October 2018
no.264 • £4.75 incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Care homes celebrate reaching shortlist
Survey reveals large support for cameras By Dominic Musgrave
ALMOST 93 per cent of people support the use of surveillance cameras in care homes to protect vulnerable people, according to new research. The Panelbase survey of 1,050 people, carried out for Care Protect, found that 92.76 per cent of those questioned were in favour of this form of monitoring to safeguard residents. Ben Wilson, of Care Protect, said: “I think people are saying ‘enough is enough’ and something must be done to ensure that older and vulnerable people are cared for and supported in safe environments. “At a time when many care providers are suffering significant financial constraints and the media are regularly highlighting issues of abuse and poor care standards, this research demonstrates the overwhelming public support for innovative solutions. “This is demonstrably working in practice. Care homes using events only camera surveillance technology have reported a significant increase in occupancy and improvement in care standards. “The care industry can no longer bury its head in the sand about what is happening as even in the best homes, individual cases of poor care delivery can occur.”
Leading MP and former Attorney General Dominic Grieve has joined Jayne Connery, founder of the Care Campaign For The Vulnerable, to call for cameras to push for a new law that would make cameras compulsory in all areas of care homes. “Understandably, the use of cameras in a care setting is an emotive subject and causes concern about intrusion into people’s privacy,” added Ben. “However, such fears should not stifle an informed and ongoing debate about technologies that can materially improve safeguarding for vulnerable people. “By explaining how the technology can work in the interests of both service users and employees, I believe any apprehensions can be overcome. Individual privacies and liberties can be protected and respected by using intelligent cameras, which provide monitoring on an ‘events’ only basis. “In addition, any camera system could and should operate independently of providers, with third party trained health and social experts reviewing any events. “It should be recognised that even in the best homes, individual cases of serious abuse can occur and that surveillance systems not only protect service users, but also staff if they are wrongly accused of abuse.”
Embrace Technology.... Embrace Cura More time with residents Less paperwork Evidence work done Happier staff
Contact the Cura team today 020 3621 9111 ● info@cura.systems ● www.cura.systems
The National Association of Care Catering Training & Development Forum returns to the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, from October 3-5. It will tackle key issues and challenges in care catering, including: The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, dispelling the myths surrounding food allergies, addressing confusions within the nutritional groups, and improving the mealtime experience for residents with a dementia. Speakers will include Candice Brown (pictured above), the 2016 Great British Bake Off winner.
EXCITING plans are well underway for the second Caring UK Awards, as homes around the UK celebrate making this year’s shortlist. The awards evening will celebrate excellence throughout the industry, with trophies in over 20 categories up for grabs on the night. More than 100 entries, from homes as far afield as Tunbridge Wells, Aberdeen and Redruth, have made the finals, now progressing to the next stage of the judging process; a visit from a member of the Caring UK team to take a look around their facilities and chat to members and staff. Following the visits, comprehensive reports will be complied to then be passed on to an expert judging panel; Judges include Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, Nadra Ahmed OBE, executive chairman of the National Care Association, Raj Kapoor, head of training and consultancy at the Alzheimer’s Society, Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft MBE and Jane Murphy, professor of nutrition at Bournemouth University. Successful homes will then be presented with their awards at a glittering ceremony, taking place at The Athena in Leicester on Thursday December 6. Details on pages 16 and 17.