North Wales coastal town of Prestatyn.

When industry knowledge and wisdom are needed, when a discreet sale is desired, our clients choose DC Care to sell their healthcare business.

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Forward sale of Hailsham care home is agreed First project shortlisted for international design award CARE home construction company Savista Developments is celebrating following the announcement that its first project has been shortlisted for an international design award.

Henley Manor in Henley-onThames, operated by Savista’s sister company, Hallmark Care Homes, is in the running for the ‘Healthcare and Wellness Design’ award at the esteemed SBID International Design Awards.

The awards, which are organised by The Society of British International Interior Design, seek to recognise design excellence ranging across commercial and residential interior spaces.

Managing director at Savista Developments and chair of Hallmark Care Homes, Avnish Goyal, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.

“Henley Manor provides innovative solutions to care and a lot of consideration has gone into this home to ensure we are meeting the ever-changing needs of the residents.

“Winning would be such a fantastic achievement for both teams at Savista and Hallmark Care Homes.”

The 80-bed, £8.5million pound facility, which opened in January, includes a hair salon, therapy room, cinema and café.

The landscaped gardens include an outdoor putting green, aviary, greenhouse, living wall and waterwall.

The home also features many design elements developed specifically for people living with dementia.

It includes reminiscent images of Henley for local residents and large balconies providing relaxing outdoor spaces.

The home also features coloured and textured walls chosen specifically for their benefits for those residents living with dementia.

The winners are decided via a voting system and will be announced at Grosvenor House in October 2021, where the winners across 17 categories will receive an SBID International Design Award 2021 trophy, specially created by Czech glass specialist Sans Souci Glass Deco.

Second site acquired for £100m community INSPIRED Villages, Legal & General’s later living business, has expanded its presence in Hampshire through the acquisition of a 10-acre site in Chandlers Ford for the delivery of a new retirement community.

The site has been acquired with outline planning permission to develop 151 new specialist ageappropriate homes, meeting strong local demand.

Neal Dale, development director at Inspired Villages, said: “Acquiring a second site in Hampshire with outline planning permission highlights Inspired’s ambitions and outstanding momentum, while also emphasising the growing demand for specialist age-appropriate housing in the area.

“I am proud of, and look forward to seeing, the vast and significant socioeconomic benefits that will come as a result of our upcoming Chandlers Ford community.

“There is a need to provide a greater support to our older people within society; Covid has shown us that ensuring the health and wellbeing of

our older people, whilst supporting our NHS and social care services, is paramount.”

The new Chandlers Ford site will include a wellness centre (comprising a fitness studio, gym and swimming pool), which will be available to local qualifying residents on a membership basis.

Works are expected to commence on site early next year, creating 110 construction jobs per annum over a four-year period, and more than 35 permanent jobs once complete.

Chandlers Ford will mark Inspired Villages’ second later living community in Hampshire, joining Bramshott Place near Liphook.

The decision to acquire another site in the county was a response to the vast disparity between supply and demand in the area for specialist housing.

In 2017 it was estimated that there were more than 41,000 over 65s in Hampshire, which is expected to rise to 91,600 by 2035 – an increase of more than 200 per cent.

LUXURY care home developer Hamberley Development, backed by Patron Capital, has agreed a forward commitment to sell its next stateof-the-art care home to European Healthcare REIT Aedifica.

The forward purchase agreement is the second deal between the two in as many months.

The 60-bedroom Covid-secure home in Hailsham, East Sussex, is due to be completed early next year and will welcome its first residents in the spring.

The deal will see Hamberley’s operating company, Hamberley Care Homes, lease back the building from Aedifica over a 25-year period.

The luxury home is in keeping with Hamberley Care Homes’ premium style and includes en-suite bedrooms throughout, a cinema, a café, a bar area, a hair and beauty salon (with a nail bar), lounges and landscaped gardens.

The home has also been designed with the highest safety standards in mind, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additional features include a bespoke Covid-secure visitation suite, in-built thermal imaging technology in the entrance lobby (to ensure all visitors to the home, including staff, have their temperature taken on a daily basis) and an optimised ventilation system which ensures air in public spaces is fully replaced every 15 minutes.

The home will also have hand washing and hand sanitising stations throughout for staff, residents and

visitors. The new development will mark the opening of the 12th home in the Hamberley Care Homes group.

Tim Street, director at Hamberley Development, said: “We’re delighted to agree to this commitment with the Aedifica and Layland Walker teams so soon after our first deal last month.

“This forward purchase agreement, for our Hailsham development, shows the strength of our reputation for delivering the highest quality care environments, on time and on budget.

“The Hailsham home will meet the very highest standards for safety and infection control and sets a new benchmark for Covid-secure care settings.

“We are proud to be able to deliver both luxury and safety, without compromising on either front.

“We believe that this is what sets us apart as an award-winning healthcare development business.”

In addition to Hailsham the group has a development pipeline of sites in Basingstoke, Bedford, Brampton, Bristol, Bromsgrove, Camberley, Cambridge, Dorking, Eastleigh, Enfield, Edwalton, Keynsham, Southampton and West Byfleet.

The group is also actively acquiring land and existing operating businesses and has more than £180m of equity capital allocated for healthcare investment.

Hamberley Development recently sold its newest care home, the 69-bedroom Richmond House, in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, to Aedifica in a sale and leaseback transaction.

Margaret Thrower, Morris Care’s Philippa Bason and Carl Jones at Radbrook Nursing Homes new Garden Suite.

Home holds virtual launch event SHREWSBURY based provider Morris Care held its first virtual launch event as it unveiled Radbrook Garden Suite, a new wing at Radbrook Nursing Home.

Viewers were able to tune in via the Morris Care website for a live broadcast from the new Garden Suite revealing its facilities and featuring contributions from celebrity chef Marcus Bean and horticulturalist Margaret Thrower who have helped to mark the occasion.

The live streaming was hosted by broadcaster and presenter Carl Jones, who joined Lucy Holl, chief executive of Morris Care, for a guided tour around the new wing with its 10 en-suite bedrooms, private lounges, spa and wellbeing rooms.

Lucy said: “We couldn’t let this milestone event pass by without celebration and our virtual event was the perfect and safest way to bring many people together to see the new wing.”

L&G donates £5m to Newcastle to pioneer new post-Covid approach to elderly care LEGAL & General and Newcastle City Council have announced a new £5m charitable partnership to enhance elderly care in the city, placing it at the forefront of development of ground-breaking changes to the way we care for older people.

The donation will be used in two distinct projects.

Initially and with immediate effect it will help fund additional independent living facilities for older residents within the Future Homes Alliance project at Newcastle Helix, managed by the City Council’s housing partner Karbon Homes.

Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal & General, said: “With an ageing population, elderly care was already a major issue for L&G and many of our customers, and Covid was a further tragic blow for many in the care sector – including in the North East.

“We have to find better ways to care for older people, and these prototypes will accelerate the process, demonstrate what can be done and what is viable, and complement the academic work we already sponsor.

“Doing this here, alongside brilliant partners, cements Newcastle’s position as a national leader in care.”

The facilities will be made up of 66 affordable units along with five demonstrator homes to test the latest innovations and products to help support ageing and environmental sustainability in a realworld setting.

All new homes will be integrated within the Future Homes development, the first wave of residential development at Helix, which was recently approved by Newcastle City Council’s Planning Committee.

The second, larger component of the donation will provide core funding for a 20/25-bed “new

model” residential care home.

This ground-breaking project, for which Newcastle City Council will identify a site, will be a prototype which moves away from the traditional large-scale care home to a more domestic, clustered, communal setting.

Its design and operation will incorporate key lessons learned from the Covid pandemic, including on infection control and operation of lockdowns and “support bubbles”, helping to minimise negative effects on residents, particularly those living with dementia.

The care home’s construction will be led by the City Council who will also own and operate the facility.

The plans showcase the Council’s strategy to provide better integrated services for elderly residents, working closely with NHS, University and voluntary and community sector partners.

Providing better, community focused services that are holistic and built around independent living has greater benefits for the health and wellbeing of

residents. Both the independent living facilities and the care home will be built to enable best use of new technology including telehealth, telemedicine and remote monitoring using the “internet of things”.

As well as providing state-of-the-art facilities for residents, both types of accommodation will provide valuable data to help grow knowledge of how best to operate care facilities in a post-Covid environment, facilitating maximum collaboration between facilities and the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing, Urban Observatory as well as other researchers and providers of care.

Charlotte Carpenter, executive director of growth and business Development at Karbon Homes, added: “We are excited about the huge potential of the new homes we are building with the Future Homes Alliance.

“I want to thank L&G for their very generous contribution to this important project. Working closely with our partners, we aim to set new standards in quality and innovation, to provide the best possible living environment.

“We will be experimenting with new technologies and products to enhance the lives of older residents in particular, and really push the boundaries on what can be achieved around environmental sustainability.”

For Legal & General, funding these facilities forms a further component part of the company’s “Let’s Care for Britain” programme.

This already includes a £20m, seven-year investment in research into future elderly care by Edinburgh University, which is already working on this in partnership with Newcastle University.

This support has already “crowded in” an additional £20m of funding from other sources.

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