Caring UK Weekly March 8 2023

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Covid scandal is exposed in messages

LEAKED messages appear to prove that vulnerable care home residents were betrayed by the Government during the Covid-19 pandemic, campaigners have said.

Reports say that then Health Secretary Matt Hancock did not implement the advice of the Chief Medical Officer that everyone going into a care home should be tested for the virus. Instead he made it mandatory only for those going into a care home from hospital, the reports say.

The Independent Care Group said that decision may have contributed to devastation in care homes during the pandemic.

Chair Mike Padgham added: “At face value, these messages seem to expose a tragic betrayal of those most vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We can only guess how many lives were lost because the spread of the virus in care and nursing homes was not prevented sooner.

“The cavalier attitude being taken towards care settings makes a nonsense of the claims that the Government was throwing “a protective ring” around care homes. It was doing anything but.”

The ICG believes the Government was slow to see the risk to care home residents

in the first place.

“At the outset we were told we didn’t need to do anything differently,” Mike added.

“Then we had the panic of people being discharged from over-run hospitals into care homes without testing and here we have the evidence that the health secretary ignored advice that would have helped.

“As ever, social care was badly let down and the care of the most vulnerable seriously betrayed. There are some very serious questions to be answered.”

Mike said the Government had to restore confidence in its handling of social care by providing the reform the sector urgently needs.

“Many care providers will be reading today’s reports and feeling once again that the Government doesn’t care about care,” he added.

“I think the only way the Government can start to rebuild trust is to get on with the reform of care and help us to end the crisis which was made so much worse by the impact of the pandemic.”

Figures from CSI Market Intelligence recently revealed that 247 homes closed during 2022 whilst just 123 new ones opened. That left the sector with a net loss of 124 homes and, according to the report, a loss of 230 care beds.

Millway House in Andover enjoyed a visit from a donkey called Charlie. The furry visitor from Kelly’s Donkeys travelled from his home in Somerset to meet the residents at the nurse-led care home in Weyhill, and everyone couldn’t wait to lavish the loveable animal with attention. Used to trotting into care homes in the area for animal therapy sessions, Charlie was taken around Millway to interact with residents. He even visited each of the home’s three floors, via the lift, to say hello to those who are either bed bound or were reluctant to leave their rooms.

Tattoo raises funds for care charity

THE Birmingham International Tattoo has raised £8,437 for Royal Star & Garter.

The total came through the support of the audience at the military spectacular, which took place at the Resorts World Arena.

The charity has been one of the Birmingham International Tattoo’s chosen charities since 2007. During that time more than £126,000 has been raised for Royal Star & Garter.

Residents and staff from the Solihull home attended the Tattoo, which was the first since the Covid pandemic, and had been postponed in September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Royal Star & Garter chief executive Andy Cole said: “After so long away it was great to be back at the Birmingham International Tattoo.

“I’d like to thank the organisers for

supporting Royal Star & Garter again this year, the volunteers who helped us, and all those who gave so generously. The money will make a real difference to the lives of the veterans we care for.”

The money for the Royal Star & Garter was raised through a bucket collection, programme sales, online donations and contactless payments on the day.

Volunteers, including those from Warwickshire and West Midlands Armed Cadets Force and Co-op Funeralcare branches in Wednesbury and Wednesfield, also helped fundraise and run the Royal Star & Garter stall.

The two-day event included marching bands from across the UK and Europe, displays and all the military pomp and ceremony associated with the prestigious annual Birmingham International Tattoo.

Homes’ chefs serve up local favourites for British Pie Week

RESIDENTS and team members at Four Seasons care homes throughout the UK are celebrating British Pie Week (March 6 to 12) with chefs serving up some popular regional favourites.

At the group’s Merseyside homes a version of Shankly Pie is the top pick, named in honour of one of Liverpool FC ‘s most famous managers, Bill Shankly.

The pie is a pre-match requisite for fans who enjoy the steak, bacon, mushroom and onion pies before kick-off at Anfield.

In Cumbria, residents will be tucking into Cumberland Pie and Rum Nicky Pie; filled with dates, ginger and lashings of rum.

These previously unknown ingredients were introduced to the region in the 1800’s during trade with plantations in the Caribbean.

Residents living in Lancashire homes will be treated to Manchester Tart, in London there’ll be the cockney classic; Pie, Mash and Liquor and in the North East of England, Corned Beef and Potato Pie.

Four Seasons chefs in Scotland will be making Teviotdale Pie with a minced beef and onion filling topped with a suet crust and traditional Scotch Pie.

John Bridgeman, group food development chef at Four Seasons Health Care, said: “When we develop our menus we do so knowing what an important part of life in our care homes the dining experience is.

“As well as providing vital nutrition, food can bring back fond memories

Centre celebrates accreditation and opening of suite

and our residents can enjoy the nostalgia that comes with having a meal that is special to them.

“Dining is a sociable occasion and enjoying a meal together is a wonderful occasion to share stories.

“We love to give our residents the opportunity to try new things, particularly with the different dishes and drinks we create for themed events throughout the year.

“From Burns Night to Bonfire Night, Chinese New Year to the Coronation tea parties we’re planning and particular favourites; World Chocolate Day and World Gin Day.”

Residents at the care homes also got involved by making pastry in their baking activities and enjoyed reminiscing about their favourite pies originating from their home towns.

Keith’s new lease of life

A WIDOWER has credited the retirement village he lives in with helping him to find companionships in later life.

Keith Pointer, a resident at Richmond Villages Wood Norton, has conversed and built firm friendships with fellow retirees after losing his wife Jane in October 2020.

The Worcestershire retirement village has an extensive activities programme, which Keith says is beneficial in bringing people together.

Keith said, “I think it is very important – it’s what keeps us going

and wards off dementia.

“I always join in whatever is going on around me. I very seldom remain in my apartment alone. The events at the village are most beneficial at bringing people together. There are a multitude of activities to attract everybody and nobody feels left out.”

Keith has since met a new female companion, who he says is the best thing that has happened to him for a long time.

The pair, who now live in adjoining apartments, both believe life in the retirement village is like a permanent holiday and a wonderful place to be.

A WOODBRIDGE care centre has been awarded the ‘Michelin star’ of dementia training during an event which also celebrated the opening of its newly refurbished dementia suite.

Rendlesham Care Centre recently received its ‘My World’ accreditation for providing outstanding care and support to those who are living with dementia, including residents, their families, carers and colleagues.

The ‘My World’ training is the only accredited programme at City and Guilds level and aims to provide high quality care, training, care home design as well as advice and support for individuals and their families.

Rendlesham, which is led by home manager Cosmin Tiriteu, was applauded for achieving the high standards required to meet the dementia accreditation across four key areas: care, the environment, people and advice and guidance – all of which are considered vital to help people living with dementia lead a good life.

Cosmin, a highly qualified nursing professional, has been the home’s manager since 2021.

He is known for his high level of training – with Rendlesham’s training levels rarely falling below 99 per cent – supporting several members of his team to undertake qualifications including two My World Dementia trainers and three dementia ambassadors.

He said: “We are absolutely

delighted to have been awarded our ‘My World’ accreditation in recognition of our commitment to providing the highest quality dementia care.

“As a team we have worked together to ensure we are continually improving and this award is a testament to that hard work and the dedication of our staff to the people they care for.”

During the event the home welcomed colleagues from Suffolk County Council, the NHS Continuing Healthcare team and the Commissioning and Crisis Intervention team, as well as Rendlesham team members, and participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its new dementia suite, Oak 1. Guests were shown around the suite, which has been designed to provide care and support to residents living with dementia, and familiarised with the amenities on offer.

Cosmin added: “The event was a huge success and a great way to celebrate the achievements of the staff and management at Rendlesham.

“Our team does what it does out of a genuine passion, but it’s always wonderful to have an opportunity to show just how much we appreciate them and shine a light on all that they bring to life at the centre – without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Orchard Care Homes has recruited Richard Wormwell as head of recruitment to lead the company’s talent and acquisition programme across its 23 homes. He has worked extensively within the talent and acquisition arena across the healthcare sector, heading recruitment divisions within specialist eating disorder services, mental health and acute NHS providers. Richard said: “I’m excited to take on this new opportunity to lead Orchard Care Homes with its ongoing recruitment and retention programme. Attracting dedicated, passionate staff to deliver first-rate care within our homes is at the heart of our business, especially as occupancy rates and the demand for residential care continues to rise throughout the UK.”

Chef Valentin Draghici and resident Gwendoline Massey.

Dedicated duo are promoted at home

A NAB Wood care home has promoted two of its dedicated team members to joint deputy managers.

Brookfield is one of five homes owned and run by Czajka Care Group, and Helen Larkin and Adelajda Przykaza have worked for the familyrun business for more than 10 years.

Ada started her career as a care assistant and progressed through the ranks over the last six years, whilst gaining valuable support and training from Czajka Care Group.

She said: “I started working in childcare at my son’s school but moved across to adult care, which I have found much more rewarding.

Friendship honoured with carved chair

KEEN walker George Holden first met sheep farmer Jim Walker more than 50 years ago when he was leading a tour of walkers through his farm in the Trough of Bowland.

Over the years whenever Jim spotted him walking a new group of people through the valley, which is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, he would make sure to lean over a farm gate for a chat. They became friends.

Half a century later, much to their surprise, the two men met again when they moved into rooms next door but one from each other in Longridge Hall Care Home in Preston at about the same time two years ago.

To honour their friendship, George, 95, a talented furniture maker from Longridge, has been working in secret to restore and carve a wooden chair.

With the help of the home’s maintenance operator Craig Ward, George has spent hours renovating a weather-beaten garden chair before painstakingly carving the inscription ‘Jim Walker, Shepherd of Bowland’ into the wood. He also added a Latin inscription ‘Pastor Amica’, which means ‘gentle shepherd’.

George presented Jim, 87, with the chair during a recent event at the home and asked Craig to read out a moving speech he had prepared.

Craig said: “It has been incredible working in secret with George on this project.

“Whenever I’ve had some spare time I’ve collected him from his room and

New Care has appointed Helen Hartley to manage its Bramhall Manor facility. In her new role as registered manager, Helen takes responsibility for the smooth day-today running of the home close to Bramhall village centre. Working with her team of 80 nurses and care professionals, she will ensure high quality personalised care is provided for all residents, ensuring their individual needs and priorities are met and that they enjoy a wonderful quality of life in a warm and friendly environment with fine dining and a varied programme of daily wellbeing activities. Delivering services in a safe and effective manner will also be key to Helen’s new role, ensuring Bramhall Manor remains compliant with infection control and prevention procedures and all Care Quality Commission guidelines.

we’ve worked together on the chair.

“He is such a talented craftsman and so creative. While we’ve been working together he has told me all about some of the amazing things he has made over the years, including wooden toys, rocking horses and grandfather clocks.

“It was George’s idea to design the chair and I sanded down the chair and varnished it while he did all the intricate work and chiselled the wording.

“He has fond memories of walking along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland so the lettering is inspired by the original Hadrian typeface.

“Another resident, Ron Hudson, helped by painting all the lettering in black paint.

“It was a big surprise and incredibly moving when George presented Jim with the chair in front of all the residents and George’s daughter, Jean.

“Everyone was amazed and we all had tears in our eyes. It was just so wonderful to see two good pals honouring a 50-year friendship.

“The chair is now in pride of place in Jim’s room and everyone comments on it when they pop in to chat to him.”

Tracey Hartley, manager of Longridge Hall Care Home, added:

“We have such a strong sense of community in the home and the friendship between Jim and George really epitomises this.”

“I love supporting our residents and their families and helping in any way that I can. From the everyday personal care aspect of my role, to administering medications and helping with activities and organising events, every day is different.

“I really enjoy chatting to our residents about their past and understanding what makes them feel comfortable and at home. I feel proud to play a part in our residents’ lives and am looking forward to my new role, which will see me supporting our team’s development whilst continuing to care for our residents.”

Helen added: “I started working in care when I was 16 whilst studying for a BTEC in social care at sixth form college. Over time I have gained more responsibilities, and alongside my daily care and medication roles, I

have worked hard to progress in my career.

“I help welcome and settle in new residents when they move to Brookfield Care Home, support team training, look after the care plans and supervise newer team members, but my most admirable skill is my tea making abilities.

“Every situation is made better with a good Yorkshire cup of tea and I like nothing more than catching up with our residents and their families over a brew!

“The people I work with are like one big extended family and to see so many smiling faces and contented residents makes this job worthwhile. My new role will see me continue to make sure all our residents are safe, secure and well cared for, whilst also taking on more managerial responsibilities.”

Scouts bridge generation gap with residents

FOURTEEN children shared their enthusiasm for being Cub Scouts on a visit to meet residents at a Winchester dementia care home.

The young visitors from the 12th Winchester (Royal Green Jacket) Scout Group were welcomed as special guests at Colten Care’s St Catherines View.

Timed to coincide with the birthday of Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the Scouts, the visit prompted smiles and conversations all round as the children showed off their badges and what they need to do to achieve awards.

There were also campfire songs, a recitation of the Scout Promise, a demonstration of Scout hand signals and a talk about Baden Powell and the founding of the movement.

The visit was organised by Laura Sheldrake, companionship team leader at the home.

She said: “The Cubs came well equipped with pictures, information, books and their campfire blanket. Everyone joined in with the songs and trying out the hand actions.

“The interaction with our residents was a joy to see.

“Residents were all so engaged and enjoyed every minute.

“Intergenerational activities like this are so valuable as they bring out the best in everyone.

“Enabling residents to maintain

and strengthen contact with the community, especially across the generations, is part and parcel of what we do and we are arranging for the Scouts to come back on a regular basis.”

Formed just over a century ago in 1921, the 12th Winchester is the oldest continually operating Scout group in the city.

Its Royal Green Jacket military affiliation was officially begun in 1943 to recognise fundraising that the group did for the regiment’s prisoners of war fund.

Adelajda Przykaza and Helen Larkin.

Resident Denise Howard listens as a Cub Scout describes her badges.

Jim Walker with George Holden.

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A “cheerful” and “joyful” care home resident from Sauchie recently celebrated her 100th birthday and received a royal greeting from King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort. Margaret Condie, a resident at Beechwood Park, celebrated the milestone surrounded by loved ones and other well wishers. She was presented with the royal greeting by Provost Donald Balsillie and Deputy Lieutenant John MacPhearson in front of her family, friends, children from the local nursery and the care home staff. Margaret’s 100th birthday celebration was one to remember with a brass band, cake, a buffet served by the home’s chefs and a game of one of her favourite hobbies, bingo.

Barnes Lodge resident Phyllis Moxon celebrated her 103rd birthday at the Tonbridge care home. Phyllis was born when the nation was still recovering from WWI and the global Spanish flu pandemic. She grew up in Hadlow alongside her seven brothers and two sisters. Phyllis met her husband Arthur when the pair were youngsters at school. As the sweethearts entered their teenage years, WW2 was looming and in 1939, Arthur joined the RAF. The pair were engaged in June 1940 and married in January 1945 in Hadlow. After the war, Arthur got a job as a control chemist in Tonbridge and their life as a family started when their first son Roy was born in 1946, followed by the arrival of Malcolm in 1949. A year later the family moved to Barry in Wales for Arthur’s job, but he died a few years later. Phyllis has four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Show launched in bid to tackle staffing crisis

A JOB events company is attempting to ‘plug the gap and provide a solution to the NHS and social care staffing crisis in the south of England by staging the UK’s first show dedicated to recruitment in the healthcare sector.

Hosted by Milton Keynes-based Jobshows, Health & Social Care Jobs

Live is taking place at the Westfield Shopping Centre in White City, London in June in a bid to help reduce the unprecedented staff shortages in both sectors.

For over a decade, Jobshows has hosted ‘regional’ recruitment exhibitions, heavily frequented by many public sector employers including NHS Trusts, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, councils, colleges, universities and even the British Army.

healthcare and we’ve already had a number of NHS Trusts and care home providers sign up as they are so desperate to recruit staff.

“We have an 83 per cent re-booking rate at our regional recruitment shows so we’re expecting this new show to be really successful.

“Westfield W12 is considered the UK’s most prestigious shopping destination and has a natural footfall of around 250,000 every Friday and Saturday. By taking the show to the main hub of a busy shopping centre, we take our NHS Trusts into the heart of the people, making it even more accessible for job seekers.

Centuries of birthdays have been celebrated at a County Durham care home as several residents marked their milestones recently. A Mardi Gras party was held at Pelton Grange Care Home near Chester-le-Street, to commemorate almost 450 years of birthdays among five residents. Ann “Nancy” Jones turned 101, Norma Wright was 86 , Lucy Harrison was 86, William “Bill” Knox was 74 and Muriel Elliot was 94. They were joined by their fellow residents for a New Orleans carnival-like celebration, which saw everyone donning feather boas and masks, listening to traditional Mardi Gras music, singing karaoke and enjoying a buffet with lots of cakes and candles.

Simeon Jackson, event organiser at Health & Social Care Jobs Live, said the new show has been set up to serve health and social care exclusively in response to a growing number of requests from NHS Trusts and social care providers,

He added: “The NHS is an amazing institution but it’s well documented that it is vastly under resourced with staff vacancies at a five-year high so upon speaking to lots of trusts it was clear that they were crying out for a solution to promote in-house recruitment.

“Health and Social Care Live is our first to be totally dedicated to

“Rather than having to buy a ticket and get yourself to Excel London or London Olympia, holding the event at Westfield removes all geographical barriers. We will also have 15,000 pre-registered candidates who will be ready for interview with CV or certificates in hand.”

NHS Trusts from London, Berkshire, Essex, Bucks, Coventry and Warwickshire, Surrey and Avon are among the organisational units to have signed up to Health & Social Care Live so far.

Simeon added: “The show will give NHS Trusts and social care providers the chance to stand out offline, meet thousands of jobseekers face-toface, create a talent pool, network and share ideas with other health organisations and even interview prescreened candidates immediately and hire them directly.”

Inspectors praise ‘Good’ scheme

THE team at Housing 21’s Cedar Court was praised following a Care Quality Commission inspection at the extra care scheme in Lewisham.

Inspectors visited Cedar Court in January and recorded an overall grading of ‘Good’.

independent and to live the way they chose.”

Housing and care manager at Cedar Court, Ugo Ezeanozie, said: “We are thrilled with the services we provide here at Cedar Court, and our recent CQC rating reflects this.

A resident at an Ellesmere Port care home has celebrated her 100th birthday. Hilda Ridgway marked the special occasion at Whitby House with a party surrounded by her family, residents, and staff. Hilda was born in 1923 in Ellesmere Port. After leaving school she worked in a variety of roles and retired aged 85 in 2008 after working as a cleaner for the local authority. She was married to Dennis for more than 50 years during which she had two daughters, Denise and Alison. Her wider family includes three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Hilda continued an active post-retirement lifestyle with daily cycling and swimming sessions, as well as frequent games of bingo.

The inspection report commended the team at Cedar Court for recognising and celebrating religious and cultural events, such as Diwali and Black History Month

The provision of care provided was also praised, stating that: “People were encouraged to take part in things they wanted to do, to be

“The team here take pride in ensuring that our residents are happy, and they are well looked after. Cedar Court is a fantastic scheme, our employees love working here, and it is a wonderful place for our residents to call their home.

“We are all happy with the latest CQC rating.”