T H E P U B L I C AT I O N F O R N U R S I N G A N D R E S I D E N T I A L C A R E H O M E S
W W W. T H E C A R E R U K . C O M
The Carer Digital
THECARERUK
Issue 26
THECARERUK
Relatives of Care Home Residents to be Treated as Key Workers
Relatives of care homes residents could be treated as ‘essential workers’ and given regular tests to allow them to visit their loved ones more often, as part of a pilot scheme expected to will be launched in the near future. The new guidelines will see 30-minute visits extended to four hours and outdoor visits can be extended to include up to six visitors from no more than two households, including children and young people, for up to one hour per visit. Care Minister Helen Whately told the joint Science and Technology Committee and Health and Social
Care Committee she wants to facilitate visiting “but it must be safe”. Campaigners have been calling for a chosen relative to be given key worker status and regularly tested to make visits safer, amid concerns that isolation from loved ones is causing residents. In England the government’s winter plan for Covid19 currently recommends that visits to care homes are limited, however charity Age UK has warned that some residents in care and nursing environments are dying “of sadness” because they have been cut off
from the people they love for long periods of time. Ms Whately told MPs a new pilot scheme would examine to see if family members can be treated like key workers, including with regular tests, allowing them to enter homes more often. Asked about the proposals, which would apply to a named relative, Ms Whately said: “I am planning for us to launch a pilot on that shortly. I can't give you a date, but what I can say is we're moving forward with it and we are going to pilot it.”
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EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital! “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” ROSALYN CARTER
Editor
Peter Adams
Our front cover lead story is good news, and do we need some good news! It has taken a lot of effort and lobbying and praise must be given to those behind the scenes who took the government on and fought for the right family members to be treated as key workers. The stories regarding the impact isolation is having on residents and their families has been thoroughly heartbreaking, and in one article I saw a daughter say “my mum dying of a broken heart”. Another example was when a family were allowed a half-hour visit one member say goodbye to their dying grandfather. I think everybody acknowledges the government found itself in a very difficult place. The pandemic is unprecedented, and of course risk has to be managed. But we have, in recent months, seen the impact not being able to visit loved ones and loved ones not being
able to see family has had. So, I warmly congratulate health minister Helen Whatley for introducing the pilot scheme. I would also echo the calls by Independent Care group Chair Mike Padgham in his call for long-term “root and branch” reform to the sector. It continues to be the elephant in the room. Mike Padgham is correct when he describes the sector as: “Under-funded and neglected by government after government, coronavirus exposed a social care system that was already in crisis and plunged it into further despair.” I think that pretty well sums it up! The big concern however is the devastating impact the coronavirus is having on the wider economy. We publish a sister title for the hospitality and we have been reporting regularly the swathes of job losses in the hospitality and on trade, and as the country teeters on the brink of another total lockdown causing even more harm to the economy concerns are that reduced tax revenues will reflect in funding for an already underfunded sector. Once again, a big thank you to all the homes/agencies and staff who are continuing to send us some of the most uplifting and heart-warming feel-good stories. The care sector has risen to many challenges and the lockdown, with its isolation implications described above, has been a huge challenge for staff in raising spirits, keeping residents happy and motivated. We are delighted (as always) include some great initiatives, ideas, functions and events from homes around the country which are putting that little bit of cheer back into the residents lives so very well done! And as set out last week we are also delighted to bring back our “Unsung Hero” Award
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(see page 15). A small gesture on our part, but one we are delighted to say has always been really well received and appreciated within the sector. We are always overwhelmed with the uplifting nominations we receive for various people in various sectors of the industry, from manager, supervisor, care assistant, activities coordinator, chef, maintenance man, gardener, truly heartwarming nominations for people who have gone above and beyond their normal duties, which can sometimes go unnoticed, and we are delighted to occasionally step in with a “luxury 2 night break” in a choice of over 300 hotels! Don’t forget you only have until October 21 to nominate! So please do get your nominations in at nominate@thecareruk.com. We will be drawing a winner on Saturday October 24th. Say hello to some of our previous winners:
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 3
Relatives of Care Home Residents to be Treated as Key Workers (...CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER) Ms Whately added: “Visiting is incredibly important for residents and their families and care homes. I really want us to enable visiting but it must be safe. “I think you do have to recognise that should a visitor take Covid, they are not just endangering the individual they're visiting but actually it's very hard to control Covid within a residential setting.” Ms Whatley did however reject a similar call for residents to be able to make their own decisions about visits, saying “It's not as simple as just a sort of agreement between resident and visitor,” She also told MPs that under the winter plan, staff can now only work in one care home, in an attempt to curb the spread of infections. She told the Science and Technology and Health and Social Care committees the new rules were now "mandated" and no longer simply guidance. Welcoming the move Vic Rayner, Executive Director at the National Care Forum says:
“NCF, alongside a wide range of partners, have been calling for this since June. It has been highlighted in sector wide Visitor Protocols and members have been exploring how this can work in practice for some time. Research from the UK (LESS COVID: Learning by Experience and Supporting the Care Home Sector during the COVID-19 pandemic) and other countries (The impact of COVID-19 measures on well-being of older long-term care facility residents in the Netherlands, J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2020) has shown just how important it is for people’s health and wellbeing to enable visits. “The government must act quickly to move us to a place where this pilot comes into play, and we move to a situation across the country where the default assumption is that meaningful and regular visiting is a clear part of every residents care. For many, the decisions that are taken about visiting are life changing, and potentially life limiting. None of this is easy – but nothing that mattered ever was.” Kate Lee, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Care home visitor restrictions, while intending to prevent the spread of coron-
avirus, have sadly had cruel and tragic consequences. We’ve heard daily about the grief and despair of families via our Dementia Connect support line. "People’s loved ones with dementia have felt bewildered, abandoned and in many tragic cases, faded away from the lack of personalised care, understanding and love that only family members can bring. That’s why we’re delighted that the Government has listened to Alzheimer’s Society and other dementia charities, and announced a pilot scheme granting family carers key worker status. But ‘soon’ isn’t enough for people losing their partners, mums, dads and grandparents – we need the ‘when’ and the ‘where’, plus plans for national rollout. Time is of the essence. “Keeping coronavirus out of care homes has to remain an absolute priority, so these key family carers must get the regular testing and PPE they need to visit safely. This will give people with dementia better care and quite simply enjoyment of life that’s an essential right, while keeping them safe during the winter.”
LGA Responds to New Guidance for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Responding to the publication of updated government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-onshielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-1 9/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19 Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Protecting our most vulnerable people has been councils’ number one priority throughout this pandemic.
“We are all aware of the significant social, economic and wellbeing costs of higher restrictions placed on those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. “This updated guidance provides some much-needed clarity, particularly for people in areas with a higher rate of infection. Councils are keen to ensure that all those affected, their carers and employers are clear on what this means for them. “Councils have already proven during the first wave of this crisis that they can provide the extra help needed for those who have to shield and have no other means of support, including care, promoting well-
being and access to food and are prepared to step up again if required. “To help deliver this again in the second wave, councils need the necessary funding, data, information and personnel on the ground to inform and support their communities, alongside effective testing and contact tracing. “Councils also want to continue to work with government, to share their experiences and what local people are telling them, to support every vulnerable member of their communities.”
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How to Create a Covid-19 Specific Communications Plan for Your Care Home By Marta Kalas co-founder, www.thomsonscreening.com Care Homes have had a challenging time over the last few months, and with Covid-19 here to stay (at least for the foreseeable future), this has placed an extra burden on care home managers who need to keep abreast of every changing guidelines and regulations. The easiest way to deal with this is to create a ‘Covid-19 Business Toolkit’ to help you stay on top of the changes and actions you need to take. One aspect of this toolkit needs to be ‘communication’. Good communication means successful management. Let’s start with the basics. Any care-home communications plan needs to include the following characteristics: 1. Understanding your audience 2. Listening actively 3. Being clear about what you want to say (simply) 4. Using the appropriate channel(s) 5. Making sure your communication is timely. Before we take each of these values in turn and work through how they need to be adapted, let’s add one step, at the very beginning: know your trusted sources of information! The best sites to visit are the most important government websites. Check these regularly. Currently, there is so much conflicting, confusing or out of date information circulating, so go straight to the horse’s mouth; check the government websites first. • https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus • https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works#people-who-develop-symptoms-of-coronavirus • Office of National Statistics, Coronavirus Roundup https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19roundup/2020 -03-26 • Finding your local Health Protection Team: https://www.gov.uk/health-
protection-team • Moderate and high-risk factors: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-COVID-19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/ Now, let’s take a look at each step and how it needs to be adapted for Covid-19:
1. UNDERSTANDING THE AUDIENCE You will need to consider the different types of audience, from staff, to residents, from relatives to visiting professionals. Under the current circumstances people may be more sensitive to different types of communication, and this will not necessarily be along the lines you may expect. Essentially, we are talking about people’s ability to handle uncertainty and manage risk. Some people will be very risk averse, some will rely on science or authority, and some will be just the opposite. Your communications plan needs to be mindful of this and cater to the different needs of your different audience groups. It may need you to say the same thing from three different perspectives to cater to three different needs. The key to getting this right is understanding your audience and you can do this by listening actively.
2. LISTEN ACTIVELY You need to listen and hear what your audience or different groups in the audience (whether internal or external to the care home) are most concerned about. For example, is it rules around social distancing? or mask wearing? or visiting? You also need to demonstrate that you are listening, that the measures you are putting in place are to protect them and meet their needs. The actions you take need to be about them - and they need to understand that in your communications. Just acting, but not communicating, can lead to misunderstandings and a break-down in trust.
3. BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY You don’t want people to come to work if they have symptoms - so be clear about this and what they should do in that situation. Ensure that everyone has the contact details they will need, e.g. of their manager, if they are at home and can’t come to work. If you need visitors to wear a mask at all times, or only in certain areas - be clear about this. If areas within your care home are off limits, ensure they are obviously labelled. Above all, your communications need to be clear, simple and, if necessary, repetitive. Don’t assume just because you’ve said it once, everyone has heard it or taken it on-board.
Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms. And remember, this is not a time to be original or funny.
4. USE THE APPROPRIATE CHANNELS There are dozens of communications channels from your intranet to your website, from Twitter to WhatsApp, from newsletters to window signage. Choose the right platforms for the audience and message. Staff need different channels than residents who may need different channels than relatives. Make use of as many channels as you can and be consistent with your messages. Normally you'd be using a slightly different approach in each channel, but in your Covid-19 related communications, it is really important that there is no misunderstanding. Start by creating a list of all possible “channels”, and then use templates where possible as this will save time and keep the communications consistent. Ensure anyone involved communications (from PR to social media, from web editor, to marketing flyers, from poster designs to advertising) know what your Covid-19 messaging is and when and how to include it.
5. MAKE SURE YOUR COMMUNICATION IS TIMELY Things change fast or stay the same - which makes it very difficult to plan. You don’t want out of date information on any of your communications, and you want to be sure you are always in line with the most recent government or Public Health guidelines. Yet, you cannot spend every hour, every day, checking and updating everything. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use: In electronic communications (websites, newsletters, chats, etc.) use links directly to the relevant government websites. (see list above) Used shared file systems (e.g. Google Drive, One Drive or Dropbox) for templates and drafts Have a log of where these templates are used, to make sure you don’t miss one of them It is an extra few minutes to get everything in one place when you start, but it will pay dividends many times over when you suddenly need to change something. Once you’ve set everything up, it’s simple to set a weekly reminder in your diary, to check that everything is still correct and relevant; it’ll only take only a few minutes. So, when the Prime Minister announces a change or you get notified by your local public health representative, you will have everything in one place to update. Well done. Web: https://workscreener.com/covid-19-test-manager/
How To Prepare For a Flu and Covid Outbreak This Winter As the UK braces itself for a second wave of Covid-19 and a sharp increase in influenza cases expected this winter, Quality Compliance Systems (QCS) and the National Care Forum (NCF) have pooled their resources to create one of the most comprehensive guides of its kind for the care sector. With Covid-19 and flu likely to over-lap this winter, the 50-page document, entitled ‘Winter Ready’, has been specifically created to help care providers protect service users from hospitalisation, which
could in turn increase their risk of catching Covid-19. The guide, which was written in conjunction with members of the NCF, has been divided into four sections, entitled ‘Infection Prevention & Control’, ‘Planning & Supporting Safe Hospital Discharge’, Information & Technology’ and ‘Workforce Wellbeing’. The document is broken down into easy-to-read fact sheets, templates, infographics also includes benchmarking and audit tools, which not only provide care professionals with a picture of where they are, but, more importantly, it provides visibility as to where they need to be in order to manage the dual burden of winter flu and Covid-19. Damaris Daniels, Content Director at Quality Compliance Systems, says, “At QCS we apply a simple litmus test to each document we write. Firstly, it must put easily-digestible compliance tools in the hands of those who need them most. Secondly, any guidance we produce must list the policies and procedures in one place, so care providers can access them as and when they need to. We believe that
this expansive but highly accessible document passes the QCS test, and we hope that it provides care providers, charities – and everyone else connected to the sector - with the compliance platform they need to flourish this winter and beyond.” Vic Rayner, Chief Executive of the National Care Forum, adds, “Following the recent publication of the infection prevention and control document, this is the second major project we have collaborated on with QCS. We're very proud to have done so, as in the midst of all the challenges impacting on care providers, this step-by-step guide for all settings will be invaluable. In addition, not only does it equip care sector professionals with the ammunition to fight flu and Covid, but it’s also is a holistic guide, providing guidance around the mental and emotional wellbeing of service users and the workforce.” Access the guide here: https://www.nationalcareforum.org.uk/ncf-press-releases/howto-preparefor-a-flu-and-covid-outbreak-this-winter/
COVID-19: Life on the Frontline - Residents and Staff Discuss Impact of Pandemic at Royal Star & Garter A series of accounts looking at life in Royal Star & Garter’s three care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic have been published by the charity. The COVID-19: Life on the Frontline series features first-person accounts from residents and staff from the charity’s Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe Homes. Among those speaking are Surbiton residents Phyllis, a 98year-old WWII WAAF veteran, and ex-RAF Aircraftman Bernard, 92, who both overcame the virus. In Solihull, Home Manager Cheryl Harbourne discusses plans she put into place as the full extent of the pandemic’s impact emerged. Surbiton Lead Nurse Damian Walicki talks about his feeling of helplessness when forced to isolate, while High Wycombe Activities Manager Hayley Helsdown explains how she and her team have had to adapt their work, and how things in the future may pan out. Phyllis remembers watching the news after testing COVID19 positive. She said: “I was concerned by the high number of deaths and I was concerned I might not survive. I thought ‘Well, this could happen to me’. But there was nothing I could do.” However, Bernard says being told he had tested positive didn’t result in such anxiety: “Having COVID-19 didn’t cause me any mental upheaval. I didn’t think that this could be the end of
me, because at 92, you know you’ve got a certain proximity to the end… I live with the possibility of popping off any night.” Solihull Home Manager Cheryl Harbourne speaks of her admiration for her team, and describes keeping the residents in the Home safe and well throughout the pandemic as “a fantastic achievement”. At the start of the pandemic, the Home locked-down for two weeks, with staff living on-site to minimise the risk of the virus entering the Home. “I’ll never be able to thank staff enough for what they have done,” Cheryl says. Surbiton Lead Nurse Damian Walicki describes feeling a “failure” after testing positive, and how he thought he was letting his colleagues down when isolating. He says: “This has been one of the toughest challenges of my career, because we are kind of fighting with ghosts. You couldn’t see the virus, but you knew that it was there.” High Wycombe Activities & Volunteers Manager Hayley Helsdown explains how the job of entertaining residents is more important now than ever. She also talks about the challenges faced, and why, despite an uncertain future, there will always be “laughter, joy and singing” in the Home. All COVID-19: Life on the Frontline blogs can be viewed here: https://starandgarter.org/media-centre/our-blogs/
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“Fragmented” Short-Term Government Grants Poor Value For Money, Councils Warn A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) study had found that councils in England have seen their core funding from central government reduce by £15bn in the last decade. In recent years, they have seen a rise in the number of short-term, ringfenced, small grants they receive annually from government departments and agencies English councils received at least 448 individual government grants between 2015/16 to 2018/19 in an increasingly “fragmented and reactive” use of public funding, a new study by the Local Government Association reveals. Councils in England have seen their core funding from central government reduce by £15 billion in the last decade. In recent years, they have seen a rise in the number of short-term, ringfenced, small grants they receive annually from government departments and agencies. The LGA is calling for the Government to use the Spending Review to end this fragmented funding of council services and meeting demand pressures through individual grants. It has set out how the Government can provide £10 billion in additional core funding to councils to protect and improve services. For the first time, analysis commissioned by the LGA has mapped out the grants issued by central government to councils, combined authorities, and fire and rescue authorities in England between 2015/16 to
2018/19. This has found: • In any given year, councils received around 250 grants – this compares to around 61 main grants paid to local authorities in 2013/14. • More than a third were discontinued from one year to the next – this is creating negative impacts on staff retention, long-term strategic planning, and joint commissioning. • Almost a quarter of grants issued each year were worth less than £1 million – each one equating to less than 0.25 per cent of the budget for a typical metropolitan district or London borough. • Around a third of the grants were awarded on a competitive basis. Often more is spent by councils in preparing bids at hugely short notice than they stand to receive back. The LGA said many grants received by councils each year are designed to try and manage rising levels of demand pressures. For example, homelessness services have been issued with 12 shortterm funding grants since 2015 – half of these were allocated through a competitive process. This is placing extra stress on an over-stretched homelessness system, as officers are often required to scope and complete an extensive application within limited timeframes – sometimes as short as one month. The LGA is calling for the Government to use the Spending Review to
signal an end to this fragmented and reactive way of funding vital local services and tackling demand pressures. Instead helpful additional funding for councils should be delivered through primary sources of local government funding rather than individual programmes. It wants the Government to reserve targeted funding for transformational purposes, including genuine pilots, and provide councils with long-term certainty by issuing funding through multi-year settlements tied to the life of a parliament. Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the LGA’s Resources Board, said: “The use of short-term grants is increasingly representing poor value for money. Councils need certainty to plan local services without the added burden of navigating a complex and fragmented funding landscape. “If fragmentation and ringfencing of grants is reduced, councils can provide much better value for the same amount of funding and provide services which prevent crises from happening, rather than simply managing them when it is too late. “The Government needs to use the Spending Review to radically rethink public spending in a way that is fit for the future and empowers councils to deliver on the ambition for our communities that central and local government share.”
Tributes Paid To Skydiving Supergran Dilys Who Took Care To New Heights Tributes have been paid to the oldest female skydiver and Welsh charity founder, Dilys Price OBE, who has died at the age of 88. The retired teacher from Cardiff completed more than 1,000 jumps for charity and in the late 90s, Dilys founded the Touch Trust to help people with autism and severe disabilities. It grew into a centre for ‘touch therapy’, using music, colour, scent and touch, to help more than 1,000 adults and children every week. Her efforts for charity were recognised in 2014 when she received the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award at the Wales Care Awards. The event at City Hall in Cardiff was organised by Care Forum Wales to acknowledge the dedication and exceptional skill of the unsung heroes and heroines who work in the social care sector. Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales and the founder of the Wales Care Awards, said: “Dilys was a truly remarkable woman and a fantastic role model to us all. She had an amazing passion for life and was an inspiration to us all. “As a result of her amazing commitment and unflinching courage, she made an immense contribution over many years and helped improve the quality of life for so many people. “We were proud that she accepted the richly deserved award Lifetime Achievement Award during a memorable night at City Hall.”
After receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dilys said: “I’m so very proud to have been honoured in this way. These people have the job of looking after others day in day out and to think they see a value in what we do is just wonderful. “It can be challenging and difficult and sometimes you get frustrated and there are often financial problems, but this makes it all worthwhile.” Dilys also received a special recognition award at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2017. At 86, she sold her parachute, but later went on to do a tandem skydive with former Wales rugby star Gareth Thomas in 2018. And, in the same year, she became a model for the Austrian fashion designer Helmut Lang. In the campaign’s ‘Women of Wales’ autumn collection, Ms Price modelled alongside an 86-year-old former funeral director and the 77-year-old mother of the late New Romantic singer Steve Strange. Bev Garside, Chief Executive of Touch Trust, said she was always struck by Ms Prices’s “intelligence, her energy and her warmth”. “Always with a twinkle in her eye, she grabbed life with both hands until the end,” she said. “She has had a positive impact on the lives of so many and leaves the world a better place.”
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Huyton Care Home Makes NotSo-Scary Harvest Festival Scarecrow Residents and colleagues on the Dodd community unit at Moss View care home in Huyton, Liverpool, spent the afternoon making a fabulous scarecrow in preparation for the annual Harvest Festival. Activity colleague, Nicky, led the team in creating a ‘not so scary’ smiling scarecrow named ‘Worzel’ who now resides in a chair in the lounge at the home in his ever so fabulous outfit. As residents pass by, they smile and greet Worzel. For all their hard work residents were presented with a pamper goodies hamper by colleagues so they could spoil themselves. Eva Britnell who lives at Moss View, pictured with Worzel, said she had enjoyed the challenge. Senior Carer, Cath, commented, “It was an enjoyable afternoon with lots of team work from both residents and staff.”
Mitigating Stress in the Workplace By Tina Chander, partner at leading Midlands law firm, Wright Hassall (www.wrighthassall.co.uk/expertise/employment-law-and-hr) may not be fit for purpose, so performing a new assessment will demonstrate a responsive and flexible attitude toward protecting the workforce. Many employers may have completed risk assessments during the first lockdown, however conducting a new and updated risk assessment will ensure that employers are able to adapt to any new challenges that may have arisen. By identifying the causes of stress and trying to deal with them, a business can demonstrate at any later date, that it took reasonable steps and fulfilled its duty of care.
COMPANY POLICIES
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, anxiety levels have undoubtedly increased for care home workers, especially as remote working is not an option for those looking after residents. With the risk of contracting and transmitting the illness far greater for those in constant contact with others, workplace stress is heightened for those working in care homes, so the extended support services offered by Public Health England and other mental health charities should be utilised as much as possible. From the perspective of employers, it’s important to mitigate stress in the workplace, as failing to do so could result in a slew of workplace personal injury claims. Not only this, but highly stressed workers are a lot less productive than those who are managing their anxiety levels with professional support.
IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH Key triggers identified for work-related stress include workload pressures, workplace interpersonal relationships and changes at work. Given the current economic disruption, job insecurity and social distancing, these factors are likely to be amplified. Whilst many businesses are struggling with loss of trade and furloughed staff, many others are under enormous pressure to rapidly increase the volume of their services, food production, supply chain logistics, etc., whilst coping with a large influx of new, untrained workers. For those working in care homes, these anxieties are compounded, as there is a risk of passing on the illness to high-risk residents without knowing. The impact on the workforce can be so severe that businesses should consider some relatively simple steps.
RISK ASSESSMENT One course of action for businesses to take is to conduct a ‘Stress Risk Assessment’, which will enable them to focus clearly on the newly emerging drivers of stress, whilst taking steps to minimise their impact. Given the unprecedented scale of upheaval, any existing risk assessment
Businesses may implement the following policies: Coronavirus Policy, Flexible Working Policy and a Homeworking Policy. In addition to this, businesses may wish to consider implementing a Stress at Work Policy, which can provide guidance to employees on how to handle stress at work, seek support from their employer and this can also include details of support services, if necessary. Not only will this protect the business by implementing procedural changes and providing guidance for the workforce, but it will also provide a level of comfort to the workforce who will recognise the business is responding sensibly and proactively to the crisis. It also demonstrates the business is paying attention to the needs of its employees and is committed to their health and wellbeing.
COMMUNICATION Whilst most businesses have implemented a system of remote working, this is not a viable solution for care homes, and so key workers must continue working as normal, with the added risk of spreading or contracting the illness. Therefore, employers should do everything in their power to ensure the lines of communication between the workforce, managers and HR team are open, so that concerns can be addressed quickly before they develop into much bigger issues. Dedicating a member of the HR team to different sectors of the business can help by providing employees a direct point of contact should they want to discuss work-related stress. If claims concerning COVID 19 related stress emerge, the businesses in the strongest position will be those that can demonstrate they took the issue seriously, whilst pointing to a recorded risk assessment and structured engagement with employees throughout. About the author: Tina Chander is a partner and head of the Employment team at leading Midlands law firm, Wright Hassall and deals with contentious and non-contentious employment law issues. She acts for employers of all sizes from small businesses to large national and international businesses, advising in connection with all aspects of employment tribunal proceedings and appeals. About the firm: Wright Hassall is a top-ranked firm of solicitors based in Warwickshire, providing legal services including: corporate law; commercial law; litigation and dispute resolution; employment law and property law. The firm also advises on contentious probate, business immigration, debt recovery, employee incentives, information governance, professional negligence and private client matters.
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CQC Outlines Plans To Monitor Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Over Winter The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reiterated its commitment to continue to regulate care and hospital locations over the coming months to support organisations as they prepare for winter and provide assurances to the public that locations are safe and well prepared, including for people who are discharged from hospital with a Covidpositive status. CQC infection prevention and control (IPC) inspections are already being rolled out across care locations in England and we will share the results of those inspections on our website in a simple and easy to access layout so that the public can be assured across a number of key criteria that a care location has an effective approach to infection prevention control. Over 400 IPC inspections reports have now been published on our website and from today the public will be able to have an accessible overview. In our IPC inspections we look to see that: • Adequate PPE is available for staff and residents to control infection safely • Staff are properly trained to deal with outbreaks and the proper procedures are in place • Shielding and social distancing is being complied with • Layout of premises, use of space and hygiene practice promote safety. Ted Baker, Chief inspector of Hospitals said: “CQC is exploring with individual hospital providers how they have addressed the risks of cross infection and have appropriate assurance that they consistently meet the standards set out in guidance. We will share good practice where we find it and will seek further assurance where necessary, including targeted inspections. We will use our enforcement powers if we find unsatisfactory practice that puts people receiving care at risk. “This also applies to controlling the spread of Covid between different
services. It is essential that information regarding patients’ Covid status is shared before being discharged from hospital and in a timely manner so that all health and care professionals involved can make an informed decision about where their care needs can best be met and are able to take steps to protect themselves.” We have completed over 400 IPC inspections in Adult Social Care (ASC) already both to capture good practice and to follow up in places where we believe there may be risks to residents. We will also be conducting IPC checks on all inspections in future and are committed to another 500 care home IPC inspections by the end of November. We will be carrying out further inspections in Hospitals in addition to those in ASC which have already begun. Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care said: “We’re committed to ensuring safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care and are working with the Department of Health and Social Care and others to support the care system through winter. “By monitoring and inspecting these care locations, we will help to ensure appropriate and personalised care for those who are being discharged from hospital with a confirmed Covid diagnosis, as well as supporting providers to protect against the spread of Covid in care homes.” Most care providers that we have inspected have demonstrated good practice which we will continue to highlight through regular publications – however where we have concerns, we can and will take swift action. This could include publicly giving a provider actions that they must take, restricting a service’s operation or in cases of significant concern, taking action which would lead to the closure of a service. All of these are designed to ensure providers act quickly to improve the quality of care they are delivering.
In a statement the CQC said it recognises that many families and people will have had a terrible time, being unable to visit and spend important time with their loved ones for many months, and how this has had a significant impact on mental health for many people. When thinking about visiting (both people coming in and going out), providers must follow Government guidelines, give sufficient weight to local risks and advice from their Director of Public Health, give consideration to the home environment and all decisions stay under review as circumstances change. Rosie Benneyworth, Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care at the Care Quality Commission, said: “The speed and scale of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dedication, creativity and innovation of providers, as well as the impact of good working relationships within a local area on outcomes for people using services. “The Provider Collaboration Reviews are helping to identify where this has worked well and have brought into focus themes and learning that can inform planning for this winter and the continuing pandemic.” We will continue to publish a regular update through our insight reports and develop our approach, including the development of our new strategy, in line with new research and evidence to ensure that people receive high quality, safe care. As well as sharing best practice through Provider Collaboration Reviews, we are encouraging innovation in controlling infections and providing safe, quality care. We will prioritise registration of providers who are able to raise the bar in the quality of care and in finding ways to protect those in care, whilst adhering to the criteria for safe infection control.”
Care Home Encourages Community to Join them for a Wednesday Wave A care home in Buxton has signed up to a new campaign to unite the community and stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. A few months ago, Portland Nursing Home were clapping for our care worker heroes, now they are contributing to The Wednesday Wave to counter loneliness among care home residents or those feeling isolated in the pandemic. The campaign is being launched by the Vamos mask theatre company and will run for ten weeks from October 14 and aims to connect the public with people in care homes or who may be isolating in their own homes. More than 500,000 vulnerable people are unable to leave their homes because of the pandemic, and it’s having an effect on many people’s mental health. Portland Nursing Home are asking their community to come together and wave to
their residents on a Wednesday at 3pm starting on October 14 at 8 Park Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6SG. Kaye Fogarty, home manager at Portland Nursing Home, commented: “We can’t thank our community enough for their support during this difficult time. Everyone’s gifts and letters of support have really lifted the resident's spirits over the last few months, especially as they can’t go out themselves.” “Initiatives such as The Wednesday Wave helps to spread some much needed positivity and lets those that are isolating know that they’re not alone. “The impact that a friendly wave can have on loneliness is huge, and those who are isolating must not be forgotten.”
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Call For Urgent Care Reform In Face Of COVID-19 SECOND WAVE IMPACTING UPON CARE Urgent reform of the way the country cares for older and vulnerable people is vital if it is to cope with the second wave of coronavirus and an uncertain future, care providers warned today. The Independent Care Group (ICG) called on the Government to provide urgent, emergency short-term support to care providers before the second wave impacts further upon the sector. It is also calling for longer-term root and branch reform of the sector to tackle a staffing crisis, increasing home closures and a rising number of people going without care. The calls come after latest figures today showed another increase in deaths from coronavirus in care and nursing homes across England and Wales. ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “The figures are creeping up and we must not forget, these are people’s loved ones – a wife, a husband, a mother, a father, an aunt, an uncle, a brother or sister. We have to have better financial support to care and nursing homes now and fundamental reform of the sector for the future.” Today’s figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of Covid-19 deaths in care and nursing homes across England and Wales at 46 for the week ending 2nd October. That is up from 38. 31, 27, 17 and 23 for the previous weeks. It means 15,646 people died from Covid-19 in care and nursing homes from 28th December to 2nd October. Mr Padgham added: “We are seeing evidence now of homes closing at a critical time when Covid-19 deaths in homes are rising. “Sara Livadeas, CEO of the Freemantle Trust, is worried that the
Government is just going to sit around whilst more and more care homes close. She was reacting to news of the closure of St Martin’s Care Home in Old Swan, Liverpool.” “We have warned all along that the financial implications of coping with coronavirus would be the final straw for a sector that is already in crisis. The Government must act urgently or there will not be enough homes to cope with the second wave. “We have to get more people into the sector to address the staffing crisis social care has, with 100,000 vacancies on any one day. The only way to do that is to pay social care staff better for the amazing job they do, not just during coronavirus but all the time. “Before coronavirus we knew there were at least 1.5m people living in this country without the care they need. With coronavirus, heaven knows what that figure is now. “Under-funded and neglected by government after government, coronavirus exposed a social care system that was already in crisis and plunged it into further despair.”
THE ICG IS ALSO SEEKING CLARITY OVER VISITING “There is huge confusion and uncertainty over visiting,” Mr Padgham added. “Yesterday’s announcement of new restrictions in many ways added to the confusion. We have huge disparities of infection rate between different towns and cities which are placed in the same risk category. Some local authorities are saying it is okay for homes to allow visiting whilst others are advising against. In all cases it is only guidance, which puts the final decision on registered managers. It shouldn’t be left to managers, who are already under severe pressure, to take this decision – we have to have a clear instruction from the Government, as they have with the six people limit, for example.” The ICG wants to see: • A root and branch overhaul of the way social care is planned and funded • NHS care and social care to be merged and managed either locally or nationally • Extra funding for social care, funded by taxation or National Insurance • A guarantee that people receiving publicly-funded care can receive it in
their own home or close to where they live • A commissioner for older people and those with Learning Disabilities in England • A properly-costed national rate for care fees linked to a national career pathway and salary framework for care staff • Dementia treated like other high priority illnesses, like cancer and heart disease • A fixed percentage of GDP to be spent on social care • A cap on social care costs, including ‘hotel’ charges • Local Enterprise Partnerships to prioritise social care • A national scheme to ensure people save for their own care, as they do for a pension • A new model of social care delivery based on catchment areas – like GPs • Social care businesses to be zero-rated for VAT • CQC to have much greater powers to oversee all commissioning practises such as per minute billing and 15-minute visits • Less duplication of inspection between CQC and local authorities/CCGs • Greater recognition of the role of the independent sector and utilisation of its expertise in the commissioning and delivery of social care • Guaranteed equal partnership working through seats on Health and Well Being Boards, CCGs and NHS • Giving providers and CQC greater flexibility in delivering services • Providing telemedicine incentives • Allowing nurses and social care staff from overseas to work in the U.K. including lowering the salary cap • Training and bursaries to encourage recruitment/end the shortage of nurses • Long term measures to integrate older and younger people in care settings and change the perception of the generations • Investment in research and development into new models of social care delivery • Funding to help upgrade older care homes to maintain a range of choice for the public and investment in domiciliary care • Funding for leadership training.
Health and Social Care Staff and Volunteers Recognised In Queen’s Honours Health and social care staff and volunteers across the UK have been celebrated in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours, with their incredible work during the pandemic particularly highlighted. From the 1,495 number of people receiving honours across the UK, 14% are health and social care workers. This includes 41 nurses and midwives in celebration of the World Health Organisation’s Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Care home managers, nurses, GPs, surgeons, volunteers and more are on the list, who have helped to support other staff during the crisis, save lives through innovative treatments and have gone out of their way to provide care during this unprecedented global health emergency. Alongside the Queen’s Birthday Honours, the Department of Health and Social Care has published the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medals. The
Medals recognise individuals working in the ambulance services for distinguished service, characterised by exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and exemplary conduct. Three people in England and Wales will receive a medal, with one in Northern Ireland. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am humbled by the dedication, ingenuity and passion shown by these NHS and social care staff and volunteers. Throughout this terrible pandemic they have helped to save and improve the lives of patients, care home residents and their fellow NHS staff across the UK. It is also brilliant to see ambulance service staff recognised this year for their exceptional work. “Each and every one of those honoured today show the very best of us – and I thank them all, alongside the rest of our wonderful health and care staff, for their service.”
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New Research to Personalise Care For People with Dementia in Care Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic The NIHR and UK Research and Innovation have awarded £1.2 million to support development of an innovative online programme to improve and personalise care for people with dementia in care homes, which have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. Many of the 400,000 people living in care homes in the UK have dementia, mental health or neuropsychiatric symptoms, and a number of physical illnesses. They are at particularly high risk of developing severe COVID-19, and providing support is challenging for care staff who are facing a difficult, distressing and isolated work environment. Led by the University of Exeter and King’s College London, this new research will draw on the most successful elements of the NIHR-funded Improving Wellbeing and Health for People with Dementia (WHELD) programme, one of the very few staff training programmes that is proven to improve lives for people with dementia in care homes. Clinical trials have shown that WHELD improved quality of life and mental health, and reduced the use of harmful sedative drugs, in people with dementia in care homes. This new funding will allow researchers to develop a digital version of the staff training programme, to meet the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis. Short, digestible and practical digital resources and tools that are easily accessible will be developed, which, with the support of a network of WHELD coaches, will create a community that allows carers to stay connected and supported at a distance. Specific adaptations to the programme in light of the COVID-19 crisis,
such as peer networking and solution sharing, will be combined with the core elements of WHELD. These include focusing on person-centred care that involves the person with demetia in decision-making, personalised activities that are tailored to the residents’ interests, and reducing unnecessary sedative medications, known to increase risk of falls and death. The programme will first be tested in 160 care homes, followed by an evaluation of efficacy and cost effectiveness in a further 1,280 care homes, before making the programme ‘implementation ready’ for national care home roll-out. Professor Clive Ballard, Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “We urgently need to support care staff, who are going through an extraordinarily difficult time in trying to care for residents in hugely challenging circumstances. “Care home residents are among the frailest in society, and are at par-
ticularly high risk of dying from COVID-19. I’m delighted that this funding will help us to adapt the WHELD programme to a COVID-19 world, and roll it out swiftly, to provide the best possible support to residents and staff.” COVID-19 social distancing has been particularly challenging for care home residents with dementia, who might not be able to see their families and loved ones and may see staff in full PPE gear, which might be frightening. “This is expected to lead to increased emotional stress including anxiety, depression and night-time problems, which will lead to poorer physical health and wellbeing for care home residents,” said Professor Dag Aarsland, Chair of Old Age Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. “This project will address these challenges and help to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia in care homes, helping families and carers adapt to these challenging times better.” Professor Martin Knapp, NIHR’s social care spokesperson and director of the NIHR School for Social Care Research, said: “Having staff who are skilled in offering person-centred care can make the world of difference to people living in care homes, as shown by the previous NIHR-funded research on the WHELD programme. I’m pleased our researchers are responding to the pandemic by adapting the programme for online delivery, as care homes are facing huge challenges in these difficult times.”
COVID-19: Life on the Frontline: Bernard’s Story Bernard, a 92-year-old RAF veteran, who lives at the Royal Star & Garter Home in Surbiton, tested positive for COVID-19. Now recovered and having tested negative, he speaks to Royal Star & Garter about the impact the virus had on him. I had a cough before my COVID-19 test, so it didn’t come as a shock when I got the positive result. The suspicion was there, and that was that. By the time I got the result back, I was feeling better. There was no time at all when I thought COVID-19 was going to kill me because I wasn’t suffering at all. It must have been very minor because in not much more than a week my immune system tackled it. I had no treatment whatsoever, and I wasn’t inconvenienced in any way. I didn’t even tell my family until it was over because it was so short. They’ve got enough trouble with Daddy in a home, so I try not to alarm them unnecessarily. The administration here are liable to talk to whoever your contact is in the family. But I don’t think they phoned up. They asked
me and I said leave it for a while. Having COVID-19 didn’t cause me any mental upheaval. I didn’t think that this could be the end of me, because at 92, you know you’ve got a certain proximity to the end… God doesn’t give a sell-by date, does he! So it didn’t cause any psychological problems, because I live with the possibility of popping off any night. I know it’s been very hard and challenging for staff here during the past few months, but I have never noticed a drop or change in the standard of care they have provided. I can’t praise them enough. They’re so good and I count them as very good friends. They’re the only friends I have now, because all my friends I had outside have departed before me. I constantly thank the staff for all they do for me. My wife was in an old person’s home which was meant to be top-notch, but it was never a patch on this. This is luxurious, and the experts are pretty expert and very knowledgeable. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
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Covid ‘Lessons learned’ Inquiry Must Inform How We Manage Second Wave, says BMA Responding to the launch of a joint inquiry from the Health and Social Care Committee and the Science and Technology Committee into the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic so far, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said: “From the testing debacle, chronic shortages of PPE, and the crisis in care homes, to the failure to adequately protect people from BAME backgrounds, the Government’s response to the Covid pandemic so far has fallen far short – with potentially devastating consequences. “With the UK’s Covid death the highest in Europe, and with more than 53,000 excess deaths since March in England alone, the failure to control the spread of this deadly virus here requires serious scrutiny. “The BMA called for a rapid review of Government preparedness for a second wave as far back as June with early findings ready by August. Now daily infections are reaching record highs, so this inquiry is long overdue and urgent.
“We need a thorough but timely investigation with tangible, ongoing recommendations; an inquiry that unearths the mistakes but also provides learning from the last six months to inform how this second spike and future pandemics should be managed. “Our members – the doctors who have served on the frontline doing battle with this deadly virus – want to know that they will be protected this time and able to provide the care that patients need, including the thousands who had treatment postponed during the first wave. Doctors also need guarantees that everything possible is being done to prevent further spread of the infection, which would lead to many more people suffering and could place insurmountable pressure on the NHS. “The views of frontline clinicians must inform this inquiry and the BMA looks forward to working constructively with the committees to ensure the voices of our members are heard.”
£3.1 Million Specialist Nursing Home Opens In Newcastle Exemplar Health Care, a leading provider of specialist nursing care for adults living with a range of complex and high acuity needs, opened its £3.1 million state-of-the-art complex needs care home in Newcastle, on 21st September. Tyne Grange, a three-storey home, and Exemplar Health Care’s very first home in the North East, will support 22 adults living with complex mental and physical health conditions. Neighbours may remember the site of Tyne Grange as Hillfield Nursing Home, which, since being closed and then acquired by Exemplar Health Care, has been refurbished top-to-bottom from the inside. Every bedroom comes equipped with an en-suite wet room, and, in addition, the property has two onebedroom apartments on the ground floor to accommodate residents who want to live more independently. Tyne Grange also has welcoming communal spaces, including landscaped gardens, for residents and their visitors to enjoy. Speaking about the opening, Tyne Grange’s Commissioning Home Director, Sam Cottam, who brings 12 years of specialist nursing experience to the role, said: “I’m thrilled to have opened Exemplar Health Care’s very first care home in Newcastle. This communitybased home will provide person-centered care and rehabilitation that focuses on maximising independence, building everyday living skills, and
empowering people to live as fulfilled lives as possible. “It is extremely rewarding to be able to support 22 local people with complex health needs, and to provide over 100 stable and local jobs for those wanting to progress their careers.”
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Technology Solutions And Dementia Care: What’s Available? projected onto walls and tables. The projections respond to hand and arm movements which help to break through apathy by stimulating both physical and cognitive activity, and encouraging social interaction. Virtual reality (VR) can also provide entertainment and enrichment for people living with dementia. VR activates our sensorimotor contingencies which can fool the brain into believing that we’ve been transported to another world, and that what is happening is real. VR can offer people living with dementia, and in particular care home residents, the chance to go on ‘real-world’ walks and experience places they can no longer visit or may have always wanted to travel to. This technology can in turn vastly improve the quality of life for people living with dementia by helping to recall past memories, reduce aggression and improve interactions with care providers.
KEEPING ACTIVE
For many years, social care leaders haven’t understood or invested in technological solutions, despite the numerous benefits that technology can offer for care provision. While the COVID-19 crisis led to some of the biggest challenges ever seen by the sector, the investment in technology dramatically increased as care providers sought to offer consistent and high quality care while also supporting people diagnosed with COVID-19. James Rycroft, Managing Director at specialist dementia care provider Vida Healthcare, discusses the different technology available to integrate into dementia care and its benefits.
KEEPING ENGAGED As people progress through their dementia journey their needs will change but the requirement for suitable care and enrichment doesn’t diminish. It’s important to make sure the right entertainment is being delivered for each individual, and technology can play a crucial role in supporting care providers in keeping the people they care for engaged. Technological solutions such as sensory equipment, for example magic surfaces and interactive tables, can enable caregivers to provide a fun way to stimulate and engage people living with dementia to move more and interact socially. Sensory equipment can offer a range of interactive experiences including games and lights which can usually be
Not only is it important to keep people living with dementia entertained and enriched, but activity is also crucial. While supporting outdoor activity is highly beneficial, this isn’t always possible and technology can be used in this case. Adapted exercise equipment, such as indoor bikes, which are combined with video and sound can take users on cycling trips through familiar surroundings and childhood memories. Benefits can include improved mobility, faster rehabilitation, increased appetite, reduction in pain and better sleep, alongside better mental and social well-being. Video calling apps have also been crucial in allowing for the continued provision of exercise classes during COVID-19, especially where external trainers are required. Initiatives such as stretching classes which can continue as normal using video calling apps gives people living with dementia the opportunity to try different exercise formats, and socialise with both caregivers and the person leading the class.
of action as we move into winter, and be able to ask any questions they may have. At Vida Healthcare we’ve developed and launched a valuable new app to keep our residents and their families connected during COVID-19 and beyond. The Family Team Talk app was developed to allow families and friends of residents at our care homes to see a snapshot of daily life. The app is user friendly and gives families instant access to catch up on the health and wellbeing of their loved one through posts and updates from staff, videos and images. Launching this app has raised the morale of relatives, residents and staff, and given everyone a greater feeling of connectivity and reassurance. Technology has a huge number of benefits and can support care providers in a range of ways when it comes to delivering specialist dementia care. It’s important that technology is integrated as soon as possible to safeguard services for the future, and ensure high quality care is delivered, especially in the case of future crises arising. For more information about how technology can support people living with dementia and improve dementia care, please visit https://www.vidahealthcare.co.uk/
KEEPING CONNECTED Technology can also develop and support crucial connections between caregivers, people living with dementia and their loved ones when living in a residential care setting, particularly during a health crisis like COVID-19. Ecare plans allow family members and loved ones of care home residents live access to their health and care plans. This enables key stakeholders to remain involved with the care of their loved one, and to ensure that consent is secured along every step of the care journey. In addition, care home operators should consider establishing webinars to keep family members and loved ones up-to-date with the plan
Essex Care Home Residents Go Wild on Safari! Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Stisted, Essex, have been having a wild time this week, enjoying a safari in the Home’s grounds. In normal times, residents at the Home are taken on lots of fun, sociable and stimulating excursions, with some residents even trying activities such as ice-skating to horse-riding. But since lockdown, for their own safety, residents haven’t been able to go on any trips outside of the Home. Staff at the Home were determined to find a way to provide their residents with some outdoor fun and stimulation, so they came up with the idea of creating a safari ride in the grounds of the Home, complete with a safari truck and wild animals to spot amongst the trees. Home Manager Aggie McDonald explains: “We thought hard about what we could do to offer some safe outdoor fun and adventure for our residents. Our grounds are huge, so one of our staff had the idea of creating a safari!” The Association of Friends of Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court helped to make the idea a reality by donating a golf cart, which was redecorated as The Stisted
Safari Shuttle. As well as being a lot of fun, the safari provides residents with a multi-sensory experience, which supports their health and wellbeing. Carers at the Home drive the truck around the grounds, through beautiful woodland, and along the River Blackwater, stopping along the way to point out wildflowers and signs of the changing seasons. Among the residents who agrees the safari is a wild idea is Eileen Sims, who said: “It’s been a lot of fun going out in the safari truck to get some fresh air.” Resident, Pat May, agreed: “It is really lovely down by the river, it’s so quiet and peaceful.” Aggie McDonald said: “Our residents absolutely love going out in our new safari truck, so much so that we are introducing it into our weekly routine. As well as ensuring they get out in the fresh air, it has proved to be a powerful sensory experience, triggering happy memories and prompting lots of lively conversation.”
Over £400m Pledged To Remove Dormitories From Mental Health Facilities More than £400 million will be committed over the next four years to eradicate dormitory accommodation from mental health facilities across the country to improve the safety, privacy and dignity of patients suffering with mental illness. Today’s pledge by the government – to mark World Mental Health Day – builds on the £250 million funding announced in July to remove the outdated dormitories, as part of the government’s record investment in NHS infrastructure. Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, also announced the first 21 NHS Trusts that will receive funding to replace out-of-date mental health dormitories with single en-suite rooms, to help improve care for mental health inpatients across the country. The eradication of dormitories will improve the individual care that can be given to patients, allowing them to reduce the length of their stay in the facility. It will also have benefits for patient safety including through better infection control and by reducing the risk of incidents involving patients or staff. This new funding delivers on the government’s commitment to accelerate investment in health infrastructure, and to level up access to mental health services, so that every inpatient can receive treatment in an appropriate setting. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Mental health staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep mental health services open 24/7 so those most in need can continue to get vital support. “Today I am reiterating our commitment to those patients by stepping
up our effort to improve our country’s mental health infrastructure. By eradicating outdated and unsuitable dormitories across England we can ensure those suffering with mental illness are given the safety, privacy and dignity they deserve. “Not only will the new single rooms improve the individual care we can offer patients, they will provide a better environment for our hardworking staff too.” Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Nadine Dorries said: “The last few months have been challenging for everyone, particularly those with pre-existing mental health conditions. “Every person receiving treatment in a mental health facility deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and privacy, in an appropriate setting.”“I am delighted that today’s investment in mental health infrastructure will ensure that inpatients throughout the country can receive the best quality care.” NHS England’s National Mental Health Director Claire Murdoch said: “Millions of mental health patients are seen by the NHS every year, many thousands as inpatients, and each and every one of them should receive care in wards that are therapeutic and support their recovery, which is why this funding will be so vital. “And the NHS is also investing in local mental health teams to provide alternatives to ward admission which will help more than two million patients get care closer to home.” Dr Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “Replacing dormitories with single en suite rooms is a positive step towards the much needed upgrading of mental health wards – even
more urgent in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and a second wave. “With this funding, government is taking decisive action to properly support people living with a mental illness. We hope that the necessary investment in other areas of the mental health estate will follow in the upcoming spending review.” This comes alongside wider announcements to mark World Mental Health Day, including £2 million for research into the effects of COVID-19 on mental health. The research will focus on the effects of the pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of three at-risk groups: healthcare workers, children and young people, and those with serious mental health problems. The government has continued to prioritise mental health throughout the pandemic. Mental health charities, including Mind and BEAT, have benefitted from £9.2 million in funding since March to enable them to provide vital support to those who need it most. This funding has been used to support helplines and webchats, providing support networks for people experiencing anxiety and loneliness, providing safe spaces to reduce the risk of social exclusion of vulnerable people with ongoing, complex mental health problems, and move specialist emotional and practical support for victims of sexual violence from face-to-face online. The government has also invested £5m in national loneliness charities, raising awareness and providing advice through the Let’s Talk Loneliness campaign, and a new Tackling Loneliness Network, to support the wellbeing of those struggling with social isolation over the pandemic. This commitment to transforming and improving mental health services is set to continue, as the Department for Health and Social Care has pledged to invest £2.3 billion in mental health by 2023/24 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
DO YOU KNOW THE CARER’S NEXT UNSUNG HERO? Regular readers will know we here at the Carer have been awarding an Unsung Hero each Summer and Christmas since 2016! Now, in these unprecedented and testing times we are looking for another Unsung Hero! (How we wish we could reward you all!)
Say hello to some previous ers! A two night luxury break for winn
Care Home urst of Cloverfield Marion Brockleh
Debbie Day of Cedars Care Home
two people in a choice of over 300 UK-wide hotels is the prize! £50 Marks & Spencer vouchers for two runners-up! e Boynes Care Centr Sam Buckley of The
Tina Higginson of Sam brook care home
A no-frills, no glitz or glamour competition - all we ask is for you to send us a paragraph or two nominating your Unsung Hero from any department with a brief description of how they've gone that extra mile and deserve to be recognised.
✓ Do you know our next Unsung Hero? Email your nomination to us today at nominate@thecareruk.com CLOSING DATE 21ST OCTOBER 2020
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How COVID-19 Is Paving The Way For The Digital Revolution In The Health and Social Care Sectors Alan Gibson, VP EMEA at Alteryx (www.alteryx.com) discusses how COVID-19 has accelerated the evolution and adoption of data and analytics into healthcare and crucially, what this means for the future. In the aftermath of any crisis, change is inevitable. The pandemic has not only disrupted lives, economies and industries, it has been the greatest disruption to the global health and social care sector, triggering an unprecedented transformation. COVID-19 also accelerated the already growing reliance on data-based technologies. As a result, care providers are now being asked to aggregate more and more data sources to create accurate diagnoses, treatment plans and strategies. The current pandemic does not yet measure the extent of change, but one thing is certain: digital health care will continue to evolve. Teleconsultation, for example, is experiencing astronomical growth, rising by 500% since the advent of COVID-19. While not seeing a doctor or care worker in person used to be considered sacrilege, this is no longer the case. In the same vein, the adoption of remote monitoring is also increasing, allowing health care teams to monitor, manage and engage patients while leaving them in the comfort of their own homes. Data is essential to provide relevant diagnosis in telemedicine. Physicians can use a large amount of potentially useful external information and compare or analyse patient data based on it. For high-risk individuals, the fact that care coordinators are relying on teleconsultation and remote monitoring to reduce the number of patient visits to their offices represents a sustainable opportunity for healthcare providers to reduce the risk of readmission at 30 and 90 days, while ensuring better patient outcomes and reducing costs. Of course, it will require data governance to ensure
that the use of patient data remains a benefit and not a risk, which implies a strong ethical imperative. Data is also powering visibility. Jersey Hospital, for instance, has been working with Alan Lab to create a platform that provides a ‘minute by minute’ visualisation of the situation in hospital, tracking patient numbers, equipment and island-wide bed use. Likewise, they’ve also updated their waiting list system to allow patients to quickly understand appointment wait times. One of the biggest frustrations of the pandemic has been among non-Covid patients, whose treatment—often for serious diseases like cancer—has been delayed. For context, more than 83,000 patients in England waited more than a year for NHS treatment in July, which is the highest number October 2008. Jersey Hospital using available data to improve patient visibility, therefore, is a hugely positive move, and one that should be employed by hospitals and care homes nationwide. From a technical point of view, another obstacle has been the availability of COVID test kits. The fact that it took 10 to 20 days to collect the samples, process and send them to diagnostic suppliers (who were overwhelmed by the volumes), then wait for the results to come back and communicate them to patients, further compounded the problem. Fortunately, healthcare leaders and start-ups have responded to this crisis by offering a plethora of artificial intelligence-based applications in the cloud that can be deployed on mobile devices and tablets (now known as Mobile Health - mHealth), many of which can capture and store patients' vital signs on online portals for instant access by healthcare teams and clinicians. In addition, data processing can go even further: spatial analysis, for example, can be used with test kit data to visually map epidemic hotspots. In light of all these new challenges, healthcare leaders see tremendous potential for RN and analytics to deliver on the promise of better quality care at lower cost by empowering their executives, business leaders, clinicians and nurses to harness the power of predictive and prescriptive analytics. Many healthcare organisations are looking to harness the vast potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its four components - machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), deep learning and robotics - to transform their clinical and business processes. They seek to apply these advanced technologies to make sense of an ever-expanding "tsunami" of structured and unstructured data, and to automate iterative operations that previously required manual processing. The key, however, is to implement change that will both boost efficiency and care quality, but also increase visibility for patients awaiting treatment.
Residents at Sunrise of Sonning Enjoy Socially Distanced Drive Through Local Villages The team at Sunrise of Sonning took three residents on a socially distanced drive so they were able to see the outside world from a safe distance. One of the residents, Eleanor Smith, wrote to the team to thank them for the outing, explaining how much it meant to her. Eleanor said: “I want to send a heartfelt thank you for the outing us three residents had in the car, it was so unexpected but at the same time, so welcome. “I have not been out into the big wide world since February! I am lucky at Sunrise of Sonning as I can move around and we have such a delightful garden which I visit most days so I can experience the fresh air and the trees and flowers. We now also have a place out there where I can sit and have a rest and take shelter if it starts to
rain. “However, to be driven along the roads and to see the outlying villages and so many people being sensible and enjoying themselves along the side of the Thames through walking, cycling, running and boating was a lift to the spirits. “To have this all capped by my first drive-thru visit to McDonalds and to taste their hash browns was entirely unexpected, thanks for the photo to mark this historic moment! “I can’t help wondering how I would have survived all these months if I had still been living on my own, which I had done for 12 years. It is such a joy to be greeted by smiling faces each day and to know I can be helped over any hurdle.”
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LESS COVID: Innovative Research Project Launches Its Findings The National Care Forum (NCF), the leading representative organisation for not-for-profit social care providers, and the University of Leeds are today launching the findings from research into the experiences of frontline care home and NHS staff caring for older people with COVID19 in the first few months of the pandemic. The report – LESS COVID: Learning by Experience and Supporting the Care Home Sector during the COVID-19 pandemic – provides an account of key lessons learnt, so far, by frontline care home and NHS staff. Funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust, this project worked directly with frontline care home staff and frontline NHS staff to capture the lessons they have learnt about the symptoms, progression and management of COVID-19 in older people (aged over 65 years) in England. The research initiated by the NCF presents helpful strategies to manage the care and support of older people in care homes during subsequent waves of COVID-19 outbreaks. The NCF who were very keen to learn as quickly as possible from the early days of the pandemic and to share this learning to support the sector. Liz Jones, Policy Director at the National Care Forum says: ”This research is essential reading for all those involved in providing care for older people in this new world of COVID-19. It highlights the lessons learnt from the frontline of care at the height of the pandemic and offers some valuable insights and recommendations to help us respond effectively to future waves of COVID-19.” “The willingness of our colleagues to share their reflections while under considerable pressure of the first wave demonstrates the strong and responsible leadership in the care sector.” “This research was inspired by the daily conversations with our NCF members who were very eager to share their rapidly emerging learning and expertise in responding to COVID-19 in care homes. It is not simply theory but real-life experience of staff on the frontline, both in care
homes and the NHS. It looks in detail at the clinical presentation and illness trajectory of COVID-19 in older people, what had worked well, or what more was needed, for providing the best care and treatment and lessons learnt for supporting older people in care homes. The practical ideas and actions suggested will help us to find better ways to manage the virus to inform our future response in subsequent waves.” “We hope that this research will be of value to both care homes that have already experienced COVID-19 and those that have not yet experienced an outbreak of the virus.” The findings of the report also highlight systemic issues associated with underfunding, limited integration across health and social care and a lack of wider recognition and value of the contribution of the care home sector and (importantly) its staff. This pandemic should prompt government and society to address these long-standing issues. Jones continues:
“Many of the suggestions in this research involve actions that can be grasped by the sector; however, there are levers and actions needed that are beyond the control of the sector and need support and action from government. These include resolving the ongoing testing and PPE supply uncertainties; working in genuine partnership with the sector and putting the individual needs of older people at the heart of policymaking.” Karen Spilsbury, Professor of Nursing at the University of Leeds and Academic Director of NICHE- Leeds says: “This work represents an important partnership between researchers at the University of Leeds and the National Care Forum (NCF), working with care home colleagues.” “Our research team has a large portfolio of work with care homes which includes NICHE-Leeds, a partnership between care organisations and academia. Our team were well positioned to undertake this work because they understand the care home context, value and respect those working in the sector and have experience of partnership working to address need and to co-create work with the sector to promote relevance, engagement and implementation.” “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for research with and for the care home sector. This partnership with NCF enabled us to respond quickly to the concerns of their members and to generate findings with practical relevance.” “Staff working in care homes have such an important role caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. It has been our privilege to work with sector colleagues.” Susan Kay, Director of the Dunhill Medical Trust says: “We’ve all been impacted by the COVID crisis – but older adults have been most severely affected. Capturing lessons learnt about the symptoms, progression and management of this viral infection in the older population and sharing these with care homes that have not yet experienced an outbreak of the virus is crucial. We have been pleased to be able to support this work and hope that its recommendations can really make a difference.” As winter approaches and the prospect of a second wave of COVID19 is very likely, health and care colleagues are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the content and recommendations in the report. Access the full research here: https://bit.ly/2GPloab Access a summary here: https://bit.ly/3iCcyK7
Dedicated Nurse Recognised In Queen’s Birthday Honours Brunelcare’s Director of Nursing and Care Homes, Sandra Payne, has been recognised with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Awarded for services to social care and response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sandra has dedicated much of her career to the sector. Qualifying as a nurse in 1986 at the Bath School of Nursing, Sandra worked in acute medical wards and specialised in cardiology at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. She went on to work as a District Nurse in south Bristol, before joining Brunelcare in 1993 on a part time basis as her children grew up.
Since then, Sandra has gone on to manage one of the charity’s care homes, and lead on clinical excellence, before being appointed Director of Nursing and Care Homes in 2019. Brunelcare’s Chief Executive, Oona Goldsworthy, said: “As a nurse Sandra has dedicated her career to caring for others. For that alone she is a worthy recipient of this honour. This year, however, Sandra has played a pivotal role in our response to Covid-19. She has done so calmly, showing real leadership in the most challenging of circumstances”
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Care Home Residents’ Wartime Memories Add Spice to ‘Lockdown Cookbook’ Residents at a Hampshire dementia care home have rekindled personal memories of life during wartime to contribute ideas for a forthcoming community cookbook. Colten Care’s Linden House in Lymington responded to a request for handwritten recipe suggestions to interest younger people and families stuck for culinary inspiration during lockdown. An initiative of the Sway-based arts charity spudWORKS, the book aims to connect generations by sharing thoughts about what it is like to cook in times of uncertainty. One of the Linden recipes, contributed by a resident called Helen, is for chicken soup with dumplings known as kreplach, a favourite in Jewish households around the world. Helen said: “We often referred to chicken soup as ‘Jewish penicillin’. If ever you were feeling unwell you could always be assured that after a bowl of soup you would feel much better. “On my wedding day I was given a present of a cookbook written by the Jewish food writer Florence Greenberg which included the soup and kreplach recipe. I passed it onto my son to enable him to continue our Jewish traditions.” Another Linden recipe, from a resident called Pat, is for a ‘wartime Christmas fruit cake’ complete with cold strained tea, a slug of brandy or rum, and warmed black treacle. Pat said: “Christmas was always an especially exciting and magical time and I remember my mother swapping and pooling ingredients so that the
cake could be made. I loved standing beside her, stirring the mix, adding sixpences, making a wish and, of course, as all children love to do, scraping out the bowl and giving my approval.” Jonathan Oldfield, spudWORKS ‘Artist Out Of Residence’, said he was already sharing the recipes from Linden House even before the book is finished. He said: “We want to pass on recipe ideas from older people in the community that may be taken up by younger generations, for example families with young children, during this strange and socially distanced time. “The idea has already generated a great deal of interest and we hope the book will become a culinary ‘time capsule’ of Sway and the New Forest during the pandemic. “It was inspired by a leather-bound collection of recipes I have at home that originally belonged to my great grandmother Gladys Mabel Beard. “I’ve chosen the title ‘Using Dried Eggs: The Lockdown Cookbook’, as she had scribbled ‘using dried eggs’ in a note accompanying a recipe in August 1942, just as wartime rationing was forcing her to alter how she approached cooking. “Now, in 2020, we are once again a country with so many people kept indoors and having to rethink how we shop, cook and live.” Once finished later this autumn, the cookbook will be kept at spudWORKS for display to the community.
Residents At St Georges Court Care Home In Cambridge Become Virtual Grandparents For Sancton Wood School Children thought it would be a fantastic idea to involve the residents at St Georges Court Care Home. There was a buzz around the home on the day of the zoom poetry. Residents gathered around the TV eagerly waiting to see and hear the children recite their poems that they had been learning. Many of the residents are grannies and grandads themselves so this was exceptional special for them due to the fact as they have not been able to see their own grandchildren during this pandemic. There was a wonderful range of poetry starting off with the Reception Class recital of Michael Rosen’s “We’re all going on a bear hunt”. You could see the amount of work that had gone into this wonderful project, not just remembering the words but actions and drawings as well.
St Georges Court Care Home In Cambridge have always had good relationships with their local schools. Residents have missed seeing the children and the friendships that they have made. Some of the children from the schools have been writing letters and sending pictures, which the residents have thoroughly appreciated. Now the children are back at school the residents were so elated to hear from Laura Skinner that the children at Sancton Wood School were going to Zoom them to put on a wonderful poetry show for National Poetry Day. It meant a lot to the residents to be asked to become the children’s virtual grandparents for the occasion. Laura explained when they did this for the first time last year many of the children’s grandparents came to the school to enjoy their poems. They did not want to disappoint the children this year so
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CQC Updates Guidance On The Regulation Of Services for Autistic and/or People With a Learning Disability The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revised its “Registering the right support” guidance to make it clearer for providers who support autistic people and/or people with a learning disability. Following feedback from people who use services CQC has updated its guidance so it has a stronger focus on outcomes for people including the quality of life people are able to experience and the care they receive. Now called Right support, right care, right culture, the guidance published today, outlines three key factors that CQC expects providers to consider if they are, or want to care for autistic people and/or people with a learning disability: • Right support: The model of care and setting should maximise people’s choice, control and independence • Right care: Care should be person-centred and promote people’s dignity, privacy and human rights • Right culture: The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff should ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care said, “Autistic people and people with a learning disability are as entitled to live an ordinary life as any other citizen. We expect health and social care providers to ensure autistic people and people with a learning disability have the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that many people take for granted.
“Our revised guidance makes clear that safeguarding people’s human rights must be at the heart of all care provided for autistic people and/or people with a learning disability. “We will only register and give a positive rating, to those services that can demonstrate high quality, person-centred care.” CQC will be using this guidance in their assessments and judgements and providers are encouraged to directly discuss their proposals or development ideas before submitting an application or making changes to services. This can help providers make an informed decision about whether plans are likely to comply with this guidance. This guidance has always been set alongside other standards in health and social care – this includes NICE guidance (CG142) on the definition of ‘small’’ services for autistic people with mental health conditions and/or behaviour that challenges. This states that residential care “should usually be provided in small, local community-based units (of no more than six people and with well-supported single person accommodation)”. While CQC use NICE guidance in describing what ‘small’ means for how they apply their approach, this is not the same as having an absolute upper limit for the size of services. CQC have never applied a six-bed limit in their registration or inspection assessments and will continue to register based on care that is person-centred, and promotes choice, inclusion, control and independence. CQC’s review into restraint, prolonged seclusion and segregation for people with a mental health problem, learning disability or autistic people supports this and, for people currently in the hospital system, this is likely to require commissioners and providers to develop bespoke serv-
ices. Responding to the guidance Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says: “Although we welcome the redrafted guidance, more could be done to demonstrate the importance of evidence in the revised approach. Care providers need to know that decisions made around the regulation of their services are evidence-based.” CQC published a revised and retitled draft of the guidance on their participation platform Citizen Lab on 31 January 2020. This consultation followed a scoping review which took place between March 2019 and August 2019. Registering the Right Support has been re-worked and the name has changed, to ‘Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture’ https://www.cqc.org.uk/ , however CQC’s policy on regulating and checking on providers that support autistic people and people with a learning disability has not changed. In Care England’s consultation response in January, it sought to highlight several key themes which it felt the draft guidance did not adequately address, including: size of services; commissioning; use of case studies; and how CQC applies the policy. Care England has reiterated these issues through further stakeholder meetings with CQC in advance of the final publication of their revised guidance. We will now need to reflect in detail on the new guidance and consider the impact on how future services are registered and monitored. Professor Green continues: “We implore CQC to adopt a greater degree of transparency with the sector as to their own approach. This will foster a dynamic process whereby providers are fully able to understand the basis upon which decisions regarding services are made.”
National Association of Care Catering Honours Exceptional Contributions at the NACC Awards 2020 Members and supporters of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) came together at the NACC Awards 2020 to recognise the exceptional contribution of care caterers in this extraordinarily challenging year. Determined that the Covid-19 restrictions would not put a stop to the annual celebration of outstanding innovation, excellence and dedication that teams and individuals from across the care catering sector demonstrate, the prestigious event took place virtually. Hosted live by the NACC’s national chair, Sue Cawthray, the event was well-attended by NACC members, ambassadors and supporters, including sponsors, fellow industry associations and media. New and exclusively for 2020, The Triumph Over Adversity Award honoured the extraordinary efforts of care caterers during the Covid-19 pandemic – from those working in care homes to those supporting the vulnerable in the community. Entries for this category painted a picture of phenomenal generosity, professionalism and community spirit. The judges could not pick one overall winner and the title went to two worthy recipients, Michael Buccu, sous chef at Gracewell of Ascot, and The Umbrella Café CIC, Whitstable. Sue Cawthray, National Chair of the NACC, said: “Congratulations to the NACC Awards 2020 winners. In what’s been an incredibly challenging year for our sector, it’s been an absolute honour to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary efforts and frontline contribution of everyone in care catering. “Care caterers have shown without a shadow of a doubt how innovative, dedicated, compassionate and selfless they are – and how fundamental they are to quality care. They’ve ensured residents who suddenly found themselves isolated from the outside world continue to receive nutritious meals and met the increased demand for meals delivery to the vulnerable older population in the community confined to their own homes. And always with the specific needs and overall wellbeing of each resident and customer at the heart of what they do. The virtual awards ceremony was a very special occasion and we’re thrilled that despite the difficult circumstances we all find ourselves in, we’ve been able to celebrate the amazing achievements of our sector with members and friends. It goes without saying that everyone at the NACC is very, very proud of the care catering sector.”
THE 2020 NACC AWARD WINNERS ARE:
Catering Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Brakes: Meallmore
ducing fantastic food for the residents and keeping the team going. When head chef, Matt Dodds, suffered serious health issues, Michael also took the time to call on and support him. The Umbrella Café CIC, Whitstable: Whitstable is seen as an affluent area, but its citizens struggle with social isolation and food poverty. The Umbrella Café is a social enterprise and not-for-profit hub for social engagement, located in the Whitstable Umbrella Community Century. It welcomes callers for coffee and home cooked lunches made using surplus food from Fare Share and donations from local suppliers. Food Friends, also located in the community centre, is a food sharing initiative that connects home cooks with neighbours in need of a nutritious meal and friendly chat. When lockdown forced the café to close, the Umbrella Café and Food Friends joined forces to create the Community Dinner Fund to continue to support those in need. It delivered around 3060 meals and 400 breakfast parcels to 165 regular beneficiaries from late March to September.
Ltd
Region of the Year Award, sponsored by Meiko: North Region
The ‘Meallmore Standard’ is a term widely associated with the food, hospitality and dining experience it delivers. The team of talented, engaging and motivated chefs lives by the mantra ‘if food isn’t fun, you’re doing it wrong’ and it’s this ethos that scooped them the award. The judges praised Meallmore’s ongoing achievements, saying: “Past successes for individuals and now success for an outstanding team. Well done Meallmore.”
Catering Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions: Anne Dudley, Catering Support Manager, Hampshire County Council Anne is a very busy manager who constantly seeks improvement, from working structures and practices to kitchens, kitchen equipment and communications systems. She’s written a catering staff induction guide, for example, and arranges training for chefs. During the Covid19 crisis, Anne supported catering teams with additional staff, even stepping in to cook herself! The judges rightly described Anne as: “A lady of enormous commitment and drive.”
Our Care Catering Hero Award, sponsored by Premier Foods: Peter Hall, Head of Kitchen, Cranleigh Paddock Care Home
Meals on Wheels Award, sponsored by apetito: Hertfordshire
Peter has surpassed himself in his dedication to his job and extracurricular activities to support the home and residents. Determined to make life fun, particularly during lockdown, he made an ice cream cart to deliver ice cream to residents, helped build and extend the bird aviaries, made face guards for use at the home and other HCC Care sites and designed a unique ‘hands and heart’ plaque to thank the staff at Cranleigh Paddock. The judges were very impressed, stating: “Peter’s amazing skills and dedication have clearly improved the lives of his residents.”
Independent Living Service (HILS)
The Triumph Over Adversity Award, sponsored by CaterCloud
Care Establishment of the Year Award, sponsored by Hobart: Pear Tree Court, Care UK Head Chef Stuart Passey and his team are passionate about using the best-quality ingredients and tailoring menus and mealtimes to residents’ tastes and needs, as reflected in the 98% resident satisfaction rating. The judges said of the winning establishment: “Quality and personalisation are central to every aspect of care at Pear Tree Court”.
The largest not-for-profit ‘meals and more’ service in the country, HILS serves over 5000 customers in Hertfordshire and two London Boroughs and provides17 different services, giving support to an additional 10,000 older, vulnerable and disabled clients annually. During the Covid-19 crisis, up to 1900 hot meals and 400 tea and breakfast packs were delivered daily, with caring visits and ‘Staying Happy’/‘Staying Active’ packs supporting wellbeing. The judges praised HILS, describing it as: “An organisation which never rests on its laurels.”
The judges declared Michael Buccu and The Umbrella Café, CIC as: “Two exceptional entries truly worthy of the title ‘Joint Winner’.” Michael Buccu, Sous Chef, Gracewell of Ascot: At the start of the pandemic, Michael lost his wife, who was a trainee nurse and care team member at Gracewell of Ascot, to Covid-19. This was devastating for Michael and his three daughters, who all also caught the virus. Despite his own personal tragedy, he’s shown nothing but dedication, professionalism and support. He returned to the kitchen (his second family) and through his grief continued to work with his head up, pro-
During a very difficult year, all regions have made an exceptional effort to maintain the beating heart of the association and ensure the NACC continues to provide information, guidance and support to its members. Congratulations to the North region who retained the award for a second consecutive year. The judges praised the team, agreeing: “The North region continues to deliver for both its members and the NACC.” Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by RobotCoupe: James Clear, Hotel Services Manager, Care UK The Pam Rhodes Award recognises the work and commitment of an individual that has made a lasting contribution to the NACC. James’ appetite for work and innovation knows no bounds. His exceptional standards of care, compassion and professionalism have gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the wider industry. An early adopter of the IDDSI initiative, James has developed his organisation’s training programme to ensure residents enjoy texture-modified meals that appear similar to other diner’s meals, while being safe, wellpresented and appetising. He’s worked with the supply chain to develop online ordering systems to maintain stock and reduce ordering time, written numerous recipe books and is a true team player who shares his knowledge and supports the developments of those around him.
National Chair’s Award: Neel Radia Sue Cawthray, the NACC national chair, awarded this special recognition to Neel Radia for the huge amount of work he’s done for the NACC and his many achievements. It’s clear why he was a fitting and deserved recipient of the award. As South East chair, he took the region from strength to strength with a new direction and format. Then, as national chair, he influenced and shaped not only the NACC but the future and the importance of the care catering sector. Neel’s standout successes include propelling the Meals on Wheels campaign into public consciousness and onto the political agenda and launching the first ever professional qualification in health and social care catering. His enormous generosity for the NACC and charities he supports has seen him earn prestigious industry awards, skydive and complete the London Marathon. Sue said: “There’s so much more that has been achieved by Neel, who works tirelessly for the NACC, its members and his amazing charity work.” To watch and relive the NACC Awards 2020 ceremony visit www.thenacc.co.uk
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Why Technology Is Part Of The Patient Support System By Victoria Smith – Healthcare Practice Lead, EMEIA, Jamf (www.jamf.com) The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that all aspects of healthcare have had to rethink the way in which they operate to reduce the contagious nature of the coronavirus and reserve space for those who are extremely ill. For those with other ailments, technology has played an important role in helping our healthcare system to remain connected in delivering care, tracking the progress of those patients and even helping patients to communicate with their family and friends while in self-isolation. Carers, in particular have been tasked with not only promoting the recovery of Covid patients with other professionals but in continuing to deliver daily support for those with longer-term health needs such as looking after someone with a mental health problem or learning difficulties. So how can they provide necessary care while protecting themselves and their patients from the virus? One way is through the use of everyday consumer devices such as Apple iPhones and iPads and innovative device management solutions that have created virtual visiting features as a way to remain connected with the patients and their families. (www.jamf.com/lp/jamf-pro)
PROVIDING STABILITY TO PATIENTS With both time and financial resources constrained, it’s important that the healthcare industry leverages familiar and readily available devices – which even patients may have at home. For example with iPads, various teleconferencing apps can be configured and deployed to patients without needing to touch the devices. With third-party tools such as Zoom, WebEx and Microsoft Teams, carers can virtually enter the room on days they do not need to be present with their patients, to provide support as well as speak to more patients on any given day. This would provide the necessary stability to patients during a particularly stressful time.
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH TECHNOLOGY Hospital visits are inherently stressful for patients as they may feel
isolated and disconnected from their loved ones. According to a survey run by the Academy of Medical Sciences, among 2,100 people, including those that have mental-health conditions, there were concerns about accessing support and services during the pandemic, as well as the fear that their existing health problems might worsen. The long-term impact of the pandemic is unknown but through technology solutions, the healthcare industry can provide services to help mitigate patients at risk. With the use of virtual visiting technology and communication tools, anxiety can be alleviated and can keep patients apprised of all information on their diagnosis and care plan, as well as in contact with their family and friend support system. Easy to use tablets, such as iPads, provide patients with a robust device that doesn’t necessarily need any additional training to use or manuals to read. Compatibility with other health apps and fitness trackers mean the patient can also support with data entry and when paired with a specific Apple device and app management solution, IT teams can roll out different apps to meet patient needs as well as digitally sterilise shared devices to ensure there is no data residue from the previous patient to keep devices secure.
DELIVERING ACCESS Carers all preform different tasks and therefore require apps that are unique to their role. This is where mobile device management (MDM) is required to help IT administrators to manage and secure the entire fleet of devices within a hospital or care home. Each managed device can be configured remotely and delivered with the exact tools needed for the practitioner, carer or patient, remotely, quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important in times where roles and responsibilities of carers may have shifted to cope with the crisis and devices have needed to be delivered in the hands of the patient or staff at scale. In addition, once set up and installed, devices managed by an MDM solution will be able to receive app or system updates as soon as they are available, to help continue reducing the risk of COVID-19 and protecting the patient’s personal data.
SECURING PATIENT DATA Cybersecurity remains a top priority as 67% of UK healthcare organisations experienced some kind of cyber security incident during 2019. The primary causes of the data breach were identified as third-party devices such as USB thumb drives and IoT devices. With telehealth and virtual care becoming a permanent reality, security needs to be at the
Sunrise Of Chorleywood Wins Prestigious NAPA Award For Their Commitment To The Arts Sunrise of Chorleywood has won the National Activity Provider Association (NAPA) Award for ‘Arts in a Care Home’. This Award recognises a care setting that has demonstrated a commitment and passion for embedding arts-based activities. The dedicated Activities Team at Sunrise of Chorleywood is led by Activity and Volunteer Coordinator, Patrick Maher. NAPA is a national registered charity and membership organisation, that promotes activity provision in care settings, encouraging residents to live, love and laugh. Each year, the NAPA Awards celebrate individuals who are innovative and creative in the way they meet the needs of people they support. Sunrise of Chorleywood’s Activities Team give residents the opportunity to express creativity through art, revisit former passions and experience new hobbies. The care home offers a variety of creative activities for their residents to take part in. Patrick started a ‘Writers Circle’ club, where residents join together each week to write short stories and share them with the group. For residents who do not want to write a story beforehand, they can instead attend ‘Tea and Tales’, where they can share a story with a group in a more casual and chatty session. The home also offers a poetry club, script reading club and a choir. Outside of the clubs on offer, residents are also given the space to be creative in
their own way. For example, there is an art corner set up in the activity room, which includes paints, canvases, easels, pencils and paper that residents can access throughout the day. Many pieces of art that have been created here are now on display around the care home, particularly in the bistro, where residents can appreciate the artwork while chatting with friends over a cup of coffee. In late 2019, the Activities Team organised a huge art project called ‘Hearts of the Ocean’. Over a two-and-a-half-month period, over 60 residents and many team members contributed to a large 3D artwork, featuring turtles, fish and coral. Patrick Maher, Activity and Volunteer Coordinator at Sunrise of Chorleywood said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award; it is wonderful to have our Activities Team recognised like this. Throughout my time as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator, I have seen so much growth in residents from engaging with all the creative arts we have on offer at Sunrise of Chorleywood. “Two residents, Gill and Yvonne, had to overcome the effects of a stroke to be involved in ‘Hearts of the Ocean’. They led on the making of the sea turtles, using only one hand and with limited mobility, this was incredible to watch. We will continue to enhance the creativity of all our residents through many more collaborative art projects and activities.”
forefront of patient experience and that means protecting any portable devices. While smartphone manufacturers like Apple, have taken rigorous steps to prevent breaches, including pre-installed security apps and TouchID, several layers of additional security is still required in order to protect patient and care home data. A specialised security solution with Apple-specific threat detection, can support carers and care homes by providing visibility into which third-party devices are being connected to the system – from locking down any unnecessary access to end points as well as detecting potential threats. IT teams can then remotely wipe a device and delete apps, as well as any saved log-in credentials from one central location at the click of a button. As a result, patients and carers can remain secure and connected with practitioners and loved ones. Giving employees access to specific files and documents will be important as carers move between virtual and in-person meetings but it’s critical that the devices are not passed through many hands to prevent the spread of virus. Each department and staff member can be delivered pre-authorised access, so sensitive information remains in the relevant hands. This can be achieved quickly through a one-click approach using a MDM solution. The recent health crisis has accelerated the use of portable devices and technology features such as virtual visitations has helped to keep patients support in their time of need – where ever the patient may be. Through virtual visitations, carers can continue to monitor patient wellbeing, identifying any concerns that can be quickly elevated to the care home or hospital. It’s important that as care is provided, patient and hospital data remains safe and secure and this is where a specialised device and app management can help to not only reduce efforts but introduce new innovative ways of working.
About the Author: Victoria has worked within the healthcare industry for more than 20 years, 14 of which were with the NHS. In her previous role, Victoria oversaw the procurement processes and contracts for Oxford Health NHS Foundation and was responsible for all frontline IT services, including the enrolment of a mobile device team and solutions. It is here where she regularly tackled the challenges of digitising the NHS for the benefit of IT, clinicians and patients and saw first-hand the impact that compliance, security and funding can have on employee and patient experience.
Hull Care Home Plays Fair After COVID Cancellation of Annual Attraction A care home in Cottingham brought in the carnival games, coconut shies and candy floss as it hosted its own version of Hull Fair. Magnolia House, a residential care home for up to 94 people on Hull Road, usually takes residents out to the annual event, which is one of Europe’s largest travelling funfairs. This year, the fair has been cancelled due to COVID restrictions. Carers at the home wanted to ensure residents didn’t miss out on the fun and spectacle, so made plans to host their own fair at the home, including hook a duck, tin can alley, a traditional sweet stall, and decorating the lounge to give it a carnival atmosphere. The activities co-ordinator also located some videos from previous years showing the rides to play in the background as residents enjoy the fun. The Magnolia House took place on 7 October to coincide with the dates on which Hull Fair would have taken place. Sarah Carter, activities coordinator at Magnolia House, said: “It’s important to us that the residents feel part of the local community and get to enjoy
fun and stimulating activities. Hull Fair is one of the highlights of our social calendar, and we were hugely disappointed that it has had to be cancelled this year. “However, we came up with a plan to bring the fair to the residents and had a fantastic day of activities planned. Although no one actually went on the helter skelter or the waltzers, there were plenty of fairgroundthemed games and treats. “We’d like to say a big thank you to Debbie’s Sweet Cabin, from which we purchased the traditional sweets for the residents. We know that the delicious sweeties are one of our residents’ favourite things about the fair and we’re glad they didn’t miss out.” Marlene, 88, said: “I liked the fair day a lot, we got plenty little treat bags. I enjoyed the music in the background, it made it feel real! Once you hear the music you know you’re at Hull fair.” Doreen, 86, said: “You always have fun and a laugh!” Pam, 88, said: “I was pleased I won on the name the teddy.”
Minimising Contact with Door Handles Reduces the Risk of Germs and Viruses Spreading Around 80% of infections are spread by touch, including touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles. In care homes ensuring residents adhere to strict sanitising guidelines can be very difficult and can cause stress and anxiety for them too. Removing the need to open doors as residents and staff walk from room to room is an easy solution to eliminate the need to touch door handles and hand plates. The elderly are one of the most vulnerable group of people with regards to infections like flu and COVID-19, finding ways to reduce the spread of these diseases is therefore paramount. Dorgard offers a solution to legally hold fire doors open so staff and residents can move around the building ‘contact free’, reducing the risk of cross-infection with germs and viruses. These battery-powered door
holders are easily fitted to a fire door by a handyman. The device ‘listens’ for the sound of your fire alarm and when the alarm goes off the Dorgard automatically releases the door and allows it to close, preventing the spread of fire and toxic smoke. Hence, not only is the risk of cross infection reduced, the fire safety of the building is also maintained. With a range of Dorgards to choose from you will find a solution that is ideal for your setting. The original Dorgard is perfect for small to medium settings with normal or low noise levels. For noisier environments, where enhanced sound recognition is beneficial, Dorgard SmartSound offers a great solution. If you would like to discuss your needs further with our knowledgeable customer care team please call 0800 978 8746 or visit
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A Telling Experience - Report from TLAP Insight Group A new report from the TLAP Insight Group highlights how the first phase of the coronavirus pandemic affected people who use care and support services. The group, known as TIG, has brought together TLAP partners and allies to build an understanding of the experience of Covid-19 on people accessing care and support (including unpaid family carers), looked at through the lens of personalisation. The aim was to identify what has worked well, and to highlight areas that people found difficult, both generally and in relation to their care and support. The report is based on a rapid evidence review, collecting and collating a large amount of research, data and intelligence, contributed by TLAP partners and other organisations. This collaborative approach has seen organisations willing to share what they know for a common purpose. The TLAP group was initially established with the aim of investigating the impact on people in Care Act Easement areas. It was not possible to build a comprehensive picture of Care Act Easement activity and its impact through this review. The scope was therefore extended to include the wider impact on people accessing care and support and unpaid carers across all council areas. Key findings People working in social care have done their very best to respond to the pandemic. Existing problems with social care, such as lack of investment, and practices that do not support personalisation, were exacerbated. The experience of people accessing care and support (and unpaid family carers) was mixed. While some reported pro-active, flexible and personalised approaches to their care and support, others fared less well.
Unpaid family carers took on significant additional caring responsibilities, leading in many cases to increased stress, financial burden and risk of burn out. Families with a relative living in a care home experienced loss of contact and fears for their loved one’s safety. Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy, Carers UK said “This important report shines a light on the huge pressures faced by carers and their families during the first phase of the pandemic where support structures fell away almost overnight. It also gives us the key ingredients to make a difference for people needing care and their families as we face winter with Covid-19 on our doorstep”. Looking forward The findings from the rapid evidence review and recommendations detail where and how care and support need to change to become more personalised and co-produced. There is a need develop an understanding of what government (local and national), and business, can and should do to create the conditions for community support to flourish and be sustained, so that everyone and every place is included. This means taking practical action to address care and health inequalities. Clenton Farquharson, TLAP Chair said “this report underlines the experience of people being a part of continual learning about COVID-19. We started with a lot of unknowns, which allows us to be ‘forgiving’ and generous about omissions, as long as they are not repeated as we move through the next difficult phase of the pandemic”.
Veteran’s Charity Local Care Home Residents Find the Golden Tickets Celebrates the Land of the Free With America Day
Carers at Colonia Court Bupa Care Home organised a sweet treat for residents this month, as they threw a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed party. The Colchester-based home was transformed into the famous chocolate factory, displaying candy-themed decorations, which the residents helped to create in their arts and crafts class. Carers at the home hid golden tickets in chocolate bars, which residents used as their entry pass to the party. Residents got into the party spirit by dressing up as characters such as Grandpa Joe and Grandma Georgina from the much-loved family film and book. Residents tucked into a themed buffet complete with cakes and candy, before playing party games. Colonia Court even provided diabetic sweets to ensure all residents enjoyed the festivities. When asked about the Willy Wonka party, Colonia Court resident, Mavis Thomasson, commented: “A lovely time was had by all. It’s always fun to throw a party, and the team went to such an effort to make it special. Plus, everybody always loves a few sweet treats now and then.” Activities Co-ordinator, Dawn Kirkland, added: “There was a real buzz around the home on the run up to the party, and on the day – everyone pulled out all the stops to dress up. It was lovely to see residents laughing and enjoying themselves. We’re always looking to create new experiences for our residents, and I’m thrilled to say that our chocolate factory was a sweet success.”
Royal Star & Garter has celebrated all things American at its care home in Surbiton. Residents enjoyed a threeday America Day party, singing songs by US legends including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, tucking into iconic meals and dressing up. The Home in Upper Brighton Road was decorated with bunting, a giant poster of the Statue of Liberty, and the Star Spangled Banner. At lunch, veterans tucked into a Feast of America, which included quintessential dishes such as Cobb Salad, sticky bourbon barbeque chicken, loaded hot dogs and Cajun
chicken burgers. Desserts included pancakes and New York cheesecake. The party took place over three days from Tuesday 29 September to Thursday 1 October, allowing all residents in the Home’s three floors to take part and enjoy while observing social distancing. It was organised by the Home’s Activities team. WWII veteran Amy said: “The decorations were amazing, the staff put in so much effort. The food was delicious and we had good fun singing and dancing to Ol’ Blue Eyes and the King.”
COVID-19: Life on the Frontline: Hayley’s Story Activities have always played a pivotal role in the care and well-being of residents at Royal Star & Garter. But lockdown changed things dramatically. Visits from entertainers and nearby schools stopped, outings ceased, and the activities teams in each Home had to adapt at very short notice. High Wycombe Activities & Volunteers Manager Hayley Helsdown looks at how she coped with the many challenges faced, and why, despite an uncertain future, there will always be “laughter, joy and singing” in the Home. “I still remember when this was all starting... I recall speaking with [Home Manager] Chelle (Daly). She was putting together a contingency plan for the worst case scenario, where 50% of staff were off sick, and I remember thinking ‘Wow this is serious’. There were talks of staff coming to stay in the building, to come and live-in, and that’s when it first started to hammer home just how serious it was going to be. Activities have changed dramatically since the restrictions have come in. We used to spend a lot of time going out on trips, having pub lunches, going to the cinema, and we would regularly meet with some exservices personnel at the local pub. But we haven’t been able to take residents out, and at times that has been tough. Now we’ve started bringing in take-away food. If somebody fancies a curry or a pizza we’ll try our hardest to accommodate that. So we’re still offering that same opportunity to taste different food, in-house. We’ve also not been able to have entertainers in the Home. But we’re blessed with wonderful grounds that has meant we have had some
entertainers perform out in the garden area at a very safe distance, with the residents sitting at safe distances outside. We are reliant on the weather. Sometimes it’s raining and too cold, other times it’s been too hot for people to be outside. But we’re really thankful to the entertainers that have come, they’ve definitely helped to lift everybody’s spirits. Keeping residents in touch with their loved ones has also been vital to their well-being, and we’ve helped make this happen as much as possible. That was really important, especially when family members couldn’t visit. We would use FaceTime and Skype video calls, we made telephone calls. If somebody wasn’t able to communicate particularly well, a member of staff would sit with that person and give family members an update. We’d also receive information back from the family. I think it all helped bridge the gap. Families were very supportive and understanding. They knew we were keeping the residents safe and looking after them. They knew they were in good hands. Now we’re helping arrange socially-distanced outdoor family visits, and afterwards residents tell us what’s been going on with their loved ones. It’s great to see. How we put on activities inside the Home has also changed. Before we may have had one big session in the reception area for a particular activity. Now, so that we can maintain social bubbles, we’ve split up our staff and rotate them through each individual family (there are currently three individual families, or areas, in the Home). They’re a lot smaller and individually focussed. If one family area likes an activity, we try to replicate it in the other family areas. We’ve had mixed success with it. Sometimes things have worked and sometimes they haven’t. I think it’s just a case of perseverance. The things that have worked have been some of our themed days. We had Alice in Wonderland tea parties which worked very well. I think anything with food and drink always works! I think to myself ‘What do I enjoy?’ It’s food, drink, people, a bit of music! When an activity isn’t going great we look at how we can modify what we are doing. We get other equipment, have ideas and adapt. We also have great support from all the staff – kitchen, care staff – so sometimes we might not have a tea party planned, but someone might ask for one. We go speak to the kitchen, and that afternoon there’s a tea party and singing! We have always prided ourselves on delivering person-centred care, and we’re trying to undertake more individual projects with residents. We’ve got one gentleman who’s been helping us paint some garden furniture. It’s been a lovely project for him and it’s certainly making the furniture a lot brighter and more colourful, and gives that sensory aspect. We’re also doing knitting projects with some of the ladies, knit-
ting squares which we’ll make into a blanket and give to somebody less fortunate. From an activities’ perspective, we’re the fun in the Home, we’re seen to be the life and soul, so some days it’s tough to have that smile on and to think of new ideas. But we are spurred on by the group of residents we work with. You hear their military stories, know what they’ve been through and some of the challenges they’ve faced, and you want to give it your all because they’ve been through so much worse. They’re brave about it, and throughout all of this, the residents have been very understanding. I’m sure they find it difficult, and not being able to see your loved ones as much or getting out and about must be hard. They’re a very stoic group of individuals and I think they have taken to the changes particularly well. I’m just very thankful to be here with such wonderful people, residents and staff alike. Sometimes things do get a bit overwhelming, a bit tiresome and then somebody else will come and lift you back up, make you smile, make you laugh. I have to say I think the teams behind us have been absolutely fantastic. The level of support that we all receive, support from the directors in terms of communication and emails, particularly at the beginning with the lockdown, understanding the wider implications it would have for other staff and their loved ones. It’s helped me come to work each day thinking ‘Let’s have a great day’. We have been fortunate in High Wycombe, but it (COVID-19) hasn’t passed us by completely. We have had staff here who‘ve lost loved ones, and I’ve known of people I used to go to school with whose parents have passed away. From a personal perspective as well I’ve lost people this year – friends and family – and that’s very difficult having to adjust to not being able to go to funerals, not being able to support other loved ones and things. I think it’s very difficult trying to support one another when you can’t always physically be there. Being part of the activities team, you always have to forward plan one or two months in advance. So by now we should have a very comprehensive November and December plan, they are some of our busiest months with Remembrance services and Christmas. It’s going to look very different if things stay the same as they are, it’s going to be quieter in terms of not being able to have entertainers and schools come in. But I’m confident that our team will pick up that slack and there will still be laughter and joy and singing and everybody will band together and make the time as enjoyable as they can. We do the best that we can. We have to stay hopeful, to continue to push through. We don’t know how long we’re going to be in this situation.”
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How Safe Is the Health and Care Sector?
By Matt Rumbelow, Head of Design & Marketing, Safepoint (www.safepointapp.com)
The health and care sector provides vital care and support for those at their most vulnerable. But actually it’s those that work within it that can so often fall victim to abuse, aggression and violence from the very people they are trying to protect. Did you know one out of seven of the UK’s working population work in health and social care? Yet this sector also has the highest rates of workplace violence with workers nearly three times more likely to be physically attacked. Violence within this sector is in a crisis, and yet it doesn’t seem to be discussed. According to the Health and Safety Executive, ‘health and social care employees should not accept incidents of violent or aggressive behaviour as a normal part of the job’. Yet for many workers this is exactly the case, with a study by Able Training Support suggesting that around 70% of care workers claim to have faced both verbal and physical aggression in their jobs.
TYPES OF ATTACK Recently Community Care reported social workers being ‘threatened with weapons, verbally abused, stabbed, held hostage, harassed in the
street and having hot drinks thrown on them’. Another report by Community Care shows that 61% of child protection workers face being threatened by hostile or intimidating parents. With high levels of violence and abuse in this sector, perhaps what’s more concerning is more than half of the respondents did not have or were not aware of protocols on how to deal with these incidents.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? Health and social care has been rated as the most stressful industry to work in, according to The Office Group. The sector is beset by long hours and difficult working environments, sometimes with inadequate training. These conditions, as well as disheartening job prospects – half of all care workers are paid below the real living wage and a third are on zerohour contracts – have a dire impact on not only the sector, but also the wellbeing of the people working within it. It is predicted that there will be a deficit of 400,000 adult social care workers by 2028.
WHAT CAN BE DONE? The first point of call for an employer in health and social care, is to create a detailed and specific risk assessment. Assessments should consider universal risks, such as working alone or during unusual hours, as well as specific cases such as working with a high-risk client. Risk assessments should be updated regularly – taking into account any new changes in mental state, any patterns of aggression, and, of course, any episodes of violence or threatening behaviour. After the risk assessment is made, serious and concrete action should be taken to mitigate those risks and to deal with the effects: • Making visits to high-risk clients in pairs or groups;
It’s The Great Escape! – Birkdale Park Nursing Home Takes Residents On Mass Breakout! Like a scene from the Great Escape, residents are now routinely seen escaping a Southport based care home using their home rickshaw! In the face of the latest restricting COVID Liverpool City Region lockdown Birkdale Park Nursing Home in Southport has developed a new approach to the visiting challenge and maintaining relationships between their loved ones. Following the Department Health and Social Care guidance that all non-essential visiting must stop. Birkdale Park came up with an new idea of using their home rickshaw to get their residents out. Not only that but those ingenious carers have established a plastic safety screen between the two passengers to allow a resident AND relatives
to enjoy trips out together. No garden visits under a drafty gazebo! These guys are enjoying a warm trip out under blankets and enjoying a hot chocolate or icecream on Southport Pier. Jonathan Cunningham the home manager said ‘It is wonderful to see our gorgeous residents enjoy these expeditions out from the home. They are completely safe and everyone enjoys time with their loved ones. At a time when some other homes have locked out relatives, Birkdale Park has done the opposite to arrange trips out with their most dear. At times like this we have to innovate and think of new ways of maintaining these loving relationships.’
• Assigning better trained and more experienced staff to high-risk clients; • Providing a system of communication so that staff can request help, particularly when working alone. This may include an app-based lone working device, or a wearable panic alarm. Over time, larger scale changes to the sector will have to be made. Higher levels of training, greater emotional support for workers, and less demanding hours should all be considered. Right now, there are already standards in place that must be better adhered to. Health and social care workers deserve to work in the safest environment possible, with greater support from their employers and from the public, and the best place to start is to talk about the issue.
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The Importance of Recognising Malnutrition and Dehydration By dietitian Jane Clarke BSc (Hons) SRD DSc, founder of Nourish by Jane Clarke (www.nourishbyjaneclarke.com)
THE RISKS WITH NOT EATING ENOUGH
Even as individuals responsible for and aware of our own health, it can be easy to skip a meal or get to the end of the day and realize we’re parched because we haven’t drunk enough fluids. Suddenly, our lack of energy or irritability (dehydration is a common cause of grumpiness) makes sense. Ensuring we have a healthy meal or snack, and a bottle of water to hand as we go about our day, is an easy fix – but it’s not that simple for residents who may not have the autonomy or capability to get their own drink or something to eat. Being aware of the risks of under-nutrition and dehydration is an important factor in the care of residents, and can make a huge difference to their day-to-day wellbeing, helping to prevent the domino effect that can lead to serious health consequences. Older people admitted to hospital from a residential care setting have been found to be 10 times more likely to be dehydrated than those admitted to hospital from their own home. Taking steps to ensure those in our care are nourished and hydrated and staying alert to warning signs that this isn’t the case, can ensure the best outcomes for the individuals we support. Educating relatives and asking them to encourage their loved ones to eat and drink (when possible) is also of huge importance. They know more than anyone the personality of their loved one, and are able to spot changes than can signal a potential problem.
Our appetite and desire to eat anything is influenced by so many factors, from physical issues such as pain, sickness and constipation to anxiety, fear and feeling low. The signs of being malnourished – that is, not getting enough essential nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals from food – can be hard to spot, especially if someone is carrying excess weight. But just because someone doesn’t look thin or as if they are wasting away, doesn’t mean they’re not struggling with insufficient nourishment. The body needs a regular supply of every nutrient in order to maintain a healthy immune system, which as well as helping to protect from chronic disease, may prevent more minor illnesses, from colds to urinary tract infections, and improve wound healing and recovery from surgery – all key issues for the elderly and vulnerable, which can have a snowball effect if left untreated and lead to the need for greater intervention and treatment. A lack of nutrients can also lead to feelings of weakness and fatigue, confusion and depression – all symptoms to look out for when caring for individuals. Take a holistic look at the person you care for and their environment as it is often not just a physical issue at play; emotional elements play a significant part in tackling a poor appetite.
THE PROBLEM OF DEHYDRATION Preventable dehydration is often a cause for concern in care settings, exacerbated because older people are more at risk due to the physiological changes of ageing, certain diseases and medication (especially diuretics), reduced renal function, diabetes, mental and physical frailty, and swallowing difficulties. The sensation of thirst also diminishes with age, reducing the desire to drink – it’s also why asking someone if they are thirsty isn’t a reliable indicator of their hydration levels. Lack of fluids can lead to disorientation and confusion, cause urinary tract infections and constipation (without water, the fibre in foods cannot swell and pass through the gut easily), result in muscle weakness and fatigue, and increase risk of pressure sores and skin conditions. Dizziness can be a consequence, leading to falls. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, lips and tongue; drowsiness and confusion; dry, slack skin; and concentrated, strong-smelling urine (it should be odourless and pale in colour).
HOW TO HELP YOUR RESIDENTS Closely monitoring and recording what your residents eat and drink,
assisting them if mental or physical impairments mean they cannot feed themselves, and enlisting the support of relatives and visitors to encourage a few mouthfuls and sips, are all essential. And crucially, making mealtimes a pleasurable shared experience, and serving foods that tempt the appetite and stimulate the sensory receptors in the mouth that encourage the brain to anticipate and savour food, will mean defending your residents from the dangers of malnutrition and dehydration will enrich and enhance their wellbeing in so many ways.
UNDERNOURISHMENT Check for practical issues. Do they have a sore mouth, badly fitted dentures, or is the effort of chewing and swallowing preventing them from eating? Consider mood and food. Some of us don’t like to eat on our own, and when our mood is low and angry, eating can be the last thing we feel like doing. Can you take the time to sit and take the stalks off grapes, peel a clementine, cajole without pestering someone who has a poor appetite, and note if they don’t manage to eat much? Take your cues from the person when it comes to tempting their appetite. Are there dishes they loved in the past, favourite family recipes, easy-to-eat alternatives to tried-and-trusted meals? The scent, taste, look and feel of food can all trigger a desire to eat and provide the comfort and nourishment they need. Create a food mood board. Often, memories are linked to foods we loved eating at a precise moment. A personal food mood board made from photos of favourite dishes, people and places can be a great way to communicate and also stimulate a jaded appetite. Don’t expect someone to eat three full meals a day. They may do better with smaller snacks, or food they can ‘pick at’. Just be sure that they receive the nutrients they need overall.
DEHYDRATION Agree a daily fluid intake goal for each individual. Consider what drinks they really enjoy. Diluted fruit juices or cordials, tea and herbal teas (not too hot) and thicker liquids such as smoothies and milkshakes (ideal if the person has problems with choking, exacerbated by thin fluids) are all good alternatives to plain water. Offer fluids throughout the day and encourage regular small sips rather than expecting the person to drink an entire glass. As well as liquids, offer hydrating foods such as fresh fruit, soups, jellies, yoghurt and custard.
Research Investigates Potential Benefits Of Eggs In The Diet Of Older People A new paper, published in the journal Public Health Nutrition, discusses how eggs could offer an ideal ‘food first’ opportunity to increase protein intake and help prevent muscle decline in older people, as investigated in research by a team at Bournemouth University, part-funded by the British Egg Industry Council. Protein is essential for the growth and repair of body cells and tissues; as people age, loss in muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) can increase protein requirements. Eggs provide high quality protein which could help to prevent the degeneration of skeletal muscle. Despite eggs being a beneficial food for older people – rich in valuable nutrients and a high quality source of protein; as well as being easy to cook and eat – UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) data show that current intake of eggs and egg dishes in older adults is only 2% of daily total energy intake, and only 3% of average daily protein intake. The research considered a number of potential strategies which may help increase egg consumption in older age groups, including offering recipes and herb/spice packets, to improve flavour and acceptability. The paper, published online in September in the journal Public Health Nutrition, entitled The provision of recipes and single-use herb/spice packets to increase egg and protein intake in communitydwelling older adults: a randomised controlled trial, studied 100 adults over the age of 55 years, and their egg eating habits. Eggs have a soft texture, are easy to cook, are of low cost and have a long shelf life – so teamed with their nutritional value, they could be an impor-
tant protein source for older people. The study provided high-protein egg-based recipes and singleuse herb/spice packets to participants for 12 weeks in a randomised controlled trial, which led to higher egg intake in those receiving the intervention, which was sustained for up to 12 weeks after the end of the trial. One of the authors of the paper, Katherine Appleton, said: “Our results suggest that by providing simple egg recipe inspiration and helping to make eggs more appetising to eat, their consumption could be increased. By focussing on a foodfirst approach, rather than fortified foods or supplements, we think that a positive behaviour change could be sustained, as the minimum expense and high acceptability of eggs for this audience are beneficial factors. A practical benefit could be in changing the healthy eating habits of people who could benefit greatly from increased protein intake.” The researchers concluded that more studies evaluating the best strategies for increasing protein intake in this age group would be of significant value.
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Are You in Need of Dysphagia Training ? *
*This training is intended for healthcare professionals only. Did you know that between 50-75% of nursing home residents suffer from dysphagia1? Nutricia has a training solution for you, a FREE e-learning covering the fundamentals of dysphagia management using Nutilis Clear. The training is divided into 4 sections and has been specially designed for busy health and social care staff caring for people living with dysphagia. It takes 60 minutes in total to complete, however you can complete one section at a time.
HOW CAN THIS TRAINING HELP YOU? • Easy & convenient online solution to dysphagia training • Visibility to track progress in your care home • Raise the quality standard of dysphagia care in a consistent way The quality standards aim is for all new health and social care staff members caring for patients with Dysphagia to complete the modules as part of their induction programme. Existing health and
social care staff members should also complete the learning to support their continuing professional development. There is a certificate that can be downloaded once the training has been successfully completed. Use the camera on your phone to scan the QR code to access the e-learning and get started! For any questions contact your local Nutricia sales representative or our Resource Centre at resourcecentre@nutricia.com. Nutilis Clear is a Food for Special Medical Purposes for the dietary management of dysphagia and must be used under medical supervision. Reference: 1. O’Loughlin G, Shanley C. Swallowing problems in the nursing home: a novel training response. Dysphagia 1998; 13, 172183.( https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/dysphagia) See the advert on page 37 for further information.
Renowned Care Home Chef Launches A Series Of Cracking Lion Egg Dishes NACC Care Chef of the Year, Martin McKee, has created a series of new videos showing how Lion eggs can bring inspiration to care home menus across the country. The recipes have been developed to reflect the growing trend for menu simplification that has been seen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five easy-to-make recipes have been tailored to meet various nutritional requirements of residents, ranging from undernourishment, to dementia, or dysphagia. The dishes, designed to serve 10 or more people, include: an egg and bacon breakfast muffin; salmon and broccoli stuffed pepper with baked egg; smoked bacon, scrambled egg and potato waffles; spinach, ricotta and cherry tomato frittata; chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream; and Mediterranean vegetable scotch eggs. The latest Food Standards Agency advice means that vulnerable groups, including care home residents, can eat runny, or even raw, eggs, as long as they are produced to British Lion standards. Eggs meeting the Lion standard will carry a red
Lion and best before date on every egg. Previously, care homes had to restrict the way they served eggs, but they can now make the most of this nutritious, versatile, and cost-effective food. Martin said: ‘’Eggs are an essential ingredient in every kitchen, and it is brilliant that we can now serve them runny as long as they meet Lion standards. The recipes I’ve created are easy to replicate and have been designed to make the most of the nutritional benefits of eggs, including key vitamins and minerals, as well as providing an abundance of protein which is vital for care home residents’ diets. ‘’I always use British Lion eggs and I would strongly urge any other care home chef to follow suit when sourcing and cooking with eggs, to guarantee highquality, safe dishes.’’ The video recipes are available to view on British Lion eggs YouTube channel and can also be found on www.eggrecipes.co.uk See the advert on page 19 for further information.
Microwave Specialist Launches Its Biggest Ever Giveaway Regale Microwave Ovens is offering a free Panasonic rice cooker with every purchase of some of the brand’s microwave ovens. Users can now benefit from a free Panasonic rice cooker when they certain Panasonic microwaves via specialist supplier, Regale Microwave Ovens. Panasonic Rice Cookers are Ideal for cooking porridge at breakfast and keeps it hot for late risers when on standby without it drying out! One of the models where the giveaway applies is the Panasonic NE-1878, a 1,800W inverter-powered microwave designed to feature the benefits of an all metal door. With each purchase, companies can receive a free model SRGA421 rice cooker, worth over £120, which will also come with 2kg of FOC Tilda rice inside. All enquiries received by Regale will be passed to the nearest geographical dealer, and both units will be dispatched by Regale to the operators on the UK mainland with next day delivery, free of charge. There are three other Panasonic ovens included in the promotion, but these
qualifying for a FOC 7.2L Panasonic rice cooker. The ovens are the:Panasonic NE-C1275 13A plug-in combination microwave oven with • ‘five-way’ cooking methods. Panasonic NE-1880 & NE-3280. The extra-large and very powerful • microwave ovens can take 2 x full size (1:1) Gastronorm pans. Each of these ovens comes with a 7.2litre Panasonic (model SR• GA721) rice cooker, Free Of Charge. Each rice cooker comes with a complimentary 5kg of Tilda Basmati rice. Furthermore, Regale will deliver the equipment free to any UK mainland operator on the next working day. Regale deputy MD Iain Phillips said: “Of course there are a few terms and conditions with this fantastic giveaway, the main one being that it is restricted to ‘whilst stocks last’, however we are hoping that we can run it from now to somewhere towards the end of August.” See the advert on page 10 for details or call 01329 285518..
EF Group Launches CaterCloud - The Secret Ingredient for Menu Management Success Manchester-based, EF Group has announced it is offering free for life access to its new cloud-based, menu management platform, CaterCloud, which launched this week. The easy-to-use, next generation allergen, nutrition, menu planning and costing system offers a wealth of enhanced functionality to help caterers gain significant efficiencies in their operations, to control costs and increase profits. CaterCloud helps businesses ensure food safety remains a key focus. With food labelling regulations set to change in October 2021, as a result of Natasha’s Law, all England-based businesses working in the food industry will be required to clearly label all foods produced and packed on their premises with a full list of ingredients detailing the full allergen profile. Designed to help businesses prepare for this upcoming regulation, CaterCloud provides sub-allergen information and tagging; QR Code scanning for live allergen and nutritional information, along with the ability to print Natasha’s Law compliant food labels. CaterCloud also offers customers access to a range of accredited training for allergen awareness and food safety. CaterCloud’s innovative functionality also boasts many other benefits to enable simple menu management for caterers across the hospitality, healthcare, education and retail sectors. It offers effective menu planning with dish and menu costings; access to a nutritional database with 1,000s of ingredients and customisable dashboards to record KPIs.
Users of CaterCloud can also join the e-foods’ Buyers’ Club and benefit from its substantial buying power. The Buyers’ Club is made up of a network of trusted accredited suppliers across the UK. Users can purchase food and non-food goods from these suppliers with savings of between 5 to 10%. Paul Mizen, Chief Executive, EF Group said: “The service industries are moving at pace towards technology to help meet their stock ordering,
menu planning and compliance challenges. Our experience shows that there is increasing demand for more advanced dish and menu costing tools, as well as detailed, easy to use product data. “Catering managers require their menu management software to seamlessly integrate with their ordering systems and demand best value from their food suppliers. With CaterCloud, we will remain at the forefront of delivering the innovative features the industry needs. “The entire catering industry has been heavily impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic and as businesses work hard to recover, we are providing CaterCloud for free to help maximise efficiencies and reduce costs. This is our way of giving something back to the industry upon which our business is founded.” CaterCloud is a web-based menu planning, nutrition, allergen and costing system which is part of the E-F Group. CaterCloud helps hundreds of hospitality businesses deliver performance and control costs while reducing food safety risks. CaterCloud is committed to innovation in food management, its leading-edge platform helps to manage food offerings from front desk to kitchens, with the aim of improving efficiency in catering operations. Live menu costings help businesses to see how their business is performing every day, enabling them to focus on producing quality food and increasing profitability. CaterCloud’s clients are mainly in the following sectors: healthcare, education, hospitality and retail. For more information, see the advert on the facing page.
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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 31
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Guidance For Staff Returning or Joining the Care Sector Article by GAMA Healthcare (www.gamahealthcare.com) COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is highly contagious (Li, 2020). While most people will experience mild to moderate symptoms, the elderly are at greater risk of becoming seriously or gravely ill. Those who live in care homes are at an increased risk (CDC, 2020). It is therefore important that care staff or those who a new to the care sector remain vigilant and are up to date on best practice hygiene and infection control as government advice is constantly evolving. This will be key to prevent the spread of the virus in care settings.
• After body fluid exposure risk To protect yourself and the care home environment from harmful resident germs • After touching a resident To prevent transfer to yourself, the environment and other residents • After touching a resident’s surroundings To remove germs picked up by touching the resident’s local environment
HANDWASHING AND HYGIENE
It is important that PPE is available for staff to use. When carers are in close personal contact with a resident, they should wear PPE to prevent the transmission of coronavirus. Staff should also be familiar on what type of PPE to use based on the situation (Public Health England, 2020) Public Health England guidance recommends the following types of PPE for each situation: When providing close personal care in direct contact with the resident(s) (e.g.touching) OR within 2 metres of anyone in the household who is coughing • Disposable gloves – to protect from fluids, secretions and contact from residents body • Disposable plastic apron - to protect from fluids, secretions and contact from residents body • Fluid repellent surgical mask – This can be worn throughout the shift, unless staff need to eat, drink or take a break • Eye protection – protect from secretions and droplets from residents mouth, this is particularly important when a resident is repeatedly coughing. When within 2 metres of a client or household members but not delivering personal care or needing to touch them, and there is no one within 2 metres who has a cough • Type 11 surgical mask - This can be worn throughout the shift, unless staff need to eat, drink or take a break (Public Health England, 2020). It may also be prudent to wear visors, but they have been found to limit the inhalation of the virus by 92% (Perencevich, 2020)
It is important that care staff wash and disinfect their hands frequently to help limit the spread of the virus. There should also be emphasis on correct handwashing (Aymood et al 2020). Studies have found that correct handwashing can limit the spread of coronavirus by 69% (Nicolaides et al 2020) . Research has found that most people do not wash their hands correctly, forgetting to disinfectant areas such as between the fingers, fingertips and thumbs. Staff should be aware of best practice hand hygiene.
How to disinfect your hands
It is also imperative that staff know when to perform hand hygiene, this includes: • Before touching a resident To prevent germs from being transferred to the resident from your hands • Before an aseptic procedure e.g. changing dressings or taking bloods To reduce the risk of germs entering the body during the procedure. For guidance on dressing changes, Molnlycke Healthcare have a suite of free resources for carers https://www.molnlycke.co.uk/education/woundareas/wound-healing/how-to-look-after-your-wound/
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
DISINFECTION OF SURFACES. Coronavirus can live on surfaces for days. It is therefore important that effective surface hygiene is incorporated daily to prevent the spread of the virus. Carers undertaking cleaning duties should be aware of the 5 principles of the cleaning. GAMA Healthcare has a suite of free downloadable resources which can be shared amongst colleagues and provided to in house or agency cleaning staff. These include posters that can be put up as a daily reminder
AtmoSan Supports Safety at Avery Care Homes In a further step to ensure that its care homes continue to be some of the safest places to live, Avery Healthcare has deployed AtmoSan systems to all of its services. As a part of its comprehensive approach to hygiene and sanitisation, supported by extensive staff training, it is now using AtmoSan Fogging machines, a ULV ultra-fine droplet cold fogging system, to provide complete room decontamination, prior to a new resident moving in and for regular cleaning and virus prevention. AtmoSan is a specialist manufacturer of decontamination solutions against surface
and airborne pathogens, and its advanced Biocide is completely natural, 100% safe and non-toxic to humans, animals and plants. Accredited and approved to multiple European and British Standards sanitisation standards, it kills 99.999% of all known pathogens, including viruses such as norovirus, MS2 and the coronavirus, bacteria such as Campylobacter, fungi, spores and moulds. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with an appropriate disinfectant product. Biocide Regulatory Agencies such as the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) employ a ‘hierarchy-
www.gamahealthcare.com/coronavirus/resources. All waste should be put aside for 72 hours before being put inside the household. By incorporating these practices into daily duties, carers can help limit the spread of the infectious disease and protect themselves as well as residents.
References Li H, Lui S, Yu X (2020) Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): current status and future perspectives. International Journal Antimicrobial Agents. 55:5, 2-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7139247/pdf/main.pdf Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html Alzyood M, Jackson D, Aveyard H (2020) COVID19 reinforces the importance of handwashing. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 1-2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7267118/pdf/JOCN-9999-na.pdf Nicolaides C, Avraam D, Felgueroso L (2020) HandHygiene Mitigation Strategies Against Global Disease Spreading through the Air Transportation Network. International Journal of Risk Analysis. 40:4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/risa.13438 Wilkinson et al. J Hosp Infect. 2018;98(4):339-44. Public Health England (2020) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19how-to-work-safely-in-care-homes Perencevich E, Diekema D, Edmond M(2020) Moving Personal Protective Equipment Into the Community.JAMA.323:22.22522253.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765525
based’ approach for new virus strains, meaning a product such as Biocide that is found to be effective against harder-to-kill viruses is likely to kill a virus such as COVID-19. Tony Devenish from AtmoSan was thrilled at the agreement; “We are delighted to partner with Avery Healthcare in providing an effective aerial and surface disinfection solution for their 56 care homes nationwide. It is a privilege to work with such a proactive care group and to be able to contribute towards increased resident safety and providing peace of mind for their families in these difficult times.” Director of Care and Quality for the Avery Group, Julie Spencer, was similarly enthusiastic with the project roll-out: “After testing and a pilot phase, we are confidently deploying the AtmoSan systems to all our homes as part of the fight against the coronavirus and other health risks. It’s a great addition to our other protocols and will help keep our residents, staff and their respective families safe when in an Avery environment.” Find out more at www.atmosan.co.uk
Unigloves Expands Its PPE Range with Hand Gel and Facemask Launches Hand protection specialist Unigloves is expanding its product portfolio with the launch of a range of sanitising hand gels and facemasks. Added to its range to help in the fight against Covid-19, the new products complement Unigloves’ range of disposable gloves designed for use across a wide range of industrial sectors including healthcare and care homes. Available in 480ml and 200ml pump dispenser and 50ml flip top sizes, the new 70% alcohol hand gel with added Vitamin E kills 99.9% of all bacteria. Fast-drying, leaving the hands feeling soft and smooth, the new gel also moisturises the hands, making it ideal for the healthcare sector and high use environments. Joining the hand gels is Unigloves’ Profil facemasks. Available in boxes of 50, the 3 ply, pleated Type II facemasks have a Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of 98%. Tested to EN14683 the facemasks are manufactured
from soft, non-woven fabric with integrated noseband and soft ear loops for a comfortable, secure fit. “Our hand gels and facemasks are part of our global response to the Covid-19 outbreak, which has seen us manufacturing for the NHS and a wide range of healthcare-associated settings both in the UK and internationally. “In tandem with our extensive gloves range, the combination of hand protection and respiratory protection, provides companies with an effective solution to the increased focus on hygiene protocols,” said Unigloves’ Marketing Director, Donald Gillespie. For more information on the range of hand gels and facemasks from Unigloves, visit https://unigloves.co.uk/products-bycategory/disinfectants/hand-gel-with-vitamin-e and https://unigloves.co.uk/products-by-category/facemasks/profilface-mask .
Antimicrobial Contract Fabrics for Added Reassurance Skopos has recently launched a new sub-brand, Skopos Pro-tect Plus, as a marker for all Skopos products offered with an antimicrobial finish. Skopos has been offering antimicrobial fabrics for over 15 years, however the new sub-brand helps to clearly identify this offer to our customers, at a time where extra reassurance within contract interiors has never been more relevant. Within Pro-tect Plus Skopos customers have a choice of fabrics for different end uses; Antimicrobial drapery fabrics,
Antimicrobial woven upholstery fabrics, Antimicrobial faux leather and vinyls. The upholstery fabrics offer includes luxury velvet, printed fabrics, vinyls and a large range of woven collections, mostly waterproof, soil and stain resist, perfect for caring interiors. Many of our drapery and bedding fabrics can be finished with an antimicrobial treatment, so please ask. Choices include print basecloths, plain and woven designs. All antimicrobial fabrics are flame retardant and tested to the high stan-
dards required for contract interiors. Skopos antimicrobial fabrics have bacteriostatic, viralreducing and anti-fungal properties. Fabrics are not seen as a beneficial host for Sars Cov-2 even without antimicrobial treatment, however including this extra benefit viruses and bacteria are greatly reduced. Free samples of our fabrics are available online or via our customer services team: sales@skopos.co.uk. www.skoposfabrics.com
SAFE | EASY | ACCURATE
• Immediately detects elevated skin temperature • Maintains social distancing • Easy to use – works straight out of the box
Ideal for installation in: CARE & NURSING HOMES ASSISTED LIVING PROPERTIES RETIREMENT RESIDENCES MEDICAL FACILITIES
HUMAN BODY TEMPERATURE SCREENING SYSTEM
Find out more at LANDVIRALERT.COM
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 33
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Electrox Sterilising Water Electrox Sterilising Water is an ecological disinfectant that kills viruses, bacteria, spores and fungi significantly faster than bleach and other traditional disinfectants. It is 80 x more effective than bleach, no alcohol, non corrosive, pH neutral and hypoallergenic. The active substance in Electrox is hypochlorous acid, which has been successfully tested for full virucidal activity as defined in EN14476:2013, and has activity against all viruses. This includes all coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2. When used with fogging machines, Electrox can sanitise care
homes rapidly, with minimal disruption and without the harsh chemicals found in traditional disinfectants. Electrox customer Eddy Pyatt, Director of Platinum Care Homes says “We’re using Electrox Sterilising Water and the fogging machine in four of our Care Homes and have found it provides real peace of mind and assurance to our residents and their visitors. We are fogging communal areas, outdoor visiting areas in between visits and resident’s rooms within our care homes to make sure we’re providing a sanitised environment for our staff, residents and their visitors alike. We wanted a sanitising product that didn’t involve large amounts of chemicals and found Electrox to be the most cost effective of all the solutions we looked at.” Contact Electrox today: www.electroxwater.co.uk 0117 318 0830 sales@electroxwater.co.uk
Sanozone. The Easy Way To Sanitise Your Indoor Spaces SANOZONE, which delivers the most efficient sanitisation performance in indoor spaces, is now available from Barbel. Manufactured by Vitaeco S.r.l., the world famous manufacturer of the highly regarded HotmixPro thermal blender range, SANOZONE sanitises rooms of many sizes in enclosed HRC sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, conference rooms and similar establishments where totally reliable and regular sanitisation is needed. SANOZONE is particularly suitable for hospitals and care home areas, where absolute cleanliness is mandatory, and in areas where it is difficult or impossible to deliver effective sanitisation throughout. The SANOZONE range of
machines use Ozone (O3) technology, a gaseous form of Ozone that fills the room, reaching every corner of the space, santising surfaces and critical hard-toreach corners homogenously, consistently and safely. The SANOZONE range of sanitisation machines are all equipped with the latest technology and customised disinfection programmes to suit your specific requirements. The running costs are considerably lower than any traditional disinfecting programmes and most importantly, there is no manual labour involved. For further information about the SANOZONE range, please contact Barbel on 01629 705110, email info@barbel.net, or visit the website at www.barbel.net
Care and Protect
Options available include a blue nitrile examination glove which has strong barrier properties and high resistance to oils, fats, and chemicals; synthetic examination gloves; and vinyl general purpose gloves. The gloves are packed in a way that they are dispensed ‘cuff first’ which has clear hygienic advantages. All of the gloves are tested to BS EN 455 and conform to a number of other standards. The Wave® range also includes water-soluble strip laundry bags for the safe containment of soiled linen, with a watersoluble seal and a tie string for securing the bags. The strip and tie part of the bag dissolve in water allowing the contents to discharge into the wash. We also supply other forms of PPE such as aprons; face masks and protective plastic sheeting for receptions and other areas of work. www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk
Cromwell Polythene is a major supplier of waste management solutions to the healthcare sector and an active member of the Sanitary Medical Disposal Services Association. We offer a full range of sacks for clinical waste management, from ultra-strong sacks with very high tear resistance to economically priced sacks with a high recycled content. It is essential that care staff, who work so hard to protect us, have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent the spread of infection. Our Wave® range of disposable gloves are both latex and powder free, for comfort and performance.
New VIRALERT 3 Human Body Temperature Screening System Delivers COVID-19 Protection for the Care Sector Care facilities have been severely affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 across the world. Protecting the safety and wellbeing of people in these facilities including patients, staff and visitors, is a key priority for managers of care organisations in this current pandemic. AMETEK Land, a global leader in temperature measurement technologies based in the UK, has used the expertise and knowledge of its workforce to support this vital sector by develop a new human skin temperature screening system, VIRALERT 3. Designed to screen visitors at an entry point without slowing the flow of people, VIRALERT 3 scans temperatures without any person-to-person contact, keeping all parties safe. VIRALERT 3 is easy to use, and can be left to operate automatically, with audible and visual alarms alerting when high temperatures are discovered. VIRALERT 3 is the first of its kind, providing a camera and a temperature-controlled reference source on a single mounting. This makes for a compact system that won’t get in the way of queueing people and can be easily wall-mounted. Using automatic face detection, it locates the best areas for temperature detection, taking a reading that is accurate to within 0.5°C, then calculates core body temperature through a rapid test procedure in less than two seconds. The system has recently been installed at the Dronfield Medical Practice, where it has brought extra confidence to staff and patients visiting the site. “At Dronfield Medical Practice we wanted to see
how we could all work together to “Stay Alert” by ensuring patients are seen appropriately, and by keeping all staff secure with the knowledge they are being looked after,” said Kathryn Wileman, Practice Manager, Dronfield Medical Practice. She continued, “The installation of VIRALERT 3 has been a very effective way to achieve this. If a visitor’s temperature is high, we can ask them to leave the premises, then arrange to see them safely without putting anyone at risk.” Division Vice President Justin Smith at AMETEK Land said: ““VIRALERT 3 is a major global technology in keeping people safe in the fight against COVID-19. Highly accurate readings mean that anyone with an elevated temperature will be identified before fully entering the building, thereby reducing the spread of infection”. In addition to the care sector, the roll-out of VIRALERT 3 has attracted interest across a variety of sectors including hospitals and healthcare, commercial areas, education facilities, and public spaces, transportation entry points, offices and manufacturing locations, and sports and leisure sites. Visit www.landviralert.com for further details.
PAGE 34 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Staysafe Visor - CE-Certified PPE Manufactured in the UK Staysafe Visor is a subsidiary of 1st Packaging Ltd, a leading specialist UK plastics manufacturer founded in 2002. Used in a wide range of health and commercial settings, our high-quality recyclable CE-certified face shields offer protection against liquid droplets, sprays and splashes. Our visors are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, are anti-fog and easy to assemble. As a long-established UK company, we have been able to step up our manufacture of PPE to meet high demand
during the current unprecedented circumstances. Our facilities enable us to produce well in excess of 200,000 items per week. At Staysafe Visor our experienced team takes very seriously its role in supporting the health of the community by helping to maintain a safer environment. Availability and affordability are the cornerstones of our operation. Because we sell directly to businesses, organisations and the general public, we are able to remove the need for
intermediaries and keep costs low. We believe that we offer the most competitive rates on the market for this type of CE-certified PPE. Our high-quality products are helping to better protect employees in the NHS, care homes, education, transport, manufacturing and a host of other workplace settings. For further details about our range of visors please do not hesitate to contact our friendly expert team. See page 4 for details or visit www.staysafevisor.co.uk
Haigh Engineering Callero Shield for Care Homes and Clinics Resident and patient waste is a day to day practical matter that simply cannot become a problem for frontline carers and nursing staff. With the raised awareness of cross infection risks, the proven reliable waste disposal systems from Haigh are recognised more than ever as being a key part of the toolkit for ensuring that human waste is effectively and efficiently removed as a source of risk, day in day out, without the risks and complications of either washing pots or manual bagging waste for collection. The team from Haigh have been working hard to support this beyond just the manufacture of the Incomaster and Quattro waste disposers here in the UK, but also developing innovative and safe methods to enhance the servicing provisions that are available to customers. The recently launched all-inclusive rental proposition has proven particularly effective and popular with new and existing customers alike, not least as it reduces the operational, maintenance and financing headaches from sites which have more critical matters to address. For more information about incontinence and bedpan waste disposal please feel free to contact the Haigh team on 01989 763131 or info@haigh.co.uk
For over 40 years, Gratnells Medical products have been widely used for hospital storage. From trolleys and frames, to trays and accessories, the wide range of products makes up the ideal storage solution for any medical environment. Designed with a multitude of settings in mind, the Gratnells Medical range would fit suitably into care homes, dental practices and other surgeries.
The Gratnells Callero Shield range is a complete collection of products designed to offer ample storage that is easily moveable and fits neatly into any environment. Treated with BioCote® antimicrobial additive, the trays and trolleys in the range protect against the spread of various viruses, bacteria and germs. Callero Shield trolleys are available in double and treble column width and with multiple tray combinations. Suitable for the safe storage of PPE, medical files and equipment, uniform and beyond, the trolleys are easily movable between locations and can be set in place with lockable castors. They’re also popularly used as sanitation and cleaning stations due to the ample storage space and the antimicrobial metal worksurface. The antimicrobial Gratnells Rover allows the movement of heavier loads with ease. Robust, hygienic and practical, safely carry medical equipment over any terrain and up and down stairs. With a safety strap to secure antimicrobial trays in place and the option to add antimicrobial lids to trays, contents will be safe on
their journey from place to place. Recently added to the Gratnells antimicrobial range are the new SortED inserts. SortED is a new range of removable, modular inserts designed to fit and create separate sections in shallow and deep Gratnells trays. Also treated with BioCote® additive, the dishwasher safe inserts offer a safe and hygienic solution for the storage and distribution of smaller medical equipment or PPE. Browse the full Gratnells Medical range: www.gratnellsmedical.com
Airdri Launches Air Purifier To Flush Away Washroom Bacteria Airdri, a leading designer and manufacturer of hand dryers, has added a new air purifier unit to its portfolio, to tackle washroom bacteria and eliminate odours. Complementing its range of hand drying solutions, the Airdri Air Purifier uses custom thermal convection technology to kill airborne and surface bacteria and viruses, eliminating the bad odours they cause, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Offering both odour and infection control, the unit is ideal for use in busy washrooms. Its compact profile means it can sit discretely in the top corner of a washroom, yet can service the entire space, covering a floor area of up to 30m2. With minimal maintenance and low energy consumption of 10w, the Airdri Air Purifier is a green solution for providing constant sanitised washroom air. Trudi Osborne, Marketing Manager at Airdri, says “Washrooms are the primary source of infections, with many housing bacteria and viruses that are unseen to the eye. Given
that in just eight hours a single bacterium can multiply into over eight million cells, it is vital to ensure washrooms are kept clean and hygienic at all times. Cleaning and disinfecting alone are only a partial solution – they do not stop ongoing surface contamination or tackle airborne bacteria. Equally, fragrances or fresheners simply mask the associated odours, doing nothing towards hygiene. “The Airdri Air Purifier kills both surface and airborne bacteria, removing the unpleasant odours that they bring with them. The unit processes contaminated air in the purifying chamber, emitting an efficient cleaning agent. Other solutions, which may feature a HEPA filter or have an antibacterial coating, only clean the area immediately surrounding the dryer. The Airdri Air Purifier provides a complete hygiene solution for the whole washroom ensuring that the whole environment is clean, hygienic and odour free.” For more information visit www.airdri.com
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 37
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Show How Much You Care with DispenserONE ®
In a world where building and operations managers in every sector fight to make their premises COVID secure and prevent the spread of coronavirus, nowhere is the importance of safe, effective hand hygiene starker than in care homes. With around 30% of all nursing and residential care home deaths attributable to coronavirus and operators striving to control its spread, conventional sanitizer dispensers are a common sight. However, such systems, with their limited capacity, reliance on batteries and fragile dosing mechanisms, can only be considered a short-term fix. For a permanent solution, professionals choose SEKO’s DispenserONE® hand sanitizer system. Designed specifically to handle the high demand for hand sanitizer during and post-COVID19, DispenserONE® features robust, revolutionary pump technology – unprecedented in hand sanitizer dispensers – that automatically delivers the same pre-defined dosage every time. That’s without the spillages typical of manual systems as their dosing mechanism wears out, meaning that as well as removing a potential slip hazard, operators can minimize product wastage. The DispenserONE® series boasts a broad capacity range that enables between 3,000 and 25,000 doses to be delivered between refills, compared to 1,000 when using traditional 1-litre systems. This allows operators to select a system ideally suited to their facility and guarantee residents, visitors and staff alike access to sanitizer 24/7 while avoiding the common problem of
dispensers running dry as busy maintenance staff struggle to keep them topped up. Meanwhile, DispenserONE®’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot enables operators to access the unit wherever they are via smartphone, PC or laptop by logging into their personal online dashboard. This allows managers to view the live status of all their DispenserONE® units across multiple sites, using key information such as product level to ensure maintenance staff refill only when necessary. As a failsafe, operators also receive notifications when product quantity falls below a pre-set level to help guarantee sanitizer on demand. DispenserONE® helps operators to prevent virus transmission with its automatic sensoractivated delivery, using touch-free technology to ensure users do not need to contact the unit with their hands. Encapsulating the attention to detail in the system’s design is the delivery nozzle position, set at a height that makes it accessible for wheelchair users. Finally, DispenserONE®’s mains power connection frees operators of their reliance on batteries, guaranteeing continuous use and removing the environmental impact of battery disposal. Helping nursing home managers to properly protect residents, visitors and staff alike, nothing says “we care” better than DispenserONE®. Find out more – visit the dedicated DispenserONE® website today: www.dispenserone.com or see the advert opposite.
New Mobile Hands-Free Wash Basins from Hygiene Does Not Stop At The Washroom says Kimberly-Clark Professional Mechline Have the X Factor Mechline Developments has extended its line-up of BaSix hand wash stations with an all new range of space-saving, mobile, hands-free basins. The range facilitates hygienic handwashing in any location—even where water, waste and electric utilities are not available—and the completely portable ‘X’ model provides double the washes per litre of any comparable product on the market. As Nick Falco, Product and Technical Director at Mechline, explains: “As Coronavirus lockdown measures are eased and many businesses reopen their sites, hand washing remains key to mitigating against the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Every business needs to encourage customers and visitors to wash their hands, especially when first entering venues, and the new BaSix mobile hands-free basin range makes this very easy to do. Models in the range are slimline, easy to manoeuvre thanks to removable castors and a splashback grab handle, and the ‘X’ model can be used in locations without any utilities at all—as it all comes integrated. This means it
can be wheeled out daily if necessary, to sit outside an establishment, and with a compact footprint of just 384 x 360mm it is an ideal and reassuring addition to entrances and other small spaces. We have also used our experience to incorporate water-saving technology into the range, adding value to the basins by providing unique water saving benefits for the end-user. Using the ultra water-saving diffuser supplied, the ‘X’ model can provide up to an impressive 304 hand washes per water container, so users can rest assured it will last a long time between refills! Furthermore, with its hands-free design, the new mobile basin maximises user hygiene. Unlike traditional taps, where the lever or handle must be touched with dirty hands, and then revisited with clean hands to turn it off, our mobile BaSix range removes the need for manual contact—reducing the risk of cross-contamination.” BaSix mobile hands-free basins are operated via a foot pump or time flow foot valve, depending on which model is required. All models can be fitted with an optional hanging bin, soap/sanitiser dispenser, and towel dispenser, to provide a complete hygiene station in any location. The ‘X’ range stores water and waste containers within the unit, which can be easily accessed via a hinged door with a ¼ turn thumb latch. For further information please contact Mechline at info@mechline.com or call +44 (0)1908 261511
Now more than ever we all want to know that we are doing everything we can to keep ourselves, our colleagues and visitors safe and well. To do this requires understanding the science behind surface wiping and cleaning, says Kimberly-Clark Professional. We want to know that people have washed their hands properly and that places are as clean and as hygienic as possible. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends prioritising the daily cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces. Cleaning vs. Disinfecting Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and other impurities
from surfaces or objects by using detergent (or soap and water) to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects by using chemicals1. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. The CDC recommends a two-step daily routine to clean frequently touched surfaces. For Step 1 clean surface with a detergent or soap and water. With Step 2 disinfect the surface using an EN-registered disinfectant. Surfaces considered hot spots for germs include computer keyboards, phones and light switches. Science indicates why these surfaces need daily hygiene protocols in addition to hand hygiene standards in facilities For more information about how to make your facility truly exceptional – a place where everyone feels equipped and empowered to contribute to a more hygienic environment – visit our hand and surface cleaning page. https://youtu.be/WHNYNtVeymM https://home.kcprofessional.com/UK_Healthy_ Workplace_Cleaning_0520
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HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection 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 by going to www.angloplas.co.uk and clicking Hospital, Health and Hygiene or by using the Quick Response code.
Environmental Science Limited (ESL) Restructures its Business to Launch Unique and Effective Palm Tree Foaming Hand Sanitisers
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Environmental Science Ltd based in March, Cambridgeshire was originally set up in 1994 and has focused primarily on the authoring of Safety ata and Workplace Activity Safety Protection (WASP) Sheets, identifying chemical hazards and providing on-site COSHH monitoring, LEV testing and risk assessment services. This core activity will continue, however due partly to the changed circumstances brought about by Covid-19, the company has made the decision to significantly expand and restructure the business. ESL has built and established trusted relationships within the UK chemical industry over the last 25 years, therefore it is a natural progression for the business to move into the development, manufacture, and distribution of hygiene products. These will include hand sanitisers, sprays, medicated soaps, surface and floor wipes and disinfectants. To facilitate these new product lines, a new business entity is being created with the name “Environmental Science Hygiene Ltd”, and the existing company is renamed as “Environmental Science Group”. Their new website is: www.envsciencegroup.com One factor behind the change of direction for the business is that some products are being very hastily marketed during this pandemic; therefore they do not perform as efficiently as may be implied. By contrast, the team at Environmental Science are committed to pro-
ducing high quality products that are both safe and effective. They also feel it is important to provide complete transparency by supplying the relevant GHS Safety Data Sheets, Product Labels, Product Information Sheets, etc. Our Palm Tree Foaming Hand Sanitiser is unique and different from other current products for the following reasons: • The alcohol is naturally sourced and distilled from the sap of palm trees. • The palm trees are not damaged in the extraction process, so the product is both sustainable and eco-friendly. • Unlike most other sources of Ethanol, by tapping into an existing resource it means that valuable agricultural land can be used for food production instead. • The foaming action is preferred by the healthcare sector over gelbased products. • The alcohol content is in excess of 60% as recommended by the World Health Organisation. • Conforms to the European Standard EN1276. For further information, please contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1354 653 222 Email: sales@envsciencegroup.com Web: www.envsciencegroup.com
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 39
HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL CTU Services' Thermal Access System With the introduction of various measures to constrain and manage the emergency of COVID-19 in the UK, CTU Services Thermal Access System presents the ideal solution. To address the challenge of social distancing many public places are implementing restrictions on customer flow. This includes locations such as the hospitality industry and the retail sector. CTU Services perfectly resolves the problem of "how to accurately and efficiently control customer flow in a premises" Their system detects how many people are present in the targeted area and display the figure in real-time. If the capacity is reached the system's display immediately indicates no more people should enter. The two systems that CTU Services supply can be merged together to give you more security and social distancing. The Thermal camera can be wall mounted or comes on a sleek stand. It will also notify
any number of members of staff of any issues with potential clients entering the premisses via text or email. • Facial recognition is fully integrated with body temperature monitoring. This means no additional staff are required. • The solution is contactless, reducing the risk of cross infection. • Extensive storage of facial images and temperature information enabling easy historical access. • Fast facial recognition and temperature monitoring reducing access congestion. In Scotland will detect if you are or are not wearing a mask / face covering. • Integration with third party products such as turnstiles and VMS. See a demonstration of the system at https://youtu.be/lcQllOytA7Y For further information, see the advert this page, call 01257 477060 or visit www.ctuservices.com
Airox Face Masks - Protection. Quality. Comfort. Airox face masks are made from advanced textile technology from Baltex one of the UK's leading textile companies. They provide you comfort and security. The Airox AX100 and Airox AX110 are textile face covering masks produced with stretchy 3XD Spacer fabric - developed for medical textiles by our parent company Baltex in the UK. It provides: • Snug fit and comfort • Good coverage of face and mouth
• Anti-bacterial • Machine washable - 40oC • Breathable • Reusable • Treated with Viral Off treatment* The fabric is made from Polyester and Lycra and is treated with a durable water repellent finish to avoid the absorption of droplets. They are also anti-bacterial reducing odour and providing superior comfort compared to basic textile masks. Many masks are made from Cotton and will absorb moisture and water droplets. For further information and to order, please visit www.airox.co.uk
www.airox.co.uk
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 41
LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS A Reliable Service Partner is Key to an Efficient Laundry Function - FORBES PROFESSIONAL A laundry function is a central service in any care home and commercial laundry equipment is an important procurement area in terms of hygiene adherence, day-to-day logistical operations and financial projections. As such, it is vital to source the right service partner, who will support the smooth running of your operation and offer the relevant industry, planning and technical advice. You need to ensure the reliability and stability of any supplier, and to feel confident that they are capable of delivering a service that you can depend upon. Forbes Professional has been providing an awarding winning first class customer service since 1926 and has a solid understanding of the specific requirements of the healthcare sector. With depots across The South East, The Midlands, The South West, The North East and Scotland, we deliver a local service on a nationwide basis. We have flexible finance options and can provide commercial washers, dryers, rotary ironers and dishwashers on a rental, lease or purchase basis. We can also provide chemical detergents and auto-dosing equipment for a complete solution. From the initial site survey, we assume a consultative and advisory approach to business, with all clients being assigned a dedicated account manager who remains their contact for all on-going account management or service requirements. We advise upon all plumbing, electrical and regulation requirements, and ensure that the right product decisions are made for the
specific project. Our team of manufacturer and City and Guilds trained field engineers fully install and commission all equipment, as well as providing any necessary user training to enable the products to be fully optimised. Forbes runs a centralised administrative and customer support operation from our head office in Surrey, which enables us to deliver a streamlined and efficient response to our clients. If a service requirement arises, we provide a same/next day engineer response. Our clients have total peace of mind in that they know that they will receive the on-going service that their organisation requires. For more information contact Forbes Professional info@forbes-professional.co.uk or 0345 0702335.
Please go on our website to see the new range of Dishwasher proof ID labels which can also be stuck onto textiles.
5 Reasons Why You Should Choose LaundryTec Chester based LaundryTec since its foundation in early 2016 has become one of Alliance Internationals major UK distributers. Founded by Jeremy Hartigan, the team of industry professionals with the backing of the Alliance Lavamac brand and supported by its service partner PDS Laundry based in Nuneaton. They supply a significant number of the UK’s leading health care operators with equipment, installation and after sale support. The LaundryTec designs offer not only washing, drying and ironing equipment but a full range of handling, distribution, folding and identification systems, to create a fully functioning laundry complete with all items necessary for efficient operation. Every LaundryTec machine includes full installation options, including the removal and disposal of an existing machine. A training program and a minimum of 24
months part and labour warranty. The environment is at the forefront of every operator’s mind. Standard specification on a Lavamac machine includes functions that automatically weigh and control the energy input into the machine and store the data in the machines memory. Our LS range of electric heat pump dryers require no ventilation or gas services and operates at 3kw per hour.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE LAUNDRYTEC 1. Cost 2. Efficiency 3. Service 4. Design 5. Innovation Telephone 0151 317 3127 Web www..laundrytec.com
Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.
0151 317 3127
www.laundrytec.com
info@laundrytec.com
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE LAUNDRYTEC 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Washer Extractors
Tumble Dryers
Cost Quality Service Design Innovation
Flatwork Ironers
Other Equipment
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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Ontex Healthcare Re-Launches Incontinence Pants Range In years to come, the majority of the population across Western Europe will shift towards the 55+ age group , people will live longer and stay in their own homes for longer. With this in mind, Ontex Healthcare has re-launched its iD incontinence pants collection this September. The new look range will offer key benefits including triple skin protection through fast absorption and 100% breathability. The improved top sheet with a mix of camomile, known for its soothing and calming properties, Vitamin E with antioxidant properties and zinc oxide, a natural purifying mineral component, helps to protect the skin. In addition, the pants contain super absorbent particles which feature an
anti-odour system that provide extra confidence and comfort. The pants are made with non-woven materials, which make them by definition “breathable”, leaving the use feeling soft and safe. For those looking for overnight dryness, there is the Maxi absorption range. Performance tests show that they can be used for up to 10 hours without any leakages or feelings of wetness. What’s more the range has been approved by dermatologists so customers can fully trust iD Pants and count on our expertise. The range comprises Normal, Plus, Super and Maxi absorbencies. Prices start from £10.49 per pack For more information call 0800 389 6185 or visit www.id-direct.com
Calibre Audio - Unleash the Power of Your Imagination Audiobooks offer a gateway to independence for those who are unable to read printed books themselves. Reading books has many health benefits; from reducing anxiety and helping to combat memory loss, to boosting mental health. Books provide companionship, adventure, empathy and enjoyment and listening to audiobooks brings all of this to people who cannot otherwise access books. Those with a restricting disability can often feel the sting of isolation, and being locked out of activities that were previously enjoyed can be frustrating and lead to loneliness. However, research has shown that listening to audiobooks can boost mental health (ref. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), helping to counteract depression and other mental health issues. Escaping to audiobooks provides comfort as well as being a coping strategy in hard times. Calibre Audio is a national charity, providing free audiobooks to anyone who struggles to read print, whether it is through sight loss, dyslexia or a physical
disability. Our collection of over 12,000 audiobooks includes books from all genres, both fiction and nonfiction, from the classics to the latest blockbusters; from crime to autobiographies. Our audiobooks are available online for members 24 hours a day or can be delivered to your door via a free postal service. It is free and easy to join Calibre Audio, simply visit www.calibreaudio.org.uk.
Why Specify a Yeoman Shield Fire Rated Door Edge Protector? When specifying for a structure, it’s important to be aware of the level of wear and tear a door can be exposed to in a public building. Door edges, in particular, can be easily damaged or worn down by regular use – which can then render them non-compliant for fire safety regulations. To ensure that a project remains compliant, an architect can specify durable door edge protectors to add durability and longevity to doors. Not only will specifying edge protectors increase the longevity of doors, they will enhance the cost efficiency of a project by reducing maintenance demands and the possibility of having to replace unsafe fire doors. Yeoman Shield fire rated Door Edge Protectors are unique with a 2.0 mm Vinylac outer and a specially formulated 9mm PVCu reinforced core. They are FD30 (1/2 hour) and FD60 (1 hour) rated
with intumescent seals that are in accordance to the fire door’s specification. Fire rated Door Edge Protectors are suitable for commercial applications such as residential blocks, schools and hospitals etc. Door Edge Protectors can also be specified with different fire seals, from a plain intumescent fire seal to a brush, fire and smoke variant. Of course, for doors that are non-fire rated in an architect’s project Yeoman Shield also provide quality edge protectors without seals to enhance durability and reduce wear. Source a full range of door protection panels and kick plates from a single supplier by choosing Yeoman Shield. Our door protection panels and kick plates offer the same lasting durability and quality as our door edge protectors. See page 12 or visit www.yeomanshield.com for details.
Adaptawear Clothing To Help Healthcare & Care Home Workers: Independent & Assisted Dressing If you are a healthcare or care home worker or Occupational Therapist and struggling to dress your patients during this Covid-19 pandemic; then take a look at our range of Adaptawear adapted clothing for both men and women. Adaptawear comfort clothing has been designed to help independent living and assisted dressing with the aim to make getting dressed easier and less painful for both the wearer and carer. Adaptawear designs and manufacturers a range of ladies and men’s open back and drop front trousers, magnetic & open back shirts and blouses, dresses, skirts, open back nighties and front fastening bras. We also sell a selection of everyday essentials aimed at making people comfortable day and night. Adaptawear clothes are ideal for
arthritis, stroke, Parkinson, incontinence and dementia sufferers as well as people of all ages who struggle with buttons and zips. The easy fit clothes are made from quality and natural fabrics to provide maximum comfort. Adaptawear Offers: • Discreetly Adapted Clothes • Independent & Assisted Dressing • Ladies & Men's Daywear and Nightwear • UK Nationwide and Overseas Deliveries • No Quibble 14 Day Returns • VAT Exemption where relevant • FREE Delivery on orders over £100 For more information on Adaptawear’s Product Range please visit www.adaptawear.com. Carer readers please quote TC141 for 10% discount off your first order.
New Pressure Relief Options from Airospring Medical Airospring Medical manufactures a range of pressure relieving devices. Our flagship products are a range of lightweight and breathable pressure relief cushions and mattress overlays made from high-tech 3D Knitted Spacer Fabrics. Airospring has been awarded a full patent in August 2014 approving this ground breaking technology. Our pressure relief cushions distribute weight and allow maximum airflow. The cushions have been tested for the dissipation of perspiration, a key factor in the fight against pressure ulcers. Welcome to a new standard in healthy seating. Call: 0115 9322403 Email: sales@airospring.com Visit: www.airospring.com
Engage With Your Residents - In-House Practical Training Workshop Scripts Bring About Happy Days Happy Days Dementia Activities & Design has created a new range of engagement training scripts for residential care and dementia homes. The workshops are designed to be presented in-house, saving time and costs. Easy to follow training scripts are practical in nature and help care teams engage with elderly and people living with dementia. Through activity, discussions, role-play and practise with nostalgic materials, carers can feel more equipped to engage and enrich social care. Packages include demonstration materials to use during your workshop. Training Scripts and engagement materials can be created to suit your organisation, care team requirements and resident interests. Ideal for home care servic-
es too - Help your carers engage and create meaningful moments during visits. With Covid19’s restrictions and safety procedures, it makes sense to train your care teams on site. ‘Bringing your care teams together can build carer confidence, boost morale and uplift mood. If a carer feels good, this will reflect on the the person being cared for’ says Gillian Hesketh, MD of Happy Days Dementia Activities & Design. Passionate about helping people living with dementia to live well, Happy Days also supplies nostalgic displays, reminiscence baskets, conversation prompts and more - See The Carer front page or Shop Online: www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk - We accept NHS purchase order numbers and care home accounts. Phone Gillian direct on: 07971-953620
CareZips Dignity Trousers ™
CareZips™ preserve dignity and privacy of people receiving care during diaper changes. CareZips™ make diaper changes easier and faster, reducing workload, saving efforts, and saving time! CareZips™ help to deliver better standards of care! Fitted with unique 3-zip fastening system, the CareZips™ make changing of incontinence diapers more dignified and comfortable for the patients and easier and faster for the carers. CareZips™ feature 3 strategically positioned zips, 2 of which run from the waist to the knees on both sides of the body. The 3rd zip goes from the inside of one knee up to the crotch and down to the second knee on the inside of the other leg. This zip facilitates total opening of the trousers at the crotch during diaper changes. The 3-zip system ensures fast and easy access to the abdomen and crotch without having to undress the patients or pull their trousers down.
CareZips™ are suitable for men and women. They are available in 7 sizes for perfect fit. CareZips™ are soft and wrinkle resistant with stretch and give for extra comfort. Practical, durable, washable and non-iron, the CareZips™ trousers are the perfect choice for daily use. Contact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 www.win-health.com or see the advert on page 7.
iMEDicare Pelvic Health Naturally When it comes to women’s intimate health, many of us are reluctant and embarrassed to talk frankly about it, which often leads to women suffering in silence. A lot of the problems we worry about, however, are surprisingly common, such as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) – a frequent effect of the menopause experienced by as many as one in three women. Stylish, effective and washable, iMEDicare’s Wearever washable and re-useable incontinence underwear is a great alternative to incontinence pads, better for the environment (washable over 200 times) with absorbencies ranging from 100ml all the way up to 650ml: • 3-layer Hydrex™ (patented) system for total protection by con-
taining the urine and preventing it from penetrating through the garment • Unique-Dri™ System that traps liquid and controls odour with its Silver ion anti-microbial treated fibres. Wearever underwear is seamless – so that possible pressure points that could be cause for pressure sores are minimized. If you buy a 3 pack, we guarantee the first pair for another size or style or absorbency, or refund all three, provided 2 of the 3 pairs are unused within 30 days of initial trial. Choose life - not leaks. Be confident again and visit www. MyPelvicHealth.co.uk or call 01923237795.
C & S Seating Postural Management C & S Seating has been providing postural control equipment to hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and medical equipment services nationwide since 1991. With 9 different sizes of T-Rolls and Log Rolls in a removable and machine washable, waterproof Titex or Soft Knit material. These rolls are used to control posture and position of the body in either supine or side lying. Our Knee & Leg support wedges are available in 2 sizes. C & S Seating is the sole manufacturer of the Alternative Positioning Support (APS) system. Ideal when more control of the abducted lower limb is required (See photo) which
has removable side cushions and middle pommel; this is available in small or large. Our popular range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 vibrant colours provide a softer alternative that fit easily over our standard waterproof rolls. It is recommended you seek professional advice to select the correct product depending on your needs. Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit us at www.cands-seating.co.uk to request or download a brochure, pricelist or order form, request an individualised quotation, speak to an advisor or to place an order. See the advert on page 10.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 45
FURNITURE AND FITTINGS Interiors Company Working To Provide A ‘Healthier Solution’ SOMMER Rose Interiors is working with upholstery manufacturers to provide a ‘healthier solution’ to care home furniture. Sarah Thompson and her team would like to introduce Sileather™. Sileather™ silicone fabrics are highly durable and abrasion resistant, thanks to our unique silicone, and Sileather™ upholstery fabrics are all over 200,000+ Wyzenbeek double rubs, over 130,000 Martindale and 3000+ Taber cycles (rotating “cement discs”). We take a long term approach when considering our production of silicone leather and want to do our part to be environmentally friendly. With our non-solvent production technique and with the lack of PVC or PU elements, we are much safer and healthier than traditional fabrics. Unlike PVC fabrics, we do not need to use chlorine in any of the production process, and our fabrics do not leak VOC emissions throughout its life. There’s no need to clog up landfills – silicone leather is recyclable! We have passed the most common environmental standards so you can breathe
Sileather™ fabrics have ultralow VOCs, so it is among the healthiest fabrics, making it perfect for use around children, hospitals, ALL HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS, hotels, boat cabins, trains, and any number of enclosed spaces.
EVERYTHING ESSENTIAL
comfortably knowing that you are using a fabric that’s safe for you and the environment. We take pride that our fabrics are environmentally friendly and safe to use by anyone, Sileather™ silicone fabrics are made with the same material as baby bottle nipples, so they are gentle enough even for babies’ skin.
High Quality Soft Furnishings Manufactures Tailored For All Your Window Needs WL Interiors are a family run company with over 20 years experience in manufacturing high quality soft furnishings for the healthcare industry based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. WL are suppliers of flame retardant curtains, blinds & soft furnishings. We offer high-quality fire resistant fabrics that are perfect for care homes, including any dementia specific requirements where needed. Working on your care home refurbishment, new build or general replacements, WL Interiors Ltd can do site surveys and check measures, offer free samples and quotations. • UK Wide Fitting & Installation Available
• UK Manufactured • Highest Quality British Manufactured • FREE QUOTES Contact details – Lorraine Firth Telephone- 01924 298953 Email- Lorraine@wl-interiors.com
It’s our mission to bring you a healthy fabric that’s safe, hygienic and meets high standards that help to ensure your well-being. Thanks to the unique advantages of our proprietary silicone, Sileather™ fabrics are inherently: • Flame resistant. • Does not promote growth of mildew or mould. • Superior in hydrolysis resistance compared to vinyl and polyurethane fabrics. • Superior in UV and colour fading resistance. • Stain resistant to many substances found in healthcare facilities, including biro, iodine, betadine, blood and urine. • Resistant to liquids and fluids. • Easy to clean – common stains need only water, including biro. • Medical grade skin friendly and allergen free. • Highly abrasion resistant and durable with recovery ability to reduce sagging and wrinkling. • Luxurious soft touch. For free samples of this upholstery or to view sample furniture, please contact Sarah Thompson on 07495 471038 or email: sarah@sommer-rose.com
Euroservice Trolley Manufacturers celebrating 40 years of experience in the sale and manufacture of wooden trolleys for the catering trade, Euroservice trolley manufacturers have now acquired a worldwide reputation and still offer an extensive /comprehensive range of top quality wooden trolleys manufactured in the UK. Top quality is a priority in the production of all of our products and Euroservice are specialists in the manufacture of sturdy and beautiful looking trolleys which will grace any environment from the small privately owned restaurant to
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the splendid 3 to 5 star hotels, resorts and Residential homes. Euroservice’s excellence in the manufacture of wooden trolleys is backed by a personal, efficient and friendly service second to none. We are always busy researching the needs of the market and launch new ranges according to market demands. Whatever your needs you can be assured that Euroservice can cater for them and we look forward to your call. Freephone: 0800 917 7943 www.euroservice-uk.com sales@euroservice-uk.com
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PAGE 46 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26
NURSE CALL AND FALL PREVENTION Call Aid UK - Cost Effective NURSE CALL Nurse Call Systems IT’S NOT OBSOLETE UNTIL THE OPERA LADY SINGS
EDISON TELECOM LTD (IN BUSINESS SINCE 1984)
have spares, enhancements and expertise for wired and wireless systems abandoned by the original manufacturer, whoever they are.
Call us on 01252-330220 We can give most systems a new lease of life and maintain them into the future.
www.edisontelecom.co.uk Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.
At Call Aid UK we like to let our clients speak for us! “We were introduced to the PAM system a year ago and are delighted with the difference it has made since its introduction. The system is very reliable and offers a couple of sound options for day and night mode, ensuring that residents are not disturbed during quiet hours. The system notifies you as soon as movement is detected which in many cases decreases the risk of falls. Call Aid are also helpful and offer a personalised service. We have a single point of contact that ensures actions are taken quickly if required and also contact us to see how
we are getting on. I cannot fault the system nor the services “ West Lodge Nursing Home Call Aid UK is an electronics design and manufacturing company specialising in providing electronic solutions to the healthcare market. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions with easy to use systems and we recognise the importance of listening to our customers’ needs. We produce systems that use the latest technology, compliment the decor and are competitively priced. Visit www.callaiduk.com or see the advert on this page for details.
TumbleCare from Easylink Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK was established in 1984 after the invention of an alarm clock to wake deaf people. The “Shake Awake” set a new precedent in quality standards for products designed for sensory care, notoriously at the time – rubbish. The company invented a new device for the detection of nocturnal epileptic seizures in 1994, which also set a new precedent for quality, especially after the company achieved certified medical accreditation. We could boast and say we have supplied more seizure detection monitors than any other company in UK. You could say we are innovators; we are and very proud of it. To constantly adapt to changes in demands for care technologies, remain competitive and continue to develop new care solutions it takes more than intelligence, it takes passion. Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, failing economy, factories closing and international shipping facing the worst crisis
ever known, we have battled through. At the start of the lockdown we supplied the NHS and Local Authorities with over 2000 bed occupancy detection alarm systems, many of them used to enable long term patients to be discharged from hospital to free up beds for COVID victims. Independent living support was and is essential during this pandemic. Now we launch our new brand. TumbleCare. The TumbleCare brand is a range of fall detection and prevention products focussing on affordable quality and product performance. The products are tough, easy to set, use and provide carers with reliable advance warning notification of potential falls. Visit our website. Firstly, you’ll be amazed at the variety of care solutions we offer, then blown away by our realistically fair pricing. Visit www.easylinkuk.co.uk or see the advert on page 2 for details.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 47
NURSE CALL AND FALL PREVENTION
Wireless Fall Prevention A Digital Future of Care in a Post COVID-19 Era By Ben Kilbey – Business Development Manager, Spearhead Healthcare
The last thing any care home wants to have to deal with is an elderly resident falling in their home. However, with over 255,000 hospital admissions in England a year relating to the elderly suffering injury after a fall, being alert and aware as soon as a fall happens is critically important in the administration of aid; as well as helping reduce emotional distress. For years, the care industry has used a tremendous range of call alert solutions to help care home staff respond to these falls quickly and easily. The most popular and regularly used of these are systems which plug in to nurse call systems. Nonetheless, these come with their own issues and can often create their own risks in regard to falling; largely in the use of trailing cables that need to be plugged in to make them work. These potential trip hazards can cause the exact issues they are trying to prevent. But with new innovations come new solutions, and we are increasingly seeing a range of wireless solutions that provide a variety of benefits. Below we list things to look out for when selecting these systems:
NO LOOSE WIRES When looking at a wireless solution, make sure it truly is wireless and that any receivers, or sending features on the items are contained and are not left loose where someone can catch a foot on it, or accidently rip it out.
WIRELESS CALL BUTTONS Care home staff cannot be chained to their desk and need to be checking on residents and conducting all the
Edison Telecom We here at Edison Telecom Ltd have been providing specialist solutions to your call system requirements tailor-made to each customers needs for over 25 years, says director Bob Johnson. Is your current Nurse Call “legacy”, obsolete, so full of software bugs or commercially not viable for your current supplier/maintainer to maintain? We may have just the part and expertise that you are looking for to give your nurse call a further exten-
duties that are required to create a smooth-running home, filled with happy residents. A wireless alert that can be carried in a pocket allows the user to respond as swiftly as possible to potential falls, helping homes provide the highest level of care. A centralized alert system is an option that also presents many benefits, as homes can ensure that the right person in the right place is alerted in a timely manner. Making sure that a system works both centrally and on the move, giving you the best range of options to help provide a high level of care.
PLUGS While this might very well be viewed as a smaller issue, nurse call systems come with a huge variety of plug types; and ensuring that your receivers have the correct plugs for your call system is key.
LOOK AND FEEL Make sure the system you choose is as unobtrusive as possible. Often fall prevention equipment is designed to be as hidden as possible. Should the item be particularly obvious make sure you are happy it fits as well as possible into the decor of the room it sits in and think about choosing a floormat that corresponds with the flooring in the room e.g. wood effect vinyl or carpet. Spearhead are proud to distribute the entire Alerta wireless range that has been launched this year. For further information visit www.www.spearheadhealthcare.com sion to life, adds Bob, “Edison will treat your nurse call with the same compassion that you give to those in your care. There will come a time when your equipment is beyond repair but Edison are experts in extending the life of obsolete systems.” www.edisontelecom.co.uk
After 50 years being at the forefront of advances in Nurse Call solutions, Courtney Thorne continue to develop solutions which now seem more relevant and important than at any time before. The introduction of digital care planning and medication solutions has enabled forward thinking care homeowners to go paperless, giving more accurate, timely and readily available information on those in their care. These same digital devices, tablets and smart mobiles can now be used to view calls and emergencies generated by a Courtney Thorne nurse call system. Both new installations and many existing Courtney Thorne systems can benefit with calls being delivered straight to the carer. Monitoring of resident’s care planning and medications are just two areas that reduces the amount of paperwork and administration, freeing up carers to spend more time actually caring. The monitoring of the caring staff themselves can become arduous and time consuming for management, not with a Courtney Thorne nurse call solution. The introduction of Staff ID tags of fobs is nothing new, there are so called systems on the market which use simple magnets which carers need to remember to press onto a room sensor when they attend, and again when they leave a resident’s room. With Courtney Thorne’s Altra Tag the process of logging who attended, what time they attended and how long they remained in the resident’s room is all logged automatically and seamlessly. No longer are there management and staff disputes about forgetting to “fob in/fob out”. The volume and detail of the data captured automatically by a Courtney Thorne nurse call system is vast. All the data is available to management using the reporting function built into the main touch screen server. However, where visiting the home is difficult due to COVID-19 restrictions or time and distance problems, owners and managers may find retrieving data difficult, resulting in a lack of monitoring and possible reduction in quality of care delivered. Courtney Thorne’s CT-Cloud service provides ready complied, detailed reports daily, coupled with a “live” view of all data contained in the server from any location with an internet connection. Carrying out regular checks on sleeping residents is
time consuming and often counter-productive as residents often wake, have poor sleep and can even fall after attempting to use the toilet once awake. Acoustic monitoring means that only those who actually need assistance get it, those who are sound asleep do not get disturbed and carers can concentrate on more productive tasks. So, in this new COVID-19 and Digital world what other new solutions are on the horizon? Nurse call devices around a care home become intelligent enough to identify a resident in need. Already we can measure changes in levels of noise, but monitoring light, temperature coupled with wearable devices monitoring vital signs, now a deterioration in a resident’s wellbeing can raise an alert or be recorded. A resident ‘connected’ with a wearable device can have their movement, location, heart rate, sleep, blood pressure etc., monitored automatically. Instead of intrusive, often unsocial physical monitoring, at-risk residents have vital signs checked and recorded continuously. If an emergency occurs, the nurse call system will still summon help, only now one of its key functions will be to record, store and make available critical data. Thereby reducing the touch points, minimising transmission of disease, freeing up carers time and providing a safer and healthier life for both residents and staff. For further information visit www.nursecallsystems.co.uk or see the advert below.
www.nursecallsystems.co.uk
PAGE 48 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26
TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE Putting the ‘Home’ Back into Care Homes: How Innovative Technologies Can Help Carers Give Residents a Better Quality of Life By Phillip Moorcraft, UK Director, CLB (global.clb.nl) When a person moves into a residential care home, the quality of their medical and social care is hugely important to that individual and their loved ones. However, they also want a place that feels genuinely welcoming and homely, and which allows its residents to enjoy appropriate levels of privacy and independence. Striking that delicate balance, between providing a ‘home from home’ and ensuring that residents’ medical and social care needs are met, can be hard for residents, families and care home staff alike. And it is a widespread problem – with about 21,556 care homes in the UK alone, there is lots of pressure on care staff to make residents feel ‘at home’, while also meeting each person’s (often complex) needs. This pressure has greatly intensified with the challenges of the pandemic. Technologies can ease the pressure of regular and unnecessary ad-hoc welfare checks on top of providing personal quality care, while giving residents more privacy and independence. For example, acoustic monitoring technology, which has been used in many countries worldwide for more than 25 years, can monitor for adverse events and reduce their potential to cause life-changing effects. What is more, residents with acoustic monitoring can establish better sleep patterns because they are less frequently disturbed by staff visits, and better sleep conveys multiple health and wellbeing benefits. Meanwhile, the technology alerts staff as soon as an event occurs, which also improves quality of life and can make a crucial – even life-saving – difference to medical outcomes in the case of health emergencies. Furthermore, acoustic monitoring gives greater privacy and autonomy for each resident. For example, those who prefer to go to bed later/earlier than their peers are no longer restricted by the facility’s monitoring schedule and can enjoy more flexibility, and those with particular concerns about privacy can be left in peace without having to compromise their safety. What do good care homes provide? The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told service users and those who care for them what they should expect of a good care home. The expectation that residents will be treated with respect and able to exercise their rights (to privacy, to self-determination, to care of high quality, to dignity) is woven like a golden thread through that document. No reasonable care professional would argue with those values, but they can be tough to achieve simultaneously. The need to monitor residents is a prime example. Many homes carry out periodic checks on residents – often, every two hours or so – and this is a critical element of providing good social/clinical care. However, it is also highly disruptive for patients, who may be disturbed several times during the night, and it takes carers away from other duties. Residents who are disturbed during the night (even for the best of reasons) may suffer chronic or recurrent sleep deprivation, which has a serious impact on their quality of life. Sleep deprivation causes grogginess, mood changes (in some cases, aggression, anxiety or
depression) and increases vulnerability to illness. So, an action that is intended to protect a resident can also make them ill. Meanwhile, carers may become frustrated with the constant need to interrupt whatever they are doing to carry out welfare checks, particularly if this takes them away from providing personalised care for individuals, and their morale, along with the broader functionality and productivity of the care home, can suffer as a result. Acoustic technology meets the needs of care home staff and residents Unsurprisingly, some care homes have tried to solve this problem with technology. And the CQC agrees that care homes’ use of innovative technology is key to maximising their performance. The challenge lies in knowing which type of technology to use. For example, some care homes have used voice and video baby monitors, or alarmed mats that detect movement. However, these are primarily for domestic use and often cannot cope with the demands of a care home. They can be hard to maintain and may not have an appropriate radio frequency; all are intrusive but video monitors in particular compromise residents’ privacy. And they can lead to a delayed response by care staff, which has significant implications in time-critical events like a heart attack or stroke. Acoustic technology, in contrast, is not intrusive and has been designed for care home settings. Acoustic technology allows individual sensitivity settings for each resident and will alert staff when the thresholds are exceeded. It is highly accurate, so will sound if a resident falls, for example, or if a resident (e.g. with mobility problems) tries to get out of bed. When acoustic technology is used in an intelligent nurse alert system, it monitors resident welfare with a high level of accuracy. When triggered, an alert is sent to a professional operator who can assess the situation and forward the alarm directly to a carer’s device if applicable. That allows an immediate response, giving the resident the best outcome, including in cases of medical emergency. Acoustic technology also reduces adverse events, thanks to the quality and consistency of its monitoring that allows swift and preventive action. For example, it reduced resident falls by 35% in one facility. Meanwhile, carers can reduce the number of in-person visits and can maintain their focus on other work, such as meeting the needs of individual residents, which increases morale and productivity. For the residents, acoustic monitoring delivers the privacy, dignity, self-determination and appropriate independence that good care homes provide for their residents. It gives them a more relaxing and homely environment and allows healthy sleep cycles that enhance their quality of life. Above all, it keeps them safe. It is time for care homes to make technologies work for them The pandemic has caused much anxiety for care home providers, residents and their families. It has also focused national attention, perhaps more than ever before, on the most vulnerable members of our society and the people who dedicate their lives to caring for them. It has been an incredibly hard and draining time. Innovative technologies in care homes, such as acoustic monitoring, provide an exciting opportunity to move the emphasis from intrusive and unnecessary checks to discreet, yet continuous, monitoring that gives both residents and carers the comfort and security that a home should have. By putting the right technology to work in care homes, we can relieve that burden and grow a care sector that genuinely provides the relaxing and homely environment that all residents, families and staff desire, along with the top-quality care and working conditions they deserve.
Workforce Scheduling Solutions Workforce Scheduling Solutions deliver Electronic Time & Attendance systems worldwide, using the latest Face Recognition technology.
Why should care homes move from paper to electronic time sheets
The industry is under considerable financial pressures. An efficient electronic booking on/off system that will schedule, provide budgets, calculate hours worked, overtime and absence such as sickness and holiday entitlement will save Time and Money.
How is time and money saved by doing things electronically?
Collecting payroll information from paper timesheets can be slow, prone to errors, and very labour intensive. Staff rosters can be produced as far in advance as practical and accurate within budgeted hours. Staff book on and off-duty electronically, thus eliminating any time errors. Wage queries are virtually eliminated and immediate checks can be made without wading through reams of paper which invariably are inaccurate, misfiled or even 'lost".
There are many systems on the market - Why facial recognition is important and how it works
Some systems use tokens, which can be lost or left at home, requiring management involvement in the booking on/off procedure. Fingerprint systems can be beaten and Social media is awash with ways to copy fingerprints. Face recognition combined with a staff PIN is simple to use and manage using touch screen technology and web cams. Staff see their image displayed immediately when booking on or off and confirms their identity visually. It provides the best deterrent available as it builds a greater 'image knowledge’ of each employee, a picture is worth a thousand words. Eliminates 'buddy punching' where employees can book colleagues on/off duty using someone’s tokens, swipe card or even fingerprint.
How is data protected?
With the correct security setup computer systems provide more data protection than paper-based records which can be easily removed or stolen. GDPR covers all data including paper records and therefore the chances of infringing the rules and incurring fines is greater with paper.
THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26 | PAGE 49
TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Technology in a Post-Covid World Let’s not beat around the bush: It’s been a terrible year so far. Healthcare around the world has been pushed to the limits. Here in the UK our amazing NHS pulled out all the stops, despite being hugely underfunded even before the pandemic. The unsung heroes were the Social Care sector. We heard many appalling stories of both staff and residents falling victim to this indiscriminatory virus and but also stories of people’s love and determination to help the more vulnerable amongst us. As we move towards a new post lockdown phase, we ask ourselves: How have we survived so far and what does the future have in store? Since the prime minister announced in March that we were to stay at home, we have clung on to two factors to help our mental health manage the dramatic change to our lives: long walks and video conferencing and sometimes, but not being too over indulgent, both at the same time. As many of us prepare to work from home, the discovery of “Zoom”, mainly known as a colourful ice lolly to many before March, transformed the way we began to communicate. Zoom saw its number of users explode from 10 million a day to 200 million over lockdown. Video conferencing isn’t just for business though. It allowed families and friends to remain connected throughout. Crowd funding appeals began to help raise money to pay for tablets. These were given to residents in care homes to ensure they too weren’t missing out on the digital party. It’s not just the video conferencing either. We’ve exercised with Joe Wicks and we’ve written
or partaken in online quizzes. Most of us have had more time to interact with friends and family because other distractions have been taken away. Now we’ve been able to move away from lockdown thanks to government initiatives such as Test and Trace. So, we must ask ourselves, where would we have been without technology? Amazingly, despite most of us having access to computers, tablets and smart phones, almost three quarters of our sector are still operating paper-based systems within their homes? We have fully embraced technology for our personal use, but why not our business? We’ve relied on it for months, it’s enriched our lives, imagine what it could do in our places of work. Will changing to a computer-based care system, like Ablyss CMS, change our lives? No. But, will it make a positive impact to the way we operate and run our businesses? Yes. We need to learn from the lessons of 2020. We don’t know what’s around the corner, so it’s impossible to be ready for the next challenge. But we can do our best to be prepared. The future is not written on a piece of paper, it is changeable, it will adapt and will, occasionally, throw us a Covid-shaped curve ball! We need adaptive systems in place to help us navigate the road ahead. We need to fully embrace and invest in the technology and advances that are available to us. Put faith in technology. We’ve tested it to its limits and now we know, we DO need it. See the advert on this page for more information about Ablyss.
Mainteno Facilities Maintenance and Management Software Whether it’s managing planned maintenance or dealing with fault repairs, Mainteno simplifies the day-to-day maintenance of almost any organisation. Mainteno also seamlessly incorporates asset management and tracking. Mainteno streamlines every aspect of the maintenance management process, saving your organisation time and money.
USABILITY MADE AFFORDABLE Mainteno was designed with practicality in mind. The interface is so intuitive that basic operation can be learned in minutes, and you can be a power user in one afternoon. Elegant usability usually means a hefty price tag. However, our pricing structure means that for small organisations, Mainteno can cost as little as two cups
of coffee a month. No set-up fees, no lengthy contracts and a free trial, all mean that the system starts paying for itself straight away. Dr Asif Raja, Bsc MBBS Summercare Managing Director says “Facing significant challenges of ever increasing quality and compliance demands upon time and resources as well considerable economic pressures, Summercare, an award winning provider of residential care and housing related support, sought to upgrade their systems for managing the property and environmental aspects of its service delivery. After an extensive period of investigation and research Mainteno was selected as the platform of choice for the entire organization based on its ease of use, very short-term contract, quick set up and ongoing support.” Visit www.mainteno.com, Tel: 020 8798 3713 or email sales@redro.co.uk
www.mainteno.com
sales@redro.co.uk
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PAGE 50 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26
TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Covid19: Accelerating the Use of Digital Technology in Healthcare As this crisis impacts every part of the health sector, significant vulnerabilities are being exposed. The NHS ‘digital revolution’ has long been touted as the key to futureproofing both Social Care and our health service in the face of increasing patient demand. That demand has now reached unprecedented levels and seems unlikely ever to revert to previous trends; against that background; there is an urgent requirement to move quickly to realise the opportunities which are available from digital technology. It is no longer an interesting speculation; it is an essential requirement to support staff and save lives. (Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell)
when invoicing? How many industries with shift workers rely on manual payroll processing outside the care sector? Repeatable systems should harness the power of technology to cut back the massive waste of man hours spent processing and checking manual tasks. In order to work out the best technology for your needs, you should assess your current systems against your requirements. Think about what inefficiencies exist in your homes and how you could: 1. Capture relevant information, such as resident/staff details, in a simple, time-efficient way. 2. Manage your documents to ensure that information is dealt with logically. 3. Avoid duplication at all costs; completing handwritten timesheets which then need to be manually inputted into payroll is a massive, unnecessary waste of time & manpower. 4. Address technological obstacles. The perception that your staffs are not IT literate is out of date; most people own a smart phone so yes they are! See www.fusion4care.com for details or see the advert on page 17.
USING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY Poor efficiencies in many areas of the sector are caused by the lack of investment in technology. Technology will improve the way your staff carry out tasks by either speed up existing processes or allowing new, more flexible and accurate ways of carrying out a job or process which will in turn enables live real time management information. Would you expect to check out of a hotel with an invoice and extras raised in Word or Excel so why do many operators still use this method
WristPIT from Pinpoint The WristPIT from Pinpoint,is a bespoke patient call transmitter designed to be worn on the wrist. This wrist-worn personal infrared transmitter (WristPIT) is easily accessible and allows patients to activate a call for even if they are away from their bed or a fixed call-point. Pinpoint’s renowned PIT technology (usually worn by staff for personal safety) has, for the first time, been designed around patient use. The WristPIT can withstand showering and brief submersion in water and also incorporates antimicrobial product protection, reducing the ability for bacteria to grow. According to figures published by the National Reporting and Learning System, around 250,000 incidents where patients required assistance in hospital were reported in 2015/16. In many cases, nursing staff remained unaware that a patient had had a fall for quite some time.
Pressing the clearly labelled call button on the WristPIT notifies the personnel on duty that a patient is requesting help and informs staff exactly where the patient is. The call button is recessed and surrounded by a bump guard to prevent false alarms. Pinpoint Alarm Systems are installed in thousands of medical facilities throughout the UK and USA. The new WristPIT is backward compatible and easily integrated into existing Pinpoint Systems. A green LED indicates the WristPIT is ‘activated’ with good battery level. When the battery requires changing, the LED flashes red until the battery is changed and the device has been retested. In addition to being water-resistant, the WristPIT has been designed to withstand harsh environments and user tampering, meaning suitability for facilities where service users may be at risk of self-harm. For more information: www.pinpointlimited.com or see the advert on this page.
CARE VISION – Outstanding Care is at the Heart of Everything We Do At Carevision, outstanding care truly is at the heart of everything they do. They have combined over 40 years of hands on experience running care homes and working with some of the smartest mind in tech, they have created Care Vision - An all-inone, cloud-based system that incorporates all your care and admin in to one easy to use system. Carers can compile resident notes, health observations and EMAR. Care home managers can manage rotas, accounts, HR and house-keeping tasks and log visitors using the digital visitor book. Residents can use the system to make personal choices on meals and activities and use the app to keep in touch with family and friends. Rishi Jawaheer, director at Care Vision says “The 100+ care homes
PINPOINT WRISTPIT The WristPIT is a wrist worn Personal Infrared Transmitter designed exclusively for patient use. The latest call button is recessed and surrounded by a bump guard to prevent false alarms. It is also backward compatible, allowing seamless integration into existing Pinpoint Systems.
DID YOU KNOW? Biomaster Technology is incorporated into all surface areas of the product during manufacture, inhibiting the growth of contaminating bacteria 24/7 for the lifetime of the product.
www.pinpointlimited.com
that use our system have seen its benefits – They are saving 2-4 hours of staff hours per resident, per week and they are achieving outstanding CQC results. Carers love it, residents and relatives love it, and care home managers can’t remember how challenging managing a care home was before it.” Of course, taking on a whole new system can seem daunting, that’s why Care Vision offer minimal investment, all round support and flexible hardware options. They don’t feel the need for long-term contracts, Rishi says “We have total confidence, once you use Care Vision, you will love it as much as we do.” The Care Vision team would love to talk to you about what the system can do for you. Contact at info@care-vision.co.uk or call 0208 768 9809. See the advert on page 45 for details.
PAGE 52 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 26
PROFESSIONAL AND TRAINING
Meaningful Care Matters Established in 2019, Meaningful Care Matters (MCM) focuses on the development of resilient relationship-centred cultures of care shaped by the people living and working within them. MCM believe that when cultures of care express the personhood of people within them, caregiving is meaningful for everyone involved. In these person-centred services both “caregivers” and recipients of care can flourish.
Meaningful Care Matters recognises that individual well-being is not an ‘individual’ matter. Our relationships with the people, places and things that have shaped our life journey make us who we are and sustain our sense of personhood. Engaging in moments, experiences and activities that resonate with who we are and meet our needs for love, attachment, belonging, agency, occupation, comfort and attachment makes life meaningful. Individual ill-being occurs when these relationships are undermined and life lacks meaning and purpose when such connections are absent in our daily lives.
Meaningful relationships make us feel secure, free and able and help us to feel at home in ourselves. Having a diagnosis, disease, cognitive or physical impairments does not take these feelings away from us, it just makes these relationships matter even more. Nurturing these person-centred relationships is therefore key to sustaining individual well-being and developing an emotionally resilient culture of care. MCM believe that care is most meaningful when it is informed by carers' lived experience as well as an empathic understanding of what matters most to each recipient of care. This means that every personcentred practice and relationship is unique, reflecting the individuality of the people giving and receiving care and the specificity of the context in which it occurs. This stance establishes self-awareness, emotional intelligence and spontaneity as a key compe-
tency for carers. Person-centred care is therefore enhanced when carers have the confidence to be themselves, the insight to know what makes each encounter meaningful and the freedom to be guided by their empathy and practiced wisdom. MCM helps care providers optimise healthcare outcomes and realize their full potential by transforming the features of their service that undermine relationships and developing the features of care that help person-centred relationships to flourish. Meaningful Care Matters facilitates transformation of care cultures and works across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia with an approach to support people to be ‘free to be me’. See the advert on age 52 for details.
Employee Engagement: Employee Retention Are you spending too much time on recruitment and not enough time engaging with your current employees? This is not an uncommon situation to find yourself in and is magnified by the current COVID-19 crisis where you may have to be making difficult decisions with redundancies or unable to meet your demand for care worker.
It’s important to note, these are not just a couple of buzz words used by HR managers; engaging with your employees can have a significant, positive impact on your business and its performance. This handy checklist will help create a more employee focused organisation and help towards retaining your valued employees: Selection – Be open and honest about the role and responsibilities at the initial recruitment stage Development and progression – Offer opportunities for employees to gain skills and build on their career Engage employees – ensure you’re having regular performance conversations and reviews, conduct surveys and have in place a grievance
Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance GBF Care Home Finance was founded in 1989 by Mark Widdows who originally trained as an Accountant and was later headhunted to run a financial services firm, before leaving to establish 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. Our main financing market is in the purchase , development and refinance of care homes from family run 12 bed units for the elderly or 6 bed niche market homes for challenging behaviour through to specialist 120 bed dementia homes. 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
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE
A substantial Grade II Listed former manor house in grounds of over 5 acres. It has been used as a residential home in recent years and offers 36 single rooms, together with ancillary accommodation. The property requires refurbishment and redecoration throughout. Offers In Excess of £2,000,000.
Further details available
01782 713444 / 01785 850866 www.hinsonparry.co.uk
procedure Be flexible - Wherever possible, accommodate individual preferences on working hours and times Manage work load - Monitor workload and ensure it is manageable within working hours Employee well-being - Support employees with issues such as workplace stress For further information, contact The Policy Library. See the advert on the facing page for details.
Hinson Parry
Midlands, Hinson Parry has a wealth of expertise and experience encompassing local market knowledge as well as operating on a national basis. Visit www.hinsonparry.co.uk
Hinson Parry offers a multi disciplinary property service providing a wide and comprehensive range of services to business and individuals. We are Chartered Surveyors, Auctioneers, Valuers, Compulsory Purchase and Compensation Consultants, Land and Estate Agents. Based in Staffordshire, in the heart of the
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PROFESSIONAL AND TRAINING
Without QCS we wouldn’t have been rated as an ‘outstanding service’ Rupert Stocks Registered Manager, Guyatt House
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