Caring UK (September 09)

September 2009

incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector

no.160 • £4.75 In association with

Poor rating could force plans rethink

Caring UK to sponsor awards

By Dominic Musgrave AN angry Midlands care operator says he may have to ditch plans to build two new care homes because one of his existing sites has received a poor rating.

Simon Badland, believes he will find it difficult to borrow the money he requires from the bank to develop land in Cannock because his Bluebrooke home near Bromsgrove dropped from an ‘adequate’ rating to a ‘poor’ following a recent CQC inspection.

He was one of many care home owners and managers to get in touch with the newsdesk following last month’s story which told how one operator was appealing to other homes to call for the inspection process to be transformed.

Simon, who runs six homes in total across Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands under the Oldfield Residential Care Limited name, told Caring UK that star ratings are vital when it comes to approaching the banks.

He added: “With the banks you have to have everything spot on and tick all of the boxes.

“I have not approached them yet about our plans for Cannock, but I’m

sure the poor grade won’t help us because the banks struggle to understand everything we have to go through and are only interested in the star rating when it comes to lending.

“Thankfully Bluebrooke is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, homes in south Staffordshire and we have a lot of private referrals. I’m sure a lot of the residents’ families have never even heard of the CQC, but unfortunately the banks have, and that is the problem for us.”

Like David Crabtree whom we featured in last month’s story, Simon says he has spent thousands of pounds upgrading the home since it received the one star last year, replacing the manager and appointing a new operations director.

He added: “All of our other homes are either ‘good’ or excellent, and good is what we aim to achieve across all of our sites.

“To be fair Bluebrooke probably got the rating it deserves last year, but we were expecting at least the same if not better this year.

■ Do you think the inspection and process needs to change? Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or email dm@whpl.net

Comedian Bernie Clifton launched a care group’s scheme to showcase the talents of the nation’s older people.

Best known for his ostrich routine, the entertainer launched ‘Bupa Wants Talent’, with a series of shows planned nationwide to mark UK Older People’s Day on October 1.

CARING UK will sponsor a series of glittering award ceremonies that recognise the best in the care sector.

The regional Great British Care Awards take place across the country at prestigious venues, culminating in a grand final at the London Guildhall next June.

All areas of the sector are represented in the 18 categories, whether it be older people or specialist services, residential or home care.

Healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave said: “We are proud to be involved in these fantastic awards which will celebrate all that is good within the sector.”

The awards will also sponsor The Maggie’s Centre charity, which has sites across the country supporting people whose lives have been impacted upon by cancer.

To find out more turn to page 22.

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CARINGNEWS

Country’s largest extra care village opens its doors

By Louise Cordell THE UK’s largest ‘extra care’ village has opened its doors to residents in Staffordshire.

Mill Rise, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is one of the first schemes in the country to combine housing for the over 55s with a state of the art primary care centre and integrated health services.

The £15m project has been developed on a former factory site by a partnership between Aspire Housing and North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.

Sinead Butters, Aspire chief executive, said: “The idea came about as we had identified a need for extra care housing in the area and reasoned that there would be added value to a scheme that combined living space with primary care facilities.

“It had only been done on a small scale before so it was a fairly adventurous move, but we felt it would be beneficial to residents as well as working well as a business.”

The development has been designed to improve residents’ quality of life as a way of promoting good heath and features 60 one and two bedroom apartments which are available for rent or shared ownership.

It incorporates three GP practices, a pharmacy, restaurant, cafe, bar and hair salon and healthcare will also be avail-

www.caring-uk.co.uk Advertising Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry Sales Manager: Jackie Brook National Sales Executive: Mandy Edwards Tel: 01226 734333 Fax: 01226 734477

Publishers Wharncliffe Publishing Ltd. 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Email: info@caring-uk.co.uk

Editorial Group Editor: Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 Fax: 01226 734478

The new Mill Rise ‘extra care’ village able to around 5,000 locals - helping them avoid long trips for hospital appointments.

Sinead added: “Creating the development from scratch has really given us an opportunity to engage people and find out what they are looking for in a home.

“We brought together a Friends of Mill Rise group made up of local people and those interested in living at the home.

“They contributed ideas and opinions and it now means we have people moving in who have felt really involved in the project from a very early stage, which is great and means that they are fully engaged.”

Care staff are available around the

clock which means that residents are able to live independently in their own homes with flexible support to suit individual circumstances.

The facilities include a lounge area and conservatory, raised plant beds and greenhouses, wireless broadband, community activities and scooter storage and charging points.

■ The Mill Rise village is now set to expand as negotiations are taking place for the construction of another 80 residential units.

If the plans are successful, during 2010 a group of bungalows will be constructed which will be available to rent or under shared ownership schemes.

Healthcare Editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 Reporters: Christina Eccles Mary Ferguson Louise Cordell Group Deputy Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734458 Database enquiries to Tel: 01226 734695 E-mail: circulation@ wharncliffepublishing.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.

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CARINGNEWS

Out-of-date food costs home £12k

By Dominic Musgrave A PONTYPOOL residential home has been fined more than £12,000 for having out-of-date food in its freezer.

Regency House Residential Home Limited – which owns the private nursing home for the elderly pleaded guilty to six food hygiene offences at Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard how on November 21 last year, officers from Torfaen Council carried out a routine inspection of the residential home, which has 53 residents aged 65 to 100-years-old.

Inspectors found a number of ingredients, which were intended to be used for residents’ meals, were past their use by date.

After a thorough investigation it was found that the oldest food product – a leg of lamb – was almost six months past its use by date. Diced beef and diced lamb were also found to be out of date.

Steve Whitehouse, head of trading standards, said: “This authority takes very seriously the supply/sale of food past its ‘use by’ date and the effect this can have particularly on the most vulnerable in our society.

“Use by dates are used on products which are chilled and which are

microbiologically sensitive. One of Torfaen Council's Trading Standards service priorities is to maintain the health and well-being of members of the Community.

“The service has taken a number of prosecutions over the last two years and would reiterate the importance to businesses that they understand their legal obligations. Trading Standards is only too willing to provide such advice and guidance to businesses to ensure that infringements are kept to a minimum.”

Inspectors also found the company had failed to implement guidance given by food safety external consultant and that there was no apparent stock rotation in operation within the freezer environment.

There were no audits by management to ensure that procedures within the catering facilities were followed by staff.

The court fined Regency House Residential Home Ltd £3,000 on each offence which was reduced to £2,000 for pleading guilty at the first occasion. A £15 victim surcharge was also imposed bringing the total fine to £12,015.

Full costs amounting to £800 were also awarded to the prosecuting authority.

Durham residents turn eco-warrier ELDERLY residents have been transformed into eco-warriors at a south Durham care home.

The county council’s direct services team visited Baring Court Home to show residents how to save energy, including installing movement sensitive lighting and energy efficient appliances throughout the building.

Home manager Veronica Bolton also invited waste management officer Ruth Smith to give a presentation on recycling and waste

minimisation. She added: “We hope this presentation enables greater partnership working and encourages tenant participation whilst being fun and beneficial. We must all remember the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”

The presentation covered ways of minimising waste in the home, including information on the junk mail preference service – which can stop unwanted junk mail – reducing kitchen waste and home composting.

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CARINGNEWS

Lucky escape as oak crashes onto home RESIDENTS and staff at an Essex care home had a lucky escape when a huge oak tree crashed into the building in the early hours of the morning.

Windows were smashed and the fascia to an extension at the front of Little Oaks Care Home in Little Braxted was badly damaged, causing damage estimated at £6,000.

Bridie Everitt, manager of the home, who was there with one other member of staff when it fell, told Caring UK that it ‘sounded like a bomb had gone off’ when three tree fell into the building.

She added: “There was an enormous bang which scared the life out of me, and I wondered what was going on because the whole building shook.

Warrior rewarded for infection fight

The oak tree that crashed through the care home “After checking on the residents I saw that windows were smashed and I only realised it was the tree when I noticed leaves pushed up against the window.”

“The fire brigade asked me to move the residents to a lounge at the back of the home. They were frightened at first about what could have happened, but we have been very lucky.”

“It was dark and I didn't know what it was, it was like a bomb.

“Windows were smashed and I only realised it was the tree when I noticed leaves pushed up against the window.”

Bridie says Jill and June Valentine, who have owned the home for the last 10 years, expressed their fears about the tree being dangerous to

Maldon District Council on a number of occasions – a claim the authority has denied.

A spokesman said it is up to the owners of any tree to make sure they keep them in a safe condition.

He added: “We have checked our records and there has been no application submitted to remove this tree and no evidence or reports submitted which show the tree to be in such a condition that it needed to be removed.

“In 2007, permission was granted to undertake some works to the Oak tree, but it is not clear as to whether the work had been undertaken nor is it possible to say whether had these works been undertaken that the tree would still not have fallen.”

A CARE home has been rewarded for its work in stepping up the battle against deadly infections.

Over 40 members of staff from Warrior Park Care Home in Seaton Carew took part in a year long development programme looking at ways they could reduce the risk of infections such as MRSA. They picked up a certificate for completing the course at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield.

Care home manager Linda Hutchinson said: “Infection control is very important in all settings, but particularly when we are looking after older people. We had six areas to work on to improve infection control, two of the areas were hand hygiene and training.”

The scheme was run by the Improvement Foundation, which is aimed at reducing health care associated infections outside hospital.

Top marks for Lodge BAMFIELD Lodge in Bristol has received the maximum three star rating from the Care Quality Commission. The inspection of the Avery Healthcare home, which opened last year, singled out the support residents receive, the capabilities of the staff and the quality of the training provided.

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CARINGNEWS

Care home operators are calling for the CQC’s inspection process to be transformed, claiming the three-star system does not work. Dominic Musgrave reports.

Call for ratings to reflect quality of care SINCE our report last issue, Caring UK has once again been inundated with calls and emails from frustrated owners demanding answers to a variety of issues from the CQC. Managers and owners have also been telling us that inspectors do not think about the impact of the grade they award a home in the long run.

And owners have told our newsdesk that the star ratings do not reflect the quality of care being provided, and are often a reflection of how an inspector is feeling on a particular day.

Dr Chris Farrar, director of Total Care Homes Ltd, a care home for the elderly in Merseyside, said he sees the inspection process as ‘a form of bullying’.

He added: “Overall, the inspector may be biased or just plainly does not like the owner or manager. In this case the home can be ruined.

There is an appeal process, but we all know that it is not a good idea to argue and fight with the CQC unless no alternative exists.

“I see the inspection process as a form of

bullying – a form that can bankrupt a home.

There are many fairer systems that can exist.

For example, a percentage score, so that one home is not one star while the other a two star even though there is perhaps one per cent point between them. The ratings should also coincide with the county ratings.

And Chris de Verenne, who runs three care homes in Devon, said care associations should get behind a campaign to get the inspection process changed.

He added: “Our one star home was reinspected last March with the inspector stating off the record that ‘it feels like a good to me’ but it then came back as adequate.

“My operations manager spoke to the inspector who ‘off the record’ stated that it was borderline and it wasn’t her that made the decision but her new manager. When told that we would appeal she said that we should. We have appealed and much of the original report has been amended, but we are still left with an adequate rating.”

Emphasis on paperwork

‘Rating should be five star so that the general public are not confused’

Brian Crossland, manager/owner Castlerea House, Salford

JANE MCAULEY, St David’s Care Home, Ealing

IN response to your to your article on star ratings I have had a similar situation. Having been inspected four months after taking over a care home I found myself with a one star adequate rating.

Verbally the inspector told me that the home was obviously doing an excellent job of caring for residents. I received an excellent score for this and adequate in every other area.

The main emphasis was on paperwork, including a lengthy description of my breach of the Data Protection Act due to one A4 piece of paper being filed wrongly.

I discussed this with the local care home association who informed me that many homes in the area had recently been downgraded and the star system was useless to those in the know anyway. Previously the home had received an excellent rating.

My point is that prior to star ratings it was in the interests of the local authority to have a large number of excellent homes. It looked good and cost them nothing.

Now it is in their interests financially to downgrade and use star ratings to cut costs. The star ratings are a political device to save money, and have virtually no relation to actual care given.

I AGREE that the system needs to be changed. I manage the only one star home in Ealing and no home in this area is a three star, so I am led to believe.

We have an excellent reputation with a 98 per cent occupancy rate. I have been threatened with residents being moved out and no more admissions because of our star rating.

The boroughs that use us have completed their own unannounced inspections and are more then happy with the care we provide. We were let down by paperwork, not by the care and attention we give to our

residents.

CQC recognise that we provide a good service but one dropped point means the whole rating also drops.

Social services, potential residents and their relatives as well as banks and funding authorities do not bother to read the body of the report from CQC. They check the star rating and base their decision as to whether we are a good home or not on that rating.

Hotels have a five star rating system so three stars are known to be only good in those circles. If we have to have a star rating it should also be five star so that the general public are not confused by the system.

The opportunity to challenge is important

By Stuart Marchant The opportunity to challenge inspection reports and star ratings is an incredibly important one.

My colleagues and I see a lot of inspection reports. Some are fair, but most of the ones that we are sent to advise upon demonstrate some fundamental flaws when it comes to consistency, skill and professionalism.

It is not usually a lack of care by the inspector that leads to some unsustainable conclusions; more concerning, it is a negative attitude and an unwillingness to give fair recognition for the overall quality of

a care home.

Unchallenged, the reports can do serious damage to a home’s reputation and its commercial health. Inspectors seem ill-trained or ill-equipped to produce reports which identify areas for improvement within a constructive context that reflects the seriousness of their role.

Most recently, we have started to challenge the rating rules of CQC that deprive even the good inspectors of any discretion to give overall quality ratings that are good (in the commonsense meaning of the word) if, for example, a weighted area such as management

or personal care has a couple of problems (real or not).

Your ratings are, in some cases unlawfuly, decided upon by a very simple computer program that has no relation to the real world.

We have noticed that CQC’s approach is a harder one to its predecessor CSCI. Poorer ratings not only affect reputation and revenue, they are also more likely to lead to enforcement action and sometimes to safeguarding referrals as a reflection of institutional concern.

We have also noticed that it is becoming harder to effect a change in ratings at local resolution and at

QRRS levels – which is another way of saying that CQC management increasingly backs its inspectors even in the face of incontrovertible evidence. But we don’t stop trying.

And, fortunately, through hard work and the gathering of effective evidence in support of appropriate arguments, we continue to get results.

Long may we continue to do so.

Not just for us, but because it is important that CQC is a reflective regulator that engenders some confidence back into the sector by learning from its own mistakes.

■ Stuart Marchant is a partner at Ridouts LLP.

CARINGNEWS

A housing complex for older people on the outskirts of Swansea has opened following a partnership between the Family Housing Association and the city council. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

New facility challenges traditional ideas for care THE state-of-the-art Hazel Court development has replaced high rise flats that were on the site of the same name, and enables people to live independently for as long as possible in safety and security.

The site boasts 120 apartments for the over 55s, with a mixture of one and two bedrooms, all designed for wheelchair accessibility and hardwired for the latest assistive Technology if required.

Communal features at the development include craft rooms, restaurant, hairdressing salon and an internet and cinema suite.

Services manager Stephen Hughes, who runs the site and several others in the city on behalf of the Family Housing Association, told Caring UK that the facilities are available for use by the whole community.

He added: “The development challenges the traditional ideas for care for people when they get older, and are very much a pro-active step.

“Rather than telling elderly people what to do we are asking them to tell us what they want, and we run regular meetings where we discuss the happenings. They are encouraged to talk directly about things they can affect around the facility.”

“One of the major differences between ourselves and a traditional

Training for all at award winning home

Services manager Stephen Hughes with SciFit’s Steve Wright and a YMCA gym instructor care facility is that we are not here to things and are The site also boasts a gym, which has been kitted out by specialist equipment from SciFit, and is run by the YMCA. It is also available to the community.

Stephen added: “The equipment that we have installed here shows that fitness should be for all, not matter the age shape, ability or disability.

“They can either create their own programmes or have one done for them. We also run a series of classes in the adjoining room, everything from belly dancing to Tai Chi, which can have massive benefits for the elderly people.”

The development also puts on a range of trips out, including to local museums and other places of interest.

Mihir Shah and Burleigh House manager Julie Curtis receive their training award from local newsreader Susie Fowler-Watt and Herts Regional College’s Jayne Henderson

TRAINING at an award-winning Hertfordshire care home is not just reserved for the staff.

Burleigh House, which is owned by Manage Care Homes Ltd, was named runner up in the staff training and development category at the FSB Hertfordshire Business Awards.

But the home’s director Mihir Shah told Caring UK that the residents are also encouraged to take part in the training, should they wish.

He added: “All of our training is geared around the core needs of the sector and enabling the residents to maintain as much independence as is possible. The studies also helps the staff to grow both professionally and personally.

“We have recently decided to extend all of the training courses to the residents, as we feel it is very important for them to have the confidence that they are being cared for in the best possible way.

“This allows them to ask their carers any questions or bring up any issues they may have about how they are being cared for.”

As well as the mandatory training such as health and safety and moving and handling, staff at the home also take part in more specialist courses.

Mihir added: “We are focussing a lot of our training on dementia therapy at the moment, but also have staff studying a variety of different subjects, some of which are not event

catered for at the moment within the home.

“Some studies are done in-house and some are distance learning. We also work with the local college on a variety of courses too.”

And he urged other care home owners to continue to develop their staff and not cut training in the recession.

He added: “I understand why a lot of operators my be looking at cutting their training costs in these difficult times, but it is something I would strongly disagree with.

“In many ways I think it is the most important because it helps you to ensure that your staff are trained and can provide care to the highest possible level.

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Councillor in birthday boost for home AN 80-year-old councillor celebrated her birthday by raising over £1,000 for a new residential dementia care home.

Freda Johnson, who is a member of Malvern Town Council, is also a member of the committee trying to raise £500,000 for a new specialist dementia facility which will form part of the already established Friends of the Elderly Davenham home. The official appeal for funds to reach £500,000 will be launched in October.

The new facility will house 24 residents, which is a relatively small number for a care home but director of fundraising Jo O’ Boyle believes that the smaller the number the better the quality of service.

She said: “It is quite a small number for a care home but we wanted it that way because they will get a better quality of care. The new unit will cater specifically for people with dementia and so in that respect it needs to be quite small anyway in order for standards to be met. We wanted to be able to deliver a complete package of care and this way we can.”

Home enjoys cake fit for a Queen guitarist RESIDENTS at a Gloucestershire care home tucked into a birthday cake intended for Queen guitarist Brian May. The treat had been prepared to present to him when he visited the annual Royal International Air Tattoo show at Fairford.

But when he was unable to attend the event – which coincided with his 62nd birthday – organisers decided to donate the cake to the 42 residents of Hyperion House.

Manager Katie Boyce said: "It was a very nice surprise, and it was lovely of the organisers to have it brought in to us. Only one of our residents had actually heard of Brian, and unfortunately she was in her room.

Most of them prefer Vera Lynn and Glenn Miller, although one of the younger ones likes The Beatles.”

A West Yorkshire care home has been awarded the prestigious five star rating for the high quality of its catering facilities for the second consecutive year. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Five-star testament to Emily’s hard work MERIDIAN Healthcare’s Acacia Court Care Centre in Pudsey received the award from Leeds City Council’s Food and Health Service as part of its ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme.

The star rating is based on a food hygiene inspection carried out by the local authority, which assesses the following areas: food hygiene and procedures, structural conditions and cleanliness and confidence in management.

Home manager Tina Davies told Caring UK that the scores for each section are added together to produce an overall star rating, from five stars for excellent to zero stars for very poor.

She added: “Mealtimes are one of the most important parts of the days to our residents, and they spend a lot of time talking about food.

“Our chef Emily Davies is passionate about food too, and it shows in the food that she prepares for the residents.

“The five-star rating is testament to her hard work and dedication because her organisation in the kitchen is excellent and the area is always spotlessly clean.”

The 41 residents at the home get a wide choice at all mealtimes, including three-course lunch with

Acacia Court

Sample menu

A sample luncht ime menu Starter Melon Balls Minestrone Soup

Main meal Roast chicken with seasonal vegetables and po Stew and dumpl tatoes ings Dessert Arctic roll Yoghurt Ice cream Fruit salad

Emily Davies two choices of main meals at lunch and snacks including jacket potatoes, sandwiches or something on toast for tea.

All the homes biscuits and cakes are homemade, and the menus are regularly reviewed.

Tina added: “Menus are always on the agenda at our residents' meetings, and we are very open to their requests.

“If a resident says that they haven't had something like black pudding for a while then we are happy to go and get some for them

– it is their home at the end of the day so they can have what they like.

“Other homes in the group say that their residents prefer to have things like burgers or pizzas, but here the residents are more traditional and like their roast dinners and pies.

Emily is renowned for her gravy as well.”

Residents are also welcome to snacks and drinks at any time of the day should they wish.

Karaoke hits right note with residents KARAOKE is one of the most popular activities that take place at Acacia Court.

Tina said that the residents enjoy nothing more than singing the old songs from the 1940s and 50s.

She added: “The residents fight over a bit of karaoke when we get the machine out.

“They really enjoy the old songs.

“We also have a lot of entertainers visiting the home,

and some children from the local school are putting together a history of Pudsey project with the residents.

“They also enjoy playing games such as 'Play Your Cards Right' and going on trips to the local garden centre and shopping into town.”

The home boasts a knitting club as well, with residents knitting jumpers for the two cats that also live at the home.

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CARINGNEWS

Calderdale care homes to be probed

By Dominic Musgrave

Neil with Margaret Ellis

Gift box boost for soldiers in Afghanistan A WREXHAM care home is sending gift boxes to soldiers on the frontline in Afghanistan.

The campaign has been inspired

by Private Neil Carrington who has just become engaged to Sarah Chapman, daughter of Ann, the manager of Pendine Park’s Cae Bryn care home near Wrexham.

Just before he returned for the second half of his tour of duty in Afghanistan, the couple popped in to the home to say thanks.

During the visit, Neil met 93year-old resident Margaret Ellis who served as a nurse amid the carnage of Northern France during the early part of the Second World War 70 years ago.

She was nicknamed Sister Spitfire by German Prisoners of

War because of her forthright attitude and indomitable spirit.

Ann came up with the idea after hearing that many of Neil’s colleagues on the frontline were not receiving any gifts from home.

She said: “Sarah was sending boxes to Neil every day with little goodies you know, crisps, shower gel, toothpaste, packs of cards, travel games – just anything that she thought he might like.

“But there are so many of these soldiers out there that are on the front line and they don’t get anything and according to Neil they look devastated.

“As soon as I heard that I thought we can do something at Pendine Park to help these lads.”

COUNCILLORS are to investigate the state of Calderdale’s care homes after it was revealed that many were providing an inadequate level of service.

The review, due to start in the autumn and likely to last for several months, will be led by councillor Bob Metcalfe, and will be carried out by the health and scrutiny scrutiny panel team of seven.

He added: “Work is likely to start in October and this will be an in-depth piece of work that will won’t be completed overnight. It will involve us visiting several of the homes and talking to lots of people.

“We know that many of the care homes provide an excellent service for the region’s older people, but there are several of them that are giving us cause for concern.”

He said that the panel will also look at some of the systems that the council and NHS Calderdale has in place to monitor standards, and what they are doing to address some of the weaknesses.

Bob added: “We will also look at issues such as fee levels, staff recruitment and training are affecting the standard of care being delivered.

“Other issues we will be considering will be the processes for commissioning to these services, and how the adult safeguarding policy and other schemes from bodies such as the CQC are being implemented.

“Because we are only in the early stages we haven’t spoken to any of the area’s care home operators about our plans, but we would hope that they would support what we are doing, as the safety of the people they are caring for is our primary concern.”

Pat Asquith, who runs the 40-bed Pennine Lodge Care Home, in Todmorden – one of 14 in Calderdale classed as excellent – said she would welcome a visit by the scrutiny panel.

She added: “We would encourage the panel to have meetings to discuss standards. We would be happy to share with them and other care home operators in the area some of the good practices we have done to achieve our three-star status, namely investment in staff, training and accommodation."

According to the CQC, at the end of July there were 63 homes in the region, three with no stars, 11 with one, 33 with two and 15 with three.

One home is currently waiting to be graded.

Residents get behind new recycling service A CARE home has become one of the first businesses to join a new recycling service launched by Reigate and Banstead Council.

Walton Heath Manor has signed up to the scheme, which enables businesses to recycle their paper and cardboard, reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill and potentially saving money on their overall waste disposal costs.

Matron Teresa Chandler told Caring UK that the home was in danger of being overwhelmed by an avalanche

of paper, because its residents, all keen readers, regularly subscribe to newspapers and magazines.

She added: “Our residents have been very proactive in wanting to recycle more.

"We generate a lot of waste paper as many of our residents take daily newspapers or have magazines.

"The council’s business recycling service means all that waste paper that would otherwise have gone to landfill is now being recycled.”

Home celebrates ‘excellent’ rating STAFF and residents at Sanctuary Care’s Bradwell Court home are celebrating after it received an ‘excellent’ rating from the CQC. Following an unannounced inspection the Congleton care home was upgraded from a two star ‘to the highest three star’.

The home’s manager Lynda Schofield said: “I am so happy for the staff as this gives them the recognition they deserve for all their dedication and hard work.”

The report praised the wide range of activities on offer and how these take into account residents’ individual interests and abilities.

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CARINGNEWS

Council ‘not actively promoting these care homes’ A SPOKESMAN for North Somerset Council told Caring UK that placements have been made where necessary in the nursing homes covered by the dispute.

He added: “However,we have notified these care homes that, given the uncertainty over future fee levels paid by the council and the impact on possible client contributions, we will not be actively promoting these care homes for new placements until the dispute is resolved.

“The council is happy to negotiate with association representatives and is due to meet again shortly. However, arbitration is part of the contract between the individual care home and the council.

“The association has indicated it is looking for fee increases of up to £150 per week, which is an annual increase of approximately 37% and would involve an additional council tax burden of several million pounds or lead to severe cuts in local care services to older people.

“We believe this action is totally unjustified and that residents in North Somerset will support our case in these difficult economic times. The council has offered an average increase of 3.6%, acknowledged by an independent survey of UK Local Authority Fees Rates for 2009/10 as considerably higher than the national average of 2.5%, a figure acknowledged by industry sources quoted in the survey as sufficient to meet efficient operators cost pressures.”

Claims that pay row has led to ‘blacklisting’ THE best nursing homes in North Somerset have been ‘blacklisted’ by the local authority in a row over pay, it has been claimed.

Gordon Butcher, leader of the local care association and owner of Lyndhurst Park Care Home, says all 18 three-star and two-star homes in the region have been taken off a list that is given to potential residents and their families after they refused to accept a new fees offer.

He told Caring UK that the homes have rejected the scheme, which would see an ‘excellent’ home receive 4.6 per cent more, a ‘good’ one 3.6 per cent and an ‘adequate’ facility one per cent.

He added: “I have never had somebody from a local authority say to me that the fees they give are accurate, and people are paid more stacking shelves in their local supermarket than they are in a nursing home, which is wrong.

“The care homes are effectively being asked to provide care for the equivalent of a pint of lager and hour to some of the most vulnerable, frail and sick people in the community.

“The families are not being given full access to

the best care homes in the area, and it is improper of the council to play with care and use this dispute as it is a totally separate issue.”

Gordon says the home have been left with no choice but to trigger a clause in the contract and take the process to arbitration.

The homes wanted to do this as a group to save money, which would cost approximately £16,000, but are being forced to do so as individuals, which could cost up to £380,000. The council says this is because is has contracts with individual homes, not with the association.

He added: “I’m sure in the current financial climate that tax payer will not be very happy to hear that the council is prepared to squander the money in this way.

“There are homes in this dispute that have empty beds, but all seem to see the long-term picture and are prepared to take the short term hit financially.

“They realise that they have got to take action now, but if this dispute is not resolved I can see some homes being forced to close.”

Residents at a Bristol nursing home enjoyed a trip down memory lane when they visited a local museum. The treasure trove at the Oakham Treasures and Farm Shop included everything from Fry’s chocolate through to Bird’s egg substitute boxes and hundreds of other items from yesteryear.

Picture: Residents Florence Alsop and Betty Andrews remember their days as shop assistants with volunteer Jenny Smith and senior care assistant Elaine Hope.

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14

CARINGCARE SHOW PREVIEW

Pods successful months before Care Show launch

Sanctuary Care’s Mark Ord will be one of the chefs giving cooking at the Care Show

A care home built from pods in Chelmsford THE latest invention to hit the care industry is already proving to be a success – several months before its official launch.

In the July issue, Caring UK revealed how Hawk Offsite Solutions was developing the care home of the future – individual room pods which are built in a factory and delivered onsite complete with all fixtures and fittings.

And company director Dominic M’Benga said that even though the pods are not due to be officially

launched until The Care Show in Birmingham in November, operators are already wanting to know more.

He said: “We have received a remarkable amount of interest and are speaking to several operators.

“Pods have been around for years in the hotel industry but not in healthcare. The advantages are cost savings, time saving and they are more environmentally friendly.

“These savings allow operators to equip them better so it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

New show makes its south east debut in October THE new Care Show London, will open its doors at Olympia for the first time in October, bringing its industry networking expertise to the city and south east region’s care home owners, management executives and health care professionals .

The exhibition will draw on the success of the shows in Birmingham and Bournemouth by using a similar format, including free entry to the event.

Event director Jonny Sullens said: “The expansion of Care Shows into the London area is an important step forward for both the organisers and the industry.

“As the sector expands, it is our responsibility to grow the important platform we provide to meet the commercial and professional needs of this market.”

A significant feature of each show is the seminar theatre, where visitors can hear key industry speakers address a range of topical issues concerning the sector. In addition,

the London event will see the first care show summit - a free, high level conference on ‘The Future of Care for Older People’.

Exhibitors will offer a broad range of services and products, including: care home furniture and interiors, catering equipment and food supplies, bathing equipment, hygiene and infection control care, call systems and patient alarms, carpets and flooring, mobility, moving and handling aids, property and architectural services and uniforms.

Professional chefs for the care sector will give cooking demonstrations and tastings in the live nutrition kitchen, run by the National Association of Care Catering, and a further feature, the dementia care theatre will promote discussion on best practice for the care of older people with the condition.

The Care Show takes place on October 7 and 8.

16

CARINGNEWS

A former nurse who has been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia is to use her experience to help improve the quality of care for people with the condition in Scotland. Dominic Musgrave reports

Agnes to help raise awareness of dementia AGNES Houston first became aware of the effects of the condition after nursing her late father, who was diagnosed with both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's, through his last years at home.

And despite being diagnosed herself three years ago with the early onset of Alzheimer's, she is to team up with Scotland's care regulator, the Care Commission, to play a key role in raising awareness of the condition.

Agnes told Caring UK magazine that there was a massive difference in the treatment given to her father at home and late mother-in-law, who also had dementia but was treated in a care home.

She added: "Both my dad and mother-in-law were diagnosed with dementia. As a family we looked after my dad at home, but my mother-in-law didn't live close by so was looked after in a care home.

"The differences in the standards of care were quite dramatic. To me the key to maintaining the lifestyle of a person with dementia is early diagnosis, being prescribed the correct medication, regular reviews of the medication being

given and personalising dementia care for each individual.

One of Agnes’ proposals is to encourage care homes to have pictures on their door to help trigger residents’ memories, and the use of ‘memory books’, which have been proven to play a significant role in improving the care for people with dementia.

She added: "Since being diagnosed with dementia I have started writing a memory book, which is basically a journal detailing my life history. I am also compiling a picture book with photographs to illustrate my life through the ages.

“It’s images and memories like this can really help ensure the person inside the person with dementia is never forgotten.

"I understand that it is often difficult in care homes for carers and nursing staff to get to know all residents on an individual basis, especially those with dementia.”

“I certainly will be looking to introduce a system where people with dementia in care homes have pictures on their door to help trigger their own memory and allow nursing staff to get to know them.”

Five stars for home in ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme STAFF at a Sanctuary Care home are celebrating after scooping five stars in South Oxfordshire District Council’s Scores on the Doors food hygiene scheme.

Watlington and District Nursing Home received the excellent rating – the highest possible score – following a spot check inspection by environmental health officers.

The home was judged on strict criteria, including food hygiene, structure and confidence in management.

The achievement comes just three months after the home received a Healthy Choice Award from the council for food hygiene and the healthy menu choices it offers.

18

CARINGNEWS

New home to create jobs A NEW care home in Grantham is expected create around 75 new jobs once it is fully occupied.

Avery Healthcare’s Avery Lodge has 65 single rooms for residential, dementia and physical disability, all of which have their own en suite shower and bathroom facilities.

Home manager Caroline Greaves said: “We will focus on offering the highest standards of care while recognising that this is home for our longer term residents.

“We aim to promote each resident’s individual independence with the emphasis on person centred care.”

Key messages HOW to deal with oral hygiene, falls, behavioural issues, delirium, continence, diabetes and influenza were just some of the topics discussed at a Care Home Medicine conference organised by the British Geriatrics Society and Royal College of Physicians.

Two key messages of the day were that the education and training of staff is vital and that there must be greater collaboration between those working in care homes and medical professionals.

The conference also tackled what training is needed for care homes to be able to ensure the provision of appropriate end of life care.

Drop in Nottinghamshire pensioners moving into residential care THE number of pensioners moving into residential care homes in Nottinghamshire has dropped by 11 per cent in the last year, according to a new report.

The county council puts the decrease down to more people receiving domiciliary or intermediate care, which helps pensioners regain confidence after a fall by spending up to eight weeks receiving rehabilitation.

The cabinet has now agreed to earmark an extra £2m to boost the homecare services the council offers even further.

A report by Mel Shepherd, cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "An additional £2m will have a significant impact on people's lives, allowing greater choice and control for people and enabling more people to live safely and as independently as possible in their own homes.

“In the medium to long term it is anticipated that new strategies in relation to intermediate care, extra care housing and re-ablement will further assist in lowering numbers of

Mel Shepherd older people admitted into long-term care, and therefore reducing the costs of residential and nursing care.”

The £2m has only been agreed for this year until it is clearer whether or not the additional cash is needed permanently.

By 2020, it is predicted that the the number of over 65s in the county will increase by 31 per cent – 41,800 more people.

Mel added: “This is a long term project, and there will always be some people that require some form of residential care, which is why we are not planning to abandon it altogether.

“Those staff that work in the homes that will close will be retrained and moved to other facilities. We are not expecting there to be any redundancies.”

Until March this year the council purchased or provided approximately 80 per cent of its homecare services from 34 independent contractors, at a cost of £16m annually.

But the council recently retendered its contracts and added 11 more companies to the list – leading to the need for the extra money.

It is anticipated that further developments in home care and independent care will lead to significant savings in the long run for the council.

CARINGNEWS

The new room at Guild House

Council helps homes achieve major makeovers

By Dominic Musgrave FROM sensory rooms to summer houses, software and the silver screen, older people in Gloucestershire’s care homes are feeling the benefit of major makeovers.

The county council has been helping care homes to bid for central funding to carry out a range of improvements over the past few months Now most of the 67 successful applicants have completed the work, thanks to grants from between £5,000 and £20,000.

Among those to benefit are residents at Guild House care home in Gloucester, who have been enjoying the experience of going to the movies thanks to their £12,000 grant.

Some of the money was used to buy a projector, two big screens, sound equipment and old films on DVD. The home’s activity co-ordinators put up posters inviting residents to the screenings, which take place in the conservatory.

Manager Moya Neighbour said: “It feels just like going to the cinema and the screenings have been very popular.

"The residents sit in comfy armchairs and are served with drinks from our mobile trolley and popcorn for the evening showings.

"Afterwards, they can all talk about the film together, reminisce about their younger days and enjoy a drink.

“As well as watching old films like Gone with the Wind, our staff have put a film together of various activities the residents have been involved in during the past two years and they love watching themselves in that.”

Parton House care home in Churchdown received £14,000 to make the gardens more pleasant and accessible for residents, saving a historical artefact in the process.

An existing large water feature, originally built by German prisoners of war when they were billeted on the site, has been restored and is now a centrepiece to the front garden. It is not yet in working order but work will start on this major project later this year.

Alison Andrews, group care manager for CTCH Ltd’s six care homes in the county, including Parton House, said: “The fountain really is a beautiful feature now that it has been restored and when it is working again, it will be magnificent.”

Among the other work done at the homes included a £20,000 grant to build a new summerhouse in the garden at Euroclydon Nursing Home at Drybrook, and £10,000 for Rodley House in Lydney to make improvements to their gardens.

A garden fete at a care home in Suffolk raised more than £700 to help local people with life limiting illnesses.

Healthcare Homes’ Mill Lane nursing hosted a summer party in its grounds to raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice and the East Anglian Children’s Hospices (EACH). Visitors, staff and residents were entertained by a high street fashion show, as well as local performer Brian Roy. There was also a prize draw and cream teas on the lawn.

The home’s manager Lorraine Barker said: “Every year, we choose a ‘charity of the year’ to support. This year we have selected the hospices because of the important work they do to meet patients’ physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs whilst giving support to family, friends and carers.”

Picture: Lorraine Barker, manager of Mill Lane joins Marilyn Wright, Administrator of Mill Lane and fete organiser to help raise vital funds for local hospices

19

20

CARINGNEWS

Recession forces delay in closure programme

By Dominic Musgrave

Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova visited Shire Hall care home in Cardiff Bay to meet the residents and have a tour of the home. The Russian was the guest of honour at the country’s Miss Wales competition, and visited the home to see how money the finalists have raised is helping worthy causes. She is pictured with 100-year-old resident Ceinwen Jones

SOCIAL services bosses in Birmingham have delayed closing a number of care homes for between three and five years as a result of the recession.

The city council is part of the way through the closure programme, with eight of 29 homes already shut, but 15 homes, part of a second phase of closures, will remain open for the medium term.

But cabinet member for adults and communities Sue Anderson told Caring UK that the council has no option but to put the closure programme on hold due to private sector developers delaying building plans due to the recession.

She added: “We had planned to build 10 new state-of-the-art care centres across the city, and have so far built four.

“The new builds each have 32 long term beds on the ground floor for people with dementia, as well as a number of facilities that can be used for the wider community. Upstairs they have 32 rehabilitation beds which are run by the PCTs and are aimed at getting people back on their feet and into their own homes.

“Our plans to build the further six have been affected by the recession, but we don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing as it is enabling us to reassess the buildings and ask whether the services that they are providing are correct for the groups.”

Sue added that the care centre staff have been hand-picked from the homes that have closed, and that redundancies were being kept to a minimum.

She said: “The second phase will

Sue Anderson take 12-18 months to complete, and the down side is the staff redundancies, but we are working hard on this as the individual homes close.

“Anyone who is on a temporary contract will go, and we won’t be using any agency staff unless it is essential. We have offered some voluntary redundancies and have also held a couple of job fairs with people from the private sector coming in to show them what is what.

“We have had to issue some redundancies, but we are also doing our best to find these people other training and job opportunities in different parts of the council.”

The council is also working closely with Birmingham University, who are conducting a best practice study of the work they have done so far.

Brush with success for specialist hairdresser A SPECIALIST hairdresser is hoping to grow her business after being shortlisted for a wildcard heat of a national competition.

Jenny Twigg, of Lily Pins, has been told that she will go through to the autumn heat of The Pitch, and she could also get financial backing from one of the entrepreneurs who judged the contest.

The company was formed when Jenny realised the need for a stylist who caters especially for those in residential and nursing homes.

All her stylists are also trained in dementia care and have extensive experience in providing a specialist service to care home residents.

Among her regular clients are

residents of Tye Green Lodge and Alexandra Lodge in Harlow, and the company has just been awarded the contract for the soon to open Partridge Care Centre.

Jenny said: “I was thrilled to receive confirmation that we were through to the regional finals.

Many in the care sector remain unsung heroes.

“It was wonderful to receive recognition for all my staff; we have all worked incredibly hard to get here.

Earlier this year, Jenny entered The Pitch awards in the New Innovative Business of the Year section and was named in the last six out of 100 entries in the London area.

21

CARINGNEWS

Scheme aims to bring better GP access A GROUNDBREAKING new scheme in Sheffield is helping to ensure better access to healthcare for residents in 14 of the city’s residential and care homes.

GPs in the Parson Cross consortium – covering 11 practices – got their heads together with managers at NHS Sheffield to make the changes, which are seeing residents benefiting from enhanced GP care.

The changes introduced last April as part of a two-year pilot scheme have seen one GP practice assigned to one home to provide care for all residents – instead of several practices and numerous

GPs going in and out of each home.

Residents were offered the choice of staying with their own GP or swapping to the practice providing the new service.

Pilot lead Dr Alison Hobbs told Caring UK the GPs taking part provide weekly surgeries in the homes and have designed care plans for residents, which look at their physical and mental health, any longterm conditions, and assess their risk of falls.

She added: “Having weekly ‘surgeries’ in the home means the GPs, residents and staff can really start to get to know one another. Care

planning also means GPs can anticipate needs instead of reacting to a crisis, and gives home staff the advice and confidence to manage some of the problems when they do arise.

“We are finding that by doing these two things, homes rely less on emergency services. Patients really are benefiting and it has streamlined work for GPs and home staff too.”

The pilot scheme, which it is anticipated will save the local NHS almost £150,000 in reduced hospital admissions, will be evaluated at the end of the two years, and a decision made as whether to run it

elsewhere in the city.

Samantha Bradshaw, manager of North Hill Care Home, which is taking part in the programme, added: "We feel that the weekly clinics are providing our service users with excellent access to their GPs. The annual reviews are a great opportunity for the GP, residents, carers and family members to work together, plan health care, and ensure residents have treatment and monitoring for long term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. We have found the improvements very supportive and hope to continue this work in the future.”

Lib Dem health spokesman is ECCA keynote speaker LIBERAL Democrats’ health spokesman Norman Lamb will be the keynote speaker at the annual ECCA conference.

The ‘Up Close & Personal’ event will look at personalisation and consider how providers can meet the expectations of service users as well as politicians.

Also speaking at the event will be Jeff Jerome, national director for Social Care Transformation, who will report on the progress of his strategy

Barchester registered nurse of the year Anne Coker with director of care and quality Jim Marr and Fiona Phillips.

Fiona hosts care awards FORMER GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips hosted the third annual Barchester Care Awards, which celebrate the staff that have gone the extra mile to make a special difference.

Eleven accolades were handed out during the ceremony, with Pat Scott Oxley, who joined the first Barchester home, Moreton Hill, when it opened 15 years ago, and has stayed with the company, winning the lifetime achievement prize.

Other award winners were: Home trainer – Nathan Kidd (The Warren); Activities coordinator – Sandra Baker (Wood Grange); Care services innovator – Maria Hutchison (Drummond Grange); Carer of the year – Alice Pomeroy (Kirkburn Court); Memory

Lane innovator – The Oulton Park team; Registered nurse – Anne Coker (Mount House); Foundation champion – Val Baggot and Jo Coombs (Kernow House); Lifetime achievement –Pat Scott Oxley (Morton Hill); Hotel services – Kerie Hegarty (White Lodge); Surprise discretionary award for personal care – Natvidad De La Cruz (Queen’s Court); Discretionary award for outstanding commitment to person-centred care – Rose Guthrie (Drummond Grange).

The winners of each category received £500 prize money and £250 on a personal or career development activity or event, a trophy and certificate.

Providers ‘must protect elderly’ CARE providers must protect the elderly by ensuring those most in need have access to residential homes, it has been claimed.

Nick Bruce, owner of Nightingales Retirement Care, which runs two residential homes alongside a homecare service, has spoken out after a glut of home closures.

He added: “Around the UK there are a large number of homes being shut

down and replaced by homecare services.

“While homecare is a great solution for many people, an over-emphasis on financial considerations should not deprive the elderly of choice.

“For many, homecare means a life of loneliness and while it is a little more expensive, residential care can mean a much improved quality of life.”

for implementation and Putting People First.

Craegmoor Healthcare chief executive Ted Smith will give his perspective and describe how his company is adjusting its strategy and working practices to meet the new demands. One further name in the speaker line-up will be announced shortly.

The conference takes place on November 12 at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury.

22

CARINGNEWS

Nominate now for care awards

By Dominic Musgrave TIME is running out for nominations for this year’s Great British Care Awards.

The search is on to find the winners for the five regional care award events, which will take place in October and November, and will culminate in a grand national final next June.

Eighteen award categories are available for nomination in each region, which represent all areas of the care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services, residential or home care.

After judging, all the finalists will then be invited to attend a spectacular gala dinner at venues throughout the UK, where the winners will be announced.

The winners from the regional awards will then be invited to attend national events for either the home care or care homes sectors at the prestigious London Guildhall.

Independent Care Group chair Mike Padgham urged people to get their nominations in as soon as possible.

He added: “Last year’s event was hailed as such a tremendous success that interest in this year’s awards has been growing fast.

“We are really excited and looking forward to making this year’s awards even bigger and better than last year’s. A great deal of interest was generated last year and we are expecting a bumper number of entries.”

Caring UK magazine are the official media partner for the awards, and healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave said the magazine was proud to be associated with them.

He added: “The awards celebrate all that is good in the care sector, and Caring UK is delighted to be associated with them.

“I would urge everyone to nominate the person or organisations they think have made a difference to the industry as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

People can nominate themselves, a colleague or a company and must accompany their nomination with an account of around 300 words saying why they are worthy winners of an award.

Award categories are: Care Employer; Care Home Care Worker; Home Care Worker; Care Newcomer; Care Home Registered Manager; Home Care Registered Manager; Home Care Worker of a Specialist Service; Care Home

Thirsk Community Care Association’s Gill Burn receives the outstanding contribution to care award from BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and Jill Conroy from sponsors Riccall Carers.

Nutrition; Dignity in Care; Dementia Care; Care Team; Care Home Activity Organiser; Putting People First/Personalisation; Ancillary Worker; Care Trainer; Care Innovator; Carer’s; Outstanding Contribution to Social Care.

The dates and locations for the 2009 awards are: ■ The Great West Midlands Care The National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, October 10.

■ The Great North West Care

Awards - Old Trafford football ground, October 23.

■ The Great East Midlands Care Awards - The East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, October 17.

■ The Great North Care Awards (Yorkshire and Humber) - The National Railway Museum, York, November 13.

■ The Great North East Care Awards - The Marriott Hotel, Newcastle, November 20.

23

CARINGSPECIAL REPORT

In a Caring UK special report, Dominic Musgrave looks at some of the alternatives a number of councils nationwide are considering to the traditional care home.

Issues need to be scrutinised Ten homes could close in council scheme

By Martin Green

ALL of Northamptonshire County Council’s 10 care homes could close as part of a scheme to deal with the predicted explosion in the elderly population in the region.

The five-year plan is in response to research which has predicted that there will be approximately double the number of people over the age of 85 living in the county by 2025 – from 13,200 to 25,200.

Seven of the homes in Northampton, Daventry, Towcester and Wellingborough are rated as ‘excellent’ by the Care Quality Commission, with a further three ‘good’. They currently provide care for 399 residents.

Councillor Robin Brown, cabinet member for adult health and social services, told Caring UK that it would cost more than £1million over the next two years to maintain the homes at the current standard.

He added: “We are looking to consult on the future of these care homes as part of our overall plans to transform and improve accommodation-based care for older people over the next five years.

“No decision as to the future of these care homes has been made yet, but it is clear that although these care homes are well-managed and offer a good standard of care, their facilities are not currently suitable for the future care of older people in the county.”

Other options that the council has put out to public consultation for the next three months include: Retaining the county council owned care homes with the exception of one, which would be closed in the next year as the building is unfit for purpose.

Selling the homes as a going concern to an independent provider and purchase the places required.

Closing the homes over five years of the planned strategy for older people’s accommodation.

Re-providing the homes, working in partnership with an agreed provider replacing care provision with specialist dementia care services.

Taking a locality approach to the homes with different arrangements according to the needs and service provision in that community.

IN recent years, local authorities have realised that they are not good at delivering residential care services and most of the care services that used to be provided by local authorities are now delivered to a higher quality and in a more cost effective way by independent sector providers.

With the move towards personalisation, there will become increasing scrutiny on care services and just as with the transition to independently run services, there are a great number of issues that need to be scrutinised when it comes to changing or developing a care service.

Statistical evidence clearly proves that when you move very frail and vulnerable people there is a high probability that they will die within a few months of the move. This evidence makes it imperative that any authority going through the process of closing or decommissioning a care service needs to be very mindful of the potential impact this will have on service users and their carers.

It is for this reason that no decision to decommission should be taken in haste and that the involvement of service users and their carers from the very outset of planning the transition is essential to a successful move.

In any decommissioning or closure process, it is really important to get absolutely clear what the reason for closure is. So often it hides behind a wall of secrecy and the real reason for closure is cost, but politicians and

managers cloud the water by talking about it in terms of quality and service improvement.

We have seen this at its starkest with the way in which local authorities have been pushing residential care for people with learning disabilities off the agenda. The headline reason for this is to ensure people have independence, choice and control.

The real reason is the pressure on adult services budgets.

It’s also interesting to note that increasingly policy is being driven to meet the needs of people with low level dependency and a lot of the independence agenda is directed at those with mild disability. Our challenge is to ensure that we have a service that meets the needs of everybody and particularly of the most vulnerable and most severely disabled people.

These people have as much right to a personalised service as anyone else, but they also have a right to ongoing support and throwing somebody with severe learning disabilities into an unsupported community setting is tantamount to abuse.

What we really need if we are going to have a system that can deliver both personalisation and ongoing support is a real commitment to a menu of options which must include residential care so that people can choose where they prefer to live, but also have the choice available to make the right decision for their care needs and for their families.

Martin Green is the chief executive of ECCA.

Bradford considers independently-run facilities BRADFORD Council is considering shutting its 11 care homes and transferring the residents to independently-run facilities.

It is one of four options which the Council’s ruling executive has put out to public consultation, with the district’s elderly population expected to grow from 9,200 to 13,400 in the next 15 years.

And a report by Moira Wilson, the council’s strategic director of adult and community services, states that none of the homes are likely to meet future statutory registration standards for

room size and en-suite facilities.

She added: "This is the start of a wideranging three-month consultation period on how we provide social care for older people and vulnerable adults in the years ahead.

"It is based on a positive vision of promoting choice and independence for older people, and meeting the rightly high and increasing expectations for quality provision.

"The consultation concerning the future will look at a range of options, along with the pros and cons for each option and as much information as pos-

Three homes to be transformed A CARE home will close and three others will be transformed to deliver specialist care after Bury council’s executive approved a report to shake up the town’s care services.

Under the new proposals, Whittaker House would shut permanently, while Redbank residential home would be replaced with supported housing units and Spurr House would become a specialist dementia facility. Only Redcliffe would remain as a residential care home.

Councillor Beverly Sullivan, executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “We recognise that the population of elders in Bury is growing and we need to prepare for that.

“Demand and expectations are changing and we need to invest in

services for the ageing population to have real, positive alternatives as to how they want to live. Part of this programme is to ensure that elders remain active, involved in their communities and supported when they need it.

“We feel this plan will take away some of the anxiety about ageing and enable people to remain positive in their later years. We have a real chance here to make a positive difference to improving the quality of people’s lives in their later years.”

Under the plans, which could take 10 years to implement, two new care village sites would also be developed as a major contribution to the estimated 500 additional extra care places required by 2020.

sible on each of the eleven homes. No decision would be made until we have fully analysed the results of the consultation. Any changes would then take place over a ten-year period."

The four options are: Do nothing, and continue to run the homes as they are.

De-commission (i.e. withdraw funding from) all 11 homes and buy in services.

Invest to improve residential home buildings – either major refurbishment or new build.

Concentrate on specialist provision.

Moira Wilson

24

CARINGADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

A home from home in the Essex countryside THE management and staff of Winifred Dell Healthcare Ltd were pleased to announce the opening, on July 3rd 2009, of their stunning new care centre, Winifred Dell, on Essex Way in Warley.

The official opening ceremony was conducted by the Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Tony Sleep, who declared that he was ‘thrilled’ with the state-of-the-art building and ‘highly impressed’ with the accommodation it offers. The new, 76-bed home replaces the outdated 40 bed premises which had existed on the site and the Mayor was quick to point out that this new care centre will be a much needed boost for the elderly of the area, not to mention a wonderful opportunity to provide employment.

Whether you are looking for a care centre for yourself or a loved one, this jewel in Excelcare’s extensive portfolio of care home companies, will fulfill all your needs. Providing nursing and residential care for older people, the home offers comfortable and spacious accommodation within a stylish and friendly environment. Boasting a cinema and entertainment suite, a hairdressing and alternative therapy room plus a variety of outside garden areas including a courtyard garden, Winifred Dell is truly a home from home in the Essex countryside.

Excelcare chairman Osman Ertosun was full of praise for all those involved in the re-birth of Winifred Dell, stating that ‘Since the day we received planning approval we have looked forward with enthusiasm to providing a modern Winifred Dell which would be part of the local community and provide a quality service to the older people of the county. With the completion of this new build we can now look forward to bringing back temporarily relocated residents of the old home and welcoming new residents. The

home will be seeking to employ a hundred staff, almost three times the previous number of staff employed, and is keen to recruit local people with experience and commitment, as well as welcoming applications from previous care staff, to provide for the care needs of residents. We are providing a quality care facility which recognises the changing expectations of older people and their families, first rate services and attention to quality standards.

Safety is a key consideration with considerate design enabling ease of movement between rooms and public areas. As would be expected all furniture is fire retardant and the importance of effective fire prevention was carefully considered when planning the premises. Professional advice has been taken with respect to the design and fitting of both the kitchen and laundry equipment to ensure safety, reliability and effectiveness. The grounds have been landscaped and contain a water feature and gazebos. Ample parking is available for visiting relatives, health professionals and staff. Visitors will find that the home on inspection illustrates the quality provision one expects of a purpose built care home in the 21st century.’

Engin Ertosun is the Director of construction at Excelcare: “The completion of the Winifred Dell project is a very satisfying and rewarding one for me, my construction team and our team of architects. My thanks go to everyone involved in the project who have worked tirelessly to make sure we built this attractive and well designed home, within both the time scale set and the allocated budget programme. My thanks also go to experts whose advice has been sought at various stages of the construction. Personally I find the construction of a well designed quality care home which will

provide safe, enjoyable living conditions for old people, well worth all the time and energy devoted to project management, meeting the challenges of recruiting and carefully selecting a committed work force, making detailed planning preparations and ensuring close monitoring of standards at each stage of our

innovative care development.

“Now at last at the conclusion of all our efforts we can offer older people from Essex a quality care home which they and their relatives will be pleased to find, is well built, spacious and constructed with the well being comfort and safety of residents in mind.”

Contact: Essex Way Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3AX, United Kingdom Telephone: 01277 226856

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CARINGNEWS

New figures on care home place funding MORE than two out of five care home places are funded by the residents themselves or their families, new research has shown.

The GMB study of more than 200,000 care home beds showed that Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man topped the league of publicly funded beds at 80 per cent, followed by the North (75 per cent), Wales (69 per cent) and Scotland (67 per cent).

The union said that 56 per cent of occupied care beds were fully or partly paid for by public funds, adding it would “not be a radical step” to introduce universal coverage.

National officer Sharon Holder added: “The welfare state was designed as a cradle-to-grave service – until the Thatcher government redesigned it as a cradle to care home service.

“This is grossly unfair as only one in 20 elderly people end their days in care homes. It is a complete lottery as to which one in every 20 end up in care and being asked to pay for their care.

“As these figures show, over half already receive support to pay for care, so it would not be a radical step to introduce a universal coverage like that of the NHS for the care service.”

The Southern Home Counties have the lowest proportion of occupied care beds supported by public funds. The figures show that 43.2 per cent of occupied care beds are supported by public funds. The South West with 47.5 per cent of occupied care beds supported by public funds is the second lowest.

She added: “Collective insurance is the only fair way of meeting these costs as is already the case in Scotland.

There is not room to cut corners on this.

“The staff in care homes need to be properly qualified, trained, rewarded and resourced to look after those who are our mother’s and father’s in their declining years when they really need us. The system we have at the moment does not deliver for the elderly or the staff.”

Mark Wilkinson receives his award from NACC national chair Sue Ullmann

Mark finds recipe for success MARK Wilkinson from Blackburn had the recipe for success as he won the annual National Association of Care Catering (NACC) care cook of the year competition.

The Northwood Nursing and Residential Home chef came up trumps with a menu of grilled trout, wilted spinach and leeks, mashed potato and sauce verige, followed by summer fruit pudding with Cornish clotted cream.

Mark was among six finalists who qualified for the final cook-

off from a nationwide entry.

He took up the challenge of creating a recipe for a two course meal which had to meet a number of criteria. These included: Imaginative use of ingredients Menu cost – under £1.30 for two courses per person Suitability for the client Meeting NACC nutritional criteria Passing a taste test Mark won a Robot Coupe stick blender and a mixing machine for his home.

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CARINGNEWS

Jumping for joy and charity

By Claire Lodge STAFF at Hemsworth Park Care Centre raised more than £1,000 for charity after taking the plunge in a sponsored skydive.

The money, which was the largest amount ever raised by the care home, was for Elder Abuse, a charity which works to protect vulnerable older adults. Senior carers Amy Matthews, Jodie Cox, Charlene Bartrop and Colin Roberts each had to raise a minimum of £390 to be able to take part in the dive at Hibaldstow Airfield in North Lincolnshire.

Amy said: “We were all nervous to begin with. We got to the airfield and had 15 minutes’ basic training. The weather was great as well surprisingly – we couldn’t have asked for a better day. It was a bit cloudy but it was fairly warm and sunny so that helped us a lot.”

Despite enjoying the jump, Amy says she is quite happy to stick to tombolas and sponsored walks as a way of fundraising from now on.

“We all wanted to do the skydive as a bit of a one off and we all really enjoyed it, but it was a lot of effort and we couldn’t do it every year.

We’re always fundraising by doing other stuff such as day trips and sponsored walks as well, in fact we’ve got a day trip coming up soon.”

“All the residents have supported us from the start and were all eager to sponsor us.”

Call to get involved with consultation

By Linda Hutchinson THE Care Quality Commission (CQC) brings together the regulation of health and adult social care for the first time.

So it makes sense that we have a method with common quality standards across all services.

The new system is in the final stages of development, with legislation expected to be laid before Parliament in the autumn.

Although the legislation is yet to be finalised, we do expect it to be phased in from April 2010 onwards.

NHS trusts have already registered under requirements relating to infection control and they will be first to be registered in full. The application process will start from January 2010, with trusts being registered by 1 April.

Adult social care and independent healthcare providers will be next to register. They will need to complete an application form from April 2010, and will be registered by October.

It is important to note that we will no longer register services by location, but by organisation. This means that a company providing services at a number of sites will

Linda Hutchinson not need multiple registrations.

The new system represents a fundamental change to the way services will be regulated in the future, and how regulation will be used to drive improvement.

Unlike some parts of the health sector, registration is not new for adult social care services. But the new system will mean significant change.

All providers of health and adult social care will need to meet essential common quality standards, regardless of whether they are in the public or independent sector.

We are required by legislation to

Double Olympic bronze medallist Tina Cook visited a healthy living centre and care home to mark her appointment as patron of Guild Care. The GB equestrian star, who won both an individual and team gold at last year’s games in Beijing, toured the facilities with the charity’s

produce guidance which makes clear to providers what they need to do to be compliant with registration standards. We have worked with people who use services, providers and other stakeholders to design and develop the guidance, which is now formally out for consultation.

We have developed the guidance around the experiences of people who use services: what constitutes a positive outcome for a person receiving care and what providers should be doing to achieve that outcome We are very keen to get feedback on the guidance – whether you think it covers the important things and whether it is what should be rightly expected of safe, quality services.

Both the registration standards and the guidance are legally enforceable, so it is vital that we get this right.

I urge readers to get involved in the consultation and have their chance to influence the future regulation of health and adult social care.

Linda Hutchinson is the director of registration at the Care Quality Commission.

chairman Peter Robinson and chief executive Antonia Bunnin, speaking to service users and staff. She said: “I feel very honoured to have been asked to become a patron of such a well established charity, and I am very impressed by their approach to care.”

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CARINGNEWS

Activity days key to a happy home

By Claire Lodge A SOMERSET manager says hosting activity days such as wheelchair line dancing is the key to a successful care home.

Sue Steeds from Critchell Court says that the perceptions people have of elderly people wrapped in blankets and having very little fun is completely the opposite to what the care home is all about.

She said: “Care homes generally get a bad press and if people from the outside could come in and see what we’re doing they’d know that the 80 year olds are having just as much fun as what the average 18 year old is.

They come here to celebrate and enjoy the twilight years. In fact a few of them were leaning on some of the staff for balance as they tried to

dance to music that was playing.”

The home has just held ‘a taste of Africa’ activity day where residents and staff played bongos, drums and percussion instruments as well as sampling ethnic food.

“We’re always holding these activity days and we try to promote equal opportunities through them too. We try to be as proactive as possible and want to be different in what we do as we have varied cultures at the home.

We have a Cantonese resident at the moment and our cook is from Morocco so it’s important to celebrate individuals.”

Activity coordinators Tina Vowell and Claire McCloughlin organised the event and cook Fatima Margoum gave residents a sample of ethnic cuisine.

Lieutenant helps home celebrate DEPUTY Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Anne Goodman MBE relaunched a care home which celebrated 20 years of providing care to the elderly.

Mayor of Wellingborough Peter Morrell also presented flowers to Grangefield resident Beattie

Ranson, who has been at the home longer than any other, and who is also the oldest person in Northamptonshire aged 107.

He also gave flowers to Barbara Bennett, who has been employed by the home as a carer since its establishment in 1989.

Clive Brian meets Abbots House's oldest resident Dorothy Bentley and her great-granddaughter Ellie Dixon.

Centre opens after revamp A FORMER residential care home in Stoke has been transformed into a centre to deliver pioneering support to people with dementia following a £1.3m revamp.

Dementia experts at Stirling University have supported Abbots House Centre of Excellence’s transformation, which features memory boxes outside residents’ bedrooms, with instantly recognisable items from the residents’ past such as medals and pictures, designed to increase way-finding.

The centre also uses colour schemes to aid orientation and serves meals in specially designed crockery which gives contrast and definition to food.

The city council’s Clive Brian, cabi-

net member for adult social care and health, said: “We have around 2,700 people with dementia in Stoke-onTrent, and this figure is projected to rise to 3,500 by 2025.

“We want to ensure city residents are able to take advantage of preventative and rehabilitative care, instead of dependency and institutionalisation. Nationally it is recognised that if services aren’t modernised in such a way the cost of care would increase from £17bn to over £60bn by 2025.”

Abbots House has 29 beds – 14 for permanent residents, 10 for an assessment and therapy unit with a rehabilitative focus, and five for a short break or carer relief facility.

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One in five firms could change hands in current climate – study ONE in five companies in the UK care homes industry could change ownership as a result of the current economic climate, a new study has claimed.

David Pattison, author of the new Plimsoll Industry Analysis – Care Homes, told Caring UK that with a surprising number of “cash rich” competitors waiting in the wings, the market could be set for a prolonged period of consolidation.

He added: “I am sure any director worth his salt would agree that, in the current climate, there are simply too many companies chasing too little market.

“With many directors eyeing the exit doors and highly leveraged buyouts consigned to history for the time being, it really is a buyers market out there for cash rich companies.”

He said the new report has identified more than 100 companies that have a sizeable cash reserve sat on their balance sheets that, due to record low interest rates, is generating nothing.

David added: “One company has a £191m cash pot; a whopping 80% of turnover. These companies are now in the position to buy up large chunks of market share at rock bottom

prices and make that money work for them.

“They must be like kids in a sweet shop at the moment – all those distressed competitors available at a fraction of their true value”.

The report analysed 427 companies with a turnover of more than £1m per annum and have picked out 95 that are primed to be taken over.

David added: “Buying one of these businesses represents a massive opportunity for someone to enhance their share of the market. Either way, the market is set for a wave of takeovers in the next months”.

lan Firth (left) receives his award from Sir Michael Darrington, former CEO of Greggs plc and a member of the judging panel.

Honour for Alan at regional awards final MERIDIAN Healthcare executive chairman Alan Firth was honoured at the regional final of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Alan, who set up Hyde-based Meridian Healthcare in 1993, was among four Greater Manchester entrepreneurs who received regional

awards at a celebratory dinner.

He stepped down as managing director last October 2008, and is now the chief executive and a spokesman for the company.

The winners go forward to a national final in October, where 53 executives from across the UK will compete for the overall title.

Caring UK Commerce section brings you all the latest property, business and training news every month.

In this issue: Work starts on £6.8m development - page 30 Second time around for couple - page 33 Approval for extension - page 34 Call for dementia training for all social care staff

David Pattison

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CARINGCOMMERCE

Work starts on £6.8m retirement development The plans are studied by councillor Bev Knott, cabinet member for care, Martin Walsh, team manager at Concord Lodge, DR Jones projects manager Adie Chappell, Earlplace managing director Tim Malby and Horfield ward councillor Cheryl Ann.

Facility to create 60 jobs WORK has begun on a new care facility in Bristol which will create 60 jobs when completed next year.

Developer Earlplace has completed a land swap with the city council over the site – exchanging land at the rear for land at the front.

As part of the deal,the company will develop a new independent 76-bed care home for the elderly, with a third of the rooms for people with dementia a third nursing rooms and a third care suites complete with sitting rooms.

All three types of rooms will have en suite facilities, and the home will include gardens, terraces, a hair salon, coffee lounge and a shop.

Earlplace managing director Tim Malby told Caring UK a deal has been signed with an independent care home provider one the building

is complete.

He added: “There are very few major projects coming through at the moment because of the economic conditions, but this is a glorious exception.

“It is good news for every party involved and also for the city of Bristol. Not only will it provide stateof-the-art medical and care services, but will give a boost to the local economy as work is on going.”

A new state-of-the-art assessment and residential facility for people with complex learning difficulties will be built at the rear of the site.

Concord Lodge will replace the existing care home already there, which will be pulled down once the Yeovil-based construction firm DR Jones has finished the building.

CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a £6.8m development which is set to increase the provision for a new generation of retirement housing in South Shields.

Bramble Court, which is managed

by Hanover in partnership with South Tyneside Council, will consist of 42 apartments and four bungalows, and is due for completion in May 2010.

Sited in the Horsley Hill area of the town, the new development will provide an environment for people who wish to retain their independence for as long as possible, but who may need help and support on a regular basis.

South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm, who cut the first sod to indicate the start of the work, said: “We are committed to supporting our increasing population of older residents to live their own lives as they would choose with access to high quality local services.

“The new Bramble Court development will help them to retain their independence with peace of mind that care and support is on hand if ever they need it.

When completed, residents will have the option to access a whole

South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm cuts the first sod host of services including a restaurant, hair and beauty salon, an estate manager services, 24 hour onsite care and guest room.

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CARINGCOMMERCE

A husband and wife have taken on the ownership of a Retford care home for a second time.

Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Second time around for couple IT WAS a case of deja vu for the staff at the Farthings Care Home when its new owners Dave and June Ashall took over.

The couple previously owned the home for seven years before selling it in 2004 after June, who looked after its day-to-day running became fed up with the legislation involved.

Dave, who also works as an insurance assessor, told Caring UK that he never wanted to put it up for sale in the first place.

He added: “My wife worked as a carer there and we originally bought it in 1997 in partnership with another couple, but that didn’t really work.

“It got to the stage where they either had to buy us out or us them, and because the bank wouldn’t entertain them but would us, we took it over.

“June got a bit tired with all of the legislation involved with running a care home. It got to the stage where you needed a piece of paper to do everything, so we decided to sell it, although I never really wanted to and she couldn’t let go and still did the odd shift there.”

The home went into receivership

“The home was in a pretty bad state and the garden was overgrown when we took over, which was sad to see.” at the end of last year, and the couple, who are both in their 60s, were invited to attend a meeting along with the staff to discuss its future.

Dave added: “It was suggested to us that we could take over again, but we weren’t sure at first about it at our time of life.

“We thought about it and made an offer to the property agent, and the rest as they say is history. We first ran it on behalf of the adminstrator, but now all the paperwork has been sorted.

“The home was in a pretty bad state and the garden was overgrown when we took over, which was sad to see. But with a bit of work around the place it is looking

£5.5m scheme completed A NEW £5.5m extra care housing scheme in Derby has been completed.

gramme manager Juliette Daniel told Caring UK the aim is to promote independence.

The 38 apartment development at Handyside Court is the result of a partnership between Housing 21, Derby City Council and the Department of Health. It will also provide a focus for the local community as people living nearby will be able to share the facilities and access the services.

She added: “Handyside Court has all the features you would expect in a modern, high quality sheltered housing scheme but with additional facilities, such as a restaurant, hairdressing salon and shop.

The rented extra care apartments will support older people with a range of needs, from fairly low-level support to those with a need for a higher level of care.

Housing 21 development pro-

“Most importantly tenants will have security of tenure, and couples can move in together even when only one person needs to access the care and support services on site.”

The scheme provides a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, each large enough to accommodate two people.

Farthings Care Home a lot better.”

Planning permission is also in place to extend the former farmhouse, which is registered for 13 residents in 12 single rooms and one double, by a further eight beds.

He added: “Our focus at the

moment is getting the building work for the extensions started, and once that is built we will look at refurbishing the main building.

“The atmosphere there now is back to what it used to be, and thankfully we are full and have a waiting list in place, which is nice.”

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CARINGCOMMERCE

New extra care scheme in Peterborough HOUSING 21 has opened a new extra care housing scheme in Peterborough.

The housing and care services for older people provider has purchased St Edmunds Court, a new facility in Hampton Vale which will provide 51 one and two bedroom apartments for rent and shared ownership. The scheme will enable residents to live independently with their own front door, but in a communal setting with care and support staff available 24 hours a day if needed. The scheme has been jointly funded by Housing 21 with a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The company has worked with the city council and NHS Peterborough on the new development, which has been built

by Bovis Homes.

Housing 21 owns two retirement housing schemes in Peterborough – Earl Spencer Court and Bishopsfield Court.

Approval for extension

By Dominic Musgrave A £1.5m extension to a Plymouth care home has received official approval after inspection by the CQC. Family run Ashleigh Manor has been established for more than 20 years, but has recently had a purpose built extension with 28 state-of-the-art en suite bedrooms added.

Co-owner Loretta Maher-Lawley said: “CQC registration gives potential residents and their families independent reassurance that our care services, the treatments we provide and the processes we have in place to administer the business, all meet rigorous quality standards.

“We are marketing the new residential accommodation and beginning to plan for the next phase in Ashleigh Manor’s development,

Rebecca and Loretta Lawley with the new extension which will be a dedicated dementia unit and an enclosed sensory garden.

“We would welcome enquiries from anyone seeking the highest standards of residential care for themselves or their loved ones and we will be happy to show them round our new facility.”

All of the new bedrooms have

Christie and Co has sold Ashfield Court Nursing Home in Harrogate on behalf of Rob and Angie Jackson.

The Victorian building has been extensively refurbished to cater for all aspects of nursing care, and can accommodate up to 45 people.

Run under the personal supervision of Angie, the home was recently awarded a three-star rating from the CQC. It has been purchased by the Maria Mallaband Care Group for an undisclosed sum.

individually controlled under floor heating, digitally enabled TV points, private telephones and internet access.

Many have French door access to the 1.5 acre grounds and there are four new lounge dining rooms, bringing the total to 10.

The work was funded by Clydesdale Bank Healthcare team.

GLP Taylors has completed the sale of two Cheshire care homes on behalf of parent operator CLS Group. Minster Care has purchased Loxley Hall in Helsby and Croftwood in Runcorn which are registered for 40 and 41 residents in mostly single rooms respectively.

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CARINGCOMMERCE Operator Ideal Care Homes has appointed former Kirklees Council director of adult social services Mark Greaves to the role of managing director.

He will be responsible for the Leeds-based company’s management and development of all elderly care provision across the group.

Mark said: “The company has an entirely unique and revolutionary attitude towards elderly care provision and I look forward to putting this into practise.

“We aim to personalise care for every single resident and I’m confident that the experienced team at Ideal Care Homes will set a new standard in the sector.”

Call for dementia training for all social care staff AN influential group of MPs and peers are calling for all staff working in social care to receive dementia training appropriate to their role following the launch of a new report.

The study revealed the workforce is unfit to deliver quality care for people with dementia. 'Prepared to Care' a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia found large variation in the dementia skills of the social care workforce. Barriers to delivering good care included low levels of training, ineffective regulation, lack of accreditation for trainers and a limited understanding of dementia by commissioners.

Jeremy Wright MP, chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Dementia, said: “It is deeply disturbing that the UK is not equipped to deliver high quality dementia care.

“One in three people over 65 die with dementia. This report identifies significant barriers to good care but it also presents unique opportunities to put things right.”

During a four-month long inquiry, families told MPs how a lack of skills led to poor care for loved ones.

Experts reported less than half of

staff providing home care had any dementia training and many were given just 15 minutes to deliver good care.

The report recommends that workforce development plans outlined in the National Dementia Strategy for England be quickly implemented.

Rachael Fletcher, chief executive of MedEx Training Ltd, told Caring UK that the Government should look at ways of funding part of the delivery.

She added: “I would agree that it is essential for all staff working in this environment to undertake dementia training in order for them to fulfil their roles when caring for clients suffering from dementia.

“However, this is not just about ticking a box to say training has taken place, the training provided has to be relevant and be able to show that it has made a difference.

“Communication and person centred care should be a significant part of the training. There are many courses available both bespoke and accredited as well as the knowledge sets developed by S4c to help organisations.”

DC Care has completed the sale of Holly Lodge Residential Home in Kent.

The established 16-bed dementia home has been operated by the vendors since 1988, and has been extended to its present size over the years.

It is a large semi-detached late Victorian property with accommodation over three floors consisting of 12 single and two shared bedrooms, seven with en suite facilities.

It was acquired by Mr Garcha and Mrs Brah for an undisclosed sum.

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CARINGCOMMERCE

A family-run care home has scooped a national award for its commitment to employing apprentices. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Top award for family-run home HENDRA House in Ludlow was recently named small employer of the year at the annual Apprenticeship Awards run by the National Apprenticeships Service at a London awards ceremony.

Managing director Vince Burmingham has been employing apprentices at the home for the past five years, and currently has 10 working in a variety of care roles.

He told Caring UK that the women, who range in age from 18 to 52, have provided his business with raw talent which can be moulded into the home’s ethos for care.

He added: “The apprentices we have at Hendra have been a breath of fresh air to the business, and are an important part of the jigsaw that makes the home what it is.

“They have all worked very hard and have also been instrumental in us retaining our ‘excellent’ rating from the CQC, with excellent outcomes across all seven of the key outcomes.

“We take on two each year, but we may look at increasing that number in future. They have also improved

staff retention at the home, which is a major issue in the care sector.”

Of those working at the home, which caters for 23 residents, some have gone on to become senior care assistants, while one has gone on to start a degree in health and social care.

Yet Vince said a lot of care home providers are unsure about how to sign up to apprenticeship programmes.

He added: “From my experiences I would recommend apprentices to all care homes, but I think there are many who are unsure how to go about having them at theirs.

“They give the apprentices themselves a second chance at building a career. Some of the girls that we have here for whatever reason didn’t or couldn’t take full advantage of the schooling system, so what we can offer them is more than just a job.

“The employer is the most important part of the process, however. We work closely with the training provider to get the results that we desire out of the scheme.

“It would be pointless if we just sat back and then blamed the

Hendra Healthcare’s Vince and Gill Burmingham receive their award from host Matt Dawson, his Strictly Come Dancing partner from 2006, Lilia Kopylova and Ian Wright, Parliamentary under-secretary, Department for Children, Schools and Families. training provider should things start to go wrong.

Would you be interested in having apprentices at your care

homes?

If so let Dominic Musgrave know by emailing dm@whpl.net or ringing 01226 734407.

Chantview Limited has completed the sale of Paddock Lodge Care Home in Burnley on behalf of Mr and Mrs Henaghan, who established the business in 1988. The building has 16 single bedrooms, with owner’s accommodation built within the roof space.

Christie and Co has sold Stansty House in Wrexham on behalf of Arnold and Rosemary Roberts. Minster Care Group has bought the home, which is registered for 77 in three independent units, for an undisclosed sum.

Tracey’s hard work is rewarded TRACEY Gilmore was named manager of the year at the annual Anchor Trust’s Care Services Awards.

The 41-year-old, who is in charge of the Swinton homecare branch, which now provides more than 830 hours of care per week, has transformed the service in the short time that she has been with the company.

Tracey told Caring UK that when she joined last October, Bolton Council had stopped making placements with the company due to a series of problems.

She added: “There were a lot of problems when I joined, but I put a training programme in place for the staff and spoke to them individually because motivation levels were low.

“A few people didn’t like what I was doing and left, but those that have remained are happy and enjoying the work.

“Thankfully the council lifted the ban in May, and since then we have been recruiting and have already been awarded more than 90 hours a week of new business from them.”

Tracey received her award from well known broadcaster Angela Rippon at a ceremony, having impressed the panel of judges which included Des Kelly OBE, executive director of National Care Forum; Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care; and Annie Stevenson, head of older people’s services at the Social Care Institute of

Excellence (SCIE).

She added: “I was shocked to win the award, because at the end of the day I am only doing the job that I have brought in to do.

“But it was nice to be recognised for the hard work that I have put in. The challenge now is for us not to be complacent and let standards slip, which can be easily done, and raise the profile of Anchor because its reputation has slipped in the local area.

“I have also put a plan in place so that I regularly spot check that the staff are where they say they are, and are delivering the care that they are supposed to.”

A total of 12 awards were presented at the event.

Tracey Gilmore receives her award from Angela Rippon

Pensioners are given opt-out option

David Harwood

PENSIONERS in Norwich are to be asked if they want to opt out of receiving care from a private home help firm which was beset with problems.

Norfolk County Council has written to 525 people who receive care from Careforce to ask if they want to switch after initial difficulties with the contract led to missed or late visits and complaints.

The problems with the Stevenagebased firm at the beginning of the year were caused because lower than anticipated numbers of staff transferred over from the previous provider, staff decided not to transfer at the last minute, rostered staff failed to turn up to work without notice and there were difficulties with IT and phonelines.

Council bosses apologised and launched an action plan to tackle the

problem, with daily updating by the chief executive of Careforce to the director of adult social services; extra resources from Careforce's central office; and daily phone calls to the most vulnerable people receiving home care. Working together with Age Concern Norwich and Age Concern Norfolk, the county council also commissioned a survey which has shown that an unacceptable percentage of respondents had experienced problems.

David Harwood, cabinet member for adult social services, said: “We take our duty as commissioners of quality home care services very seriously, and the problems experienced by many people at the outset of this contract were entirely unacceptable.

"As a result of our robust improvement action plan, we have seen a definite improvement and we are

confident that many people are now satisfied with the care they are receiving. However, we are not complacent and we will be asking everyone who receives home care from Careforce, in Norwich, if this is the case, or if they would prefer to switch to another provider.”

But Philippa Codd, operations director at Careforce, added: "We take very seriously the concerns of the councillors and continue to be fully committed to improving the quality of care given to the service users that remain dissatisfied.

“The original problems stemmed from the numbers of staff available at the start of the contract and due to the high level of referred new packages, we have not managed to replace all of the temporary staff that have been assisting us since the start of the contract.”

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CARING PRODUCT NEWS

Richmond Villages founder Keith Cockell, who now runs his own consultancy firm English Care Villages, looks at one possible care village model, and argues the case for them to incorporate a nursing home.

The need for a nursing home FUNDAMENTAL to the care village concept is the idea that once a person takes up residency, all their future needs will be met, however frail or elderly they may become.

This is achieved by creating four distinct types of accommodation which range from larger independent dwellings to services suites and a small nursing home within a village core, or centre. The mix of accommodation would be dictated by local need.

The village centre can be likened in many ways to an hotel. Here you will find the main reception area, administration, restaurants, cafes, kitchen, laundry, library and leisure facilities. These services can be used by all the village residents, though primarily they’ll be used by those who live in the serviced suites or the nursing home.

It is my belief that a registered nursing home should exist within a care village. One of the biggest obstacles to this view is the opinion of some developers that sales of independent apartments and even serviced apartments could be affected.

This is due to common adverse perceptions of nursing homes. Some developers oppose it because they

think that the marketing and management of a registered nursing home may be at odds with the more glamorous marketing activities of a beautifully created retirement village.

My solution is to create a boutique style facility, which exists unobtrusively but elegantly and rightfully, within the village centre. The benefits are many. Primarily, the care village would fulfill its promise of being able to meet the needs of every village resident should their circumstances change.

Furthermore, the residents of the nursing home would benefit hugely from continuing to be a part of the community they already know and where most people are much more active and able.

In many cases, the residents of the nursing home would be those who had once lived more independently elsewhere in the village. Imagine how much nicer it would be for them, at their stage in life, to still have regular contact with the friends and carers they already know, love and rely on. They will still be on their doorstep.

What’s more, at any point in a marriage or relationship, failing health may affect one partner more than

the other. If the village has a nursing home at its heart, the couple need never be separated by a long or difficult journey.

For those who do not need nursing care but do need domestic or personal help, a serviced suite is a great solution. These are the people who, until recently, would have had to face the prospect of a single bedroom in a traditional residential care home.

Here, individuals or couples may live in their own property, with their own front door, living room, small kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms.

A real home of their own, available to buy or to rent, yet with all their meals, laundry and cleaning taken care of.

The other two types of accommodation, and in many ways the most popular and easy to market, are independent apartments and linked independent living units. The former really are totally independent.

Nevertheless, those who choose to buy one know that ultimately, if necessary, they have every resource on tap within the village.

The latter is a new product which bridges the gap between total independence and full service domiciliary care. Having two bedrooms also

Keith Cockell helps acknowledge the psychological barriers to downsizing, although in practice, many use the second bedroom as a study.

There will always be those who are sceptical of a retirement community which aims to provide everything for everyone. To them I can only say, the proof is in the pudding. Go and see the people that have chosen this way of life over a more isolated existence within the wider community.

With an active social life and a freedom from worry which would be impossible in other circumstances, they almost always say they wish they had made the move sooner.

Nurse call transmitter could revolutionise calls AID Call’s new Touchsafe range of wireless nurse call transmitters could revolutionise the way you manage your clients’ calls for assistance.

The new ATX4000 and ATX5000 Nurse Call transmitters are the only

bedhead devices to use a dedicated alarm frequency and a two-way radio technology to ensure that all calls are successfully transmitted and received by the display panels. An onscreen acknowledgment is also given at the

Care industry praised by leader THE care home industry has been praised by the head of a leading company.

Tony Fawcett, managing director of Hygicare, a leading adviser and provider of the control of viral and pathogenic infections, has congratulated the sector for its record and high standards of cleanliness in the majority of it’s establishments.

But he said the environmental hygiene inspectors have to protect

consumers from the very small percentage of poor operators because of the high risks to older people when it comes to infections from pathogenic bacterial infections.

Cases of food poisoning are on the increase, while the FSA warned they were likely to rise as people, especially pensioners, played fast and loose with food dates to save money.

Training provider reaches milestone BVS Training Ltd recently celebrated its 10th year as a provider of training materials for the social care workforce.

The company started with just one employee, and in its first year its product offering was just four VHS titles. Ten years later the company’s product offering has grown to over 70 titles, spanning the social care, domi-

ciliary care and child care environments.

The company’ founder is also a director of a residential care provider based in Leeds, and this experience has enabled the business to be in the unique position of understanding the training needs of the care industry, thus enabling them to provide good quality training materials.

bedside.

The ATX5000 features a LCD screen, which displays a ‘next call waiting’ message, enabling staff to access their next call from the current client’s room, without needing to revisit the

main display panel. This enables staff to use their time more effectively and efficiently, by improving staff response times, reducing unnecessary journeys and allowing staff to spend longer with clients.

Mobile phone rotas launched CAREFREE Management Ltd has been supplying software solutions to the homecare market for the past eight years, continually developing the products and services to both existing and new customers.

This year has seen the release of rotas on mobile phones - saving service providers vast amounts of money in time, resources and materials.

This also ensures that they up to

date, with carers being notified of any changes, omissions or extras being updated live.

On-Call allows senior care workers or managers to access CareFree data wherever they are, using standard mobile technology without the cost of expensive units like PDAs. It is accessible by anyone who has internet access, which means the information is accurate and available quickly.

New product range added LIVE-LINK has added a new set of products to its portfolio.

The Live-Link PIR (passive infrared) range is a complete movement detection system that can aid the monitoring of residents leaving their beds who are prone to falling.

It can also be set up so that if a resident attends their en suite bathroom and does not exit within a pre-determined time, staff will be alerted through the nurse call system.

The device can also register if residents are inactive in their living areas, over a time period set by the management. The unit can be ceiling or floor mounted with a wide detection area.

The range is flexible and can be adapted to link with other manufacturers’ systems. It can also be supplied as a stand-alone unit with receiver panels if there is no existing nurse call system.

40

CARINGNEWS

Corinium Care managing director Camilla Miles with staff

Company shortlisted for award LIVE-IN care agency Corinium Care has been shortlisted for a prestigious National Training Award.

The awards cover all industries in the UK, and the aim is to find forward-thinking organisations that achieve outstanding success by investing in staff training.

The company’s managing director Camilla Miles told Caring UK she is delighted to be a finalist in the category for training providers in the South West regional heats.

She added: “We’re proud of our track record on training, so it’s fantastic to have that recognised by such a prestigious government scheme.

“A high percentage of care agencies don’t offer training. But we consider it vital.

“We take carers on because they have the right personality and life skills. We then do our utmost to furnish them with the knowledge and skills they need before they’re placed with a client.”

NTA judges visited Corinium Care’s offices in Gloucestershire to examine training plans and evaluation reports, and speak to staff. The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in Bristol on October 15.

The company employs carers from as far afield as Zimbabwe, South Africa and New Zealand.

41

CARINGPRODUCT NEWS

Axis experts answer common questions about selling healthcare businesses

Little Giants are ideal for small in-house laundries

HERE, the experts at Axis answer common questions about selling healthcare businesses.

I am looking to buy a residential home and have made what I feel is a fair offer. However the owner has declined the offer saying I have not taken into account the ‘goodwill’ value. What does ‘goodwill’ mean and how is it valued?

MIELE’S Little Giants are the ideal machines for small in-house laundries, taking up little more space than a domestic machine.

The washer and dryer can even be stacked, requiring only 600 x 700 mm of floor space.

The PW 6055 and PW 6065 washer-extractors have a capacity of 5.5 kg and 6.5 kg of dry laundry respectively.

They benefit from Miele’s unique patented Honeycomb drum, which enables the laundry to glide on a thin film of water and affords it unparalleled levels of protection, extending the life of garments and linen.

With spin speeds of up to 1400 rpm and a G-factor of 526, water extraction is very efficient, so laundry can be dried quickly and efficiently in the matching tumble dryer afterwards.

New Profitronic L controls offer a wide range of standard programmes, as well as a number of special applications for dealing with specific items such as table linen and pillows.

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 330 3618.

Goodwill is the element of the purchase price that you pay for all the hard work that has been achieved in the business based on the past, present and future earning potential. Goodwill calculations vary dependent on the sector of healthcare you operate in and current market conditions.

For a residential home the goodwill value, added to the value of the property, will give the asking price the vendor is looking for. The value of goodwill is always debatable, that is why seeking an independent valuation is critical in achieving a sale.

I am considering selling my domiciliary care business after 30 years to retire, but how do I know what it is realistically worth in today’s market?

The aim is to identify the true net profit for the potential buyer. There are a number of contributing factors such as demand and supply in your local area, how many hours you are billing and whether there’s a registered manager willing to stay with the business post sale. These answers will determine the ratio to be used to calculate the total consideration.

I have had an offer from a rival company to buy my nursing agency, but I am concerned about disclosing confidential information and my staff finding out and leaving. What precautions can I take to ensure they are serious?

Confidentiality Undertakings or Non Disclosure Agreements must be in place before disclosing any information and nothing sensitive, such as details of clients, should never be released until a buyer has shown a firm commitment to the purchase. There are standard procedures for informing staff. If the staff find out you are about to sell from a third party it won’t do you or the business any favours.

Enquiries: Telephone 0800 977 5855 or visit www.axisukcare.co.uk

Press makes ironing quick and easy THE Blanca Press is a heavy duty table-top ironing press that halves ironing time and gives professional results sitting down.

Ironing is no longer a chore as it is comfortable and fast. You can iron anything from a shirt to sheets in half the time, with the latter ironed up to four layers at a time and garments perfectly pressed. As there is no rubbing, clothes also last longer.

The Blanca is quick and easy to use, packs away for storage and stands up for continuous heavy-duty use.

The Blanca is built to last with an expected life of 10 to 15 years, and a guarantee of spares availability for the life of the press.

Enquiries: For a free trial telephone 01491 419200 or visit www.fastpress.co.uk

SuperFast Thermapen™ thermometer launched ETI has introduced the new SuperFast Thermapen thermometer.

The thermometer is housed in a robust polycarbonate, water resistant, case that contains a Biomaster additive which inhibits bacteria growth. Simply pull out the foldaway, stainless steel, penetration probe to take rapid temperature measurements in under four seconds.

The large digital display gives a precise read-out of temperature over the range of -49.9 to 299.9°C with a 0.1°C or 1°C resolution and a high accuracy of ±0.4°C. The new Thermapen has a long battery life of 1500 hours continuous use. The instrument will automatically turn off when the probe is folded back into the side of the unit or after 10 minutes. If this feature is not required it can easily be disabled.

The SuperFast Thermapen is available in a choice of nine colours to help eliminate cross-contamination.

Enquiries: Telephone 01903 202151 or visit www.etiltd.com

Colourful options in versatile new stacking chairs A NEW product group has been introduced by Knightsbridge Furniture to meet demand for multi-purpose stackable seating in a selection of colourful, strong and easy-clean laminates.

Hapi, Polo and Calm are all to an upright design which is based upon a single-piece seat/back, thereby ensuring smooth lines and graceful curves.

Hapi and Polo are enhanced by contemporary cut-out detailing, while Calm displays a simple continual sweep from seat to back, making it particularly appropriate for environments where infection control is an issue. To further boost the chairs’ versatility, Polo and Calm are offered in either armless or armchair configurations.

In addition to a natural beech finish, Hapi, Polo and Calm are also available in a suite of cheerful on-trend shades, including light blue, light purple, light green, pink, beige and yellow.

Enquiries: Telephone 01274 731900 or visit www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Park House Healthcare celebrates 25th anniversary

Simple solutions

THIS year Park House Healthcare is celebrating their 25th anniversary, and having firmly established themselves as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of pressure area care equipment and services to the healthcare industry, their future is looking up.

Janet Backhouse who is now production manager hand sewed the very first pair of fleece lined bootees that have proved to be the foundations of this very successful company.

She said: “I can’t believe where the last 25 years have gone; I have thoroughly enjoyed been part of a successful and growing company with a great future.”

Park House Healthcare are proud to have remained in the local area since their inception in 1984, and currently boasting their most experienced team of professionals they are committed to providing a comprehensive range of pressure area care equipment, services and solutions to the healthcare industry.

For further informatio Donna Lattimer on 0845 344 2661 donna.lattimer@parkhouse-hc.com www.parkhouse-hc.com Ref: PH/07/2009/DL

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.

Contact: 0800 074 3749.

42

CARINGCLASSIFIED AND NEWS

Diamond date A HERTFORDSHIRE care home resident celebrated his Diamond wedding anniversary with his wife.

Gosmore care home’s Arthur Brendling had a table set aside for a special lunch with his wife.

Business solutions

Residents and staff from Cary Lodge with the steam train

Residents enjoy trip on a steam train IT WAS full steam ahead for residents at a Torquay care home when they were treated to a trip on a steam train.

A private carriage was reserved for the 25 residents and staff of Cary Lodge, who made the return journey from Paignton to Kingswear.

Manager Julia Gow-Smith told Caring UK that the trip was the best day out the home had held, and that it appealed to both male and female

residents.

She added: “We try to organise a trip out for the residents at least once a month, particularly during the summer, but this certainly the best and most popular that we have ever done.

“We have residents of all physical abilities and several with various stages of dementia, but once they were on that train all of them sat down ad none of them moved about

Management

at all during the trip.

“Since then the residents have not stopped talking about it, and one has asked us at least a couple of times when we can go again.”

Julia added that she hopes to take the residents on a boat trip down the River Dart as well as visits to Paignton Zoo and a cream tea at a local hotel in the near future.

Radiator covers

Uniforms

To advertise please call 01226 734479 Transport

Care Alarms

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