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Issue 270
Supermarket Competition Not Driving Care Staff Away, Major Study Finds New Research Challenges Long-Held Assumptions As Sector Faces Visa Route Closure
A groundbreaking study has found no evidence that care homes lose staff to supermarkets and Amazon warehouses, contradicting a widely-held belief that has shaped policy debates for years. The research, published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies this month, examined 178 large supermarket openings and 12 Amazon warehouse launches across England between 2016 and 2022, tracking their impact on nearby care
home workforces. Contrary to popular assumptions the study found that when major retailers opened near care homes, there was no meaningful change in staff numbers, turnover rates, or vacancy levels.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3...)
PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT
Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!
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IT TURNS OUT SUPERMARKETS ARE NOT THE BIG WINNERS
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Editor
Once again, may I wish all our readers a very happy new year. Our lead story came as a bit of a shock. Like many, I thought that supermarkets and other shops had been attracting care staff due to the longer hours, lower pay and sometimes stressful conditions in the care sector. However, this study finds no evidence of that. I would be very interested in feedback on this topic, so please do feel free to drop me a line! It is reassuring, given that the sector has ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, that staff are not leaving for pastures new. Quick research has also revealed that studies and anecdotal evidence from the sector indicate that many care staff are loyal and enjoy their jobs, primarily because of the immense personal satisfaction they gain from helping people and making a difference in their lives. Now that is not news! I regularly attend care events, tradeshows, seminars, launches and openings, and have always been struck by the dedication and job satisfaction on display. The core motivation for most care workers, in my experience, is a desire to care for and help others. Knowing they have improved someone's quality of life provides a profound sense of pride and fulfilment that outweighs financial rewards for many – and perhaps this study proves that! I would also encourage you to read our exclusive article from Nadra
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Peter Adams
www.thecareruk.com EDITOR Ahmed CBE on page 4 of this issue, highlighting the importance of social care to Britain's health system. There is a prevalent narrative that social care is a "broken" system in need of fixing, but as Nadra Ahmed discusses, what's truly broken is the funding model—not the sector itself. As yet another commission is announced with a 2028 reporting date, the question is whether we wll witness genuine reform or simply another cycle of political inaction. Turn to page 4 to read more. I would also take this opportunity to thank all those who sent in a nomination for our Christmas Tree competition. Once again, we were overwhelmed with the response, and once again it was so very hard to pick an outright winner. So congratulations to you all, and a big congratulations to centre manager Marie Shouler and her team at Woodlands Park Care Centre, Great Missenden – well done! I would encourage our readers to sign up for our bi-weekly digital newsletter at www.thecareruk.com and follow us on social media for all the latest news. I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk.com
The Carer is published by RBC Publishing Ltd, 3 Carlton Mount, 2 Cranborne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5BR. Contributions are welcome for consideration, however, no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage. Views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Whilst every care is taken when compiling this publication to ensure accuracy, the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects, errors or omissions therefrom. All rights reserved, reproduction is forbidden unless written permission is obtained. All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised.
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 3
Supermarket Competition Not Driving Care Staff Away, Major Study Finds New Research Challenges Long-Held Assumptions As Sector Faces Visa Route Closure (CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)
what it describes as "the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector." The initiative aims to improve pay and working conditions to attract more workers.
"The opening of new supermarkets or Amazon warehouses has no meaningful impact on the local adult social care workforce," the researchers concluded.
CHALLENGING THE NARRATIVE The findings challenge assertions frequently made in Westminster and across the sector, with assertions in the House of Commons that "we still see people earning more in Amazon warehouses and supermarkets than in care homes, and that will mean our loved ones going without the care they need." Yet the IFS analysis, which tracked care home staffing for up to four years after retail openings, found the average impact was an increase of just 0.1 staff per care home in the first year—a statistically insignificant change. The average care home in the study employed 33 staff.
RECRUITMENT CRISIS DEEPENS The research arrives at a critical juncture for the sector, which employs over 700,000 people in care homes alone—representing 40 percent of the total adult social care workforce. The sector faces "long-standing and well-documented workforce challenges," with providers struggling persistently to attract and retain sufficient numbers of suitably skilled staff. In recent years, workforce growth has been driven primarily by recruitment from abroad rather than domestic hiring. However, the government's decision to close the social care visa route to new applicants has dramatically raised the stakes for domestic recruitment. "Following the recent decision to close the social care visa route to new applicants, efforts to attract more domestic workers via improved pay and conditions have taken on even greater significance," the researchers noted.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE The government plans to facilitate Fair Pay Agreements between employers and employees to address
However, the IFS findings suggest these negotiations should look beyond supermarket wages as a benchmark. "Job opportunities within the supermarket sector ought not to be used as a central benchmark for that of care home staff," the study states. "The drivers of recruitment and retention issues would appear to lie elsewhere."
ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS The research team proposed several theories for why retail jobs don't appear to lure care workers away. Supermarket and warehouse work may require different skills or appeal to different workers, particularly given the out-of-town locations of many large retailers. Additionally, while a new supermarket typically employs 100-150 staff and Amazon warehouses around 750, these numbers may be relatively small compared to the overall low-paid labour market in an area. Researchers also investigated whether care homes were raising wages in response to retail competition, but found no evidence of this.
LOOKING AHEAD The study's authors suggest future research should explore other factors contributing to recruitment and retention difficulties, including burnout, low professional status, limited progression opportunities, workplace culture, and broader pay concerns. With the closure of the overseas worker visa route looming and Fair Pay Agreement negotiations on the horizon, understanding the true drivers of workforce challenges has never been more urgent. The research examined data from Skills for Care covering approximately half of all care providers in England, using a difference-in-differences methodology that compared affected and unaffected care homes before and after retail openings.
PAGE 4 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
Social Care: The Undervalued Bedrock of Britain's Health System By Nadra Ahmed CBE on behalf of the National Care Associaton (www.nationalcareassociation.org.uk) If 2025 has proved anything, if further proof was needed, it is that the priority in the minds of ministers is firmly fixed on our beloved NHS. Despite a crumbling infrastructure both physically and in human resources, the NHS continues to attract funding to paper over the ever-widening cracks, with investment made available as and when needed. The same applies to primary care with GP’s, who are funded to support every initiative that they need to lead on, social care attracts no such attention sadly. Some changes and savings will be made through the merging of supported bodies, but the reality is what is needed is a complete route and branch reform programme across the organisations to make it fit for purpose and to rebuild trust in a service envied by the world across many generations.
THE MYTH OF A 'BROKEN SYSTEM'
It has become increasingly obvious that there is a focus on ‘reforming’ social care, based on a deeply held belief that it is broken and so needs ‘fixing’; to the point that it has become a regular and almost compulsory election promise by every party. Once elected amnesia sets in, and the progressive response, by successive governments is to announce a commission! This Labour government sadly, did not deviate from the norm: we have moved from a firm plan by Labour on how they were going to achieve it, to the announcement of a Commission led by Baroness Casey who will fully report in 2028. The cynic in me wonders if this has the potential of enabling a further period of inaction for another parliament. This will follow from the previous four decades of commissions with the same remit and pretty much the same findings. Meanwhile, the inequalities increase Am I cynical or a pessimist? I feel that I have always been an optimist, because I see what social care achieves every single day by changing and supporting the lives of those who may have lost hope. As an optimist, I always believe that there is hope that a politician with conviction and understanding will emerge to break the cycle of inactivity. However, I believe it is important to examine the evidence about the ‘broken social care system, which needs fixing and the move towards the vision of a National Care Service. The reality is that the term ‘social care’, which supports over 1.5 million individuals needing care and support, is misleading in this day and age. The reality is that we no longer exclusively deliver social care to the strictest meaning of the term, which was primarily to tackle loneliness or self-neglect; it is now delivering care and support which mimics a hospital model, but without the clinical staff.
'NEW' TASKS
Over the past four decades we have seen a steady but consistent transference of health care tasks to social care services, without any additional financial investment from central government and with the NHS retaining the funding to deliver those ‘new’ tasks through social care. Very quickly these additional tasks become expectations and subliminally the sector continues to respond in the best interest of the people we care for. The impact of this over time has steadily changed how a care service must operate. Indeed, very often we see inspections of services expecting a much more clinical and sterile approach but still expecting the ‘homely’ support for individuals. It is essential that Social Care, as a sector, in its own right, is acknowledged as the bedrock of our health system. The importance of understanding its value and role has been lost in the narrative of politicians and commentators alike who want us to believe that it is a ‘broken’ system. A system which is so ‘broken’ and so must carry the burden of blame at every turn for the failings of healthcare. In my view there is a lack of any real evidence to justify this narrative, and the reality is what needs fixing is sustainable funding. Our sector has moved at rapid pace from being a home for those who were lonely or needed care and support at the early stages of physical or mental health challenges, to those who have complex health care
conditions needing regular and consistent monitoring. We have gone from people choosing our services and walking into them to arriving by ambulance. The fact is that we create and develop services daily, which were once delivered in long stay geriatric and specialist wards, costing the state thousands of pounds, at a third of the cost in many cases. One week’s stay in a hospital for an individual is more than £2700 whilst local authority commission care, for the same individual averages between £700 - £900. It is important to understand that staff in a care setting will carry out the same tasks as an Health Care Assistant and more; social care workers are trained to administer medication, as an example, which in a hospital setting would be carried out by a nurse, and yet the value of their duties as a care worker is seldom recognised.
DIVERSITY OF OPTIONS
In the 1990’s the sector took on the call for delivering care and support in people’s own homes in what was seen as a cost-cutting measure by the government of the day. This was a diversification opportunity for providers and for many others it enabled growth in the sector with new entrants. As a new delivery model, it enabled choice for those who had minimal care needs, to remain in their own homes for longer. Local Authorities and providers embraced the concept, but it soon became obvious that the costs, in a like-for-like model, were going to be greater with hospital admissions beginning to rise steadily especially through the winter months. This led to winter planning becoming a central part of government strategy. I believe that diversity of options is a key component of choice - it enables people making crucial decisions to have sustainable options for their care and support based on assessed care needs. For that reason alone, it is key that all services across our sector are within the mix, creating a patchwork quilt of care and support in social care in the best interest of those we support. The importance of choice is often lost in current process driven discussions, which is one of the failings of the system drivers for both local and national government. If real choice and control were put into the hands of those receiving care services, we would see a more positive perception of care. The need for a confident and competent workforce began to rise with homecare coming into the delivery and the need for social care to respond to ever more complex support packages. Entrepreneurial providers used every opportunity to invest in their services with training and education: workforce skills stepped up a notch too, the skills matrix for social care provision and delivery grew. They were supporting people with complex care and health needs, so their training needs were enhanced to meet and ensure quality service delivery consistently. Importantly, expectations of our sector began to rise, not only from stakeholders but also the public. Navigating your way around the care system for those seeking care and support for the first time became ever more sophisticated. Local Authority commissioning regimes came under strain and despite warm words, processes and budgets took precedent over person centered care. Central government funding was woefully inadequate, but sector change needed to happen to ensure that care and support delivery was fit for 21st Century and beyond. The irony is and remains that expectations of the social care sector as a whole have increased but successive governments chose not to invest in it, recognise it or acknowledge the value of a sector that is worth over £68 billion to the economy.
EMBRACING NEW INITIATIVES
Social care providers continue to invest with every new initiative they embrace which enhances delivery of care. Digitalisation has been recognised as one of the many new ways of working and our workforce have had to not only learn how to use it effectively but also ensure they keep up to date with it. We continue to evolve and create services to support people with complex needs, but real term investment in social care from government declines with every announcement. We face increased costs from every piece of legislation passed and face workforce challenges at the whim of the Home Office at a time when it is a substantial challenge. This year will bring further chances by virtue of the Employment Rights Bill, and this will undoubtedly have an impact on providers across the sector. The funding required to enable a positive change will rest with the government’s commitment to ensuring and enabling it. They have to understand that delivering quality care for vulnerable members of our society should be a priority not a by product of propping up a health service which has become ever reliant of regular handouts to make it sustainable. The cycle is tiresome and disingenuous. It is no wonder that trust and confidence in politicians is at an alltime low throughout the social care sector.
Virtual Pet Therapy For Care Homes Pet therapy has become a part of the everyday routine in many care homes in the UK. The positive impact animals can have on the well-being of residents is well documented. But bringing animals into a care setting brings its own problems. It can be expensive and disruptive, they can be temperamental, and even the cleanest pets raise hygiene issues. V-Thera virtual pets allow you to offer all the fun and engagement of a real pet, but in a clean, predictable and flexible way that fits in perfectly with your care home routine.
VIRTUAL PETS, REAL BENEFITS
From the moment the resident first puts the headset on, they are engaged and delighted as the pet sits, lies down, rolls over and feeds on command. They can even throw a ball for the pet to fetch. The experience is involving, relaxing and stimulating, enhancing a positive mood while encouraging movement and communication. The pets themselves are wonderfully realistic, not just in the way they look, but in how they act. There are four dogs to choose from, and there’s even a moggie for cat lovers. They respond to voice or hand commands, or to big buttons on the screen. It’s ideal for previous pet owners, but also people nervous of animals.
TECHNOLOGY THAT CARES
V-Thera uses the latest Japanese mixed reality technology, meaning the virtual pet appears in the realworld, viewed through the headset. Seeing the familiar surroundings of their care home lounge reduces any sense of anxiety or disorientation for residents. The app can also be used lying down, so it can be
used in bedrooms. The technology itself is completely intuitive, designed for people with no experience of gaming. The headset reads hand movements, so there is no need for hand controls after set-up. Setting the app up is easy and quick for staff, with no training required. It comes preloaded onto the latest Quest 3s headset, so it’s a simple matter of staff switching the headset on, selecting the V-Thera icon, selecting the dog – which you can name – then transferring the headset to the resident. They are immediately immersed in playing with the dog or cat. The makers recommend sessions of up to ten minutes at a time, it’s very easy to accommodate the technology into the life of the home, and for staff it can create an excellent opportunity to bond with residents. A sharing function even means the sessions can be cast to other screens so all residents can share the experience. The potential of new technologies like V-Thera for engaging with residents in a positive way points to an exciting future. The combination of advanced Mixed Reality with intuitive and thoughtful design means care homes can adopt the latest technology without disrupting the care routines already in place. V-Thera was created in Japan by Remedy & Co and is available now in the UK through Care Activity Ltd. Managing Director Alison Lang says, “The minute we saw V-Thera, it was clear to us that this was an exciting innovation, a new way to offer something genuinely engaging to care home residents. The pets are fun, realistic and always ready to play. It is technology that brings care to life.” Contact alison@careactivityxr.com www.careactivityxr.com
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 5
Care Sector Leadership Recognised in King’s New Year Honours The care home sector has received significant recognition in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours, with awards acknowledging contributions across adult social care delivery, care home leadership, and services supporting older people and residents with complex needs. The honours span multiple levels of the sector, from group executives and organisational leaders to individual care home managers, alongside professionals whose work supports the broader infrastructure of care provision, including housing models and specialist services.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Paavan Popat, chief executive of TLC Group, has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to intergenerational housing. Popat served as a member of HM Government’s Older People’s Housing Taskforce and led TLC Group to become the first care home operator globally to achieve Investors in People Wellbeing Platinum status. Anna Selby, executive director of quality at HC-One, received an honour for services to adult social care, recognising her work on quality standards and care delivery across the national care home provider’s portfolio. Professor Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), whilst Jennifer Mitchell Fairgrieve, chair of Libertus Elderly Services, was recognised for services to older people.
FRONTLINE EXCELLENCE
At the individual service level, Susan Elizabeth Watson, home manager at Pytchley Court Care Home, received recognition for services to adult social care. Since joining the facility in 2018, Watson has led its
transformation from an “Inadequate” Care Quality Commission rating to “Outstanding” in 2024, demonstrating the impact of effective operational leadership within residential care settings.
WIDER HEALTH AND CARE RECOGNITION The honours also acknowledged contributions across the broader health and social care landscape. Hilary May Evans-Newton, chief executive officer of Alzheimer’s Research UK, was recognised for services to charity focusing on dementia research and support. Additional honours from the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 included Professor Jane Cummings DBE for services to nursing and the NHS, and Beth Britton MBE for services to people with dementia and their carers. Kathryn Smith OBE and Heidi Travis OBE were recognised for services to social care and palliative and neurological care respectively, whilst Christopher Badger CBE and Michelle Dyson CB received honours for services to adult social care and health and social care. Dr Marie Polley MBE was recognised for services to social prescribing, Peter May CB for services to public health, and Dr Matthew Kearney OBE for services to preventative healthcare. Dr Alexander McMahon CBE received recognition for services to nursing, Lesley Rutherford MBE for services to palliative care, and PierMaxine Pritchard MBE for services to children and family social care. These honours reflect the care sector’s continued contribution to society, recognising professionals who have helped raise standards, shape services, and support vulnerable populations across the UK. The recognition spans strategic leadership, operational excellence, research, and frontline care delivery, demonstrating the breadth and depth of expertise within the sector.
A Snowy Day of Smiles and Laughter Hilton Park was transformed overnight by a beautiful blanket of snow, creating a magical winter scene for residents to enjoy. Making the most of the moment, staff supported residents to go outside in the morning to experience the snow-covered garden and surroundings. Wrapped up warmly, residents delighted in admiring the glistening white landscape, taking in the fresh winter air and the peaceful atmosphere. Laughter filled the garden as some residents enjoyed playing with snowballs, bringing back fond memories and a wonderful sense of fun. The joy on residents’ faces was truly heart-warming. Moments like these highlight the importance of embracing simple pleasures and creating meaningful experiences that spark happiness and connection.
Home Manager Geanina Tinca shared, “Seeing the residents’ smiles and excitement as they enjoyed the snow was truly special. It’s moments like these that make a real difference to wellbeing and remind us how valuable shared experiences are.” Hilton Park Care Home offers a varied life enrichment programme designed to keep residents active and engaged, providing a daily choice of physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to individual interests and abilities. Hilton Park is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Hilton Park provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.
PAGE 6 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
Disputes In The Workplace – Tips For Employers By Nicola Smyrl, Partner at Taylor Walton Solicitors (www.taylorwalton.co.uk)
A survey in 2025 revealed that employers in the care sector have to deal with a significantly higher number of disciplinaries and grievances than other sectors. With various parts of the new Employment Rights Act 2025 due to come into force in the coming months, enhancing various employment related protections, employers in the care sector should consider the source of disputes in the workplace, and how these could be better managed. Taking steps to promote and maintain an appropriate workplace culture, and addressing issues at an early stage, may assist to reduce the scope for disputes at work which could lead to employment tribunal claims.
SETTING EXPECTATIONS Having clear policies and procedure in place can assist employers with making sure that staff are aware of what is expected of them at work and reduce the scope for incidents to arise which may lead to a disciplinary or grievance process. This includes setting standards for performance and behaviours and making it clear what types of behaviour will not be tolerated. Employers should ensure that they have clear and up to date policies
on matters including discipline, grievances, bullying and harassment, equality and diversity and whistleblowing. Where disputes do arise, relevant policies will assist the business in taking the appropriate steps to address this.
should be given to how any difficulties can be resolved. Additional support, training and mediation can all be effective in improving relationships and behaviours at work.
TRAINING
Sometimes, despite an employer’s best efforts, the conduct or performance of an employee becomes an issue which cannot be easily resolved. In such circumstances, an employer could consider having a “protected conversation” with an employee about terminating the employment on agreed terms. This will usually involve a compensation payment made to an employee under the terms of a settlement agreement. The conversation is “protected” insofar as it cannot be referred to in any future claim for unfair dismissal. Whilst protected conversations can be useful in some circumstances, for example, it may enable an employer to avoid a lengthy performance management process, they must be approached carefully. Employers are well advised to seek legal advice before proceeding. A conversation can lose its protection in various situations, including where undue pressure is placed on an employee to accept an offer. Additionally, protected conversations can be referred to as evidence of discrimination.
Having the perfect policy will be of little benefit if no-one reads or understands the document. Employers should consider training on important policies for all staff. In particular, managers should be trained on how to spot and address issues at an early stage to prevent minor issues spiralling into something more significant. In the care sector, workplace disputes may cross over with other business considerations such as health and safety, data protection and regulatory matters. It is therefore even more important to ensure that matters are dealt with properly at the appropriate time. Dealing with matters appropriately and consistently Where issues arise, whether this is a disciplinary matter or a grievance matter, it will usually be important to establish what has happened by conducting an investigation. The manager conducting an investigation should wherever possible not be involved in the matters to be considered. It will be important to clarify the issues for investigation to ensure that any relevant documents are reviewed and witnesses spoken to. Findings should be carefully documented and decisions reached taking into account what has happened, on the balance of probabilities.
FORMAL PROCESSES Where a formal process becomes necessary, employers should ensure that they follow their own procedures and also take into account the requirements of the ACAS Code on Discipline and Grievances. Failure to follow the Code can cause compensation in a future employment tribunal claim to be increased by up to 25%. Where the employer is issuing a warning in relation to an incident of poor performance or misconduct, use this as an opportunity to clarify the expected standards of conduct or performance, and also consider whether the employee needs any assistance or support to meet the standard. Taking a constructive approach to such matters may assist to avoid repeat behaviours. Where an employer is addressing a grievance, careful thought
PROTECTED CONVERSATIONS
END OF EMPLOYMENT Where a dispute cannot be resolved and the employment relationship ends, employers should consider whether they have appropriate protections in place as part of their employment documentation. Staff working in care establishments will often have access to a significant amount of sensitive and confidential information. Employers should ensure that they have appropriate provisions in the contract of employment to protect their information.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Workplace disputes can be difficult to deal with on an individual level. However, allowing a culture to develop where conflict is common can cause reputational damage and may well result in other difficulties such as poor attendance and high staff turnover. Fostering a fair and supportive culture where disputes are tacked at an early stage should not only reduce scope for employment tribunal claims, but also present benefits for the business as a whole.
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 7
Liberal Democrats Call for US Drug Deal Funds to Be Redirected into Social Care The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to abandon a controversial pharmaceutical agreement with the United States, arguing that the savings should instead be invested in England’s struggling social care sector. Under the current arrangement, UK pharmaceutical products will continue to enter the US market without tariffs for a three-year period. The agreement requires the NHS to increase its cost threshold for new medications by a quarter. Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader, has been critical of the deal’s financial implications, suggesting the expenditure represents poor value for money that could have been directed towards care services. The Liberal Democrats are pressing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take personal charge of cross-party talks on social care reform. Despite announcements made a year ago about establishing dialogue on the sector’s future, the party claims that Baroness Casey’s independent commission on adult social care has convened just once for cross-party discussions. Estimates of the deal’s cost to the NHS have varied considerably. Whilst some reports have suggested annual costs could reach £3 billion, both Downing Street and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have indicated the actual figure would be closer to £1 billion by spring 2029. Ms Cooper stated that urgent action was needed to address what she described as a crisis in care provi-
sion. She emphasised that families continue to experience difficulties with a system she characterised as inadequate, whilst hospital capacity remains affected by delayed discharges.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Government representatives have rejected claims that the pharmaceutical agreement will cost £3 billion, insisting that frontline NHS services will not face funding cuts to accommodate the deal. A spokesperson defended the arrangement as an important investment that leverages Britain’s pharmaceutical sector whilst improving access to treatments. They acknowledged inheriting significant challenges around hospital discharge following previous administrations. The government pointed to increased appointment availability and improving NHS productivity as evidence of progress. Officials stated they are collaborating with Baroness Casey on care sector reforms whilst working to better integrate NHS and social care services. Measures being implemented include updated guidance on hospital discharge procedures and the development of neighbourhood health teams designed to deliver more care in community settings. The ongoing debate reflects wider concerns about social care funding in England, where the sector has faced sustained pressure from workforce shortages, rising demand, and financial constraints affecting both providers and local authorities.
Care Leader Awarded OBE for Major Contributions to Adult Social Care and Age-Inclusive Living Paavan Popat, CEO of TLC Group, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for his contribution to adult social care, workforce wellbeing and ageinclusive living. A recognised leader in the care sector, Paavan was a pivotal member on HM Government’s Older People’s Housing Taskforce and is a leading voice in developing national and regional policy for inclusive intergenerational housing and placemaking. Under his guidance, TLC Group became the only care home operator to achieve Investors in People Platinum and the first globally to receive IIP Wellbeing Platinum,
while also delivering Outstanding CQC-rated services, including the UK’s first purpose-built South Asian care home. Paavan said: “I’m very thankful to receive this recognition and to be part of a sector defined by compassion and quiet dedication. Any progress I’ve been able to make has been because of committed teams who genuinely care about the people they support. “I’m also deeply grateful to my parents and to my guru, Morari Bapu, whose teachings continue to ground me in the values of respect, kindness and responsibility. I hope this honour draws attention to the vital role care professionals play in
PAGE 8 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
The Carer Christmas Tree Competition Woodlands Park Care Centre named winner of The Carer's festive competition
THE CARER is delighted to announce the winner of our Christmas Tree Competition – congratulations to the wonderful team at Woodlands Park Care Centre in Great Missenden! Once again, we were overwhelmed by the fantastic response to this year's competition. The creativity, festive spirit, and sheer effort that went into every entry made choosing a winner incredibly difficult. From traditional elegance to wonderfully inventive themes, each care home brought their own special touch of Christmas magic. Marie Shouler, Centre Manager of Woodlands Park, expressed her pride in the accomplishment, saying: "“Our reception became a true winter wonderland, and we’re thrilled that The Carer has recognised the creativity, teamwork and festive spirit of our Woodlands Park family." Marie and her team at Woodlands Park truly captured the essence of the season with their stunning wonderland display, and we're thrilled to recognise their hard work and dedication. Well done to everyone who took part – you've all made this Christmas brighter for residents, families, and staff across the care sector. The festive cheer and community spirit shown by all entrants is exactly what makes our industry so special. Thank you to all the care homes who participated. Your enthusiasm and creativity continue to inspire us, and we can't wait to see what you come up with next year!
A SELECTION OF YOUR OTHER ENTRIES
Middleton Park Lodge,Leeds
Step Up Training & Care
Chirk Court Care Home in Chirk near Wrexham
NLP West Midlands
David Thomson
Riverdale care home, Chesterfield
Vale of Clwyd Mind
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 9
The Carer Christmas Tree Competition
Carol Finning
Surrey Choices at the Redhill Community Hub
Queens Court Care Home, Buckhurst Hill, Essex
Magdalen House, Hadleigh
Chatsworth Lodge, Chesterfield
Kingsnorth Medical Practice
Swarthdale Nursing Home, Ulverston Green Park , Warrington
Allegra Care
Medway Community Healthcare, Rochester
Many thanks to all of our amazing entrants!
PAGE 10 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
Sponsor Licence Compliance in Care: Staying Inspection Ready in 2026 and Beyond By Parvez Khan - Senior Immigration Associate at A Y & J Solicitors (www.ayjsolicitors.com) The UK health and social care sector remains under intense scrutiny. Maintaining a sponsor licence is no longer an administrative exercise. It has become a core operational responsibility. Recent reports have drawn attention to a sharp increase in sponsor licence revocations affecting care providers. The coverage points to systemic compliance failures rather than deliberate abuse. That distinction matters. It shows how easily a functioning organisation can fall out of compliance through process drift. As the Home Office continues to modernise its enforcement approach, providers must move beyond basic box ticking. Sustainable compliance now depends on systems that work under pressure, not just policies written for audits. This article sets out where enforcement focus now lies and how care providers can protect themselves through operational discipline.
WHAT INSPECTORS TYPICALLY TEST DURING SPONSOR AUDITS Audits can begin with rapid document requests, followed by interviews or onsite checks. The focus is usually not your written policy. It is whether your day to day system produces consistent evidence.
1) Does the role match what was sponsored Inspectors will look for evidence that the role is genuine, needed, and matches what was assigned on the Certificate of Sponsorship. In care settings, day to day duties often matter more than job titles. If duties drift away from the CoS description and occupation code, that mismatch can trigger questions. Practical proof to have ready: • Current job description that matches reality • Rotas and supervision records that show the worker doing the stated duties • Clear reporting lines and where the role sits in the organisation
2) Can you produce records quickly and consistently Sponsor guidance sets expectations for what records you keep and how you evidence them. In practice, inspectors often request a small sample of sponsored worker files and expect complete records without delay. Problems usually arise when evidence is fragmented. Payroll, rotas, HR notes, and right to work checks often sit in separate systems. Inconsistencies between those records attract attention, even where there is no intent to mislead. Practical proof to have ready: • A single place where each sponsored worker's file is stored • A clear index of what each file contains • A quick way to show payslips match contracted hours and rota patterns
3) Are reporting duties understood, owned, and done on time Sponsors must report defined changes through the Sponsorship Management System within the required timeframes. Delays often happen because managers spot changes first, but the reporting responsibility sits elsewhere. Good practice is not just knowing what to report. It is having a reliable handoff process from operations to the SMS user. Practical proof to have ready: • A named owner for SMS reporting • A deputy who can cover holidays and sickness • A simple internal process for managers to flag reportable events immediately
5) Are right to work checks done correctly and evidenced properly Right to work checks must follow the current Home Office method for the worker’s status. Sponsors should keep clear, dated evidence of the check and the outcome. Failure to keep proper records can undermine your statutory excuse, even where the worker has permission to work. Practical proof to have ready: • A dated record of the check • Evidence stored in the individual’s file • A consistent process across all sites
WHERE CARE PROVIDERS MOST OFTEN FALL SHORT Compliance failures are rarely isolated.They usually follow patterns. Common weak points include: Job descriptions that no longer reflect actual duties Site or work location changes that were not assessed for reporting Rotas that do not align with payroll records Absence records lacking explanation or follow up Late reporting caused by poor internal communication These issues tend to emerge gradually. They only become visible when inspected.
A PRACTICAL SELF-AUDIT APPROACH At A Y & J Solicitors, we suggest that you do not need a perfect system. You need a repeatable one. To make this repeatable in practice, the table below sets out a simple compliance cadence you can follow for regular sponsor licence checks.
Weekly, 30 minutes • Update a single sponsorship register • Log any changes in work location, pay, duties, or line manager • Record any events that might trigger SMS reporting
Monthly, 45 minutes • Sample five sponsored worker files • Check that right to work evidence, contract, pay records, and absence notes are complete • Reconcile rota patterns against payroll for the sample • Confirm the role duties still match the CoS description and occupation code
Quarterly, 60 minutes • Review who can access your evidence quickly if an audit starts • Refresh training for managers on what to escalate and when • Test your deputy process by having the deputy run a mock reporting exercise
Always in place • Clear ownership of reporting, with deputy cover • One source of truth for each sponsored worker file • A simple escalation route for operational changes While a repeatable system reduces compliance risk, sponsors must also consider the cost trade-offs involved in maintaining it.
THE COST TRADE-OFF PROVIDERS MUST FACE
4) Are sponsorship related costs handled safely
Strong compliance systems have a cost. Legal audits, training, and software require investment. However, the consequences of losing a sponsor licence are far more severe. Suspension can halt recruitment. Revocation can lead to sponsored workers having their permission shortened or cancelled. Recovery options are limited, and reputational damage can follow. Providers who view compliance as an operational safeguard, rather than an administrative burden, are better placed to maintain continuity of care.
Sponsors should have clear controls on what can and cannot be charged to workers, and how any deductions are approved. This is an area that can attract close scrutiny because mistakes are avoidable and easy to evidence. Practical proof to have ready: • A written rule on deductions and reimbursements • Payroll approval controls for any non standard deductions • Staff training notes for anyone involved in offers or contracts
Home Office enforcement follows clear patterns. Most compliance failures are predictable. Many are preventable. The greatest risk lies in assuming that yesterday’s processes still work today. Regular self-auditing, realistic reporting systems, and clear internal accountability remain the strongest protection. Sponsors that test their systems before the Home Office does are far more likely to retain their licence and protect their workforce.
CONCLUSION
Plenty to Celebrate at Penarth Home as Resident Marks 106th Birthday There were plenty of celebrations at a Penarth home following the 106th birthday of resident. Florence Batts lives at MHA Morel Court and celebrated her 106th birthday with staff and fellow residents. The home decked out one of the lounges and bought a huge birthday cake for Florence and the rest to enjoy. Florence was born in Berkshire in England and did Nursery training before the war. Florence worked as a nanny for a family during the second World War and is still close to Nicola, who was the daughter of the family Florence worked for. The two see each other like mother and daughter and Nicola lives in a care home very close to MHA Morel Court, which is how Florence came to MHA Morel Court. There was a special visitor who came to surprise Florence, Councillor Emma Richards, Mayor of Penarth, who presented Florence with a bouquet of flowers.
Dawn Parsons, activities coordinator said: “ Florence had a lovely time on her birthday and was very overwhelmed with what had been arranged for her. “She spent the morning with her fellow residents and staff here at MHA Morel Court, where she enjoyed some cake as we all sang happy birthday to her. “Like every afternoon, she went over to see Nicola and went for a meal at Nicola’s daughter’s house. “Florence was very surprised by the visit we arranged for the Mayor to attend for her birthday. “Florence has written a letter to thank her for her time and to thank her for the bouquet of flowers she received from her, as they make her room smell divine. “All in all, with the celebrations held in the lounge in the morning, getting sung to twice, as everyone quickly burst into song before I got the cake, the afternoon she spent with Nicola as well as the evening when she went for a meal at Nicola’s daughter’s house, she felt spoilt and really had a lovely day.”
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 11
Breakthrough For Alzheimer’s Test That Uses Finger-Prick Blood Samples A groundbreaking NIHR-supported international study has shown that Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers can be accurately detected using simple finger-prick blood samples. These samples can be collected at home and posted to laboratories without refrigeration or prior processing. The research, led by US institute Banner Health working with the University of Exeter Medical School and supported by the NIHR, has been published in Nature Medicine. It represents the first large-scale validation of a testing approach that could take place anywhere in the world without requiring specialised healthcare infrastructure. The DROP-AD project was conducted at 7 European medical centres, including the University of Exeter. It successfully tested 337 participants and proved that finger-prick blood collection can accurately measure key markers of Alzheimer’s pathology and brain damage. Alzheimer’s disease is usually confirmed through brain scans or spinal fluid tests. These are invasive and expensive. Blood tests that measure biomarkers, such as p-tau217, are emerging as accurate and accessible tools for detecting it. Drawing blood through venipuncture (inserting a needle into a vein) is much simpler than spinal taps or brain scans. However, practical hurdles remain, including how samples are handled and stored, and whether people have access to trained staff to collect them. Professor Nicholas Ashton, senior director of Banner’s Fluid Biomarker Program and lead investigator of the study, said: “This breakthrough could fundamentally change how we conduct Alzheimer’s research by proving that the same biomarkers doctors use to detect Alzheimer’s pathology can be measured from a simple finger prick collected at home or in more remote community settings. “While we’re still years away from clinical use, we’re opening doors to research that was previously
impossible – studying diverse populations, conducting large-scale screening studies, and including communities that have been historically underrepresented in Alzheimer’s studies. “Ultimately, we are moving toward a pathway of treating people for Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms emerge. If this trajectory continues, we will need innovative ways to identify eligible individuals who are not routinely presenting in clinical settings. This work represents one such approach in that direction and further validation remains.” The researchers tested a new method using a few drops of blood obtained from the fingertip and then dried on a card. They used the samples to look for proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other brain changes in the 337 participants. The University of Exeter Medical School played a pivotal role, recruiting participants from the PROTECT-UK study and serving as the only site to test self-collection capabilities. Participants successfully collected their own finger-prick samples without the guidance of study personnel after watching trained staff and receiving written instructions. Professor Anne Corbett, Professor in Dementia Research at the University of Exeter, said: “What excites me most is that this work makes this type of research far more accessible. We’re moving toward a future where anyone, anywhere, can contribute to advancing our understanding of brain diseases. This isn’t just a technical advancement – it’s a paradigm shift in how we conduct neuroscience research.” Professor Marian Knight, Scientific Director for NIHR Infrastructure, said: “This type of research – with the potential to transform diagnosis and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease – showcases the importance of NIHR infrastructure funding and the expertise of its researchers supporting internationally collaborative commercial research. The future potential to enable testing in different settings outside of hospital clinics is hugely exciting.”
Out With The Old, In With The New At Parley Place Care Home Staff and residents at Barchester’s Parley Place care home, in West Parley, celebrated bringing in the New Year in style with a musical party. Parley Place’s New Year’s Eve party was in full swing with musical entertainment by the fabulous duo, Serenade. Mark on keyboard and Tracey on vocals gave a stellar performance and got us up and dancing. Mark also treated us to a music quiz with prizes. Residents enjoyed glasses of fizz and festive treats prepared by head chef, Kris Groom. General Manager, Gina Smith, said: “Our residents love a party and New Year’s Eve has to be the best reason. We’re all really excited to see what 2026 has to offer us all.” Jan, resident at Parley Place care home said: “It was lots of fun to join in the party and mark the start of 2026 – I love the excitement of New Year!!” Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
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PAGE 12 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
True Intelligence: How AI In Care Is Revolutionising A Struggling Sector AI intelligence could be key to solving serious issues and unlocking huge new opportunities across the industry, says Phil Eckersley, Founder & Managing Director of Bridgewater Home Care. IT is no secret that the care sector is facing perhaps its toughest period in its long and storied history. From the largest care groups to the smallest domiciliary care providers, staff shortages, training and care issues and financial pressures are resulting in a pressurised market that is searching for almost any avenues it can take to answer the ever increasing number of challenges that care providers face in 2025. The issues are widespread enough to be recognised by the CQC, with the industry body’s 2023/24 State of Care report[1] highlighting a Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman case where a council review found more than 300 people were receiving “short calls”. The same document also revealed that 15% of all care services in the UK were rated ‘Requires Improvement’ or below, while the DHSC’s national survey[2] found 71% said recruitment is challenging and 57% said retention is challenging, with the statistics being even more challenging for domiciliary care settings, with 74% finding recruitment challenging and 58.5% retention challenging. These issues with retention are being fed by another major need in the industry - training. With tight timeframes and staff shortages, time and resources for training aren’t always available, meaning that improving the quality of care can also be difficult. Training, performance and retention - three things that are essential to any care business succeeding. However, one other factor that underpins all of these factors is budgets. It’s not just recruitment and retention that is an issue right now. The sector is suffering from a well-publicised funding black hole that has lead to an estimated 82% of providers that are either in deficit or are seeing a decline in their surplus[3], and despite local authorities having allocated £24.5bn for social care in the 24-25 financial year, an estimated 8 out of 10 councils are still on track to overspend their adult social care budgets. Solving these issues is a complex process, but one element that is becoming increasingly popular in the care sector is the understanding that AI can provide real business benefits. Artificial intelligence tools have immense potential and power to support care enterprises to tackle a range of major issues and provide a force multiplier for the smaller teams that often exist within care providers.
One key approach that has reaped benefits for the team at Bridgewater Home Care is utilising the power of AI to support their care professionals to deliver high quality care at an incredible rate of efficiency. The team have developed a proprietary usage of AI tools and have trained a specialised AI large language model (LLM) that can offer an initial review for individual care plans. Each plan is stripped of all personally identifiable information, then submitted to the AI platform that feeds back on the plan and judges how closely the plan adheres to best practice guidance from the CQC. These plans are then reviewed by a registered care manager, who has instant access to a care plan summary, allowing them to massively improve review speed and ensure all plans align with CQC best practice guidance. The process takes less time, is more accurate and enables managers to oversee more staff than previous methods and is just one of the ways that AI is enhancing client care standards. The system is also extremely useful for ensuring consistency across a care plan. Spotlighting elements that interact or contradict each other within a care plan is vital, especially if those elements are related to medical or pharmacological sections. The tool is not just there to ensure accuracy and speed, but is an additional layer of security that ensures those that receive services are safe and healthy. However, it’s not just our clients that are reaping the benefits of these tools. Carers and managers themselves are seeing major benefits to their workloads and their overall job requirements. With the summarisation of care plans being almost instantaneous, managers can review multiple care plans at once - enabling them to identify training needs if there are repeated mistakes or changes required. The ability to unlock data and understand what training and support care workers may need to do their jobs better has a two-fold effect. Firstly and most importantly, it increases the level of care that clients receive, but it also plays another vital role in supporting staff retention. One of the leading causes of job dissatisfaction across the care sector is a feeling of a lack of support and adequate training - something that an AI-powered approach can help to solve, and an issue that is crucial to manage and resolve if we wish to see the sector thrive. And this is just the beginning. The applications for AI in care are astounding, with the next major step being systems automation. Once we can see a world where AI tools are at the level to be trained to offer complete, 360 advice and guidance for care workers on what their clients need and how to most effectively deliver their care, we will see a stratospheric improvement in service user quality of life and will be entering a new age for the care sector in the UK. [1] - The state of health care and adult social care in England 2023/24 - Care Quality Commission, 2024 [2] - Adult social care workforce survey: April 2025 report - Department of Health & Social Care, 2024 [3] - Adult social care sector on the precipice over costs, Care England warns - The Evening Standard, 2022
Cinnamon Care Collection Appoints Young British Adventurer & Dementia Champion As Its First Ambassador Cinnamon Care Collection, rated as one of the leading care home groups in the UK, has appointed 26-year-old British adventurer, threetime world record holder and dementia awareness champion, Louis Alexander as its first Ambassador. The luxury care home group will also be the headline sponsor for Louis’ 2026 sporting challenges and world record attempts. Louis’ journey began with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro aged 19, to raise funds for dementia research, in memory of his grandfather, a former Captain in the British Army who lived with dementia for 17 years. To date, he has raised over £60,000 by becoming the first person to run marathons across all seven continents and swim marathon distances across all seven seas, and the first person to run eight consecutive marathons across all eight Australian capital cities. He is now on a mission to raise a total of £1million for dementia research over the next five years. Carole Hunt, Director, Cinnamon Care Collection said, “Dementia touches the lives of millions of families, and at Cinnamon Care Collection we believe that raising awareness, advancing research, and delivering exceptional dementia care goes hand in hand. When we first supported Louis in September 2025 as headline sponsor of his Australian marathon challenge, we were struck by the scale of his achievement and the
depth of his commitment to dementia advocacy. “Louis gave a talk to our residents after his Australia challenge. His ability to connect with our residents and teams, sharing both his personal story and his extraordinary achievements, was truly inspiring. Appointing Louis as our first Ambassador is a natural extension of our partnership, and reflects our shared determination to champion dignity, understanding and progress in dementia care. We are immensely proud to support him on the next stage of his journey and to have a closer association with Louis in 2026.” In his new role as Cinnamon Care Collection Ambassador, Louis will be involved in a number speaking engagements tailored to residents, families, staff, and external communities. The award-winning care home group will also involve Louis in its 10th anniversary celebrations which will be taking place throughout 2026. Louis Alexander added, “It is an honour to have been appointed as Cinnamon Care Collection’s first ever Ambassador and a privilege to be able to work closely with their residents, residents’ families, and team members. As a leader in the care sector with a strong track record in delivering outstanding dementia care, Cinnamon Care Collection are the pinnacle for what I look for in a Headline Sponsor. We share the same values and have a deep mutual passion for dementia advocacy.
Intelligent Lights For Falls Detection from Nobi Nobi makes lives safer by preventing and detecting falls. Powered by cutting-edge AI technology, this intelligent light monitors the entire room discreetly and accurately — all while blending seamlessly into any interior with its awardwinning, homelike design. Nobi supports older adults in living a dignified, carefree and happy life, with complete respect for their privacy. A fall can dramatically change someone’s life. Rapid assistance after a fall — or, even better, preventing a fall altogether — is invaluable. It is crucial for older adults, but equally vital for caregivers who are committed to ensuring safety, comfort and independence. The moment a fall occurs, Nobi sends an immediate alert to care staff, creating the peace of mind that every incident will be seen and acted upon. “Long lies” and their harmful consequences belong firmly in the past. With Nobi’s intelligent prevention and detection working in the background, caregivers can focus on warm, meaningful and person-centred care. From its very beginning, Nobi has carried one clear vision: to make care environments places where safe-
ty feels natural, dignity feels effortless, and ageing is embraced rather than feared. The Nobi Light was the first proof of that vision. At first glance, it looks like a simple design light — yet within it, Nobi redefined fall detection, fall prevention and smarter care. It showed that technology does not need to look technical. It can disappear into everyday life, becoming part of the environment while quietly transforming it. Today, the Light remains at the heart of everything we do. Around it, Nobi is building the Nobi Care Flow: a connected layer where people, technology and routines work together effortlessly. This care flow gives residents a greater sense of safety, offers caregivers more time and peace of mind, and provides leadership with clarity to run safer, more efficient communities. All intelligence, integrations and software are included, making Nobi one of the most cost-efficient and impactful upgrades in elderly care. Nobi is more than a smart light. It is a dignified, intelligent care ecosystem — one that helps care flow again. By bringing safety, clarity and confidence into every room, Nobi supports the people at the heart of care: the residents who deserve to feel safe, and the caregivers who deserve tools that truly help them. info@nobi.life www.nobi.life
PAGE 14 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
Specific Depressive Symptoms In Midlife Linked To Increased Dementia Risk Midlife depression has long been considered a risk factor for dementia in later life. However, new findings published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggest that this relationship is driven by a small cluster of specific symptoms rather than by depression overall.
THESE SYMPTOMS ARE:
• Losing confidence in myself • Not able to face up to problems • Not feeling warmth and affection for others • Feeling nervous and strung-up all the time • Not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out • Difficulties concentrating The researchers say focusing on these six symptoms when treating patients with depression in midlife may reduce their risk of getting dementia later in life, but that more research into this link is needed. Lead author Dr Philipp Frank (UCL Division of Psychiatry) said: “Our findings show that dementia risk is linked to a handful of depressive symptoms rather than depression as a whole. This symptom-level approach gives us a much clearer picture of who may be more vulnerable decades before dementia develops. “Everyday symptoms that many people experience in midlife appear to carry important information about long-term brain health. Paying attention to these patterns could open new opportunities for early prevention.” The researchers analysed data from 5,811 middle-aged adults who participated in the Whitehall II study, a British longitudinal cohort initiated in 1985 and funded by the Medical Research Council and Wellcome. Midlife depressive symptoms were assessed in 1997–1999, when all participants were dementia-free and middle-aged (age 45-69, average age of 55), using a questionnaire covering 30 common depressive symptoms. Participants’ health status was then tracked for 25 years through national health registries, with dementia diagnoses recorded up to 2023. During this period, 10.1% developed dementia. The long follow-up period allowed the researchers to investigate symptom-dementia associations stemming long before typical neurodegenerative changes emerge. The analyses showed that participants classified as depressed (those reporting five or more symptoms) in midlife had a 27% higher risk of subsequently developing dementia. However, this increased risk was driven entirely by the six specific symptoms in adults under 60. In particular, loss of self-confidence and difficulty
coping with problems were each associated with a roughly 50% increased risk of dementia. The researchers note that symptoms such as loss of self-confidence, difficulty coping with problems, and poor concentration can lead to reduced social engagement and fewer cognitively stimulating experiences, both of which are important for maintaining cognitive reserve – that is, your brain’s ability to cope with damage or disease, allowing you to maintain normal thinking and function even when the brain is physically affected. In contrast, other depressive symptoms, including sleep problems, suicidal ideation, or low mood, showed no meaningful association with dementia in the long term. Professor Mika Kivimäki (UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences), who leads the Whitehall II study and co-authored the paper, said: “Depression doesn’t have a single shape — symptoms vary widely and often overlap with anxiety. We found that these nuanced patterns can reveal who is at higher risk of developing neurological disorders. This brings us closer to more personalised and effective mental health treatments.” Professor Gill Livingston (UCL Division of Psychiatry), chair of the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care, who is also one of the co-authors of the study, said: “This is a new and important way of considering depression and dementia, and it is more evidence that depression is a wide umbrella and not necessarily one illness. “There is some limited evidence that treating depression in midlife might reduce later dementia risk, but further research is needed to better understand how best to reduce dementia risk.” Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, commented: “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and one in three people born today will go on to develop the condition. The Lancet Commission, part-funded by Alzheimer’s Society, has previously identified depression as a midlife risk for dementia. The connection between dementia and depression is complicated. It’s encouraging to see this new observational study begin to unpick how dementia and depression are interlinked. However, more research is needed to confirm whether these six symptoms also apply to women and ethnic minorities. “It’s important to note that not everyone who has depression will go on to develop dementia, and people with dementia won’t necessarily develop depression.”
Berkshire Care Home Staff Obtains Queen’s Nurse Award For High Standards Of Care Emily Rock, Clinical Nurse Manager at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Wokingham, has achieved the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse by The Queen’s Nursing Institute. The Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) is a registered charity dedicated to improving the nursing care of people in their own homes and communities. The title demonstrates a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning and leadership. Nurses who hold the title benefit from developmental workshops, bursaries, networking opportunities and a shared professional identity. Emily says: “Receiving this award reflects not only my professional development, but also the fulfilment I take in supporting residents to live with dignity, comfort and respect. I am passionate about encouraging residents to engage in positive risk taking, empowering them to maintain independence and be involved within their care.
What I enjoy most about being a nurse is building meaningful relationships, making each day as happy and fulfilling as possible through care, kindness and compassion. This award motivates me to continue striving for excellence in nursing practice.” While still working at RMBI Care Co., Emily studied at the University of West London and qualified with First Class Honours in Mental Health Nursing in 2018. She went on to become a full time nurse at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, where she has since been promoted to Clinical Lead. Jordi Sirera, National Clinical Governance Lead at RMBI Care Co., says: “I am very proud of Emily. The application and assessment process to become a Queen’s Nurse is rigorous and requires clear commitment to improving care for residents, their families and carers. Being a Queen’s Nurse myself, I am aware this achievement demonstrates how dedicated she is in her role as Clinical Nurse Manager.
Kailash Manor Celebrates Three Years of Culture Centred Care in Hatch End The party was in full swing as Kailash Manor marked its third birthday in style with a loud and lively party attended by residents, family members and the local community. The home first opened its doors on December 16 2022 and has become the gold standard for residential, nursing and dementia care. The festivities were made even more special as the home welcomed Harrow’s 73rd Mayor Councillor Anjana Patel to take part in the singing, dancing and overall celebration of this wonderful milestone. Home Manager Manju Bhandari, kicked off the celebration with a poignant speech highlighting the hard work of the care team, the support of families and the wider community and the privilege of working with residents in their forever home at Kailash Manor. Attendees were treated to melodious singing, energetic dance routines and witty MCing by the home’s Maharaj (priest).
Councillor Patel addressed the crowd as both mayor but also an active member of the local South Asian community that Kailash Manor serves. She is Harrow’s first British Tanzanian/Indian-born Mayor and spoke of how this hybrid identity, that she shares with many of those who were present, has contributed to her work and legacy in the borough. Councillor Patel praised the work being done at Kailash Manor to bridge the gap between two co-existing cultural identities, creating a safe environment for residents and families to be wholly Indian and wholly British. To close off the celebration, a young Bollywood dance troupe performed an infectious number for the crowd and Councillor Patel cut the anniversary cake. Reflecting on the celebrations, Hotel Services Manager Sagar Joshi said: “It was a wonderful time for the home and for the community, I am excited for what the next year will hold.”
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 15
New Care Ratings System Shows Strong Performance Across Wales Over 92% of care services in Wales have achieved high standards in the first seven months of a new ratings system being in place. Since April, 578 inspections of care homes and domiciliary support services have taken place, with ratings for 566 being published. The ratings system assesses services against four key themes: wellbeing, leadership and management, care and support, and environment. Services receive individual ratings for each theme rather than a single overall rating for the care home or domiciliary support services. Of the 2,115 ratings awarded by Care Inspectorate Wales between April and October 2025, 1,958 – representing 92.5% – were rated as either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, presenting a consistently positive picture for care services across Wales. Ratings are an important way of supporting continuous improvement within the sector and helping people to better understand the quality of care provided. The system has been welcomed by providers, with feedback highlighting the inspection process has been
thorough, transparent and focused on helping services succeed. Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said: “These results demonstrate the exceptional dedication and professionalism of care providers across Wales. “It’s positive to see over nine in ten ratings show our services are delivering excellent or good care to some of our most vulnerable people. “The new ratings system provides transparency and clarity for families making important decisions about care, whilst also highlighting areas of excellence and encouraging the sector to continue improving.” Chief Inspector of Care Inspectorate Wales, Gillian Baranski said: “I am incredibly proud of what these ratings reveal about care in Wales. These results are a testament to the exceptional dedication of care staff across Wales who make a real difference to people’s lives every day. ‘‘The new ratings system is designed to recognise this excellence whilst also supporting services to improve. We’re committed to working alongside all providers to help them deliver the high-quality care people in Wales deserve.”
Saltburn’s Knitting Nannas Make Toys For Rescued Monkeys In South Africa MONKEYS at a sanctuary in South Africa received handmade gifts in time for Christmas thanks to the latest initiative by a North Yorkshire care home knitting group. The Knitting Nannas, from Hazelgrove Court Care Home, in Saltburnby-the-Sea, produced over a dozen woollen toys and blankets for primates at a rescue centre in South Africa’s capital Pretoria. The group of elderly knitters – all in their 70s, 80s and 90s – have a track record of knitting for various animal charities, having previously produced blankets for South African rhinos and jumpers for Australian penguins. Monkeys were the focus of their latest charitable knit, however, when the group discovered International Primate Rescue, which has been caring for rescued primates with behavioural issues and other disorders since 1996. Hazelgrove Court Care Home activities coordinator Sharon Lewis found the rescue centre online and discussed it with the Knitting Nannas before contacting the charity’s founder, Sue Mousley. Sharon said: “One of our residents, Judith, said she had heard monkeys like to play with toys just like children. Apparently they are called enrichment toys. So we thought it would make a great next project for the Knitting Nannas. “I emailed Sue Mousley, the founder, and our residents were delighted when she emailed back and said their monkeys would love the toys and also knitted blankets. Our residents could not wait to get started.” The group sent the completed batch of toys and blankets to South Africa in time for Christmas, with Sue
planning to give them to the monkeys as gifts on Christmas day. Sue said: “We are deeply touched by this amazing gesture and are very grateful to your residents. The beautiful hand written letter brought tears to my eyes.” Judith Pearson, 81, a resident at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, said: “It is great to be part of this project. I never thought when I mentioned toys for monkeys we would be making them.” Follow resident Joyce Baxtrem, 94, added: “I love telling people what I’m knitting and, when I say toys for monkeys, they laugh.” It is not the first time the residents have taken up their knitting needles for wildlife causes. In December 2024, the group made national and international headlines when they produced blankets for orphaned baby rhinos in South Africa – including three-week-old calf Hercules, who had been attacked by hyenas. Then, in May 2025, they knitted mini jumpers to support The Penguin Foundation in Australia, which protects the 40,000 strong bird colony on Phillip Island, south of Melbourne. The Knitting Nannas have also undertaken around a dozen other projects throughout the years – not always involving animals – with the first being a knitted dressing gown for Knit for Peace in 2019, which supported women’s refuges and homeless projects throughout the UK. Sharon said: “I love getting residents involved in knitting projects. Not only does it give them a great sense of achievement but it’s a great conversation starter with families and friends that visit the home – especially when you say you are knitting toys for monkeys.”
NHS in ‘Calmer Waters But Not Out of Danger’ Yet as Winter Viruses Still Circulating Flu cases have begun to steady but hospital cases still surpassed 3,000 in the week before Christmas, a slight fall on the week before, according to new figures published today (December 31st). Thanks in part to NHS staff ramping up vaccination efforts with half a million more people protected against flu compared to the same period last year, flu cases have not risen further. Hospitals still remain extremely busy with around 95 per cent of adult beds filled and 94,118 patients in hospital each day. Other winter viruses also continue to circulate, with 707 patients in hospital with Covid on average, while 285 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week. Almost 18.5 million people have been vaccinated against flu according to the latest figures, half a million more than the same week last year. Despite the pressures of winter viruses and industrial action by resident doctors during this period, ambulance handovers have improved by six minutes compared to the previous week and more than 17 minutes on the same period last year. While more than eight in ten calls to NHS 111 were answered within a minute, up from just over seven in ten the previous week. England’s top doctor has warned that the NHS is “not out of danger yet” so it is vital people continue to get vaccinated as flu cases continue to rise in some pockets of the country. Amber and yellow cold health alerts for England have also been issued by UKHSA as temperatures in the coming days are set to drop below freezing which could increase pressure on hospitals.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said: “I want to thank NHS staff who continue to deliver care under extraordinary pressure, and the public who have come forward to get their flu jab which is helping protect the public and ease pressure on hospitals. “While there are signs of improvement and the NHS is in calmer waters, pressures on hospitals remain incredibly high and we’re not out of danger yet with temperatures set to drop in the coming days. “As the incredibly busy winter continues and hospitals clearly experience intense pressure, please do continue to only use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 and 111 online for other conditions. “If you haven’t had your flu jab yet and are eligible, please come forward – it’s not too late.” Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “This year we planned earlier than ever for winter, and that preparation is paying off. By modernising the NHS – with strong clinical leadership, embracing digital tools and putting more power in the hands of local leaders – ambulance handover times are down on last year and more patients are getting the care they need, when they need it. “Alongside this, we have delivered more than half a million more flu jabs this year compared to the last – but we are not out of the woods yet, with flu continuing to be a challenge. “NHS staff at every level are working extremely hard to deliver the best care possible in the face of ongoing pressures. Their professionalism, resilience and commitment to patients have been evident throughout the Christmas period. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has stepped up to help keep the show on the road during a very challenging winter.”
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Why Supporting Migrant Carers and Nurses is an Economic Imperative Oliver Kent-Braham, Co-Founder and CEO of Marshmallow (www.marshmallow.com) – a car insurance provider for newcomers to the UK – explores what is required to overcome the hidden financial challenges faced by the workforce that keeps the NHS and social care system running As this audience well knows, the UK’s health and social care system is under immense strain. Chronic staff shortages, rising patient demand and stretched budgets have created a situation where services are under constant pressure. The health and social services sector is the single largest employer of foreign-born workers in the UK. One in three care workers, and over a quarter of nurses in England, are born outside the UK. We all know that without them, the NHS and our care infrastructure would simply not function. However, many of these workers still face barriers to financial inclusion that limit both their personal and professional potential. This is more than a workforce issue, it’s an economic one.
A SYSTEM UNDER STRAIN
The UK is already grappling with over 100,000 vacancies across health and social care. As a result, there are more delayed treatments, a growing patient backlog and an increasing reliance on agency staff, costing the NHS billions of pounds every year. At the same time, our population is ageing rapidly, with demand for carers and nurses only set to increase in the coming decades. Against this backdrop, migrants are playing a vital role, particularly in this sector. These workers underpin our frontline services. They make sure patients receive care, hospitals can function and care homes can continue to operate. As newcomers to the UK, migrants make a huge contribution. But while we depend on them, the UK’s financial system largely ignores them. We regularly hear from our customers that they are not given access to essentials like fair insurance, loans, or credit. This blocks them from being able to set up their lives, whether it’s driving to work, buying a car, renting a house, applying for a mortgage, or getting a phone. Time and time again, we hear: “Here, I faced a lot of challenges. It wasn’t that I wasn’t prepared, I was prepared, but the system made it difficult.” And this isn’t because they are high-risk customers, but because financial providers in the UK do not take into account their credit or employment history from abroad. In practical terms, for example, this means a driver with 10 years’ of experience in their home country is treated as if they are a brand-new driver in the UK.
UNLOCKING THE WORKFORCE’S FULL POTENTIAL Supporting a modern day workforce means creating fit-for-purpose solutions that reflect differing circumstances. For example, insurers and lenders could recognise overseas financial histories and employment records, allowing migrant staff to access fair car insurance, home insurance and credit. Care employers could also provide guidance and support to navigate these systems, helping staff secure stability outside of work. Getting this right benefits the UK’s health and social care system as a whole. A more financially secure workforce is less likely to leave, reducing reliance on costly agency staff, cutting recruitment pressures and keeping patients’ care consistent. In turn, this strengthens the NHS and care infrastructure while supporting the wider economy.
THE BARRIERS HOLDING US BACK
However, the challenges in the path are complex and deep-rooted. Outdated financial systems continue to lock people out. If you arrive from overseas, you may have a decades-long financial history, but in the UK, it can often be of little value. This creates a domino effect: without credit, it’s harder to rent or secure housing; without insurance, it’s harder to get a car; without a car, it’s harder to get to work. Failing to address these barriers comes at a real economic and social cost. NHS staff shortages already run into billions annually, and as care needs grow, barriers faced by migrant workers to access fair financial services make it harder to fill the gap. Without technology and processes that recognise their histories and support their integration to life in the UK, workers struggle to settle, plan ahead and remain in their roles.
BUILDING A STRONGER FOUNDATION
The opportunity lies in setting this workforce up for success. That means tackling the hidden barriers to financial inclusion and ensuring migrant carers and nurses are fully integrated into systems that enable stability and growth. Technology can play a key role in making this possible. Digital tools and data-driven solutions can assess financial risk more fairly. Recognising overseas employment and credit histories can provide accessible products such as car and home insurance, loans and credit-building support. Online platforms can streamline applications and reduce bureaucracy. They can also offer guidance tailored to the unique challenges migrant workers face, making it easier for them to settle, plan ahead and remain in their roles long term. Giving access to fair financial services strengthens the workforce, reduces reliance on costly agency staff and ensures patients receive consistent, high-quality care. Supporting those who support us isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s the foundation of a sustainable healthcare system and a resilient UK economy. If we want a care and health system fit for the future, we need to start by giving the people at its heart the support they need to build secure lives here in the UK. For more information or to secure a quote please visit www.marshmallow.com
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New Drug Shows Promise in Tackling Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Experimental treatment could offer preventative approach for atrisk individuals, researchers say Researchers are increasingly focusing on the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease as the critical window for intervention, and a new experimental drug may offer hope for stopping the condition before symptoms emerge. Scientists at Northwestern University have been investigating a compound known as NU-9, testing its effects in laboratory animals with Alzheimer’s-like conditions. Their findings suggest the treatment may help reduce harmful protein fragments in the brain that contribute to the disease’s progression. The research team observed that the drug appeared to decrease levels of problematic protein molecules in the brains of test subjects. These proteins, when they cluster together, are associated with the brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease. The treatment also seemed to help maintain the health of supporting cells in the brain. According to the researchers, understanding what happens in the brain years before any outward signs of Alzheimer’s appear is essential for developing effective interventions. Their work has identified a particular form of protein that emerges early in affect-
ed brain cells, potentially triggering a cascade of harmful changes. The study’s authors emphasise that Alzheimer’s begins its course long before any memory problems become noticeable. By the time individuals experience symptoms, significant damage has already occurred in the brain. This delayed presentation may explain why many previous treatment trials have not succeeded. Scientists caution that the precise mechanisms driving Alzheimer’s remain incompletely understood, and multiple biological factors are likely involved. Previous laboratory studies with human cells have produced encouraging results for NU-9, and the current animal research adds to this evidence base. Further studies are now planned to examine how the drug performs in models that more closely mirror the way Alzheimer’s develops in older adults. Should these prove successful, human trials could eventually follow. The research team envisions a future where at-risk individuals might take preventative medication before any cognitive decline occurs, similar to how people take statins to reduce heart disease risk. With blood tests for early Alzheimer’s markers currently in development, combining improved diagnosis with effective early treatment represents a key goal for researchers.
Sir Bryn Launches Hunt For Wales’ Hidden Social Care Heroes
Opera legend Sir Bryn Terfel has issued a rallying call for entries to find unsung social care heroes in Wales. The search is now underway for nominations for the 2026 Wales Care Awards which shine a spotlight on the remarkable staff working in care homes and home-care services across the country. Among the accolades is the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Award, celebrating outstanding work in bringing the arts into social care settings. Sir Bryn, a long-time supporters of the event, is urging colleagues, managers and families to put names forward – not only for the award carrying his name but for every category, recognising excellence across the profession. Also up for grabs are honours for frontline care practitioners, nurses, chefs, dementia specialists and those championing fulfilled lives, alongside awards for outstanding service in the sector. This year’s glittering event will take place Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, on Friday, October 16. The closing date for all nominations will be January 31 and more information can be found on our website: www.walescareawards.co.uk None of the finalists will go away empty handed because, a bit like the Olympics, they will win gold, silver or bronze awards. Sir Bryn said: “Every day, social care staff go above and
beyond, often without the recognition that they richly deserve. Supporting the Wales Care Awards is my way of helping to shine a light on their incredible work. “These people are the backbone of our communities. Families rely on their compassion and skill, and it is only right that we celebrate the difference they make to people’s lives across Wales. “I’m especially proud that the arts have a dedicated category. Creative activities bring comfort, joy and dignity to those receiving care and it’s wonderful to honour the people who make that happen. “I’d urge colleagues, relatives and managers to take a moment to think about someone who deserves recognition. A nomination can mean the world to those who give so much.” The awards were founded by Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, to recognise the “fantastic work” of front line staff and promote excellence in the social care sector. Mr Kreft said: “The Wales Care Awards are all about saying thank you to the people who keep the social care network going. If you know somebody who consistently goes the extra mile, this is your chance to make sure they get the credit they deserve. “Whether it’s a brilliant nurse, a dedicated chef or a anybody who never fails to deliver, please put their names forward. The process is simple and the impact is huge. “The awards night is a rare opportunity for staff to come together, share ideas and enjoy an evening that’s entirely about them. It’s a celebration of the sector at its very best. “If we don’t properly value the people who care for others, we cannot hope to provide the high quality care our communities need. Raising the profile of the workforce is essential and these awards play a big part in that. “We’re looking forward to another uplifting night where the remarkable women and men of social care can enjoy their moment in the spotlight.” For more details about the categories and to make a nomination for the 2026 Wales Care Awards go to https://walescareawards.co.uk/
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Setting the Standard: Care Home Compliance Made Simple The law is changing for care homes, but understanding your obligations has never been easier Providing both comfort and dignity to those in your care is at the core of the Care homes profession, but when it comes to both residents and their families, one of the most important things you can offer is trust. Moving to a care home can be an emotional time for some and transparency and fairness are key in reassuring prospective residents and their families that they will be cared for with compassion and respect - This, and compliance with the law. Earlier this year we saw the introduction of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) - a landmark piece of legislation that affects business and how they are required by law to safeguard their customer with fair trading practices. These changes may sound like legal jargon, but they directly impact how care homes operate, communicate, and contract with residents. Compliance can be complex and that’s why the Business Companion Care Homes Guidance is essential reading for anyone working in the Care Homes sector. Written by legal experts this free and easy-to-read guide will walk you through all the steps to ensure you are safeguarding your customers and operating within the law.
WHAT’S CHANGED UNDER THE DMCCA? The introduction of the DMCCA represents one of the biggest shifts in consumer law in over a decade. It replaces the old Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and introduces stricter rules to protect consumers from misleading or unfair practices across almost
all sectors. For care homes, this means: • Clearer Pricing and Transparency: The Act bans “drip pricing” which is when unavoidable fees are hidden until late in the process. Care homes must now present the full cost of services upfront, including any mandatory charges. • Fake Reviews and Misleading Endorsements: The DMCCA prohibits the use of fabricated or manipulated reviews. With care homes increasingly relying on their online reputation, ensuring authenticity is now a legal obligation. • Stronger Enforcement Powers: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) can now impose fines of up to £300,000 - or 10% of global turnover - for breaches. Compliance isn’t optional; it’s critical. • and much more! These changes underline the importance of reviewing your policies, contracts, and marketing materials. The Care Homes Guidance on Business Companion provides practical steps to help you stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.
KEEPING CONSUMER VULNERABILITY IN MIND
Vulnerability can arise from a number of different situations and factors throughout a person’s life, such as age, health, bereavement, or financial stress. As someone working in the Care homes sector, you’re
dealing with vulnerable individuals on a daily basis and recognising these factors isn’t just good practice; it’s a legal and ethical responsibility. The Business Companion Consumer Vulnerability Guide offers checklists and practical advice to help you identify and support your residents who may be vulnerable when it comes to things like decision making and communication, ensuring your care home delivers not only compliance but compassion. Your Go-To Resource for Compliance Business Companion is more than just a care home resource - it’s a comprehensive hub for businesses across a broad range of sectors. From selling online to handling complaints, delivery charges, and even net zero strategies, the platform covers hundreds of topics delivered to you through clear, easy-to-read guidance. Backed by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Department for Business & Trade, Business Companion is free, authoritative, and regularly updated by legal experts. Act Now The DMCCA is already in force, and enforcement powers are live. Don’t wait for a compliance issue to arise - visit Business Companion’s Care Homes Guidance today. Review your contracts, pricing structures, and communication strategies and explore the wider resources available to future-proof your business against legal pitfalls. In a sector built on trust, staying informed isn’t just smart - it’s essential. To find out more, visit: www.businesscompanion.info
Crystal Care Collection Appoints Anthea Turner as Ambassador Crystal Care Collection has appointed broadcaster, author and wellbeing advocate Anthea Turner as its ambassador for the provider’s care homes across the UK and North Wales. Crystal Care Collection homes provide high-quality residential, dementia and respite care with an all-inclusive fee model designed to offer clarity, reassurance and peace of mind for residents and families. As ambassador, Anthea Turner will help champion the importance of compassionate, person-centred care and highlight the sense of community at the heart of Crystal Care Collection’s homes. With a long-standing public profile and a strong interest in health, wellbeing and positive living, Anthea’s role will include visiting care homes, meeting residents and staff, and participating in key campaigns that communicate Crystal Care Collection’s values. As part of the partnership, Anthea has filmed Crystal Care Collection’s first-ever television advertisement, which was shot at Fairwood Fields
care home in Pontefract and aired on 1st January 2026. Anthea Turner said, “I’m looking forward to working with Crystal Care Collection. Quality care is one of the most important pillars of later life, and a strong sense of community within a care home can truly transform lives. “I hope to get to know the residents and team members and to witness firsthand the incredible care provided within each of their communities.” Liz Walker, Managing Director for Crystal Care Collection homes in the north of England added, “We are delighted to welcome Anthea Turner as an ambassador for Crystal Care Collection - her warmth, enthusiasm and genuine compassion strongly reflect our values. “We believe her involvement will not only spark excitement for our residents and families, but also further inspire our teams, and help shine a light on the exceptional care delivered across our homes every day.”
Anenta Urges Action To Protect Care And Nursing Home Staff From Dangers Of Hazardous Medical Waste A new academic report from the University of Oradea has placed a spotlight on the urgent need for the adoption of better prevention, training, and safer treatment technologies to reduce harm from the growing volume of healthcare waste produced worldwide, says leading independent healthcare waste management company, Anenta. Shedding light on hazardous medical waste and its rising risks to clinical staff, healthcare workers, and those who handle medical waste, Anenta believes that the ‘Healthcare Waste Toxicity: From Human Exposure to Toxic Mechanisms and Management Strategies’ report is a sharp reminder that producers of healthcare waste need to be vigilant and diligent. In Anenta’s view, this is particularly important in relation to the disposal of sharps, infectious, pharmaceutical, pathological, cytotoxic, and chemical waste, and applies to GPs, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, research centres, dental clinics, care and nursing homes. “The findings of this study reiterate just how important segregation, governance, and training are in preventing harm to staff and the wider community,” said Kim Ormsby, Assistant Director at Anenta, adding: “It’s vital that every measure, including handling, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal is properly understood, implemented, and audited, which is exactly why we’ve created a free e-learning module on healthcare waste to help businesses in the primary care sector.” Covering a number of topics such as waste segregation, simplification of waste processes, waste reduction, and colour-coded containment, the 45-minute training module is accessible free of charge to care homes, and healthcare professional via the Health Education England online portal. These courses help those in the primary care sector meet duty of care obligations and ensure consistent adherence to environmental and CQC standards. This, in turn, helps smooth the pre-acceptance and duty of care audit process, which is essential for compliance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and helps avoid the risk of waste contractors refusing to make collections due to instances of ‘non-compliance.’ Aided further by Anenta’s remote hazardous waste audits, which give care homes, nursing homes and producers of healthcare waste the ability to conduct compulsory duty of care and pre-acceptance audits in
as little as 40 minutes, Anenta has removed the need for tedious third-party onsite audits, which can take up to 6 days. In addition to saving time, Anenta’s online solution also reduces costs by up to £800. Combined, this process helps to ensure compliance for care homes whose staff are exposed to a range of different types of waste, including sharps, clinical, infectious, and offensive waste. “Protecting workers and the wider community from the dangers of medical waste is critically important,” says Ormsby. “Without consistent training and clear policies, staff can all too easily be put at unnecessary risk, which is why we work closely with care and nursing homes to ensure that their waste management processes are streamlined and effective, ensuring a safer healthcare environment for all.” Anenta, which was awarded the Healthcare Waste Management Company of the Year title at the prestigious Healthcare Business Review Europe Awards 2025, acts as an external contract manager delivering bespoke, affordable, and professional services across recycling, general waste, saniwaste, confidential, and clinical waste streams. Managing over 450,000 collections annually from more than 20,000 locations, Anenta has saved its clients over £13 million directly, while introducing workplace efficiencies that have generated a further £35 million in savings. Much of these savings are possible thanks to Vector, Anenta’s proprietary, multi-stakeholder system, which equips all parties in the healthcare waste supply chain with real-time updates on documentation, billing, compliance and outcomes. Highlighting inefficiencies and providing data-driven insights to improve service, delivery and operational performance, Vector ensures the delivery of fair billing practices through the analysis of thousands of invoices to identify and address any instances of overcharging. Free training module: https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/763177 Website www.anentawaste.com Contact page https://www.anentawaste.com/contact-us/ Call 03301222143
In a sector built on trust, staying informed isn’t just smart - it’s essential.
NEW Guidance for Care Homes for 2026
Business Companion is here to help you stay compliant, so you can focus on what you do best - caring for others.
With the introduction of new legislation, understanding your obligations is vital to safeguard your customers and protect your business. Business Companion's free guidance for Care Homes is here to help with practical advice you can trust.
To find out more visit: www.BusinessCompanion.info
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Setting Care Homes on the Road to Net Zero As sustainability rises up the agenda for care organisations, heat is a natural target for efficiency improvement. Andy Green, Head of Technical Solutions at Baxi, discusses the importance of planning a net zero pathway and some of the achievable options for care home operators The UK’s circa 17,000 care homes may vary in size and age, but reliable heating and hot water is essential in each to prioritise the wellbeing and comfort of their residents. As this service is typically the largest user of energy in care home facilities, it’s also a good starting point for reducing operating costs and associated carbon emissions. Let’s consider some of the achievable measures to improve the efficiency of the heating system and reduce its carbon impact
PLOT YOUR PATHWAY In our recent survey of over 400 care homes managers, budget pressures, eligibility for funding and technical understanding of achievable options were the top challenges listed when considering decarbonising heat in their buildings. Subsequent focus group sessions also revealed that unplanned replacements are common, frequently resulting in a like-for-like distress purchase rather than enabling the care home operator to plan and implement a phased approach to net zero. But with care homes coming under increased pressure to adopt sustainable practices in line with the nation’s wider 2050 net zero target, putting a roadmap in place is absolutely key. Fortunately, care home managers have access to heat experts like Baxi for support. We work closely with care homes first to understand the viable options for improved system efficiency and then to help them plot their unique net zero pathway.
REDUCE HEAT LOSSES The first step should always be to understand how and where energy is being used in the building. Identifying and limiting any heat loss to the environment will not only immediately improve operating costs but can significantly reduce the size or capacity of plant required when refurbishing the system – which in turn will lower the required capital expenditure.
Practical examples might include building fabric upgrades such as roof and wall insulation, draught proofing and/or improving the thermal performance of windows and doors. Adding lagging to poorly insulated pipework will also prevent heat losses within the system for improved performance. Where necessary, adjust the heating controls and thermostat settings to optimise the temperature regimes and balance energy efficiency with thermal comfort.
‘HEAT PUMP READY’ Light refurbishment still accounts for much of the work in the care home sectors according to our focus group research, despite the willingness shown for embarking on heat decarbonisation projects. If upgrading to more efficient gas condensing boilers or direct-fired water heaters, use this opportunity to prepare the heating system for the integration of low temperature heat pumps at a future stage. Addressing the system’s distribution pipework and heat emitters will allow the system to operate more efficiently at a maximum flow temperature of 55°C (or lower), in line with Building Regulations. This will also allow the condensing boilers and water heaters to operate in condensing mode, where they achieve their maximum efficiencies.
FULLY ELECTRIC OR HYBRID? Replacing existing gas boilers or water heaters with heat pumps is the ultimate goal. New build care homes will be designed to require less heat for operational use and optimised for a decarbonised electricity grid. In buildings like these, a fully electric approach to heating and domestic hot water (DHW) based around renewable solutions such as our Auriga mid temperature and Auriga HP + high temperature heat pumps will be the favoured approach, particularly when combined with solar thermal and/or solar PV solutions. In care homes with complex refurbishment challenges, a phased pathway may be necessary. In such buildings, a hybrid heat pump system combining heat pumps with existing boilers and/or water heaters is often a fast, affordable solution to partial decarbonisation. This will enable a large portion of the heat in the building to be decarbonised while meeting safe operation requirements.
MANUFACTURER SUPPORT Each care home project and building will have its own requirements, so it is advisable to consult with the experts. Experienced heating and hot water solutions providers like Baxi can help break down the complexities for care homes by clearly explaining the options and outlining the associated carbon, energy and cost impacts of each. Working together, we can help ensure that the right decision is made to meet the specific needs of your building to set it on its path to net zero. For more information, visit: Baxi Commercial Heating and Hot Water Solutions www.baxi.co.uk/commercial
Great Bupa Menu Competition Raises £30,000 For Trussell Trust A cooking competition involving 24 talented chefs from Bupa care homes around the country has raised an incredible £30,000 for the Trussell Trust. Through a series of competitive heats, the talented contenders were whittled down to three exceptional finalists, with tables at the Great Bupa Menu Grand Final event sold to raise money for the food bank charity. The competition was open to anyone working at one of the 115 Bupa care homes and 10 Richmond Villages around the country who had a passion for cooking and saw a huge number of talented applications. The initial 24 chefs competed in three heats, using their own recipes and ingredients to produce a starter, main and dessert for the judging panel. Following a series of qualifying rounds three extraordinary finalists were chosen to compete at the Grand Final, hosted at Edgbaston Cricket Ground for an audience of 140 people, who were each tasked with choosing their favourite dish to decide the overall winner.
THE THREE DISHES SERVED DURING THE FINAL WERE:
• Starter – Trio of Duck by Jonathan Green, Head Chef at Richmond Villages Northampton • Main – Baked Cod Loin with Boulangère Potatoes, Peas Bonne Femme and Sorrell by James Day, Sous Chef at Richmond Villages Aston on Trent • Dessert – Apple Souffle Crumble by Terry Warren, Chef Manager at Collingwood Grange Care Home,
Camberley Despite an incredibly close competition, only one could take home the trophy, with Terry Warren crowned as the Great Bupa Menu Winner 2025 for his Apple Crumble Soufle. Leon Palmer, Director of Public Sector and Hospitality at Bupa and head judge, said: “When we created this competition, it was all about shining a spotlight on our amazing chefs, and it’s been an extraordinary first year celebrating the incredible talent working across our Bupa care homes. “Although we could only crown one winner, every dish we tried blew us away, with amazing thought, creativity and pride clearly on display. “We can’t wait to go again next year, championing our excellent chefs, while also raising money for a great cause in the process.” Chef Manager at Collingwood Grange Care Home and winner of the Great Bupa Menu 2025, Terry Warren, said: “I’m immensely proud to have won this competition, but truly every chef that took part is a winner. Together, we helped raise £30,000 for the Trussell Trust, which makes this achievement even more special. “It’s been incredibly inspiring to be reminded how food can bring people together, creating meaningful experiences and lasting memories, something we’re proud to deliver every day across our Bupa care homes.”
Grand(e) Way To Address Scoliosis Support Meadow View Nursing Home in Chesterfield has found a grand(e) way to support a new resident with scoliosis- an innovative vacuum posture cushion. The middle-aged client joined the home after a spell in hospital: underweight and fragile, she needed additional skeletal support and 1:1 care. Meadow View- part of Emh Care & Support- could provide the high quality round-the-clock attention she required. The home’s nurses responsible for the lady were struggling to find a way to keep her comfortable and safe in bed. They raised the issue with the home’s Occupational Therapist, who suggested AAT’s Grande mattress with Treat-Eezi cover. Using vacuum technology, the mattress-sized beanbag can be contoured exactly by the staff exactly as needed, to provide the lady with a secure yet comfortable position without pressure points.
By using the vacuum principle, any air in the cushion is removed, thereby fixing the moulded shape and removing the need for frequent re-positioning. The shape and firmness of the Grande can be adjusted as little or much as needed. The cushion can be precisely moulded to create abduction and adduction wedges, or an asymmetrical body position- all by the care-givers, within minutes(1). The addition of the Teat-Eezi overlay helps maintain blood flow and gives an extra layer of protection against the risk of ulcers. Meadow View Manager Gillian Kent comments, “The Grande gives support to her overall body structure, yet is soft and comfortable. The team find it’s easy to reform when she is supine, so they can ensure her continued relief and security when she’s lying in her bed. It has really helped her overall daily and nightly relaxation.” Find out more about AAT’s Grande vacuum posture cushions here: www.aatgb.com/grande
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North West Leads the Way with UK’s First Academy for Hospice and Palliative Care Workers
The UK’s first academy for hospice and palliative care workers has been established in the North West. Born from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Hospices Together (LSCHT) partnership, the Hospice and Palliative Care Academy brings together the Universities of Lancashire and Cumbria with 10 regional hospices to create a central hub for people who want to explore learning and career opportunities across palliative and end-of-life care. The Academy aims to develop a future-ready workforce capable of meeting the current and emerging needs of hospice and palliative care. Hospices in Lancashire and Cumbria provided palliative and end of life care to over 15,000 people in 2024-25 and employs 1,300 clinical and non-clinical staff. Demand for hospice and palliative care grows nationally year on year, adding to the challenges of workforce recruitment. Through the University of Lancashire and University of Cumbria, the Academy aims to offer a mix of clinical and non-clinical work ready programmes and qualifications, from palliative and medicines courses to leadership, event management and fundraising. All are designed to make the most of the hospices’ own resources, continuing professional development (CPD) building blocks and apprenticeship levy funding, with further course, workshops, and learning opportunities in development, based upon the unique needs of the hospices. In addition, the Academy will support and promote research to inform community best practice, drive innovation, and contribute to the evidence base for hospice and palliative care. Senior Lecturer in Palliative Care Gillian Oakley is the University of Lancashire’s lead on the initiative. She said: “Workforce shortages and the absence of defined career pathways in hospice care present ongoing challenges to attract and retain staff and this is something we’re
tackling head on through the Academy. “We’re establishing educational pathways from Level 3 to Level 8, supported by local Further Education (FE) colleges and a ‘working academy’ model that ensures the training delivered meets the skills needed by the palliative care sector.” The LSCHT collaborative was established in 2023, uniting ten regional hospices to address shared priorities in education, research, and care quality. Partnering first with the University of Lancashire and then the University of Cumbria, the Hospice and Palliative Care Academy is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening workforce capability across clinical and non-clinical roles. LSCHT Strategic Education and Research Lead Kate Burgess said: “This is about creating opportunities for our staff, our students and our
hospices. We’re building a shared future where people can learn, develop and stay in hospice care. We’ve identified key areas for development, including maximising the use of the apprenticeship levy, tailored educational programmes and opportunities to educate the broader health and social care workforce in palliative and end of life care.” Anita Hayes, Clinical Quality Lead at Hospice UK, said: “This Academy is an important step in future-proofing our workforce. It offers tailored opportunities for individual career development and aligns with the new NHS England Career pathway, core capabilities and education framework for palliative and end of life. “It is an innovative, tried-and-tested model that enables shared learning across regions and sets a standard for excellence in meeting the needs of patients and families now and in the future. It is also a powerful example of partnership, collaboration and system leadership for the benefit of the population it serves.”
THE TEN HOSPICES THAT ARE PART OF THE LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA HOSPICES TOGETHER (LSCT) PARTNERSHIP ARE: • St John’s Hospice (Lancaster & South Lakes) • St Mary’s Hospice (South Lakes) • Pendleside Hospice (Burnley & Pendle) • Trinity Hospice (Blackpool & Fylde Coast) • Brian House Children’s Hospice (Blackpool) • Derian House Children’s Hospice (Chorley/NW region) • Queenscourt Hospice (West Lancashire, Southport and Formby) • St Catherine’s Hospice (Preston, South Ribble & Chorley) • Rossendale Hospice (Rossendale) • East Lancashire Hospice (Blackburn, Hyndburn & Ribble Valley)
Residents at Clacton Care Home Share Advice for a Fulfilling 2026 Seven residents at Diagrama Foundation’s nursing and dementia care home in Clacton-on-Sea have shared their advice for making 2026 a better and more fulfilling year. Drawing on a lifetime of experience, they offered simple but profound guidance for everyday life, none of which is about material things, instead, their focus is on relationships, resilience, and joy. Jean said Small Steps Count – Every little effort matters. Celebrate each tiny victory along the way, because progress, no matter how small, adds up over time. Joan advised Keep Your Friends Close – Surround yourself with people who lift you up and make life brighter. Nurture relationships that bring joy, laughter, and support. Albert advised The Most Important is Family – Treasure the moments with those you love. Family is your anchor, offering connection, comfort, and a reminder of what truly matters. Tony wants you to Believe in Yourself – Trust your abilities and have confidence in the path you choose. Selfbelief gives you the courage to face challenges and take meaningful steps forward. Charles suggests Never Give Up – Challenges are stepping stones, not roadblocks. Resilience turns obstacles into opportunities, helping you grow stronger with every setback.
Sue asks that you Smile Every Day – Find joy in the ordinary. A smile, even in small moments, can brighten your day and the days of those around you. Louis reminds us that You Can Always Start Again – It’s never too late to begin anew. Every ending opens the door to something fresh, giving you the chance to try again and grow. The residents’ advice reflects their optimism, resilience, and wisdom, offering inspiration for the wider community as we head into the new year. The Clacton home provides a vibrant activities programme that supports residents’ wellbeing and engagement. Highlights include arts and crafts sessions, fitness classes, singing, a pop-up shop, and regular visits from the local community and joint ventures with other care homes. These activities encourage residents to stay active, social and creative, embodying the very principles they have shared for a fulfilling year. David McGuire, Chief Executive, Diagrama Foundation which runs the Edensor nursing and dementia care centre in Clacton said: “Residents’ insights remind us all that a meaningful life isn’t measured by material success, but by small steps, strong relationships, and a positive outlook. We hope their advice inspires families, staff, and the wider community as we begin 2026.”
Building Confidence, Skills and Quality in Adult Care t2 group empowers care professionals through apprenticeships that drive quality, consistency, and retention. Programmes: Our Care Apprenticeship programmes - for care professionals who deliver frontline support • Level 2 Health and Social Care Foundation • Level 2 Adult Care Worker • Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker • Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care • Level 5 Leader in Adult Care Our Leadership and Management Apprenticeship programmes - for those leading teams or
aspiring to move into management roles • Level 3 Leadership and Management • Level 5 Leadership and Management For over 25 years, we’ve partnered with care providers across England to help their teams grow through apprenticeships Invest in your people. Improve your care quality. Scan the QR code to learn more.
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Menopause Hormone Therapy Does not Appear to Impact Dementia Risk A major review of prior research has found no evidence that menopause hormone therapy either increases or decreases dementia risk in post-menopausal women, in a new study led by UCL researchers. The findings, commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, add much-needed clarity to a hotly-debated topic, and reinforce current clinical guidance that menopause hormone therapy, also called hormone replacement therapy or HRT, should be guided by perceived benefits and risks and not for dementia prevention. The new systematic review and meta-analysis is the most comprehensive and rigorous synthesis of evidence on menopause hormone therapy and dementia risk completed to date, including data from over one million participants. The study publication follows a November announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it would remove the ‘black box’ warnings on menopause hormone therapy products. These warnings had previously included disproven claims about potential long-term health risks, including a claim of potential increased dementia risk. The FDA announcement further suggested that menopause hormone therapy might reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, however, the findings of this latest review indicate that this claim is also not supported by the available evidence. Lead author, PhD student Melissa Melville (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences), said: “Across the globe, dementia disproportionately affects women, even after accounting for women’s longer lifespans, so there’s a pressing need to understand what might be driving that risk, and to identify ways to reduce women’s risk of dementia. “Menopause hormone therapy is widely used to manage menopausal symptoms, yet its impact on memory, cognition and dementia risk remains one of the most debated issues in women’s health. Conflicting research and concerns about potential harms have fuelled public and clinical debate, leaving women and
clinicians unsure whether menopause hormone therapy might raise or reduce their risk of dementia.” The international research team, based in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia and China, pulled together the best evidence on any potential links between menopause hormone therapy and dementia risk (including Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia), which included one randomised controlled trial and nine observational studies, with a total of 1,016,055 participants. They found no significant association between menopause hormone therapy and the risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Additional analyses of subgroups within the study participant pools, based on timing, duration and type of menopause hormone therapy, still did not reveal any significant effects. They found no evidence that menopause hormone therapy affected dementia risk after early menopause. The researchers caution that their findings are limited by the scarcity of relevant randomised controlled trials, and that a lot of the evidence is of relatively low certainty. They say there remains a need for highquality, long-term research, particularly in women from ethnic minority backgrounds or with early menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency, or mild cognitive impairment. Senior author Professor Aimee Spector (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) said: “Currently, the World Health Organisation provides no guidance on menopause hormone therapy and cognitive outcomes, leaving a critical gap for clinicians and policymakers. To cut through the noise, we reviewed the most rigorous research there is on the subject and found that menopause hormone therapy does not appear to impact dementia risk either positively or negatively.” “This review will help to inform the upcoming WHO guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, which are expected to be released in 2026. “More high-quality, long-term research is still needed to fully understand the long-term impacts of menopausal hormone therapy.”
Sale Care Manager Highly Commended At Stars Of Learning Disabilities & Autism Kimberley Douglas, registered manager at Beckdale House in Sale, part of Milewood, has been highly commended in The Amazing Manager Award (North) at the inaugural Stars of Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards. Held to recognise and celebrate excellence across the Learning Disabilities and Autism sector, the ceremony brought together outstanding professionals from across the country. The event was hosted by Traitors star and Mencap Ambassador Alexander Dragonetti, who presented the awards in front of sector leaders and colleagues. Kimberley, who placed second in a fiercely competitive category, was recognised for her exceptional leadership, dedication to her team, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people supported at Beckdale House. Local MP Mike Kane visited Beckdale for a tour, to meet staff and residents and congratulate Kimberley on her award.
Kimberley Douglas said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been recognised among so many inspiring people from our sector. This award is a testament not just to me, but to the whole team at Beckdale House. Their passion, resilience and commitment to the people we support is what makes our service truly special.” Martyn Heginbotham, chief executive of Milewood, said: “Kimberley represents everything that great leadership in our sector should be. Her professionalism, compassion, and drive to deliver outstanding support has transformed Beckdale House. We are delighted to see her recognised and we are immensely proud of her highly commended placing at the very first Stars of Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards.” Beckdale House provides personalised care and support for adults with learning disabilities, with a strong emphasis on independence, community involvement, and improving quality of life.
Care Inspections UK: Professional, Independent, and Comprehensive In today’s highly regulated health and social care environment, providers face the dual challenge of ensuring compliance while striving to deliver safe, high-quality, and commercially sustainable services. Care Inspections UK Limited (CiUK) has emerged as a trusted partner in this landscape, providing a professional and independent inspection service that goes beyond the standard requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), The Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and the Care Inspectorate (Scotland), collectively “The Inspectorates” What sets CiUK apart is its status as a registered inspection body, operating with the highest levels of professionalism and governance. This official recognition imbues care providers with confidence that inspections are carried out with rigour, objectivity, and an unwavering focus on evidence. Every report is underpinned by validated, research-based methodology, ensuring the outcomes are credible, balanced, and practical.
BEYOND CQC/ CIW/ CI STANDARDS While CQC/ CIW/ CI inspections focus on fundamental areas such as safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, and leadership, CiUK’s approach extends further. Each CiUK inspection covers all the domains CQC/ CIW/ CI would expect, but also incorporates additional layers of analysis essential for continuous improvement. This Includes: • Operational risk management involves identifying risks before they become incidents, reducing exposure for service users and providers. • Quality enhancement: Assessing opportunities to raise standards in care delivery, staff engagement, and governance. • Commercial sustainability: Offering insight into how operational practices influence financial performance, helping providers balance compliance with business viability. The result is an inspection report that is not only regulatory-ready but also a strategic tool for improvement.
A PROFESSIONAL AND INDEPENDENT EYE Professionalism is at the heart of CiUK’s ethos. Inspections are conducted by highly experienced professionals who bring frontline expertise from clinical, managerial, and governance roles in the care sector. This depth of knowledge allows CiUK to deliver meaningful feedback that resonates with staff at every level, from frontline carers to boardroom directors. Independence is equally vital. As an external registered inspection body, CiUK reassures providers that its findings are unbiased and transparent. In a sector where credibility matters, this impartiality is invaluable in preparing for CQC inspections and demonstrating accountability to commissioners, investors, and the wider community.
DRIVING IMPROVEMENT AND REDUCING RISK
Care providers today operate in an environment of heightened scrutiny and rising expectations. CIUK’s inspections do more than highlight compliance gaps; they provide a clear roadmap for reducing risk, enhancing quality, and driving organisational improvement. By identifying weaknesses early, providers can take corrective action before issues escalate. At the same time, CiUK’s focus on strengths and opportunities supports a culture of positive development. This balanced approach ensures that inspection outcomes are constructive, not punitive, fostering continuous organisational improvement.
SUPPORTING COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE
One of the most overlooked aspects of care provision is its commercial dimension. Poor compliance and weak governance inevitably carry financial consequences, from reputational damage to contract loss. CiUK recognises this and integrates commercial insight into every inspection. CiUK helps providers achieve operational excellence and commercial resilience by aligning care quality with business performance.
THE CIUK DIFFERENCE
Choosing Care Inspections UK Limited means selecting a partner committed to professionalism, independence, and comprehensive excellence. CiUK inspections do more than prepare organisations for regulatory visits—they empower providers to deliver safer, higher-quality care while protecting their reputation and commercial future. CiUK delivers evidence-based assurance and actionable insight for providers who want more than compliance.
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AI in Residential Care: Promises and Pitfalls Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life and many residential care services are beginning to explore how it could support better care. When used responsibly, AI has the potential to reduce administrative pressure, give teams faster access to information and help staff make more informed decisions. But like any new technology, it requires careful planning, clear safeguards and open conversations with residents, families and colleagues. At a recent roundtable hosted by Casson Consulting and the Access Group, care providers and digital specialists reflected on some of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The discussion echoed what we at Digital Care Hub hear from providers across the country. There is enthusiasm about using AI to free up staff time, improve consistency and spot risks earlier. Practical examples include tools that help identify trends in care records, digital assistants that help staff find policies quickly and early exploration of companion technology that could complement activity programmes. As Hallmark Luxury Care Homes noted, the aim is not to replace staff but to support them with the right information at the right time . Any use of AI in care relies on trust. Residential care is built on strong relationships, so residents, families
and staff must feel confident about why AI is being used and how their information is being protected. Katie Thorn, from Digital Care Hub and the Oxford Project: The Responsible Use of Generative AI in Care, highlights the importance of involving people at every stage. This includes explaining what a tool does, how decisions are made and how staff will continue to use their professional judgement. A key theme from the roundtable, and from our wider work, is the need to recognise the limitations of AI. These systems can reflect the biases in the data they are trained on, so staff should be supported to question outputs rather than assume they are always correct. Good training, clear policies and safe channels for raising concerns are essential. Sharing examples where AI has not worked well is just as important as sharing successes. This helps the whole sector build confidence and avoid repeating mistakes. Introducing AI into a residential care setting is not about rushing. It is about moving safely and purposefully. With the right digital foundations, strong governance and meaningful involvement of residents and colleagues, AI can become a valuable support for thoughtful, person-centred care. For further information on Digital Care Hub and how they can help you, see the advert on page 37.
Best-Selling Author Peter James Becomes Ambassador Of Guild Care Internationally best-selling crime writer Peter James is lending his “It is clear that staff and volunteers are committed to reducing lonelisupport to Worthing’s trusted social care charity, Guild Care, by becomness and social isolation among older people, which sadly affects so ing an ambassador. many people in society today. Loneliness can have a severe impact on Peter James is one of the UK’s most successful authors. He has writboth physical health and happiness, especially in our later years. ten 42 novels, including the hugely popular Detective Superintendent In his role as Ambassador, Peter James will help raise awareness of Roy Grace series, which has sold over 23 million copies worldwide, the charity’s work as it responds to growing demand for social care and achieved 21 consecutive Sunday Times number one bestsellers, and community support services, helping older people to live safe, fulfilling, been adapted into the hit ITV drama ‘Grace’, as well as seven hugely and secure lives. successful stage plays. Her Majesty Queen Camilla has named Roy “I have seen this charity’s effectiveness first-hand, heard about its Grace as her favourite fictional detective. plans to help even more people, and felt the warmth of the community Born in Brighton, Peter James has strong links to Sussex and a long around it,” said Peter. “It is a privilege to lend my support to Guild Care history of supporting charitable organisations in the region. His decision and to help raise awareness of its valuable work.” to become an ambassador of Guild Care reflects his commitment to supWarren Fabes, CEO of Guild Care, added, “We are both honoured and Peter James at the Göteborg Book Fair 2025 - Credit: Johan porting local communities and improving quality of life for older people. delighted that Peter has agreed to become an Ambassador for Guild Jönsson, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Peter James said, “I am proud to be supporting Guild Care as an Care and grateful for his involvement with driving our mission forward Alike 4.0 International license ambassador. Supporting charities is something I believe in passionately, here in Worthing. especially local charities which reflect my interests. Guild Care is an “As one of the country’s most successful authors, we look forward to exceptional Worthing charity that has been making a real difference in the local community for nearly 100 working with him to highlight the widespread benefits of creating a community where nobody feels. years. isolated.”
Can You Afford Not to Have a Mobii? How technology-driven engagement is boosting morale, staff retention, and wellbeing in UK care homes. In today’s social care environment, the pressures on providers have never been greater. Rising costs, recruitment uncertainty, and increasing expectations from families and the CQC are leaving many care homes stretched thin. Yet, amid these challenges, one innovation is quietly reshaping daily life for both staff and residents - the Mobii Interactive Projection System from OM Interactive. Drawing on OM Interactive’s 2025 Nationwide Survey of care professionals, The Mobii in Care: Executive Insights 2025 reveals powerful evidence that interactive technology can do more than engage - it can rebuild morale, reduce workload, and help care teams deliver the quality of care they aspire to.
LIFTING MORALE AND STAFF RETENTION ACROSS CARE TEAMS
Care work is among the most rewarding professions, but it is also one of the most emotionally demanding. Many care teams report that introducing the Mobii has brought back a sense of joy, pride, and connection to their daily work. “Staff feel able to offer a more meaningful experience for service users,” says Marion Hunt, Advanced OT/Sensory Lead at The Hatherton Centre, MPFT. That feeling matters - because it directly supports staff retention and resilience. When staff see residents light up with engagement, they’re reminded why they chose care in the first place. Most managers surveyed said the Mobii has made a positive difference to staff workload, reducing stress and freeing up time to focus on genuine interaction. “It’s very easy to set up and use, which frees up the team’s time to spend more time engaging in a group activity,” shares Celia Milton, Activity Champion at Anchor’s Limegrove Care Home. For carers, it’s not just about having a new tool - it’s about having something that makes their day feel easier, more purposeful, and more connected.
ENHANCING WELLBEING FOR RESIDENTS AND STAFF
The impact on residents is equally remarkable. An overwhelming 90% of care homes said the Mobii has enhanced wellbeing and engagement for both residents and staff. Through light, sound, and movement, it brings interactive experiences directly onto any surface - sparking laughter, movement, and conversation. “The residents who would seem lethargic and unalert would be revived when the therapeutic games are played,” explains Carolyn Weisey, Activities Coordinator at St Annes Care Home. Even residents living with advanced dementia have shown renewed participation. “Increased participation, especially from our residents living with more advanced dementia,” adds Celia Milton. For many homes, this shared experience creates a calmer, happier environment - one where relationships thrive, and residents and carers alike feel more connected.
SUPPORTING CQC EXCELLENCE
In a sector where inspections and accountability are central, the Mobii also provides measurable support for achieving CQC excellence. Homes using the Mobii report improved outcomes within the “Caring” and “Responsive” categories - both areas where person-centred engagement is critical. “It can be used for person-centred activities as there is something to suit all needs - and CQC love that,” says Colette Yuksel, Activities Coordinator at Stocks Hall Nursing Home Burscough. This ability to provide inclusive, evidence-based engagement demonstrates a home’s commitment to meaningful care - something inspectors, families, and staff all value highly.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
With the upcoming Immigration Bill expected to limit access to overseas care workers, providers across the UK face mounting pressure to retain and support their teams. Recruitment challenges, rising agency costs, and burnout are creating a perfect storm - one that demands creative, proactive solutions. The Mobii offers exactly that. It simplifies activity planning, empowers staff to deliver more meaningful sessions, and helps build a workplace culture centred on pride, teamwork, and connection. As Katherine Huntley, Activities Lead at Dewdown House, puts it: “Staff love playing with this alongside the residents - it really helps with bonding.” Real-World Results from UK Care Providers The survey findings speak for themselves: • 94% said the Mobii enables more quality time with residents. • 89% saw improved mood and interaction. • 81% reported enhanced wellbeing and engagement. • 90% saw improved memory recall. • 93% would recommend the Mobii to other care providers. These numbers reflect what many care professionals already see every day - a calmer, happier, more connected environment where both residents and carers can thrive.
TECHNOLOGY WITH HEART
As social care continues to evolve, the most successful innovations will be those that combine practicality with compassion. The Mobii proves that technology doesn’t have to replace the human touch - it can enhance it, helping carers do what they do best: connect, comfort, and care. For care providers looking to strengthen staff wellbeing, enrich residents’ lives, and demonstrate excellence to the CQC, the question isn’t whether they can afford to invest in engagement technology. It’s whether they can afford not to. For more information or to book a demo, visit omi.uk/care, call 01442 215555, or email care@omi.uk.
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Scotland’s Local Government Body Calls for Immediate £750 Million Social Care Cash Injection COSLA, the voice of Local Government in Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to provide a £16 billion boost in revenue in the Scottish Budget, to secure fair and sustainable funding for councils, which includes an immediate £750 social care cash injection. A demand for an£844 million general capital settlement has also been requested, plus a restoration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to £955 million, to maintain, repair, expand and secure the future of Council estates. COSLA has launched a lobbying campaign urging the Scottish Government to use the upcoming Scottish Budget to provide councils with the fair, sustainable and multi-year funding needed to protect essential local services. The campaign – ‘Strong Councils, Strong Communities’ – highlights growing pressures facing local government and the very real consequences of continued underfunding for communities across Scotland. The financial pressures in social care and housing are two key areas COSLA are asking the Scottish Government to specifically address in their upcoming budget. COSLA warns that without urgent action in January’s Budget, councils will be unable to maintain essential services such as social care, education, housing support, roads, and community safety. COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Ricky Bell, said: “Scotland’s councils deliver the services that people rely on every single day — from caring for older and vulnerable people to keeping schools open, streets safe and communities thriving. Councils are facing greater demand than ever and are required to do
more with significantly less. This is unsustainable. “The upcoming Scottish Budget is a pivotal moment. The Scottish Government must deliver a settlement that matches the scale of the challenge. Without fair funding, communities will see services reduced and inequalities deepen, and we will struggle to meet national targets in key areas such as child poverty, housing, and net zero” This year, councils continue to face rising inflation, increasing demand for services, and the continued impact of workforce pressures across social care and education. COSLA’s analysis shows that even maintaining current services requires substantial additional investment. As a fair and sustainable overall financial settlement COSLA’s key asks from the campaign include: • An immediate £750m investment in social care. • Flexibility for councils to make local decisions that respond to community needs. • Recognition of local government as an equal partner in delivering national priorities and tackling inequalities. COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, added: “Councils work tirelessly to deliver for Scotland’s communities, however, continued pressure on resources makes this increasingly challenging. “This is about safeguarding what matters most, support for the most vulnerable, opportunities for young people, support for families, and safe, thriving communities. We hope the Budget will reflect the vital role Local Government plays in Scotland’s public services.”
New Data Shows NHS Staff Pulled Out All The Stops To Keep Care Going During Previous Strikes Responding to NHS England’s data showing the impact of the latest round of resident doctor strikes, Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said: “This round of industrial action has been one of the most challenging for NHS staff due to the combination of rising flu levels, high staff sickness, ongoing pressures and planned annual leave. It’s also adding to the financial pressure the NHS is under as it costs over £200m each time to manage the strikes. “Despite the costs and the extra work involved in terms of planning for and managing industrial action, it’s reassuring that the NHS has weathered the storm of these walk-outs. While thousands of tests, appointments and operations were cancelled, the NHS managed to keep the majority of services running. NHS leaders and their teams should also be praised for managing to get so
many patients home for Christmas despite the early surge in flu cases. “But the NHS is not out of the woods yet and the impact of these strikes will continue to be felt well into the new year. Appointments and operations will need to be rebooked and staff who filled rota gaps will need time off, while the pressure from flu and other winter viruses is likely to continue. “This industrial action must not continue into 2026 using up scarce resources and impeding the progress needed to make inroads into reducing NHS waiting lists. The government and BMA must resume talks as soon as possible – through mediation if needed – and find a long-term solution to bring this to an end.”
Fast-track Care Home Bathroom Upgrades: How Spring Grove Achieved Stylish Wet Room Refurbs in Just 1.5 Days Each When Spring Grove Care Home in Hampstead undertook a major wet room refurbishment programme, the challenge wasn’t just to modernise. It was to do so without disrupting the daily lives of residents. With 46 en-suite bathrooms to upgrade, traditional tile-based installation methods posed clear limitations: long downtime, specialist trades, and significant disruption. Springdene Group, which operates the care home, turned to Multipanel, the UK’s leading bathroom wall panel brand. Its rapid-installation system enabled each bathroom to be completed in just 1.5 days. For care home operators and specifiers working in live environments, that turnaround is more than a number. It is a strategic advantage.
THE INSTALLATION CHALLENGE IN LIVE CARE SETTINGS
Spring Grove is home to residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Routine and consistency are essential in this setting. In any live-in care environment, prolonged bathroom refurbishments can be distressing for residents and difficult to manage operationally. The key to Springdene’s approach was finding a wall surface solution that delivered on performance, appearance and speed. Tiling was ruled out early in the process due to the disruption it causes. Long curing times, noisy wet trades and ongoing grout maintenance were all barriers to efficiency. In contrast, Multipanel’s wall panel system provided a fully waterproof, grout-free alternative that could be installed quickly by a team of multi-skilled tradespeople. Each bathroom was completed in just 1.5 days from start to finish, allowing entire floors to be refurbished in a matter of weeks rather than months. This helped keep disruption to a minimum, allowing residents to stay in their rooms or return swiftly.
COMBINING SPEED WITH STYLE
For Springdene, speed was only one part of the equation. The visual appearance of the finished bathrooms also played a crucial role. The team was keen to avoid the clinical or institutional look often associated with healthcare environments. Instead, they wanted a modern, hotel-style aesthetic that felt calm, comfortable and familiar. Multipanel’s tile-effect panels provided the perfect solution. With clean lines and smooth, gloss surfaces, the panels helped create stylish bathrooms that felt bright and contemporary. The result was a space that improved the daily experience of residents and supported a high standard of living. “Mutipanel allows the care home to move away from an institutional aesthetic without compromising on hygiene or durability,” said Jamie Sandilands, Specification Sales Director at Grant Westfield, manufacturer of Multipanel. “The installation speed surprised even experienced contractors on-site. Being able to complete each bathroom in just 1.5 days is a game-changer for care home refurbishment projects.”
INCLUSIVE DESIGN AND LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE Beyond speed and style, the refurbishment also had to meet the requirements of inclusive design. Each bathroom needed to be safe and accessible for users with a range of mobility and cognitive needs. Slip-resistant vinyl wet room flooring was combined with Multipanel’s waterproof wall panels to create level-access, easy-to-navigate spaces. The design meets both Lifetime Homes and accessibility standards, ensuring long-term safety and usability. Multipanel panels also reduce long-term maintenance. With no grout and a smooth surface, they are simple to clean and resistant to mould or moisture ingress. This minimises the time staff spend on repairs or deep cleaning, allowing them to focus on care delivery.
FROM TRIAL TO ROLL-OUT
The project began with a free trial bathroom installation, provided as part of Multipanel’s specification support. This included complimentary product supply, installation and onsite training led by a trained installer. The trial gave Springdene the chance to evaluate the product in real conditions and train their trades team at the same time. Following its success, 12 rooms were refurbished, with a further 12 scheduled. The group is now planning similar upgrades across its other care homes, Springview in Enfield and Spring Lane in Haringey, covering nearly 120 rooms.
SUPPORTING SPECIFICATION GOALS
For architects, developers and specifiers working in healthcare, retirement living and supported housing, Spring Grove’s approach offers a proven model for fast, specification-led refurbishment. Multipanel panels are five times quicker to install than traditional tiles. Their 30-year warranty, FSC certification and EPD credentials make them suitable for projects with performance, compliance and sustainability targets. As the care sector continues to face rising demand and operational pressure, solutions that combine design, efficiency and compliance are increasingly important. “The Spring Grove project is proof that you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics or performance to gain speed,” said Jamie Sandilands. “Our approach allows specifiers to deliver contemporary, durable bathrooms that work for everyone - residents, staff and operators alike.”
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF
Multipanel’s Free Trial Scheme allows care providers and specifiers to experience the installation, performance and support service first-hand before committing to a full rollout. For more information, visit www.multipanel.co.uk or contact the specification team to discuss upcoming projects. 0131 290 286.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 29
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Adaptations Budgets Optimised with Extended Recycling Capability Home adaptations teams have a unique tool to help expediate fast, efficient aids to help people be safe at home. The number of, and wait time for, adaptations continues to grow, with stairs being the second most common hazard in the home. In conjunction with Occupational Therapists, AAT has developed its Universal Seat System for its brand-leading S-Max Sella stairclimber. The combination amplifies adaptations teams’ ability to optimise use of budgets- usually without even requiring DFG funding- to deliver a safe stairway transfer solution within days, by recycling (re-issuing) the equipment. The S-Max Sella provides a safe stair transfer solution in 99+% of cases which AAT assesses. The portable Class 1 Medical device certified kit requires no installation nor structural alteration to the home. The addition of the Universal Seat System means the Sella can be easily set up to ensure almost every potential user is safe and supported when using the Sella, irrespective of their physical and/or mental impairment. It is achieved without the need to purchase extra accessories. No other stairway transfer system offers such flexibility.
As part of the offering, AAT will also support the adaptation team in the assessment process, to ensure the relevance of the solution for the person, the occupation and the environment, and personally train the carer in the Sella’s safe operation. “We have numerous examples of community equipment services (eg Nottinghamshire & Nottingham City) now buying not just additional Sella stairclimbers, but Universal Seat Systems, to have in equipment stores ready to go, so they can quickly deliver a solution for a client,” says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director. “Even if it is a short-term solution whilst a larger and/or more permanent adaptation is undertaken, our Sella/Universal Seat System and re-issue capability gives a highly costeffective and fast way to manage the potential risk of someone falling on the stairs: a genuine adaptation without delay.” Full details of the Sella and Universal Seat System can be found on AAT’s website @ https://www.aatgb.com/s-max-sella/, where adaptations teams can also book a free, no obligation client assessment or team demonstration session.
Smart and Stylish: Consort’s PLSTiE Panel HipSaver Soft Hip Protectors Safe, Fan Heaters for Modern Care Environments
HipSaver Soft Hip Protectors protect the elderly and disabled people from fall-related hip fractures. Designed to protect elderly people from fall related hip fractures, HipSavers are a leading brand of soft hip protectors. Used in the NHS since 2002, HipSaver Soft Hip Protectors are user friendly, affordable and costeffective personal protective garments. Soft, comfortable, effective and compatible with incontinence protection, HipSaver Soft Hip Protectors are perfect for use in care homes and by elderly people living independently. HipSavers should be worn day and night for 24 hour protection and especially during physical and recreational activities, when accidental falls, slips and trips can lead to hip fractures.
Available as comfortable underwear or long casual pants in several sizes for men and women, HipSavers feature soft protective airPads permanently sewn into the garments over the hip areas prone to injuries and fractures. HipSaver TailBone models have an additional protective airPad over the coccyx on lower back for protection during swaying, accidental knocks, bumps and backward falling. Machine washable at high temperature and tumble drier friendly, HipSavers are practical, hygienic and durable. HipSaver Soft Hip Protectors - affordable protective garments for the elderly and disabled people! For more information, contact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 - www.win-health.com See the advert on page 3 for further products.
Consort’s PLSTiE range of Low Surface Temperature (LST) fan heaters offers a safe, efficient, and modern heating solution. They are designed for environments where safety and comfort are paramount. With a maximum surface temperature of 43°C, these heaters adhere to the NHS Estates Health Guidance Notes standards, making them suitable for use in hospitals, care homes, schools, and nurseries. The PLSTiE heaters are equipped with features such as intelligent fan control, open-window detection, and quiet operation, all of which contribute to
energy efficiency and comfort. Slim and splash-proof (IP24), they combine safety, performance, and flexible installation for various interiors. The PLSTiE WiFi models connect directly to the Consort Connect app, allowing remote control, scheduling, and energy monitoring. BIM downloads for the PLSTiE range are available on the Consort website and NBS Source for specification convenience. 01646 692172 | sales@consortepl.com | www.consortepl.com See the advert on page 4 for further information.
Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce Blue Rain Activity Store the Risk of Cross Infection At Blue Rain, our mission is simple: to provide everyday activity products that spark joy and enrich lives — whether for those who need a little extra support, a burst of motivation, or simply a reason to have fun. We take pride in listening to our customers, understanding what truly matters to them, and sourcing or creating products that meet those needs perfectly. Many of our items are available as ready-to-go activity kits and bundles — complete with everything you need — so
you can skip the preparation and focus on the joy of the moment. As Blue Rain Activity Store continues to grow, our heart remains the same: creating meaningful moments of happiness, connection, and creativity for people of all ages and abilities. From rainy-day craft sessions to sunny outdoor adventures — or simply time spent together — we’re here to make every experience easy, special, and unforgettable. See the advert on page 6 for further information.
Repose Furniture Specialist Seating Solutions Repose Furniture is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of bespoke seating solutions, with a reputation built on craftsmanship, innovation, and a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for its customers. Established in 1999 and based in the West Midlands, the company has grown from a small family business into a trusted supplier to both the domestic and healthcare markets. Every chair produced by Repose is handmade in the UK, with an emphasis on quality, durability, and comfort, ensuring that each product meets the specific needs of its user. Whether for home use or demanding healthcare environments, Repose combines skilled upholstery techniques with modern engineering to create chairs that provide postural support, pressure management, and ease of use. Their wide product portfolio includes rise and recline chairs, hospital and care home seating, bariatric solutions, and specialist products designed to address particular medical and lifestyle needs. An essential element of their offering is flexibility: customers can choose from a range of back styles, seat cushions, mechanisms, and fabrics, allowing each chair to be tailored to the individual. Interchangeable parts mean that a chair can adapt as a user’s requirements change, extending the product’s longevity and ensuring value for money. The healthcare sector is a particular area of expertise for Repose. They strive to design chairs that balance comfort with clinical functionality. Features such as tilt-in-space mechanisms, adjustable cushioning, and pressure relief options make their healthcare seating particularly suited to long-term use in hospitals, hospices, and
Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry. Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are, more importantly, built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers, and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning, training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem. As a result, a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market, including antimicrobial technology. Angloplas’ range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first proven
Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas. This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product, reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99.99%. For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags. You can order Angloplas products directly from its website at www.angloplas.co.uk See page 4.
Serve in Style with Euroservice
Watch your resident's eyes light up when the trolley arrives! Euroservice trolleys can also be used as a vending trolley or to sell personal care products to residents. How about a delicious snack/pastry trolley or even a drinks trolley for that afternoon tipple? Your lovely trolley could do so much for you and your residents! Visit the website at www.euroservice-uk.com to see the full range. See the advert on page 9 for further information.
care homes. The company’s bariatric range demonstrates the same careful attention to detail, offering robust yet comfortable solutions for larger users. While customisation is the centre of the Repose offering, they also recognise the urgency often faced in healthcare settings. To address this, Repose have developed their Healthcare Express Chairs, designed to deliver high-quality healthcare seating at speed. The models in this range can be despatched within just five working days. The Multi Bari Express and bestselling Boston Express, for example, are available on this five-day lead time, offering care providers a rapid solution without sacrificing quality or functionality. For less specialist needs, some homecare models are even available on faster turnaround times, demonstrating Repose’s ability to balance responsiveness with craftsmanship. Repose’s reputation is further reinforced by its after-sales support, 5-year manufacturing warranty, and commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. With a UK-based factory, a dedicated distribution network, and close relationships with healthcare professionals, the company continues to be a trusted partner in multiple sectors throughout the country and beyond. In combining bespoke design with reliable express options, Repose Furniture stands out as a manufacturer that truly understands the diverse needs of its customers. For over 25 years, it has delivered not just chairs, but comfort, dignity and independence — values that remain at the core of everything it does. For further information, see the advert on page 25 or visit www.reposefurniture.co.uk
PAGE 30 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
CATERING FOR CARE Guarding Against Malnutrition in Care Homes: Spotting Early Signs and Using Nutrition to Combat Frailty By Zoe Cottrell, registered dietitian, member of the British Dietetic Association and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council Malnutrition remains a significant issue in care homes, where the elderly are particularly vulnerable. As a registered dietitian working in the community and in hospital wards, often with elderly people who have experienced fall, I wish more people knew about the prevalence of malnutrition and how to combat it before they ended up in hospital. Recent statistics paint a stark picture: Around one in 10 people over the age of 65 are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition , and this figure rises alarmingly to 45% among those in their 90s. According to the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) , malnutrition costs the UK approximately £23.5 billion annually, with older adults being disproportionately affected. As the population ages, addressing malnutrition and its associated complications, such as frailty and sarcopenia, becomes ever more critical. By focusing on early detection and strategic nutritional interventions, including the use of protein, care homes can play a vital role in safeguarding the health of their residents.
®
ProSauce : The Future of Gravy In the world of care catering, gravy is often an after though – adding some flavour and moisture to food but it can be nutritionally empty. At ProSauce, gravy is the starting point for a quiet revolution. ProSauce Gravy is more than a condiment. It’s a nutrient-rich, flavourforward solution designed to meet the complex needs of care homes and hospitals. Developed by Stella West-Harling MBE, in conjunction with dietitians from the NHS and top UK universities, the gravy reflects lived experience and professional insight: meals should provide good nutrition and flavour, whilst being cost-effective. Crafted for operational ease, ProSauce Gravy is shelf-stable, easy to portion, and compatible with diverse dietary needs. It delivers 12g of plant-based protein per serving, whilst being gluten-free and nutrient dense. Whether served in or over meat, or plant-based dishes, it
SPOTTING THE EARLY SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION The first step in combating malnutrition is recognizing its early signs. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a valuable resource for this purpose, enabling caregivers to systematically assess the risk of malnutrition in residents by considering factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), unintentional weight loss, and the impact of acute illness on nutritional intake.
KEY EARLY SIGNS TO MONITOR: 1. Unintentional Weight Loss: A significant early indicator of malnutrition is unintentional weight loss. Regularly monitoring residents' weight and comparing it to previous measurements is essential. A loss of even 5% of body weight over a few months can signal malnutrition and warrants immediate attention. 2. Decreased Appetite: A reduced appetite is often a precursor to malnutrition. Residents may skip meals, eat smaller portions, or show a lack of interest in food. It's important to understand the reasons behind these changes, which could be linked to dental issues, depression, or medication side effects. 3. Physical Changes: Signs such as muscle wasting, thinning hair, dry skin, or dental problems may indicate nutritional deficiencies. These physical symptoms are often subtle but crucial indicators of potential malnutrition. 4. Fatigue and Weakness: Increased tiredness or difficulty performing daily activities can be related to inadequate nutrition. This could also signal the onset of sarcopenia, where the loss of muscle mass and strength makes everyday tasks increasingly challenging.
(CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE...) makes supporting nutritional goals easy in a way that is familiar to the diners. Early adopters are using ProSauce in care homes and hospices with feedback highlighting ease of use for kitchen staff and it’s cost effectiveness. With the additional protein in the gravy, chefs can use less meat in meals to reach the same nutritional standards, which in turn saves costs and improves the stainability credentials of the kitchen. In a sector defined by improving health and care, whilst managing increasing costs, ProSauce Gravy offers possibility. It’s a small change with big impact: maintaining flavour, supporting health, and reminding us that every meal is an opportunity to care. Visit the ProSauce website to order your free 20 portion sample box and experience how ProSauce Gravy can help transform mealtimes in care settings. www.prosauce.co.uk
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 31
CATERING FOR CARE Guarding Against Malnutrition in Care Homes: Spotting Early Signs and Using Nutrition to Combat Frailty (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE) THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN PREVENTING AND MANAGING FRAILTY Frailty, a condition characterized by decreased strength, endurance, and physiological function, is closely linked to malnutrition and is a major concern in care homes. Proper nutrition is key to preventing and managing frailty, particularly through the adequate intake of protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass and function.
STRATEGIES FOR NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS:
1. Prioritize Whole Foods: Ensuring a diet rich in whole foods is foundational. Protein-rich foods like eggs, lean meats, fish, dairy products, and legumes should be emphasized, as they not only support muscle health but also provide essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall well-being. 2.Incorporate Protein Supplements When Necessary: In cases where residents struggle to meet their protein needs through diet alone—perhaps due to a lack of appetite or difficulty chewing—protein powders or fortified drinks can be effective. These supplements can be easily added to meals, snacks, or beverages, ensuring that residents receive the protein they need without overwhelming them with large portions of food. 3.Distribute Protein Throughout the Day: Research shows that distributing protein intake evenly across all meals is more effective for muscle protein synthesis than consuming large amounts at a single meal.
Caregivers should ensure that residents receive adequate protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner to maximize the benefits for muscle maintenance and frailty prevention.
ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO ADEQUATE NUTRITION While boosting protein intake is essential, we should also address the barriers that may prevent residents from consuming enough nutrients. Factors such as taste preferences, difficulties with swallowing, or digestive issues can all impact nutritional intake. Caregivers should work closely with dietitians to develop personalized nutrition plans that accommodate these challenges, potentially incorporating protein powders and other supplements in palatable and easy-to-digest forms.
NUTRITION IS KEY TO INCREASING HEALTHSPAN Malnutrition in care homes is a pressing issue that requires vigilant monitoring and proactive management. While the numbers alone tell us the stakes are high, intervention is more than about reducing costs. The ability to stand up from a chair unaided allows our elderly residents independence. By spotting the early signs of malnutrition and implementing strategic nutritional interventions, caregivers can help prevent and manage frailty, significantly improving the quality of life for residents. By addressing malnutrition and frailty head-on, care homes can help residents not only avoid the adverse effects of these conditions but also thrive in their later years.
A New Approach to Nutrition Support in NHS Care Homes Disease-related malnutrition remains one of the most persistent challenges in UK residential and nursing care. It affects millions, increases vulnerability to illness, slows recovery, drives hospital admissions, and places strain on already stretched care teams. Yet despite the scale of the problem, the tools available to homes have not kept pace with the needs of increasingly complex residents. Hiquid Food, a Norwegian medical nutrition company, is entering the UK market with a clear mission: to make effective nutritional support simpler, more acceptable for residents, and easier for staff to deliver. Simple, seamless meal enrichment Many residents struggle to consume enough calories and protein, even with carefully prepared meals. Hiquid Food’s freeze-dried powders, made from organic whole foods, allow caregivers to enrich everyday dishes like porridge, soups, puddings, purees, and drinks. This discreet approach reduces refusals and preserves dignity, helping residents receive the nutrition they need through meals they already enjoy.
ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS WITH HIGH ACCEPTANCE
For individuals at greater nutritional risk, Hiquid Food offers compact, nutrient-dense oral nutritional supplements designed for those with low appetite or increased medical demands. They are easy to con-
sume, well tolerated, and provide balanced support in small volumes.
WHOLE FOOD GASTROSTOMY NUTRITION
For residents requiring enteral feeding, Hiquid Food’s whole-food gastrostomy products offer a gentle, reliable option created with a focus on tolerance, safety, and long-term stability. Better outcomes and operational efficiency Care providers face rising acuity and workforce pressure. Hiquid Food products reduce complexity through easy mixing, no additives, and no large volumes while supporting improved resident strength, immunity, and recovery. Better nutritional status means improved wellbeing and lower overall care costs. With long shelf-life, low weight, and high versatility, the products are also environmentally responsible and easily integrated into a wide variety of meals. As Hiquid Food launches in the UK through Food Untethered, they look forward to working closely with care homes, clinicians, and NHS commissioners to strengthen nutritional care in a practical, resident-centred way. For more information: contact@fooduntethered.com See the advert below for further information.
PAGE 32 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
TECHNOLOGY AND NURSE CALL SyndoraAlto Sets a New Standard for Connected Care Technology Care homes across the UK are transforming how they deliver care thanks to
For care providers not yet ready to replace their existing nurse call system,
SyndoraAlto, the newly rebranded name behind CHARIS, the UK’s most advanced digi-
AltoEnhance offers the perfect first step into digital care.
tal nurse call system.
Available from just £129.00 per month, AltoEnhance seamlessly connects to your
Fully supplied, installed, and maintained from just £6.40 per bed, per month, CHARIS
current nurse call system, bringing digital reporting, mobile alerts, and actionable
delivers smarter, safer, and more connected care through real-time alerts, mobile inte-
insights without the need for a full system upgrade.
gration, and intuitive smart displays that help staff respond faster when residents need
“Technology should make care easier, not harder,” says Louis Johnson, Managing
them most.
Director. “CHARIS and AltoEnhance connect people, information, and action empower-
Every CHARIS system comes fully inclusive with 15” smart displays, help buttons, pull
ing care teams to deliver truly person-centred care.”
cords, guaranteed radio coverage, and 24/7 UK technical support, all backed by
Meet the team & learn more at www.syndoraalto.com See the advert on the front cover for more information.
SyndoraAlto’s trusted installation and maintenance team.
Alarm Radio Monitoring - Wireless Nurse Call & Staff Alarm Systems Alarm Radio Monitoring is the market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke, end-to-end, wireless alarm systems and solutions for the healthcare, leisure, custodial and education industries. We have been providing wireless alarm and nurse call systems for over 30 years. Supplying care homes and hospitals with an essential lifeline that supports the delivery of outstanding care. We believe in excellence which translates into: Advanced Technology Industry-leading wireless alarm technologies and software Bespoke Solutions We design systems to your needs rather than your team having to work around
the system Innovative Design Pushing boundaries with the reliability that comes from decades in the industry Flexible Finance Options Ensuring organisations of any size can provide safety for their staff and clients 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year Service Your ARM service team is on hand, on the phone, on-site or return to base, whether you have a service contract or not For further information, see the advert below or visit www.arm.uk.com
Innovative Fall Prevention Solutions by Medpage: A Comprehensive Look Falls are a significant concern for vulnerable individuals, especially seniors and patients at risk. Medpage, a leader in assistive technology, offers a range of cuttingedge products designed to enhance safety and provide peace of mind for caregivers and families. Here’s an in-depth look at some of their standout solutions: MPRCG1 (2023) BED LEAVING DETECTION ALARM WITH CAREGIVER RADIO PAGER The MPRCG1 is a comprehensive system tailored for fall prevention in domestic, commercial, and NHS care settings. This all-inclusive kit includes a bed pressure mat sensor, a BTX21-MP alarm sensor transmitter, and an MP-PAG31 radio pager. The system is designed to alert caregivers when a patient leaves their bed, reducing the risk of falls. Key features include: • Wireless Alerts: Notifications are sent to the caregiver’s pager via tone or vibration. • Customizable Alarm Delays: Options for instant, 15-minute, or 30-minute delays. • Durable Design: Antimicrobial and disinfectant-resistant materials ensure longevity. • Ease of Use: Minimal installation required, making it user-friendly and portable. HDKMB2 HOSPITAL DISCHARGE KIT FOR FALLS RISK PATIENTS The HDKMB2 is a thoughtfully curated kit aimed at supporting patients transitioning from hospital to
home care. It includes essential tools to mitigate fall risks and promote recovery. This kit is ideal for caregivers seeking a comprehensive solution to enhance patient safety during the critical post-discharge period. CMEX-21 MULTI-PORT WIRELESS SENSOR INPUT EXPANDER FOR NURSE CALL CONNECTION The CMEX-21 is Medpage’s latest innovation, designed to integrate seamlessly with existing nurse call systems. This multi-port expander allows for the connection of multiple wireless sensors, enhancing the monitoring capabilities of healthcare facilities. Its versatility makes it a valuable addition to any care environment, ensuring timely responses to patient needs. RON-WC2 WATERPROOF DISABLED PULL CORD ALARM TRANSMITTER WITH WIRELESS ALARM RECEIVER The RON-WC2 is a robust solution for disabled individuals requiring immediate assistance. This waterproof pull cord alarm is ideal for use in bathrooms and other high-risk areas. Paired with a wireless alarm receiver, it ensures that help is just a pull away. (CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE...)
Wireless Nurse Call & Staff Alarm Systems Data Analysis software provides a full audit trail of events The all-new call logging software from ARM enhances the functionality of your care call system dramatically. • It can help you track the quality of your service to your residents. • It can help you demonstrate compliance with your aims and best practices, both to relatives and to authorities. • It can help you find bottlenecks in service provision, track staffing requirements, and allow you to ensure staff are meeting expectations. • Most importantly, it provides assurance that you know and can demonstrate what is happening in your care home.
The wireless ARM Nurse Call system has been developed over 30 years with both the client and user in mind. It enables staff to efficiently answer calls, making the
management of resources more flexible and provides the functionality you would expect of any nurse call system.
Call messages can be sent direct to staff to speed up response times and can also be integrated to work with smart phones & messaging.
The system is quick and easy to install and works wirelessly, using radio communication between both the call points and the system infrastructure.
Phone: 01568 610016 | Email: sales@arm.uk.com | Website: www.arm.uk.com
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 33
TECHNOLOGY AND NURSE CALL Courtney Thorne Leads the Way in Wireless Nurse Call Technology for UK Care Homes Courtney Thorne, a long-standing innovator in healthcare communication systems, is setting new standards in the care home sector with its advanced wireless nurse call technology—designed to improve resident safety, enhance staff efficiency, and support a more responsive care environment. With over 30 years of experience serving the UK healthcare market, Courtney Thorne’s systems are now trusted by thousands of care homes nationwide. Unlike traditional hardwired solutions, their wireless nurse call systems offer non-invasive installation, scalability, and smart analytics—making them ideal for both new builds and retrofit projects. “At the heart of our technology is the belief that better communication leads to better care,” says Graham Vickrage, Managing Director at Courtney Thorne. “Our wireless systems not only reduce response times but also empower staff with the tools they need to deliver safe, person-centred care.” Care providers are increasingly choosing wireless systems for their flexibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. With a full suite of accessories—including neck pendants, door monitors, fall detection, and
bed sensors—Courtney Thorne systems can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each home and resident. In an industry where compliance, safety, and staff pressures are always front of mind, Courtney Thorne provides more than just products—they offer ongoing support, training, and a commitment to innovation that helps care homes future-proof their operations. For more information or to book a free demo, visit www.c-t.co.uk or contact info@c-t.co.uk.
Innovative Fall Prevention Solutions by Medpage (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE) Features include: • Waterproof Design: Suitable for wet environments. • Wireless Connectivity: Reliable transmission to the alarm receiver. • Ease of Installation: Simple setup for quick deployment. WHY CHOOSE MEDPAGE? Medpage’s commitment to innovation and quality is evident in their product range. Each solution is designed with the user’s safety and convenience in
mind, making them a trusted choice for caregivers and healthcare providers alike. By investing in these advanced fall prevention tools, families and facilities can create safer environments for those at risk. Medpage continues to lead the way in providing practical, reliable solutions that make a real difference. For more information, visit Medpage’s official website or contact their team to explore these products further. Safety starts with the right tools, and Medpage delivers just that. www.easylinkuk.co.uk T: 01536 264 869
PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISERS
PAGE 34 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
TECHNOLOGY AND NURSE CALL Training, Routine & Flexibility: 3 Ways To Keep Gen Z Workers Young people only make up 11% of care workers. When they’re the ones to pick up the mantles left by 25% of the workforce likely retiring within the next 10 years… it isn’t the most comforting news, especially when the care sector is already stretched so thinly. We’ve previously discussed how you can attract the under-25s. But it isn’t just about recruiting young care workers. It’s about keeping them, too. Care can already be an overwhelming career. So, imagine what it’s like when you’re first experiencing it. A lot of young care workers are dropped into the deep end, especially if it’s their first job in the industry. Combine this with irregular, unsociable hours, and you have a recipe for burnout. So, what can you do to keep Gen Z in the care sector?
First: training. Despite qualifications, jumping into the real thing is something new entirely. Plus, since the typical care worker in the UK is aged 45, many vacancies are likely to be filled by those with extensive backgrounds in care. It’s possible, then, that more in-depth training could slip through the cracks for new carers. It’s easy to get swept up in the waves of care’s responsibilities, whether you’re used to it or not. Offering new hires more in-depth training, ongoing support, and perhaps even a mentor can help them stay afloat amongst the workload.
Next: regular shifts and flexibility. You may think routine and flexibility contradict each other, but they actually go hand-in-hand.
Burnout in shift work largely stems from poor work-life balance, resulting from staff having little to no control over when they work. Short notice of shifts, combined with irregular and unpredictable ones, leaves workers with a life revolving around work. Even for the biggest workaholics, having no time for a personal life doesn’t make for a healthy one. Providing enough notice for shifts allows your team to plan around them. Offering rotating schedules and shift patterns also makes hours more predictable, meaning staff can plan even further in advance. (It’s easier for you, too!) Things come up. Life happens. Ruling your rota with an iron fist gets you nowhere – apart from having unhappy staff. Flexibility is often misconstrued as spontaneity, but it instead gives staff a voice. Allowing staff to set availability and arrange shift swaps immediately gives them that control they were missing. You’ll agree that when you aren’t burned out or struggling with poor mental health, you’re better at, well, everything. You’re more productive, more motivated, and you care a lot more about what you’re doing. This is what Gen Z prioritises. For that, they’re given a bad reputation – just like care gets a bad reputation for a poor work-life balance. But that doesn’t mean the two can’t work together. By embracing what Gen Z prioritises, you’re not only attracting young care workers, but you keep them. Decades down the line, who knows, maybe they’ll be the ones retiring and passing the mantle down to their younger counterparts. www.rotacloud.com
Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions
Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years.
Floor sensor mat Wireless door/window exit alerts
FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR
TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR SENSOR PAD
Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions! Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers®. The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad. This results in less work for nursing staff, improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads. Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices. BENEFITS INCLUDE: Safer for patients; less work for staff Bed and chair pads available One monitor works with two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems A variety of options, including: Call button Pager
The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition. Our anti-bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad. Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside, in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering. An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors. FEATURES INCLUDE: Connects directly to most nurse call systems High Quality anti-bacterial Floor Sensor Pad Large Size Pad: Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm Options (sold separately): Anti-slip mesh for hard surface floors See the advert on this page for further details or visit www.fallsavers.co.uk.
www.rotacloud.com
PAGE 36 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
TECHNOLOGY AND NURSE CALL From Survival To Stability: Why Financial Health Is Key To Social Care’s Future Fran Kirke, VP of Care at OneAdvanced, discusses how financial pressures continue to challenge social care providers. Every day, care organisations are working tirelessly to deliver essential support in the face of growing needs and rising costs. However, too many providers are stuck balancing tight budgets, having ‘just enough’ to stay afloat. The hard truth is, just enough isn’t enough—not for the providers, not for the employees, and certainly not for the clients who depend on them. Rising operational costs—from wages and the Fair Pay Agreement to energy bills—compound historic underfunding and financial pressures. And demand for care continues to increase, creating a widening gap that organisations are often forced to fill with limited resources. Providers then end up in survival mode, unable to invest in improving their services for today and the future.
ty support often comes with layers of red tape. Managing aged debt and resolving invoicing errors take a significant amount of time that few organisations can spare. Regulation and compliance require meticulous reporting, and the sheer volume of admin work to manage all these leaves teams stretched thin. At the same time, there’s an expectation for providers to keep doing more. But without the right tools and systems in place, these compounded financial struggles threaten to overwhelm this indispensable sector.
PAVING A SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD Social care providers aren’t just keeping their organisations alive; they’re safeguarding the wellbeing of countless individuals and families.
THE NEED TO RETHINK FINANCIAL STABILITY
Providers need to be able to prioritise long-term financial resilience. And
Care providers need to have healthy finances in social care, and that doesn’t come at odds with delivering compassionate care. A financially strong organisation has the breathing room to improve services, retain employees, and innovate to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people they support. And having this financial security means providers can actually plan for the future rather than constantly reacting to the present.
part of this means having the tools—including robust financial management softwaresimplify manual processes, optimise resources, and reduce inefficiencies. By championing financial sustainability, we’re creating conditions where employees can thrive, where clients receive the quality of care they deserve, and where the sector can confidently meet future challenges.
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Find out more at: www.oneadvanced.com/ai
Social care organisations face a web of financial intricacies. Local authori-
See the advert on the back cover of this issue.
From Chaos to Clarity. Why Connected Care Software Matters For many care managers, a normal day looks like organised chaos. You start with care planning, then switch into scheduling. Finance needs attention. A medication update comes through. Audits are approaching. Each task lives in a different place. Another login. Another spreadsheet. Another hour lost. It is no surprise that so many feel stretched too thin. The challenge is not the work itself. Care managers are experts at ensuring people receive safe, person centred care. The problem is that many tools in use today simply have not kept up with the demands of modern care. Too often, care teams are asked to work across platforms that don’t speak to each other. Notes get duplicated. Information gets missed. Important changes take too long to reach the right person. This creates stress for managers and their teams. It also creates risk. But it doesn’t have to be this way. When information flows through one connected system, everything becomes clearer. There is one place to update, one record for the whole team to rely on, one view of the care being delivered across every visit or shift. Tasks that once took hours can be completed in minutes. Insights that once required detective work become visible instantly.
Celebrating 10 years of Innovation, Trust, and Quality everylifetechnologies.com/pass
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This is why more providers are turning to all-in-one care management platforms like PASS. With care planning, rostering, eMAR and finance in the same system, teams stay aligned and up to date. Real time records help reduce errors and support smoother inspections. Smart automation removes manual admin and frees up more time for face-to-face care. AI also plays a role. Not by replacing clinical judgement, but by helping care teams stay ahead of change. If something looks different in a note, or if patterns in data suggest a growing risk, the system can highlight it quickly for a manager to review. Technology becomes a helpful assistant, while care professionals remain firmly in control. Over 1,200 services across the UK are already benefiting from this clearer, more connected way of working. Many report stronger communication, improved compliance, and calmer days as a result. Care will always be complex. People have unique needs. Things change. But systems that support care don’t need to add to the chaos. When everything comes together in one place, focus can return to what matters most. Delivering outstanding care, every day. Learn more at www.everylifetechnologies.com
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 37
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Cyber Security in Social Care: Why Resilience Matters More Than Ever As cyber threats continue to rise across the UK, adult social care finds itself increasingly targeted. Phishing, credential theft, ransomware and supply-chain attacks now routinely affect small and medium providers, many of whom lack the internal infrastructure to respond. What was once an “IT issue” has become a board-level risk, capable of disrupting care delivery, compromising sensitive data, and jeopardising business continuity. Against this backdrop, the sector has made remarkable progress. Five years ago, only 13 percent of social care providers had completed the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Today, that figure has risen to more than 75 percent. This shift shows a growing recognition that cyber security isn’t optional – it is foundational to safe, high-quality care. At Digital Care Hub, we’ve learned that providers don’t struggle with willingness; they struggle with capacity. Many care organisations simply don’t have the time or expertise to produce robust cyber and data protection policies from scratch. That’s why one of the most transformative tools we’ve developed has been our Data Policy Builder. It allows providers to create clear, compliant, tailored policies, giving them a practical starting point for good governance and DSPT completion. For many services, it’s the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling in control.
But compliance is only the beginning. The next challenge for the sector is building true cyber resilience – moving from “ticking the box” to embedding safe digital practice into everyday operations. That means regular staff training, clear incident response plans, secure access controls, and awareness of evolving scams and threats. It also means understanding your digital supply chain and ensuring partners meet appropriate standards. The renewed government funding for Better Security, Better Care through to 2029 signals a long-term commitment to these priorities. It will support new voluntary cyber and data health checks, help providers navigate upcoming DSPT enhancements, and strengthen local support networks that have been vital in driving progress so far. But ultimately, resilience will be built provider by provider, through small, consistent improvements: policies that are actually used, staff who know what to do when something looks suspicious, and leaders who recognise that cyber security is now as essential to safe care as medication management or safeguarding. Social care has already proven how quickly it can rise to a digital challenge. The next four years offer an opportunity to turn that momentum into lasting, sector-wide confidence. For further information please visit https://digitalcarehub.co.uk/cyber-security
Rethinking Restrictive Practices: Improving Care Through Education Restrictive practices such as physical restraint, bed rails, or lap belts remain one of the most challenging aspects of health and social care. Intended to keep patients safe, they can also cause harm, distress, and loss of dignity when used unnecessarily. Across the UK, the principle is clear: care must always use the least restrictive option. Legislation provides the framework, but culture and staff behaviour shape daily practice. Nurses, carers, and clinicians often make quick decisions balancing safety with autonomy. Without training, restrictive practices risk becoming routine. To change this, staff need better understanding of the human impact and confidence to use alternatives. That’s where Restrictive Practice makes a difference. Developed through codesign workshops with patients and carers, this gamified e-resource gives a voice to those most affected by restraint. Their lived experiences shaped the learning, helping staff see restraint
not as a neutral safety tool, but often as something frightening or disempowering. The results are powerful. Staff trained with the resource led Quality Improvement projects, achieving measurable reductions: - Bed rails dropped from 360 to 277 incidents - Bed bumpers from 303 to 227 - Lap belt use halved, from 46 to 22 These improvements represent safer, more compassionate care and reassurance for families. Restrictive practices may never disappear entirely, but they should be the exception, not the rule. With the right knowledge and tools, staff can choose safer alternatives and build a culture of dignity, compassion, and respect across UK care services. See our advert on the front cover or visit www. RestrictivePractice.com
PAGE 38 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The Changing Rules of Sponsorship By Natasha Willett, Partner, Latitude Law (https://latitudelaw.com) A recent Home Office action against Burlington Court Care Home highlights how easily care providers can fall foul of sponsor licence rules. Even small administrative oversights, such as failing to report a change in ownership, can have serious consequences for both employers and their overseas staff.
2025 IMMIGRATION CHANGES AND THE CARE SECTOR While changes to the Immigration Rules are frequent (albeit not always groundbreaking), 2025 has shaped up to be a significant year for immigration changes, especially those aimed at the sponsored work sector. The need to reduce net migration continues to remain at the forefront of government policy making. The Immigration White Paper, published in April, signalled the end was coming for those looking to make applications as care workers outside the NHS, along with several other jobs deemed to be of lower skill level (most roles below RQF level 6 - graduate level). The White Paper also introduced other suggestions to further tighten up the rules including increasing the required English levels and even the qualifying
period needed to reach settlement. Those in certain care worker roles had already been barred from being able to sponsor dependants and care worker sponsors faced extra scrutiny when applying for and assigning certificates of sponsorship. In July 2025, some of the suggested amendments were implemented so that now only those who were already being sponsored in certain care roles or have lawfully been working with their employer for at least three months can apply for further permission as Skilled Workers. There is now a complete ban on recruiting new care workers from abroad. With many care worker sponsors having had their licences revoked in the last few years, there is already a large pool of workers who are at risk of having their leave curtailed. It is clear from changes made in 2024 that the government has been keen for existing sponsors to focus their recruitment efforts on these affected workers.
SPONSOR LICENCE COMPLIANCE: CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP RISKS Change of ownership has long been one of the biggest pitfalls for those holding a sponsor licence. It catches out both large corporations and small businesses alike. A sponsor may have all the necessary dayto-day policies in place for monitoring workers yet still fail to recognise the need for a new licence or transfer when there is a majority change in ownership. Often there is no change to the operational activities of the company nor the workers’ terms of employment, so sponsors blindly carry on without even considering the need for this to be reported to the Home Office. It was this exact scenario that Glasgow’s Burlington Court Care Home found itself in. There had been a change in majority ownership of
the company, and the workers had been transferred to the new employer under UK TUPE rules. Such action would prompt a new sponsor licence application, or transfer to the purchasing company’s sponsor licence, to be made within 20 working days of the transfer. Requesting that the existing sponsored workers have their sponsorship transferred is part of this process. It is understood that 15 sponsored workers have been affected by this change and face having their current permission curtailed for what, on the face of it, appears to be an administrative oversight. The Home Office has always taken the view that sponsorship is a privilege not a right and tends not to offer much flexibility or discretion when compliance duties are not adhered to.
COMMON REPORTING PITFALLS Even in cases where there is a change in minority ownership, it is still something which must be reported to the Home Office. Failure to report changes in company name and address are also routine acts which could result in compliance action being taken against a licence holder if not reported. Reporting failures have seemingly become so frequent that is has recently prompted the Home Office to issue a notice on its SMS message board to remind licence holders to regularly review and update details, including those for Key Personnel. Failing to change or deactivate Key Personnel when they leave a business is another common issue we see at Latitude Law.
KEY TAKEAWAY FOR CARE PROVIDERS The action taken against Burlington Court Care Home serves as a reminder to sponsors that if any changes occur – whether it be to the business or to a worker’s personal circumstances – this will probably require a report to the Home Office to stay compliant.
Competency That Builds Confidence: Blended Learning Designed for Real Care Competency assessment might not be anyone’s favourite phrase, but in domiciliary, residential, and specialist care, it is the backbone of safe, high-quality support. The challenge is making it genuinely useful, not just another hoop to jump through. Care staff need more than theory. They need time to learn, practise, and make mistakes in a safe environment before they are expected to apply new skills with real people. That is where a blended learning approach truly shines. High quality eLearning builds consistent knowledge. Virtual sessions keep teams connected and engaged. Face to face training gives carers the chance to try techniques, ask questions, and build confidence before working directly with residents
and service users in their homes or care settings. But learning does not stop in the classroom. Competency assessments in real care environments provide the feedback carers need to know they are using best practice techniques, communicating well, and delivering safe, person-centred care. It is the bridge between “I know it” and “I can do it.” This balance of learning plus real world assessment creates confident, capable staff who trust their own skills and feel supported rather than judged. Managers also get clear, reliable evidence for CQC and Skills for Care requirements without drowning in admin. At myAko, we have developed tools with our long term partners,
that make this process simple and sustainable. Better learning, better practice, better competency. It is a straightforward formula that leads to stronger teams and better outcomes for residents and service users. Because when staff feel skilled, supported, and confident, the quality of care speaks for itself. Kevin Ashley Founder I CEO myAko https://www.myako.online/
Blended learning that works for carers Training shouldn’t feel like an extra shift. myAko brings together digital learning, practical skills, and real-world support so carers can learn smarter, not harder. Built for busy days, unexpected days, and the days when the kettle breaks again.
You Deserve myAko. Find out more at myAko.online
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www.myAko.online hello@myAko.com 01202 283283
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 270 | PAGE 39
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Eden Alternative - It’s Time to Change the Way We Care "23 years, operating 4 Devon Nursing homes, has been pretty tough, as anyone in social care, knows, only too well. And if it was hard already, after 2024 budget, it's just got harder. Anyway, at heart, I am just customer of Eden Alternative, and it was a stroke of luck to come across this whilst on holiday in New Zealand in 2009. It started in USA in 1994 and now runs in 22 countries. The fact that I am now involved with this not-for-profit organisation (in the UK area) came about when one of the 2 main UK directors died suddenly just before Covid. But it's something I have run with for 11 years to help make 'vision' a reality, not a struggle. So, being both a customer and helping the admin seems quite natural. It is a modern philosophy of care, but moreover, it's a programme that is straight forward, tried and tested for 30 years and really works.
Its member care organisations generally become trainers for their own teams, and run it themselves. The programme is run in person over 2-3 days or online 1 hr a wk for 7 weeks. You choose. It addresses loneliness, helplessness and boredom and operates through 10 principles to underpin 7 critical domains of wellbeing. Moreover, it's effective, transformational and really works. As residents, and team members wellbeing, matter so much , it's a must, in my opinion. Geoffrey Cox Southernhealthcare.co.uk eden-alternative.co.uk"
CQC Compliance: The Importance of Up-to-Date Policies and Procedures In today’s regulated care environment, having clear, current, and wellcommunicated health and social care policies is essential for delivering safe, compliant services. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) now places increasing emphasis on how policies are implemented and understood—especially during registration and inspections. Outdated or poorly communicated policies can significantly impact your CQC rating. Even if documentation is comprehensive, failure to ensure staff understand and follow procedures may lead to a “Requires Improvement” or even “Inadequate” rating under the ‘Effective’ domain. Well-maintained policies promote consistent standards across care teams and help safeguard services when incidents arise. In regulatory investigations, the first request is often to review relevant policies—making accuracy and accessibility key to reducing legal and compliance risks. However, keeping policies up to date is challenging. Constant changes in legislation, best practice guid-
ance, and case law mean that policies can quickly become obsolete. W&P has been a trusted provider of CQC-ready care policies and procedures for over 20 years. Our expert team monitors industry developments to ensure your policies remain fully compliant. Our Online Policy Portal simplifies policy management. With just a few clicks, providers can update content, distribute documents to staff, track confirmations, and monitor compliance via a real-time dashboard. You can even provide temporary read-only access to inspectors—demonstrating transparency and accountability instantly. Ensure your care service meets CQC expectations with fully up-to-date, easily accessible, and well-communicated policies. Email: info@wandptraining.co.uk Call: 01305 767104 See the advert on page 2 for details.
Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance Global assists clients throughout the U.K. who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase, development and refinance. We have organised over £1.8bn for clients in the past 30 years, providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt, ease cashflow and develop businesses further. From helping clients make their first purchase through to allowing groups to grow significantly in size we
assist at every stage of your business expansion. Every proposal is individual and deserves to be treated that way, so we hope you will allow us to be of assistance to you and call us to chat through your plans and requirements, I am sure we will be able to tailor a facility to your requirements. Call us on 01242 227172 or e-mail us at enquiries@globalbusinessfinance.net