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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
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Care home skills help Zoe to go above and beyond By Dominic Musgrave A WAITRESS at a Dorset care home is flying high after seeing off thousands of other candidates to join British Airways’ cabin crew. Zoe Toogood, 18, says the customer service skills she learned at Colten Care’s Amberwood House home in Ferndown helped her find her “dream job”. She was one of around 15,000 candidates from across the UK who applied for just 2,000 cabin crew positions. “It’s such a prestigious airline with very exacting expectations,” said Zoe. “I was overjoyed to be offered an interview but extremely nervous when I went in. As it turned out, I was asked how I would manage a range of customer service scenarios. For all of them I was able to draw directly on examples from the care home.” Zoe waitressed at Amberwood House for two years while studying an NVQ Cabin Crew Diploma at The Bournemouth and Poole College. She added: “To demonstrate practical skills, I was able to talk about working with a diversity of people at Amberwood House and being familiar with high standards of food menus and table service. “My experience with Colten Care has helped me understand how to approach people with respect and be sensitive to cultural differences, all prerequisites for
www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 Email: tb@scriptmedia.co.uk National Sales Executive: Danielle Hornby Tel: 01226 734480 Email: danielleh@scriptmedia.co.uk National Sales Executive: Mandy Edwards Tel: 01226 734692 Email: mandye@scriptmedia.co.uk Fax: 01226 734477
Publishers Script Media. 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk
Editorial Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Healthcare Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Reporter: Christina Eccles Tel: 01226 734463
British Airways cabin crew member Zoe Toogood is welcomed with a cup of tea by former waitress colleague Teresa Marsh at Colten Care's Amberwood House. cabin crew work.” After swapping her orange and black Colten Care uniform for the pinstripe blue of British Airways, Zoe undertook six weeks of intensive training with the airline. Her first flights have been to Nigeria, Japan and the Czech Republic. “It really is my dream job,” she said. “I love it.”
Between trips, Zoe returned to Amberwood House to wish her former colleagues well. Home manager Maggie Tomlin said: “As an employer, it is good to know you have helped a team member’s employability and we all wish Zoe the very best in her career from now.”
Studio Manager: Stewart Holt Tel: 01226 734414 Database enquiries to: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ scriptmedia.co.uk Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur. Follow us on Twitter @caringuk
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Regulator publishes independent report on bullying and harassment By Dominic Musgrave THE CQC has published an independent report which outlines how the organisation should improve its working environment so that its members of staff do not experience bullying or harassment. It was commissioned by chief executive David Behan last December, and developed by People Opportunities Limited, in response to the organisation’s annual staff survey in which 28 per cent of respondents claimed that its culture was “bullying”. David described the findings as “shocking and unacceptable”, adding that the CQC has a “zero-tolerance” attitude towards bullying and harassment. “We are very grateful for the members of staff who came forward to share their experiences,” he added. “Without their honesty and courage, we would not have been able to identify the improvements that need to be made. “From reading the report, it is clear that the vast majority of people who work for CQC are passionate about their jobs and that they are dedicated to providing patients and service users with high-quality and safe care. “We are committed to building a future organisation to be proud of in every way. We know that we are at the
David Behan start of this journey and that we need to take the time to build and maintain good relationships, which are based on trust. This will help us to become the excellent place to work that we want to be and our members of staff expect it to be. “Our focus is on accountability and improvement through what we do and how we do it. We will take lessons from this report into our thinking when making decisions about change and the pace of change needed.” CQC’s leaders have shared the report with staff and asked them to consider its findings and recommendations.
Czajka Care Group’s Gillian Butler with Catherine Firth, Nancy Wood and Nora Green.
Centenarian trio celebrate A SHIPLEY care home is helping three residents celebrate their landmark birthdays in style. Nancy Wood, a former hairdresser who was born in Huddersfield in 1913, turned 100 years old in April and Catherine Firth, who was born in Stanford, Lincolnshire celebrated her 100th birthday in June. Nora Green, who was born in Great Horton, is fast approaching her 103rd birthday this December. All three have received a
congratulatory message from Her Majesty the Queen and the Czajka Care Group is organising a special party to celebrate at their Brookfield Home. Senior manager Gillian Butler said: “Nancy, Catherine and Nora are all very special ladies. Determined and full of character they have incredibly interesting life stories and we are delighted to be caring for them at Brookfield where they continue to enjoy a variety of interests.”
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Group of hens make themselves at home A GROUP of hens at Housing 21’s Winton Court extra care scheme in Winlaton, Tyne and Wear are settling in well to extra care life. The hens moved into the scheme for older people in December of last year as part of a Hen Power initiative with Equal Arts, a charity which sets up creative projects with older people. Known as the Winton Chicks, the hens are bringing great delight to the residents who have given them names and allow them to wander freely around the grounds. The project has been so successful it is now being rolled out to three other Housing 21 extra care schemes in the North East. Carole Bertram, Winton court manager, said: “A lot of the tenants had hens when they were younger so have experience of looking after them. “We have had positive reactions from residents, their families and their friends and the Winton Chicks have become very popular.”
Fitness regime has Malcolm jumping for joy at village By Dominic Musgrave A RETIREMENT village resident has had major surgery cancelled thanks to the intervention of a dedicated fitness instructor. Malcolm Loveless, 80, was scheduled to receive hip replacement surgery, before staff at Belong village, Atherton, convinced him to try out one of their personalised exercise programmes, to keep fit and tone his muscles. When he and his wife first moved into their apartment he was experiencing pain so severe that he was unable to bend down to tie his own shoelaces. Over the course of six months of regular exercise under the instruction of Belong Atherton’s fitness instructor, Gilmour Zamudzandu, Malcolm’s pain receded almost completely. He no longer needs a walking stick to get around, and can now bend to tie his shoelaces again. Doctors at his most recent consultation told him that the hip replacement operation is no longer necessary. Malcolm said: “The difference that regular exercise has made to my life is incredible. When I first started going to the sessions, I thought that they were too much, but Gilmour said to me that there was no gain without pain, and he was right. “Every session the pain became a
little less, and now I’m more mobile than I’ve been in years. My wife and I live on a first floor apartment and I never use the lift anymore, I can manage the stairs no problem.” A one-to-one assessment is carried out with anybody wishing to use the exercise facilities at Belong Atherton, determining the physical capacity of the individual, their level of skill and their balance and co-ordination. By liaising with other health professionals, such as GPs and physiotherapists, staff are able to develop personalised exercise programmes designed to increase core strength, mobility and balance, encouraging older people to keep active and maintain their independence. General manager Julie Washington said: “It’s amazing to watch residents regaining increased levels of independence through our progressive exercise programme. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that exercise is for young people, but the truth is that exercise becomes more important the older you get, not less. “Promoting the opportunity to keep fit is a real priority at Belong, because we see proof of the benefits every day.” The proven benefits of regular exercise include decreasing stiffness and pain, which in turn helps to
Malcolm Loveless and Gilmour Zamudzandu at the Belong Atherton exercise studio. improve balance and coordination. As well as helping with falls prevention, regular exercise can make a huge difference to daily living. Associated benefits include lower blood pressure, improved memory, sleep patterns and mood.
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Operators fined over £20,000 after food poisoning outbreak OPERATORS of a care home where 15 people aged 73 to 100 years old suffered with food poisoning have been fined more than £20,000. Express Care (Guest Services) Ltd, part of the Executive Care Group, admitted three breaches of food hygiene regulations at its Yew Tree Care Centre, in Redcar. Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that elderly people ate minced beef pies made from meat that had been reheated and cooled several times, in June 2012. Brian Pearson, chairman of the bench, said he had “great concerns” for residents after learning some suffered with diarrhoea and vomiting for up to a week. Environmental health officers from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's food team launched the investigation after being contacted by the former Health Protection Agency. Council officers found a lack of food safety controls and poorly trained food handlers when they visited the 76-bed care home. Lesley Wilson, principal legal officer for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, told magistrates leftover mince from Monday, June 4, was made into mince pies the following day, only to be served the day after that.
‘The illness suffered by the residents of the Yew Tree Care Centre was totally avoidable.’ She explained that the minced beef had been cooled and reheated several times providing ideal conditions for the clostridium perfringens bacteria to be present. Faecal samples of five residents were found to contain the bacteria. The operators pleaded guilty to two breaches of the food hygiene regulations and one of the general food regulations. The particulars of the offences were that they served unsafe food, failed to implement effective food safety procedures and failed to ensure food handlers were sufficiently trained. Jane Foley, mitigating, said the operators had no previous convictions and had made significant attempts to improve but accepted the failings led to the food poisoning outbreak. Express Care (Guest Services) Ltd was fined £20,600 with a £412 victim surcharge and ordered to pay the council's £11,750 costs. Speaking after the hearing the coun-
cil's cabinet member for community safety, Steven Goldswain, said: “The safety of food served to vulnerable residents in care homes is paramount. The illness suffered by the residents of the Yew Tree Care Centre was totally avoidable. “Proper planning and management of food safety should have taken place, instead the company responsible relied on inadequately trained staff and provided no structured support or training. “The council takes its responsibility to safeguard vulnerable people very seriously, and while our environmental health officers will always seek to work with food businesses to secure good standards, whenever there are serious breaches of the food hygiene rules then legal action will always be considered.” He added that the council's environmental health team has worked with the home to improve food safety procedures within the home. “Since the incident council officers have been monitoring the care home and it is no longer of concern to them. "The council will continue to work with Yew Tree care home, through its compliance team, as it does with all homes ensuring quality services are maintained and delivered.”
Liz Stonehouse
Liz wins award LIZ Stonehouse, peripatetic home manager at Maple Lodge Care Home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has won a Star Radio 2013 Local Heroes Award. She was nominated for the supporting the Elderly category for her ongoing passion, commitment and determination to make the lives of her residents and their families better and as happy as she can. Liz, who has been a nurse for over 30 years, said: “I am absolutely over the moon with my award. I never dreamt that I would even be nominated let alone win. This has only been possible with the help of my team behind me and I’m delighted that this will help raise the profile of Maple Lodge.”
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Resident May Thom and her friends speak with relatives in Nottingham.
Technology keeps residents in touch with loved ones RESIDENTS at a Lockerbie care home are keeping in touch with relatives and friends around the world following the purchase of two laptop computers. Wireless broadband was installed at Dryfemount and the large screen lap tops are taken to wherever the resident is in the home. Emails between the management team and the families have helped to make the arrangements run smoothly, especially where there are large time differences. Deputy manager Sandra Cooke said: “We are used to using Facebook and Skype to keep in touch with our friends and family so we thought that
our residents would like the same opportunity. Residents have the option of deciding whether to take the call in the lounge, their own room or a more private seating area so they can communicate with their loved ones in privacy. “They have contacted their families as far afield as South Africa and Australia. It has been a complete success and can be quite emotional as residents see great grandchildren for the first time. “Relatives say that they have found this method of communication to be very comforting and reassuring and almost as good as being in the same room.”
Representative bodies unveil merger plans THE two largest social care provider representative bodies have announced that they intend to merge into a new body called Care England from January 1. In a joint statement the chairmen of ECCA and the NCA – Jane Ashcroft and Nadra Ahmed – said: “Our sector faces a period of considerable challenge which will require robust representation on behalf of our membership. “For some time now our two organisations have been working together so it felt like the natural next step in our relationship. We believe that combining the two strong and respected organisations together will strengthen the voice of health and social care and give our membership a wider range of services" The two CEOs – Sheila Scott OBE
and Professor Martin Green OBE – added: “We welcome the opportunity to bring the wealth of experience of the the two organisations under one banner and work together to make Care England strong and vibrant and a one-stop shop for providers to support them in delivering a quality service. “Additionally, for the first time we will be able to demonstrate the strength of the united purpose which has brought us together and both of us welcome the opportunity to work with as many providers as possible to deliver a representative body which will be a powerful influence in social care through the 21st Century.” The two associations hope that through this merger many local and regional groups will welcome the chance to work with Care England to make the voice of the sector stronger.
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Resident Pat Veitch enjoys Mr P’s company.
Residents welcome ponies RESIDENTS at Charlton Court in Wallsend spent the afternoon with two new four-legged friends, Molly and Mr P, for a pony therapy session. Molly, a 13-year-old Dartmoor pony, interacted with residents in the ground floor living room of the home, whereas Mr P, an American miniature horse, visited residents upstairs who were unable to make it down to the lounge. The pony therapy session, which was organised through K&L Pony Parties and Therapy, involved
residents petting and interacting with Molly and Mr P, while representative Laura Smith spoke to the residents about the animals and their care. Susan Drew, manager at Charlton Court, said: “We are always trying to think of beneficial activities that are a little bit different for our residents. “The pony therapy session was very successful and it was lovely to see the smiles and expressions on our residents’ faces as they petted and talked to the ponies.”
Nutrition advocate cooks up a healthy lifestyle NUTRITIONAL advocate Janette Holt is taking healthy eating at a Skelmersdale care home to new levels. In a move which will help develop its existing methods, Birch Green has appointed its own nutrition advocate, as a dedicated service for those suffering from dementia. Janette, a carer at the home, will oversee a programme which will ensure people suffering from dementia benefit from the enhanced levels of nutrition and hydration, often a complicated process because of the nature of the condition. Catherine Shawarby, general manager at the home, said: “Healthy eating and good nutrition are a cornerstone of the care at Birch Green, but this can be challenging when caring for those with conditions like dementia. “Malnutrition and dehydration can become a real issue, and everyone will benefit from the role of nutrition advocate that we have created. “Janette has been focusing on activities including developing nutrition profiles for our residents, supporting them at meal times, baking in the lifestyle kitchen and ensuring that good hydration levels are maintained throughout the day. “This is still a new concept and we are excited to be leading the way with a real commitment to nutrition and hydration. The outcomes so far have
Nutritional advocate Janette Holt. demonstrated an improvement in nutritional intake.” Nutrition advocates are a new concept developed in a joint initiative from the National Association of Care Catering and the Hospital Caterers’ Association. They are expected to play a major role in the life of a care home, and Janette will work with residents, key workers, senior carers, nurses, housekeeping, catering and families.
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Becs Hampshire and Christoph Marr from the Care UK procurement team (the first to reach a 100 per cent survey completion rate) with Briony Lawton, head of organisational development, who manages the annual employee survey project and Darren Couchman, area volunteer manager for Cancer Research UK.
Caring colleagues help to raise charity cash A HEALTH and social care organisation has donated £2,188 to charity to help the fight against cancer. Nearly 11,000 Care UK colleagues, including teams in 107 care homes, helped to raise the money by participating in a nationwide employee satisfaction survey. Teams with a 100 per cent response rate were invited to help decide which charity should receive the donation – and Cancer Research UK emerged as the most popular choice. Briony Lawton, head of organisational development at Care UK, said: “We wanted to find a way of combining our annual employee satisfaction survey with making a donation to charity. We set a target of 9,400 responses, which was the trigger for our minimum donation.
After that, every additional completed survey added another contribution to the fund. “Every year hundreds of Care UK colleagues take part in fundraising for good causes so we decided to shortlist the charities which are most often supported through our Working With The Community match funding scheme. Cancer Research UK was a very popular choice to receive the donation and I would like to thank all our colleagues across the UK for helping to make it possible.” Earlier this year Care UK revealed that during the past 12 months its employees had raised more than £61,000 for charity with help from the Working With The Community scheme, which sees the organisation top up employees fundraising achievements.
Staff from the Four Season owned St. Catherines care home in Horwich raised £500 for charity when they ran at their local Race for Life event.
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Lack of activity puts residents at risk Staff and residents from Oakwood House celebrate their award win.
County’s homes that go extra mile rewarded THE best of Suffolk’s care home and care providers were recognised for Going the Extra Mile at an awards ceremony. The event was launched last November by the Suffolk Adult Safeguarding Board with applications invited from residential and nursing care homes. The aim was to provide the opportunity to recognise and celebrate good practice and quality services that are being provided for adults in the county. Winners were: Home from Home – a safe, comfortable and dignified environment for those who live there
– Waterfield House; My Choice, My Way – residents are able to express their individuality, have their say and influence what happens – Broadlands; Inside and Out – creative activities and inclusive social participation – Oakwood House; Safe and Sound –residents feel safe and know how to voice their concerns which are listened to and acted upon – Waterfield House; Food for Thought – imaginative and inspirational approaches to food – Sherrington House; No Surprises – innovative communication systems which ensure everyone is kept informed – Mills Meadow.
EXPERTS from the College of Occupational Therapists have developed a free activity toolkit to ensure care home residents can continue with the activities they enjoy. Piloted in care homes across the UK, “Living Well Through Activity in Care Homes’ has received overwhelming support from partners within the health and social care community. The toolkit aims to address many of the complications experienced by care home residents lacking physical and mental stimulation including pressure sores, preventable falls and depression. It comes in dedicated sections for care home residents, family members, managers and commissioners, empowering everyone to take a hands-on practical approach to increasing activity in care homes. It focuses on people’s individual needs and preferences, promoting dignity and choice for care home residents, including those with dementia. Julia Scott, chief executive of the College of Occupational Therapists said: “As human beings it is essential for us to engage in daily activities, ranging from the routine to the most sophisticated. Being in a care home doesn’t mean you have to give up doing the things you enjoy, and value
The free activity toolkit. in life. As occupational therapists we are experts in helping people to carry out activities that have meaning to them. This resource enables us to share our expertise in a practical way that will raise standards of activity in care homes.” The toolkit is a best practice guide for families considering residential and nursing care and a benchmark for healthcare professionals working in the sector. It contains free training materials and audit tools to review and evidence aspects of care and flags up where the specialist intervention of occupational therapists is required.
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Care home leads the way in medication By Dominic Musgrave A SKELMERSDALE care home has been so successful in helping to lead the way in reducing the use of antipsychotic medication used to treat people with dementia that none of its 70-plus residents are prescribed them. Birch Green Care Home, part of the Springhill Care Group, is taking part in a new national initiative being conducted by The Association for Dementia Studies to reduce the use of anti-psychotics. It has committed to the Focused Intervention Training and Support initiative, commissioned by The Alzheimer’s Society and the University of Worcester, which involves 10 training programmes each delivered over a 10-day period followed by supervision and mentoring. The exercise has increased the understanding and awareness of dementia and provided tools, ideas and resources to further enable staff to provide high quality person-centred care. This incorporates simple techniques such as using residents’ life stories to incorporate past hobbies and interests into their lives. The dementia coaches then pass on the knowledge to other staff working within the homes. General manager at Birch Green,
Residents Irene Sarginson and Mary Thompson proudly display their artwork. Catherine Shawarby Catherine Shawarby, said: “We were progressing with our own programme in reducing the use of anti-psychotic medication but thought this would also support our goals in this area. “We have rapidly progressed and we are proud to be able to say that none of our residents are now prescribed them. This is a great achievement and I’d like to thank all the staff for their efforts in working towards this milestone. “The programme finishes in October but we are embedding the structures and practices we have learned to help the way we work and pass on the long-term benefits for our residents.”
Phillips Court wins competition PHILLIPS Court in Gateshead won a care group’s inter-home competition that celebrated new beginnings. Akari Care homes in the region took part in the competition with a piece of artwork made by residents and staff members that represented new beginnings. Philips Court won the inter-home cup by creating a calendar with a picture of a new beginning for each month. The pictures included a ‘baby afternoon’ during which residents and members of staff looked at their baby pictures, residents making butterflies in an arts and craft session, a
morning spent with a puppy at the home and a picture of a ‘wedding day’ when residents took in photographs of their weddings and members of staff displayed their wedding dresses. Manager Karleen Taylor-Williams said: “We will proudly display the cup in our home as recognition of the residents’ fantastic artwork. “Participating in the competition was really enjoyable for residents as we organised an activity for almost every month of the calendar, some of which encouraged residents to reminisce and rekindled fond memories.”
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Residents bond with pupils Care group relaunches over home’s scarecrow day service
By Dominic Musgrave A NEW addition to a care home’s garden has helped to sow the seeds of friendship across the generation gap by bringing together primary school pupils with older residents. Pupils at St Ninian’s Primary School, in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, have helped residents at nearby Amore Care’s Berelands House create a scarecrow for their newly renovated gardens, which has been given pride of place in the home’s courtyard. The project saw the youngsters establish lasting friendships with the residents, with pupils even choosing to name the scarecrow Wally in honour of Berelands resident squadron leader Wally Lashbrook, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, with teachers and pupils from the school attending the celebrations. Home manager Anne Smith said: “It is wonderful we have made a connection with St Ninian’s Primary School. Younger and older people can learn a lot from each other and it is heartwarming to see friendships being established between the two generations, despite the gap in age. “Wally is extremely well-liked and respected by the pupils and was absolutely delighted the children decided to name the scarecrow after him. “Working with St Ninian’s has really
Wally with the schoolchildren and the scarecrow. helped to bring a new dynamic and energy to the home, which is really lovely to see.” The Prestwick care home’s garden has recently undergone a makeover, with new additions including a vegetable bed and a sensory garden created in the courtyard, along with a
rose garden and flower garden. The entrance has also been transformed, with window boxes, hanging baskets and flower tubs put in place. A bench and a water feature have also been donated to the care home, which are well used by residents, staff and visitors on sunny days.
A BUCKINGHAMSHIRE based charity and care provider welcomed local people, businesses and stakeholders to celebrate the launch of its FreTime Care and Activity Service in Denham. Previously operating as a conventional day centre by the Red Cross, the service now forms part ofthe group’s growing portfolio of community care services, enabling local people to benefit from an enhanced programme of activities, which are designed to suit their individual requirements. The change in the way services are delivered in the local area is part of a programme agreed by the county council. This has seen The Fremantle Trust replace the traditional ‘day centre’ with its new FreTime Care and Activity Service, which for a small extra charge, includes meals made freshly on the premises and transportation. Chief executive of The Fremantle Trust, Carole Sawyers, said: “We’ve worked closely with staff and service users to review and enhance the services available to local people and it was wonderful to see such a positive response.”
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Cherry launches music business after leaving lifestyle assistant role By Dominic Musgrave
Volunteers from The Midcounties Co-operative pitched in with their forks and spades to give some needed care and attention to a residents’ garden courtyard at a Leamington Spa care home. The team pruned, weeded and edged the flower beds at The Sycamores, which has 36 rooms and provides long term care for older people and specialist care for those living with a dementia. Manager Jo Parry said: “We’re very appreciative of the help from The Midcounties Co-operative. Their work looks great and it means that we can all enjoy the fine weather with a beautiful courtyard to sit in.”
A SINGER has left her job at one of Lincolnshire’s leading care homes to launch her own venture – Unlocking Musical Memories. Cherry Wilkinson plans to visit care homes to encourage residents to join her in singing songs they have loved and remember. She has spent the last three-and-ahalf years working at Tanglewood in Horncastle, first as activities coordinator and more recently as lifestyle assistant. “I have had a wonderful time working with the residents and staff at Tanglewood,” said Cherry. “I can’t thank the home enough for the opportunities I have been given and for the training I have received in person centred care and dementia. “I will miss everyone very much but I am excited about this new venture. It involves my two loves – people and music. “I am amazed how a song can instantly transport you back to a time, a place or an occasion. You can remember the people you were with and the emotions you felt.” “I hope to be able to offer a fun, stimulating social activity for residents in care homes and for those with dementia.”
Cherry Wilkinson Cherry added that sessions will involve chatting and a variety of music including familiar favourites, and that participants will be encouraged to join in as fully as they wish. “I want us to sing songs residents enjoy – tunes they used to dance to and fell in love with. “Singing lifts your spirit and combined with simple breathing exercises and using percussion instruments gives the opportunity for gentle exercise and fun,” she added.
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Students graduate from Get into Care career initiative By Dominic Musgrave A GROUP of young people from Dundee and Perthshire have graduated from a scheme designed to give them an introduction to a career in care. The Get Into Care initiative, run by The Prince’s Trust Scotland and care provider Balhousie Care Group, culminated in the students being interviewed for real jobs as care assistants. The group of 18 to 25-year-olds undertook a six-week in-house course that included an introduction into all aspects of care with accredited learning and work placements at several of Balhousie’s 24 care homes across Scotland. The 10 students were presented with certificates to mark their achievements at a celebratory event at The Queens Hotel in Perth. Tricia Stewart, HR director of Balhousie Care Group, said: “The celebratory event was a great way of marking the achievements of the students, who have really blossomed over the past few weeks and received great feedback from the care homes where they have been working. “A career in care is a vocation as well as a positive career choice, with plenty of potential for personal development as well as the rewards of knowing we can make a difference to the lives of the people in our care.
Graduates Hayden Rylett, Darleen Menzies, Bobbie Cairns, Sean Duncan, Christie Hancock, Arti Bappoo, Danielle Park, Lucie Thomson, Jasmine McCormack and LeeAnne Pate with their certificates and Phil Whittaker, managing director of Balhousie Care Group, trainer Dale Mochan, Prince’s Trust co-ordinator Laura Barton and Zoe Mcintosh, Balhousie’s clinical trainer. “We look forward to welcoming many of the students to Balhousie Care Group team, which is testament to the success of the programme.” As well as learning about the National Care Standards, looking after residents and their personal needs, the students also learned how to write an effective CV, present themselves at an interview and other valuable life skills.
Balhousie Care Group financially supported the scheme and also guaranteed each of the students a job interview. They were based at the provider’s headquarters in Perth before being deployed to homes including Luncarty, North Inch/North Grove in Perth, Antiquary and Monkbarns in Arbroath, Stormont in Blairgowrie, Moyness in Broughty Ferry and Auchterarder.
Loop system installed in resident’s memory A NEWCASTLE care home has a newly installed loop system thanks to the generosity of the family of a former resident. The loop system at Wordsworth House, which was donated by Laetitia Telfer’s children, John Telfer and Mary Douthwaite, in her memory, will combat the difficulty that she and others had in hearing the resident meetings and other events, such as entertainers and guest speakers, that are held in the ground floor dining room at the home. It will enable the hearing aid user to switch to a specific programme, helping them to hear more clearly and will block out background noise that hearing aids often detect. Manager Linda Gonzalez said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of John and Mary and everyone at Wordsworth House would like to say thank you for their very kind donation. “The new loop system will greatly benefit the residents of Wordsworth House and it is a fantastic way for us to remember Laetitia, who was a much-loved resident.”
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Duke of Kent opens fully refurbished care home By Dominic Musgrave
Helen takes the plunge for charity
HRH the Duke of Kent and the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Yvette Hopley, officially opened the RMBI’s fully refurbished, state-of-the-art care home at James Terry Court at a ceremony for residents and guests. Since opening its doors in 1870 and first established as an RMBI care home in 1980, the home has built an excellent reputation in the local community, established through a commitment to the ongoing provision of quality care. Now rebuilt in the same location, James Terry Court has been built to exceed the latest government guidelines and legislation on size, accessibility and facilities, and is ‘future proofed’ to make sure that residents and staff remain in the highest level of comfort and safety for many years to come. It now consists of east and west wings which have doubled the home’s size to 76 rooms, including dedicated rooms for residential, nursing and specialist dementia care. The refurbishment programme has also equipped the home with: En-suite wet rooms and showers in all bedrooms. More spacious bedrooms fitted with the latest mobility equipment. New dining rooms, entrance,
A WEST Lothian care home is celebrating the achievements of its manager who has faced her fears by abseiling from the iconic Forth Road Bridge in a charity jump. Helen McLeod, manager at Bield’s St Andrews Court in Uphall, abseiled 165 feet from the bridge onto the beach below in an SAS-style jump. It raised £237, adding to a total of £1,000 raised by the group so far. Another member of the St Andrews Court team, night care assistant Joanne Peters and her son Ben took part, as did the family of a care user. Helen said: “I have done charity events in the past but this was definitely the most exciting and rewarding. “We actively encourage our staff to get involved in fundraising efforts, and it was great to be joined by Joanne and Ben. “Our service users thought we were a bit mad but fully supported us. I’m sure some would have loved to get involved.” The money raised will go into the service user’s fund, and from there its use will be decided with participation from service users and their families.
The state-of-the-art James Terry Court care home. lounge and break out rooms. An onsite hair salon and pamper room. Step free access from central facilities to all rooms. New dementia wing with dedicated garden. ‘Sensory rooftop garden’ to be enjoyed by all residents and to aid dementia care. Home manager Diane Collins said: “This was a huge project for RMBI and the residents and staff of James Terry Court. “Building work took three years and
we’re very proud that we were able to keep all residents in the home while the work took place. “We have now got state-of-the-art facilities to be proud of, which have already made such a huge difference to the lives of both residents and staff. “We are able to care for residents in a way that gives them individual freedom to really make the most of their lives.” The original main building has also been remodelled and converted into 13 modern independent living flats.
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Home’s staff do end-oflife training A GROUP of staff at CLS-run care home Whetstone Hey in Cheshire has completed and passed a training programme run by Cheshire Hospices, designed to develop skills and understanding about the end-of-life. The workshop-style training resource asks care teams to look at the end-of-life in six steps. These include discussions as end-of-life approaches, assessment, care planning and review, coordination of care, delivery of high quality care, care in the last days of life, and care after death. Home manager Wendy Hope said: “It is incredibly important that care teams keep wellinformed about different methods for offering our residents the best possible care and dignity until the very end of their stay. In learning new things, we’re always improving the levels of care we offer.” Staff at Whetstone Hey have also completed Advanced Care Planning & Preferred Priorities for Care training and End of Life training programmes too to help develop personal skills and awareness.
Belong garden wins silver medal at RHS flower show By Dominic Musgrave A NORTH west care village operator is celebrating a silver medal win at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park for a garden specially designed for people living with dementia. A group from Belong Atherton were among the first to visit the new Belong Garden at RHS Tatton. It will be transported to the company’s latest development in Warrington, where it will be a focal point of the village, due to open summer 2014. ‘The Belong Garden – A Sense of Place', was designed by Carolyn Hardern, and is based on research into the benefits of outdoor spaces for people with dementia, focusing on a sense of place, reminiscence, orientation and sensory enjoyment. During the planning stage of The Belong Garden, Carolyn consulted the people already living in Belong villages, asking them about features they would like to see in their own gardens. Operations director Tracy Paine said: “The whole show has been a wonderful experience, and the recent good weather just shows how important outdoor spaces are for all of us. “Belong has always focused on creating environments to support people living with dementia. Our
Yvonne Parkes and Ken Sharples from Belong Atherton enjoy the memory wall of archive photos in The Belong Garden. buildings already reflect this, and now Carolyn Hardern is helping us to achieve our goal outdoors as well – with a beautiful, tranquil garden that doesn't feel like a typical ‘care home garden’.” The garden is designed in two sections – a sensory and a 'working area', divided by a memory wall of
local archive photos to evoke memories of times gone by. It also features a figure-of-eight pathway, which is designed to eliminate dead ends that can lead to stress and confusion, and an orchard and raised vegetable beds, to offer opportunities for the sense of purpose that gardening provides.
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Students to learn in ‘Green Acres’
Garden party guest Maryla Green and Lesley Joseph.
Lesley helps home’s Bastille garden party raise £5,700 ‘BIRDS of a Feather’ star Lesley Joseph helped Nightingale Hammerson to raise over £5,700 at a ‘Bastille Day’ themed garden party held at Hammerson House. Lesley, best known for her role as Dorien in the 90s’ sitcom, was joined by residents of the care home, family and friends to celebrate France’s national day in the gardens which were decorated in red, white and blue. More than 230 guests enjoyed a day of activities including live music and a French style tea complete with apple tarts and pain au chocolat. The day also included valuations by
eminent jeweller Edward Green, residents’ quality artwork, a raffle, children’s arts and crafts stand, a plant display and beauty zone where guests were pampered with massages and manicures. Andrew Leigh, chief executive of Hammerson House, said: “This was a thoroughly enjoyable day and was the culmination of months of hard work and planning by our dedicated volunteers and activities department. “The money raised from the event will be put towards maintaining the high level of care our residents receive.”
STUDENTS at Berkshire College of Agriculture will have the opportunity to learn in their very own simulated care home – Green Acres – as part of their Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care course in September. The standalone four-bedroom detached house on the 400-acre estate has been refitted to replicate a care setting complete with its own sensory garden. Local care providers will be invited to visit Green Acres with their residents who can also take part in a range of recreational activities, including afternoon tea and cakes, hand massages, art workshops and walks around the gardens.
April Kingswood, deputy head of health and social care, said: “Our students study to work with elderly people, not just for an exam. “Our training care home is about teaching values. “It’s also vital to raise the status of those who work in social care – for example, our students have a special uniform to differentiate them from other students and build pride in their role.” Students will observe a lecturer/practitioner demonstrate a care skill with clear descriptions of what they are doing and then the student will have the opportunity copy the lecturer/practitioner.
Residents opt for a weekly full English RESIDENTS at Rogers House in Gillingham are scrapping their toast, porridge and cereal in favour of the humble traditional English breakfast one day a week. They have decided that a hearty full English breakfast is the best way to start the day and initiated a weekly breakfast club.
Home manager Lucy Dixon said: “A few of our residents mentioned that they would like a cooked breakfast so we decided to start our weekly breakfast club. “It’s great as it gets all the residents around the table together, taking time over their breakfast to socialise rather than skimming the daily paper and heading off to start their day.”
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MEDICARE
Designing exclusively for the care sector across the UK, we create a ‘home from home’ atmosphere ensuring optimum comfort and safety for residents, whilst avoiding an institutional look and feel by offering a relaxing and stimulating environment.
As experts in the field of radio nurse call, Medicare Systems offers a professional service from initial consultation through to installation and after-sales support.
Visit our stand and enter our FREE PRIZE DRAW for the chance to win a £50 M&S voucher.
Medicare manufactures our nurse call systems at our head office in Nottinghamshire and offer nationwide service support from our bases in Dorset, Oxfordshire, Lancashire and Essex. Further service support is also provided by our approved distributor network throughout the United Kingdom and Eire.
Stand number: D88 Contact: 020 8399 3091
Stand number: E50 Contact: 01909 542828
ALEXANDRA
CAREDOCS
Alexandra's NHS approved healthcare range offers a wide variety of medical uniforms, from nurses tunics & dresses to doctors scrubs. With an increased focus on industry standards, we provide a great selection of anti-microbial work wear clothing, hand hygiene products and disposables.
CareDocs is an integrated solution for care planning and care home management. Designed by care home owners, it’s a userfriendly package that makes personcentred care planning quick and easy.
Stand number: D25 Contact: 0845 155 2288
Managers have immediate access to all the information they need to ensure important tasks are not overlooked, saving time and resources.
Stand number: E25 Contact: 0845 500 5115
ELECTROLUX
HAIGH
On stand C5, Electrolux Professional will show its credentials as the only supplier offering a complete range of high performance products for both professional laundries and kitchen.
With over 50 years’ experience, Haigh provides expert solutions for private care homes across the UK. Taking care of all your maceration requirements, they have a range of equipment to suit your needs.
Among the products on display will be the new Evolution Range of Barrier Washer-extractors, providing the healthcare industry with the most durable solution for infection control, hygiene and maintenance whilst optimising cost, safety and labour effectiveness.
With flexible service & support packages they offer lower costs, reliability & greater infection control.
Stand number: C5
Stand number: F1 Contact: 01989 760200
KNIGHTSBRIDGE FURNITURE
ARM
Stylish new upholstered seating is being shown by Knightsbridge Furniture on Stand D11 alongside a wide selection of tables and cabinet furniture.
ARM has been manufacturing & supplying wireless Nurse Call, Staff Alarm & Fire Alarm systems to healthcare providers for over 30 years.
The Knightsbridge Care portfolio also embraces product options for residents with special needs, including seating for bariatric users and bedroom furniture to aid those with dementia.
Enhance your Nurse Call or Staff Alarm system by interfacing DECT handsets, Staff Pagers and Assistive Technology devices. Visit us on Stand D38 to talk about your requirements.
Stand number: D11 Contact: 01274 731900
Stand number: D38 Contact: 01568 610 016
GIRBAU
VISIONCALL
Girbau UK’s laundry equipment for care and nursing homes includes washers, tumble dryers and ironers. ED Series EcoDryers are among the most energy efficient in their class and the HS-6008 washer is top-rated by Energy Star. Complete Laundry Care finance option includes all service and maintenance in fixed monthly rental.
Visioncall offers a free professional and personalised home eye care service to people throughout the UK and Ireland. The Visioncall team believe in enabling people through sight and empowering them to do the activities they enjoy. Our passion is fueled by advanced scientific knowledge, the highest technical expertise and 20 years experience in home eye care.
Stand number: C37 Contact: 01462 427780
Stand number: A12 Contact: 08450501831
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CARINGCARE SHOW PREVIEW
New dementia event to run alongside Care Show RUNNING alongside Care Show Birmingham, the newly-launched Dementia Care Show features its own dedicated suppliers, best practice ideas and technology showcases to address the needs of GPs, clinical commissioning groups, Foundation trusts and NHS professionals. The new event builds on the strengths of Care Show Birmingham, which is targeted at organisations responsible for the care of older people. More than 200 exhibitors will be at the NEC on November 12 and 13 displaying and demonstrating thousands of relevant products and services, plus there are comprehensive and free education programmes addressing the main issues of the day. There are also not-to-be-missed special feature areas including Care Show Boutique, where operators will see examples of the luxury features they could be including in their businesses, such as hair and nail salons. As well as featuring specialist product and services suppliers, the new Dementia Care Show includes: A focused seminar theatre with 20 presentations and panel discussions from industry leaders covering dementia care in the community, care fit for VIPs, inspirational care (examples of leading projects from around the UK), activities that
improve health and well-being, and how can technology help? These sessions are free to attend for all Care Show visitors. Innovation Hubs showcasing groundbreaking dementia care products from around the UK. The Dementia Design Academy – a fully functioning apartment constructed to designs and instructions from DSDC University of Stirling. The imaginative Sensory Hub – a walk-in immersive space, being staged in conjunction with 4D Creative. The keynote seminar theatre – also free to attend for all visitors – will see a host of industry-leading speakers and presenters concentrating on industry ‘hot topics’, including presentations and panel debates covering: CQC regulation and inspection. Business models for future success. Business outlook. Employment law – special ‘ask the experts’ sessions. Social care commitment. Attracting private investment. Reaching self-funders. Securing local authority/NHS care contracts. Digital marketing – using the Internet, email and social media.
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The importance of entertainment and activities for your residents By Harriet Pocock WOULD you make the effort to get up if all that lay ahead of you today was the opportunity to stare at the same view you stared at yesterday, and the day before? Care homes don’t just have a duty to keep residents alive; they also have a duty to give residents something to live for. Activities and events in care homes are still all too often neglected, leaving residents who still have so much to offer without any social or recreational opportunities. Elderly people that come into care have an entire life time of experiences, knowledge and skills to share. With the right support this can turn a care home environment into a melting pot of creativity, interest and social exchange. No matter what a resident’s condition or limitations, it is our job to find the key that unlocks the person’s true self, and releases them from the shadow of their symptoms. It might only be for a moment, but that moment could make the world of difference to somebody’s day. I once met a gentleman in care who was very distressed, he had limited communication skills and the care staff were unsure what he was requesting. I knelt down beside him, held his hand and said hello to him. The gentleman stopped shouting,
looked at me for a long time and then said quite clearly “What a beautiful girl you are!” By giving this gentleman my time, I had provided an opportunity for him to reconnect with the world. Providing for a resident’s social and leisure needs does not always mean planning big activities; it can be as simple as holding someone’s hand. I believe that activity sessions should not be about baking the perfect cake or making the perfect card. It is far more important that activities provide an opportunity for residents to socialise, feel they have achieved something and have something to look forward to. Activities should encourage residents to share, communicate and connect. During a baking afternoon at a care home I witnessed an elderly lady take the opportunity to describe the night she found her husband dead in their bed. While she mixed her cake batter she described her emotions and shared her grief with the group. The activity enabled the lady to communicate with other residents, who in turn had the opportunity to support her. Having worked in care for many years I have now set up a specialist entertainment company for elderly people in care homes. We combine familiar feel good songs, afternoon tea and a group reminiscence session
Activities such as dancing give residents something to live for. Picture: © gb – Fotolia.com in one unforgettable afternoon. Each show aims to capture the traditional magic and community spirit of the tea dance. We encourage the audience to engage and participate from beginning to end; dancing, singing and sharing memories. Harriet Pocock is CEO and founder of The Cat’s Whiskers Tea Dance Company.
Apprentices to focus on nutrition
A CARE home specialising in dementia services has welcomed three new apprentices to its staff. The trio – Jessica Turner, Huma Khan and Anthony McGowan – join an existing team of apprentices at Springhill in Accrington, Lancashire, who are at various stages of their training towards becoming professional carers. The Accrington and Rossendale College students have joined the team at Springhill’s specialist dementia service and will spend time getting to know the residents in their surroundings. As part of their training they will follow a structured learning programme with a focus on the importance of good nutrition for people with dementia. Theresa Swan, general manager at Springhill, said: “As apprentices they will perform a genuinely important role, examining the part good nutrition plays in care. They will produce a piece of research which will ultimately be used in Springhill’s own training sessions. “Jessica, Huma and Anthony have all had a great start and already look as if they have been with us forever. Residents have given them a definite thumbs up and we all look forward to working with them.”
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Inspectorate appoints its first chief
THE inspectorate has appointed Andrea Sutcliffe as its first chief inspector of adult social care. Andrea joins CQC from the Social Care Institute for Excellence), where she is currently chief executive. In her new role she will lead the regulator’s inspection and regulation of adult social care. Andrea will be responsible for developing the new approach to the way CQC regulates social care, in consultation with people who use and provide services. She said: “I am looking forward to working with everyone at CQC and across social care to help make a difference for people who are using services, their families and carers.” Andrea will also oversee the development of a new rating system for social care providers, championing the interests of people using services and making critical judgements about the quality of care provided. CQC chief executive David Behan said: “As one of three chief inspectors, Andrea will have a key role in delivering CQC’s plans and making sure that people who use services are at the heart of what we do.”
Arts award is just what the doctor ordered A CARE organisation has won an award for the way it gives a tonic to residents by working with the arts. Wrexham based Pendine Park was highly commended at the prestigious Arts and Business Awards ceremony at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. They were honoured for their work with Welsh National Opera, in particular the ground-breaking Singing Doctors project, and the way it was used to promote the ethos and branding of the organisation. On top of that, Pendine Park was runner-up in the main Business of the Year category, for their longrunning collaboration with the equally renowned Hallé orchestra. As part of the Singing Doctors project, two top performers from Welsh National Opera gave an intimate performance just for the residents. Doctors Diva and Divo – alias the ‘singing doctors’ Zoe Milton Brown and David Graham – gave showstopping performances in four onehour shows for residents of the care group’s Bryn Bella, Bodlondeb, Penybryn, Cae Bryn and Hillbury homes. Proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: “The arts gives people a sense of purpose and the work that our artist in residence Sarah Edwards does has certainly helped residents to lead
Zoe Milton Brown sings with resident Pamela Welti. fulfilled lives. Very often, people have not realised that they have an artistic talent – so it gives them an enormous sense of achievement and pleasure. “They look forward to the lessons and the gallery visits and the exhibitions that we put on here. "We have also been extremely lucky to be able to work with world class musicians from the Hallé and WNO to support our projects to enrich people’s lives through the medium of music. “I know that from the feedback I get
from residents and their families how much an impact the arts has in improving their quality of life." The accolades are the latest in a string of successes for Pendine Park at the Arts and Business Awards. Last year they won the Arts, Business and Community Award. They are now working with the orchestra to develop an in-house course for staff with a view to developing it into a nationally recognised qualification that could be rolled out across Wales.
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Unsung heroes to be recognised at awards evening THE prestigious NACC Awards will be presented at the association’s annual Training & Development Forum in Blackpool in September. Excellence, innovation and the care sector’s unsung heroes will be recognised and celebrated at a dinner on the evening of September 12. The coveted awards up for grabs include Care Establishment of the Year; Community Meals Award; Catering Team or Individual Award; Innovation or Achievement Award; Sustainability Award; Hydration Award; Regional Award; Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award; and National Chairman’s Award. NACC chair Karen Oliver said: “The NACC Training & Development Forum is committed to ensuring that all care caterers receive the most upto-date information and guidance to give them the knowledge and confidence to deliver the very best to the most vulnerable in our society. “The spirit of sharing that the forum facilitates allows delegates to explore new ideas and perspectives and learn from each other’s experiences. “As well as tackling the crucial and often serious issues associated with care catering, the event also gives
Carol Harris from Leicestershire County Council is pictured receiving the NACC Chairman’s Award from Karen Oliver at last year’s ceremony. delegates the opportunity to reflect on the great job that they are already doing and celebrate with their peers at the NACC Awards dinner. “There really are some fantastic examples of best practice, innovation and excellence out there and I very much look forward to rewarding our unsung heroes.”
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Children from Broadstone Middle School receive their awards from The Potteries.
Pottery helps shape new care home CHILDREN at Broadstone Middle School have drawn on Poole Pottery for inspiration in naming the suites and coffee shop at a new Care UK home which will provide care and facilities for up to 80 older people. They entered a competition to name the facilities in The Potteries care home, which is due to open in October, bringing 80 jobs to town. It will provide care for older people, with nursing care available for those who may be physically frail, while a specialist wing will deliver Care UK’s award-winning dementia care. Donna Milne, home manager at The Potteries, who presented the prizes at a ceremony at the school, said: “I was very impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and local knowledge. Most of the people who will make their home at The Potteries
will have lived in the area and we want to ensure that their home has excellent links with the community so they can continue to enjoy all the news and activities in the town.” The winners were: Jenni Wilkinson, 12, chose the name Quayside for the home’s coffee shop because the original site was next to the quay and it is a happy place. Bethany Gill, 10, chose the name Delphis after researching the site. She liked the name used for all the Poole Pottery output when it was first launched for retail in October 1963. Elizabeth Gilfoy, 12, chose the name Dolphin because it remains the factory mark on all Poole Pottery Studio’s designs. The girls were each presented with a £15 high street voucher and a certificate.
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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
Sensor switch launched MEDPAGE Limited has launched a new sensor switch. For an elderly person with poor dexterity or a person with severe disabilities, the new contactless switch can be used as a help call switch, or to turn a light on or off and even operate a remote door release. The switch measuring 110mm x 70mm x 15mm has an integral sensor that detects a hand or face (used on a pillow) with the lightest of touches. There are no wires or external connections whatsoever and with a typical operating range of 100M a carer’s pager, for example, can be activated in most buildings, or gardens. There are special control devices that can be used with the switch to turn on fans or heaters or even
unlock an external door. Special modifications can be made to the switch to enable additional functions for people with special needs.
Intelligent door combines safety and convenience SAFETY and convenience often don’t sit well together. We all know we need to keep fire doors closed to hinder the spread of fire, yet often ease and convenience mean doors are propped open. Leading fire safety innovators, Fireco, has the perfect solution – a wire-free device, Freedor, which swings open freely and then can be left in any position, but will close automatically when it hears a fire alarm, preventing the spread of fire
and smoke around the building. Perfect for organisations or individuals who need access through their doors – for deliveries, wheelchair or pushchair access or just want a thoroughfare from room to room. It can be installed for right and left hand swing doors and has a nighttime release facility. From as little as £325, the Freedor price also includes installation from a qualified Fireco technician and after care service and support from their team of experts.
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CARINGNEWS Advertiser’s announcement
Committing to values EMPLOYERS know that embedding clear values, attitudes and behaviours in their workforce is key to quality service delivery and the new Social Care Commitment is designed to reinforce that in workplaces across England. They will be able to sign up to the free online Social Care Commitment from 9 September pledging themselves to support seven employer and employee statements that will help their workforce deliver high quality care and support. Once an employer has signed up they will be able to access a range of resources from across the sector to support them in meeting the standards. This is the first time the sector has come together around a public commitment to constantly improve the care and support provided by England’s 1.63 million adult social care workers. The Social Care Commitment has been endorsed by The Department of Health, Skills for Care, the Care Quality Commission and a wide range of sector bodies. The commitment will have a have a key role to play in helping to improve public trust in the care sector and is linked to the NHS Choices website. From December 2013 once a CQC registered care provider has signed up to the commitment the public will be able to see this on their NHS Choices profile. At the same time the public will be able to search the Social Care Commitment site and see which organisations have signed up, including any non CQC registered
providers. David Behan, Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) says that they recognise ‘the leadership and culture of an organisation, and the support and training of staff, have a significant impact on the quality of care experienced by people who use services. CQC fully supports the Social Care Commitment and will assess the culture and leadership of services as part of its new approach to inspection.’ Employers who sign up know that it will not only support their workforce development plans, but it also makes business sense as care providers will not want to miss out on the chance to make a public declaration that they are a provider of quality services. Nigel Taylor, Group Learning and Development Manager at Care Tech UK says providers could lose out on business if they have not made the commitment, as potential and existing customers, won’t be able to quickly identify the quality of service that is being offered. For Nigel signing up to the commitment ‘will identify providers who are committed to deliver quality care and differentiate them from those who are not, this alone will give a business benefit.’ Organisations and individual employees across the sector can sign up from Monday 9 September at www.thesocialcarecommitment.org.u k. For more information email thesocialcarecommitment@skillsforcare/or g.uk or visit www.skillsforcare.org.uk/thesocialcarecommitment.
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New employee Claire shares New York experience THE latest addition to an award-winning retirement village has brought with her a wealth of experience from working with older people in America. Claire Haigh, of Darlington, has joined Middleton Hall Retirement Village, in Middleton St George, as its new marketing assistant after working for a senior centre in New York for three years. She was a primary school teacher in Darlington and Portsmouth before moving abroad with her husband, Jonathan, for his work in the pharmaceutical industry. Claire said: “I would have had to do a conversion course to teach and thought this was a great opportunity to try something new. “I then absolutely fell in love with working with older people and I learnt a lot about the way in which the Americans base their lifestyle upon making sure their senior citizens have the best life possible.” She joined the Glen Cove Senior Center, in New York, as a volunteer before progressing to assistant activities co-ordinator and latterly as PA to the director.
“When I came to Middleton Hall it was like a breath of fresh air and I realised they have the same forward thinking attitude to care that the Americans have, about older people’s health and living well,” Claire added. “I’m so delighted to be working at Middleton Hall.” One of her new roles as marketing assistant will be helping to promote the new Waterside bungalows which are being built as part of a £9m expansion at the retirement village. The 35 properties, complete with triple glazing, wood burning stoves and PV panels, are the first zero carbon bungalows to be built in the country with the first phase being opened this summer. Jeremy Walford, managing director, said: “Claire brings with her a wealth of experience from the way American retirement villages are run, where the emphasis is on living well in later life just as it is at Middleton Hall. “She’s already shown us how dedicated and passionate she is about the residents and we’re looking forward to her helping us organise events for them as well as promoting the new bungalows.”
Memories shared
Claire Haigh
ARTHUR House care home in Wimbledon welcomed students from Ricard’s Lodge High School as part of the school’s annual Community Day. Three students – Nadia Ahmad, Anne Thomas and Megan Schiller – spent the day with the residents, exchanging stories about their lives, listening to the fascinating memories of the older people and joining in a number of activities. Noreen Cecil-Purvis, home manager, said: “It’s so important that the older and younger generations have mutual respect and understanding. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about the exciting lives of the students and in return shared their own life experiences and memories from their youth. “I’m sure that the young people gained a lot and firm friendships have been forged.”
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CARINGNEWS
Eighty years’ combined service for dedicated care home pair TWO employees of one of the UK’s oldest maritime charities have been reminiscing after celebrating a collective 80 years of service at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society. Margaret Brazier and Anne Kasey have dedicated 50 and 30 years respectively to the Banstead-based seafarers’ care home which provides nursing care and accommodation support to elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, their widows and dependants. During this period both have seen numerous changes to the home including its facilities, site moves and the opening of a specialist dementia care annexe as well as operational transformations. Margaret, who recalls working alongside four CEOs during her long service with the Society, started at the charity as a junior shorthand-
typist in 1962 and rose through the ranks to her current role of executive assistant. She said: “Through the years there have been dramatic developments in the home, including changes in location. In 1962 there was one, men-only, care home at Erith, Kent. In 1965, a ladies’ care home opened to commemorate the centenary.” Care home manager Anne Kasey joined in 1983 as a state enrolled nurse when Belvedere was sited at Zachary Merton convalescent home in Holly Lane, Banstead. The accommodation comprised a 12-bed ward, plus two, three and five bed wards, with communal bathroom facilities. Individual rooms were on the first floor of the home, but these were for independent residents. Today all the
bedrooms are single rooms with en-suite facilities. Anne added: “In 1983, there were only three female residents at the home who were wrens or stewardesses; now 50 per cent of the residents are female. My first Christmas day on duty saw only one visitor for the whole home. “The staff were the only family most people had. “One of the biggest changes for us has been the improvement of equipment, particularly when moving the residents. Hoists, beds, mattresses, baths, chairs, slide sheets, the list is endless. “Training has greatly improved throughout the years and is now available to all staff that work in the care home. “We now have a dedicated dementia unit, to provide support to those with this debilitating condition.”
Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society employees Anne Kasey and Margaret Brazier.
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£7m home ‘beyond the wildest dreams’ of community By Dominic Musgrave A £7M care home built by Coverage Care Services Limited is ‘beyond the wildest dreams' of the community in which is it based, according to secretary of state Owen Paterson who officially opened the development. Owen, who is also MP for North Shropshire, cut the ribbon at New Fairholme, an 88-bed care home with nursing facilities in Oswestry, designed from the ground up to offer a real choice of hotel services and the full continuum for care. New Fairholme is the fourth new care home built by not-for-profit Coverage Care, the largest independent care provider in Shropshire operating 16 care centres across the county. Chief executive David Coull said: “New Fairholme is the fourth new care home we've built, but the differ-
ence here is scale and also the continuum of care that it offers. We can confidently anticipate that people coming into New Fairholme will not need to move again no matter how their condition or their needs escalate. “Nothing is more upsetting than the prospect of moving home at a time when you feel most vulnerable. “We are providing accommodation in four different units for up to 88 people, supporting their needs through confusion, dementia, frailty and indeed, end of life. “We have been absolutely delighted by the support of the community in the work we have been doing here. “Our new home inherits the family atmosphere of its predecessor in the town, Fairholme, while bringing the benefits of a wider range of services offered to more people.” The building has 22 beds in two wings on each floor, each with its
Coverage Care chief executive David Coull and chairman Kenneth Bean with North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson (centre) at the opening. own lounge and dining areas and a private garden area at the rear of the building. Initially, around 50 new jobs have
been created for nurses, care and support staff. When at full occupancy, the home will employ around 120 people.
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CARINGCOMMERCE
CHD acquires The Summers SPECIALIST healthcare property consultant HPC has acted on behalf of YMCA London South West in the sale of a care home in Surrey. The Summers in West Molesey has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by Surrey operator CHD Living, which has already completed the first phase of work developing specialist small-scale units of 10 beds or less for clients requiring specialist dementia care services.
£3m funding completed CHRISTIE Finance has successfully arranged and completed a £3m funding package for Lorimer Care Homes Ltd to purchase Glenfairn House Nursing Home and Carrick House Nursing Home in Ayr. Glenfairn House is a former period Victorian villa with purpose-built extensions, and is registered for 74. Carrick House comprises two Victorian semivillas which have been combined with a modern, purpose-built extension to the rear and is registered for 28.
New 50-bed home to create 80 jobs in city By Dominic Musgrave WORK is underway for a new purpose-built 50 bed care home located in a prestigious area in the centre of Peterborough. The seven figure development for operator Peterborough Care’s The Maltings will be a new nursing and elderly home, and is due to open its doors in May 2014. It will bring approximately 80 full and part-time jobs to the area and facilities including spacious rooms – all with en-suite, hairdresser salon, gymnasium, computing suite and a cinema room. There are also plans in the future to provide a day community centre for the over 65s to access facilities such as the cinema room. Peterborough Care is a family run business established in 1984. Involved in the business are brothers Amar and Ajay Marjara alongside their mother Shammy and father David. The new Maltings facility will be the fourth care home in the family’s portfolio. Amar said: “We wanted to build a purpose-built care home designed with a personal feel and modernise the standards of care that are
Peterborough Care founders Shammy and David Marjara with their sons Ajay and Amar and RBS business development director Steve Stafford and healthcare director Graham Tallynare joined by Peterborough city council leader Councillor Marco Cereste. available in this area. “We are delighted with the location and are looking forward to expected completion next May, and bringing not only superb facilities and care to elderly residents but new job creation to the Peterborough area. “Our aim at Peterborough Care is to focus on expanding our business locally but by thinking on a national level we are able to provide the
highest standards and have aspirations for future growth.” A funding package has been secured from The Royal Bank of Scotland to support the construction of the new care home. RBS has provided funding as part of the bank’s Funding for Lending Scheme which is Government backed and was launched by the Bank of England and HM Treasury last July.
Charity chief steps down after 15 years at helm ROGER Davies will stand down as chief executive of Methodist Homes in 2014 after 15 successful years’ service. Under Roger’s leadership of the charity, MHA has diversified to provide a range of services for older people, from high dependency nursing and dementia care in care homes, through a variety of home care and support services in apartments (rented or purchased), to community-based support services. In 2013 MHA’s services comprise over: 90 care homes. 60 retirement living services – apartments with care /support. 70 live at home community services. Roger said: “Fulfilling the role of chief executive has been a privilege and an honour. “It has been good to have played my part in the delivery of so many good and varied services for older people and to leave MHA in a position of strength, with high quality people, high quality services, a strong financial covenant and lots of opportunities to create more services for older people. “I will remain with MHA until mid2014 to enable a full handover period. I have not yet decided as to how to use my time from next year.
Roger Davies “My immediate thoughts are to spend a period of time in voluntary services overseas; paid employment, non-executive positions or consultancy opportunity may come my way in due course.” With more than 7,000 staff members and 4,000 volunteers, MHA’s income for 2013 reached £180m – an increase of over 15 per cent on the previous year, reflecting a continuing growth in the number of older people receiving MHA services.
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CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
PCL procurement service Firm launches assistive shower to cut care home costs PROCUREMENT Cashback Limited is a new and innovative procurement service, working in partnership with ECCA, to cut the cost of a wide range of care home products and services, including groceries, fresh foods, janitorial products and utilities. Three services are available: A unique cash back service which gives a twice yearly cheque based on spend; a basic procurement service to help smaller operators obtain a better deal from current suppliers; and a
proactive procurement service where more complex negotiations are required. There is no joining fee, monthly membership or access fee for care providers who wish to sign up. Customers will be able to benefit from some exclusive cash back and competitively priced deals which PCL has secured with its quality, handpicked suppliers. Some suppliers will even give cash back where they already have contracts in place with care providers.
SensorCare allows you a try before you buy 14-day trial COVENTRY Myton and Warwick Myton Hospices can attest to the success of trying before you buy when it comes to looking after their patients. The hospices undertook a free 14 day trial of a SensorCare bed and chair system to evaluate the effectiveness in reducing the rate of falls of the elderly under their care. Following a successful trial, the system was rented for one month to further investigate the success of using sensor alarms. Karen Pedley of Coventry Myton Hospice said: “I would have been
reluctant to buy anything without a trial as there are many versions on the market but it is essential to determine which system is the most suitable for our environment. The free trial really helped in the decision process, as we had a definite sense that the number of falls were being reduced through use of SensorCare.” The reduction in the number of falls during the free trial and month rental of the system, led Coventry Myton to purchase four bed and chair systems for their hospice and a further two bed and chair systems being purchased.
GAINSBOROUGH Specialist Bathing, Europe’s leading choice in assistive powered baths, has launched a new range of accessible modular shower units. These new assisted showers deliver care providers, contractors and healthcare professionals with several advantages and are ideally suited to long term and acute care environments. Ergonomically designed, each
shower unit increases safety for carers, whilst client dignity and comfort is maximised. Exceptionally durable, the new shower modules are available in three sizes to accommodate a range of room layouts and come with MicroGuard antimicrobial protection, decorative wall panelling and WRAS approved thermostatically controlled shower units.
Welcome your residents with Say It Personally YORKSHIRE based company Say It Personally specialises in unique, quality gifts with a difference, delivered to your door to make any occasion extra special. Our range includes a luxury care home welcome gift to help new residents feel at home. This contains a photograph frame to hold precious memories, fragrance drawer sachet, pen and handy notebook. Other useful items include a cord for spectacles, towel and face cloth. Also for the ladies we have created an elegantly wrapped ‘Thinking of you’ bouquet (as shown in photograph) replicating a beautiful floral arrangement. This beautifully hand-tied bouquet is crammed with practical goodies to aid relaxation including toiletries, snuggle socks, eye mask, towel and face cloth along with lots of other useful items. Not forgetting the gentlemen, we have created a similar gift which comes beautifully presented in a gift box. Enquiries: Call 01482 638355, email hello@sayitpersonally.co.uk or visit www.sayitpersonally.co.uk
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CARINGNEWS
Beaucare launches new Furniture4care catalogue BEAUCARE has launched its new Furniture4care catalogue, expanding its range which includes bedroom, living and dining room furniture, seating, bathing equipment and related room accessories. The new contract furnishings package complements the furniture range, incorporating a stylish and contemporary mix of fabrics. The soft furnishings service includes a site assessment and measurements for curtains, upholstery and matching accessories. This enables Beaucare to provide a complete refurbishing or new build interior solution. Beaucare® Medical Ltd has been established 20 years and is the UK’s premier supplier of hygiene, medical supplies and equipment to individual care homes, care home groups, hospitals and NHS Trusts. Enquiries: Call 01423 878899, email sales@beaucare.com or visit www.beaucare.com
Knightsbridge extend care portfolio SEATING, tables and cabinet furniture designed to meet the specialist demands of care homes and residential facilities are being shown by Knightsbridge Furniture at the Care Show Birmingham in November. Newcomers to the Knightsbridge Care portfolio include the Sorrento high-back armchair, part of a range where a simple, contemporary elegance is epitomised by the graceful arc sweeping from arms to back. Applications include lounge areas and social hubs within care homes, and the Sorrento is also finding favour as a statement piece in residents’ bedrooms. As with all Knightsbridge upholstered furniture for the care sector, Sorrento seating is available in a diversity of waterproof fabrics, vinyls and faux hide. Show-wood comes in six standard finishes – Cherry, Natural Beech, Bleached Beech, Wenge, Walnut or Oak. In addition to its selection of stylish upholstered seating, the Knightsbridge Care portfolio covers a wide diversity of product options, from comfortable recliners for community spaces to smart upright chairs for dining and activity rooms. For details visit Stand D11 at the Care Show Birmingham. Or call 01274 731442, e-mail enquiries@knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk
New MRSA tutorial introduced by schülke A NEW web-based Understanding MRSA tutorial has just been introduced by schülke for healthcare professionals. The tutorial is split into six modules which include: • Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) • What is MRSA? • Infections caused by MRSA • Screening and decolonisation • MRSA transmission and prevention • Practical demonstration about using octenisan antimicrobial wash At the end of each module there is a self-assessment questionnaire which is completed before moving onto the next module. After completing the tutorial, a certificate is awarded. Trusts wishing to use the training tool will be given a unique log in code for the hospital. Staff undertaking the training will be able to use the code and complete the modules. A record is kept of the completed modules and time spent undertaking the training. This will provide valuable feedback to those responsible for ongoing education programmes.
Claim VAT back on your home even if you are not VAT registered IT is true, care providers can reclaim VAT worth about £3,000 per bed for any residents who stayed in your home between 1993 and 2002 paid for by the local authority. You don’t have to be VAT registered to make a claim. We can usually find the information required with minimal disruption to your business. How is this possible? Well in 2002 a care provider called Kingscrest challenged the view held by HMRC and won. There is no cost to you unless we are successful. Typical claims: 50 beds – £240,000; 40 beds – £170,000; 287 beds – £1.25m. And the best part is that you get the money in your bank account before you pay us. Don’t forget the tax repayment is free of tax – it is extra profit.
Enquiries: Call 01233 640985 and ask for Howard to find out more.
Armstrong Laundry meet best requirements WHEN the laundry at the Brookfield Nursing Home in West Kirby needed re-equipping at the beginning of this year, Jason Jones, owner/manager of the home, looked at a number of options and found that the Amazon HSF11 washer extractor and a Huebsch tumble dryer from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems met his requirements best. The Armstrong equipment handles all the laundry generated by the home, including bed linen, table and kitchen linen and residents’ personal clothing. The 11kg washer incorporates a thermal disinfect cycle which is essential for compliance in a nursing home laundry. The laundry is operated by dedicated staff and is in use for at least five hours a day, seven days a week. Jason said: “We have been very happy with the new equipment – the operators find it easy to use. There has been one breakdown, but an Armstrong engineer attended the same day and got it up and running again which is obviously very important for an operation like ours.” For further information call 01635 263410, email:enquiries@armstrong-laundry.co.uk or visit www.armstrong-laundry.co.uk
Tarkett system in high demand WITH close to 1m wetrooms installed worldwide to date, Tarkett’s system has proved so popular that the manufacturer is responding to demand and extending its range. Tarkett was the first European flooring manufacturer to offer a wetroom concept, a complete and extensive system of floor and wall coverings, as well as accessories including drains, threshold strips and sleeves. Now Tarkett is responding to market demands and introducing 73 new colours as well as an extended range of accessories. UK sales director John Devine said: “The Wetroom concept has been hugely popular for a number of reasons. The design means that the areas have fewer joints, reducing the risk of infection spreading and making cleaning easier. They’ve also been designed to complement other existing Tarkett ranges that can be used in adjacent rooms, for a cohesive design scheme.” For more information visit www.tarkett.co.uk
Simple solutions
Marketing manager at schülke Nicola Thurston said: “Online training tools have become increasingly popular with healthcare staff who want to keep their skills and knowledge up to date but have little time to leave the clinical area to undertake training. This tutorial has been designed so that each module can be completed in 10-15 minutes including the Q&A session. “All of the information is up to date, follows current UK guidelines where applicable and is fully referenced for those seeking more in depth information. The animated characters make the tutorial fun as well as motivational.” Understanding MRSA has been developed with input from Rose Gallagher, nurse advisor infection prevention and control, Royal College of Nursing; Annette Jeanes, director of infection prevention and control at UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and Kathy Wakefield; clinical risk, infection and quality strategic lead, NHS Rotherham. For more information email: mail.uk@schuelke.com , contact schülke UK on 0114 254 3500 or visit www.schulke.co.uk
SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based, Richards Residential Supplies have concentrated upon supplying simple solutions to common nursing home problems. The new WACMAT® adheres strongly to this tradition. With its ultra absorbent cotton pile and 100 per cent waterproof backing, the remarkable WACMAT® is an ideal accessory where spills may occur. Used as a commode mat, in bedrooms or bathrooms, the WACMAT® ensures full carpet protection. Then, after use, simply machine wash and tumble dry! It’s that simple... The WACMAT® will then be clean and odour-free, ready to perform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat, saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone. Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.
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Offering unique service to market Over 50 years of bringing expert solutions for care organisations CHANDLER and Co have been finance specialists in the healthcare sector since 1995. Our bespoke finance packages cover all aspects of funding for acquisition, refinance, development, expansion and financial re-structuring. Chandler and Co’s status as an independent healthcare specialist means we have strong links with a comprehensive range of lenders. The combined experience of the partners including financial, management and care home ownership offers first hand knowledge and expertise in the healthcare sector. As we offer a unique service to the market we have access to the lowest
margins, 25-year loan terms, base rate lending and up to 100 per cent finance options available. Once we have identified the best lender and finance package in the market for you, we will guide your application through the process to ensure a prompt response. Once funding is secured, our consultants will continue to liaise on your behalf to ensure a quick completion. At all stages Chandler and Co representatives will be on hand to offer the best advice. Providing dedicated all round support and tailored advice to meet your requirements up to completion and beyond – contact Chandler and Co today for a no obligation financial review.
WITH over 50 years’ experience, Haigh Engineering provide expert solutions for the maceration needs of many of the UK’s leading private care organisations. Whether you currently use clinical waste collection or maceration solutions, we are able to offer a tailored package to make the switch as simple as possible. Our machines will take care of any of your maceration requirements; we have a range of
equipment to suit yours needs. The Haigh service includes: Flexible payment options Free site survey Cost efficiency forecasting Advice on pulp and pad products The benefits are clear: Reduced cross infection Reduced energy and utility bills Reduced odour Increased patient comfort Increased cost efficiency.
The choice of thousands of homes
Home owner’s thoughts on exciting product
FOR award-winning, top quality room and residents’ door signs be sure to look at the Badgemaster range. It’s already the choice of 1,000s of residential and nursing homes. There are gold or silver plates with smart, replaceable engraved inserts – clear, durable and easily changed. Choose from two sizes (25mm x 200mm or 50mm x 200mm), now with handy end-stops that make for secure, tamper-proof identification of room use or occupier. Just let Badgemaster know your requirements, e.g. name of room or name of room user. Your handsome doorplates should be with you in five days or less. If room use or details
“SINCE purchasing our first Western Comfi-Tilt chair earlier this year we have been very pleased with the outcomes achieved. “The ability of the tilt action to help reduce falls and improve pressure relief is very noticeable. Service user’s comfort levels and reduced hoist transfers also make the chair very popular with our care staff. The portability of the chair helps our residents’ families take their loved ones into the garden or move around
change, the service for replacement inserts is just as quick and efficient. A full range of recognised International symbols, directional arrows and Braille is available. Also slide-across room status facility e.g. vacant/ engaged, do not disturb etc. Corporate logos can be added for a small extra cost. These are the name signs that have four times won the coveted Hospital Management Today Award for Top Performer – signage category.
Transport
Care Charts
Architects
Signs
the home easily, making visits more pleasurable. We always thought that specialist chairs were too expensive. But this new product from Western Equipment Supplies Ltd is available well below £1,000 – and amazingly, delivery took two to three days. We plan to purchase more and would not hesitate to recommend the Western Comfi-Tilt as a very cost effective way of improving user comfort and easing the carer work load.” Home manager, Mountbatten Nursing Home
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