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22/8/13
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September 2013
incorporating
no.208 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Care homes putting lives at risk, claim By Dominic Musgrave THE Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has raised serious concerns about the number of preventable accidents in care homes. The public health organisation believes many of these ‘accidents’ are avoidable and could be prevented with more rigorous training for staff. Examples cited include: In March 2013 the owners of a Buckinghamshire care home were sentenced for serious safety failing after a frail 76-year-old woman died following a fall from a hoist. In late 2012 a South Lanarkshire care home provider was fined after an elderly resident died after breaking her neck in a fall. The court fined a care home £57,000 and said that the company failed to provide adequate instruction and supervision to their employees engaged in moving and handling residents. A West Yorkshire care home was fined £183,000 after a resident was asphyxiated after becoming trapped in the gap between her mattress and incorrectly fitted bed safety rails. Jenny Morris, CIEH principal policy officer, said: “Care homes
have a duty of care to their vulnerable residents yet every year numerous residents suffer serious injuries from falls, slips and trips and scalding. “Care home owners can face substantial fines, loss of reputation and in some instances custodial sentences for breaches of health and safety. “What can be extremely frustrating when you read about the unfortunate incidents in these homes is that solutions are often very simple and straightforward. Often underlying problems can be solved with the appropriate knowledge, expertise and training.” To help reduce the number of accidents in care homes the CIEH has identified three elements: The care home must have safe, effective and practical operating plans in place Managers need to ensure all staff are fully trained and implement safe working practices at all times Staff need to receive regular training in health and safety, food safety and manual handling to ensure they remain up-to-date on the key issues. Do you agree with the CIEH? Let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@scriptmedia.co.uk
Speakers unveiled for final events
The general manager of a Grassington care home walked more than 150 miles in six days to celebrate the beauty of Yorkshire and promote the importance of quality care. Adventure junkie Tony Lyon, who works at Threshfield, walked the equivalent of a marathon a day between Barchester’s nine care homes in Yorkshire as part of ‘Challenge Tony’. Each home hosted a Yorkshirethemed event to celebrate his arrival, and white roses were planted as a symbol of the county. Residents at each home also helped to to craft a letter to spell out the word Yorkshire, which was unveiled at Threshfield Court at the finish, where Tony was greeted by some of the Calendar Girls.
CEDAR Court Hotel in Wakefield and the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool will play host to Script Events’ final two care conferences of the year in October. Among the speakers at the events, which are organised in association with Caring UK magazine, will be NCA chief executive Sheila Scott OBE, NACC chair Karen Oliver and ECCA chief executive Martin Green OBE (Wakefield only). The Quality in Care conferences will be chaired by Caring UK editor Dominic Musgrave. He said: “The feedback we have received for the conferences held earlier in the year has been fantastic, and we are confident that our final two events of the year will build on this success. “As well as the stellar line-up of speakers, the days will also feature an extensive exhibition which will showcase the latest products and technology.” The events take place on October 9 and 10. To find out more visit www.scriptmedia.co.uk