July 2009
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no.158 • £4.75 In association with
‘Injury rise’ is defended by council By Dominic Musgrave FIGURES showing that the number of injuries reported in Suffolk’s residential homes have almost trebled in the last three years have been defended. The number of reported injuries in the County Council’s 16 residential care homes was 349 last year – up from 121 in 2006, but director for adults and community service Graham Gatehouse told Caring UK that it has clamped down on the reporting of incidents. He added: “We are encouraging staff to report all incidents, however small they are, and it is very rare for there to be anything major. We think it is good practice to report every incident, which can include things like scratches or residents shouting at the carer. “This new approach to reporting demands that everyone involved in an incident must report it, which means that a single incident can be reported two, three or more times by different people.” Sidegate Lane in Ipswich – which mainly deals with dementia sufferers – had the most number of reported injuries totalling 123 from 2006 to April this year. Ixworth Court – which provides care
for 22 frail elderly residents near Bury St Edmunds – has also seen a large increase with no injuries reported in 2006, two the following year and 53 last year. Of these, 29 were as a result of assaults. The total number of injuries as a result of assaults and violence rose from 33 in 2006 to 107 last year, which Graham put down to the type of resident living in the home. He added: “There is a far greater concentration in our care homes now of people with special care needs. They are people most likely to be prone to slips or falls, or, in the case of dementia sufferers, often present challenging behaviour which can result in aggression towards staff. “The increase in reporting is a positive sign that the new culture is working. Members of staff are now highlighting the areas where they have encountered problems. Managers are now able to target resources on appropriate training, for instance in helping staff to calm down residents with challenging behaviour.” Are you reporting more cases of abuse in your care home? Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or by emailing dm@whpl.net
Caring UK continues meeting call to CQC
Actress Joanna Lumley has given her support to a new cookbook aimed at carers. The book ‘The Carers Cookbook’ by Angela Hamlin from Draycott Nursing and Care, is a collaboration of 28 day recipes, with three different recipes for each day. Joanna, star of Absolutely Fabulous, who has been in the spotlight recently over the Gurkhas’ settlement rights, has written the foreword for the new publication.
CARING UK has continued to press the Care Quality Commission for a meeting with home operators who are frustrated with the service they receive. But sadly, despite several requests, nobody from the regulator has agreed to explain some of their practices and listen to some of the concerns of owners and managers. Editor Dominic Musgrave said: “We are continuing to receive calls and emails from operators telling us of their experiences and frustrations when dealing with CQC. “We think that it is vital that a senior representative of the regulator agrees to a meeting and listens to some of the concerns they have. Sadly nobody has agreed to this so far, despite us asking the question on behalf of the operators on numerous occasions.” Special report, Page 16