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21/3/13
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April 2013
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no.203 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Survey shows it isn’t all bad in care homes
By Dominic Musgrave
A NEW survey has found that, contrary to many current media reports and speculation, it is not all doom and despondency in the UK care home sector. Nearly half (45.6 per cent) of UK care home residents recently surveyed as part of a comprehensive ‘opt-in’ survey across independent care homes confirmed the quality of service they received in the last six months was improving and 95.3 per cent of residents are likely to recommend their care home to a friend. The research was exclusively conducted by specialists in healthcare research Howard Warwick as part of the nationwide ‘Care to Talk’ survey of care home residents. Over 1,000 residents from 43 independent care home groups, each with a minimum of 15 residents in each home and no more than five homes in any group, were polled during last November and December. David Leach, managing director of HWA, said: “All too often we are confronted with negative images of care homes, but our survey results clearly demonstrate that standards have improved and residents are enjoying a good quality of life
“95 per cent of the residents polled like their rooms and 97 per cent go further to say that the common areas are comfortable. 94 per cent also confirm the buildings they live in and the grounds that surround them please them.” The survey also found that 98 per cent of respondents said staff were helpful and friendly; dispelling the myth that residential homes are full of misery, despair and low standards. 93 per cent were also happy with the choice of activities available to them. David added: “Of the 43 UK care homes we surveyed, the majority of residents were truly comfortable in their environment and content with the positive approach to senior living and wellbeing. “The underlying message is that there are many great care homes operating up and down the country but unfortunately it is the odd few that create the negative headlines. “There is always going to be the odd exception, but in the main much is being done across the care home sector to improve services and therefore the general image the general public has of them.” What do you make of these findings? Let healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave know your thoughts by emailing dm@scriptmedia.co.uk
Speakers confirmed for first of events
Actress Penelope Keith unveiled a plaque to officially open a newly refurbished care home in Farnham. Best known for her roles in To the Manor Born and The Good life, she chatted and played indoor mini-golf with residents at The Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society owned and managed Hatch Mill residential and nursing home. The £1.5m refurbishment of the home, which is based around a converted mill, was part funded by a loan from Barclays.
THE line-up of speakers is almost complete for Script Events’ first two care conferences of the year. The Quality in Care themed days, which take place on April 24 at the Cheltenham Chase Hotel and April 25 at Exeter Golf Club, are a must for all care home operators/ managers. Confirmed speakers include NCA and ECCA chief executives Sheila Scott and Martin Green, as well as Carol Harris from the National Association of Care Catering. A representative from the CQC will also update delegates with the latest news from the inspectorate. Healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave, who will chair the days, said: “Quality is a key word for all care managers and operators, and providing this on a budget when fees paid by main local authorities is constantly been cut, is getting increasingly tougher.” For more turn to pages 20 and 21.