Caring UK Weekly - Issue 52

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Issue 52 14.04.21

The weekly online newsletter for the care sector

Robotics used to alleviate staff pressure ONE of the UK’s leading care home providers is successfully using technology to relieve pressures posed by the pandemic. Bupa Care Services has introduced a ‘digital team’ of robots to speed and streamline its processing of Covid-19 test results. Within seconds of a positive result, the robots send a notification to the individual’s care home and complete the required governance reporting. The move has speeded up test results, removed the risk of human error and allowed individuals to swiftly isolate and limit possible transmission. It’s also reduced admin duties on staffing teams enabling them to focus on caring for residents. This has been particularly important when homes have had a reduced workforce due to staff shielding or isolating. Since their introduction in December 2020 the robots have processed responses to more than 160,000 individual Covid-19 tests. At its peak, this saved colleagues around 2,500 hours of admin – equivalent to 15-20 colleagues working full time. Neil Barker, finance director for Bupa Care Services, said: “We know the immense pressure that has been on our teams throughout the

pandemic and have looked for ways to relieve this. “The robots have had a huge impact. They have automated an admin-heavy process and freed up time for colleagues to care for residents, which is most needed. “It’s also given us a really clear, accurate picture of case numbers, both on a local home and national level, allowing us to act quickly in keeping everyone safe.” Bupa currently operates more than 20 virtual robots with five of these operating 24/7 to support the care homes business. Three monitor and triage thousands of incoming test results, before handingoff positive results to separate robots to send SMS notifications to staff and complete governance reporting. Nigel Green, head of service management for Bupa Global & UK, leads Bupa’s robotic process automation practice and has overseen its increased use across the organisation. He added: We successfully use robotics across a number of areas across Bupa. While it’s typically for things like finance and admin processing, it’s been great for the team to see the difference they’re making to people on the front lines of care.”

New era as manager to hand over

A Midlothian care home created its own staff salon to cater for its residents’ needs throughout lockdown. The carers at Mansfield Care’s Pine Villa in Loanhead adapted to the needs of its residents who were concerned they weren’t looking or feeling their best. With hairdressers closed, the team improvised with the equipment they had; organising a weekly salon day for those residents who needed a touch up. Carers assist residents to the lounge to give whoever asks for a fresh cut. The women often get their hair styled with rollers, curling tongs or hair dryers, with around five residents making it a regular weekly ‘visit’. The male residents get their hair and facial hair shaved or trimmed using a home cutting kit which comes with different sizes of blades to fit everyone’s preferred length and style. Resident Janet Wilson is pictured having her nails done.

A BIG THANK YOU

FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE SAFE AND HAPPY …

WE’RE IN AWE OF YOUR SELFLESS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

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REGISTERED manager Alison Bedford has stepped down from the role after 18 years at Peregrine House in Whitby. Alison had worked at the home as a schoolgirl, alongside her late mother. After a spell working in Germany, she returned to Whitby and began work in the kitchen at Peregrine House, from which humble beginnings she worked her way up, training on the job and mastering each role to become manager in 2003. Alison’s caring and organisational skills helped to earn Peregrine House its own accolades including gaining an Investors in People GOLD Award and becoming the first in the country to receive an Outstanding rating in all five categories under the Care Quality Commission in 2015. Owner Dr Kevin O’Sullivan said:“Alison’s leadership skills were buttressed by kindness and compassion, along with a determination to do what is right for the residents and her team. “She has shown genuine love for each and every one of the residents and expected the same of her colleagues. As a result we have a remarkable team of long-serving staff with great integrity.” During the past challenging year, Alison led the team in its own ‘unprecedented’ staff voluntary lock-in initiative early-on in the pandemic. New manager Meghan Collis has worked at Peregrine House for 10 years and has shadowed Alison as deputy manager since 2016.

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