Caring UK Weekly - Issue 45

Issue 45 24.02.21

FOR ALL YOUR INTERIOR NEEDS For further details contact Sarah Thompson: sarah@sommer-rose.com 07495 471038 • www.sommer-rose.com

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Residents to set sail on a world cruise RESIDENTS became passengers at a care group as it left its virtual port to embark on a six-month world cruise – offering its residents the holiday of a lifetime despite the pandemic.

With passports at the ready and sun and sangria in mind, residents at all 13 of Nellsar’s homes across Kent, Surrey and Essex began their grand voyage in Hong Kong, to coincide with Chinese New Year.

A welcome distraction to the current lockdown, residents enjoyed Chinese themed activities, decorations, music, cuisine, costumes, quizzes, and films from the comfort of their armchairs.

Dubbed ‘Around the World with Nellsar Cruises’, the virtual ship will dock at a different country each month with upcoming destinations including India, Spain, Italy, France and the Caribbean, before returning to the UK in August.

Residents and staff at Nellsar’s Meyer House Care Centre, in Erith, Kent, Lukestone Care Centre, in Maidstone, and Princess Christian Care Centre, near Woking, were just a handful of homes that embraced the sunsoaked adventure.

Even Nellsar’s managing director Martin Barrett got involved in the fun, becoming captain of the cruise liner and sending a video to all the homes, in full costume, encouraging everyone to put their feet up and have some fun.

Viv Stead, recreation and well-being manager at Nellsar, said: “Our residents and staff have been dreaming of escaping the lockdown and visiting far flung destinations, so we thought why not take them there.

“Let’s face it, it’s been a long haul for everyone, and we all need a break and some welldeserved sunshine and fun.

Our virtual cruise offers no pressure or rules, just a bit of sunny distraction.

“We’re getting the relatives involved too, by exchanging postcards and photos as we make our way around the globe. It’s a great way to help our residents reminisce, with many of them being very well travelled and willing to share their globetrotting adventures.

“Ultimately, we just want to have a bit of fun after an exhausting year and what better way to do that than with an all-inclusive world cruise – it’s armchair travel in luxury.”

Awards to recognise heroes

Residents at Encore Care Homes enjoyed pancake tossing competitions and a host of tasty treats to celebrate Pancake Day. The teams organised special Covid-safe activities for residents to participate and indulge in, during the annual festivities of Shrove Tuesday. At Great Oaks in Bournemouth, the residents had pancakes for their afternoon tea, which were accompanied by a generous choice of toppings including lemon, sugar, golden syrup, fruit, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. They also hosted a pancake flipping competition to see who could flip their pancake the highest.

Resident Andre Mauger (pictured) enjoyed taking past in the pancake flipping competition, having formerly worked as a patisserie chef in Bournemouth, the Chef de Cuisine at the Pavilion for 20 years, and then coming out of retirement to work at the BIC for five years.

INDIVIDUALS and organisations who have gone the extra mile to support people affected by dementia over the past year will be recognised at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

Nominations are now open for Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Hero Awards 2021 which will be hosted by Alzheimer’s Society supporter and TV presenter, writer and journalist Richard Madeley on May 20.

The awards, which are sponsored

by Tunstall Healthcare, will take place virtually during Dementia Action Week (May 17-23) and will showcase the stories of people doing outstanding things during the pandemic – Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Heroes.

Gavin Bashar, UK managing director at Tunstall Healthcare, said: “Throughout the pandemic, individuals, groups and organisations have shown incredible support for people affected by dementia.

“The Awards will recognise these Dementia Heroes, and will showcase the inspirational achievements of those who care for people with dementia, those finding innovative solutions in research, and the campaigners and media fighting for the rights of people with dementia.”

Nominations close on Friday March 5. It’s quick and easy to nominate your Dementia Hero.

Just visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/ dementiaheroawards

When it comes to clients, there’s no mountain we won’t climb.

Here at Gordons Partnership we pride ourselves on delivering a personal, high-quality service. Our lawyers are just a phone call away, take the time to listen and provide regular updates, working with you closely to achieve the best possible outcomes.

neil@gordonsols.co.uk | 01483 451900 | www.gordonsols.co.uk

CARINGWEEKLY

Announcement is cautiously welcomed by associations ANXIOUS care providers have given an extremely cautious welcome to a Government announcement that visits can begin again in care and nursing homes following Covid-19 lockdowns.

The Government has announced that care home residents could have one named visitor from March 8 and that they would be able to hold hands. The visitor would have to wear personal protective equipment.

Independent Care Group chair Mike Padgham said: “Care providers are very keen to enable residents to enjoy visits from their relatives once again as they have been kept apart for too long.

“But we must sound a note of caution because Covid-19 hasn’t gone away and we are caring for the most vulnerable and most susceptible to it, as the figures show.

“We need some clarification – for example, the announcement says holding hands will be allowed but warns against “close contact”. How is that going to be possible? There is going to have to be some very close but compassionate supervision of these visits.

“In truth, we might have preferred a more phased return to visiting with maybe a period of no contact visits followed by some careful contact.”

Mike Padgham Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum, added: “The National Care Forum welcomes the Government commitment to put care home visiting front and centre of the road map for recovery.

“The NCF, working in partnership with all those passionate about care, have been raising the urgent need to reconnect people with their loved ones for many, many months now, and while the overall approach to visiting has incrementally moved forward, it is hugely important that this next step recognises the role of essential caregivers and ensures that people living within care homes have regular, sustained and meaningful contact with one of the most important people in their lives.

Vic Rayner “NCF will continue to support our membership in moving as quickly as possible to implement these changes, and we call on the government to work with the sector to ensure that homes have all the support and resource needed to make this a reality for the hundreds and thousands of people living within care.

“Homes are communities, and relatives have always been an essential part of that community, having them back at the heart of care most definitely feels like an important junction on the roadmap.”

Helen Wildbore, director of the Relatives & Residents Association, said: “R&RA welcomes the Government’s commitment to end isolation in care and is pleased

they have listened to the voices of residents and their families. Our helpline hears daily from people for whom the past year of severe visitor restrictions has had a devastating impact and we will continue to campaign until ending isolation becomes a reality for all residents.

“For many of our helpline callers, being able to visit and hold hands will be a welcome first step. However, asking residents to choose a single constant visitor for face-to-face visits will lead to heart-breaking decisions between family members and friends.

“The proposals fall far too short of what is needed to end the distress of isolation for the most vulnerable residents. For people with dementia and other conditions, touch is crucial.

“If the roadmap only allows ‘close contact’ visits in exceptional circumstances as suggested – such as help to encourage eating and drinking – this fundamentally misunderstands the role relatives and friends play as essential caregivers in protecting resident’s wellbeing.

“Finally, we are concerned little will change on the ground to reunite families until these proposals are deemed mandatory and set out in law. Only then can the Government ensure the promise of meaningful visiting becomes a reality for all.”

Accelerating Digital Care When there is no longer room for guesswork and assumption in care

Delivering seamless end-to-end staff and resident data from a easy to use single entry portal

Improved resident experience • Improved staff experience • Better care delivery • Lower cost of care •

The NHSX say CQC registration will be dependent upon compliance of technological and digital standards timelines to achieve this are soon to be put in place, talk to us about making your business CQC future-proof

C A R E

M A N A G E M E N T

t: 01133 979 555

F R O M

e: info@fusionecare.com • www.fusionecare.com

T H E

C L O U D

3

CARINGWEEKLY

4

Advertiser’s announcement

Kent care home group chooses Duplex CHARING Healthcare is a company with family origins and currently has 10 care homes across Kent and Medway which deliver dementia residential care, nursing home care and also learning disability care.

They provide warm, safe, friendly care homes with the very best in personal care and support.

With their experience gained from more than 20 years in the care sector they are well placed to support clients and their families in their search for the right home in which to start the new chapter in their life.

With cleaning and hygiene practices already a high priority and the coronavirus pandemic unfolding earlier in the year, the management at Charing Healthcare decided to look at ways of enhancing their regimes.

Charing Healthcare director Senna Osman said: “We had a Duplex Steamer at one of our homes for a few years which was great.

“Then Covid hit and when we started to look at measures we could put in place to assist and elevate our infection control procedures and the Duplex Steamer instantly came to mind.

“We then purchased eight more machines for our other homes which have been great.

“The team at Duplex arranged the delivery and training for the machines very promptly and have supported us anytime we need help. Thank you.”

The machines Senna chose were the hugely popular Duplex 340 Steam and Duplex 420 Steam floor cleaning machines which

High Performance Cleaning Machines Duplex have been supplying cleaning machines to the care sector for over thirty years and in that time our machines have been helping to keep care homes clean and sanitised for staff, residents and visitors in all parts of the country.

These premium grade machines are made for the most demanding tasks and are especially relevant with the ongoing issues caused by the current pandemic with their ability to deliver steam at temperatures high enough to kill 99.998% of bacteria.

Request a Covid-19 safe demonstration.

These will follow any customer rules currently in place and our own stringent safety policy.

Request an onsite demonstration www.duplex-cleaning.com

01227 771276

Fax 01227 770220 info@duplex-cleaning.com Unit 27 Joseph Wilson Ind. Est Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3PS.

clean and sanitise both carpets and hard floors utilising the power of steam which has been proven to kill 99.998 per cent of bacteria.

These models have been used to help keep care homes up and down the country clean and sanitised for many, many years and are light and easy to use.

They need no harsh cleaning chemicals to achieve superior

• CLEAN AND SANITISE WITH STEAM • CERTIFIED DATA AVAILABLE • COMBINE CLEANING WITH INFECTION CONTROL • USE ON HARD AND SOFT SURFACES • COVID-SECURE TRAINING INCLUDED

results which combined with their low water usage mean they are environmentally friendly and ecologically sound.

They are also highly effective on hard to clean safety flooring scrubbing deep into its slipresistant surface thus helping to avoid dangerous slip hazards.

Duplex not only provides Covid-secure demonstrations, when machines are purchased a certificated training and installation session is carried out which covers the use and care of the machine.

Duplex southern area business development manager, John Still, added: “In addition to the Covid19 security requirements we have as a company such as use of PPE, social-distancing, minimal staff presence and hand-washing facilities, Charing Healthcare provided temperature testing on arrival, track and trace risk assessment and large rooms in which to carry out the training.

“The whole experience of carrying out the training sessions was well-organised with a dedication to the staff and residents paramount.”

Visit www.duplex-cleaning.com or call 01227 771276.

CARINGWEEKLY

Cheshire care home features in celebrity endorsed Covid book CHAPEL House Care, which runs two care homes in Puddington, Cheshire, has been included in a book about life in care homes during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The book, called Bringing The Inside Out, has been published by the arts and literature charity Living Words.

The charity spoke to more than 60 care home residents with dementia, their carers and relatives as part of a pioneering UK-wide project.

They ran weekly sessions with carers from 15 British care homes – including The Chapel House and Plessington Court – to enable the words of people with dementia to be part of the book.

Each person’s sounds and words were captured using their Listen Out Loud Methodology, allowing people’s words to be captured as they spoke them – making for an unconventional use of grammar and arrangement on the page.

The book has been supported by celebrities and leading figures in dementia care including National Care Forum and Dementia Research Centre, as well as the actors Brian Cox and Christopher Eccleston.

Chapel House Care owner Cathrina Moore, an Admiral Nurse, said: “We feel privileged to have worked on this book with Susanna and her team and

Muscliff Nursing Home in Bournemouth.

New owners for care home The Chapel House in Puddington.

I believe it will have a lasting impact.

“It has been an exceptionally difficult time for all care homes and their residents but so important for the year 2020, Covid-19 and its devastating impact to be captured.”

Each person taking part in the project has received a copy of the book.

Susanna Howard, Living Words founder, said: “This book will resonate not only with other people in care homes, their loved ones and professional carers but with all of us as a society.

“They give us an insight into how things have really been in care homes across the UK. These words have tremendous power – and the act of truly listening will drive all of us forward to deliver ever better care.”

The project and the book have been supported by funding from The Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund, Kent Community Foundation and FHCLCT.

Advertiser’s announcement

How safe are your ratings?

FOLLOWING on the consultation on its new overall strategy for the ongoing Covid-19 era, CQC has published a “Consultation on changes for more flexible and responsive regulation”.

A “move towards our ambition to be a more dynamic, proportionate and flexible regulator.” Sounds familiar. So will they deliver this time?

One of the undertakings made in this document is to make “changes to allow us to assess and rate services more flexibly, so we can update our ratings more often in a more accessible, responsive and proportionate way”.

So will we now see an end to the iniquitous system of refusal to upgrade ratings at a follow up inspection, on the ill-defined criterion of a requirement to evidence (at some arbitrary future date) that the changes are “embedded and sustained”?

As a matter of law the burden of proof of non-compliance resides with the regulatory authority. If inspection findings show (reasonably and proportionately) that there is noncompliance then it may be said that the burden of proof of compliance transfers to the registered person.

Where a follow-up inspection finds that the action plan has been implemented and that the service is now compliant, then in law the provider has discharged the burden of proof, which immediately, repeat immediately, reverts once more to the inspectorate.

At the same time, the lawful exercise of discretion as to the ratings could only be to upgrade them in line with the new position of compliance.

While ratings are not the same as compliance, they are acknowledged

by CQC as being parallel, and the all

7

too common refusal to upgrade them in the face of the evidence unlawfully reverses the burden of proof back to the provider.

While refusal to upgrade may cover the back of the inspecting officer, CQC policy in this area is more an abuse of the process of law than merely disproportionate.

In the world as it is in 2021, could anything be more damaging and demoralising for a team of managers and care workers than to be told that they have to wait for another inspection before their successful efforts to provide safe care, having risked their own lives to do so, are recognised?

The complete removal (or not) from the inspection system of refusal to upgrade ratings, on the basis that improvements are not yet ‘embedded and sustained’, will be nothing short of a test of the good faith of the Care Quality Commission towards an industry on its knees and likely to stay there for some time to come.

Hard-pressed providers will need evidence that any such improvement to the regulatory system is itself embedded and sustained.

Across the board. In actual practice in inspection reports. Without exception.

And not merely in some marketing posture of the Commission.

HSC Professional (Consultancy) now offers consultations on Zoom.

Email me at mail@hsc-prof.com to sign on for regular alerts and updates on coronavirus and the rest. Visit my Facebook page or Twitter page at @hsc_prof to view my videos on notifications, Riddor and more. facebook.com/HSC-ProfessionalConsultancy-1715456902020143/

DC Care has completed the sale of Muscliff Nursing Home in Bournemouth on behalf of Mahmood Poonja and his fellow directors.

Registered for 41 residents, the home was constructed in 1997 and all bedrooms include en-suite facilities.

DC Care was instructed to market the business during the Covid pandemic, with a confidential sale being a high priority.

Andy Sandel, DC Care southern region director, appraised Muscliff and oversaw the sale with assistance from negotiator Michelle Natkus.

He said “Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic we were able to use our sector knowledge and experience to discreetly approach potentially interested parties, without Muscliff going onto the open market.

“The level of professionalism demonstrated by the sellers, the purchasers and their respective solicitors and accountants was an important factor in closing this deal in such a relatively short timeframe.”

The home has been acquired by an experienced but independent care home operator.

Staff at Sefton Hall nursing and residential home in Dawlish staged a mock graduation ceremony for one of their colleagues. Carolyne Ahearn, known as Caz, achieved a Level 5 foundation degree from South Devon College to become an assistant healthcare practitioner.

She is the first member of the team at Sefton Hall to gain the qualification. Caz said: “I could not have achieved my degree without the support of my manager and colleagues. It was very humbling that they went to the trouble of arranging the surprise for me. Without them, I wouldn’t have had a proper celebration.”

8

BGF invests £4m in CSN Care Group BGF has invested £4million in fastgrowing UK homecare business CSN Care Group to support the company with its longer-term growth plans.

CSN operates a national network of owned and franchised branches across the UK, with headquarters in Edinburgh and Milton Keynes.

Its care brands include Carewatch, MyLife and New Directions.

The business was founded by executive chairman Scott Christie and managing director Craig Hendry in January 2019 as a result of a management buyout of part of the Carewatch Group.

Scott said: “We are pleased to be partnering with BGF for the next stage of our growth.

“BGF were selected as the right partner for us due to their long-term approach and the strong relationship we have built with the team over several years.

Since the MBO the Group has grown to deliver more than 50,000 weekly hours of care providing a broad range

of homecare services including social care, privately funded care, live-in care and high-acuity specialist care services.

BGF’s funding will be used to support continued organic growth and to pursue selected M&A opportunities to supplement CSN’s

specialist healthcare business agents

existing branches, with a particular focus on providers of private and high-acuity care.

Alongside BGF’s investment, CSN has appointed Dr Andrew Dun to the Board as non-executive director.

He has a clinical and quality background and a wealth of

experience in the social care sector.

Scott added: “We look forward to working with Andrew and the BGF team as we continue to provide high quality care, build our capabilities in high-acuity care and make acquisitions that have a strong cultural fit with CSN.” Early in his career Andrew was a GP before taking on several commercial roles in the social care sector, including as CEO of Enara, an acquisitive and fast-growing social care business.

Andrew has served on numerous Boards including most recently Orbis Education and AJM Healthcare.

He said: “CSN is an extremely wellrun business, committed to providing high quality care outcomes to their customers.

“I am delighted to be joining the Board and I look forward to working with the CSN management team and BGF to support the business in achieving its longer-term growth objectives.”

Independent expertise, nationwide knowledge

SOLD

Seely Hirst House, Nottingham - Reg 38

DC Care is delighted to confirm the completion of the sale of Seely Hirst House. The home was marketed on behalf of Adrian Allen and Diana Frangiou, of RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP. When industry knowledge and wisdom are needed, when a discreet sale is desired, our clients choose DC Care to sell their healthcare business.

SALES | ACQUISITIONS | APPRAISALS | CONSULTANCY

01937 849 268

www.dccare.co.uk sales@dccare.co.uk

CARINGCOMMERCE

9

Operator expands with backing from HSBC UK ONE of Scotland’s largest independent care home operators is expanding following a £41million backing from HSBC UK. Inverness-based Meallmore Limited will use the funding to purchase two new sites for future developments.

The financial backing is also contributing to the refurbishment of some of its existing homes, and will help to complete the construction of its new homes in Dumbarton and Aberdeen.

Operations director Mary Preston said: “The care home sector has had a challenging year, and reflecting on the

past few months has only solidified our belief that more investment is needed to make sure that care homes are delivering for the needs of residents.

“We work hard to deliver care that is individually tailored to residents’ needs, while allowing them to be as independent as they wish – and thanks to this backing from HSBC UK, we’re able to build upon and improve our offering.”

Over the next two years the business plans to open homes in Ayr, Falkirk and Dumbarton, with construction in Aberdeen due to start mid-2021.

HC-One, the UK’s largest operator, has celebrated the opening of its new, state-ofthe-art care home in York. Mossdale Residence in Burnholme will provide residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 80 residents. It will also create new jobs for the local community, with roles across care, nursing, property maintenance, housekeeping and food service. The home was officially opened by the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Janet Looker. It features a cinema room, a bar, a hair and beauty salon, a hobby and crafts room and a range of lounge, dining and outdoor terrace spaces, all of which residents can benefit from.

One of the dining areas at Greenan Manor in Ayr.

Ayr home opens to residents AYR’S newest care home has officially opened its doors.

Greenan Manor will provide personalised care for elderly people with general care needs including those with dementia and its related conditions.

The state-of-the-art 52-bed facility is the latest to be opened in Scotland by Meallmore Ltd. It boasts several communal lounges and dining rooms, as well as a cinema and multi-purpose entertainment space and a hairdressing and beauty salon.

It will be managed by Amanda Harland, who is well established in the care industry with more than 30 years’ experience.

She said: “We are very excited to

open our doors at Greenan Manor and welcome our first residents into their beautiful new home.

“It has been specially designed to provide bright, airy spaces for residents and offers exceptional standards of service, comfort and care and it really is stunning.

“Meallmore has a commitment to quality and delivering the best care and hospitality to residents.

“As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, it is hugely important to us that our residents will feel independent and live as active and fulfilling lives as possible, and so we have a dedicated, highly-experienced team in place to ensure this.”

Greenan Manor will provide in the region of 60 full-time equivalent jobs.

“Our fingerprints are all over every sale”.

Benefit f ro m t h e value of ex p e r i e n c e with a fully managed s e r v i c e f ro m b e g i n n i ng to end.

From corporate clients to private owners and charities, our experience provides the right advice and support throughout the deal process.

Whether acting for the seller or purchaser, our areas of expertise include: • Nursing and Residential Homes • Independent Hospitals • Specialist Care Homes Including Learning Disability & Mental Health • Children’s Services and Schools • Turn-key Developments • Vacant Properties • Land and Development Sites

Achieve the result you want and sell your care business confidentially.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SALES & ACQUISITION SERVICES

www.healthcarepc.co.uk

Tel: 01937 222107

enquiries@healthcarepc.co.uk

CARINGWEEKLY

10

Advertiser’s announcement

Lessons learnt: easing operational pressures and have had good results.

IT CAN come as no surprise that care providers have faced unprecedented challenges over the last 12 months.

As a result, care providers have increased sensitivity when it comes to cash flow and incurring bad debt.

Bowbridge Court care home in Newark has received ‘Good’ news following its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission. Following the inspection, which took place in October, Bowbridge Court hit the spot with a Good rating across all five key areas of care: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. During the visit inspectors observed day-to-day life at the home and examined paperwork, policies and care plans. They spoke to residents and family members, along with care workers and management to gather a full picture prior to compiling a report which concluded that staff, who provide care for up to 54 residents, are ‘kind, caring, safe and well led’. Since the last report in 2018, the home has gone from strength to strength building on the ethos of person-centred care, resident-led activities and promoting independence.

What can providers do to protect their businesses?

Benjamin Bull, solicitor at Gordons Partnership LLP, wrote an article “Winter is coming…” – a lawyer’s perspective” that deals with this in some detail.

He highlights the importance of effective contract management and the protection of cash flow and encourages providers to focus on the fundamentals of running an efficient business.

Lessons learnt In our experience of assisting providers through this difficult time, we have identified the following as key points to assist in the recovery of unpaid fees: Communication Being able to liaise quickly and efficiently with family members when a debt occurs is key. We have focussed on building a rapport with next of kin and attorneys to get

THE 2021

CARING

UK AWARDS

Benjamin Bull outstanding fees paid. Good lines of communication have also resulted in renewed applications for benefits and allowances being submitted, reducing the arrears, and maintaining the placement’s affordability.

Charges and guarantee deeds While prevention is always preferable to cure, a charge or guarantee deed can be prepared where an individual does not have sufficient liquid assets to settle their fees when they become due.

We have used charges and guarantees in several cases as an alternative way of settling the debt

Issuing legal proceedings In some circumstances, recourse to the Courts is unavoidable.

Used when other avenues have been exhausted, relevant considerations when determining if it is value for money are: (i) the amount of money outstanding, and (ii) whether any judgment will be recoverable.

While it is rarely advisable to file a claim where the debt is less than £10,000 or the resident is insolvent, we have had success when proceedings have been referred to in correspondence, or formally issued.

Conclusion Well run businesses help facilitate the provision of high-level care, and with our regulatory and commercial knowledge, we can advise on both aspects of a social care provider’s business. Recovering unpaid fees from residents and their families is only one aspect of our service.

We also advise care providers on obtaining increased fees from commissioners on the basis of contract terms that allow for fee increases but which have been ignored by those commissioners, sometimes over many years.

Thursday 2nd December 2021,

THE ATHENA, LEICESTER

N O M I N AT I O N S A R E N O W O P E N OUR AWARDS ARE FREE TO ENTER CLOSING AUGUST 31ST 2021 W W W. C A R I N G U K A W A R D S . C O . U K S P O N S O R S H I P PA C K A G E S A R E AVA I L A B L E CARING UK AWA R D S 2 0 2 1 I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H

Call 01226 734605 or email tb@scriptmedia.co.uk for details For general enquiries call: 01226 734630

SPONSORED BY

Care Home Division

Minimising contact with door handles reduces the risk of germs and viruses spreading.

Dorgard offers you a safe and legal way to hold your fire doors open, preventing the spread of germs and viruses as well as fire.

Dorgard, the legal way to hold fire doors open and reduce cross infection.

Dorgard, Dorgard SmartSound, and Dorgard Pro come with a 5 year extended warranty from Safelincs.

FREEPHONE 0800 612 7908

www.safelincs.co.uk Ref: CUK/CV20

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

Join over 100,000 The UK’s leading bespoke, procedures and management toolkits for the care sector

Comply with regulatory standards

Help in preparing for inspections

Ensure documents are compliant

Daily updates, stay informed on current issues and news

Start your free trial today at www.qcs.co.uk/caringuk or call 0333 405 33 33 @QualityComplianceSystems

Caring UK Care Providers Conference Pushing the boundaries of care excellence

SPEC IAL OFFE R

Delivering the latest news, information and products that will enable owners, managers and staff to be at the forefront of delivering Care Excellence

BOOK

£25 sin

£40 tw

York Racecourse, York YO23 1EX,

NOW

gle de

legate gates

o dele

Tuesday 8th June 2021 Village Hotel, Blackpool FY3 8LL,

Lunch & refres hmen ts includ ed

Wednesday 9th June 2021 Double Tree Cumbernauld, Glasgow G68 0EW, Thursday 26th August 2021 Ramside Hall, Durham DH1 1TD,

N o rt h

Good y ba attend g & an certifi ce cate

Wednesday 22nd September 2021

CARING UK CONFERENCES 2021 IAL SPEC R OFFE

K BOO

Rookery Manor, Weston-super-Mare BS24 0JB

South

Wednesday 7th July 2021 Riviera International Centre, Torquay TQ2 5LZ

NOW

ate eleg gle d n i s s £25 gate dele two 0 4 £

Thursday 8th July 2021 Colchester United Football Club CO4 5UP Wednesday 17th November 2021

h& Lunc ents shm refre ded inclu

Kettering Conference Centre NN15 6PB

& bag y d o ce Go ndan atte cate fi certi

Tuesday 30th November 2021

Thursday 18th November 2021 Ashford International Hotel, Kent TN24 8UX, Bournemouth Football Club BH7 7AF, Wednesday 1st December 2021 Delegates will receive a CPD six hour attendance certificate at the end of the conference

Tel: 01226 734412 www.caringukconferences.co.uk Email: cr@scriptmedia.co.uk

BOOKING FORM

Pushing the boundaries of care excellence Single delegate rate £25 per person Two delegates £40

Event attending: Yorkshire

York Racecourse, York YO23 1EX

Tuesday 8th June 2021

North West

Village Hotel, Blackpool FY3 8LL

Wednesday 9th June 2021

South West

Rookery Manor, Weston-super-Mare BS24 0JB

Wednesday 7th July 2021

South West

Riviera International Centre, Torquay TQ2 5LZ

Thursday 8th July 2021

Scotland

Double Tree Cumbernauld, Glasgow G68 0EW

Thursday 26th August 2021

North East

Ramside Hall, Durham DH1 1TD

Wednesday 22nd September 2021

South East

Colchester United Football Club CO4 5UP

Wednesday 17th November 2021

Northamptonshire

Kettering Conference Centre NN15 6PB

Thursday 18th November 2021

South East

Ashford International Hotel, Kent TN24 8UX

Tuesday 30th November 2021

South

Bournemouth Football Club BH7 7AF

Wednesday 1st December 2021

Delegates attending (Please print in block capitals) Title

Name

Surname

Job Title

Booked By: Ms/Mr/Mrs/Dr................................................................... Position.......................................................................................

Organisation.........................................................................................................................................................................

Address................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................... Post code..........................................

Email......................................................................................................... Tel.......................................................................

Please sign and date here to indicate you have read and accept the booking conditions: Signature............................................................. Date:..........................................

Payment Method

I enclose a cheque payable to Script Events.

Invoice me.

Phone for my credit/debit details.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

All places booked must be paid within 15 days of booking and before the conference unless otherwise agreed with Script Events.

A telephone or fax booking must confirm when and how payment will be made A refund will be given, less £20 admin, fee for cancellations received more than 15 days prior to the conference. No refunds will be given with less than 15 days to the conference. However, delegate substitutes will be accepted to the day of the event at no extra cost.

Where invoices are requested and agreed, payment must be received within 15 days from the invoice date. We understand and will exercise out statutory rights to claim interest and compensation for the debt recovery costs under the late payment legislation if we are not paid according to agreed credit terms. An interest rate of 8% above base rate will apply for late payment.

Script Media Group is committed to protecting your personal data. By attending our events, we provide you with an opportunity to meet and engage with our exhibitors. Our events create business to business relationships and give access to relevant industry people, products and services.

We share your business information with the exhibitors and speakers so that they can review the companies that have attended today’s event, we DO NOT share personal information without your consent.

Please tick to receive a regular copy of Caring UK

Please tick to receive information from exhibitors

Caring UK Conferences, Script Media Group Ltd, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Tel:01226 734412 Fax: 01226 734478

CARINGWEEKLY

15

Kathleen Treharne, who was born during the Spanish flu pandemic, marked her milestone 102nd birthday with a relaxing pamper afternoon at the Bowbridge Court on-site beauty parlour.

Kathleen, who has lived at the Newark care home since 2013, spent her special day being pampered from head to toe, with staff offering their services to provide manicure, pedicure and hair treatments, including a curly blowdry. Kathleen was overwhelmed with deliveries of flowers, balloons, presents and cards filled her room as she enjoyed Facetime calls with family and friends. The care team surprised Kathleen with a touching personalised memory board that was filled with pictures and memories from her life.

Audrey White, a resident at Gracewell of Horley Park, celebrated her 100th birthday recently.

Her hobbies at the home include making flower arrangements, knitting, taking part in quizzes and attending coffee mornings in the bistro.

Audrey has a love for animals, including pet rabbits at Gracewell of Horley Park. Audrey is also a big fan of the hair and beauty salon and particularly enjoys having her nails painted. When the weather is warm she also loves spending time in the gardens at the home with the other residents.

A surprise delivery of more than 300 goodwill messages has cheered a Sherborne care home resident on her 100th birthday. Staff at Colten Care’s Abbey View knew Marjorie Potter had only a few family members to help mark her big day, so they invited community contacts to send in cards too. The well-wishers included school and nursery representatives, and members of the Postcards of Kindness social media initiative. A remarkable 337 cards ended up being delivered to a very surprised Marjorie. As well as the postal delivery, Marjorie had a surprise Covid-safe visit from children at Sherborne’s Forget Me Not day nursery. They brought along a card of their own and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ outside her window. There were also Skype calls with relatives and friends, and a birthday cake specially baked by chefs at the home.

A huge Leeds United fan at HC-One’s The Denby care home in Huddersfield recently celebrated his 100th birthday with a gift from the team he has loved for 90 years. Staff at the home wanted to make Arthur Earnshaw’s big day as special as possible, given the current circumstances.

Leeds were more than happy to help Arthur celebrate his centenary and sent over a card and a certificate from manager Marcelo Bielsa and all of the players. He also received a signed Billy Bremner poster.

Jim Clark, a resident at HC-One’s Pennwood Lodge in Kingswood, celebrated turning 100 recently. It was a quiet affair due to strict coronavirus restrictions, however he had a Skype call with his daughter Elaine in Australia. He then enjoyed an afternoon tea party with residents and colleagues where he opened his very special telegram from Her Majesty the Queen. Jim was born in 1921 in Chatterton Square, Bristol and has led a remarkable life through his career in the Army. He married Ruby and the couple had four daughters together – Linda, Brenda, Jane and Elaine. In his spare time Jim enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Chipping Sodbury Golf Club. He now enjoys spending time with his 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Compact service trolleys offer cost-effective solution

Care home resident Elsie Thomas proved that age is no barrier to having a good time as she celebrated her 100th birthday at Friars Mead, a residential care home in Kings Langley. Elsie, who has lived locally for more than 70 years, spent her day dressing up, unwrapping presents and taking video calls from family, friends and well-wishers. The care home, which is managed by the Abbeyfield Hertfordshire Residential Care Society, also went the extra mile to help Elsie celebrate her birthday in style. The day was made complete with food and drink – champagne for lunch, and cake for afternoon tea, organised

by Elsie’s family – and a 100 themed quiz, which is her favourite activity.

A BROAD range of service trolleys produced by UK manufacturer Gratnells has been popular for many years across the health and care sectors.

Thanks to the antimicrobial additive used in the frame and storage trays, an enhanced level of protection against a range of microbes is guaranteed.

In fact, the BioCote® additive is shown to be up to 99.99 per cent effective in combatting surface contamination from a range of bacteria and viruses.

The trolleys are particularly popular for the storage of all types of PPE. The single column compact trolley set comes with four shallow trays and a deep tray, providing plenty of storage capacity on a very compact footprint.

It is widely used as a general service

trolley, a bedside trolley and more recently still as a vaccination hub trolley.

The size of the single column unit makes it an extremely versatile service trolley addition in the care home. It can be moved easily when required and locked in position for added safety if needed.

The frame is fully welded making it very strong and also easy to keep clean.

As an added benefit, all Gratnells trolley and tray sets come assembled, carry a five-year warranty and are available to buy direct from the manufacturer with free delivery included.

Enquiries: For more information contact Gratnells on 01279 401550 or see the full range online at www.gratnellsmedical.com

16

CARINGWEEKLY

Group’s staff continue upskilling with “online pivot” to nursing associates qualification ONE of the UK’s largest independent care home providers has paid tribute to Teesside University for the “online pivot” which enabled it to fulfil its commitment to professional development during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Since 2019 the University’s School of Health and Life Sciences has trained Maria Mallaband Care Group’s care staff to become nursing associates through the level 5 apprenticeship FdSc Nursing Associate programme.

This programme is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and was a recent winner of the Nursing Associate Training Programme Provider of the Year award at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2020.

The role of nursing associate was created following the Shape of Caring review held by Health Education England in 2015, and sees staff work with healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public.

It is also a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse.

Maria Mallaband has been using the new qualification to upskill its care workers, and as a result has also enabled the group to free up registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical care.

Care workers on the programme had been attending Teesside’s Darlington campus in both day release and week-long blocks before returning to their jobs – but then, just one day after the second cohort began their training, national lockdown forced the University to close.

Alyson Thompson “There was huge uncertainty around what was going to happen next,” said Alyson Thompson, the operator’s head of learning and development.

“We had staff from all over the country on the cohort, and there was undoubtedly initial panic that day in terms of what we were going to do with the University shutting down and how to get people home safely.

“We managed to arrange hotels and travel, and from there the discussion was how we are going to work.

Communications at that point was absolutely key.

“The University quickly made the move from classroom-based learning to online and was brilliant in response.”

With Covid-19 hitting care homes

especially hard during the pandemic, Alyson said safety was paramount.

“Whereas before our care workers were going into the University and then going into work for shifts or returning to placements, it was clear that could not continue,” she added.

“We had to prioritise the most important people, our residents and staff in more than 80 care homes. The block weeks were moved online, and the shift worked really well, but of course some practical sessions could not be replicated as staff were unable to access the University’s clinical skills lab which enables safe clinical simulation.

“We worked with our Covid team here, supported by the University, and arranged for practical training to be done by a single provider in our care homes.

“For example, having learned about injection training online with the University, practical training was then done in-house. Staff then gained competence by completing multiple competency assessments, always under the guidance of our nurses, and were signed off by assessor and supervisor.”

The approach has provided “the necessary blended learning” at a time when Maria Mallaband made a strategic decision to continue the training.

Alyson said: “Nursing associates are needed in health and social care. If we were to stop, why and for how long?

We are then only delaying the need for development in these roles. It has not been easy, of course, and at the

same time our home managers have needed staff with them.

“Holidays have had to be forgone, and staff have been sent home when asymptomatic, so those on the cohorts have had to step up and cover shifts. We have had to be flexible too, and as a result the University has supported us as much as they possibly can.

“They have been really flexible on assessments and extensions, which we have appreciated as the staff are very tired. One of our cohort has also been promoted to a home manager, and has currently taken a break from the training to learn the business side of running a care home.”

With the first cohort of nursing associates set to qualify next summer, Maria Mallaband is now developing plans with the University to support their career trajectory to registered nurse.

“We have everyone from a great grandmother down to younger guys: some who never thought they were good enough to go to university or had children young and now want to progress in their careers,” Alyson concluded.

“For those who did not think they would go to university being able to study on campus is a big thing, a kudos, and while the way forward is definitely blended learning we look forward to all those on our cohort returning at the right time.

“We continue to work closely with Teesside University, ensuring safety first to have a phased return allowing staff back on campus.”

Mystery Bird lands at care village RESIDENTS at Belong Morris Feinmann watched in awe as the travelling light show spectacle, Mystery Bird, swooped in on their Didsbury care home, brightening their evening through a magical performance designed to lift local spirits during lockdown.

Brought to life by Quays Culture and a collective of North West artists, the special art installation features a giant birdcage filled with animated versions of local and endangered species crafted through a combination of paper art, projection, digital design and augmented reality.

The light show travelled to the care village in the style of a carnival float and residents watched from windows, balconies and socially-distanced outdoor areas as the birds fluttered around the cage before flying out into the wild.

Accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack, the birds were projected on to surrounding buildings, trees and garden fences during the sevenminute performance.

The light installation proved the perfect start to the care village’s Chanukah celebrations, which also include virtual musical performances from the likes of Chetham’s School of Music, North Cheshire Jewish Primary School, SoundUp Arts, Silhouette, and West End performer, Martin Kaye.

Experience coordinator at Belong Morris Feinmann, Angela Luckett, said: “Our residents enjoyed every

minute of the show – they thought it was superb.

“It really was a wonderful way to mark the start of Chanukah, otherwise known as the festival of light, and we can’t thank Quays Culture enough for bringing Mystery Bird to us.

“We’ve been blown away by the support from local community

groups over the last few months.

They have helped make our festive celebrations that bit more special at a time when it’s needed the most.”

To accompany the performance, Quays Culture also donated birdthemed activity packs for each resident, as well as supplies to encourage more birds to visit the care village garden.

Michael Hurt has joined Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare as head of memory care. He is now advising on all aspects of dementia care, including training for team members, enhancing dementiafriendly environments and supporting colleagues to deliver best practice in care. Michael is also set to lead on the introduction of new models of care to the benefit of residents across each of the organisation’s 46 care homes. Michael says he would also like to focus on further improving the understanding and confidence of all team members involved in dementia care.

CARINGWEEKLY

17

Advertiser’s announcement

Should care professionals need a vaccination passport to work?

By Philippa Shirtcliffe EARLIER this month the government revealed that a third of social care professionals still haven’t been vaccinated against coronavirus.

While some providers have complained that accessibility problems have prevented their staff from being immunised, it is clear that there is also a minority in the care sector who do not wish to be inoculated.

At the same time, a fiery debate is being played out in the media as to whether vaccine passports should be a mandatory requirement when Britain finally begins to loosen restrictions.

Prime Minister Johnson said that although they threw up “deep and complex issues”, yesterday, he pledged to carry out a full review.

It comes after Charlie Mullins, the CEO of Pimlico Plumbers, announced in January that he would introduce a “no jab, no job” policy.

Mr Mullins has also promised to offer vaccinations to all of his staff once the vaccine becomes privately available.

Indeed, it has left Registered Managers, who are used to working in person-centred environments, with much to ponder.

On one hand, they’re concerned that a “no jab, no job” initiative could infringe the human rights of their staff and service users.

They also worry that making the jab a compulsory requirement might breach privacy and data protection laws – especially if the digital passport is directly linked to a passport holder’s medical records.

And finally, there’s a clear and present danger that vaccine passports exacerbate inequality issues.

QCS, a leading provider of content, guidance and standards for the social care sector, has received several queries from anxious care home managers running services

Philippa Shirtcliffe

where their staff are reluctant to be immunised.

We’ve addressed some of their concerns in our ‘Ask the Care Specialists’ column.

We’ve also worked closely with one of partners, Royds Withy King, to produce best practice guidance, which QCS customers can access here.

Essentially, it contains several key points. Firstly, providers can’t force staff to be vaccinated.

But, that said, there is a lot that Registered Managers can do to increase vaccine uptake.

They should, for example, provide staff with factual and reliable information about the vaccine and debunk any conspiracy theories that undermine trust.

The better informed staff are, the more likely it is that they’ll take up the offer of a vaccine.

From a wellbeing perspective, too, it’s critically important to monitor and identify any concerns that staff might have.

It might be that staff are too

frightened to express their worries publicly, so operating an open-door policy, where they can voice their concerns privately, is a good idea.

Another key talking point in the vaccination debate is the issue of consent.

This subject was explored in great detail in a recent QCS blog post written by Rachel Griffiths.

One of the areas she focuses on is whether or not a person who lacks capacity to make decisions can be immunised if their relative, who has lasting power of attorney, refuses the vaccination on their behalf.

There is a recent legal precedent on this point, which came when a son went to court to prevent his 80-yearold mother from being vaccinated.1 While the judge agreed that the lady, who was living with dementia and schizophrenia, lacked capacity to make her own decisions, he decided that it was in her best interest to be vaccinated.

He concluded that although she had no memory of Covid, she had always been immunised in the past.

Therefore, he decided that she probably would have chosen to be vaccinated if she had had the capacity to make her own decisions.

This case demonstrates just how complex and nuanced the vaccine debate is.

On the surface the promise of firm and immediate action in the form of a vaccine passport may play well with large swathes of the public.

But if government decides in favour of vaccine passports, it could do irreparable damage to the unique person-centred culture that sectors – including care – worked so hard to instil.

That, arguably, could prove even more damaging. n Philippa Shirtcliffe is the head of care quality at QCS. To find out more about QCS, contact our compliance advisors on 0333 405 3333 or email sales@qcs.co.uk Reference 1. Mental Capacity Law and Policy COVID-19 Vaccination and the MCA – the first Court of Protection judgment

By Alex R K https://www.mentalcapacitylaw andpolicy.org.uk/covid-19vaccination-and-the-mca-the-firstcourt-of-protection-judgment/

A valuable addition to the Caring UK family … keeping you informed alongside the care sector’s Number One magazine

Follow us @caringuk

Please send any stories and photos you may have to editor Dominic Musgrave at dm@scriptmedia.co.uk For advertising opportunities please call Bev Green on 01226 734288 or email bg@scriptmedia.co.uk or Tracy Stacey on 01226 734480 or email cuk3@scriptmedia.co.uk

For more information and to sign up

visit: www.caring-uk.co.uk

or email Megan Prince on circulation@scriptmedia.co.uk For all enquiries call 01226 734 779

- the Number One magazine for the care sector