The Carer Digital - Issue #107 by The Carer

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 Issue 107

W W W. T H E C A R E R U K . C O M

THECARERUK

THECARER_UK

Labour Unveils Their Vision for A National Care Service

The Labour Party has unveiled bold plans for a National Care Service on a par with Sir William Beveridge’s vision for the NHS. Under the proposal backed by unison, the Fabian Society will review how a care service could be structured and funded and led by the general secretary of the Fabian Society, Andrew Harrop. Following the review, recommendations will be made to the Labour party pol-

icy review and to Wes Streeting MP, shadow health and social care secretary. The review will consider ‘The latest evidence and policy proposals on adult social care in England, take evidence from key experts, and undertake quantitative analysis to develop up-to-date estimates of costs and benefits.

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EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

Editor

Peter Adams

Call me a cynic, but I have been around long enough to know that many “groundbreaking policy announcements”, particularly from parties in opposition, rarely come to fruition. That is not meant to be a political statement, merely an observation based on experience! With respect to this policy vision - a National Care Service - of course I hope that I am wrong, but I have seen no evidence on how it will be funded other than calls for “proper funding”. Not a mention! If this proposal is going to run, then the public deserve a right to know how it is to be paid for. A fully costed proposal, approved by financial institutions, which can be held to account in the court of opinion. Anything else is, to my mind, nothing more than posturing. And what we would have to ensure is that any proposal does not include “handing the bill to the

next generation”. No one would deny that the existing system is widely regarded as unfair, complex, confusing and failing to meet the growing care needs in the population. The sector has seen the social care can kicked repeatedly down the road, and faced years of austerity which has seen government funding for local authorities halve in real terms between 2010–11 and 2017–18 (National Audit Office, 2018). The impact of these cuts has been felt widely: fewer people accessing publicly funded care; an increasing reliance on informal carers to support people; providers repeatedly expressing concerns about future care; plus ongoing staffing issues, exacerbated following the mandatory vaccine debacle. This is compounded with increases in the number of people with a combination of health and care needs, which has exposed the gap between comprehensive, free-atpoint-of-use health care and publicly funded social care that is tightly restricted to those with the highest needs and lowest means. So, yes of course, a complete overhaul is long overdue. I remember reading quite some time back that where there has been extensive reform it has often been implemented very gradually. In the Netherlands, for example, reform of their health system took 20 years, while in Korea it took 30 years to move to a system of comprehensive health insurance. Other countries, such as Germany, Netherlands, and Japan, established universal social insurance-based models decades ago, which also provide substantial coverage of needs and costs. And my concern is that this is not an issue that can be solved by gesture politics. The issue needs the input of people far better experienced in aspects of social care, econom-

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WEBSITE: www.thecareruk.com EDITOR Peter Adams ics, socioeconomics, and input from people who are going to be footing the bill. This week’s issue of THE CARER Digital also draws attention to the heart-breaking plight of dementia which frankly is a national disgrace. Almost 22% of people who died from Covid in 2020 and 2021 were suffering from dementia (see page 7) and another report (see page 15) revealed that 61% of people suffering with dementia suffer the little support within the past year. I’ve often recalled in my editorials my own experience when my mother suffered and died from a very aggressive form of Alzheimer’s disease. This was at a time (1980’s) when it was a relatively unknown condition. I didn’t have any prior knowledge regarding the disease whatsoever and our own GP had referred to her forgetfulness and confusion as “part and parcel of growing old”. I had to research myself, which I did vigorously, and at that time there was almost no support other than family and neighbours. How sad it is to report that in the 35 years since those suffering from dementia are still struggling to get adequate care. We hope the coming weeks to include some comment from leading industry observers so please do watch out. Which once again leads me onto my “thank yous” for all the wonderful stories we have received yet again from residential and nursing care settings around the country. These are the stories we are delighted as always to publish so please do keep them coming! Email editor@thecareruk.com

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Labour Unveils Their Vision for A National Care Service

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In an interview in The Guardian, Wes Streeting admitted the scale of the challenge involved in creating such a service. He said: “I would love to see a national care service delivered exactly on the same terms as the NHS, publicly owned, publicly funded, free at the point of use, but we’ve got to be honest about the scale of the challenge. So our starting point is to make sure we deliver national standards for care users and better pay and conditions for staff who work in social care. “I think the key thing about a national care service is that it’s a journey, not an event. We would not be able to deliver this overnight or even in a single parliament. “It’s about how we lay the foundations for it in the first term of a Labour government and then look to build on it in a second or third term.” The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn promised a national care service in the 2019 manifesto, however, his successor, Keir Starmer, has said he is “wiping the slate clean” and writing the manifesto again from scratch. Andrew Harrop said: “The Fabian Society, the trade unions and the Labour party have been working together to build Britain’s public services for over 100 years. The Fabians first called for a national healthcare service in 1911 and then played an instrumental role in the development of the NHS. “We are delighted to now be working on plans to develop a national care service for England based on the spirit of those past reforms. We will present practical, workable proposals to gradually develop national entitlements, standards and funding models that will support the integration of social care with healthcare and are designed around local accountability and individual preferences and needs.”

“ON PAR WITH NHS” ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “A National Care Service is something we have campaigned for now for some 20 years or more as it would

set social care provision on a par with NHS care and create cradle to the grave care in this country. “I agree that any such service must place the status and recognition of the social care workforce at its heart. There must also be room for public, private and charitable provision through small and larger providers, to ensure choice. “At the end of the day, this is an opposition party proposal and dependent upon the Labour Party gaining power for its fruition. “But it is good to have the idea become part of the conversation around care, even if it is short on detailed proposals at this stage. “We cannot continue as we are, with 1.5m people living without the care they need and care providers closing on a daily basis. Something has to change, root and branch reform must come and we welcome this proposal into the debate.”

VISION “VERY WELCOME”

population.

“With proper funding, and fees that reflect the true costs of delivering care, it is possible to have an efficient, high-quality, privately owned but publicly focused care system that delivers for both those needing care and for taxpayers. This is the experience of many other developed nations, and with political will, long-term political planning and funding, and effective regulation, it can be the solution for the UK too. “We look forward to engaging with the Labour Party and Fabian Society to showcase the many positives private providers bring to the social care sector – particularly the level of capital investment that we and other providers have made, and are continuing to make, in the UK’s care infrastructure needs – and to discuss how the Labour Party’s plan can focus on resolving the long-standing challenges the care sector faces and which are creating extreme pressure at this time.”

FAIR WAGE AND PROPER RIGHTS

Professor Vic Rayner OBE, chief executive of National Care Forum said the shadow secretary of state’s commitment to a set of national standards, values and better pay, terms and conditions for staff is “very welcome” but had stipulations: “Any national care service needs the not-for-profit care and support sector if it is to deliver on these commitments. “Our members, all not-for-profit providers, are born out of the ‘public service ethos’ he describes and therefore bring a wealth of knowledge and experience integral to any new national structure.”

Labour government will do, including through the rollout of fair pay

NEED FOR PROPER FUNDING

agreements, as the first step towards a National Care Service.”

A spokesperson from healthcare management company HC-One said that irrespective of ideology and political beliefs, the priority should be making sure that every person has access to a high-quality, personalised care service, and that the quality of care they receive is not determined by their financial means. “To make this a reality, we have long called for a reform programme that would provide the funding needed to invest in carer pay, training, and career progression, whilst enabling providers to build the technology and infrastructure needed to meet the needs of the UK’s ageing

Wes Streeting concluded: “The NHS wants care to be prioritised. One NHS trust I visited in Leeds is voluntarily reducing its own budget so more can go to social care. Yet despite the urgent need to secure social care services, Health Secretary Sajid Javid refuses to act.” “One thing the government could do now to bring down record-long NHS waiting times is recruit and retain more carers by paying a fair wage and giving them proper rights at work. That is what the next

“We know we cannot deliver this new service overnight, perhaps not even within our first term. We have asked the Fabian Society to review where a National Care Service should sit and the fairest way of funding it. The recommendations will be made before the next election. Our priorities will be getting more carers in and guaranteeing quality standards for patients across the service.” “Bevan said an NHS providing healthcare to all those who need it would be the “most civilised thing in the world”. It’s time we extend that civility and respect to those in need of care.”

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Why Technology Will Need To Play A Vital Role In Preparing For Care Cap Reforms By Julie Tyas, Senior Social Care Consultant, Access Health, Support & Care (www.theaccessgroup.com) There has been a series of legislative changes, policy announcements and funding commitments that promise a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to transform the way that social care is structured and delivered. Most notably, this includes the care cap, the Health and Care Act, and the £15.5m in extra funding for local authorities to manage the changes. And whilst additional funding and pledges to transform the sector are always welcomed, if we look beyond the high-level announcements, the detail suggests that the expectation being placed on local authorities and care providers to reform services, outweighs the support provided by government to ensure it is achievable. For example, plans for implementing the care cap come at a time when the recent State of the Nation report from Access Social Care shows that needs assessments have increased by 229% from 2019/20 – 2021/22. Similarly, it’s well documented how care vacancy rates are higher than they’ve ever been. And the County Council Network estimates that c5,000 new social workers are needed to manage the additional demands on local authorities. This new legislation represents some of the biggest changes to care practices in a generation. Traditionally, transformation of this kind would require a major change management programme, but our customers are telling us that it’s just not possible because of the limited timeframe before the introduction

of the care cap in October 2023, constrained resources and limited support from the centre. Moreover, the recent announcement that councils will receive £15.5m from the government to help manage the changes associated with the care cap, unfortunately, is a drop in the ocean. If we break it down, each local authority will receive c£100,000 - £150,000 in additional funding, which will pay for 2-3 social workers per council. This will do little to provide local authorities with the support and resources they need ahead of the October deadline. For the trailblazer councils piloting the reforms in January next year, there is even less time to prepare. And that’s without considering solutions that could also help with charging requirements, such as external assessors, and digital tools for processing financial assessments, all of which come at a cost. That being said, we know that local authorities are continuing to work hard to prepare for the impending deadline and are seeking new ways of dealing with the increased pressure. Namely, with the use of technology. It can play a major role in relieving some of the pressure on staff, whether it is automating elements of the financial assessments, or streamlining case management processes. There is additional funding expected in April 2023, to support the implementation of technology in social care, which will help to scale up the use of digital. However, it’s perhaps too late for councils to use it effectively to prepare for the care cap. Plus additional investment is still needed – as part of a broader, holistic approach to tackling the charging reforms and workforce shortages - if it is going to make a real impact. The sooner technology can be incorporated into organisation-wide strategic roadmaps for the care cap, and organisations receive additional government support to tackle resource challenges, the greater chance that local authorities and care providers have of being able to deal with the major changes that are expected, in October 2023 and beyond. And with further guidance and support from the government, the easier it will become for the intended ‘once in a generation’ transformation to be achieved.

Air Force Veteran Phyllis Celebrates 100th birthday at Royal Star & Garter An Air Force veteran who served during WWII has celebrated her 100th birthday. Phyllis Hales had family and friends join her for an afternoon garden party at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton, on Thursday, 30 June. The charity provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, and also has Homes in Solihull and High Wycombe. Phyllis has been a resident at Royal Star & Garter since 2017. Among those attending the party were daughter Jill, son Nigel and grandchildren. The guests gathered in the Surbiton Home’s new garden room, which had been decorated with birthday bunting and special ‘100’ balloons. Phyllis was born in London and did clerical work at a bookbinders before joining the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in 1942, at the age of 19. She continued doing clerical work while serving in the military, and following the

war, was stationed for six months in Belgium and Germany. She demobbed in 1946, before working for British European Airways, and later as a headmaster’s secretary. The centenarian used to raise money for the RAF Association (RAFA), and received a letter from the organisation, thanking Phyllis for her support and congratulating her on reaching 100. She also received a birthday card from Her Majesty The Queen. Daughter Jill said afterwards: “We’re really grateful to Royal Star & Garter staff who enabled us to have the party in the lovely garden room. Mum really appreciated it too, and I don’t think there’s a better place for her to celebrate. She loves the Home and we are grateful for all that staff do for her. I think being at Royal Star & Garter has not just prolonged her life, it’s given her a better quality of life.”

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Alzheimer’s Research UK backs Government Vision for the Future of Clinical Research Delivery Alzheimer’s Research UK welcomes new Government plans to make the UK a world leader in delivering cutting-edge clinical research, but says more must be done to ensure this vision is translated in dementia research which, due to historic underinvestment, is playing catch up when compared to other conditions. The Department of Health and Social Care has published the Phase Two Implementation Plan for Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery. Building on this new UK-wide plan – which aims to boost research into all diseases – the charity is specifically calling on Government to convene a Dementia Medicines Taskforce as part of the forthcoming 10 Year Dementia Plan, to act as the necessary catalyst to develop new dementia treatments. David Thomas, Head of Policy at ARUK, said: “There are currently no treatments available in the UK that slow or stop the diseases that cause dementia. So the actions outlined in the Phase Two Implementation Plan are very encouraging, and will be vital to make real progress in finding new dementia treatments that will give people longer with their memories,

with their independence, and with their loved ones. “There are several ways this Plan could boost dementia research. In particular, the focus on integrating research more closely into the NHS to boost trial recruitment is particularly relevant, given just 1% of people who could take part in dementia clinical trials do so. “Looking beyond today’s announcement, the Government’s forthcoming 10 Year Dementia Plan provides a unique opportunity to translate this important thinking into reality, and unlock the UK’s untapped potential as a world leader in dementia research. A central element of the Dementia Plan must be the creation a Dementia Medicines Taskforce, which will help fast-track the development and delivery of much-needed new medicines for diseases like Alzheimer’s. “In 2019, the Government pledged to double funding for dementia research in a ‘Dementia Moonshot’ but it has so far not delivered on its promise. The Health Secretary recently indicated his desire to boost investment, so we need to see clear plans for urgently making good on this commitment in order to deliver life-changing treatments for people with dementia.”

Care Home Residents Walk to Windsor to Help Hospice Residents of a care home strode the equivalent distance from Poole to Windsor Castle to raise money for a local hospice. Colten Care dedicated dementia home The Aldbury launched the fundraiser to support Forest Holme Hospice in Poole. Melissa Siat of the home’s companionship team explained: “Forest Holme Hospice is our charity of the year and the residents wanted to raise some money for its amazing work whilst also enjoying some quality time outside together. So, we would set ourselves a walking challenge to try to walk the 93.25 miles from The Aldbury to Windsor Castle.” The month-long challenge entailed companions and residents walking for 30 minutes each day. Sometimes this was split into separate 10-minute walks morning, afternoon and evening and while the majority of the walks were taken outside in the home’s lovely garden, rainy day walks also took place inside. Melissa said: “Just 30 minutes’ exercise a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance and I’d say we are all feeling fitter, cer-

tainly. “Most of our residents have had a pedometer to monitor their exercise routine and have loved being able to proudly track how many steps they have done each day. “They have been supported in their efforts through sponsorship from friends, relatives and staff and we have also excitedly charted our progress each week on a map of the British Isles.” Resident Abdul ‘Hobi’ Sabih said: “I love walking and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge. Especially with Melissa and the others because we look at the flowers and chat as we go.” Katherine Child agreed: “It’s lovely to be outside and walking and I think we all feel better for it.” Brian Hayles said: “It’s been interesting to have the pedometers and keep a track of how many steps we are doing. Melissa then calculates the distance in miles and we’ve amazed ourselves at just how much distance we have covered.” The Aldbury raised a total of £160 for their efforts and companions and residents have already started thinking about their next challenge. Melissa said: “It’s lovely to know we have helped the hospice in its work and it has also given us the impetus to keep up our daily walking throughout the summer and beyond.”

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Liberty Protection Safeguards Delays: What Will Happen Next? The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice have extended the deadline for people to respond to the consultation on changes to the Mental Capacity Act (2005), which include guidance on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards, which will apply in England and Wales. The consultation also covers the Liberty Protection Safeguard Regulations and a revision of the Code of Practice. Originally planned to come into force in April 2022, the proposed Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) have been delayed with a new deadline of 14 July 2022. Here Rachel Duxbury, Court of Protection solicitor at Hugh Jones Solicitors (www.hughjonessolicitors.co.uk), explains what the Liberty Protection Safeguards are, what will happen next and when they are likely to come into force.

WHAT ARE THE LIBERTY PROTECTION SAFEGUARDS? The Liberty Protection Safeguards were introduced in the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and are planned to replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system. Both safeguards aim to protect the rights of people who are or who need to be deprived of their liberty in order to enable their care or treatment and lack the mental capacity to consent to their arrangements. However, the Liberty Protection Safeguards have been designed to be easier to understand and a better fit for the framework of the Mental Capacity Act which they are part of. There are also other key areas where LPS and DoLS differ: Setting: DoLS is applicable in care homes and hospitals only, but LPS will apply in any setting. Age: LPS will apply to people aged 16 or over whereas DoLS currently applies to age 18 or over. Authorisation: With DoLS, the role of Supervisory Body that signs off authorisation sits with the Local Authority. Under LPS, this will be replaced by the ‘Responsible Body’ and allow for different Responsible Bodies in different settings. Tests for authorisation will differ in that under LPS, it will no longer be required that the arrangements are in the person’s best interests. Finally, duration of authorisation is not renewable under DoLS and is currently limited to 12 months then requiring a new authorisation, whereas LPS provides for an initial 12-month limit with opportunity to renew. Assessments: Under LPS, assessments will no longer have to be carried out by specially trained and qualified assessors. The only role requiring qualification and specific training is that of the Approved Mental Capacity Professional (AMCP) – a new role created by the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 to provide 'enhanced oversight'. Three assessments will form the basis of the authorisation of Liberty Protection Safeguards. For the Responsible Body to authorise any deprivation of liberty, it needs to be clear that: 1. A ‘capacity assessment’ to determine that the person lacks the capacity to consent to the care arrangements

The test for whether an individual is able to make a decision is set out in Section 3 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and states: (1) For the purposes of section 2, a person is unable to make a decision for himself if he is unable: to understand the information relevant to the decision, a. to retain that information, b. to use or weigh that information as part of the process of making the decision, or c. to communicate his decision (whether by talking, using sign language or any other means) d. (2) A person is not to be regarded as unable to understand the information relevant to a decision if he is able to understand an explanation of it given to him in a way that is appropriate to his circumstances (using simple language, visual aids or any other means). (3) The fact that a person is able to retain the information relevant to a decision for a short period only does not prevent him from being regarded as able to make the decision. (4) The information relevant to a decision includes information about the reasonably foreseeable consequences of: deciding one way or another, or a. failing to make the decision. b. 2. A ‘medical assessment’ to determine whether the person has a mental disorder within the meaning of section 1(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 A “mental disorder” is defined as “any disorder or disability of the mind”. Examples of clinically recognised mental disorders include mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression, as well as personality disorders, eating disorders, autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. Disorders or disabilities of the brain are not mental disorders unless (and only to the extent that) they give rise to a disability or disorder of the mind as well. 3. A ‘necessary and proportionate’ assessment to determine if the arrangements are necessary to prevent harm to the person and proportionate to the likelihood and seriousness of that harm.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? The LPS was originally due come into force in October 2020, however the impact of coronavirus and the pressures on the health and social care sector during the pandemic meant that this was then delayed to April 2022. For implementation, the LPS needs the code of practice and regulations to be drawn up and passed by Parliament. Before this step can happen, ministers must carry out a 12-week consultation on the draft code and regulations. The consultation is currently underway and will close on the 14 July 2022, the Government will then allocate a period of time to consider the consultations responses. The final code of practice and regulations will then be drawn up and laid before Parliament for 40 days.

WHEN WILL THE LIBERTY PROTECTION SAFEGUARDS COME INTO FORCE? There has been no new target date confirmed since the delays, with the DHSC stating that “we will not set a new target date for implementation.” The draft of the new Code has been published and consultation is open until 14th July 2022 with the Government expecting a wide range of stakeholders to submit detailed responses. The nature of the reforms and careful consideration needed for any final decisions and implementation plans around the LPS infrastructure, training and funding means the LPS coming into force in late 2023 is the earliest possible estimate and one that is unlikely to be confirmed until much nearer the time.

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One in Five People Who Died from COVID-19 During 2020 and 2021 had Dementia Alzheimer’s Research UK says Government must take greater action to speed up the development and deployment of new dementia treatments after it’s been revealed that just over one in five (21.8%) individuals who died of COVID-19 across 2020 and 2021 were living with dementia. According to new data published by the Office for National Statistics today (Friday 1st July 2022), among deaths due to COVID-19 in England and Wales in 2021, dementia was one of the most common pre-existing conditions. Combined with data from 2020, this indicates that of the 137,321 patients who died from the virus during this period, some 30,043 (21.8%) had dementia. The UK’s leading dementia research charity said the figures underlined the urgent need for more funding into dementia research and calls on the Government to convene a Dementia Medicines Taskforce, as part of the forthcoming Dementia Strategy, to end the long wait for dementia treatments.

David Thomas, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’ve known for some time that people with dementia have been hit disproportionately hard during the pandemic, but this new data serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenge we face in tackling the condition, and the urgent need to address it. People with dementia are more likely to be living with a range of conditions that put them at greater risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, and we must find new and better ways to treat and reduce the risk of developing dementia if we’re to protect people in future. That’s why it’s critical that dementia research is made a priority. “We’re calling for the government to set up a Dementia Medicines Taskforce to apply the same approach that delivered life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to bring about the first life-changing treatments for people who desperately need them.”

Care UK Home Teams Support London Pride 50 Care UK team members from 19 different care homes paraded through the streets of London to show their support for London Pride and underline the care home provider’s commitment to equality and diversity. Team members from Care UK’s central support teams, based in Colchester, as well as those from several Care UK homes including, Asterbury Place care home in Ipswich, Dashwood Manor in Basingstoke, Bickerton House in Bracknell, Queen’s Court in Windsor, Amberley Lodge in Purley, Millers Grange in Witney and Davers Court in Bury St Edmunds, took part in the parade to show their support for the LGBT+ community. This was the third time that Care UK has taken part in the London Pride parade. When the team first took part in the parade in 2018, Care UK launched its official LGBT+ Network, which continues to provide training and guidance to Care UK team members on LGBT+ related issues, as well as developing an open culture in every care home. This year was a significant year for the Pride movement and the LGBT+ community as they were com-

memorating 50 Years since the first Pride took place in the United Kingdom. It is also a significant year for Care UK, as its care homes across the country will celebrate the organisation’s 40th anniversary in September. Eileen Coyle-Jones, regional director for Care UK’s West London homes, said: “The two main values that we share with London Pride are equality and diversity. Care UK is delighted to have taken part in the event since we are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity for all, including employees, job applicants, residents, and visitors. The fact that so many of our Care UK colleagues participated in the parade is thrilling.” Dil Perera, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, added: “London Pride always brings people together in a very special way, so it was fantastic to be a part of the celebrations and show our support. “This was Dashwood Manor’s first time at the special event, and it was a wonderful day for everyone involved. We are already planning for next year!”

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How Your Care Home Can Reduce Energy Consumption Energy Saving expert at Love Energy Savings - www.loveenergysavings.com Care homes and nursing homes tend to have significantly high energy bills; this is primarily caused by high energy consumption. These facilities run 24 hours a day, so it is important to keep buildings warm and well-lit. It’s claimed that there are more people over the age of 60 than there are individuals under the age of 18 in the UK, so it’s clear that care homes won’t be short of residents any time soon. To help combat excessively high energy bills, care homes and nursing homes can become more energy efficient. Aiming to reduce energy wastage will help lower overhead costs. Assessments and the right balance are required to ensure the living environment is suitable. Continue reading this guide to find out how you can reduce your energy consumption and lower your bills, without compromising the comfort of your residents.

overheads, we highly recommend investing in LED lightbulbs. LightEmitting Diodes use 90% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. They’re also longer lasting, so you can save on purchase costs. After installing LEDs, you should switch to a cheaper business electricity tariff for maximum savings. Additionally, you could cut costs by installing motion sensors for your facility’s lighting. Older patients may forget to turn lights off when they leave rooms. Motion sensors will detect when rooms are empty and switch the lights off automatically, thus helping you reduce energy wastage. The fact that the lights will also turn on automatically when a resident enters a room may also make it easier for them to manoeuvre around. Alternatively, you could invest in smart key cards, like those used in hotels, to turn lights and other appliances off when a resident vacates the room.

WHY IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPORTANT IN CARE AND NURSING HOMES? The UK’s healthcare sector spends over £400 million on energy per year and a great deal of this energy is wasted, according to the Carbon Trust. This means that healthcare facilities like care homes and nursing homes are spending excessively on energy. This is money that could instead be spent on improving these spaces for the wellbeing of elderly residents. This energy wastage also has a damaging effect of the environment. With climate change becoming an increasingly serious issue, we should all be increasing our efforts to stop energy wastage and preserve the earth. By taking steps to improve energy efficiency, care homes and nursing homes could reduce their overheads and have more money to invest into their services. They could also reduce their carbon footprint and help with environmental sustainability.

HOW TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN YOUR CARE HOME OR NURSING HOME Energy efficiency, coupled with a suitable energy tariff, can help you lower your care home’s energy bills significantly. You can boost your nursing home’s energy efficiency with a number of simple measures. Below we list some key areas for you to target within your facility and highlight energy saving measures to help you lower your consumption.

1. HEATING Heating typically accounts for around 70% of a care home’s energy bills. Ideal temperatures for these facilities are likely to be higher than in everyday households, as older people are more susceptible to the cold. Although it’s inevitable that the heating will be used to a greater

4. WATER degree in care homes, there are ways in which you can heat the facility efficiently in order to keep your bills as low as possible. For example, choosing central heating instead of electric heaters could help you save and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. You should also reduce your thermostat temperatures to the lowest comfortable setting for your residents; this small measure can help you save significantly over time. Additionally, investing in low H20 radiators could help you save as they use less water to produce the same amount of heat as standard radiators. Last but certainly not least, you should ensure that your heating appliances are maintained properly. Organising a yearly service for your facility’s boiler and heating system could help to prevent any expensive and disruptive faults from occurring.

2. INSULATION Insulation plays a key role in maintaining temperatures in your building. Investing in wall, cavity, roof and/or floor insulation will help you retain heat in your facility and reduce your reliance on your heating system, thus helping you lower your energy consumption. You could also invest in double glazing for your windows to help keep heat in and maintain your ideal temperatures. We also recommend keeping doors and windows closed where possible to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering from outdoors. Additionally, you should ensure that any insulation you have installed is well-maintained and topped up regularly.

3. LIGHTING To boost the energy efficiency in your care home and reduce your

Approximately 12% of a care home’s energy consumption comes from heating water. To cut costs on water heating, you could invest in products like water-efficient shower heads and tap aerators to reduce water consumption. You should also ensure that you fix leaking or dripping taps as soon as possible. It’s claimed that a dripping tap could waste over 5,000 litres of water per year! Additionally, where physically possible, you could encourage residents to take showers instead of baths in order to save water. We also recommend insulating your hot water tank and pipework in order to keep hot water warm for longer periods. Many are not aware that businesses are now able to switch water supplier. You can even request a free water audit to improve efficiency. You can compare water suppliers here.

5. APPLIANCES Finally, you should always aim to purchase energy efficient products for your nursing home facility. Appliances that have high Energy Label ratings will help you reduce your energy consumption and lower your overhead costs. For example, investing in A-rated kettles, refrigerators, freezers and boilers will boost your facility’s energy efficiency and also reduce your carbon footprint, as these efficient products are manufactured to operate using minimal energy. Please note, the energy labels for products in the UK and EU have now changed, visit the website for further guidance. Furthermore, it’s also recommended that you avoid keeping appliances on standby mode. Electronics still consume energy when they are on standby, this is known as a phantom load. Switching off your appliances completely will help you save energy and further reduce your bills.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 9

Celebrities Stand in Solidarity with Care Workers to Celebrate #GladtoCare Awareness Week 2022 Celebrities, YouTube stars and renowned wellbeing hosts have shown their solidarity with care workers to celebrate a national annual awareness week dedicated to the social care sector. #GladtoCare Awareness Week, which took place from June 20th-24th, saw over 550 care providers and 15,000 residents get involved in the third annual 5-day initiative — a significant increase from last year’s event. The week aimed to showcase the extraordinary contributions of the caring community over the past 12 months, enabling care providers and care workers to get involved with various fun and innovative activities to highlight the incredible happenings within the industry. Using the #GladtoCare hashtag, carers were encouraged to share photos and videos on their social media channels to highlight some of the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes whilst showcasing caring as a fun, rewarding career. In addition to carers discussing why they are #GladtoCare, celebrities such as Nick Knowles and Arlene Phillips showed their solidarity by recording videos comprising messages of gratitude and support. Arlene Phillips’ heartfelt message, which expressed enormous gratitude to carers, was particularly thought-provoking. She stated: “We could not have done without our carers throughout the pandemic and now, post-pandemic. We have to appreciate our carers — their kindness and devotion to the job they do is quite incredible. So, please say thank you to our carers this week, and every week.” Echoing Arlene’s sentiment, Nick Knowles added: “On this #GladtoCare Awareness Week, I’d like to personally thank all of the amazing carers in the UK who go above and beyond in their roles to look after the nation’s elderly and vulnerable. You do an amazing job and we’re so grateful for you and all the hard work that you do. Thank you.” Other notable figures to show their support included TV sports presenter, Hayley McQueen, Love Island star, Priya Gopaldas and viral singing sensation, Charlotte Awbery — all of whom shared motivational video

messages for the UK’s unsung heroes. In addition to initiating conversation around the care profession, the week sought to connect carers and residents through a series of organised activities. These included events led by celebrities and digital influencers to encourage the participation of both workers and residents. Lucy Wyndham-Read, a YouTube and social media sensation with over 2.8 million followers and 250 million YouTube views, kickstarted the week with a light fitness session for the ‘Monday Motivation’ initiative — promoting a fun, feel-good vibe in preparation for the week ahead. The following day, carers and residents recreated hearty recipes provided by celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriott, Laura Adlington and Adam Handling to celebrate #GladtoCare’s ‘Tasty Tuesday’ initiative. To end the week on a high, Aaron Betesta, owner of Laughtercise, a world-famous wellbeing brand, hosted a rejuvenating session full of laughter for the awareness week’s ‘Feel-Good Friday’ activity, which well and truly got participants in the weekend spirit. Reflecting on the success of the third-time event, Jonathan Papworth, founder of Person Centred Software, said: “We are delighted to have received such an incredible response to this year’s #GladtoCare Awareness Week, which revolved around the theme of ‘celebration’.” “With the involvement of over 550 care providers and 15,000 residents, as well as garnering various celebrity support, we are so pleased with the overall response to the initiative this year. Although we are venturing into a post-pandemic landscape, it is imperative that we continue to celebrate the hard work and efforts of our care staff, whilst highlighting the overall benefits and fun aspects of working in the care industry.” For more information on #GladtoCare Awareness Week, please visit www.gladtocare.com.

Steve Barclay Appointed New Heath Secretary Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Steve Barclay, former chief of staff at Number 10, as his new health secretary.

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Javid blamed a lack of “strong values” in the Conservative party for his resignation. He said: “The tone you set

The appointment follows the resignation of Sajid Javid on Tuesday night.

as leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party, and

Mr Barclay said:

ultimately the country. We may not always have been popular, but we have been com-

“It is an honour to take up the position of Health and Social Care Secretary.

petent in acting in the national interest. Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public

“Our NHS andsocial care staff have showed us time and again – throughout the pan-

are concluding that we are neither.”

demic and beyond – what it means to work with compassion and dedication to transform lives.

Mr Barclay is qualified solicitor, who worked for the Financial Services Authority and was head of anti-money laundering at Barclays Bank before starting his political career.

“This government is investing more than ever before in our NHS and care services to

Most recently, he has served as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Mr

beat the Covid backlogs, recruit 50,000 more nurses, reform social care and ensure

Johnson’s Chief of Staff after a shake-up following the Partygate scandal earlier this

patients across the country can access the care they need.”

year.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 11

Healthcare Vacancies Show Signs of Stabilising While Applications Rise Following a peak in hiring towards the end of last year, healthcare job vacancies have dropped, though application numbers are showing some signs of positivity. That’s according to recent research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). The statistics, provided by the world’s largest network of job boards, Broadbean Technology, revealed that, when comparing data from the start of this year with Q4 2021, vacancies were down by 18%. In comparison, job applications rose by almost the same amount, with applications per vacancy (APV) at their highest rate since Q2 2021. When drawing regional comparisons, it’s to be expected that Greater London has by far the greatest number of healthcare vacancies, holding almost triple the number of jobs in the West Midlands, which is the region that comes in second place for new jobs. Of the top-scoring regions, Greater London and Surrey recorded the highest applica-

tions per vacancy (APV) rates (averaging at 8 applications per job). Ann Swain, CEO of APSCo, commented: “While a rise in the number of applications per vacancy in the sector is extremely promising, the healthcare arena has historically had resourcing challenges, so we don’t expect this trend to continue on a long-term basis. Recruitment across healthcare is highly competitive and highly complex, something that has only been exacerbated since Brexit with the sector osing a number of international professionals following the UK’s exit from the Bloc. What is needed across healthcare hiring is a sector-wide recognition of the best approach to recruitment – one that ensures top candidates are being engaged with and recruited for in not only a compliant way, but also in a manner which provides applicants with a high-quality experience. In order to drive this, APSCo has launched a new best practice standard for the clinical and healthcare sector to support quality hiring processes.

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PAGE 12 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

The Future Challenges of the Care Industry - Complete The Survey Today! Simply complete the survey and fill in your details to be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a Miele Triflex Vacuum Clean at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZL6QR73 The laundry room in any care home is a crucial part of the day-today operations. The job of handling both soiled and clean linen normally falls to the front-line care staff as very few establishments are big enough to have a dedicated laundry team or laundry manager. Because soiled linen is a breeding ground for infection, the way this is handled by the care team is crucial to infection prevention and control in the care home and helps to protect both residents and staff alike. As part of the mandatory training that is provided to all care staff on an annual basis, the handling of linen is described at length but in the everyday operation of a care home it can be difficult to ensure that the very highest of standards are being achieved. Space can be a limiting factor as many organisations have very small laundry facilities so being able to effectively separate clean and soiled laundry can be practically quite challenging. Time is also a major factor in the daily workings of the laundry room. Without a dedicated laundry team, front-line care staff are performing the duties of a laundry team as part of their daily tasks so being able to take the time and care over the specifics of the laundry operation is not always a priority. At Miele Professional we understand the challenges that care staff face when it comes to providing the very best in infection prevention and control in the laundry versus the reality of providing high standards of care for some of our most frail, elderly people. Our laundry equipment is designed to help take some of the guesswork out of infection

high enough to thermally disinfect the wash. Another benefit of the Miele Professional range is the connectivity. A new product due to be launched later this year by Miele will mean washing machines can be controlled by a smart phone resulting in no need to actually touch the display to select the desired programme and it can be programmed to 32 different languages, removing any issues with comprehension. They are also really quick too – reducing the turnaround time on laundry items whilst still providing the highest quality clean.

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The Carer and Miele are offering you the chance to win a Miele Triflex vacuum cleaner for taking part. We want to know what you believe are the future challenges of the care industry. With all of the changes that have happened in the last couple of years, what changes will be permanent and what will go back to the way it was before. Miele Professional in interested in hearing your views. Simply complete the survey and fill in your details to be entered into the prize draw at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZL6QR73

MP Ruth Edwards Visits Leawood Manor Care Home to Celebrate Care Home Open Week Leawood Manor in Nottingham were delighted to welcome MP Ruth Edwards, as part of their Care Home Open Week celebrations. Ruth enjoyed looking around Leawood Manor, where she had the opportunity to meet and chat with residents, their families and team members.

a keen gardener. Ruth also spoke to the team at Leawood Manor about the excellent work they do and the wonderful facilities the home offers for residential and dementia care for the elderly in West Bridgford. Zimran Alam, Senior Home Manager at Leawood Manor, said:

During the visit, she joined residents in some activities, such as arm-

“We were pleased to welcome MP Ruth Edwards to Leawood

chair exercise, flower arranging and enjoyed seeing residents interact

Manor. She expressed her sincere thanks for the opportunity to visit

with West Bridgford Tuneless Choir who were performing at the

Leawood Manor and the experience of spending time with the resi-

home.

dents, family members and the team, which she had thoroughly

As part of the home’s ‘Bringing Nature Back to the Garden’ project, Ruth gladly took part in a tree planting ceremony with resident James,

enjoyed, and she hoped to visit again soon. We look forward to welcoming Ruth to Leawood Manor again soon.”

Seaside Memories Spark Joy Residents at a specialist Wellington dementia care home have been enjoying all the fun of the seaside without the bother of making the journey, thanks to the dedication of the activities team at Camelot House and Lodge who recreated a raft of beach and holiday activities for people to enjoy in their own home. Top of the list of favourites was sandcastle-making, with imported sand available on a table at waist height so that residents could get creative without having to stoop over. To the accompaniment of a soundtrack featuring waves breaking on the shore and the cries of seagulls, residents also enjoyed ice-creams, summer drinks and playing games of dominoes in the shade. Activities organiser, Richard Dempslake, said: “We put on a proper beach party for our residents and they really got into the spirit of things.

“Obviously we had a lovely sing-along, including ‘I do like to be beside the seaside,’ and some of the party-goers also relaxed by getting their feet wet – in a foot-spa, not among the waves, but they seemed very happy with that. “Sensory input is very important for people with dementia, so we created a pretend beach so anyone who wanted to could enjoy getting sand between their toes. “Our in-house bar, the Windsor Arms – named for actress Barbara Windsor who was a fabulous dementia-awareness campaigner – served sangria alongside the usual tipples, and that went down very well too. “We have to make the most of the sunshine when we can – it’s lovely for people to be able to sit outside to absorb some vitamin D and enjoy the summer outdoors. “We have plenty of shade available, as well as a great choice of sunhats which added to the spirit of the beach party.”

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 13

Minister for Care Gillian Keegan Visits Kew House Care Home to Celebrate Care Home Open Week Kew House Care Home welcomed Minister for Care and Mental Health Gillian Keegan in celebration of Care Home Open Week. She joined residents’ families and members of the community in the care home for a Wimbledon-themed day, which included a piano performance, Pimms, strawberries and cream, and afternoon tea. The minister was also joined by local MP Stephen Hammond MP and Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. Kew Housewas one of 1,500 care homes across the UK participating in Care Home Open Week from 27th June to 3rd July 2022 – aimed at encouraging communities to engage with care home residents and the exceptional professionals who care for them. Minister Gillian Keegan said: “It was lovely to share a cup of tea and have a chat with staff and residents at Kew House during Care Home Open Week to hear all about the great work they do. “This is an important time for adult social care as we work to reform the sector backed by a huge investment of £5.4 billion through the Health and Care Levy which includes an additional £500million for staff training to boost career opportunities. “Our vision for adult social care is one of support, recognition and opportunity and I very much enjoyed discussing the challenges and our ambitions with everyone at the home.” Avnish Goyal CBE, Chair of Hallmark Care Homes, said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Gillian Keegan at Kew House Care Home in Wimbledon. “Care Home Open Week is about connecting care homes with their local communities and reminding

everyone that the unique individuals who live in care homes are supported by dedicated and professional caring teams. “It’s really important that we continue to host events such as these, which shine a light on social care and showcase what we do so well.” Ray Arnold, General Manager at Kew House Care Home, said: “It was great to have Gillian Keegan come in and visit Kew House Care Home today and showcase our beautiful facilities during Care Home Open Week. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting her at the home for our Wimbledon inspired event and the residents enjoyed meeting and chatting with her.” Led by Championing Social Care, a volunteer-led group of leaders from across the social care sector, this year’s event aimed to celebrate the value of social care, and drive recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic amid increasing reliance on the sector and widespread staff shortages. This year’s event received record engagement from MPs, with one in six MPs attending a local care home during the week. Rebecca Woolley, Championing Social Care Director said: “We are incredibly proud of the community interest and MP engagement in this year’s Care Home Open Week, which seeks to shine a light on the incredible value of the social care sector to society. We know that intergenerational connections enrich the lives of both our residents and local communities, and it’s our hope that the relationships forged this week will last long beyond Care Home Open Week.” “This year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without our two committed sponsors, CIVITAS Investment Management and Virgin Money, who provide vital support to the programme.”

Former Opera Singer Hits All the Right Notes at Her Care Home’s ‘Proms’ A former opera singer provided a patriotic start to the ‘Proms’ at her new Dorset care home with a rousing rendition of Land of Hope and Glory. Doris ‘Dorrie’ Smith, 92, became a resident of Colten Care’s dedicated dementia home Fernhill, in Ferndown in May. Dorrie’s singing ability was ‘discovered’ when she was just 13 by the wellknown soprano Mavis Bennett, who regularly performed on BBC Radio where she was known as the ‘Nightingale of the Wireless’. Dorrie’s daughter, Christina Smith, who lives in Southampton explained: “Mavis, like my mum, lived in Redditch in Worcestershire. She was a customer at my grandfather’s petrol garage and one day he asked her to listen to mum sing. “She listened and announced she was a natural contralto who needed very little training. And from that point she took mum has a kind of protégé.” Over the next few years, Dorrie’s voice was heard several times on the BBC, including on the Listen with Mother programme. She was also a regular guest of the BBC Orchestra at the Redditch Theatre.

Dorrie and her husband Norman, a talented pianist, continued to perform locally and went on to open a children’s nursery, where they introduced some of the country’s earliest music and movement sessions. The couple moved to Bournemouth in the late 1960s and Dorrie continued to sing accompanied on the piano by her friend, the BBC Radio producer Jimmy Grant, whom she met through a U3A Choir. Fernhill residents enjoyed an afternoon of singing along to classical and popular songs from across the years before a delicious afternoon tea. Dorrie added: “Fernhill has so much music and singing every day. I am also helping some of the carers who love to sing with their technique. “It was lovely to sing in front of everyone and hopefully they enjoyed it too.” Fiona Pritchard, Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner said: “Music has and still does play an important role in the lives of many of our residents across our homes. Hearing Dorrie sing in her beautiful and still very strong voice, was very emotional for us all. “She was beaming all over afterwards and went on to enjoy a great afternoon of singing and happy reminiscence with her fellow residents.”

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PAGE 14 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

Local System Mismanagement - Lessons Must be Learned – Anne-Marie Perry, CEO of Abicare Responds In his article “Local System Mismanagement-Lessons Must be Learned” published in The Carer last week, Martin Green, CEO of Care England, set out a series of lessons to be learned following the care hotel initiative launched during the Covid pandemic. We in the care sector know how chronically underfunded our industry is at present, and so like everyone else, we at Abicare hate to see the mismanagement of money. It’s therefore difficult to read accusations that Abicare was involved in inappropriately spending taxpayer money. And so, to set the record straight we want to explain how and why we were contracted by Norfolk and Waveney CCG in some of the most difficult months of the pandemic. At Abicare we set-up, managed, and ran a number of care hotels in 2021, providing much needed support for hospitals and local care authorities. Our staff worked immensely hard and sacrificed a lot to ensure that these care hotels were one of the few success stories during incredibly dark and difficult times. It seems that some have forgotten very quickly just how tough conditions were during the pandemic. Care hotels were absolutely not a substitute for hospitals but were only for those people who had been deemed medically fit to return home but were stuck waiting for a care package – something which all local authorities and clinical commissioning groups found intensely challenging to source at the time. As was often reported, there was no spare capacity within adult social services, it had all been used up. The only other alternative for these individuals was to keep them in crowded hospitals.

RELIEF FOR THE NHS First and foremost, care hotels were set-up at very short notice to relieve intense pressure on the NHS. Due to the pressures of the pandemic, the NHS was in a truly desperate situation. On one occasion we had an NHS trust phone us on a Friday afternoon just before a bank holiday weekend to see if we could provide any help within the next two hours. That is how urgent the need for support was. For the local NHS trusts, care hotels provided a vital safety valve and lifeline. Care hotels freed up hospi-

tal beds and staff, at a time when some patients were stuck waiting for treatment in hospital corridors. Hotel care was an instant solution, which crucially did not weaken any local teams or care providers and instead sourced cohorts of carers from outside of the worst-hit areas. This was an immediate option to help an overstressed system which had nowhere else to go.

BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS All the patients were given a choice on whether they wanted to leave the hospital and come into a hotel, which many found provided a welcome change of environment that gave them more autonomy, more chance to recover, and less chance of acquiring hospital-related dependencies. Of course, hotels are not designed as care establishments, but just as with the provision of in-home care, there were several things we did to create a suitable environment. We had full protocol manuals and worked very closely with our NHS partners to provide a safe and quality service. Our carers were experienced and fully trained, and primary care support was available where required. Care hotels got patients out of hospitals and onto a full activity and rehab programme so they were ready to go home when local providers had capacity. The care they received was of the highest quality and the positive response from patients was overwhelming.

SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS With regards to cost, care hotels were never intended as a long-term solution or alternative to local care. They were always an urgently needed short-term solution to a critical problem, not a model for the future of care provision. Because there was no slack in the existing local care systems at the time, the alternative would have been to leave the patients, all of whom were medically fit to return home, in a hospital bed. This hospital bed costs around £400 per day per patient – far more than the cost of a bed in a care hotel. Keeping the 36 patients who filled one of our care hotels at one point in hospital for the same length of time would have cost the NHS £1.6 million or £44,800 per patient. The cost of £15,555 per care recipient was then not only a significant cost saving, it also released 36 hospital beds and freed up hospital staff to care for other patients.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED There are of course plenty of lessons to be learned from the last two years. The pandemic showed us clearly the fragility of the NHS and local care systems, but also their strengths. We need to establish longterm solutions to the challenges faced by our local health and social care systems. We need more coordination, more planning, and more investment. To do this, we need to grapple with what really happened and the real conditions we faced. If we can’t accurately appraise the challenges of the last few years, then we stand little chance of meeting the demands of the years to come.

Surrey Care Home Bags Award for Catering Team The catering team at Surrey based maritime charity, The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, has been crowned best in the sector at this year’s Care Home Catering Awards. The Awards, which celebrate chefs and catering teams throughout the care sector, recognised the Society’s team led by Matt Goodman, who took home the Care Home Catering Team of the Year Award. The team were acknowledged for their emphasis on building strong relationships with residents and visitors whilst supporting the work of the wider nursing care team by ensuring mealtimes and nutrition are a key part of the care delivered at the Society’s care home Belvedere House. The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is a registered charity and was established in 1865. Its residential and nursing care home, Belvedere House, provides nursing, dementia, and respite care to retired seafarers and residents of non-seafaring backgrounds from across the UK. Matt Goodman has been Catering Manager at the home for eight years. His team focuses on creating exciting, nutritious and tasty bespoke meals for all the residents in the home, hosting quarterly resident meetings to discuss menus, regular tasting sessions and catering surveys to get feedback on ideas, ensuring all residents are involved in creating menus of food they love. The home has a specialised dementia unit and mealtimes can be an area of concern for those living with dementia so it is important for the team to ensure mealtimes are made easier when communication

Spiritual Care Series A training course for churches offering spiritual care to older people BRF is delighted to introduce a groundbreaking course to help churches equip leaders and members for ministry to older people. The urgent need to prioritise the support of older people was highlighted during the pandemic and it's increasingly recognised that they thrive when their spiritual well-being is cared for alongside their physical, mental and social needs. The Spiritual Care Series offers tried-and-tested training designed to give churches and carers the confidence, understanding and skills to provide such holistic care. It’s important for carers to learn how to offer sensitive, effective spiritual care to all those in their care, whether of strong faith, non-traditional faith or no faith. Developed in Australia, the Spiritual Care Series is now also well established in Canada. The course is fully endorsed by Debbie Thrower, Anna Chaplaincy pioneer, and her team. Two leading practitioners in the field of spiritual care for older people in the UK, Professor John Swinton of the University of Aberdeen and Harriet Mowat, a Newcastle-based researcher in chaplaincy and spiritual care, have been involved in its development. ‘This is an ideal resource for churches, groups of churches and other organisations, who want to equip their members to offer good spiritual care to older people in the church, in the community or in care homes.’– Debbie Thrower, Anna Chaplaincy pioneer

TRIED AND TESTED

and motor difficulties can seriously affect how food is consumed. Matt Goodman, Catering Manager at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “Winning the Care Home Catering Team of the Year Award means so much as I know how dedicated all of the team are in ensuring residents get the most nutritious meals. We pride ourselves on the personalised care offered at the Society and believe it is very important to incorporate residents feedback and ideas into the catering plans. The team ensure that mealtimes are an enjoyable aspect of the day for residents by implementing creative ideas such as themed events and BBQs in the summer. “It really is a testament to the Society as a workplace as it has a culture of togetherness and a strong programme of training and development and I am so happy that I get to be a part of this amazing team. ” Chief Executive of the Society, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “I am extremely proud of Matt and the catering team, it is always great when our staff get the recognition they deserve and how fantastic that we have another win under our belt. Everyone here at the Society works tirelessly to ensure the residents receive the best possible care, and that includes providing exciting and delicious food that caters to a range of differing needs – it is not an easy job but luckily we have an excellent team providing outstanding, around-the-clock care to all residents.”

The course consists of eight two-hour sessions with video material to introduce each topic and provoke discussion. The course covers a range of essential skills, including reflective listening, and uses a mixture of learning styles. It can be run in person or entirely online, and a certificate is awarded to participants on successful completion. Pam Nobbs is an Anna Chaplaincy local coordinator who was part of a trial group and then went on to lead an online group through the material. ‘We were absolutely enamoured by it. We thought it was wonderful. It was such an excellent course. We all agreed how helpful it had been. It was an extremely professional presentation and it was totally relevant. It explored situations that all of us were likely to encounter at some point n our work with older people.’ – Pam Nobbs, Anna Chaplaincy local coordinator

SESSION OUTLINE AND FACILITATION The eight sessions cover: 1. Understanding the ageing process 2. Spirituality in ageing 3. Good communication 4. The power of storytelling 5. Dementia 6. A new home and a new way of life 7. Grief, loss, death and dying 8. Roles, boundaries and self-care Please note that this course is most effective when supported by at least one, and ideally two, experienced facilitators.

COST The Spiritual Care Series comes as a package for two facilitators and six participants. The cost of £360.00 (£60.00 per person) covers one DVD, handbooks for facilitators and participants, access to The Bridge online learning environment and certification on successful completion. Additional participants can be added for £60.00 per additional person. For more information and to order visit www.brfonline.org.uk/products/spiritual-care-series-6-user-bundle

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 15

60% of Dementia Sufferers Struggled with too Little Support FREE COURSES Over Past Year for Care Home and Care

As one in five family carers report that they had to admit their loved one with dementia to A&E due to lack of support, Alzheimer’s Society calls for dementia support workers in every area. Alzheimer’s Society says support following a dementia diagnosis is ‘unequal, inconsistent and inadequate’, with one in five carers saying lack of support meant their loved ones ended up in A&E. A new report by the charity, Left to Cope Alone: The unmet support needs after a dementia diagnosis, which launched today (Wednesday 29 June 2022) at the Local Government Association Annual Conference, revealed three in five (61%) of people affected by dementia did not feel they had received enough support in the last 12 months. A second survey of another 1,000 people affected by dementia, also showed that more than half (54%) of family carers reached crisis point in the last year alone1 with families having no idea of the support available. This left people with dementia at risk of going to hospital with avoidable conditions like falls or urinary tract infections, creating unnecessary pressure on the NHS. A need for more dementia support workers in the UK Now, the charity is calling for primary care networks to use the government’s funding for support

roles in primary care to provide at least one dementia support worker in every area. These are specialists in the community who provide the missing link between families and support after a diagnosis. Previous research has suggested that just 38% of people with dementia report they are receiving dementia health and care services, highlighting that the help people need isn’t matching the help they’re getting. Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society CEO, said: ‘No family affected by dementia should face it alone. Post diagnostic dementia support is unequal, inadequate and inconsistent, leaving families without the necessary care they need to get through some of the hardest and most frightening times of their lives. ‘People tell us that a lack of dedicated support means they are relying on the internet to find out about their condition, or that the wellbeing of their loved one with dementia depends on how well they’re ‘doing their homework’ to find support.’ Family carers are at breaking point trying to make sure their loved ones are safe, cared for, while trying to maintain some quality of life. ‘People need the right support from the moment of diagnosis. Having a dedicated dementia support worker in every area would plug the gaps we’re seeing in primary care, give people the one point of contact to help them navigate the health and social care system and ease pressure on health services. ‘Dementia support workers provide a crucial link between the 900,000 people living with dementia and post diagnostic support, and they are incredibly cost effective – every £1 spent results in £4 worth of benefits’

An Introduction from MSD Independent I would like to introduce myself . My name is Mark Durbidge and I have been in the Distance Learning environment for the past 12 years and have built this business to where we are today. I started originally with a market leading Company and moved on to starting my own business finding and enrolling people onto the courses. Our job is to introduce people to our Free Courses for Care home and care agency staff including Free Dementia, End of Life, Medication and Falls Prevention courses plus many more . We have enrolled over the years many people , and they have benefited in accomplishing a level 2 NCFE Cache certificate in one or more of our courses. As with everyone else it took a downturn during the pandemic as we were unable to visit Care Homes or Agencies , so we started doing telephone and online enrolments. This proved very successful and we are continuing this service and now offering the original visits and group enrolments. We had a new website built during this time which has also been a great success as it contains detailed information regarding the courses we have available from Mental Health, Mental Health First

Aid, Autism, Dementia, Medication, Business Administration. Also our partner Colleges around the country supply experienced , qualified tutors to help where necessary students who may struggle a little. This is a great asset to people. Once people are enrolled we always send out a hard copy of their chosen course and they have the option of writing out the assessment or electronically submitting to the relevant College. The courses have been developed to a very high and informative standard and are highly recommended by Care Homes and Colleges alike.. These courses are free to people providing they complete them . Colleges do ask for a small admin fee from those who register and do not complete the course. Please contact me direct if you wish to have more information . I can be contacted on my mobile number 07943 743748 or email me direct on mark@msdindependent.co.uk. Alternatively our web site is www.msdindependent.com

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PAGE 16 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

Staff-Short Care Firms Have No Time For Training Connect2Care’s latest research shows how misconceptions around apprenticeships could be impacting their potential to fix industry-wide staff retention problems Following the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021 – when employees around the UK left their jobs in record numbers – a new survey has revealed that 100% of care managers continue to find it hard to retain staff. Yet while almost 90% believe that further training investment would help with recruitment and retention, less than 40% of care businesses offer apprenticeships to staff at all levels. Over a third have been deterred from offering training opportunities for new and existing employees due to the time investment needed. A further 37.5% of care managers are put off by the risk that an employee would leave after completing their training, even though more than 90% of people working in the sector have said they would be more likely to stay in a role if their employer invested in their training from the outset. Commenting on the research, Jill Whittaker, Managing Director at Connect2Care, said: “Since the pandemic began, staff shortages have been rife across a wide range of sectors, culminating in the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021. And the care sector is among the hardest hit. “Yet while most care operators see the value in training when it comes to attracting and retaining staff, too many believe they don’t have the time to invest in this. But with the sector continuing to strug-

unlock skills quickly and fast-track staff into positions where they can make a real impact. New flexible training models under consideration by the Government are set to make this process even quicker. For example, front-loaded training will be invaluable in helping apprentices to hit the ground running and operate efficiently for their employers from the very beginning.” The study showed that most care operators are interested in flexible training options, with 75% of employers in the sector saying they would consider front-loaded training to help speed-up the process. Over 90% of employees in the field would be more willing to start an apprenticeship or training course if they could condense learning into a shorter period. Connect2Care has released a toolkit answering common questions about apprenticeships, with advice on how businesses can maximise them through flexible training options. gle with staff shortages, they can’t afford not to. “As well as playing a role in attracting and retaining valuable team members, apprenticeships have always been one of the best ways to

Find out which apprenticeship pathway will work best for your business with Connect2Care’s See the Opportunity toolkit, which can be downloaded for free. Visit https://connect2care.net/resources/see-the-opportunity/

Plenty of Celebrations at Penarth Care Home as Resident Celebrates 101st Birthday There were plenty of celebrations at a Penarth care home following the 101st birthday of a resident. Nina Adey, a resident of MHA Morel Court celebrated her birthday with friends and family thanks to a wonderful party organised by staff at the home. The home, which offers 36 places for residential care was decorated with birthday banners and decorations and of course a huge birthday cake. The Mayor of Penarth, Cllr Laura Rochefort was also invited by the home who presented Nina with some flowers. Speaking about the party Nina said: “It was really nice to spend the day with my family and I really enjoyed it.“The secret to a long life for me is supporting my favourite football club, Wolverhampton Wanderers and having a glass of bitter on the odd occasion. “I do try and go to watch Wolves with my grandson whenever they

are playing close by and it’s something we both really enjoy. “I like sitting in the garden when my family comes to visit me and again I was very happy with the birthday party that was organised for me.” June Mansell, community coordinator said: “Nina loved her special day and was tired the following day but thoroughly enjoyed it. “She loves her favourite football team and even has her Zimmer frame in the same colour as their kit. “She went for lunch with her family and spent the evening with us at Morel Court so it was a long day, but she really enjoyed it and it was nice to see her having a good time.”

Care Home Hosts Head-Turning Feast of St Peter Raffle for Local Charity To celebrate the annual Feast of St Peter on Saturday 25 June, Mulberry Court care home hosted a raffle like no other to provide passers by the opportunity to win huge prizes and help raise money for local volunteer organisation, Bucks Search and Rescue. On hearing about the great work of Bucks Search and Rescue from a resident’s son; a volunteer of the organisation, residential care home Mulberry Court decided to host a raffle at the annual celebration of The Feast of St Peter. After putting out a call to the local community as well as friends and family for prize donations, the people of Chalfont St Peter were happy to oblige, resulting in hundreds of pounds of donations being collected by colleagues and delivered to the home. Once all donations were received, the home put together two fantastic and very substantial raffle prizes, one being a ‘Barrow of Booty’ which contained a delectable selection of wine and spirits, the second, aimed

at children, a ‘Trolley of Toys’, comprised of an exciting selection of toys and games. As people flocked to celebrate the Feast, representatives of Mulberry Court displayed the amazing prizes and successfully raised an incredible £230.00. The money was then given to a representative of Bucks Search and Rescue in a special presentation on Friday 1 July, during Care Home Open Week celebrations. Mags Kelly, Chair of Bucks Search and Rescue commented: “We can’t put a value on having support from the community. It’s not just the value of items donated for projects, or funds raised for those projects, but the actual fact that we have people who recognise the value of the service all our volunteers provide, that’s what makes it so special when we get help from organisations like Mulberry Court and The Fremantle trust.”

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL CARE SECTOR DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMAIL AT WWW.THECARERUK.COM/SIGNUP

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 17

Analysis Suggests Drugs for Conditions Such as ADHD Could Improve Some Alzheimer’s Symptoms “This well-conducted meta-analysis highlights the potential of noradrenergic drugs to treat some aspects of Alzheimer’s, but the evidence in the trials reviewed here varies in quality and it’s hard to directly compare results from each study because the methods used are not consistent. “We can’t be sure yet what effect these drugs could have on a person’s day-to-day life, and we don’t know whether any benefits they provide would outweigh the risks. “While there are limitations to the evidence reviewed in this paper, it highlights a need for well-conducted clinical trials to determine whether drugs that already treat conditions like ADHD could be safe and beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s. Research like this will help keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer.”

A new meta-analysis reviewing several clinical trials suggests that a certain class of drugs could be repurposed to treat some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Researchers looked at studies using noradrenergic drugs, which can be used to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The analysis was published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Alzheimer’s is a very complex disease. There are currently 143 drugs in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s, and while some counteract symptoms most target the various biological processes that could be driving the disease. “There is currently a lack of drugs approved to treat apathy in Alzheimer’s, a symptom that has been linked to lower quality of life, faster decline and increased stress for carers.

Pub Experience For Peterborough Residents 87th Birthday On 1st July, 2022 we celebrated the birthday of resident; Janet Robinson with a very special ‘pub’ experience at Hampton Grove care home in Peterborough. Janet is very sociable, but with the weather being so temperamental the team at Hampton Grove decided, alongside her closet friends to set up a surprise celebration in the homes purpose built ‘The Bonnie Prince Charlie Pub’ instead! Located on the 3rd floor of Hampton Grove the pub was the

Christine, Mary and Maureen. With tea, coffee and homemade cakes being served by our hospitality team, rather than the traditional round of alcoholic beverages the small group enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together. Krzysztof Krzysztofiak, General Manager at Hampton Grove said: “We were delighted to be part of Janet’s birthday surprise and welcomed the opportunity to utilise the in-home pub, it’s a

perfect location for an impromptu party. Janet had no idea

fabulous venue for such a celebration. Janet loved the experi-

what was happening as she exited the lift to be greeted by the

ence of going… out yet staying in!”

cheers of ‘Happy Birthday’ from her friends; Rev. Gordon,

Hampton Grove Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare.

Claire House - The Wirral

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PAGE 18 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

Dementia Management Tool ‘Vera’ Launches on Apple’s AppStore Deploying the World’s Largest Music Catalogue from Universal Music Group Vera announces strategic collaboration with Universal Music Group, allowing its users therapeutic access to the world’s largest music catalogue

Music Health, a Music Wellness Technology innovator, has developed and launched Vera, an intuitive music intervention tool designed for the care of people affected by dementia. Through a strategic, industry-first agreement, Vera App users are able to access the entire catalogue from Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music-based entertainment company, to develop personalised music stations specifically designed to improve the lives of people living with dementia every day. As an exclusive launch partner, UMG brings a diverse and comprehensive global music catalogue to Vera users. Vera is now approved by Apple for download via the AppStore in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, with the crosssector Music for Dementia campaign welcoming the launch to help improve the lives of people impacted by dementia. The launch is the culmination of Music Health’s rigorous three-year development process which involved global research and development of the underlying technology that allows Vera to curate the perfect song at the right time for every individual listener. The announcement follows the launch at Universal Music UK of the Power Of Music, a report from UK Music and Music for Dementia, which outlines a blueprint to use music to help transform communities and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing. It includes a commitment from Universal Music UK to develop a dynamic online resource which will serve as a music and dementia information hub. Grace Meadows, campaign director, Music for Dementia, says, “Research shows that music is much more impactful for people living with dementia when it holds meaning and is associated with moments from someone’s life. In our recently launched Power of Music report, which sets out how we can be harnessing the power of music more to support health and wellbeing, we emphasised the need for a personalised approach to embedding music in health and social care, and the Vera App helps carers to do that.” The power of personalised music to affect a significant improvement in cognitive function for people in dementia care is evidenced by international scientists and neurologists, including award-winning neuroscientist and best-selling author, Daniel J. Levitin; the late physician,

best-selling author and professor of neurology, Dr. Oliver Sacks; and Ronald Devere, M.D., director of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center in Austin, Texas. Dr. Ren Minghui from the World Health Organization, says, “While there is no curative treatment for dementia, the proactive management of modifiable risk factors can delay or slow onset or progression of the disease. I urge all stakeholders to make the best use of these recommendations to improve the lives of people with dementia, their carers and their families.” Vera analyses the age of the dementia affected person, where they grew up, and how they react to certain music. It uses these criteria to autonomously curate the right songs at the right times to effectively manage the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). More than 80 percent of people living with dementia experience BPSD, manifesting as agitation, aggression, depression, or confusion. Vera stimulates the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory to help manage the impact of BPSD, easing the care routine of those living with dementia. Listening to personally significant music - all the noteworthy songs from our own life - is shown to effectively decrease the effects of BPSD helping to improve mood, cognitive function, motor functions and brain plasticity. Vera curates songs from UMG’s unrivalled catalogue, the world’s largest, most diverse and culturally rich collection of blues, classical, country, folk, jazz, pop, R&B, reggae, rock ‘n’ roll, soul and soundtracks. The songs are autonomously curated and played directly from the Vera app via speakers or headphones. With more than 20,000 hours of observation and rigorous analysis, combined with research from the Global Centre for Modern Ageing, confirms that Vera has a significant positive impact on the quality of life of people dealing with BPSD. While not a cure, Vera is a tool that can temporarily improve the cognitive function and mood of the person living with dementia making it easier to care for them. Stephen Hunt, Music Health co-founder, says, “We’ve built Vera to know and find the music that means the most and has the biggest effect for each person living with dementia. It acts like a music detective, that seeks out tunes that they used to love a long time ago but may have forgotten about, which their carers may have never heard of, and their families may not even know.” Vera is a product of Australian collaborative innovation. Music Health credits Barossa Village, Dementia Australia, the Australian Department of Health and the Global Centre For Modern Ageing (GCMA) for helping realise the innovation since 2019. The Department of Health provided a research grant in 2019, following Vera winning Dementia Australia’s Decoding Dementia competition. “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to bring Vera to market thanks to our amazing partnership with Universal Music Group and the many care home and researchers that have made it possible. It’s thanks to their

early support for the concept that we’ve been able to deliver this foundational change to the daily lives of those living with dementia, here and around the world,” adds Hunt. Michael Nash, UMG’s Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy, says, “From rigorous workouts to peaceful meditation to restorative sleep cycles, music is deeply integrated into numerous innovations promoting health and wellbeing. Now, scientists are finding that music is also a powerful tool for helping those suffering from the effects of dementia and memory loss. At UMG, we are working with a wide range of companies to develop therapeutical applications of music and we ’re proud to partner with Music Health on Vera to help improve the lives of so many around the world.” Barossa Village, an aged care organisation, worked with Music Health to refine the app and validate the impact Vera has on people living with dementia. This included daily monitoring of the changes Vera had on the people being cared for at Barossa Village as listening sessions were integrated into the daily routine of care. Findings from the studies showed an overall increase in quality of life for participants, especially after using Vera for several months. You can view a video of Barossa Village’s experience here. “Vera provides playlists that are targeted and tailored to how each of our residents relates to their favourite songs. It’s an amazing innovation. And family members love it as they can participate in a shared experience with mum or dad, grandad or nanna,” says Matt Kowald, General Manager, Integrated Care at Barossa Village. Vera is currently in trials with BUPA, an international healthcare company headquartered in the UK serving more than 31 million customers across the world, as well as several of Australia’s most innovative health and aged care providers offering hospital care, residential care and community services. Vera is available in the U.K. for GBP £69.99 for a 12-month care plan. Visit www.veramusic.com for further details.

Residents Say Hola to Mexican-Style Fiesta at Winchester Care Home Party goers at a Winchester care home donned sombreros and ponchos to enjoy a fun-filled fiesta in hon-

Kirsty Sawyer, Companionship Team Leader at Abbotts Barton, said:

our of Mexican culture and history.

“It was a joy to bring Mexico to our home.

The colourful get-together at Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton was inspired by the annual Cinco de Mayo

“Of all the food on offer, residents particularly enjoyed the chocolate stuffed churros.

national day, a massive cultural celebration. Residents and team members at the Worthy Road

“There is definite interest in giving these a regular appearance on our home’s daily meal menu.”

home marked the Mexican theme by dancing to traditional mariachi music, sampling nachos and churros, and sipping margarita cocktails and Mexican beer. Barbara Landon-Mudge said:

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for the 5th of May, commemorates the victorious Battle of Puebla in 1862 when the Mexican army under President Benito Juarez stopped French troops seizing Mexico City. In Mexico, the annual commemoration features

“We had a lot of fun at this event and thank our companions for putting in so much work to please

street parades, fireworks and battle re-enactments

everyone.”

across the country.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 19

Age UK Warns Older People Caring for Loved Ones are Dangerously Tired and Short of Support New sobering analysis published by Age UK as part of their fourth wave of research into the experiences of older people during the pandemic has found that life for many of because they are not getting enough time off from caring, and other forms of support that would help. In the research older carers emerged as increasingly tired, anxious and struggling physically themselves: a greater proportion of older carers are finding it harder to manage everyday activities such as getting into and out of bed or dressing than before the pandemic, compared to the population of older people as a whole. Age UK says that more needs to be done urgently to support older carers – and younger ones too – many of whom have been caring constantly throughout the pandemic without a decent break away from their responsibilities, while at the same time the needs of many of those for whom they are caring have increased.

MORE OLDER CARERS ARE WORRIED, TIRED AND ANXIOUS In Age UK’s research. four in five (80%, 1.4 million) carers worried about whether they would be able to keep caring or providing support. * Three in five (59%) 1,060,000 had felt tired because of the care or support they provide. * Almost half (48%) 860,000 of carers had felt anxious because of the care or support they provide. * Three in ten (29%) 520,000 carers had felt overwhelmed because of the care or support they provide. * One in six (16%) had felt lonely because of the care or support they provide. 290,000

FOR OLDER CARERS LIFE IS HARDER * More older carers (18%) were finding it harder getting into and out of bed than before the pandemic compared to non-carers (9%). * And more older carers (18%) were finding it harder getting dressed or undressed than before the pandemic compared to non-carers (9%). Age UK says the analysis shows how our crumbling social care system, along with insufficient support for carers, undermines their health and wellbeing, displaces pressure onto the NHS and makes it difficult or impossible for older and disabled people as well as their unpaid carers to live fulfilling lives. This would be worrying at the best of times, let alone in the aftermath of a pandemic which has pressurised our

health services like never before and made care and support all the more vital for those in need of it. Social care helps many people in different ways. For older people, it often provides them with support with washing, dressing and eating – commonly termed ‘personal care’. For unpaid carers, it is less challenging for them to carry out their responsibilities if good quality, reliable care services are also in place to back them up and if there are opportunities for them to take regular breaks, so they can recharge their batteries. Age UK is calling on the Government for a series of measures to help the country’s army of unpaid older carers… • the first being for them to ensure that they are able to get adequate breaks from caring. Many respite services closed during the pandemic because of fear of infection and anecdotally we hear that some have shut for good – there certainly seem to be considerably fewer residential respite, sitting and day services available compared to prespring 2020. Some older carers have also told us about not being able to afford respite where it is available, because charges have gone up so much. • We are also calling for improved benefits for carers, as it’s incredibly difficult to manage on existing benefits, particularly if a household has high energy costs due to a need to keep the home warm and do frequent washing, as is often the case. The cost of living crisis is increasing older carers’ worry and anxiety. • Better access to GPs is also needed, for older carers and the people they care for. Carers of all ages often neglect their own health because they put the person they are caring for first. • In addition, Age UK believes that older carers should have access to counselling and other forms of support if they require it. Many are lonely and isolated, without social contacts, and with poor mental health as a result. • Age UK would also like to see free Covid-19 testing for carers when rates are high, and better palliative care and coordination when the person they are caring for is nearing the end of their life, an especially stressful time for their carer too. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: “There are 1.8 million older people in the UK who are caring for a

loved one and who continue to go above and beyond, many of whom kept going day in, day out, throughout the pandemic. Too often this has come at cost to their own health and wellbeing. These new figures show that older carers are in urgent need of support themselves, and Age UK is calling on the Government to provide it as a matter of urgency. “Carers must have more help to care for their loved ones and the opportunity of a life beyond their caring responsibilities. Carers need breaks, financial help, good access to the NHS for themselves and the person they care for, and support to juggle work and care if they are employed. “Investing in people who provide care for free, like the legions of older carers, makes huge sense because collectively they provide enormous quantities of support for the people they love. It’s no exaggeration to say that without them, our health and care system would completely collapse. All the evidence is that now, in the aftermath of the pandemic, carers are incredibly tired and in desperate need of more support. The morally right and pragmatic thing for Government to do is to provide it.” “We know that in many places around the country support for carers has withered away over the last year or more, due to a combination of the pandemic plus the acute funding pressures in social care. Some are lucky and will have friends or relatives who can sometimes step in, but for others this won’t be an option, leaving them on their own. This means there must be considerable numbers of older people who are stuck 24/7 within their own four walls, at the cost of their own physical and mental health. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our older carers and this needs repaying with action – warm words from politicians are not enough. ” As part of Carers Week 2022, Age UK launched a new campaign action, asking its supporters to join the call for a Recovery and Respite plan. While recognising the contributions of carers is only one part of Carers Week. Age UK asked its supporters to join the Carers Week call for a Recovery and Respite plan that would give carers the break they have needed, but haven’t had, since even before the pandemic began. Find out how you can spread the word below. https://tinyurl.com/respite4carers

We’re Going An A Hare Hunt – Abbeyfield Residents Go Sculpture-Spotting In Southampton And Winchester Residents at Speedwell Court, a dementia-friendly care home in Southampton’s West End, have been treated to their very own private tour of the Hares of Hampshire art trail. The project, of which Speedwell Court is a co-sponsor, is a public exhibition of giant hare sculptures, which runs over 10 weeks during the summer around Southampton and Winchester. Each hare has its own unique design and sponsor, and locals and visitors are encouraged to work their way along the trail to spot them all. The event is organised by the Murray Parish Trust, which is dedicated to the advancement of paediatric emergency medicine across the South of England. A custom-designed bus provided by Xelabus, to promote the home’s engagement with the programme, facilitated the residents’ tour of the trail, which visited both cities. The bus is branded with the colours of charity The Abbeyfield Society, which manages Speedwell Court. It now follows the X4 route, which serves the wider Southampton and West End area, and has a stop just outside the home. Upon ‘discovering’ each sculpture, those following the Hares of Hampshire trail are invited download the Hares of Hampshire app and enter the hare’s code, which tells the reader a little about the hare’s

sponsor and artist, and gives them a reward. Speedwell Court are offering everyone who finds their hare, named ‘Forget Me Not’, an opportunity to receive a reusable ‘Hug a Hare’ coffee cup, complete with a free drink, from The Speedwell Court café. Local artist Jan Erika was invited to create a unique design for Forget Me Not. Jan said, “I mainly create bold, joyful, colourful artworks and the orange and blue Abbeyfield brand colours really caught my eye.

Welcome Return for Sally Army Residents and staff at a specialist Bridgwater dementia care home were delighted to welcome back members of the local Salvation Army band and have been having a joyous time revisiting favourite traditional hymns and songs. Prior to Covid the Sally Army were regular visitors to Avalon Nursing Home on Taunton Road in Bridgwater, but there had been a long gap since their last visit due to the pandemic. Activities organiser, Lisa Priddice, said: “We were thrilled to see them again. Their special brand of music gets our residents really involved; they simply love hearing that fabulous brass and joining in with the hymns and songs they know so well from their youth.” The Salvation Army offers a special programme for people living with dementia called Singing by Heart which uses singing to help their audience members connect with others and bring back memories. The scheme uses a mix of popular hymns such as ‘Joy in my Heart’ and popular songs like ‘Moon River’ which span the decades. Each song has been carefully selected to ensure they are fondly recognised by the people listening. The session at Avalon was led by Lieutenant Heather Culshaw. Lisa Priddice said:

“I wanted to create something that will grab people’s attention and create a memory in their mind. With my personal experience of dementia, I know that memories are extremely precious, and the idea also links up well with Speedwell Court’s status as a dementia-friendly home.” Deborah Holmes, Speedwell Court’s Customer Relations Manager, said, “We felt compelled to be involved in this special project. Our residents keenly followed the design and installation process, and we were delighted to be able to take them to see Forget Me Not, along with a number of the other hares on the trail. “With its family-friendly nature, the Hares of Hampshire trail is also something that we hope our residents’ families will enjoy following. It will hopefully be one of many projects that we engage in around the city that demonstrate our desire to give back to our local community and projects that encourage creativity, culture and exhibit local talent.” Speedwell Court’s Forget Me Not sculpture can be found atop the Mound in Town Quay Park, on French Street. More information and a full map of the trail can be found on the website, haresofhampshire.co.uk, and in the Hares of Hampshire app.

“It is widely acknowledged that music can trigger past memories and feelings in those living with dementia. “Musical memories are among the last to fade, and our residents really enjoy a good sing-along and can often remember wordfor-word the songs they used to sing years ago. “We all thoroughly enjoyed this session – connecting to songs they used to sing at Sunday School and reliving other fond memories from the past. “They were tapping their toes and singing away and it was wonderful to see how much everybody was enjoying themselves. “Our residents also had a great time contributing to the music by playing various instruments, and some prayers were included in the programme to offer a spiritual dimension for those so inclined.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 21

Anger and Frustration For Older People At Their Treatment Under the COVID19 Pandemic Restrictions The Older People’s Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL) and the National Coalition of Advocacy Services (NCAS) have published a hard-hitting report detailing the anger and frustration the older people experienced during the COVID19 restrictions of 2020 and 2021. The researchers, based in Liverpool, interviewed older people living in a variety of settings with a wide range of support systems. They gave detailed information about how the restrictions impacted on their lives and those in their circles. Although there was a particularly strong response from people in the Merseyside area, older people across the country had similar experiences to relate. The findings and recommendations have been published in a new report titled, “Learning from the impact of COVID19 to better promote the rights and dignity of older people”. The report makes troubling reading, describing a lonely, frightening and potentially dangerous existence, devoid of human contact, or regulatory oversight, and where older people’s right and needs were the lowest priority. The de-humanisation of older people even extended to Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate (DNAR) orders placed on some individuals without their knowledge or consent. Joe Monaghan, Chief Officer of NCAS and co-author of the report

said, “The strong sense of the absence of choice and a process of disempowerment for older people during the pandemic, cannot be ignored

or be allowed to be repeated. The idea that so many older people should simply “grin and bear” distress after distress in so many aspects of their lives in the interests of the public good, is both prejudicial and unacceptable. And the legacy of harm this has caused to the lives of older people and their contribution to and engagement with wider society will be with us all for many years to come. The fact that for many people the distress did not end when people had died with so many other restrictions that prevented the grieving process from taking its usual course, speaks to the deep lack of understanding of what older people need, want and value. Whilst we can all appreciate the enormity and magnitude of the pandemic and agree that everyone had a part to play in maintaining public health, our findings show that the burden of compromise fell far too hard on the older people in our communities, and this is not something that should ever be repeated in an inclusive and representative society.” Copies of the full report can be obtained at https://thecareruk.com/OPAALNCASCOVID19IMPACTREPORT.pdf

Bushey House Host Garden Party to Kick off Bushey Festival Excitement has been running high at Bushey House Beaumont care home in Bushey where residents and staff have been busy hanging decorations, organising activities and Head Chef Avni Fejzullau and his team have been baking up a storm of delicious cakes and pastries in preparation for the Bushey Festival kick off Garden Party. Staff and residents at the home put their heads together and came up with a plan for their celebrations. On Friday 1st July the home held a Garden Party with live entertainment, demonstrations from Weird science, face painting, stalls, a raffle and the most delicious array of cakes, deserts served with plenty of Pimms. The whole home came together to celebrate and were joined by members of the community. Bushey House also used the opportunity to raise money for the Barchester Charitable Foundation which supports local older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities. Mary Jane Bague, General Manager at Bushey House said:

“We’ve all had such a brilliant time celebrating being involved in the Bushey Festival, it has been such fun. Our staff and residents were all so excited to take part. It has been a real collaborative process - thinking about how we wanted to celebrate, planning our activities, decorating the home and creating all the delicious food. It was so lovely to be able to invite our friends and family to come and join us and we are delighted to be raising money for such a good cause.” Barbara resident at Bushey House Beaumont said: “We had such a lovey day, the team at Bushey House really know how to put on a party. The cakes were so delicious and the garden’s looked beautiful. It was lovely spending the afternoon with friends and family and to top off a perfect day, I won a raffle prize!” Alan Gutherie - Jones, Events Coordinator Bushey Festival said “I cannot think of a better way for us to have marked the beginning of the Bushey Festival 2022. Our strapline for 2022 is Bringing the Community Together and this could not have been better demonstrated than by seeing staff, residents and visitors alike mingling so happily on the immaculate terrace at Bushey House enjoying such sumptuous fare.”

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Two Thirds of UK Care Home Staff Admit Resident Quality of Care and Nutritional Needs are Being Overlooked Due to Outdated Procedures

A new, independent survey commissioned by eProcurement technology firm Zupa, has raised several concerns from care home professionals across the UK, with 86% admitting that vital aspects of care provision are suffering at the hands of outdated and time-consuming procedures, with many staff struggling to fulfil their day to day roles. The new data also highlights several care management challenges that need to be addressed to improve staff retention, morale and the overall quality of residential care. The study, which polled hundreds of care home professionals across the country, found that two thirds of care home staff (66%), admitted the quality of resident care and the ability to cater properly for dietary and nutritional needs, are some of the key areas being side-lined as a result of obsolete practices. The study also revealed that more than half (54%) of care home workers felt staff happiness was overlooked, and 44% of workers attribute the high turnover of staff in the care industry to low levels of pay. Specifically, 40% of care home workers felt they couldn’t provide the quality of care that they would like to due to the time they spend on admin. Over half (52%) of respondents, agreed that care home inspections simply add further pressure to their role, and would welcome a way to improve this process. More than a third of care home managers (32%) also said that keeping up with time intensive processes like day to day menu planning, allergens management, and recording resident data around nutrition and hydration, worries them. A further 41% were understandably concerned about the rising costs of food, energy and inflation, while 30% of care home workers identified supplier issues, food shortages and running out of supplies as a growing concern. Importantly, 63% of care home managers link much of their day to day concerns to the wear and tear stresses placed upon their teams.

Lack of staffing and resource also continues to be a worry for the sector, with 67% of care workers citing this as a key challenge. Only 6% of care home professionals said there is nothing that worries them in the day to day running of their care home. Lack of time available to improve day to day quality of care is a clear issue. When asked what aspects of their working day they would spend more time on if they could reduce the amount of paperwork, more than half (56%) of care workers say they would like to improve the standard of resident care if they had more time in their day. Likewise, almost half (49%) of care professionals said they would improve staff satisfaction, suggesting that reducing admin would free up more time to focus on staff morale and happiness. A further 49% would like extra time in their day to be more creative with resident social events and 42% of care home professionals said they would be keen to spend more time on individual care planning. Ollie Brand, CEO at Zupa explained: “Caring for the vulnerable and elderly is time-consuming and demanding. It requires specialist skills and knowledge. This study highlights that care home staff are having to deal with multiple challenges with little resource, and only so many hours in the day. There is also a direct correlation between what worries care home staff day to day and the quality of care they are physically able to deliver. Patchy reporting, outdated processes and a heavily reliance on manual updates, simply adds to the frustration and puts greater pressure on already stretched staff.” This latest research highlights a clear relationship between what aspects of care are being overlooked and what staff would prioritise if they had more time in their day. Almost three quarters (73%), of care home professionals who said they would improve staff satisfaction if they had more time, also said staff happiness is side lined. A further 55% of those who would like to improve the quality of resident care with more time, also said care quality is overlooked due to time wasted on outdated processes. Brand added, “Lack of staffing and resource is still a key concern for care homes. It’s clear that in many cases, that the adoption of automated, fit for purpose technology could help alleviate many of these day to day pressures and interestingly, those care professionals who said they would implement new technology if they had more time, are most likely to say that staff happiness, productivity of staff and quality of care are being side-lined.”

On Tuesday 28th June at 2pm, Zupa will be delving into the outcomes of this brand new study in an invite-only webinar and asking ‘Can technology help create smarter ways of working?’. CEO Ollie Brand will be joined by Mark McCarthy, former Group Director of Sanctuary Care and now Zupa CFO, to discuss how care homes can effectively use technology to enable their teams to spend more time on the things that matter most. Register today www.zupa.com/webinar/ to gain valuable insight from like-minded care experts and discover new ways of freeing up time and resource.

Diamonds Are Forever: Married Couple Celebrates 60th Wedding Anniversary at Luxury West Midlands Care Home An octogenarian couple has recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at a luxury West Midlands care home — marking 60 years of happy matrimony and an abundance of family-filled memories. Staff at Wulfrun Rose, near Wolverhampton, recently helped 83-year-old Dorothy and 84-year-old Bob mark their milestone occasion with a special buffet and the opportunity to share a glass of champagne with family and friends. To ensure she felt anniversary-ready, Dorothy was treated to a full pamper session, which included having her hair done, a facial, makeup and a manicure. The care team ensured that the activities room was appropriately adorned with 60-themed decorations and balloons. A retired secretary, Dorothy first moved into Wulfrun Rose in December 2021, whilst her husband Bob was a quality surveyor by trade. They now have two daughters and a son, along with seven grandchildren — a family they are both immensely proud of. Their first marital home was in Milldale Crescent, Wolverhampton, and it was there

in 1968 that Dorothy formed a group of young house wife's in the area who met every two weeks, taking it in turns to do coffee mornings as well as organising group family day trips and picnics. This was a big part of Dorothy’s youth and she often refers to them as the ‘the original desperate housewives’. Commenting on the occasion, Shirley James, Activities Coordinator at Wulfrun Rose said: “It was such a joy-filled day for all of us at Wulfrun Rose. Bob and Dorothy have a truly special relationship and to mark this monumental occasion was a privilege for all involved. Dorothy loved her pampering session and swept Bob off his feet as she always has done. It was great to get their family involved and I know that meant a lot to the happy couple.” Commenting on the recent celebration, Bob said: “On behalf of myself and Dorothy, I would like to thank the home manager, Jackie Scott, and all the amazing staff for making this a truly memorable day for us both. The celebrations were lovely and to share this milestone with friends and family made it that much more special.”

Daphne Duck And Ducklings On Respite Care At Tewkesbury Fields

The Head of Maintenance at Tewkesbury Fields care home in The Oxhey, Tewkesbury, got a very lovely surprise when he turned up to work to find that ‘Daphne’ the duck had returned for the fourth year running to lay and hatch 8 ducklings! The yearlong renovations at the home didn’t deter Daphne from coming back to her safe space as she has done every year previous. Tewkesbury Fields is proving not only a safe place for our residents, but as Daphne has demonstrated the perfect haven for the local wildlife. Our General Manager James called the RSPCA to seek advice on how best to handle Daphne and her clutch of dainty ducklings. Alan from the RSPCA

arrived shortly after and decided that the best course of action was the relocate them to the pond at the back of the home. Once they were all safe inside the transport box Alan took them to the pond, with excited staff members from Tewkesbury Fields watching intently, he released the family and as the saying goes; ‘they were like ducks to water’. All the staff and residents at Tewkesbury Fields will be waiting patiently for Daphne’s return next year as she will be welcomed home with open arms. A big thank you to Alan at the RSPCA for ensuring Daphne and her ducklings were safely rehomed.

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Improving Care Home Staff Retention with Career Growth and Development Due to persistent workforce problems over the last two years, employers and providers of social care have had to adopt a range of strategies to help retain and support their staff. However, staff retention continues to be at an all-time low in the sector. Jacqui White, Group Operations Director of White’s Training, discusses the benefits of employers offering more training courses to care workers in times of crisis. With reports suggesting that many care workers have considered quitting over the last year, as well as suffering from the aftereffects of working on the frontline during a pandemic, the home care industry is facing staff turnover like never before. 66% of home care providers are experiencing more staff quitting their jobs than before the pandemic, with low pay and COVID burnout blamed for worsening the care recruitment crisis. Staff who work in care homes provide care and support to society’s frailest and most vulnerable people. At all times, care home providers must have enough qualified, competent, professional, and experienced workers to meet the needs of the people who use the service. Nonetheless, attracting, recruiting and retaining employees is a constant challenge.

RETENTION REALITY While home care organisations vary in size, service users, staff demographics, and even location, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for snoring employee retention. However, there are a number of key areas that could be improved, including communication and culture, as well as providing professional training opportunities. Investing in employee retention is critical to any company's success. It promotes high-quality care continuity, a positive workplace culture,

space of five years. Whilst 59% of the audience believed that if their company appreciated them more, it would have boosted their enthusiasm and career within the sector. Having a care qualification or ongoing training can make carers: feel their profession is more valued and higher status, feel more competent, capable and confident in their role and more likely to stay in social care with their current employer. A training programme can improve the integration of new team members and give management and care workers the opportunity to get to know one another better and strengthen team harmony. Research indicates that staff are 58% more likely to stay 3 years if there is a structured onboarding programme.

BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS

employee well-being, time and cost savings and positive Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings. Employers with a turnover of less than 10% reported that their main activities contributing to staff retention were: • Investing in learning and development (94%) • Embedding the values of their organisation (92%) • Celebrating the organisation’s and individual achievements (86%) • Involving colleagues in decision making (81%)

UNFULFILLED MEANS UNSUCCESSFUL According to a recent study by TotalJobs and Care UK, nearly onethird of social care workers want to leave the industry totally within the

As the industry looks towards a more stable future for employees working in the care sector, we are here to advise and support the employers' next steps. White’s Training provides a variety of courses for home carers from Dementia and Parkinson’s Awareness, to positive behaviour support. These courses are a part of White’s Training's Centre of Excellence, and are currently being delivered virtually, face-to-face or via e-learning. They are also able to help support your in-house training plan by offering Train the Trainer courses and ongoing support. Employers who embrace training courses demonstrate their dedication to their employees' self-worth and value. Offering this as a business makes it more enticing to carers looking for future positions. For more information on carer training, please visit: https://whites.training/courses/

‘Talented and Amazing’ Mouth Artist Inspires Dorset Care Home Residents A prominent disabled artist who paints with his mouth has amazed residents at a Dorset care home who witnessed his skills and technique close up. Rob Trent spent an afternoon at Colten Care’s Castle View in Poundbury demonstrating his artistry to produce a picture of a robin on the branch of a tree in winter. Rob was born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting the joints and muscular development. He developed his talent in art, particularly landscapes and nature scenes, after a home tutor encouraged him to paint by holding the brush in his mouth. Joining him at Castle View were residents with an interest in art including Elizabeth Thompson and historian and former school master George Clarke, who continues to paint despite his degenerative eyesight. George said: “I was particularly interested to see how Rob paints and hear how he has overcome the challenges he has had. He has clear mastery in using his mouth to paint.” Elizabeth said: “It was wonderful to have Rob visit our home. It was amazing to watch him put his skills into action before our eyes. “I only came to painting later in life, at the age of 80, but I could appreciate seeing an artist at work.” Both George and Elizabeth are now looking forward to trying mouth painting for themselves at a forthcoming arts and crafts session. “You never know,” said Elizabeth, “It could be a hidden talent about to unfold and it will certainly be a fun activity to try.” Brenda Knight, who was staying at Castle View for respite care when Rob visited, said: “He was very

inspiring, so talented and passionate about art.” Rob, who is from Dorchester and now lives in Hedge End near Southampton, is a member of the disability arts group Mouth & Foot Painting Artists (MFPA). One of his paintings, of the Houses of Parliament, was chosen as an MFPA Christmas card image. Alongside his art, Rob excelled at academic subjects, gained a degree in information science and was a senior manager at national mapping agency Ordnance Survey before taking early retirement in 2018. He has served as a trustee of the charity Disability Rights UK and is managing director of AccessAdvisr, a web platform for and by disabled people keen to improve accessibility in the built environment. He is also a trustee of Flat Spaces, a Hampshire disability holiday provider. Reflecting on his visit to Castle View, Rob said: “I was delighted to be asked to come and meet the residents. “It was an ideal opportunity to talk about how much I have loved painting since I was a child and how the MFPA have given me the freedom to develop as an artist. “I found Castle View to be a lovely place, so warm and engaging and with everyone there very happy. I had a great time and was well looked after.” Katja Williams, Castle View’s Companionship Team Leader, said: “Rob’s visit left all who attended feeling inspired. He is a very talented man.” For more information on MFPA, visit www.mfpa.uk.

Ballroom Beauty Turns ‘ 102 ‘ Years Young! Celebrations have been in full swing at Glebefields Care Home in Drayton, Banbury, as one of its residents reaches 102 years young! Christine Brookes was born on 29th June 1920 in Bridgewater, Somerset. The family moved to Swindon when she was just two. From a very young age Christine showed talent in many things, she learned to play the piano as a child, and later also played the organ in her local church. Christine is a wonderful lady, loved by all at Glebefields. As she met with her family during her birthday celebrations they took time to reflect on her amazing life and reminisce on her achievements. During the Second World War she served in the

National Fire Service in Swindon. She met her husband; Reg, a recently de-mobbed soldier at a dance just after the war and they moved to North Wales. The marriage produced five children. Sadly, Reg died in 1962. Christine later remarried and with her new husband; Les became ballroom dancing teachers, and competed in ballroom dancing competitions across the UK and Europe, becoming the Great Britain Amateur Champions two years running! The dynamic dancing duo also appeared in the period drama S4C Welsh language TV film ‘Madam Wen’ (The White Lady). Now, in her later years, Christine is registered blind, and lives the next chapter of her life at Glebefields, no longer donning her dancing sequins she can still set the room alight with her smile. Nisha Shaji, General Manager of Barchester Glebefields care home added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. Christine is such a popular resident, we were in awe to learn she was also a film star! We will certainly be searching the internet to find the film her and Les were in so we can all enjoy her debut performance.”

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 25

Why Building Connected Care Communities Will Change Health And Social Care For The Better

By Andrew Davies, CEO of RWG Mobile (www.rwgmobile.wales)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect both carers and the cared for, healthcare re-evaluated one of its oldest principles: that compassionate, expert care is always best provided in-person, hands-on, in a dedicated care setting. Whereas previously we experienced doctor visits face-to-face, and popping to your GP in their walk-in hours was only a matter of waking up early enough, now a digital triage process is something we are well versed at. A phone call to schedule a video appointment with the doctor or nurse practitioner, and only as a second resort an in-person meeting. And despite understandable pressures to business as usual, the net benefit of the new ways of working is strong enough that they have become a part of the ‘next normal’. So the question is, where can we go from here? Healthcare and social care collaborate very closely in the care of people with chronic illnesses, for example, they may need frequent monitoring of blood pressure or blood sugar, as well as ongoing support to live independently. Can those biometric measurements be taken without them needing to visit a clinic, or be visited by a clinician? And there is more than clinical support to consider. Frequent visits to a surgery, or visits from a nurse, might be resented by some yet provide much needed human contact for others. Loneliness can have devastating consequences. So context - and choice - are extremely important here. To be clear, the challenge to creating new health or social services isn’t from sensor tech. Indeed, the pace of change in wearable sensors and smart technology feels profound. Home blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters are reasonably common in the care of chronically ill people, allowing frequent measurement and a degree of remote monitoring. Single-lead home ECG devices that check for a regular sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation in susceptible individuals have been around for a while too. Now there are also smart watches and consumer blood pressure monitors that reliably can do the same job. New sensors are coming to market that improve on old techniques - a good example is continuous glucose monitoring, replacing finger prick tests. And there’s a huge amount of research into finding non-invasive proxies for important biometrics - such as heart rate variability (HRV) as a working measure of physical stress. The real challenge is inertia in processes and systems. The triage example we started with above is a workflow or process innovation - one that has successfully become embedded in our healthcare system and that is where the real benefits lie for patients and carers alike. Technology can be as innovative as we want it to be, but it can’t drive innovation by itself. A new, smart blood pressure cuff is innovative - but if it is not a part of a process that integrates it and contextualises it - it is just another gadget. The actual health-

care innovation happens only when the workflow or process is updated with the help of tech: things like more frequent checking but less in-person visits, and integration of that enhanced information into a system of analysis, diagnosis, and intervention. In addition to maintaining the health of their chronic patients, health- and social care aim to allow patients to be as independent as possible and live in their own homes longer. Local authority budgets are under exorbitant pressure, so it’s important to find ways of caring that don’t rely so heavily on in-person visits, and which allow innovative new care services to be delivered at very low marginal cost - prompting enormous innovation within the sector. So what could a next normal look like, and how do we get there? If we reimagined service delivery? If we could harness all of digital’s potential? If we could augment - or optimise - irreplaceable in-person visits? Healthcare and social care could benefit from a new kind of digital platform. An open innovation platform, embracing every kind of sensor technology. Generating insights - not just data - that power new workflows and interventions. And linking the cared-for, professional carers and kinship carers (family and friends) in conversation, with video at the forefront. The generic term is Health-Platform-as-a-Service (HPaaS). We call ours iCare. By working through some care scenarios, we can start to understand how HPaaS powers real service innovation. Starting simple, imagine that a vulnerable person has a fall at home. A sensor will detect the fall, and the platform can automate action. A first step might be to initiate a video call with a carer, popping up a familiar face on a regular TV set. The next might be to scramble some physical help, or a paramedic. Then, we might look for a cause for the fall. For example low blood sugar? Or abnormal blood pressure causing dizziness? If that person was being remotely monitored for those biometrics, then that data is available for analysis. Now think beyond reacting to crises - to anticipating and preventing them. We can use movement sensors and location awareness, patterns of use for lighting and heating, and supplementary information from wearables. We can incorporate live pop-up quizzes about mood, or medication. All of this information can be analysed to create a detailed ‘wellness’ portrait of the cared-for individual. Are people varying from their established routines? Are they more, or less, sedentary? Are they too warm, or too cold? Are they taking their pills? AI can make sure that trends are spotted and highlighted, prompting a video call from a professional carer or family member. Does the individual look well? How do they sound? How well are they moving? Checking in and preempting problems. With Health-Platform-as-a-Service everyone has a ‘seat at the table’. The patient (the cared for) sits at one side, the clinician (professional carer) on another, and friends and family (kinship carers) on a third. They’re all having an informed conversation, where technology acts as a facilitator. The patient’s biometrics inform the conversation between the cared for and clinician. The analysing and graphing of that information makes it understandable and actionable to the kinship carers too. HPaaS can revolutionise the way care is delivered. The platform can analyse lakes of data, delivering instant snapshots for immediate action, and uncover long term trends near-invisible to short human attention spans. So that everyone that cares - professionals, families, and friends - can reach out, get involved, and make a proactive intervention.

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PAGE 26 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Wall & Door Protection Reduce Your Operating Costs!! for a Caring Environment For 55 years Yeoman Shield wall & door protection systems from Harrison Thompson & Co. Ltd. have been delivering healthcare providers with a solution to costly and unsightly impact damage to interior walls & doors. This proactive approach to impact damage can show a year on year saving on maintenance time and budgets. Offering a comprehensive range which includes, protection panels, protection rails, handrails and fire rated door protection systems, offered in over 48 colours, gives customers a wide choice to realise functional and aesthetic requirements. The ability to incorporate colours, signage and images, into Yeoman Shield’s core products can be beneficial to mental health environments be that creating a calming atmosphere or a practical assistance in wayfinding. The Guardian Handrail can also be supplied in an anti-ligature option safeguarding service users. Fire doors are never more important than in a residential setting catering for those more vulnerable. Yeoman Shield offer a full fire rated door protec-

Opeque can assist in reducing energy bills, complying with legislation, managing health and safety and achieving a sustainable operation. Over years, Opeque has worked with various industry sectors, from tyre manufacturing to laundries, schools to hotels and hospitals to care homes, optimising their manufacturing procedures and facilities mantion system that when installed can prevent compromising impact damage and by doing so extends the functioning lifecycle of fire doors. To complement these products is the company’s newly launched Fire Door Services giving reassurance to the building’s responsible person by offering fire door assessments, remedial and door replacement works all carried out under FIRAS accreditation. Tel: 0113 279 5854 | email: info@yeomanshield.com www.yeomanshield.com See the advert on page 10.

Inclusive Furniture • Consider the elderly • Make the products affordable • Make rental to events an option • Use sustainable products where possible We then thought we need to provide picnic benches and outdoor furniture for people who use wheelchairs. There is definitely a need for disabled, easy access outdoor furniture. All made robustly to take the knocks from wheelchairs and manufactured from sustainable wood from environmentally friendly sources. They also need to make the user feel inclusive.

Consort Claudgen launches Consort Connect app Consort Claudgen have launched Consort Connect app which allows users to have complete control over their heating remotely via their smartphone or tablet. The app is free and downloadable from Google Play or Apple Store. It can control Consort’s Wi-Fi enabled heaters and SL heaters connected to an SLPBWIFI wireless controller. It gives quick access to four operating modes and provides a 7day timer with twenty-four heating periods per day. It is easy to set up and users can configure the settings of all connected heaters on

the app. Users can also view the energy consumption statistics. Other features include a lock function, open window tracking and response capability, and custom automations. There is a selflearning control ability utilising occupancy and temperature sensors, however, this is only available on the SLPBWIFI controller and Consort heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensor. For more information, contact our sales at 01646 692172 or visit www.consortepl.com or see the advert on page 6.

Safeguard Your Care Home with InVentry Care homes are crucial for our society, so it’s important to ensure they’re a safe setting to help staff carry out the best possible care. With many family members and friends visiting their loved ones daily, InVentry is essential to track who’s entering and leaving your care home. Visitors are met with a simple signing in process and their information is stored directly in the system. This not only allows you to track who is onsite at any given time, but it ensures an even faster sign in during repeat visits. You can also ensure that the contractors you have onsite have the skills to do the job safely by asking custom questions before they sign in, with options to include documents they may need to read upon arrival, ensuring health & safety and the security of

your site is always maintained. InVentry can even help you become CQC and Care Inspectorate Compliant as our software allows you to receive star-rated feedback from those who have visited your care home. You can store this feedback within your system and note any actions taken to improve your processes and procedures! Head to our website: www.inventry.co.uk or see the advert on page 11.

Frail & Thinning Skin Can Often Lead To Skin Tears Fragile or thin skin that tears easily is a common problem, especially among older adults. Our skin becomes thinner as we age, or as a result of sun damage and lifestyle factors. Thin skin bruises and tears more easily of course. Certain medications, such as long-term use of topical corticosteroids can also weaken the skin and the blood vessels in the skin Can skin tears be prevented? YES! Use Limbkeepers premium skin protectors! So why Limbkeepers Protectors? Limbkeepers arm sleeves, leg sleeves, and gloves help protect fragile, thin, bruised skin on arms, hands, and legs, from abrasions, skin tears, and injury from impact. Our non-compression arm protectors and leg

protectors provide seamless, form fitting, cushioned comfort and can be easily worn under apparel without bulk. Our versatile products help to reduce injuries, allow you to continue daily activities and maintain quality of life and independence. Made in the USA and supplied from the UK, they are sold in pairs and assorted colours at affordable prices. Limbkeepers are available in regular or lightweight arm, forearm or leg sleeves. Limbkeepers UK Ltd, Demontfort House, 7e Enterprise Way, Vale Park, Evesham WR11 1GS For more information or to buy go to www.limbkeepers.co.uk See the advert on page 7.

agement. Applying industrial engineering principles, we address productivity, resource efficiency, quality control, health and safety and asset management, bringing people, utilities, equipment, and buildings together to realise product excellence. We have worked with many care homes to provide laundry services and water hygiene and it is from these close relationships that we believe we can further assist your CARE HOME to reduce operating costs. or see the advert on page 11. 07831 873355, email Call or Email NOW: admin@opeque.com or visit www.opeque.com See the advert on page 19 for details.

WHY CARE HOMES? Not long ago we noticed that in our local park there was adequate seating for the non-disabled but none for the wheelchair-user, the more we looked the more we saw a complete lack of effort in complying with regulations and laws specifically brought in to counter this ignorance and discrimination. We decide to act, our plan was: • Make our products both 'accessible & 'inclusive'. • Design furniture with the wheelchair-user in mind • Act within both the Disability Act and the Equality Act • Provide quality products for non-disabled and disabled alike.

...because not only is it their legal duty under the discrimination acts people who happen to use wheelchairs also happen to enjoy sitting outside in fine weather, they are also appreciated in public places as well as private homes & gardens and places where care is a first priority Peter Cubbin Inclusivefurniture.com inclusivefurniture@gmail.com https://inclusivefurniture.com 07775717880 See the advert on page 19 for details.

Health and Safety Matters – Keep Up to Date The National Association for Safety and Health in Care Services ( NASHiCS ) focuses on all health and safety matters affecting the social care sector. The association has goes from strength to strength and has a growing membership across many providers and organisations covering the UK. Keeping up to date regarding Health and Safety matters is vital. The more you know, the more you can plan and the more you plan, the less you are susceptible in turbulent times. Through the association you can Network with colleagues responsible for Health and Safety, share your own ‘best practice’ experiences and hear how others have overcome challenges. Attend dedicated events, on health and safety at special member rates; and participate in national and local Networkers, Conferences and Seminars, in-person or virtual. Advertise job vacancies free; and benefit from special member offers and rates from suppliers of goods services and equipment. Receive regular update emails covering latest

Terryberry - Be Recognised, Be Engaged Terryberry is a global employee engagement solutions provider, HQ in Grand Rapids Michigan with UK offices in Cheshire and Cardiff, we help companies of all sizes, across all sectors. A dedicated account manager is included as part of all our employee reward & recognition programmes, who are on hand to guide you through every stage of the process. We’ve helped companies such as Co-op, AstraZeneca, Coca-Cola, M&S, Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover & The White Company run successful Long Service Award and Employee Benefits schemes. Visit our website: www.terryberry.com/gb to learn more about our 360 Recognition platform. See the advert on page 21 for details.

developments and safety alerts/news; while giving access to current information, links on key safety topics; and monthly our highly praised e-News. Matters cover range from fire safety, training, infection control, lone working, falls prevention, first aid to stress, legionella, case law, regulation, people moving people and mock courts to mention just a few. See our website for report on past events – www.nashics.org We have national links with other organisations, government bodies and enforcement agencies. Our aim is to promote and improve safety and health in care practice by providing a sharing and networking forum for debate, and discussion. Joining NASHiCS is a great and easy way to keep informed and aware. Health and Safety is an essential and matters to everyone involved with social care now and in the future. Find out more – administrator@nashics.org | www.nashics.org | 07840 160 030 See the advert on page 11 for further details.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 27

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Forbes Helps Care Homes Maintain Cash’s Labels- “The Name Critical Hygiene Standards Behind the Name” For the care sector, laundry has always been absolutely central to infection control. Furthermore, in order to ensure continuity of service, it is essential to have a reliable service partner in place when needed. Any prolonged machine downtime can have significant operation implications for a care environment, so it is important to have access to a same/next day breakdown response. Home residents deserve the very highest standards and care operators need to source laundry equipment that is both cost and energy efficient whilst meeting the most stringent hygiene standards. Forbes Professional is proud to be Miele‘s national distribution partner. This enables us to offer their new Benchmark machines, which truly set new standards in laundry care. Combining high performance levels with both user and sustainable efficiency, they effortlessly meet all of the challenges of the care sector’s laundry operations. Optimised and intelligent technology combines with simple connectivity for fast and efficient cycles whilst thermo and chemo-thermal disinfection enable the critical hygiene control. Forbes offers prospective clients comprehensive site surveys and entirely transparent cost calculations.

Our in-house engineers fully install and commission all equipment as well as offering complimentary usertraining. Our ever popular Complete Care rental solution is a more sustainable alternative than outright purchase. It also gives care homes access to our multiaward winning service support at no extra cost for the life of the contract. www.forbespro.co.uk info@forbes-professional.co.uk 0345 070 2335 See the advert on page 14.

Renray Healthcare Renray Healthcare has been producing high quality furniture for over 50 years and is one of the UK’s largest and leading suppliers to the healthcare sector. Whether you require a fast efficient delivery of quality

furniture or a full room installation and fitting service, we have the experience and resources to handle your contract. We manufacture and assemble our products in our own purpose built factories in Cheshire and Europe to British Standards. Hence we are able to ensure your furniture is produced to the highest quality, working with you to plan and meet your projects time schedule and budget. We understand you are purchasing furniture that is fit for purpose, stylish and will continue to perform well into the future, which is why we design and build our furniture with you in mind. Telephone: +44 (0)1606 593456, Email: info@renrayhealthcare.com, www.renrayhealthcare.com or see the advert on page 3 for details.

Free Online PAT Testing Course Everyone can benefit from free training! Parker Bell offers a free online PAT Testing course, which is ideal Care Home Managers and maintenance staff. It gives you all the information about your legal obligations and responsibilities. It also covers practicalities such as: • Equipment needed • Full visual Inspection • How to do a PAT Test • What records to keep As a result of the pandemic, many have found their working environment has changed dramatically. You may no longer allow people/contractors on your premises, PAT Testing is straightforward to do and can be easily managed in house. Our free course will show you how you can PAT Test, and what’s more, the HSE say any competent person can do it!

How do you access the free PAT Testing Course? It’s simple, just go to www.onlinepattestingcourse.co.uk. Here you will be able to access the course, you just need an email address to sign up. The course is made up of short modules and is simple to follow.

Who should do the course? Probably everyone should do the course, as it shows you basic electrical equipment safety; which given the

amount of electrical equipment we now have in our homes makes sense. Both employers and employees are responsible for inspecting and maintaining electrical equipment in the work place. So you should encourage all staff to do the course. What equipment do you need? Any competent person can PAT Test, however you will need to use a PAT Tester that give you and outcome Pass or Fail. It’s great if the PAT Tester has readings as well, but they are not essential.

How often should I PAT Test? Frequency of PAT Testing is dependent on your Risk Assessment. You need to include the routine inspection & maintenance of electrical equipment in your Risk Assessment and the risk should determine the frequency. Factors affecting the frequency include: • What the electrical equipment is • How often its’ used • Where its’ used • Who uses it Want to discuss further? You can call us on 01392 364933 or email sales@parker-bell.co.uk We are always happy to help! See the advert on page 7.

Taking Care of Your Needs Passive fire protection needs to be at the forefront of all our minds but what is passive fire protection? Passive fire protection assesses a building in detail, poorly maintained fire doors, voids in ceilings & service shafts and penetrations made in walls, floors or ceilings can become conduits through which fire and smoke can spread. By identifying these failures within the fabric of the building, specialist repairs can be made to reinstate the compartmentation of the building to maximise the time available to evacuate the property, and or prevent a fire from taking hold in the first place. For many this remains a concern and knowing where to start can be stressful. It is important that you do your due diligence and you seek out a trained, competent, third-party accredited company to work with you and to discuss your needs. We are often told how a client has struggled to secure the services of a passive fire contractor. We have found many companies would prefer to concentrate on large, long term contracts rather than smaller

At Cash's, we aim to capture, reinforce and communicate our clients’ brand equity through quality and innovation, from design to distribution. Our product range fully caters for the needs of both small and large retailers and brand owners alike comprising of woven and printed labels, woven badges, care labels, branded and promotional swing tags, garment accessories, packaging and barcoding. Our ground breaking labelling and security technologies are also able to provide an unrivalled level of protection to our customers' brand

by assisting to combat counterfeiting and grey market activity. Our industry leading eCommerce system is designed to reduce cost, improve efficiency and streamline supply chain management and will fully protect the integrity and accuracy of critical business data. The order entry process is very simple meaning suppliers and vendors can spend their valuable time on tasks other than ordering apparel labelling and accessories. Visit www.cashslabels.com or see the advert on page 13.

Otiom, the World's First IoT Device Designed To Prevent People With Dementia From Becoming Lost

Although commonplace, wandering can be dangerous or even life-threatening for people with dementia, and the stress can weigh heavily on friends, family and carers. Otiom - is beginning to make a positive impact in the social care sector and is demonstrating its potential to be a gamechanger for the care of people living with dementia.

WHAT IS OTIOM? Otiom is a unique and discrete tagging device which people with dementia can easily carry. It utilises IoT technology to ensure reliable tracking indoors and outdoors, and has a long battery life.

THE OTIOM SYSTEM: Firstly, the tag: the monitoring device which is carried by the person with a tendency to wander. Secondly, the home base: which is placed in the home of the person with dementia. The Otiom tag constantly communicates with the home base via Bluetooth while the person is at home. Thirdly, the app: which is free on iOS or Android and allows an unlimited number of caregivers or relatives to operate the system. The app allows caregivers to set a safety level depending on individual circumstances. The safety levels have been designed to cater for all stages of dementia. At its lowest setting, location data can only be accessed when carers are concerned about a per-

son’s whereabouts to manually raise the alarm. The fact that tracking is non-constant helps avoid any invasion of privacy for the person with dementia. Otiom can be managed using a smartphone and a safety zone can be set outside the personal home or care facility where the person resides, including gardens or community areas. If the person leaves the safety zone, an alarm will be triggered and the Otiomapp will show the current location. Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about Otiom. Call: 0131 467 5764 Email: Mail@pentlandmedical.co.uk www.pentlandmedical.co.uk See the advert on page 9.

MOWOOT II Combats Chronic Constipation MOWOOT II is a revolutionary non-invasive and nonpharmacological solution to chronic constipation. Developed by a team of medical professionals, MOWOOT II delivers gentle abdominal massage that speeds up intestinal transit in people with chronic constipation. Clinically proven and free from side-effects, MOWOOT II Chronic Constipation Therapy System fights constipation effectively, safely and comfortably without laxatives, enemas or colon cleansing supplements. Comfortable during use, MOWOOT II treats and manages chronic constipation in people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease as well as helps to combat medication-related constipation issues. MOWOOT II also fights chronic constipation in menopausal and post-menopausal women and elderly people. In a published clinical study*, MOWOOT II increased evacuation frequency, softened stools, improved reg-

ularity, reduced gasses and bloating and relieved abdominal discomfort. Results showed that as many as 72.2% patients experienced increased bowel movements, 77.4% patients manifested reduction in constipation symptoms and 81.0% patients enjoyed better quality of life. In just 10 to 20 minutes per day of abdominal massage with MOWOOT II, significant improvements were noted only days after the first treatment, whilst regular applications of MOWOOT II delivered positive health benefits and better quality of life. MOWOOT II – effective, safe and comfortable solution to chronic constipation! *McClurg D; Booth L; Herrero-Fresneda I. Safety and Efficacy of Intermittent Colonic Exoperistalsis Device to Treat Chronic Constipation: A Prospective Multicentric Clinical Trial. Clin Trans Gastroenterology 2020; 11(12): e00267. See the advert on page 5 or ontact Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 - www.win-health.com

properties. We realised very quickly that we had an opportunity to provide a bespoke service for each of our clients taking care of individual needs. Over time we have become specialised in working within a live environment such as residential accommodation. When the project is complete, it does not mean the end of our relationship, UK Passive Fire Solutions is part of East Riding Group Ltd. We can offer many other services to you such as UK Pest Control Service and our Hospitality, Kitchen & Hygiene Products (HKHP) UK Passive Fire Solutions work with you from start to finish. Call or email today to get more information and receive your information pack; email info@ukpassivefiresolutions.co.uk or call: 01262 469872. See the advert on page 6 for further information.

PAGE 28 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

CONTINENCE CARE Top Tips For Healthy Skin When Living with Incontinence Healthy skin is a physical barrier against the external environment. The pH balance of skin should be between 4.5 and 5.5 to discourage bacterial growth.

HOW TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A NORMAL PH BALANCE: • Prevent changes to normal skin pH by cleaning up quickly after each episode of urine loss. • Choose mild skin cleansers, moisturisers and sealants. • Be aware that perspiration, in combination with continence pads and briefs, creates an extra risk factor for skin problems.

DO’S AND DON’TS WHEN CARING FOR YOUR SKIN • Always use the pads prescribed for you and make sure that they are fitted correctly • Tell your nurse if your skin is wet when you change your incontinence pad • Tell your nurse if you have eczema or psoriasis or are prone to other conditions that affect your skin • Note the condition of your skin whilst using incontinence pads • Tell your nurse if there are any changes to your skin. • This would include if your skin becomes red, sore or broken. • Tell your nurse if you are using any ointments or creams

• Wash your hands before and after changing your pad • Don’t apply ointments or creams unless prescribed by your doctor or nurse. • Don’t use talcum powder on your bottom or groin area. It can cause friction which may damage the skin and also affect how well your pad works. • Don’t wear more than one pad at a time

Important advice Oil based barrier creams may reduce the performance of the pads. If barrier creams must be used, they should be applied sparingly and only on areas that require treatment. Used products should be disposed of in the appropriate manner, they cannot be flushed down the toilet. The iD range of products is available to buy from www.id-direct.com or via Ontex - See the advert on page 7 for details.

Help To Manage Your Incontinence Issues Independently The Bendi Bag is ideal for wheelchair users who can sometimes find toilet access difficult The Comfort Leg Bag range comes in variety of materials from velvet smooth, real cotton and flock backing The Children’s Bag with smaller capacity and proportions comes with a discreet and secure twist tap that will not open accidentally while moving, or out and about

Urinary incontinence affects millions of people in the UK. Although a widespread problem, incontinence remains a taboo topic. Embarrassment often stops people from talking about it, let alone feeling able to access products and services that can help them. So, without the correct help and support, the problem often remains unsolved, which has a negative impact on people’s lives.

COMFORTABLE AND EFFECTIVE Since 1976 Manfred Sauer have provided a range of innovative urology products to help sufferers of urinary incontinence. But unlike other providers, our products are often designed and tested by both end users and healthcare professionals to ensure effective and user-friendly solutions that work. This means your incontinence issues can be managed independently, without worrying about frequent emptying or toilet access and do not impinge on your ability to live life to the full. Read about four of our most popular product ranges, which are all available on prescription.

SHEATHS We offer 5 types of urinary sheath to facilitate the drainage of urine away from the body into a drainage bag. They are made from either latex, or synthetic materials and available in a range of sizes. We also offer skin friendly tapes, straps and adhesives, hair guards, measuring tape as well as Preventox, which cleans and protects the skin, so you are always comfortable and have the best fit possible.

IQ CATHETER

LEGBAGS We supply four main types of leg bags with varying capacities. Perfect for being outdoors, and packed full of unique features and benefits, you now have a choice when it comes to managing your incontinence issues. The shape of our Discreet Thigh Bag allows for it to be worn high up on the thigh area and can even be hidden under shorts, skirts and even swimwear

Thousands of people across the country must perform Intermittent Self-Catheterisation (ISC) to effectively empty their bladder and having something that is simple to use, soft, flexible and easy to lubricate is essential. That’s where our IQ-Cath shines, plus, new for 2022 are male/paediatric and female single-use hydrophilic catheters which are immersed in saline and ready for immediate use. Nephsys For people who have had a Nephrostomy, and tubes are already in place, our NephSys system can drastically improve their lives. As well as providing a secure and sterile solution, which consists of an adjustable, elasticated belt; drainage bags and suspenders to secure the bag to the belt in the chosen position, the system is also comfortable and discreet. For help, support and advice, call 01604 595696, email helpline@manfred-sauer.co.uk or visit www.manfred-sauer.co.uk for more information about each product, or to order a free sample.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 31

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Exclusive Antimicrobial Scrub Technology Launched by Grahame Gardner and Micro-Fresh ®

Grahame Gardner has unveiled a brand new Micro-Fresh® scrub top and trouser range which uses leading antimicrobial technology to stay fresher longer. The range, exclusive to Grahame Gardner, incorporates cutting-edge technology Micro-Fresh® to help keep healthcare workers safe whilst maintaining unrivalled comfort. The garment fabric, which is 65 per cent polyester and 35 per cent cotton, is incorporated with innovative Micro-fresh® technology at point of manufacture. The antimicrobial technology not only kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria beyond 50 washes but is also proven to reduce the spread of human coronavirus by 99.2 per cent. With wash resistant antibacterial protection, Micro-Fresh® also boasts odour prevention, providing longer lasting freshness for the wearer. The scrubs are hypoallergenic, gentle on skin and vegan friendly. The exclusive scrubs will stocked available in two fits – unisex and female – and the scrub top will be available in six colourways: Oasis, Navy, Eau de Nil, Bottle, Smoke Grey and Blue 18 each with a classic contrasting white trim The trousers will be available in Navy, Bottle and Black. Grahame Gardner will also offer all six scrub colours in their Made to Order range with a bespoke choice of trim colour. The scrub top design features multiple pockets, including two waterproof chest pockets and a wearers right hand hip pocket, which also has a pen divide and an elastic loop for a clip-on hand sanitiser. The trousers have a

drawstring waist, and also side and a back pockets. A range of Micro-Fresh® tie back scrub caps will also be available in the same six colours to complement the scrubs, plus two additional colours – Black & Royal Blue Sarah Lowe, from Grahame Gardner, said: “We’re so pleased to reveal our exclusive Micro-Fresh® workwear range. “These innovative garments harness leading technology to create scrubs that combine comfort with unique antimicrobial technology that’s proven to kill 99.9% bacteria – even after washing! We know there is the market for them and are confident our customers will appreciate the benefits this garment development bring. It’s been great to build a really positive working relationship with Micro-Fresh® and look forward to that continuing in the future.” Chris Mellor-Dolman, head of marketing & business development at Micro-Fresh®, added: “The move to working with a brand such as Grahame Gardner, who uphold the highest standards of protection and hygiene with products for use in controlled environments, dovetails wholly with our ideology here at Micro-Fresh®. “It’s reassuring to know that Micro-Fresh and Grahame Gardner scrubs are making a significant difference, protecting the health & wellbeing of much-valued medical professionals.” For more information, visit: www.grahamegardner.co.uk/micro-fresh

Eliminate Odours and Sanitise Rooms with MAG Ozone

15 minutes is all it takes to remove bacteria, viruses and unpleasant odours from indoor rooms and spaces. Don’t just mask bad smells, permanently eliminate them with the MAG Room Sanitiser. It’s safe, it’s sustainable, it requires no chemicals, plus it’s quicker and 3,000 times more effective than other cleaning methods. Hygienic indoor air quality is seen as an essential part of every business and we all have a responsibility to look after our staff, visitors, guests and clients. Monkeypox, Covid-19 and other airborne viruses will continue to come and go so regular air purification is important as nobody knows what the future holds. As well as sanitising the air and surfaces in a room, MAG’s sanitising machine guarantees to remove odours however strong including smoke, cooking, alcohol, body odour and incontinence. It’s used by care homes, hotels, pubs, restaurants and thousands of businesses in the UK and across the world. How does it work? Ozone is safely created and destructed within your preferred time frame. Simply wheel the ozone generator into the room that needs sanitising,

Introducing The World’s First Movable Bedpan Disposer ® Panaway M1 It has been great to get back out helping some customers face to face again but we are also aware of ongoing restrictions and the many pressures facing all. Haigh's product development has continued regardless and with the launch of the Panaway M1 mobile bedpan disposal system, the team has also made a virtual 3D version for you to view from your smartphone via the link / QR code below. Bedpans, commode pots, kidney dishes & urine bottles are simply and efficiently disposed using Haigh's proven technology now in an easy to deploy, mobile, plug and play format. Panaway M1 gives unprecedented flexibility when it comes to bringing the infection prevention bene-

fits of disposable medical pulp to your site, as well as the sustainability and cost considerations associated with using very little electricity and no hot water. A perfect solution as an emergency stand-in when a bedpan machine or washer is unavailable or as a cost-effective solution whilst migrating a site to a disposable system. If you or your colleagues have any questions or would like to know more, please feel free to email or call us. For more information about renting, purchasing or a trial of Panaway® M1 contact Michelle Marriot on +44 (0)7500 626463 or email info@haighmed.com or visit www.panaway.com

Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.

plug in the machine, start the cycle, leave the room and when you re-enter you will be pleasantly surprised by the extra fresh fragrance. It’s very simple, completely safe and free product demonstrations are available across the UK. Ask about our 5 star feedback and testimonials. Andrew Morgan, Managing Director of Morgan Care shares “Great sales experience with a pre-order demo and very efficient order & delivery service. Would have no hesitation in recommending MAG Ozone”. For more information contact MAG Ozone Ltd on 01353 883025 or sales@magozone.com Did you know the MAG Group also provides commercial washing machines and tumble dryers? Find out more at www.maglaundryequipment.co.uk (Link: https://maglaundryequipment.co.uk/product/ozone-sanitation/ mag-ozone-generator )

PAGE 32 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

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. 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.

Why Infection Control Is Just One of the Benefits of Outsourcing Laundry Care homes are facing many challenges, from infection control and Covid, to staff shortages and rising energy costs. Richard Page, UK Head of Care Homes at Elis (uk.elis.com), explains how making a simple change to how laundry is processed can have benefits that extend far beyond infection control. How the laundry is managed can have a bigger impact on the care home than is sometimes realised. It may impact infection control standards and compliance but also staff availability, running costs and capital expenditure, how smoothly the care home can operate, the satisfaction of residents and families, space availability and even the quality of the bedlinen and towels. While traditionally care homes often handled the laundry themselves, many are now recognising the advantages of outsourcing to a specialist, as is the norm in many other sectors, including the NHS and hotels. Here are the top six ways that care homes can benefit from outsourcing to a specialist care home laundry provider, like Elis.

1 – INFECTION CONTROL AND COMPLIANCE It is essential to maintain high standards of infection prevention and control; an important part of care homes’ CQC inspection. However, when laundry is done on site it can be difficult to consistently follow the strict procedures that help prevent cross infection and ensure compliance with the Department of Health’s HTM 01-04 regulation. Requirements such as the full segregation of clean and soiled items, the validation of wash processes and the stringent handling and transportation procedures can sometimes be difficult to maintain, especially when space is limited. Outsourcing to Elis ensures immediate compliance, both now and in the future. With experience of working for hospitals and care homes across the UK and the world, Elis ensures that infection control is built into every process. It is accredited to the highest European standard in infection control (BS EN14065) and expert at laundry compliance, so care homes don’t have to be.

2 – RELIABILITY, SIMPLICITY AND PEACE OF MIND When a care home runs its own laundry it can be hard to avoid machine breakdowns, or even fires, and unexpected staff absences. They all create extra pressure and make it hard to maintain standards. With a network of laundries across the UK, each with multiple state-of-the-art machines, back-up facilities and stock and its own delivery fleet, Elis provides a guaranteed, reliable service, day after

day. The local Elis laundry collects soiled items, hygienically launders and maintains them and returns them to an agreed schedule. Elis uses the latest technology in all aspects of its service, with tiny 2d Barcodes on linens and on special residents’ clothing bags, enabling meticulous tracking of items and meaning lost items are a thing of the past. Residents have their own dedicated bags, into which garments are placed, so Elis knows exactly where each resident’s items are in its fully tracked service.

3 – COST REDUCTION AND CONTROL Using the Elis service can be a more cost effective approach to care home laundry. It can free up care home capital, as there is no equipment or linen to buy and can provide efficiencies and cost savings because Elis operates on an industrial scale and passes savings on to customers. With competitive fixed priced contracts and no risk of unexpected laundry costs, the service also helps with cost control. The usage of linens is tracked to provide complete cost transparency and there is flexibility to adjust quantities if demand changes. Care homes can benefit from taking a look at their in-house laundry costs, including staff, water, electricity, gas, detergent, machine rental and breakdown costs and comparing with the cost of an Elis laundry service.

4 – FREEING UP TIME AND SPACE With staff shortages and illness, outsourcing laundry can also have the benefit of freeing up staff to focus on other tasks. It also significantly reduces the time that management need to focus on laundry. It takes away the hassle and provides a simple, reliable solution. The removal of in-house laundry equipment also frees up space for other activities or even for another bedroom.

5 – HOTEL QUALITY Items are provided on a cost effective rental basis, with no large up-front costs. High quality linen creates the perfect centrepiece for each resident’s room and fluffy white towels create a homely feel. Bed linen and towelling are professionally finished using specialist driers, ironers and folders, to give a hotel-like quality, while every item of residents clothing is carefully washed and fully CQC compliant.

6 – EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY Elis is able to use gas, electricity and water more efficiently than individual homes, and so partnering with Elis means that care homes are choosing a more sustainable approach to laundry. Elis is Carbon Trust accredited and the first laundry and textile services company in the UK to state its intent to attain Net Zero carbon emissions by 2045. Elis partners with thousands of care homes around the world. From small independent homes and hospices to large care villages. Elis provides solutions for linen and residents’ clothing, workwear and uniforms, chefs’ wear, table linen and kitchen cloths. Elis also provides washroom, mats and floorcare services. For a trial without commitment email uk-carehomes@elis.com or call 0808 1969160 or for more information https://uk.elis.com/en/sectors/health-social-care/care-homes

CATERING FOR CARE

An NHS Chef’s Guide to Budget-Friendly, Nutritious, and Delicious Meals

Matt Willis, Co-Head Chef at Clacton Hospital, NHS Property Services (NHSPS) (www.property.nhs.uk) shares insight around the challenges of hospital catering, and how best to manage budgets while cooking delicious and nutritious meals for staff and patients. Catering for hospitals comes with its challenges. It is often a balancing act between having nutritious, healthy meals, while also making sure they are within budget and not wasted. And most importantly, the meals must be enjoyable for patients and staff.

HAVING A SEASONAL MENU A big part of saving money and having a tasty menu is making sure meals are seasonal, freshly made and locally sourced. The patient menu is set by dietitians, so it must be adhered to for patients to get the nutrition they need. One way of ensuring this is cooking food from scratch. This can make a huge improvement to the quality of food. In our hospital, for example, making food from scratch allows us to significantly reduce salt out of the diets and ensuring that there are no pre-made or pre-packaged foods in every meal. Using local suppliers is important, as the produce is fresh, and it is a more sustainable way of picking up ingredients needed for the daily menu. It is also great for altering the menu on the day – whether that is down to weather changes, or we have had requests to change up the menu. Ultimately, it is most important to provide people with the food they want. By going local, this can be done in a budget-friendly and sustainable way.

CATERING FOR EVERY NEED It is important to know who you are cooking for. With so many patients and staff, catering for all comes

with challenges – for example, there are 14 official allergens we need to consider. However, it also encourages creativity and to think more about what people want to and can eat. For example, providing an alternative menu is helpful, such as kosher, allergen-free, or needing softer foods. Ultimately, it is important to keep patients happy.

REDUCING FOOD WASTE Another important part of catering and sticking within budget is reducing food waste. In a hospital, if there are two portions left over on a counter, it cannot be saved for later and unfortunately it goes to waste. To prevent waste, we must consider portion control. This can be challenging as patients need a nutrient rich diet and to feel full for a sustained period of time. Where possible, always aim to prepare smaller portions, and if people are still hungry, recommend a snack like fruit or something to keep them going. In our hospital, I encourage the team to manage portion control – it is a crucial part of our training. Leftovers can encourage you to be fun, creative and make simple foods delicious. Reducing food waste will also have a positive knock-on effect on budget, meaning that money won’t be wasted and can be continued to be spent on getting the best produce. My top tips to reduce food waste and budget are: • Make a fish pie with leftover fish, with a quick sauce and mash potato ready for next day lunch service. • I often put lamb in the slow cooker – if there is any leftover it works well in a lamb salad wrap. • Leftover spaghetti Bolognese works a treat as a topping for jacket potatoes, or chili con carne! I also put it over chips sprinkled with cheese on top under the grill. See our Catering for Care feature on pages 34-37.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 33

CATERING FOR CARE Carte D’Or Launches The Perfect Base To Create Flavour-Filled Desserts For Your Residents To Enjoy The key to a delicious dessert is the right ingredients. As a chef, you need quality, adaptability, and versatility, to create efficiency in the kitchen and variety on your menu. Carte D’Or have got you covered with all this and more, with their range of powdered dessert bases offering endless possibilities for your dessert menu. Carte D’Or have teamed up with Aaron Watson, Head Chef at Primrose Bank Care Home and winner of the NACC Care Chef Of The Year 2021, to demonstrate just how adaptable, controllable and reliable their range can be. Alongside Executive Chef at Unilever Food Solutions, Alex Hall, Aaron has created a series of recipes that are easy to create and will really impress. These include a refreshing ‘Eaton less Mess’, soft doughnuts, a classic baked Alaska and fruity strawberry ice cream – all made using the Carte D’Or Strawberry Mousse and perfect for a movie night or warm summers day.

Alex and Aaron have used the Carte D’Or Panna Cotta mix to make a rhubarb & custard, black forest, and raspberry panna cotta. All these recipes are quick, simple, and packed full of different flavours – which is ideal when catering to various individuals’ preferences! Aaron commented: “You have to think of each resident as an individual, rather than thinking a dish will be suitable for everybody. You have to personalise it to each person”. Finally, Carte D’Or Crème Brulée is used to make an apple tart, coconut crème caramel and the classic Queen of puddings. The latter utilising leftover ingredients such as breadcrumbs, which are usually seen to go to waste. It’s made in 4 simple steps; just whisk, mould, chill and serve your delicious pudding. The coconut crème caramel is a play on Aaron’s winning dish from the 2021 NACC Care Chef of the Year competition and he highlights the importance of having these exciting dishes for residents: “Obviously, the food we put on the plate is a really important part of the residents’ day to day lives, mealtimes are one of the main times of the day, where all the residents can come together and interact”. To learn more and watch the full recipes visit www.ufs.com/cartedorincare

Food Procurement Experts, allmanhall are Helping Care Caterers Manage Rising Food Costs Here the causes behind significant food inflation and provide advice on practical ways care home catering teams can manage rising costs are explored. “There are wide-ranging reasons why we’re currently experiencing such significant food inflation. Our global food supply chain comes with input cost factors that originate far beyond these shores” explains Oliver Hall, managing director of food procurement experts, allmanhall. The Bank of England has revised its projections upwards, predicting that inflation will now peak at 10% towards the end of 2022. Upward pressure is expected this autumn as energy prices rise again and the full impact of harvest yields globally, and more specifically in Ukraine and Russia, become known. allmanhall’s apply such insight and understanding to managing suppliers, thus supporting care home catering teams with their food purchasing in these challenging times. As well as expert negotiations to mitigate the price increases and risk associated with food inflation, allmanhall’s hands-on, experienced consultants are able to offer care homes practical advice. Coping strategies are key, addressing the things you can control:

- Select the purchasing approach that brings your care home maximum benefit - Undertake range management - Reduce your care home’s cost to serve - Increase your delivery values (add non-food items to your order) - Multi- and upskill your catering team - Reduce waste wherever possible - Review the efficiency of your equipment - Consider your care home’s menus and recipes - Review product specifications. These steps will enable your catering budgets and food purchases to go as far as possible. To learn more, go to https://allmanhall.co.uk/webinars Rachael Venditti from allmanhall will be talking on the topic of Food Inflation at the Care Home and Hospital Catering Forum in Haberdashers Hall, London on 13 June.

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CATERING FOR CARE

Anglia Crown – Looking To Make Your Lives Easier As the better weather approaches it is perhaps a time that we can start to look forward again. Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit us all, those in the care sector have been at the forefront of the fight and Anglia Crown salute each and everyone of you who have been providing the best service you could throughout the crisis. Anglia Crown has been there beside you and will remain there to help you keep your residents happy and well fed. Whilst the company maintained a rapid response team to react quickly to their customers’ needs during the crisis, they also allowed time to step back and see how best they could improve their offer for the care sector and beyond. The company was also keen to recognise their 30th anniversary of championing choice with the release of their 2022 range of products. The range includes Crown Choice and Crown Advantage meals available frozen, with Crown Crown Choice also available as chilled products. Company Dietitian, Ruth Smith, comments: “Whenever we update our product range, we always look to reflect current trends. There is a definite move towards plant-based foods which we have considered in these menus, which we believe will prove to be very popular.” The company now offers over 70 vegan and vegetarian dishes, many have been accredited with the Vegan Society. This approach led to the company being named a Veggie

Wholesaler of the Year. Another one of the initiatives was to create a menu cycle that can be readily adopted by any care setting, with the knowledge that the menu is nutritionally balanced and has been approved by a professional dietitian. The two-week cycle offers something for everyone. Where a bulk service is required for resident dining, they have it covered, a similar menu using Crown Advantage dishes can be similarly employed. The specially designed menu is cost effective, as it has already considered the financial balancing that is always required in our sector and just as importantly, it also helps with any staffing issues that you might encounter, allowing properly trained Care Assistants to help with the complete delivery of the meals to your residents. Mary Wedge, Business Development Manager at Anglia Crown concludes; “We needed to take fast action during the crisis, which led to a huge shift in thinking that has ensured that we could fully support our industry during this difficult period and beyond, whilst continuing to deliver on our vision – in driving excellence in residential and care home catering.” The new range is now available. Visit www.angliacrown.co.uk for further details.

TME’s Colour Coded CA2005 Temporary Catering Facilities For Events & Kitchen Refurbishments Thermometer Range Ensuring that you have hygienic equipment in the kitchen and catering area can be easily achieved with TME’s colour coded CA2005 thermometer range. We all understand the importance of equipment which is easy to clean and hygienic especially where food is cooked and prepared. It is also important to ensure that the equipment you have is accurate to avoid any risk of food being undercooked. Our solution is the CA2005 thermometer and probe range, featuring our high accuracy CA2005 thermometer and a choice of up to 6 colour coded dishwasher-proof temperature probes to help you avoid cross contamination. Our CA2005-P kit, which

includes both thermometer and probe, can be picked up for a little as £65 and our CA2005-PK kit with thermometer and all 6 probes is only £125. You can be sure you’re making the right purchase as all TME products are British built and our thermometers come with our Thermometer for Life pledge which means that you will never have to pay more than £35.00 to have the thermometer repaired or replaced. See our products at www.tmethermometers.com or contact us on (01903) 700651 sales@tmethermometers.com for further details. TME – When temperature matters

Mobile Kitchens Ltd specialises in the hire or sale of temporary catering facilities and foodservice equipment. Ideal for events or to provide temporary catering facilities during your kitchen refurbishment, our versatile units and equipment offer an efficient and economic solution to the caterers’ needs. Production Kitchens, Preparation Kitchens, Warewashing Units, Dry Store Units, Cold Rooms and Restaurant Units are available as individual units in their own right or they can be linked together on site to form a complete complex. Alternatively, we can offer modular, open-plan facilities, usually for larger, longer-term hires. We offer a free design service, and project management from concept through to delivery and installation on site, plus full technical support throughout the hire period. The standard specification of our smallest

Production Kitchen unit includes a six burner oven range, salamander grill, twin basket fryer, upright fridge, hot cupboard, single bowl sink unit with integral hand wash basin, plus ample power points to plug in Microwaves, Food Processors, Toasters etc. Internal equipment can be interchanged and clients can effectively specify their preferred layout. We have many tried and tested design layouts and would be pleased to put forward our recommendations for your project. So if you’re planning a refurbishment or need to cater for an event then why not give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide advice and put forward a competitive proposal. For further information or to arrange a site visit, email: sales@mk-hire.co.uk or call us on 0345 812 0800, or visit our website: www.mk-hire.co.uk

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NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING Silent Running Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions Tranquility in Care Homes Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years.

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR

Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions! Upgrade your falls programme with the latest technology from Fall Savers®. The NEW Fall Savers® Wireless eliminates the cord between the monitor and sensor pad. This results in less work for nursing staff, improved safety for patients and reduced wear and tear on sensor pads. Wireless advantages include the ability to use one monitor with two sensor pads simultaneously and support for many new wireless devices.

Benefits include:

Safer for patients; less work for staff Bed and chair pads available One monitor works with two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems A variety of options, including: Call button Pager Floor sensor mat Wireless door/window exit alerts

TREADNOUGHT

®FLOOR SENSOR PAD The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition. Our anti-bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad. Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside, in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering. An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors.

Features include:

Connects directly to most nurse call systems High Quality anti-bacterial Floor Sensor Pad Large Size Pad: Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm Options (sold separately): Anti-slip mesh for hard surface floors See the advert on this page for further details or visit www.fallsavers.co.uk.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE CARER CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM TODAY ON 01202 552333 OR EMAIL SALES@THECARERUK.COM

Quiet and calm care homes ensure that residents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment. Similarly, carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum. There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surroundings, particularly those suffering from dementia, these can be fluctuations in ambient temperature, light, and of course noise. Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and external sources, for example, telephones ringing, loud conversations in corridors, and call bells sounding, often one of the largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort in residents. A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers. The University recommends “fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building. Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is. At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a person’s ability to

concentrate. It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope, as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing. Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers.” Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a number of methods to reduce their impact in a care home. These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call. In these circumstances, dementia sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one “zone” whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative “zone”. Each “zone” can operate different call tones, warning lights or other methods to alert when help is required Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil environment for residents. Pagers have been around for many years, are a relatively simple and cost-effective measure in reducing the levels of noise, and can be added to most Nurse Call systems. Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning, e-medication, etc. Many Courtney Thorne clients are now utilising the “Go” app with their Nurse Call system. With the “Go” app, nurse call alarms are delivered immediately and silently straight to the handsets, alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely disturbing the rest of the residents in the home. Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less stressed also, this creates a happier workplace where morale is greatly improved, staff are retained and CQC ratings improve. Clearly, the positive ramifications of a quiet Care Home run deep. Get in touch today to find out how we can help your home become a quieter, calmer, and more tranquil environment. For more information email us at: info@c-t.co.uk

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 37

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Medpage Falls Management Products Medpage T/A Easylink UK have manufactured and distributed fall prevention and detection products for over 25 years. We specialise in products for one-to-one care, or small groups in a Care Home or Hospital. Our systems are robust, easy to set up and use, and have a proven track record in helping to reduce falls, in domestic and professional care establishments. How can they help reduce falls? Many falls occur when a person at risk from falls leaves their bed or chair, particularly during the night. By detecting an exit from the bed or chair early a carer or guardian gains time to attend and help the person, usually preventing the fall.

WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Medpage supply a diverse range of equipment for detecting bed and chair exit. There are for example, simple bed alarms, chair alarms, or multiple use products for combining bed and chair monitoring, to allow the person to move from their bed to their chair. There are systems that use a cabled pressure mat sensor connected to an alarm controller, or pressure mat sensors with a self-contained alarm transmitter to signal a radio pager. Carer alarm notifications can be by a single or multiple user pager or alarm receiver, or an external alarm device. You can find out more on the advert on page 11 or at www.easylinkuk.co.uk/product/ product-fall-detection

Nurse Alert Mats Designed to combat the problem of residents who are inclined to walk undetected, the Nurse Alert Mat can help protect residents especially at night that are at risk of falls and accidents. When connected to a Nurse Call system or the mobile Floor Sentry Monitor it will then alert staff, sounding the alarm with a small amount of pressure thus enabling staff to investigate.

• Nurse Call Systems • Fire Alarm Systems • Door Access • Staff Attack • CCTV • Infection Control • Dementia Care • Electrical Contracting

Lotus Care Technology The NurseAlert pressure mat has been one of the most successful floor pressure mats due to it being non slip and carpeted which makes it feel very natural under a residents foot. Lotus Care Technology Ltd have many other fall saving devices that can give you peace of mind whilst caring for this at risk of falls. Having many years of experience in fitting and

maintaining Nurse Call Systems helps the guys at Lotus Care Technology understand that every home is different and has different needs. They can specify not only the best system for the environmental factors in the home but also take into consideration the best products that will make your carers and nurses jobs that little bit easier. Visit www.lctuk.com for details.

In addition The Floor Pressure Mat has a heavy non slip backing, It comes professionally sealed so can easily be cleaned for liquid spills and is fully serviceable.

INCLUDES A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE

sales@lctuk.com 0800 8499 121 www.LCTUK.com

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 39

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Log my Care’s New Research Reveals The Sentiment In The Social Care Sector and Technology’s Place In Its Future

Log my Care has revealed the results of new research – The future of care: an analysis of job satisfaction and technology in social care. Prompted by the reports of a sector in crisis, Log my Care disseminated a survey to better understand the sentiment of the social care workforce, if an exodus of care workers leaving the sector on the horizon and how technology can support them to stay. The survey identified a workforce that was predominantly happy in their role. Reflecting these high levels of happiness in their jobs, only a small minority of respondents said they wanted to leave the care sector: • Respondents had an average happiness ranking of 7.9 in which 1 was ‘very unhappy’ and 10 ‘very happy’.

• Those in senior management roles appeared to be more satisfied (8.9) compared to those in frontline roles (8.2) or management positions (7.7). • Only 4% of respondents said they wanted to leave the care sector. Findings from the survey also revealed a workforce that is drawn to the sector for altruistic reasons: • 81% of respondents said that ‘purpose’ was ‘very important’ to them in their role, the most popular response from a predefined list. • ‘Knowing that the job was done well’ was the most popular type of reward for respondents (56% selected this as their first choice) compared to a quarter (24%) selecting ‘money’. • 83% of respondents reported that ‘passion for caring for others’ attracted them to the care sector, while more than three-quarters (77%) selected ‘making a difference’ as a reason. • Factors connected to their own benefits were less important. With ‘personal development' (61%) and ‘career development’ (45%) bringing up the rear. However, the stressors of the pandemic have exacerbated some of the unpleasant factors associated with working in social care: • Just under half (45%) of respondents reported that the ‘workload’ was the factor they disliked most about their role. • 37% disliked their ‘work-life balance’ and 14% were unhappy with their ‘level of responsibility’. When asked how digital they felt their workplace was already: • The majority (59%) said their workplace was a beginner when it came to digital with a long way to go. • One-third of all respondents felt they were 'digital experts' (33%), using digital solutions in most aspects of their work, and only 9% identified as

complete novices. There’s a positive sentiment towards the digitalisation of social care: • Two-thirds of respondents (67%) said they were 'super excited' about the increasing digitisation of the sector. • Three-quarters of respondents (76%) felt that the care industry needs to become more digital. Sam Hussain, Founder and CEO of Log my Care, comments, “The reports of the care sector in crisis are at odds with the incredible dedication and optimism voiced by many of our customers in our daily conversations. We wanted to dig a little deeper with this research — to understand the sentiment in the sector, why so many people were leaving it and what place technology has in supporting them to stay. Although we were surveying an industry clearly in crisis, the passion and commitment of the people working in it is a light in the dark. We know it’s time for a change – with low pay, long hours and a lack of employee development coming up time and time again as the reasons our care staff are leaving. Technology can play a vital role in this change and by encouraging even the smallest care provider to go digital, we can begin to combat some of the problems highlighted by this survey.” Scan this QR code to read Log my Care’s full report or read it online at https://tinyurl.com/4pxdfxex

‘Work Smarter’ To Tackle Care Recruitment Crisis, Advises Bizimply The recruitment crisis continues to hit care homes hard. According to the latest ONS figures, to 31 March this year, vacancies in the health & social work sector, which includes care, stood at 216,000 – a 6.5% increase on the previous quarter and massive 65% up on the previous year. Care home owners and managers are learning how to run their business with a staff vacancy rate that is here to stay for a while. Conor Shaw, CEO at workforce management specialists Bizimply, says: “Tackling the staffing crisis means ensuring your teams are working not harder, but smarter. “Technology such as ours can be really helpful, allowing managers to create staff rotas and payroll easily and quickly, so they can spend more time with their teams, which raises morale and motivation. It can also reduce the

Vayyar Imaging Secures $108M in Series E Funding Led by Koch Disruptive Technologies Vayyar Imaging, a global leader in 4D imaging radar, has announced that it has finalized a USD 108 million Series E financing round led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), bringing the company’s total funding to over USD 300 million. The new round includes first-time Vayyar backers GLy Capital Management and Atreides Management LP, alongside existing investors including KDT, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, More VC, Regal Four, and Claltech. To support investor outreach in China, Vayyar engaged China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC) as its lead financial adviser. Founded with a vision of detecting early-stage breast cancer using RF technology, Vayyar has since

expanded its business into senior care, automotive, retail, public safety and other industries. The company provides solutions powered by its leading-edge system-on-chip, proprietary software stack, and breakthrough Machine Learning algorithms. In the automotive space, Vayyar manufactures 4D imaging radar-based platforms that transform safety across the in-cabin, ADAS and motorcycle (ARAS) domains. The company’s ARAS platform is in mass production for deployment on Piaggio Group’s motorbikes, providing exceptional safety for the world’s most at-risk road users. Vayyar has also secured supply contracts with automakers from Japan and Vietnam and is in advanced engagements with almost every other OEM and supplier for both in-cabin and ADAS. In senior care, the company offers Vayyar Care, a unique remote monitoring solution, integrated with the world’s leading nurse call systems, that protects the aging population with automatic fall detection and data that drives predictive behavioral analytics. Vayyar recently signed a Joint Venture agreement with Haier subsidiary HCH Ventures, leveraging its senior care technology to address the 4 trillion yuan (625B USD) “silver tech” market in China. Vayyar has also established a large-scale partnership with Amazon for remote health, safety and security monitoring. "KDT is excited to help further Vayyar’s vision to improve the health and safety of people’s lives at a global scale,” said Brett Chugg, senior managing director of KDT. “Their 4D imaging technology is transforming the medical, smart home, elderly care, and automotive markets here in the U.S. and around the world. We look forward to helping accelerate their continued growth.”

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 41...)

reliance on agency staff to fill the gaps. “The other benefit is that managers can give staff members their shift patterns further in advance, putting an end to last-minute requests to work. Improving your employees’ work-life balance can go a long way to making them feel more valued in their job and less likely to leave.” Shaw adds: “Nobody chooses a career in care to spend hours on administration. By automating routine tasks, care home managers and staff can concentrate on doing what they love - caring for residents.” A growing number of care homes across the UK and Ireland are now using Bizimply’s software to create staff rotas, payroll and more. To find out more: https://www.bizimply.com/health-care/

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 41

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Vayyar Imaging Secures $108M in Series E Funding Led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39) After opening new offices in five additional territories, including Japan and China, Vayyar will continue to expand its activities across numerous verticals and introduce a family of Machine Learning-enabled imaging solutions that are being integrated with the world’s leading smart building, robotics, retail and public safety solutions. "We are pleased and proud to progress our partnership with existing investors including KDT, as well as additional backers which are joining forces with us for the first time,” said Raviv Melamed, co-founder and CEO of Vayyar Imaging. "During a challenging period for the global economy, this new funding round is a ringing endorsement of our mission and a clear vote of confidence in the strength of our technology and the strate-

gic agility of our organization.” With a strong sales pipeline and a world-class patent portfolio, Vayyar will continue cementing its leadership in core verticals, expanding its activities in additional industries, and increasing its physical presence across the Americas, EMEA and East Asia. About Koch Disruptive Technologies Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) is a unique investment firm, partnering with principled entrepreneurs who are building transformative companies. KDT provides a flexible, multi-stage investment approach. KDT works with companies that can help Koch transform its capabilities, disrupt existing businesses or expand into new platforms. KDT is a subsidiary of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in

the world, with estimated revenues exceeding $125 billion and presence in over 70 countries. KDT helps its partners unlock their full potential by bringing Koch's full capabilities and network to them, structuring unique capital solutions and embracing a long-term, mutual benefit mindset. About Vayyar Imaging Vayyar, the global leader in 4D imaging radar, supplies the world’s most advanced radar-on-chip platforms to gather life’s essential data, providing solutions for senior care, automotive, security, smart home, robotics, and more, while maintaining privacy at all times. Vayyar’s mission is to deliver the next generation of sensing technology that is miniature, affordable, and versatile enough to impact everyone’s lives, enabling a safer world. Visit www.vayyar.com to learn more.

Cloud Finance Software That is Helping Care Homes Thrive Healthcare organisations face unique challenges from cost containment and multi-entity reporting to new billing models and product offerings and a cloudbased accounting system allows you to better understand your organisation and succeed in the future. At Sage Intacct, we’re passionate about building accounting software that helps you better understand your business, maintain compliance, and succeed in the ever-evolving healthcare industry.

BUILT FOR HEALTHCARE

As healthcare grows in complexity, so does your organisation. You’re managing multiple locations and practices, navigating changing reimbursement methods, and initiating cost reduction initiatives, while manual processes are draining your productivity. You need insight into your growing breadth of financial and operational data, and we’ve built our healthcare accounting software with you in mind. We provide compliant financials with continuous consolidation across multiple offices, practices and locations. Sage Intacct healthcare customers have increased profitability by 30% with better insight for informed decisions, realised 25% improvement in efficiency gains, and taken departmental reporting

from 10 days to 10 minutes.

REAL-TIME VISIBILITY AND INSIGHTS Sage Intacct’s real-time reporting allows you to understand and measure performance for both financial metrics and operational outcomes. Because every transaction in the system can be tagged with dimensions, finance professionals can sort, view, filter, and report on the specific information they need. With greater insight, our healthcare customers have reduced board budget reporting from three weeks to one hour and have improved revenues by 25% without adding additional headcount.

TRUE CLOUD TECHNOLOGY WITH OPEN API True cloud technology with open API As an innovator in the cloud space, Sage Intacct’s multi-tenant, true cloud foundation brings robust technology infrastructure to your organisation, without the high costs of managing servers. Our open API lets you connect to existing systems or those you are considering in the future. This means you can leverage key data from electronic medical records, payroll, budget, CRMs (including Salesforce), and other systems to track key performance indicators. For more information on how Sage can help your business please visit: www.sage.com/en-gb/cp/intacct-carehomes/

Keep VIPs Safe at Home and Safe away from Home Button and box have been the traditional method of keeping Vulnerable Independent People (VIPs) safe at home, however, by continuing to install them in homes, you are inadvertently telling VIPs that they are only safe at home. Oysta have developed telecare devices for VIPs to stay safe as they maintain an active lifestyle and passive sensors in the home to enable preventative care. VIPs should be encouraged to pursue an active lifestyle as movement is medicine. VIPs that remain physically active for longer are less likely to decline as quickly as they would if they are housebound. Our Oysta devices and sensors link into our care platform, IntelliCare™. IntelliCare positions the care circle to provide preventative care as they receive insights and notifications when their VIPs activity falls outside of normal parameters. Likewise, in the case of an emergency, the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) has a full picture of the VIPs activity and location. We are looking forward to showcasing our services to visitors at the Care and Occupational

Therapy Show in Exeter on 21 June. We are speaking at the show on ‘Movement is Medicine.’ Natasha Salway will show how mobile technology can play a big part in enabling VIPs to remain physically active for longer and providing them a safety net if their condition deteriorates. Natasha will demonstrate how technology can remove isolation boundaries and cover how to ensure VIPs can be safe at home, or in a care home when pursuing an active lifestyle. Natasha has hands-on experience of assistive technology, how it can benefit vulnerable adults, their families, and carers. She worked in Adult Social Care for 18 years, 14 years, specifically within the TEC, Assistive Technology and Telecare field. Visit us at Stand 188 at the Care and Occupational Therapy Show, Westpoint Arena, Exeter 21st June 2022 for a free demonstration or if you’d like to speak sooner, get in touch today on 01295 530 101. See the advert on the facing page for further details.

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TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE The Access Group Launches Support For New Care Providers With Care Foundations Access Health, Support & Care, a division of The Access Group, has launched Care Foundations, new software packages to support start-up home care providers in implementing the digital solutions they need to register, establish and grow their business. Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid previously announced £150 million of funding to support digitisation in social care, with the aim for 80 per cent of social care providers to be using digital care records by March 2024. Used by many of the UK’s leading care providers, Care Foundations is part of the Access care management software suite that helps new and growing care providers register and develop their business. The solution is designed to help home care businesses seamlessly integrate specialist health and social care technology into their day-to-day processes. Ranging from essential to premium, the three bespoke packages include information on various aspects, including policies and procedures, recruitment, and care plans. Steve Sawyer, managing director, Access Health and Social Care, explained that this platform would be a perfect introduction to digitisation. He said: “Access Care Foundations will make the road to implementing digital processes much easier for new and growing care providers. This tool supports the vision of the recent announcement from Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid and will make that transition to digitising care records much easier. “Providing the best possible quality of care is clearly the main priority for providers. The aim of this tool is to simplify

Intelligent Care Software (ICS) If you are looking for a care management system which answers all of your quality, monitoring and compliance needs, then looks no further than Care is. Care is provides the intelligent software solution for care home and domiciliary care managers and owners looking to roll all of their care and management functions into one electronic platform. We know this to be true because unlike some other CMS’s Care is was conceived, designed, built and is managed by nurses, registered managers and care home owners.

establishing a business as well as provide a space to continue elevating current processes with support and guidance. Each package has different options that can cater to different levels of care, this means there is always an option for each provider depending on their business needs. “If we have learned anything from the past few years, it’s that technology has massive potential to continue to innovate the health and social care sector. Moving forward it’s clear to say that this will become the norm for home care providers. It’s important we continue to create safer and seamless healthcare processes and we believe that can be done with technology.” Access is currently offering exclusive discounts of up to 25% on Access Care Foundations for new start-ups and unregistered providers only pay for what they need to get registered. Each package is on an integrated system and contains tools which can monitor and improve care quality. For care providers who might be unfamiliar with specific protocols and regulations, this tool provides peace of mind knowing experts are on hand to help. For more information visit www.theaccessgroup.com/carefoundations

The ‘CARE is’ suite includes care and support, care planning platform, our policy app with over 200 high quality policies which are updated regularly and which also includes our supervision, appraisals and training record apps and our audit app which templates all the essential audits and includes a record of inspection visits. At Care is we can get you started on your journey from paper or another care management system with minimum fuss, plenty of support and all for what we believe to be good value for money. With eMAR, mandatory training and a complementary care certificate coming in 2022, there has never been a better time to get on board. https://careis.net

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FINANCE, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

W&P Training W&P Training supply comprehensive sets of CQC care policies and procedures that are personalised to your business. Whether it’s Residential Care Homes, Domiciliary Homecare, Nursing Homes, Learning Disabilities or Supported Living – We cover it all.

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME POLICIES Are Your Current Policies Up To Date? There have been many recent changes to employment law, vaccinations, covid-19 guidance plus the CQC’s new strategy and regulatory approach. W&P’s team track these changes for you to ensure customers receive up to date CQC compliant documents.

DOMILICIARY HOMECARE POLICIES Over 130 comprehensive Domiciliary Care Policies and Procedures for Homecare /

Domiciliary Based Services that are researched and written to meet all the CQC regulatory, legislative and good practice guidance within the Health and Social Care sector.

CLINICAL PROCEDURES FOR NURSING HOMES CQC compliance for new and established Nursing Homes. W&P’s clinical procedures include 70 comprehensive and up-to-date documents for your nursing home. These clinical procedures complement our full set of Care Home Policies and Procedures.

SUPORTED LIVING / LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICIES Designed for Supported Living and Domiciliary providers that deliver CQC regulated activities to adults with Learning Disabilities and/ or Autism. W&P’s Policies and Procedures for Supported Living Services will assist with your CQC compliance. Looking for Supported living Policies with NO Personal Care? Visit https://www.wandptraining.co.uk/policies-and-procedures/non-registered-carepolicies/ W&P’s policy and compliance team are constantly scanning and reviewing all the statutory websites and regulatory publications to track the very latest developments in the Health & Social Care Sector. Policies and Procedures are updated every 4 months or immediately if there is a critical change to regulation, good practice guidance, case law outcomes or just feedback from customers. To find out more about what we offer go to www.wandptraining.co.uk or see the advert on page 2.

Workforce Challenge - The Eden Alternative – A Modern, Proven Model of Care for Staff and Resident Wellbeing WHY DO THIS? The Eden model, is built on what people say they want, in a Home or a workplace, which therefore attracts residents and team members alike. As an Eden Home builds its reputation upon the quality of life it offers to the people that reside there, it follows that occupancy improves. As a programme that empowers staff and focuses on their wellbeing, It follows that staff retention improves. With a positive culture, a motivated and dedicated workforce, It follows that positive innovation becomes more possible, sustainable and continuous.

When demand for services increase, it follows that viability improves. As a cohesive cultural progression programme, it follows that innovation, modernisation and positivity increase. The model is efficient, cost effective and the training is delivered by experienced practitioners in Care Homes. Homes are very busy places, and the programme is therefore run on line for 1 hour per week for 6 weeks, and people can do this at work or at home. The 6 weekly sessions are run online, with a workbook, with links for further optional reading or viewing and should not be a burden to busy Homes, teams and managers. It is however effective. You can try without obligation.

It is designed to make business sense to providers. It is designed to enhance viability. It is designed to support recruitment and retention. It is designed to motivate Care teams and is open to any individual to add their CV.

WHAT IS IT. It is a training programme which leads to accreditation and focuses in detail on 7 domains of wellbeing, 10 principles, and is particularly designed to address instances of loneliness, helplessness and boredom.

Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.

An inspiring approach to care As experienced Care Home practitioners we provide training to care home teams in sustainable innovation and positive leadership that empowers people to embed companionship, partnership working and vibrancy to build enriched quality of life into care homes. Develop a culture of care with wellbeing and positive relationships at its heart, with our 6 week online training programme. Discover how to replace loneliness, helplessness and boredom with wellbeing, companionship, and meaningful activities, in just one hour of training a week. Validated Eden Alternative associates can benefit from continuing support from our expert team.

Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www.eden-alternative.co.uk

Geoffrey Cox The Eden Alternative

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 45

FINANCE, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT ELGee Specialists In The Training of Elderly Care and Those with Learning Disabilities ELGee Training can provide various training courses for people who work in the Health & Social Care sector. ELGee Training is a local company with over 20 years of experience managing of and training in residential homes, care homes and domiciliary care organisations for the elderly and for those with a learning disability. ELGee Training provides up to date and current information for your workforce based on the requirements of the regulating authorities, and all courses are delivered by qualified trainers. ELGee Training will write and deliver tailor made courses for your requirements, and could be courses that run ½ days or all day.

WITH THE ELDERLY IN MIND Courses aimed at our elderly carers, with courses ranging from Dementia Awareness to Moving and Handling. Assisted Living Training caregivers to provide assistance with medication management, activities of daily living, engaging and coordination.

SPECIALIST TRAINING TEAM Specialists in the training of elderly care and those with learning disabilities. For more information on our courses or to arrange a consultation with one of our training facilitators then please do not hesitate to contact us on 023 9237 3857 | 079 4994 0860 or visit www.elgeetraining.co.uk

Skills, Knowledge, and Confidence Delivered Online Covid19 reminded us all just how important the NHS and care home staff are to our society. We are grateful for their hard work and bravery, and feel honoured to support them through our Laser Care Certificate course and CPD short courses. Working in the care sector is certainly demanding, so our objective is to make it convenient and straightforward for workers to upskill and acquire confidence in the process. The Laser Care Certificate course provides knowledge to cover every standard included in the official Skills for Care specification. Every lesson includes bespoke video tutorials specifically for the Care Certificate course, as well as reading materials and good practice examples. Furthermore, a mandatory quiz at the end of each lesson (which requires a 100% pass mark) ensures both competence and confidence. Managers are able to create their own accounts to enrol staff on the course and track their

progress. All of the content is accessible remotely via computer, smartphone or tablet, enabling care professionals to make progress towards the certificate in a way that suits their circumstances. Additionally, Laser delivers CPD short courses to equip staff with highly-relevant skills and knowledge so they can tackle new challenges or progress in their career. Two courses in particular – ‘Causes and spread of infection’ and ‘Infection control and prevention’ – were very popular during the pandemic. Unlimited use subscriptions are available at affordable rates, for organisations wishing to take advantage of a large number of short courses. Whether you are an owner, manager, or independent learner, please don't hesitate to get in touch for a free demo of the Care Certificate course platform, and/or the CPD short course offering. The Laser Learning team can be contacted on info@lasersys.co.uk or +44 (0)1753 584 112.

Specialists in the training of elderly care and those with learning disabilities Our quality health and social care training services include. • Moving & Handling • Dementia & Epilepsy Awareness • Risk Assessments ELGee Training provides up to date and current information for your

• Health & Safety Awareness

workforce based on the requirements of the regulating authorities. We will write and deliver tailor made courses for your requirements, and these could be courses that run ½ days or the full day.

• Medication Overview & Infection Overview • Personal Centred Plans & Much More…

Our courses are second to none...

023 9237 3857 | 079 4994 0860 www.elgeetraining.co.uk

PAGE 46 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107

FINANCE, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

In Dire Need Of Experienced Health Care Assistant, Senior Carer Or A Nurse? JJ Recruitment has the large database of well qualified applicants with experience in the healthcare industry, such as health care assistants, senior carers, and nurses from overseas. We also have an expert team of solicitors for the necessary legal proceedings and advices.

WHY JJ?

• We have very minimal processing fees. • We assist you to get a sponsorship license. • Qualified and experienced candidates from overseas. Tel: 01704 809756 www.jjcarerecruitment.co.uk admin@jjrecruitment.co.uk

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance Global assists clients throughout the U.K. who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase, development and refinance. We have organised over £1.8bn for clients in the past 30 years, providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt, ease cashflow and develop businesses further. From helping clients make their first purchase through to allowing groups to grow significantly in

Please Please mention mention THE THE CARER CARER when when responding responding to to advertising. advertising.

size we assist at every stage of your business expansion. Every proposal is individual and deserves to be treated that way, so we hope you will allow us to be of assistance to you and call us to chat through your plans and requirements, I am sure we will be able to tailor a facility to your requirements. Call us on 01242 227172 or e-mail us at enquiries@globalbusinessfinance.net

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 107 | PAGE 47

INSURANCE FOR CARE

Is Your Care Home At Risk From Underinsurance? They also noted that one in four firms had not made a material change to at least one Sum Insured in the last four years. The Sum Insured is the maximum amount of money that your insurance company could pay out in the event of a covered loss. With costs increasing in the construction industry, in raw materials as well as labour, checking your building sum insured is a great place to start.

CONSIDER BUSINESS INTERRUPTION COVER

A recent article, written by Aviva, one of our insurer partners has highlighted some startling figures on commercial insurance among businesses in the UK. Whilst your insurance may not be held by Aviva, the risks identified are likely to be reflected across many organisations and could be relevant to you and your care home. You might not be aware, but underinsurance is often seen amongst small to medium sized businesses, and the pandemic has only intensified the threat. The reason for this is that to ensure long term survival, many businesses made changes to their operating models, which have not been reflected in their insurance cover. According to Aviva’s data¹, only 20% of small and medium businesses had their policies changed in line with their new business models. This could mean that in the event of a claim, they may not receive the appropriate level of cover they now require, putting their business at unnecessary risk.

ARE YOUR SUMS INSURED AT THE RIGHT LEVEL?

Further, they identified that 40% of clients with Business Interruption insurance did not have an adequately set indemnity period. This is the maximum length of time your insurance company is obligated to make payments to cover the losses insured under the policy. When the maximum indemnity period has been reached, then claim payments will cease. Business Interruption insurance covers your operational costs in the event of a crisis. If your business suffered a total loss claim, you need to consider how long you would need the cover to last whilst you rebuild or relocate. As a care home owner or operator, following a total loss event, the cover period required is likely to be long, as you’ll need to rebuild or refurbish your property. You will also need to relocate your residents whilst this is happening, which may also result in a temporary change in staffing and supplier requirements. When cover is not reviewed regularly and doesn’t reflect new operating models, your business may be at an increased risk from gaps in cover and underinsurance.

what’s right for your business, bringing you peace of mind. We’re here to help you and your business succeed.

Barnes Commercial Insurance Broker 01480 272727 enquiries@barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk

IS IT TIME TO REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE? There is no time like the present to take some time to review your insurance cover levels. With so much economic uncertainty driven by the pandemic and Brexit, we would advise making sure your risk management plans are firmly in place, which includes adequate insurance. You should talk to an experienced broker who can help you to take a look at the bigger picture and ensure that you have the right insurance in place for your specific needs. As an independent commercial broker, with access to a wide panel of A rated insurers, we can advise on

¹ Data is based on Aviva held small to medium sized business, excluding fleet November 2021 – modelling 80% of the account and extrapolating the total.

Specialist care home insurance We arrange tailored insurance programmes for care and nursing homes, hospices and domiciliary care providers, for both staff and business owners. Our extensive knowledge of the care market will help to ensure you have the right protection in place for now and, for the future. Secure robust cover that’s right for your business. CALL NOW FOR A QUOTE

01480 272727

Impartial advice from experienced advisers

Exceptional service from a dedicated account executive

Let us help you to protect your business with a no obligation risk review today!

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Support with claims

Guidance on risk management solutions including H&S and HR

enquiries@barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk/care /barnes-commercial

Barnes Commercial Insurance Broker is a trading style of Barnes Commercial Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN: 844370. Registered address: 3 Fenice Court, Phoenix Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 8EW. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 11909011.