The Carer Digital - Issue #156

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

Does the announcement this week of donanemab's successful results signal a new era in the treatment of Alzheimer’s?

I very much hope so!

As the dust settles on the groundbreaking news of donanemab s success in the fight against Alzheimer s a new glimmer of hope shines through the haze of uncertainty that has long plagued the realm of dementia care in the UK Those like me with first hand experience of seeing a loved one slowly disappear before your eyes (my Mother) know only too well the heartache this devastating condition brings

With statistics on Alzheimer s and dementia cases reaching alarming figures the approval of this innovative drug couldn t have come at a more crucial time

The statistics regarding Alzheimer s and dementia cases in the UK are nothing short of staggering At present an estimated 850 000 people suffer from dementia with Alzheimer s disease accounting for nearly two-thirds of those cases As the aging population increases, projections suggest that by 2030 over 1 million people in the UK will be living with dementia a figure that could potentially double by 2050

As we often report here at THE CARER alongside the emotional toll it takes on families dementia places a tremendous financial burden on the nation s healthcare system The cost of caring for those with dementia in the UK has risen, I believe, to an astronomical £34 7 billion per year a figure that threatens to escalate in the future unless transformative treatments emerge

The impact of dementia on families is immeasurable I can attest to that

Beyond the memory loss and cognitive decline experienced by the individual, the disease deeply affects the emotional fabric of relationships robbing families of cherished moments and shared experiences The burden of caregiving often falls on family members and eventually professional care providers who face both physical and emotional challenges as they watch their loved ones or residents slowly slip away

So, this news is most welcome, the breakthrough success of donanemab really does present a ray of hope The drug from what I have read is designed to target the toxic plaques that accumulate in the brain and cause Alzheimer's, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in clinical trials Early results indicate that it not only slows cognitive decline but may also reverse it to some extent offering the tantalizing prospect of allowing individuals to regain moments lost to the clutches of the disease

One of the most promising aspects of donanemab is its potential to enable people with Alzheimer's to lead more fulfilled lives By preserving cognitive function, the drug

holds the key to restoring the ability to engage in meaningful activities maintain cherished memories and enjoy quality time with family and friends

That said we must recognise that it is a treatment and not a cure These amyloid-targeting drugs are the presently a first generation group of therapies that directly affect the progression of Alzheimer’s Marvellous breakthrough though that is the effects provide modest relief with many scientists saying that patients will need a multiple treatments and drugs to halt cognitive decline with each working on a different part of the disease process

And we should also recognise that there are side-effects with donanemab and they are similar to those seen with lecanemab another treatment announced earlier in the year

In the Eli Lilly trial, I understand almost 25% of patients treated experienced some level of brain swelling or bleeding compared with only 2% in the control group thankfully serious problems were rare

So it is important to recognise we are still in the very early stages of curing this devastating condition!

One more thing! Watch out for our Afternoon Tea Week celebrations coming later this month We had a wonderful response last year nobody celebrates tradition like those in care homes!

So please keep them coming we are always delighted to publish some delightful stories from various homes around the country, from birthdays to fund raising, from baking to growing vegetables anything you would like to share please do send it to me editor@thecareruk com

Editor

Peter Adams

New Drug Donanemab Is 'A Turning Point In The Fight Against Alzheimer’s'

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

Although not a cure charities say the results in the journal JAMA mark a new era where Alzheimer's can be treated

The drug works in Alzheimer s disease not in other types of dementia such as vascular dementia

In the trials it appears to have slowed the pace of the disease by about a third allowing people to retain more of their day-to-day lives and tasks such as making meals and partaking in hobbies

ANOTHER MILESTONE

Alzheimer s Research UK s Executive Director of Research & Partnerships Dr Susan Kohlhaas hailed the results as “another milestone” that confirmed “the outlook for dementia and its impact on people and society is finally changing

The findings also confirmed the drug’s side effects, which – for some – can be serious and require careful monitoring 24% of people on the trial receiving donanemab were reported to have experienced side effects

This included brain swelling and infusion-related reactions 4 participants died during the trial, with their deaths thought to be related to the drug s side effects

Lilly’s trial, known as TRAILBLAZER ALZ-2, included nearly 1 800 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease Participants received a monthly infusion of either donanemab or a dummy drug (placebo) over 18 months People who received donanemab were able to continue to perform day-to-day activities including shopping housekeeping managing finances and taking medication However it also caused serious side effects for some participants “Regulators will need to balance these benefits and risks before it is given a license for use said Dr Kohlhaas

In response to the drug’s successes, Alzheimer’s Research UK has written to Eli Lilly calling on them to put donanemab forward for regulatory review in the UK without delay We believe this review should be conducted by the UK regulators as a priority,” said Dr Kohlhaas

Drugs like donanemab will also pose several challenges for the NHS not least how people eligible to receive these treatments are identified, diagnosed and monitored Dr Kohlhaas said Alzheimer’s Research UK are pushing for collaborative and constructive dialogue between leadership at NHS England drug manufacturers, the MHRA, NICE, the Association of British Neurologists, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and people affected by Alzheimer s disease to make sure any treatments that are licensed can be made available to those who might benefit without delay

And Dr Kohlhaas also called for further investment in research We owe it to people living with dementia now, and to future generations, to use this moment to invest in future treatments that will transform the lives of people with dementia even more she said

A TURNING POINT”

Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Dementia is the biggest killer in the UK and over 60% of people living with dementia are thought to have Alzheimer s disease

This is truly a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer s and science is proving that it is possible to slow down the disease

"Treatments like donanemab are the first steps towards a future where Alzheimer’s disease could be considered a long-term condition alongside diabetes or asthma

People may have to live with it but they could have treatments that allow them to effectively manage their symptoms and continue to live fulfilled lives

“Today’s full results support what we heard about donanemab back in May that the drug is able to slow down the progression of Alzheimer s disease by more than 20% This study adds to the growing evidence that treating people as early as possible may be more beneficial with the effects of donanemab greater in people who were at an earlier stage of the disease

'A DEFINING MOMENT'

Kate Lee Alzheimer’s Society CEO said: This is a defining moment for dementia research But new treatments could mean nothing if we don t fix dementia diagnosis

We estimate around 720 000 people in the UK could potentially benefit from these emerging new Alzheimer’s disease treatments if they’re approved for use here But the NHS is simply not ready to deliver them

Everyone living with dementia deserves access to a speedy accurate diagnosis to get the support and treatments they need now and in the future ”

Our CEO also shared her thoughts about the donanemab results on Twitter

I know that there is so much to be done in order to ensure that we can get these drugs into people at the right time

SIDE EFFECTS

Dr Oakley added: Diagnosis will be key to the access of any new treatments We can t have a situation where treatments are approved for use in the UK but people aren’t diagnosed early or accurately enough to be eligible

We need early and accurate diagnoses available for everyone and the NHS ready to roll out treatments such as donanemab and lecanemab if and when they are approved in the UK

“It’s also important to note that side effects did occur, although serious side effects only occurred in 1 6% of people receiving the drug

Regulators will need to balance these side effects against the benefits of the drug We should also note that themajority of people who took part in this trial were white – it’s crucial that in future trials we see more diversity to prove that new drug treatments have similar effects for everyone living with Alzheimer’s disease

Just as we ve seen a transformation in cancer treatment in recent decades we re really hopeful we re on the same path for dementia

We’re so proud that research Alzheimer’s Society funded 30 years ago led to the breakthroughs we’re seeing today and the research we’re funding now will be pivotal in unlocking more breakthroughs

We will only see progress in clinical trials for new treatments if people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to join them

"It’s not all about taking new drugs or having invasive tests some trials are as simple as answering surveys and anyone over 18 in the UK can sign up "

“TRULY

Age UK Calls For Shift Towards Joined Up Health And Social Care

A major new report from Age UK ‘The State of Health and Care of Older People in England 2023 documents how our health and care system is struggling and too often failing to meet the needs of our growing older population The Charity says this shows that as a nation we need to switch away from our current over-reliance on acute hospital based care, towards a laser focus on prevention and early intervention to enable older people to stay fit and well in their own homes and in care homes This would be far better for older people and would also alleviate pressures on hospitals

The new report shows how significant numbers of hospital admissions of older people could be avoided if they received help earlier on before small health problems mushroom into crises requiring urgent clinical support But this will only happen if there is a strong political leadership from the Government and a drive right across the NHS and local authorities to make it happen

However it s not all doom and gloom as Age UK says there are glimmers of hope in some places and the beginnings of the shift it wants to see, with the development of community Falls Services, Hospital at Home services Virtual Wards and Integrated Frailty Services At present though these new approaches are only patchily available whereas they need to be on offer to every older person wherever they happen to live

The Charity also points out that there will be no lasting solutions in this area until politicians grip the problems in social care support it s under-paid and under-appreciated workforce and expand social care services to tackle the enormous scale of unmet care need among older people

THE REPORT SHOWS:

In 2021/22 there were 4 8 million A&E attendances by older people

The rate of A&E attendances amongst over 80s went up by 40% between 2012/13 and 2021/22 • In 2019/20 alone there were 855 000 emergency admissions to hospital of older people which could have been avoided with the right care at the right time

Once admitted, older people have longer hospital stays and are more likely to experience delayed discharge Over winter 2022/23 between 13 000 and 14 000 patients were stranded in hospital on any given day, up from around 4,500 in the same period in 2018/19 1 In 6 patients over the age of 75 is then readmitted within 30 days of being discharged – a terrible vicious circle

In many areas at present there are too few effective, joined up health and care services capable of identifying older people at risk of a health emergency and intervening to help them avoid it The statistics picked out below tell a clear story significant numbers of older people are finding it difficult to access the support they need from their GP and we know there aren’t enough nurses working in the community in either the NHS or social care In addition rather than expanding to meet the needs of growing numbers of older people, State funded social care has gone backwards in terms of the numbers being helped This in turn is placing more burden and responsibility on unpaid carers – usually families – to fill the gap and leaving large numbers of older people struggling to cope alone Inevitably in this situation their health often declines and sometimes this leads to a hospital stay that might have been avoided

Between 2015 and 2020 there was a 24% reduction in the number of nursing posts in social care and 12% reduction in the number of district nursing posts

Since 2017/18 36 000 fewer older people are getting long-term care from their local authority

An estimated 1 6 million people aged 65+ have unmet needs for care and support 45% of older people were concerned about their ability to access their GP and 40% of older people did not feel they had enough support to manage their health conditions

One in five (20%) unpaid carers are aged 65 plus and many are having to pick up many hours of support 85% of older carers are worried about whether they would be able to keep caring or providing support

The report draws on many more official statistics and Age UK analyses to provide a comprehensive and authoritative picture of how services are functioning today for older people across the NHS and social care

Even before the pandemic, growing numbers of older people were experiencing avoidable emergency admissions to hospital being delayed at discharge often because of waits for social care and not receiving essential assistance with daily living Then, the pandemic struck and made things considerably worse, leaving many older people today with poor mental or physical health hospitals and care services under

immense pressure and struggling to retain staff who are very tired, altogether leading to fewer older people receiving the help they need

With 10 5 million people aged over 65 in England – and rising – the Charity says it’s imperative we change tack now to serve older people better and to make better use of the resources within Health and Social Care

Given that only 26% of people aged 65-74 do not live with at least one long term health condition falling to just 14% of those aged over 85 in England, the Charity says that ensuring people have the support to stay well and manage their health at home is essential to the future sustainability of the NHS

THE REPORT CALLS FOR:

• A strong strategic push nationally and locally to reverse the decline of primary and community health services and social care so many more older people get more help, earlier, enabling them to stay well for longer at home and reducing their reliance on crisis health care in hospitals

More community-based services to be developed and joined up in local areas so they include doctors nurses, physiotherapists social care staff among others and the voluntary sector too working closely with GPs and their practice teams These services also need to be able to flex to respond to older people’s and their unpaid carers’ needs especially where the latter are themselves older people as in the case of older couples

The principle of home first as the foundation of our approach to health and social care for older people now and into the future

Paul Farmer CBE Chief Executive of Age UK said

“In many ways the picture painted by our new report is deeply depressing, but what strikes me the most is the wonderful opportunity we have now to switch to a much more effective approach to providing health and social care services for older people in their own homes and in care homes After all if we don t do it on the back of findings like these when will we? It’s clear that we need services to reach out to older people much sooner particularly those living at home quite often alone whose health is fragile or declining This would not only be great news for older people and their families, providing much needed reassurance, it would be cost-effective too And it would go a long way to relieving the enormous pressure on hospitals as well

Sometimes older people do need to go to hospital of course but at the moment too many are doing so for want of the help they need at home Then if they are admitted they are at risk of getting stuck in a hospital bed once medically fit to leave That s incredibly miserable for them and also jeopardises their recovery

We must do better by our older population and I m sure we can For example some of the new Hospital at Home services and Virtual Wards are great – we just need a lot more of them everywhere – with voluntary organisations like Age UK playing a full part alongside others

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director of Age UK said:

At Age UK we are convinced the future lies in bringing health and social care services together locally to provide better, earlier support for older people at home – but we won’t reap the rewards of this change of approach unless and until we also get a government prepared to grasp the nettle of rescuing and restoring social care – which is such a crucial component

“Recently we have rightly welcomed a Workforce Plan for the NHS and celebrated its 75th anniversary but many Health leaders have observed that the comparison with social care is stark and that the lack of determined action on care is holding progress back right across the system I m sure that if Nye Bevan was alive today he would recognise that too

“We urgently need an ambitious Social Care Workforce Plan, one that recognises the fantastic contributions of our care staff and rewards them fairly The drive to recruit more care workers from abroad has been pretty successful at least for some care providers more so than many of us had expected but meanwhile we know we are haemorrhaging more experienced care workers including registered managers in care homes Many of these people are worn out and fed up and are quitting for better terms and conditions in hospitality, retail or indeed the NHS They are the backbone of the social care workforce and they play a crucial role in setting and maintaining good standards of care We must do more to give them hope for the future and a well thought through, funded Social Care Workforce Plan would really help ”

Dedicated Home Care Staff Celebrate Success At Care South’s Annual Awards Ceremony

Care South celebrated the outstanding achievements of its home care staff at its annual Stars Awards ceremony on Thursday 13th July at AFC Bournemouth s Vitality Stadium

Now in its 14th year the Stars Awards recognise and reward individuals and teams from across the company for their outstanding achievements and excellent care provision They are an important event during which time is taken to celebrate care staff and thank them for their frontline duties and commitment to residents

Nominees are put forward by colleagues, service users and relatives Awards on the day included Carer of the Year Care Supervisor of the Year Rising Star Management Team of the Year and Pride in your Service The ceremony was held at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium with Care South s Chairman Chris Kean and Chief Executive Simon Bird hosting care homes and Care South at Home offices who had been named as finalists Whilst the Care South at Home offices enjoy some friendly com-

petition and there must be a winner it was not an easy decision for judges as the high-quality of care and feedback from clients and their loved ones across board is second to none Care South Office of the Year was presented to Crewkerne this year for a number of factors including training compliance staff retention testimonials and consistently meeting its KPIs and delivering fantastic care dayin, day-out

Simon Bird Chief Executive at Care South said

We are delighted to have celebrated all the achievements of colleagues at Care South at our fourteenth Care South Stars Awards I am always so proud to see the passion and commitment to care delivered day in day out by our staff across the company Nominations were received from colleagues clients and relatives and the Care South Stars Awards provide us with the chance to publicly acknowledge and thank our staff for all their dedication and hard work which makes such a huge difference to the lives and wellbeing of those we care for ”

Report Reveals A Workforce in Sustained Crisis says Care England

Care England has expressed concern at the findings of Skills for Care s latest workforce report and called on Government to invest the necessary resources to bring adult social care s sustained workforce crisis to an end

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says: Skills for Care s latest figures illustrate that the adult social care workforce is in sustained crisis characterised by high vacancies high levels of staff attrition and very little sign of letting up While the slight drop in vacancies to 152 000 from 164 000 the previous year is a small step in the right direction, it is by no means a cause for celebration for a sector that remains in a critical state The drop in vacancies was driven in large part by a substantial increase in international recruits underscoring the vital contribution that overseas staff make to our sector This does not, however, represent a sustainable long-term solution to the staffing crisis facing adult social care, nor does it address the key issue facing providers when recruiting and retaining domestic staff – low pay Chronic underfunding by central Government has resulted in nine out of the ten largest supermarkets in the UK paying wages higher than the average for a social care worker according to the King s fund This must be addressed as a matter of priority through a fully-funded, longterm adult social care workforce strategy that sets out sustainable recruitment and retention pathways for both domestic and international recruits

Skills for Care’s annual report entitled The size and structure of the adult social care sector and workforce in England is an overview of the status of the adult social care workforce

The 2022/23 figures published on 12 July 2023 show a decrease in the vacancy rate to 9 9% (152 000 vacant posts) from 10 6% (164,000 vacant posts) last year This was driven largely by international recruitment with around 70,000 staff recruited from abroad into direct care-providing roles after adult social care was added to the Shortage Occupation List in February 2022

The total number of filled posts in adult social care in 2022/23 was estimated at 1 635 million up 20,000 from 1 615 million last year These posts were filled by 1 52 million people representing 5 2% of the total workforce in England and more than the 1 3 million employed by the NHS

Martin Green continues “Despite the Minister for Social Care s enthusiasm about these new figures the headline reduction in overall vacancies masks a habitual failure by Government to take meaningful action to address the challenges faced by the adult social care workforce The sector s vacancy rate of 9 9% remains higher than that in the NHS (8%) and nearly three-times greater than the average for other sectors combined (3 4%) The recent publication of the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan illustrates that long-term workforce planning is possible and adult social care is crying out for an equivalent to help ease staffing pressures Complacency on the part of Government in light of Skills for Care’s newest figures would drive an already underfunded and undervalued sector further into the ground Instead, they must take concerted action to deliver a long-term workforce strategy that finally sees care workers paid fairly at a level commensurate for the work they do and on par with colleagues in the NHS ”

Re-Rooted by Purpose: How Gardening Helped a Man Diagnosed with Dementia

Move over Alan Titchmarsh Alan Harding has taken top spot as best gardener the UK has to offer and as luck has it he just so happens to live with us here at Gibraltar Nursing Home

At Gibraltar, life history work is key to learning how we can encourage a routine for our residents who we affectionately refer to as family members, that is true to their identity Attachment theories give us clues as to which type of interaction works best with each family member and provides us with guidance about how we form an attachment with this person Once we form an attachment we are able to build trust and encourage them to partake in occupations that reflect their identity

Alan Harding has spent his whole life needing to wake up with a purpose so when he moved into Gibraltar Nursing Home our team knew we had to find a way we could support this It is common knowledge that being outside and exposing ourselves to natural light can have a positive effect on our mental health But what if this light could hold the power to completely transform a person s mindset and make them fall in love with living again?

That was the case for Alan when he rediscovered a lost love that had been waiting for him in Gibraltar s gardens I spoke with Alan’s wife, Jennifer, about their life together and how Alan’s new found sense of purpose at Gibraltar has allowed him to not only reconnect with family but with himself

ALAN’S

EARLY YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP & COMMUNITY

Alan was born in 1945 and was the only son of Wilfred Harding and Olive Harding who were both from Morpeth, Northumberland When Alan came along, they set up a happy life in Gloucester, but Alan fondly remembers his visits by train to Morpeth each year to see his grandparents and extended family One of his favourite memories he recalls of his youth was the year that the snow was so deep they had to stay for three weeks until it was safe to travel home

Along with his best friend Steve who lived next door to him and the other boys in the village Alan was a much loved member of the local youth club His town had a big community spirit and many of the boy s parents were involved with the club Alan s Dad who was an upholsterer repaired all of the youth clubs seating for them, and this need to be hands on and help out in his community was something he passed on to Alan

FROM

SCHOOLBOY TO ENGINEER

At the tender age of sixteen with an O level in metalwork Alan made the bold decision to leave school in pursuit of an engineering apprenticeship In those days it was relatively easy to get accepted to one, and so Alan managed to secure a place with The Gloucester and Carriage and Wagon Company What he lacked in formal qualifications he more than made up for with a strong work ethic and determination, and so he began his training to be a draughtsman

Qualifications were merely the starting point for Alan he believed what really matters is the strength of your drive commitment and willingness to go the extra mile It s this that will define success and open doors that may have appeared previously locked

A VALENTINES DAY TO REMEMBER - MEETING JENNIFER

“At this point, I come on the scene,” Alan’s wife, Jennifer, tells me Jennifer was working for an engineering company that just so happened to be in the same building as Alan s drawing office After a while I became aware of this young man seemingly walking past the office on a regular basis I really didn’t take any notice but the girl I worked with said “I think someone fancies you Jenny ” Soon after one of the juniors in Alan’s office brought up a note to Jennifer asking if she was free that evening to go to the cinema I phoned him and said yes and asked if we could go and see Peter O Toole in Lawrence of Arabia He dragged me out just before the end and we ran to The New Inn in Gloucester for a much needed drink Jenny still has the note today The date was Valentine’s Day, 1967

They got married two years later and along the way had two lovely daughters from whom they gained two great son in laws and two wonderful grandsons “I have lots of happy memories of our life together Alan travelled quite a lot but the memory I treasure most was the joy on his face when he saw the children and I waiting for him on his return We would put Liv in her pushchair and the four of us would go out for a walk and talk and talk ”

ALAN’S JOURNEY TO THE TOP: HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Alan continued to work hard throughout his life with Jennifer describing him as always having stamina tenacity and a strong character ” This ability to work hard eventually led to him becoming the youngest General Manager in the history of the company But this still wasn’t enough for Alan who was full of ambition and dreamt of becoming Manager Director

He was ready for the challenge Alan began a part time degree course in Bristol while carrying on his day job and travelling overseas Jennifer told me “I think looking back now that Alan relished the challenge Our youngest daughter Olivia was born during that time and I have a memory of Alan in the dining room table covered with papers and Liv beside him in her carrycot ”

Of course he passed making Alan the youngest Managing Director in the history of the company “The local paper at that time wrote an article about him and the phone didn t stop ringing all night Not many people get to achieve their dreams and I remember him picking me up and swinging me around with happiness

ALAN’S DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS

When a man who is used to a life filled with dreams travelling the world and celebrating his joy and successes with his family is faced with a Dementia diagnosis as you can expect, it isn’t an easy pill to swallow Alan was first diagnosed with Parkinson s and the dementia followed Jennifer dedicated herself to caring for him at home, until she reached the point in Alan s dementia journey where she was faced with a decision many life partners are

Jennifer had no one to ask advice As it so often goes her children do not live locally and she had no help at all Alan and I had no quality of life anymore and I dreaded each day In the end it comes down to your loved one being in a safe place with qualified people to take care of them And you have to think of yourself too It was time for Jennifer to look for extra support which she found at Gibraltar Nursing Home It was a very hard decision to make and not something taken lightly Lots of factors had to be considered, not least the financial cost I feared Alan would think I was abandoning him Although he d spent time in respite care before, it was on the premise of his coming home after two weeks Actually leaving him there and coming home to an empty house was a totally different experience for me

Alan’s move to Gibraltar marked the beginning of a difficult adjustment process for him and Jennifer admits that Alan didn’t settle well at first “I know he was depressed My daughters knew I was questioning the decision as to whether I had made a mistake and perhaps should have tried harder to cope Other carers seem to manage so why couldn’t I?”

RESTORING QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH COMPASSIONATE CARE

Gibraltar Nursing is part of Evolve Care Group who have created a Household Model of Care that they deliver through their Evolve Care Academy training that all of Gibraltar’s team members benefit from In their training they are taught how to use attachment theories and life history work to assess the emotional needs of family members and so when the team discovered Alan had been an avid gardener throughout his life they worked to build upon the knowledge they had gained and used it to create a personalised care plan

They appreciated his determination to remain independent and so the plan focused on establishing meaningful connections through gardening and giving Alan a sense of purpose, providing him with tools so he could garden independently and have control over his own life

NURTURING NEW ROOTS: FINDING PURPOSE IN GARDENING

Alan s care plan has helped him to rediscover his purpose and identity and both the team and his family have witnessed a remarkable shift in him Gibraltar’s Team Leader Bridget has been helping Alan in the garden and said that giving Alan role as Head Gardener had completely transformed him I must say at this juncture that Bridget has been fantastic with Alan”, Jennifer tells me “She seems to understand that Alan has to when he can be doing something As for the garden well the pictures say it all

Plans were arranged to move Alan into a garden room and soon he was in a new space facing the greenhouse with trees soil and vegetables growing just outside his door “Our girls and I are very pleased with the change We always had a garden to tend to and I will miss the tomatoes Alan grew every year in the greenhouse I seriously don’t know how Alan would have coped if he’d had no access to the garden ”

A NEW PATH

The care plan has also been beneficial to Alan s family who are able to visit and spend quality time in the garden with him “As a family we love it, and our grandchildren are free to run around and play A lot of work has been done to make sitting outside pleasurable and it s a great environment to relax and chat and make Alan feel part of the family group even though we have to leave at the end of the visit Dementia takes so much from us Alan’s story serves as a reminder that when we put the effort in to understand a person s needs we can make a positive and lasting impact on their life For Alan what helps him is the simple pleasure of digging his hands into the soil and returning to pull new life out from it When Alan is working on his flowers and his paths he s happy

Anchor Opens New Care Home In Skipton

This week later living provider Anchor was joined by Mayor of Skipton Councillor Sheila Bentley to officially open the doors of its new care home The Mill House on Sackville Street Skipton Anchor England s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life, invited the Mayor and professionals from the local community for a special launch event of the newly built care home

The Mill House is a new care home overlooking the Leeds and Liverpool Canal with 86 ensuite rooms and eight independent living apartments Designed to meet the specific needs of residents the home is built on the site of an old mill and offers state-of-the-art facilities

Maria Bamford

Mayor Sheila Bentley said: “Many congratulations to everyone involved in the opening of The Mill House care home It was lovely to meet with Anchor staff and it s clear that residents will be welcomed into a warm and vibrant setting to receive thoughtful and individualised care which will be a great addition to our local community Maria Bamford, Director of Villages and Care Services at Anchor, said:

“We’re very proud of this new high-quality care home set in a beautiful location overlooking the canal and benefitting from top-quality facilities to provide residents with the very best of care

“With 60 years of experience Anchor is continuously working hard to meet the changing needs and expectations of our residents and this latest addition to our portfolio of care homes showcases the progress we are making towards creating more and better homes for older people

“We look forward to welcoming new residents to this fantastic new location and enabling them to continue to love living later life ”

Lack of Capacity and Preparedness Meant NHS Could Not Cope With Pandemic Says BMA

Giving evidence at the UK Covid 19 Public inquiry the Chair of the BMA Professor Phil Banfield spoke of how the NHS was wholly unprepared to meet the demands of the pandemic as the medical profession were “working constantly on the premise that our system may tip over at any moment”

Professor Banfield said “We knew that this was unprepared for We had no idea what was coming our way We were suddenly in a position where not only patients were going to die but our colleagues and ourselves were in a position where we might die because we felt so unprepared ”

Speaking as part of the session on Module 1 of the UK Covid 19 Inquiry on resilience and preparedness the BMA chair of council said that the Association had been warning for years of a lack of capacity within the healthcare system

Professor Banfield said “The number of beds has been falling the number of staff has been falling and we have been raising concerns prior to the pandemic that we were not coping with the capacity that was needed to run the health service – therefore there would be no surge capacity if an epic pandemic happened

Detailing the disconnect between local public health teams and central government since the 2012 reforms resulting from the Health and Social Care Act Professor Banfield warned that this had eroded their ability to plan and scale up rapidly” during the pandemic

He said: In any sort of infection outbreak you need to be able to escalate things like testing for the disease, contact tracing; being able to isolate, quarantine and having expertise is incredibly important

They would have expected testing to become more widely available more quickly At the point at which that didn’t happen, and testing was taken into the private sector and lighthouse labs, we started to get a disconnect of information because the IT systems were not compatible

As a representative of the medical professionals working throughout the pandemic Professor Banfield spoke of the need for greater respiratory protection and said that fit testing for face masks was not taken into account prior to the pandemic He warned that “one mask does not fit all” and that “it was predominately male faces that masks were built for”

In relation to PPE for healthcare workers Professor Banfield stated that under health and safety legislation there is a legal duty on employers to protect the employee from risks and there should be a legal duty to take a precautionary approach that wasn t taken in these circumstances and that occupational medicine has been allowed to collapse in this country He agreed in response to questioning that if health and safety law and guidance had been properly enforced there would have been greater attention to detail it would be less likely that the risk assessment process would be overlooked and flaws in the system would not be allowed to go unchallenged

In part of Professor Banfield s witness statement provided to the Inquiry and read out during the hearing he said: In future consideration of inequalities must be central to pandemic preparations and must be close to the heart of what is required to be done in preparation for pandemic

Exploring the issue of how health inequalities may be better taken into consideration in the event of future pandemics Professor Banfield said Reducing health inequalities and health in all policies is one of our highlights that we wish to see The reality is that if you are in an environment where a portion of your population is sicker than another one and it s due to social determinants of your health Unless you tackle those a specific area and subset of your population will be more vulnerable to a pandemic or another flu pandemic which will come It is almost inevitable And we are duty-bound to be prepared for that

Care Home Supports Poignant Butterfly Release

The Wharf Care Home in Stourport-on-Severn has once again given its support to KEMP Hospice sponsoring a heartwarming Butterfly Release event at Bodenham Arboretum

The Wharf part of the Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG) is a long-time supporter of KEMP The Wyre Forest Hospice, which offer care and support to patients families and carers who are experiencing life-limiting illness and bereavement

The MMCG care home has sponsored the annual Butterfly Release for the past two years contributing £1 500 to the hospice s work and it is getting behind it again sponsoring this year’s event taking place at Bodenham Arboretum on Saturday 9th September at 10:30 am

Participants in the Butterfly Release honour their loved ones while also supporting the essential services provided by KEMP Hospice By making a suggested £30 donation they can dedicate a butterfly to the memory of a loved one Hundreds are released together at the event creating a living memorial and a

source of comfort and hope

Rachel Price Deputy Manager at The Wharf said:

“It is an honour to support such a heartwarming event It means a lot to our home and to those in our care who have been supported by KEMP Hospice in the past and currently ”

Participants in the Butterfly Release receive one free entry to the arboretum for the event They will join together to remember their loved ones and each person will have the opportunity to release their own butterfly – a symbol of remembrance offering comfort during difficult times – and watch it take flight amongst the flowers and plants in the tranquil setting of Bodenham Arboretum

Added Rachel Price “Having worked with the hospice many times we know the incredible service they offer and the difference it makes to so many local families They are a very special organisation and we are so grateful to show our support for everything they do for us our families and our community

HC-One’s Dementia Care Team Winners at National Awards

HC-One s Dementia Care team have won the Best Dementia Care Team Award’ at the 13th National Dementia Care Awards 2023 which took place during a gala awards lunch at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday 13th July

HC-One s Dementia Care team consists of Dementia Care Managers

Annette

Banks James Ridley Katy Jenks and Natasha Wilson led by Tracey Carter Head of Dementia Care

The team provide direct clinical support advice mentoring and supervision to HC-One’s portfolio of 180 dementia care communities supporting Care Home Colleagues to enable Residents to live their best lives and support their families and friends in maintaining positive, loving relationships

The role of Dementia Care Manager (DCM) was introduced at the end of 2021 and the team operate a referral pathway process enabling Colleagues across HC-One to refer directly into them for support and advice After initial triage and a consultation call with the referrer, each case is allocated to a named DCM, who work with the home to plan and deliver the right type and range of support required to meet the individual needs of the home and the Residents living there

In a relatively short period of time this approach has enabled the team to influence strategic and cultural

change embed evidence-based practice identify share and celebrate good practice and help to facilitate and grow innovation, which is resulting in meaningful outcomes for Residents and those who support them

The team are subject matter experts and also provide clinical advice, recommendations and support to all other teams and stakeholders across HC-One including Learning & Development Quality Improvement Clinical Governance and Regulatory Compliance

Tracey Carter Head of Dementia Care at HC-One commented: What an amazing achievement, I am incredibly proud of all of our Dementia Care team at HC-One who go above and beyond for our Residents each day and we are delighted to win this prestigious award “Our Dementia team are highly trained experienced and an exceptionally resourceful team who are always available to offer advice and support They have made a significant difference to those living with dementia in our care homes and to Colleagues who require support

Professor Graham Stokes, Director of Dementia Care Services at HC-One said “Through our dementia care model we strive to give people living with dementia the care they need and the life they want It is important to recognise those who work tirelessly to provide outstanding care and support Residents to live their best lives and I m delighted that HC-One s Dementia Care team has been recognised through these

School Children Win Competition To Brand Telford Hall Care Home

Two pupils from a Telford primary school have won a competition to name and brand their local care home

Zoe Witkowska and Marcy Hodgson from Lawley Village Primary Academy scooped joint first prize for their entries which were whittled down from dozens of local entrants

Marcy from year 4 won a £50 prize for coming up with the new name of Telford Hall Care Home while Zoe from year 5 won a £50 prize for her new logo design featuring two hot air balloons

Both girls have been invited to the home on Bryce Way Lawley Village, next month to cut the official opening ribbon

Zoe said: My design was inspired by the town s amazing hot air balloon festival and it s great to see it now up on the outside of the building

Marcy said: “Zoe and I feel very proud to have won the competition We walk past the care home every day as it’s just across the road from our school As a school we often pop in to chat to the residents and get involved with activities

Telford Hall Care Home was acquired by the Sandstone Care Group in 2022 and Fiona Brewin became

its first Registered Manager last month

The home which was recently commended by the Care Quality Commission for making significant improvements across all areas of the home and was rated as Good in the areas of Responsive Caring and Effective, also received praise for its “kind and attentive staff” and the fact that residents were happy and safe and supported to be as independent as they could be”

Fiona said: “We had lots of lovely entries for our competition from staff and residents Brownies and Lawley Village Primary Academy “Zoe and Marcy’s entries were fantastic and we’re really pleased they can cut the official ribbon next month We re also going to be using some of the other name suggestions in public rooms around the care home

“We’re like an extended family here and we love listening to ideas from our residents because it’s very much their home and we are guests in it

“I’m so proud that residents see Telford Hall as a ‘home from home’ because that’s what we strive for ”

North Shields Care Home Welcomes New Pets

Appleby Care Home in North Shields has some unusual new residents adorable bunny rabbits Oreo and Snowy

The introduction of Oreo and Snowy – named for the markings on their coats – is the idea of Appleby’s activities coordinator Elaine Rook They noticed how much excitement was generated when petting zoos and other animals visited the home for pet therapy sessions and wanted to be able to offer residents animals of their own to care for

Clare Leonard Larchwood Care’s home manager for Appleby said: “Everyone is absolutely thrilled to introduce Oreo and Snowy into the Appleby family

“Larchwood Care focusses on providing person-centred care that supports the overall well-being of our residents Our residents wanted a pet so we’ve listened and moved in Oreo and Snowy!

ATurning Point

In a care home environment the client as much as a patient in an acute environment benefits from regular turning

Supported by the NICE guidelines it has been proven that regular turning regimes can prevent and in some cases can significantly contribute to the healing process of existing pressure injuries, whether presented upon arrival or even acquired at the care home

WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO GET A PRESSURE ULCER?

Anyone living in a care home can develop a pressure ulcer but some factors make it more likely:

Limited mobility/unable to change position without help

A loss of feeling in part of the body

History of pressure ulcers or having one now

Not having eaten or hydrated well for a sustained period

• Thin dry or weak skin

A significant cognitive impairment HOW

OCCUR?

The therapeutic value of animals is amazing Interacting with them can reduce stress boost mood and provide a sense of purpose and routine which is incredibly important for people living with us

George Wood who lives at Appleby care home said: “The rabbits are getting big and I like them They make me smile because I used to have rabbits Can’t remember how many but there was a lot Cleaning them out took a while and my boys Gavin and Anthony watched – good memories!”

Numerous studies have highlighted the therapeutic benefits of engaging with animals in care home settings Pets can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, provide opportunities for social interaction, and promote physical activity and cognitive stimulation among residents The presence of Oreo and Snowy will undoubtedly foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Appleby Care Home enriching the lives of its residents

• Pressure ulcers occur when an area of skin and the tissues underneath it are damaged by being under such pressure that the blood supply is reduced; typically when people spend long periods in a bed or chair BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE TURNING & HOW CAN EQUIPMENT HELP WITH PREVENTION AND THERAPY?

Equipment that offers suitable pressure relieving or pressure redis-

tribution qualities subject to the risk factors can reduce or even remove the prevalence of PI s provided a suitable Care Plan is written and implemented in conjunction with an accurate risk assessment of the clients needs

All organisations recognise the need for regular turning but the pressures they face from reduced staffing levels in a reducing labour pool, means that the demands on reduced staffing levels can sometimes mean that the ideological turning regimes are not always met leading to the risk of acquired pressure injuries

The answer appears simple invest in highly motivated capable staff manage the client diligently and offer assistance in maintaining independent mobility But of course, that’s not sometimes possible, staff may be slightly less motivated due to external factors and independent patient mobility is not always the case

Equipment however can assist with that issue especially when a high dependence for repositioning is required The Optima Turn Mattress System by Wellell has been designed to reduce the burden on caregivers aiding repositioning without having to necessarily touch the patient, benefitting all parties: the patient, their family, the carer and the care home

If you are facing these issues and need help? Contact: sales uk@wellell com

Carers Being Pushed into Poverty Research Reveals

New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for the first time calculates the caring penalty or the amount lost in earnings by those who take up caring for a loved one

Forced to cut down on hours worked or leave work altogether unpaid carers are being pushed into poverty while providing invaluable care The longer people undertake unpaid care the greater the impact on their finances as they give up opportunities for wage growth and career progression

If unpaid carers do give up work the low level of income they receive from Carer’s Allowance doesn’t protect them from poverty while also disincentivising them to return to work

THE RESEARCH FINDINGS INCLUDE:

Unpaid carers experience an average pay penalty of £487 per month or nearly £6 000 per year rising to £744 per month or nearly £9 000 per year after six years of providing unpaid care

Five years after starting care work, over 30% of those who were in paid work before providing 20 or more hours of unpaid care per week are no longer in paid work

Most unpaid carers who leave work don’t see their incomes replaced over 25% of carers who had to give up work at the same time as beginning unpaid care work do not receive a pension Carers Allowance or

Universal Credit

o For over two-thirds of these carers these benefits replace less than half of their previous earnings

JRF

IS CALLING FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR UNPAID CARERS TO BE VALUED THROUGH STATUTORY

CARER PAY:

Carers would be eligible for 39 weeks of paid leave for one year, with the ability to take this leave flexibly

The policy would be funded by the Government and, at a minimum, paid at the same level as Statutory

Maternity Pay

Around 65 000 carers would be expected to take up the policy each year and the majority would stay in work

The Carer s Leave Act 2023 will give unpaid carers one week of unpaid leave per year However the Act falls well short of supporting carers to balance paid work with the vital work of caring Unpaid carers will often need more than one week of leave per year to support their loved ones

Going without pay to care also drives financial hardship for carers on low incomes Unpaid leave doesn’t reflect the importance of caring in our society and fails to give carers the financial recognition for the work they do

The report also examines the pay penalty parents face and sets out the need for a broader redesign of the relationship between care and work including more generous paternity leave and a strengthened right to flexible working

Abby Jitendra, Principal Policy Adviser at JRF, says:

It s not right that unpaid carers on low incomes are losing out on thousands of pounds and being pushed into poverty as they can no longer work while providing much needed care that benefits us all

The Carer s Leave Act will give unpaid carers one week of unpaid leave a year but unpaid short-term leave will not prevent the financial hit people face or stop people from dropping out of work when care needs intensify

We need to show we value our unpaid carers and the work they do by introducing paid carer s leave in line with maternity leave

This policy would make a practical difference giving people the security to choose to care for their loved ones themselves without falling into poverty while supporting those who need care most in our society ”

Banbur y Care Home Residents ‘Pick Your Own’

Residents at Glebefields care home in Drayton Village, Banbury recently visited Rectory Farm in Oxfordshire to ‘Pick Your Own’ The farm has 45 acres of colourful produce from courgettes to gooseberries however it was the fresh strawberries that took our residents fancy

Sold by the punnet Minnie Cynthia Helen and Stan had a wonderful time picking lots of juicy strawberries for afternoon tea General Manager Nisha Shaji

at Glebefields care home, said: “One of our residents' favourite things to do in July is watching Wimbledon being able to go and pick their own fresh fruits to have with cream made the tennis sets even sweeter!

Glebefields provides residential care and nursing care for residents from respite care to long-term stays

New Evidence Linking Sight Loss To Dementia

A new study suggests that sight loss in people over 71 years old may be linked to dementia The study was in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology

The researchers at the University of Michigan in the US analysed data from nearly 3 000 US citizens over 71 years old who were part of a larger study the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS)

This larger study tested the participants eyesight and recorded their scores for short-distance vision long-distance vision and how well they were able to distinguish objects against different backgrounds They also found out whether the participants had dementia from the NHATS study data

What they found was that participants with sight loss were more likely to have dementia compared to people with no problems with their vision

Up to 40% of dementia cases could be influenced by 12 risk factors which we may be able to prevent or influence such as smoking high blood pressure and hearing loss Sight loss is not currently one of these 12 important risk factors, but the new evidence published today suggests that there is a link between sight loss and dementia

Dr Susan Mitchell Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK said:

This is a crucial time for dementia research as evidence builds about how factors such as sight loss are linked to dementia Studies like this are crucial for identifying possible new dementia risk factors and ultimately working out how to potentially prevent some cases of dementia from happening in the first place

This new study provides important new evidence linking sight loss to dementia and ties in with previous studies But this isn t definitive and it will be important for future studies to find out precisely what is causing this apparent link as this will determine what if any potential there is for prevention There are several possibilities – for example, diabetes is a key risk factor for dementia, and this condition can also cause vision problems Or it might be that there are shared pathways in the brain that cause both vision loss and a decline in memory and thinking abilities

Some cases of sight loss are preventable and others can be treated successfully – if this link is confirmed, this could mean people who take steps to minimise sight problems as they get older could also help reduce their risk of conditions like dementia

Neath Care Home Resident’s Wish Comes True with ‘Butler in the Buff ’

95-year-old

One Residents’ unlikely dream was fulfilled at Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home in Skewen Neath as she dined with a ‘Butler in the Buff’!

95-year-old Muriel Treszke has lived at the HC-One owned home since April 2022 and on the first day she met Eileen Coyle-Jones, Area Director in South Wales, she told her how she would love to see a ‘Butler in the Buff’

After organising this with Colleagues, Relatives and Muriel herself, the wish was granted and on the 28th June, accompanied by her daughter, Ursula Morgan and fellow Resident, Verna, who Muriel invited to join her, they were served afternoon tea by Butler in the Buff , Matt

The home s incredible Chef Kris worked very hard creating lots of homemade scones sandwiches and Muriel's favourite; strawberries dipped in chocolate Muriel has not had a drink for some time but really enjoyed her prosecco, that Matt served her, along with all the delicious treats

They chatted about what music Muriel liked and about her life She likes to dance so Matt looked for some songs suitable to her taste and asked if she would like to dance He even gave her a twirl!

Muriel commented, “It was one of the best days I have ever had and one I will never forget: Matt was a true gent and I really enjoyed our dance!”

Eileen Coyle-Jones, Area Director for South Wales, commented, “The first day I met Muriel, she told me her dream To see that dream fulfilled and the smile on her face was priceless!”

Ursula Morgan added, “I knew the minute I walked in that this was the right home for mum, and this just proves that - her birthday surprise has made her so happy, it was an amazing day!”

Home Manager at Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home Lisa Llewellyn, said, “I am so proud that we can make our beautiful Residents’ dreams come true ”

Care Homes Set To Save Thousands Of Pounds Thanks

To Free Training From Health Education England Anenta plays key role in developing healthcare waste training module

The roll-out of a free new e-learning module on healthcare wasteset up by Health Education England - is set to bring major benefits to the care home sector says leading independent healthcare waste management company Anenta

The training - developed in association with Anenta to help all healthcare professionals - is seen as key to building better understanding of waste management in care homes which have long struggled with managing healthcare waste effectively

This is backed up by detailed compositional audits of care home waste undertaken both by Anenta and separately by the EA which have proven that a significant amount of contamination exists in the various waste streams produced by care homes

Worryingly, the findings show that 70% of care home waste is consistently put in the wrong waste channels including 90% of clinical waste and 35% of offensive waste, which is regularly contaminated with recyclable materials

Further analysis of over 2 500 primary care Duty of Care audits by Anenta has also shown that 58% of healthcare professionals with responsibility for waste management are unfamiliar with the Healthcare Technical Memorandum the latest iteration of which came out in March 2023

This has resulted in inadequate training and waste management policies contributing to poor segregation and spiralling levels of waste being incorrectly disposed of, costing the care home sector heavily, and hampering sustainable waste targets

The new e-training module aims to address this and is being provided free to remove all barriers and gaps in understanding that currently exist within care homes and the primary care sector

Created with the help of Anenta the new 30-45 minute training module, available here, is accessible free of charge via the Health

Education England online portal

It outlines what waste should go into which waste stream correct segregation practices and other important waste related guidance

This helps prevent low-risk items, which should cost £300-£500 per tonne for disposal as offensive waste, from being disposed of as infectious waste costing upwards of £800 per tonne

Vitally the training also helps avoid the risk of waste contractors refusing to make collections from care homes due to their non-compliance which could put care services at risk of disruption This is avoided through the correct completion of a Pre-Acceptance Audit (PAA), which in the case of most care homes needs to be undertaken every five years - unless waste produced on site changes in its nature

Where a care home produces more than five tonnes of clinical

waste annually a PAA will need to be undertaken every 12 months remaining valid until renewal date or unless waste types undeclared in the pre-acceptance audit are discovered

Commenting on the roll-out of the new free training Graham Flynn Director at Anenta said We ve worked hard on the development of the new e-learning training module alongside NHSE IPC Local Commissioners and industry experts The result is a course that’s accessible by all, and a risk assessment that can be used by all care homes to inform the way in which their waste is segregated

The adoption of the training and correct segregation is critical if the care home sector is to cut costs and achieve Net Zero targets Changing waste disposal habits and practices prevents the unnecessary and expensive disposal of waste via inappropriate and environmentally damaging waste streams such as incineration; instead ensuring that the majority of clinical waste is disposed of using either alternative treatments or energy from waste processes that render healthcare waste safe ”

Graham Flynn added: “On average care homes are wasting £8,000 every year through poor waste management process and procurement The training will play a big part in cutting that figure by improving waste management among staff Importantly it will also help care homes with their PAA audit without which their healthcare waste cannot be collected, potentially resulting in enforcement action by the Environment Agency ”

For more information about Anenta and its care home audit app which gives care homes the ability to conduct compulsory clinical waste pre-acceptance and duty of care audits without the need for third-party on-site visits in just 40 minutes, visit www anentawaste com or call 033 0122 2143

Digitising Your Care Records – Top T ips

The number of care providers in England with digital care records stands at 50% a 10% increase since the Digitising Social Care programme was introduced in December 2021

As part of the programme if providers select a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR) supplier on NHS England and Digital Social Care s

Assured Supplier list they can benefit from a range of financial support to help them digitise

However even with financial support choosing and implementing the right digital system for your care service can still be tricky and mistakes costly

To help you our experts in care technology who have digitised thousands of care services have drawn up some top tips and mistakes to avoid when you digitise your care records

INVOLVE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT ROLES

A common mistake care providers make when selecting digital systems is not including the perspectives of care workers registered managers, team leaders and so on People in different roles will see the system differently They will see benefits others don t and more importantly flaws or gaps in the system that directors can easily miss

If possible, create a working group with representatives from different roles across your company Together draw up a simple checklist of your must haves you can these use this to refer back to when looking at what the market has to offer

DOES IT WORK WITH YOUR EXISTING/PLANNED SYSTEMS?

Integration in the world of software means two systems connecting and sharing data Not every piece of software you use needs to be integrated but there are some key systems or components that do

In domiciliary and community services, integration between your DSCR and your rostering system is an absolute must Without this care workers are left flipping between one mobile app for scheduling and another for care plans, visit notes and so on

Information in one system may contradict another meaning confu-

sion for care workers and the risk of mistakes being made that could undermine service quality, safety or wellbeing of service users

In residential care services integration between your DSCR and medicine management system is critical This creates a holistic view of each resident helping staff to better understand the interaction between medicines and residents’ behaviour, mood, physical stability and so on

Without this integration medicine information on the DSCR and medicine management system could be contradictory This means time is spent finding the correct information and more importantly the chances of something going wrong in a person’s care increases

SELECT

AN NHS ASSURED SUPPLIER

Selecting a supplier of Digital Social Care Records that has been assured by NHS England and Digital Social Care benefits you in two ways:

1 The system has been evaluated for you by experts against a range of criteria including that it will support you to:

Conduct inclusive care planning and assessment

Manage tasks efficiently in your care settings

Capture a wide range of information

Present that information in a way that is easy to understand and absorb

• Provide evidence to the CQC Securely share data with appropriate persons

2 Your Clinical Commissioning Group or local authority can provide you with varying levels of financial support such as funding the first 12 months of fees for your Digital Care Record System

IDENTIFY YOUR ‘CHAMPIONS’

A champion should be someone usually a care giver or team leader who is really enthusiastic about digitisation in care They will be your standard bearers in the care team They will help articulate the benefits for service users and staff cultivate enthusiasm but also relay any teething issues with the system and help identify where extra support that might be needed

COMMUNICATION

Digitisation means some level of change to how we work If everyone in your care service understands why you are making this change how it will benefit them and how you will support them in making the transition it is much more likely that you will have a smoother implementation

Communication should be two way It is much better for everyone to think of this as something you are doing together, rather than something that is being done to them from the top down Ensure people across your teams has a voice and is given the opportunity to use it

ABOUT THE ACCESS GROUP

The Access Group is an NHS Assured Supplier of Digital Social Care Record Systems (DSCR) which are used in thousands of care locations across the UK Recently Access Care Planning joined Access Care & Clinical on the NHS Assured Suppliers list, giving care providers a greater range of options to find the system that fits perfectly with their service and approach

The Access Group offers a complete digital hub to manage and improve your care service including medication management scheduling care compliance eLearning employee screening and more Find out more about Access’ care plan software and their wider suite of care management software

Care Residents And Nurser y Children Imitate Emojis To Celebrate World Emoji Day

Care residents and nursery children within a Nottinghamshire care community have marked World Emoji Day by attempting to imitate them – looking to pull faces and pose in real life as part of an introduction to the colourful icons

They then attempted to draw their own versions with the winning effort from four-year-old Maddox dubbed “Friendly Fred” –which the children would like to see signify care residents as a permanent emoji

With emojis a modern phenomenon that have become part of everyday life in the digital era many care residents are unfamiliar with their use – and are equally as unsure of their meaning

To celebrate the day the care team at Wren Hall a dementia specialist nursing home in Selston, Nottinghamshire, asked residents to guess various emojis meaning before asking them to strike a pose to see if they could copy them and make a passable impression

The care home sits adjacent to Little Wrens nursery and with intergenerational relationships a big part of the ethos within the care community the nursery children were keen to get involved too

The youngsters who are aged between three and five are just starting to become familiar with emojis –and they were happy to have a guess at and imitate the emojis themselves

Following this the residents and children then attempted to draw their own emojis – and were tasked

with trying to convey what life is like at the home/nursery

The winning effort deemed Friendly Fred depicted one of the home s residents When asked for his thinking behind it Maddox (4) said: “The residents are really friendly ” And the rest of the children felt it could be used more widely saying: They [residents] should have their own emoji!”

Anita Astle of Wren Hall said: We had a really fun day imitating emojis with a lot of laughter As you can imagine emojis are a bit of an unknown phenomenon for our residents so we enjoyed introducing them to the concept as well as sharing their meaning – as some can be a little bit confusing!”

She continued: Along with the residents the kids really got stuck in and it was nice to see the juxtaposition of old and young when exploring what s very much a modern innovation And whilst the children are just getting to grips with emojis and will be very much familiar with them within a couple of years it s still great to introduce residents to new things – and they loved doing so ”

Anita added: “The design of “Friendly Fred” was really heartwarming and lovely to see And the fact that the children see the residents as friendly and approachable is what intergenerational relationships are all about It’s a wonderful benefit of our care community and makes coming to work a real joy ”

What To Consider When Choosing A Staff Attack System For Care Settings

With reports revealing up to 85% of care workers experience abuse each year and thousands of serious attacks on carers recorded, the need for reliable, efficient staff attack systems in care settings has never been greater

Protecting care workers is vital for staff morale and productivity but also patient care and long-term treatment outcomes

Choosing the right staff alarm system therefore requires careful consideration and the weighing up of the following factors

EFFICIENCY & SPEED

Quick intervention is crucial when preventing a violent attack In care settings patients may become aggressive suddenly with little to no warning

The most effective staff attack systems work rapidly, allowing employees to summon assistance quickly and easily should they face abusive behaviour from a service user

PRECISE

Equally the accuracy of a staff safety system is a key consideration When an alarm is triggered the response team should be informed of the exact location of the call – allowing for rapid intervention and thus prevention of harm

This is particularly true for large facilities with multiple floors and rooms and in cases where multiple alarms have been activated simultaneously Pinpoint’s latest P2 Graphical Display Unit, for example, clearly demonstrates the call level and precise location of incidents on rotation enabling responders to allocate support as required

USER-FRIENDLY

Staff alarm systems for care workers should be simple-to-use and easily accessible In the face of hostility or violence, carers should be able to activate their personal alarm quickly and without alerting the aggressor

This was a key factor in the development of Pinpoint s new P2 System which benefits from a more sophisticated discreet design Worn on the staff member’s uniform the P2 personal alarm is lightweight and easy to use Employees simply press a button on the device to call for assistance and in more high-risk situations where a service user is becoming aggressive the worker pulls a pin from the bottom of the device to sound an emergency alarm

ROBUSTNESS

Vandalism of safety systems is not uncommon in high-risk work settings, as service users can tamper with or abuse the devices out of frustration Choosing a robust safety system is therefore an important and cost-effective measure for care homes

FOLLOW UP SUPPORT

When looking into staff attack systems it s wise to consider how much follow-up support is offered by the provider the length of the warranty period available, and whether repairs or assistance with maintenance issues is available Doing this from the outset will prevent problems later down the line!

As rates of violence toward staff in Care settings increase, so too does the need for powerful, efficient staff safety systems Choosing the right system will depend on the environment in question the security needs of the staff and the threat posed by service users Keeping the above factors in mind will serve as useful guidance for facilities looking to make the best choice for the safety of their employees

Interested in learning more about Pinpoint s P2 System? Visit www pinpoint ltd uk/staff-safety-system

Excelcare’s Heart ‘n’ Soul Festival Honours Leaders of Soul and Inspires Celebration

Mayoress Lyndsey

Calvert opens the Tiki Bar at Goldenley Care Home

The tiki bar was a project the team and residents from Goldenley Care Home all got involved with The idea started during a meeting with residents where one person suggested they makeover an area of the garden that wasn t frequently used and turn it into a tiki bar Everyone agreed it was a great idea and so the tiki bar project began!

The first step was to find a tiki-style bar they could install in the garden Iris daughter Karen was glad to get involved and found a tiki Bar for sale in Kent

It was perfect and so Karen said she would be happy to collect it and bring it back to Goldenley

When it arrived at Goldenley the team and residents were very excited Everyone agreed it was lovely, but did need a new coat of paint so Lifestyle Coordinator Faith alongside a few ladies living at the home sanded down the bar to remove the old paint, before painting the bar and varnishing the rest The bar was then decorated over the course of a couple of days to give it the finishing touches

Phyllis who lives at Goldenley then told Faith about her granddaughter’s artistic skills and said she could

paint a tiki-style mural on the walls Faith said this would really help to transform the space and said it would be wonderful if Helen could do this

Before long, Helen was in the garden to mark up the wall with sketches she had done at home These sketches included a sunset, a beach scene, palm trees, and toucans Helen then added some colour with help from others and once finished it was a colourful scene that would certainly catch the eye of anyone in the garden

The new garden space looked like a tropical haven and Faith set about organising the grand opening so friends, family and members of the community could see what they had created Faith also invited the children from Appleton School and of course the Mayoress Lyndsey Calvert to cut the ribbon

It was an exciting day when the tiki bar opened and everyone was surprised to see how much they had accomplished in a short space of time After a tour of the home the Mayoress then cut the ribbon and declared the tiki bar open, just in time for summer!

I would like to thank everyone who offered their time and dedication to this project, it looks amazing, and it will be lovely to see the many happy hours for the residents to enjoy” – Faith

Jones Lifestyle Coordinator

Soldiers Visit Huddersfield Care Home on Armed Forces Day

Two serving members of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment went to Aden Lodge Care Home on Long Lane Clayton West to mark the occasion

Stephen Henderson and Jason Lingard spoke to residents about their roles in the Army, the countries they visited on duty, and the medals they have received during their careers

Stephen, who has been in the Army for 30 years, said he had been to Canada Africa America Ireland Afghanistan and Gibraltar among other places

Resident Audrey Mellor 78 took particular interest in hearing about the monkeys in Gibraltar who stole food and personal items from passers-by

Eunice Bedford 90 told the soldiers about her son who had served in the Army, alongside other residents speaking of their relatives who had been in the armed forces

Eunice said “Stephen Henderson looks very much like my son, as

my son was in the Army

While chatting with the residents Stephen and Jason also helped with the refreshments trolley serving cups of tea while answering questions

Sarah Durham, home manager at Aden Lodge Care Home, said: We d like to say a massive thank you to Stephen Henderson and Jason Lingard from the 4th Battalion of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment for visiting us

“Our residents thoroughly enjoyed meeting them, hearing about their roles in the Army asking lots of questions and telling them about their own relatives in the armed forces

“It was a walk down memory lane for many as they remembered their relatives who had served in the past

“Armed Forces Day is an important occasion for our residents, as they remember and show their appreciation for those who have served, as well as those who continue to serve in the armed forces ”

Revitalise Respite Holidays Launches 2023 Summer Season

Revitalise the national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and their carers, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the launch of their 2023 summer season

Revitalise is a unique provider of respite holidays for those who need 24hour care supported by skilled care and nursing staff All centres are fully accessible with specialised facilities and equipment The group has two centres based in Southport and Chigwell and caters for adults with a variety of different disabilities

Revitalise centres offer breaks in a relaxed, holiday-style environment, in which guests can unwind in beautiful settings with access to a wide range of daily activities and evening entertainment There are opportunities to visit new places make new friends participate in wellbeing activities like manicures

and reiki or just enjoy some much-needed time off Emily Sheardown, Reservations Manager says, ‘A Revitalise holiday offers an important lifeline to disabled people and carers who need a break and deserve a proper time away from the day-to-day Summer prices start from £680 for a three- or four-night break Care support packages are priced additionally based on individual support needs Revitalise are launching a campaign in May to highlight the lack of respite care on offer and the urgent need for funding so that more people can take a break

Booking:

Call: 0303 303 0145

Email: bookings@revitalise org uk

Book online: www revitalise org uk/book-now/

100th Birthday Celebration is Jean’s Cup of Tea

A tea-tasting afternoon proved the perfect way for a former seamstress to celebrate her 100th birthday at a Dorset care home

Jean Picton-Turberville reached her centenary having lived for several years at Colten Care s Abbey View in Sherborne

Known as an enthusiast for a great cup of tea, a smiling Jean watched as the home s best bone china cups and saucers were brought out for her birthday party

Her tea connection goes back to just after the Second World War when she lived in Ceylon now Sri Lanka with her husband a manager in the tea industry Abbey View staff arranged a tea-tasting experience for Jean and party guests

After sampling the various offerings Jean naturally chose Ceylon as her personal favourite above others including Darjeeling and Earl Grey

Sara Foster of the Companionship Team at the home said: Jean s children were born in Ceylon, before it became Sri Lanka, and she remains very proud of her connection with the country and the tea trade Her favourite saying is What s better than a cup of tea? Answer: another cup of tea!’

In her working life Jean was a seamstress for the London clothing brand The White House in the 1950s

Among her duties was making baby and toddler dresses for wealthy and titled families with many items produced for overseas orders

The firm located in Bond Street in Jean’s time later moved to Surrey and stopped producing clothes many years ago It now produces luxurious interior accessories for important buildings and the yachts and planes of royal families in the Middle East

Jean s link with the firm was rekindled last year when, thanks to some behindthe-scenes work by Sara contact was made with current managing director John Delliere

He sent Jean a surprise birthday greeting including a bouquet of flowers and a personal letter of congratulations

“I was so surprised to hear from The White House,” said Jean “It was long ago but I still have happy memories of my time there

Sara added: “It was a joy and privilege to help Jean celebrate her 100th birthday She was thrilled to receive her card from the King and was inundated with flowers and cards from family and friends

“Her family also has a connection with Andrew Lloyd-Webber so as well as the tea tasting and birthday cake we all enjoyed listening to some of his music ”

Residents At Cheshire Care Home Explore Town In Style Thanks To Relationship With Local Rickshaw Charity

A Cheshire care home is helping its residents explore their community in style through its relationship with a local rickshaw provider furthering its commitment to offer diverse and engaging activities

Priesty Fields Care Home in Congleton has teamed up with Beartown Rickshaw a local provider of unique transportation experiences to bring joy adventure and a sense of community to the residents by offering them a fun and memorable activity right at their doorstep

The home offers its residents and their family members the opportunity to relish in some fresh air and explore the scenic beauty of Congleton, a town in which many of them grew up The Beartown team which is solely made up of volunteers bring the rickshaw directly to the care home with the tours being tailored to each individual ranging anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour

Resident, Vincent Armstrong, said: “I absolutely loved the rickshaw ride I felt like a king sat in the carriage waving to folk on the way ”

The relationship aligns perfectly with Priesty Fields Care Home’s commitment to enhancing its residents’ quality of life By offering this unique experience the care home aims to promote physical activity stimulate conversation and create lasting memories three essential ingredients to delivering meaningful care

Gill Williams, Home Manager at Priesty Fields, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating:

We are thrilled to join forces with Beartown Rickshaw and offer this exciting activity for our residents It s a wonderful opportunity for them to explore our beautiful town, engage with their fellow residents, and reconnect with the community that many of them grew up in It s also great to see family members joining in as it offers a nice change from regular visits ”

Anthony Bolding from Beartown Rickshaw added: “It’s a real pleasure to work alongside Priesty Fields Care Home and to contribute to the well-being of its residents Our rickshaw tours have always been about creating magical moments and bringing smiles to people’s faces Through this partnership, we hope to brighten the lives of the residents and create cherished memories for everyone involved

£1,400 raised from Care Home Open Week for care charities

The residents and team from Athena Care Homes are celebrating after taking on fundraising challenges and holding a spectacular Summer Fete in aid of two key charities working in the care sector

As part of Athena Care Homes Care Home Open Week celebrations the team and residents at Goodwins Hall Care Home in King’s Lynn laid on an amazing summer fete which featured a BBQ live entertainment

local stall holders, crafts, activities, games for children, and much more

During the event Lucy Hoddy and Katie Wright, from Athena s Learning and Development team took on a ‘pie to the face’ challenge to raise money for the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) and the Care Workers Charity Lucy and Katie were asked a series of 20 challenging trivia questions, put together by our residents When they were unsuccessful with their answers, they received a pie to the face – thrown by the residents friends family and even some of the Athena team!

Lucy Hoddy Learning and Development Manager at Athena Care Homes said It was fantastic to be able to join the Goodwins Hall team for their Summer Fete NAPA and the Care Workers Charities provide essential services which our teams and residents really benefit from I m really delighted we ve been able to make a significant contribution to them both ”

The light-hearted fun turned out to be a huge hit with residents and the local community with the charitable donations from the day reaching a grand total of £1 400 which will be shared evenly between both charities

Michael Butler, Engagement Officer at NAPA, and Neil Flack, National Accounts Manager at the Care Workers Charity both joined the residents at Goodwins Hall for a cheque presentation and to express their thanks to the Goodwins Hall residents

Neil Flack said The Care Workers Charity reached a momentous milestone this week and we know that we couldn’t have awarded 10 000 grants without the support from companies like Athena Care Homes and their wonderful staff Today has not only been a great experience for all involved but the funds raised with help support care workers across the UK Thank you again to everyone who made it such a success

Michael Butler from NAPA added, “We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from Athena Care Homes and their commitment to supporting the care sector The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) plays a vital role in promoting and enhancing the quality of life for individuals in care homes through meaningful activities and engagement With the funds raised we will be able to further our efforts in providing resources, training, and support to activity providers across the country We applaud Athena Care Homes for their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of the individuals the support and for recognising the importance of our work ”

Birthday Celebrations At Bristol Home As Resident Turns 101

There were plenty of celebrations at a Bristol home following the 101st birthday of a resident Gladys Gell moved into the MHA Hartcliffe last month and celebrated her 101st birthday

Gladys is originally from Nottingham and worked for the NHS as a ward sister The home made sure it was a birthday to remember for her by decorating one of the lounges for Gladys and her family to enjoy the day

Birthday banners were put on her bedroom door as well as the kitchen staff baking Gladys a birthday cake which was enjoyed by all

Speaking after her party she said I enjoyed the day and had a lovely birthday cake

I feel the same as when I was 75 so there s no change Angela Osbourne, admin manager said: “Gladys recently moved in the home so when we knew her birthday was coming up we made sure we gave her a nice party

We made a big fuss of her and made sure she settled in okay

“She received a lot of cards and had her son visit for the celebrations which was nice for her

“The party was great, all the residents and staff members joined in to help Gladys celebrate her day

“We all enjoyed the cake, which was amazing and overall, it was a great day ”

Forbes Professional Helps Care Homes Ensure Optimal Protection

Laundry equipment is a critical investment for any care home extending way beyond the delivery of immaculately pressed shirts for discerning residents By choosing specialised commercial appliances the healthcare sector can efficiently process the requisite wash volumes whilst maintaining a safe environment and adhering to stringent regulatory requirements The Association for Applied Hygiene and Robert Koch Institute stipulate that combining disinfection programmes with appropriate segregation of clean and dirty laundry is required for infection control Care homes must also choose a reliable partner for the provision service and maintenance of laundry equipment If a machine breaks down it is imperative to know it will be repaired or replaced urgently as machine downtime can be highly impactful

Forbes Professional carefully select manufacturers in order to deliver the highest standards of product and service A national distribution partner to Miele they install and maintain laundry and dishwashing machines to care homes across the UK Miele is renowned for producing highly energy, water and user efficient appliances Their heat pump dryers reduce energy consumption by an astounding 70% when com-

pared to standard vented dryers making them a great choice for any care home Furthermore, the employment of impressive array of hygiene and safety functions enables Miele s intelligent appliances to continually monitor the parameters that are crucial to disinfection Miele washing machines offer thermal and chemo-thermal disinfection programmes and recent models have received the highly coveted Seal in Black as a testimony to exceptional hygiene standards with special recognition for deactivating more than 99 9% of all viruses

Forbes works closely with clients to deliver a hygienic, efficient solution that meets budget and space requirements and fully complies with WRAS and CQC regulations Their inclusive maintenance and repair services eliminate unexpected expenses and reduce machine downtime Forbes enables invaluable support and adaptability so that care homes can respond to changing resident populations or regulatory guidelines and focus on providing high-quality care knowing that their equipment is in capable hands forbespro

Unpaid Carers – It’s “Back To Dickensian Times”!

Disability Talk an award winning activist organisation currently campaigning on behalf Unpaid Carers, are asking for a Member of Parliament to become an unpaid carer for five days and keep a diary that they could publish!

The organisation states that most people don’t understand that poverty and caring can go hand and hand because many carers have to give up their jobs to care and rely upon the Carer’s Allowance which, if you care for a minimum of 35 hours a week equates to just £2 19 per hour

And with the minimum wage for someone 23 or older being £10 42 an hour an unpaid carer only qualifies for 21% of this!

Does this mean that our Government is relying upon the goodwill of the British Public? – banking on their emotional investment to save the treasury a fortune

To bring this campaign to the forefront Disability Talk asked Helen Whately MP (Minister of State For Social Care) if she would give up 5 days of her parliamentary life and become an unpaid carer and keep a diary however so far Ms Whatley has not replied

Disability Talk are now asking MPs and Ministers (from all of the political parties) to step up and one of them to become that unpaid carer and have partnered with a West Midlands carers charity who

in the Redditch area of the Midlands, lasting up to 5 days with a diary At

are eligible for the

Allowance although for various reasons some 322 023 are not currently claiming them

To be eligible for the Carer s Allowance (amongst many other criteria) you must care for a minimum of 35 hours a week

It is estimated they save the Treasury over £135bn a year

It is felt that there are between 8 million and 13 million unpaid carers in the UK

And what is the definition of an unpaid carer: He or she is a person of any age who provides unpaid help and support to a wife, husband, partner son daughter parent relative partner friend or neighbour who cannot manage without the carers help

And who are they: here is an unpaid carers’ own description:

All across the country in cities towns and villages there is a growing workforce in roles they didn t apply for, which they have no holiday from An unpaid carer becomes a carer due to life events and circumstances An unpaid carer must always be available to take up their caring role and responsibilities whenever called to do so

Many many millions of people provide unpaid care to a child parent or both a sibling a partner or even a friend or neighbour They often feel that they are undervalued unseen and unheard by society

So will one “brave MP take the challenge?

CASPA Announces the Publication of its GP Connect Whitepaper, Releasing A Blueprint For Data Exchange Between Health And Social Care

As the representative organisation for the views and interests of the thriving social care software provider sector the Care Software Providers Association – CASPA - is delighted to announce the latest on its work to advocate for clearer and more joined-up lines of communication between health and social care

CASPA has produced a white paper which presents a blueprint for GP-to-social care data-sharing pathway, giving care providers the solution they need to transfer patient information quickly and accurately

CASPA has been delighted to work with Digital Social Care and NHS Transformation Directorate (NHSTD) on this collaborative project, and is encouraged that social care continues to lead the way on the integration and interoperability agenda

Better data sharing between health and social care with interoperability is key to achieving better patient outcomes and can support social care s important role in keeping people healthy in the community Doing so can relieve pressure on the NHS and help people live happier healthier lives in their local areas

A representative of the CASPA Board commented CASPA is delighted to publish its GP Connect Whitepaper to showcase the impact we are achieving by working with policy makers and influencers such as NHS Transformation and Digital Social Care It has been so encouraging to see CASPA s impact and to be working with committed colleagues in NHSTD who, like CASPA, are keen to see that the social care sector is able to demonstrate its high levels of innovation to the benefit of those receiving care

Blueleaf Care Acquires Nexon To Form A Single Group

Blueleaf Care, the nationwide business that helps care homes deliver better outcomes has acquired Nexon the national distributor of cleaning hygiene and healthcare products to form a single group The acquisition is part of a stated strategy to become the market leader and grow the organisation to £100m turnover within the next five years

Blueleaf benefits from the merger by gaining access to Nexon’s quality client base, niche brands, and further extending its geographic reach in the north Acquiring Nexon also gives it the opportunity to extend its offering beyond the ‘traditional care sector into new areas where Nexon is already established

Nexon benefits significantly from the depth and breadth of Blueleaf s product range enabling it to offer its clients a single source for all their purchasing needs, including furniture, equipment and medical consumables which they currently have to source elsewhere or can’t currently provide Both sets of customers will also benefit from the greater buying power that a larger organisation can bring to offer lower prices in many instances than would previously have been possible

Nick Frogbrook Group Chief Executive says that merging the two businesses will make them stronger together: The market is becoming increasingly competitive he says and standing still is effectively going backwards There is a first mover’ advantage in acting now; prices are continually being squeezed while

costs are rising, and a larger group will have greater buying power to benefit our customers while being able to deliver greater efficiencies through technology infrastructure and people ”

Don Green Director of Business Development at Nexon who will be joining the new leadership team says the decision will create an excellent opportunity for Nexon and its customers: We have effectively reached our ceiling in terms of growth and what we can offer our customers,” he explains

“By merging with Blueleaf, we will continue to partner with our clients in delivering the specialist cleaning and laundry products for which we are well known We are looking forward to being able to offer a much broader range of consumables and equipment at competitive prices and giving our clients an even greater level of support and service by joining with the team at Blueleaf

Blueleaf has spent the last 12 months focusing on improving its own systems, operations infrastructure and teams and building a firm foundation on which to grow

Initially both businesses will continue to trade as they are and will start to come together in 2024 as Nexon s clients are moved across to Blueleaf s more scalable systems and platforms

“Migrating Nexon’s clients onto the Blueleaf platform should be a simple case of ‘lift and drop’ ” Nick continues “Some training may be required in advance to head off any potential difficulties and realise the true benefits of the transition Ahead of any transition it will also be necessary to ensure operationally that the warehouse and stock are aligned and continue without any impact on clients even if the deliveries in the future may come from a different warehouse location

Ronnie Green (Procurement and IT) and Stephen Green (Ops Director) at Nexon will be part of a dedicated team assigned to the integration to ensure that any existing customer KPIs are met and contractual terms honoured

Please visit www blueleafcare com

Charterpoint Receives Planning Permission for New Lubbesthorpe Local Centre and Care Home

Developer Charterpoint in a joint venture with landowner The Drummond Trust has received planning permission to build a new local centre and a 66-bed care home at New Lubbesthorpe a pioneering new community in Blaby, Leicestershire

The mixed-use development features a two-storey local centre which will house a Sainsbury’s Local store and four additional units for retail, including a café/bistro on the ground floor The first floor will be occupied by Forest House Medical Centre

The scheme also includes a 66-bedroom luxury care home to be built over two and three storeys which will be delivered by senior living specialist Charterpoint

Now Blaby District Council has approved the detailed designs for the scheme – giving the green light for the development of both the care home and New Lubbesthorpe Local Centre which is the first retail scheme for the new community

The local centre and care home – designed by Franklin Ellis Architects – will complete the development of the Tay Road feature square that also includes New Lubbesthorpe Primary School Charterpoint MD Giles Nursey said: We are delighted to have received planning permission for this scheme which will deliver New Lubbesthorpe’s first local centre and a state-of-the-art care home for the community

“New Lubbesthorpe is an exciting vibrant community set in a great countryside location just 20 minutes from Leicester city centre and ten minutes from Fosse Park Retail Centre Our scheme in conjunction with the Drummond Trust, will bring much-needed new local facilities to the development

New Lubbesthorpe will eventually feature more than 4 000 new homes Martin Ward development agent for the Drummond Trust said: The Drummond Trust welcomes the granting of planning permission the culmination of many years work by the Trust and our development partners Charterpoint which will enable delivery of much-needed facilities for this growing and vibrant community ”

New Lubbesthorpe is a pioneering new community set in 325 acres of new parklands and wetlands, south of Leicester Forest East Around 927 of the

Edwalton near Nottingham specialises in developing mixed-use and sustainable

Better Pay Is The Solution To England’s Care Recruitment Crisis, Says UNISON

Better pay is the solution to England s care recruitment crisis union Unison has commented following the release of a workforce report earlier this week from Skills for Care

Commenting on the small decrease in the number of vacancies in social care in England reported by Skills for Care UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said

“The need for a new national care service grows more pressing with each passing day

“Until care jobs pay decent wages and offer worthwhile careers the sector is always going to struggle to attract and keep enough staff to meet growing demand and take the pressure off the NHS

Vacancy rates are down slightly because care firms have been on a recruitment drive overseas But migrant workers are now propping up the broken care system

“Many overseas care workers have paid extortionate fees to come to the UK When they get here many can’t believe what they ve signed up for

“Sold an expensive dream, the sad reality for many is a nightmare of terrible treatment scant training excessive hours and low pay The government must hold care providers to account and put a stop to this ill-treatment

“Ministers must stop with the excuses, get a grip and start clearing up the mess they ve let care become

Care homes providing care for older people remained the care homes with the highest proportion of self-funders (48 9%) which was statistically significantly higher than all other care home types; care homes for younger adults remained the lowest (2 0%)

Smaller care homes with 1 to 19 beds remained the care homes with the lowest proportion of self-funders (12 0%) which is statistically signifi-

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Day Of Final Ashes Test To Be Dedicated To Alzheimer’s Society

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has joined forces with leading dementia charity to raise funds and awareness to help stop the devastation caused by dementia

Day three of the Fifth Men’s Test on the 29 July will be dedicated to Alzheimer s Society for the first time in a bid to stump dementia out of the game once and for all

Renamed as LV Insurance Men’s Ashes Test Match: Day 3

Supporting Alzheimer s Society The ECB has teamed up with the dementia charity to raise vital funds and much needed awareness to help bring an end to the devastation caused by dementia

The dedicated day will drive home the reality that 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will develop dementia – that s 1 in 3 who may forget the name of their favourite player or most treasured memory of The Ashes – unthinkable for most fans

Alzheimer s Society CEO Kate Lee said: The pinnacle of professional cricket, the historic Ashes Series draws crowds from around the world in a spectacle like no other ’

Bringing people from all walks of life together under one roof the Ashes delivers unforgettable jaw-dropping moments and treasured memories that stay with fans for a lifetime ’

But sadly forgetting their most precious memories of the Ashes is a heart breaking and devastating reality for so many

We re proud to be joining forces with the ECB for one of the world s most iconic and historical sporting events

‘This Test Match will enable us to provide help and hope to everyone living with dementia by funding

faster diagnosis life-changing support and vital research making a massive difference to fans and players whose lives have been devastated by dementia

Ben Stokes said:‘ The Ashes is one of the great sporting contests, and over the years it has produced so many amazing memories for me and millions more ’

‘As a team we want to entertain and to make many more memories for cricket fans up and down the country

‘But we know that dementia affects far too many people, and has a terrible effect on them and their loved ones

By teaming up with Alzheimer’s Society during the Fifth LV Insurance Men s Test I m pleased we can raise awareness and vital money to help end the devastation caused by dementia

Penny Hoskins whose husband Paul has vascular dementia and Alzheimer s disease said: Me and Paul have been married for 35 years, and in all that time Paul’s second love has always been cricket ’

There are days when the condition is more noticeable but when Paul engages with cricket it s like seeing him as his former self ’

He volunteers at his local cricket club in Horsham every week setting the wickets and keeping the pavilion tidy He loves it, the club are so supportive of Paul and it makes such a wonderful difference to his wellbeing and allows me to get vital respite

The day Paul was diagnosed we went straight to Alzheimer s Society and never looked back ‘Seeing Alzheimer’s Society with its own dedicated day during the Ashes is fantastic and will make a huge

Renfrewshire Care Home Enhances Living Environment with Renovations and Specialist Care Units

A Renfrewshire care home has unveiled a series of renovations aimed at providing an uplifting and enhanced living environment for its residents Westerfield Care Home a residential, nursing and dementia home in Paisley has added the finishing touches to its exciting new renovations which includes the addition of new furniture, a refurbished hair salon, and the transformation of the quiet lounge into a private dining room

The home also features specialist units staffed with expert teams who provide personalised care for specific requirements ensuring that residents receive the attention they deserve in a safe and supportive environment

The units are designed to support residents with dementia, promoting a calming environment and assisting in slowing down the advancement of the disease Additionally, the care home boasts a secure garden, allowing residents to enjoy quality time outdoors while maintaining their safety

The updates and modernisation signify a renewed commitment from the High Calside home to enhancing the quality of life for its residents as well as providing a fresh and rejuvenated ambiance

Catherine Galbraith Home Manager at Westerfield Care Home, said: “We have seen a real benefit from

the integration of residents with dementia into the wider home Ultimately, we ve found that matching these residents to specific units has enabled us to have a calm atmosphere within the home

For example if we have someone with an issue with eating and not knowing what to do with the food, they may watch someone else at their table in their unit and copy their actions The integration plus the other renovations within the home has changed and uplifted the care environment making it the best possible place to live and work ”

Westerfield Care Home specialises in providing residential nursing and dementia care tailored to suit individual preferences in Paisley and wider Renfrewshire The home prioritises the well-being and happiness of its residents by offering a wide range of activities and creating a nurturing and supportive environment

Talking of the home resident Irene Harvey said: “Since I've been here I've found that it s exactly what I needed It s the type of place where I can be myself but I can also be with other people I go to the art group on a Tuesday and we paint with acrylics which is something I hadn t done since childhood, so it's very enjoyable ”

Case Study: Bathing Cushion Has Enabled Carers To Bathe A Man Who Was Previously Afraid Of Water

Staff at a Yorkshire assisted living complex can deliver dignified safe supported personal hygiene to a man with dementia via Aqua Liberty- a unique bathing support system

The gentleman lives in supported accommodation and receives 24 hr care

He has recently been diagnosed with dementia and has complex mental and physical disabilities He is non-verbal and is hoisted for all transfers He has high muscle tone in his arms and legs which mean he benefits from being immersed in water He previously enjoyed baths when he lived at home and this is something his family told the care team that he loved

Since moving into supported accommodation and being diagnosed with dementia staff had been unable to support him to shower as he became distressed when the water hit his body

He would hit out at the people supporting him Staff tried to lower him into the bath via the ceiling track hoist but as soon as his body contacted the water he became distressed Staff had therefore been strip washing daily on the bed which was also distressing for this man due to the number of movements required whilst he was lying on the bed

The Occupational Therapist involved in the man s case Julie Snowden from Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, felt that there were some issues with proprioception and him feeling unsafe and disorientated when he didn t know where his body was in space He also needed postural support as his core stability was poor and he benefited greatly from the feeling of being safe and ‘cocooned’ Julie suggested trying AAT’s Aqua Liberty vacuum posture support system hoisting him slowly into the

bath with the bath cushion already in place

Aqua Liberty is the only vacuum support cushion system that fits any bath and any user It is also unique in being developed in the UK in partnership with individuals with a disability and Occupational Therapists

The lightweight adjustable system comprises a central flexible backpiece that fits any bath It is quick and easy to secure into position and to remove Any of a range of “mix and match” vacuum posture cushions is then easily attached to the backpiece to provide infinitely remouldable adjustable pressure-free support for the bather

In this case a Comfortable Plus cushions was used Combining a corset and and seat in one the Comfortable Plus Duo delivers correct torso and pelvis positioning stabilising her vertically and laterally holding her in place without pressure By making use of vacuum technology the cushion can be precisely altered by carers to deliver optimal comfort as needed without pressure points

Commented Julie: Although he initially became slightly worried once his body came into contact with the bath cushion and he was sitting in it, he became visibly relaxed Staff were able to support him to bathe for the first time! Bathing with the Aqua Liberty is now an essential part of his routine; a bath helps him to relax, reduces muscle tone, aids digestion and is something he now thoroughly enjoys ”

To find out more about the Aqua Liberty system including booking of free no obligation assessments visit https://www aatgb com/aqua-liberty/ On AAT’s website www aatgb com you can also arrange a free trial of the system and ask any questions via LiveChat

Pupils Make Barbara’s Wish Come True

When retired children s nurse Barbara Doubtfire told the team at the nursing home where she lives in Wellington, Somerset, how much she d like to see young people again they were delighted by the reaction of the local primary school to their request for help

The response from Year 5 pupils at St John s C of E Primary was to send invitations to Barbara and other residents from Camelot House and Lodge to attend a special end-ofterm tea party organised just for them

Richard Dempslake, activities co-ordinator at Barbara s dementia care home said: We asked our residents what they d put on their bucket list – what would they like to do or experience again

“Barbara’s wish was simple – she just wanted to enjoy some children s company again

“She spent her working life as a children’s nurse in a hospital in Stockton-on-Tees in the intensive care ward and often talks about her experiences at the hospital, telling us how much she loved taking care of children no matter how heartbreaking it sometimes was

“We were really touched by her wish and wanted to bring some children into her

life so I emailed St John’s school in Wellington and Sarah Brown who teaches Lark Class, replied almost immediately with invitations from her class for Barbara to come to this special tea party at St John’s Church

It was such a lovely event and the children worked really hard to make it a success

Everyone enjoyed themselves so much and Barbara was particularly happy It was lovely to see

Huge thanks to Mrs Brown and Lark Class for making Barbara s wish come true ”

Sarah Brown said: An enjoyable afternoon was had by all in Lark class at our special pupil chaplain tea party

“Elderly residents within our community joined us and we shared some of our favourite books got creative and made bookmarks were treated to performances from our pupil chaplains including singing acting playing the guitar and piano and finished with enjoying some tasty treats A fantastic effort by all and what a wonderful way to bring our community together ”

Special Award For Bideford Care Home At Awards Ceremony

Care South’s Kenwith Castle care home in Bideford is celebrating after being awarded the Dining Excellence award at the company s annual awards ceremony, held on Thursday 13th July at AFC Bournemouth s Vitality Stadium

Now in its 14th year, the Stars Awards recognise and reward individuals and teams from across the company for their outstanding achievements and excellent care provision They are an important event during which time is taken to celebrate care staff and thank them for their frontline duties and commitment to residents

Nominees are put forward by colleagues, residents and relatives

The ceremony was held at AFC Bournemouth s Vitality Stadium with Care South s Chairman, Chris Kean and Chief Executive, Simon Bird hosting care homes and Care South at Home offices who had been named as finalists

Kenwith Castle scooped the Dining Excellence award for its consistent high standards of fresh and well-balanced meals and its welcome and well-presented dining room The home was also praised for holding regular food-related activities

Amanda Williams, Home Manager at Kenwith Castle, said: “I am so proud of my colleagues at Kenwith

Castle Dining is such an important aspect of care home life and ties into the Care South ethos of Food Fun and Friendship The team are always working so hard to provide residents in our care with the highest quality of meals To have our team presented with this award simply demonstrates that this is a great team effort by everyone in the home They all play their part in making the difference

Bela Racz Chef at Kenwith Castle added “At the heart of our home is Food Fun and Friendship with hearty nutritious meals Mealtimes are very important and residents love coming together to enjoy delicious food with their friends The menus on offer are expertly crafted by the kitchen team and are all cooked and prepared onsite We are all passionate about providing high-quality food for residents and cater for all dietary requirements and preferences and always maintain the same high standards when preparing alternative meals ”

Simon Bird Chief Executive at Care South commented: Many congratulations to Kenwith Castle for their fantastic award This award provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the professionalism passion and commitment to the delicious food that is carefully crafted and delivered day in day out and gives us the chance to acknowledge and thank everyone for their hard work and dedication ”

Autumna Increases Enquiries For Care Homes Using Digital Mapping

the best location to receive the largest number of enquiries possible and we could only do this with geospatial technology,” explained Debbie Harris founder of Autumna We chose to work with Esri UK due to its impressive pedigree and how accessible the software was " Plotting providers and care seekers from the last four years on the same map instantly gave us a clear picture of demand hotspots along with hotspots for the type and cost of care being sought It’s a different way of looking at our data and creates new insights which we ve been able to share with customers The approach eliminates a lot of risk for them by revealing which of their locations are best suited to invest in a premium profile so helps create a more reliable relationship with us ”

Four Seasons Health Care Group upgraded a single listing to the premium level and saw a 40% increase in enquiries As a result it decided to look at other areas and increased the number of upgraded listings to 40 homes and the number of enquiries generated more than doubled

formed Esri technology enables users to forecast how the demand versus availability is going to change in the future

Autumna the UK’s largest directory of care home and retirement living providers is using digital mapping software from Esri UK to help its customers market their properties more effectively and increase queries from care seekers

Using spatial analysis to identify where most care seeker queries are coming from Autumna is able to tell care providers which properties are best suited to promote on its platform using premium profiles One care provider Four Seasons Health Care Group has seen queries from care seekers more than double across 40 care homes since using the service

The new mapping solution from Esri UK replaces manual processes using spreadsheets and static PDF reports By visualising query traffic on an interactive map dashboard the data is validated as users can see it is real Autumna introduced the new mapping technology as it wanted to understand the impact of location on searches for care homes and help care providers achieve the best ROI on their marketing spend

“We needed to examine which care homes in the country were in

“Seeing where demand is coming from on a map instantly reveals where we should invest in more premium profiles which helps maximise our marketing investment,” said Tessa Matthews, Head of Marketing and Digital Four Seasons Health Care Group Esri geospatial technology is also being used to support Autumna’s recently launched Dashboard for Accelerated Discharge tool (D A D ) By automating the currently manual process of searching for care D A D works with discharge teams and care providers to identify available appropriate care within 60 minutes of a search request being per-

Future plans include using the demand data to advise providers where is best to open a new care home Autumna is also planning to feed census and other demographic data into the system to understand population changes and trends over time which might impact the industry

“The use of spatial analysis in the care sector is relatively new,” continued Debbie We began working with Esri UK and experimenting with its geospatial software over a year ago and it’s now integrated into our business We knew we had a lot of data that we weren t using properly and location is perhaps the most important part of a search for care and very difficult to analyse without a map Now we can easily demonstrate where care requirements are coming from along with budget hotspots The geospatial approach lets us understand the care seeker better and the more we understand them the more we can improve our processes ”

About Esri UK

Founded in 1969 Esri is the global market leader in Geographic Information System (GIS) software mapping and spatial analysis and today has 4 000 staff in 73 countries Esri UK customers include UK Health Security Agency Public Health Scotland and NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit

Website: www esriuk com/health

Email: healthcare@esriuk com

Tel: 01296 745599

TLC Care Choir Spreads Love And Celebrates Diversity During Pride Month

Team members across the nine homes and the Support Office of care home group TLC Care, joined forces to participate in the much-anticipated ‘TLC Care Choir Sings for Love’ event This enchanting musical celebration was organised as part of the company’s ‘Love is Love festivities during Pride Month

The TLC Care Choir composed of talented individuals from various departments came together to deliver a captivating performance of three uplifting songs including the Beatles, All You Need is Love, Bob Marley’s, One Love and L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole The morning was filled with joy harmony and a powerful message of acceptance, underscoring the organisation’s unwavering commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

The highlight of the event was the choir s performance of L-O-V-E to Cooperscroft Care Home where residents were treated to a musical experience The soulful voices of the TLC Care Choir filled the air touching

hearts and uplifting spirits The residents, with smiles on their faces swayed along to the melodies

Pride Month serves as a reminder to celebrate and honour the LGBTQ+ community their struggles achievements and the ongoing fight for equality TLC Care recognises the importance of creating a safe and accepting environment for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity Through events like the TLC Care Choir Sings for Love,’ the organisation affirms its dedication to fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and compassion within its communities

Speaking about the event, Lorna Russell, Chief Operating Officer at TLC Care expressed their pride in the company s team members and their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity She said We are incredibly proud of our team members for coming together to celebrate Pride Month and showcase our col-

Anyone For Tennis? Care Home Residents Celebrate Watching Their Favourite Sporting Fixture

Residents and staff at Austen House care home in Lower Earley Reading were at the ready for Wimbledon Final on 16th of July with delicious strawberries and cream all washed down with a glass of Pimm’s Tennis fans at Austen House were delighted to be able to watch this year’s 136th Championships Residents and staff got together to watch the matches and celebrated by having afternoon tea whipped up by head chef Ainsworth Brown with traditional Wimbledon-inspired strawberry and cream treats

Joseph Patterson General Manager at the home said: “We’ve had a fantastic time celebrating the return of Wimbledon it is always a firm favourite with our residents We’ve been watching as much as we possibly could this year and enjoyed every minute!

Resident Roger commented: “I absolutely love watching Wimbledon it is definitely my favourite sporting fixture It was lovely to watch the matches with all my friends here and to enjoy all the delicious treats ”

New Chester Exhibition Showcases

Creative Arts Approach To Dementia Care

An arts research project exploring how creativity can promote the wellbeing of people living with dementia in Chester has been unveiled for public viewing

Seen and Heard – Adventures in Arts and Dementia showcases the latest chapter in the collaboration between not-for-profit care operator, Belong Chester, and the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s contemporary arts centre Artists commissioned by the project Brigitte Jurack Mary

Prestidge Jonathan Raisin Alan Dunn Roger Hill and Tabitha Moses have spent five months working with the dementia specialist’s customers in their City Road home as well as with children from its integrated onsite nursery

Now available for viewing their activities in sculpture dance sound art, painting and drawing come to life through a fascinating exhibition at the Grosvenor Museum with a dedicated space contextualising dementia and a film screening featuring interviews with the artists and participants

Work including ceramics paintings postcards and even tongue twisters is on display alongside a timeline of the wider Where the Arts Belong project which has seen artists working with Belong s customers from

across the region since 2019

In September a symposium to be held in Chester will bring together the project s findings explore how it has helped those involved and discuss the wider implications for the use of arts in care environments

Tabitha Moses, artist and project facilitator from the Bluecoat, said: We are pleased to be showing Chester the fruits of our labour The Seen and Heard – Adventures in Arts and Dementia exhibition features Belong customers great work celebrates them and what they ve achieved

“We hope that the conversations that come out will go some way towards changing the perception of life with the condition and evidence the amazing impact arts engagement has proving it is possible to live well with dementia

Sue Goldsmith chief operating officer at Belong added: “Our fouryear collaboration with the Bluecoat has proven to be highly successful with our customers relishing the opportunity to work alongside the artists learning new skills and enjoying the delights of creative expression We invite everyone to join us at the Grosvenor Museum to see the work for themselves ”

Greensleeves Care Report Shows

Over whelming Majority are Happy with Care

Greensleeves Care has released its 2023 Customer Experience Report, which finds that the absolute majority of its residents are happy with the organisation’s care provision

The report details the results of the organisation’s annual survey which encourages feedback from residents across its care homes It also gathers thoughts from their families and friends as well as visiting professionals such as those from the NHS social services and local authorities

The latest report, which is based on the survey issued in summer 2022, found satisfaction levels consistently in the 90-100% bracket including 93% of residents and 94% of relatives are happy with the care

• 92% of relatives and visiting professionals feel consistently welcomed and supported in our homes

• 97% of residents feeling satisfied with how staff support them

100% of visiting professionals would recommend Greensleeves Care Statements such as “I feel safe”, “I feel content”, and “I feel at home” were also among the most commonly selected answers by residents

The feedback also helps the organisation identify areas where it could

do better, including addressing perceptions on staffing levels and ensuring the activities provision continues to be consistently strong

Julie Clarges Director of Quality and Compliance at Greensleeves Care said:

We have an ethos of openness and transparency at Greensleeves Care and we actively encourage our residents and their families to share questions concerns and positive feedback throughout the year

“Our annual survey allows us to dig a bit deeper, gather comparable data and identify any areas where we could do better I am thrilled to see such overwhelmingly positive results particularly after a year of continued challenges in the sector It shows that our communities of care continue to be strong and that both our colleagues skill and dedication and the environments we build, continue to have a positive impact on our residents, families and visitors

Read the 2023 Customer Experience Report in full: https://cdn greensleeves org uk/wpcontent/uploads/2023/07/13115530/Customer-Experience-Report-

Long Ser vice Awards For Three Staff

Members Combines To 30-Year Ser vice

Three staff members at a Sussex home were recognised for their services with long service awards combining to an overall service of 30 years

Kathy Christine and Dominik all work at MHA Lauriston and were awarded for their services to the home

The trio were presented with a 10-year service award certificate as well as some gifts

The award presentation was a surprise for the three of them much to their delight

The home provides residential nursing and residential dementia care for 60 residents

Dionne McEwan, home manager said:

All three colleagues are a huge asset to MHA Lauriston

Their attitude and desire to help other staff members is second to none and I am very happy to have them as colleagues

They are a crucial part of the workforce and we are all very proud of them for their achievement

“I knew they were coming up to their 10year service mark so made sure we did something to mark it

“They were very surprised and it was something that put a smile on their faces which was great to see

We hope to have them here for many more years and I wish them all the best ”

Food Industr y Set to Celebrate the Versatility of Rice with National Rice Week ‘Rice Up Your Life’ from 11th-17th

Returning for the sixth year The Rice Association is once again inviting the nation to ‘Rice Up Your Life’ for National Rice Week with a multichannel consumer campaign to raise the profile of the UK rice sector Running from 11th -17th September, the Association is calling on food businesses, wholesalers retailers and the food service sector to celebrate one of the most convenient, easy to cook and great value foods available

With support from relevant influencers the campaign content will range from inspiring yet easy to cook recipes and serving ideas to myth busting facts and nutritional information From creating fakeaways at home to delicious and nutritious meals for all the family there are so many ways to enjoy and celebrate this nutritious, versatile grain, whether at home or eating out

The 2023 National Rice Week campaign will engage with consumers on social channels and via relevant influencers and support this with media outreach The activity will showcase the many ways people can use and enjoy the different rice varieties both in and out of home

Jon Calland Chair of The Rice Association says “National Rice Week is a wonderful opportunity for the whole food industry to celebrate the versatility of this great value grain and help consumers learn more of the different ways to enjoy rice appreciate it s many benefits and ultimately increase consumption Rice can be used to create flavoursome, meals for every taste

and type of cuisine in fact UK consumers today enjoy the widest selection of rice varieties from across the world We re now calling on brands retailers wholesalers and foodservice sectors to get involved and celebrate National Rice Week this September ”

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN MAKE THE MOST OF NATIONAL RICE WEEK

Feature National Rice Week in your promotional campaigns and marketing activity – use the logo (available from The Rice Association) to highlight the campaign on packaging in-store and on in-house material

Use National Rice Week to launch new products

Hold in-store tastings, promotions or competitions

Work with customers and suppliers to create events and promotions around National Rice Week

Share content online across websites and social media channels using #NationalRiceWeek and #RiceUpYourLife and inspire social media followers to cook with rice whether that be innovative new recipes or old favourites

Ensure that your whole business knows about National Rice Week –from the sales and marketing teams through to those working in-store

The Rice Association hopes that every kind of business in the UK that works with rice will want to get involved in this year s National Rice Week

Commercial Kitchen and Laundr y Solutions (CKLS)

Commercial Kitchen and Laundry Solutions (CKLS) are one of the UK s leading suppliers of commercial kitchen and laundry equipment Whether you are a small sized residential home or large scale nursing home group, CKLS has the expertise and equipment

Cash’s Labels- “The Name Behind the Name”

Cash s Apparel Solutions have been trading since 1846 and have built up a reputation for superior value for money quality personalised and non-personalised items for many different outlets We supply to Nursing and Residential Homes Schools Scout Cub Guide and Brownie Groups as well as to the small or large business entrepreneur Our range of Designer name tapes add a professional look to garments crafts or other hobby items

Many of us have loved ones relatives or friends who need specialist care in a Nursing or Residential Home In this busy environment clothes and personal items can easily get misplaced if they are not

named, otherwise this can become very stressful for the resident relatives and the Care Home itself

Our woven clothing name tapes are extremely robust and are sewn on to garments to ensure that they stand the rigorous washing processes necessary Self-adhesive labels are easily applied to name shoes and books and make marking treasured items effortless to most other non-fabric items

We have recently introduced several new items such as magnetic name tags and personalised hi-vis jackets along with updated gifts such as personalised mugs and mousemats Check out the ad on page 9 for our offer code

Visit www cashslabels com

Essential Insurance Covers For Your Care Home

often determined by best practice to ensure the resident or patient is as comfortable as they can be Unfortunately this means mistakes can creep in A single mistake can result in a negative impact on your patient whether that be from medical treatment or advice This can lead to a potential claim for medical malpractice

Medical malpractice cover is not only a legal requirement to anyone providing professional healthcare services but also offers peace of mind by covering the cost of any losses that arise from defending and settling a claim This means that during a claim, your business can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible

BUILDINGS AND CONTENTS INSURANCE

As a care home owner or manager you will offer a variety of services to meet the needs of your residents

Typically the care you provide is likely to vary with anything from basic care and accommodation through to respite end-of-life and specialist care for dementia patients

Providing the very best care for your residents will be at the heart of everything you do, but the care you deliver is not without risk and therefore having the right insurance in place is something that should be high on your list of priorities Not only does your insurance need to be tailored to protect the care services you provide but you also need to consider the regulatory bodies you adhere to protection for your staff as well as covering the premises and its contents

Here are some covers you must consider

LIABILITY COVER

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) states that all care and nursing homes require insurance, and without it they are unable to operate The mandatory insurance requirements from the CQC are Public and Employers Liability cover Any additional covers will depend on the type of care facility you own Public Liability Insurance will cover the cost of compensation to third parties in the event of death bodily injury or damage to their property which occurs because of your business activities for example if a resident’s family member slips on an upturned carpet

Unlike Public Liability Employers Liability cover is a legal requirement for anybody employing staff including volunteers It covers you financially for any compensation costs or legal fees that may occur because of company negligence Employers Liability Insurance will also cover you for employees that have long left your business and may only now bring a claim against you

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Your carers will be skilled in what they do and usually have several qualifications but their decisions are

Of course your business is home for your residents or patients Ensuring ample furniture is provided should be a necessity If they are accidentally damaged you may need to replace them The building itself is just as important If, for instance, the premises suffer a flood, how would the building hold? In extreme cases such as a fire or explosion a total rebuild may be necessary which would cost a considerable amount

Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing damage to the structure of your property and provided that accurate sums insured are declared it should cover the cost to rebuild the entire property Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing your possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen It includes everything you would take with you if you moved premises for example your furniture kitchen appliances and computing equipment

ARE YOU AT RISK OF UNDERINSURANCE?

If a business is underinsured in any capacity it could leave them with a financial burden should a claim be made While large corporations may be able to recover from the financial losses incurred because of underinsurance small to medium sized businesses may feel the effects of the loss more keenly owing to their sometimes already tight profit margins

Underinsurance may happen for many reasons e g using out of date estimates of your building sums insured having inadequate or unrealistic indemnity periods or not reviewing your level of cover as your operating models change

The most effective way of overcoming the risk of underinsurance is by talking to an experienced and knowledgeable insurance broker

The friendly team at Barnes Commercial can review your policy and make sure you have the correct level of cover in place

Send an email to enquires@barnesinsurancebroker co uk or call 01480 272727 to make an appointment

UNIFORMS AND WORKWEAR WHEN QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL

The social care and care home sector in the UK is an essential industry that provides care and support to some of the most vulnerable members of society Within this sector, uniforms and workwear play a vital role in maintaining a professional and hygienic environment In this article we will explore the importance of uniforms and workwear in the UK social care and care home sector highlighting appearance comfort design branding health and safety infection control contamination care, maintenance, and laundering

APPEARANCE

One of the primary functions of uniforms and workwear in the social care and care home sector is to ensure a professional appearance Care workers wearing a uniform can help to establish a sense of authority and professionalism which can be reassuring to patients and their families A uniform also helps to create a sense of unity and can help to build a strong team spirit

COMFORT

Care workers spend long hours on their feet and engage in a range of physical activities that require a high degree of mobility As such, it is essential that uniforms and workwear are comfortable and allow for ease of movement The materials used should be breathable lightweight and flexible ensuring that workers can move freely and remain comfortable throughout their shift

DESIGN AND BRANDING

The design and branding of uniforms and workwear play an important role in creating a sense of identity and promoting the values and ethos of a care home or social care provider Uniforms can feature the company logo name and colors creating a visual representation of the brand A well-designed uniform can help to establish a sense of pride and belonging among employees and can also help to create a positive impression on patients and visitors

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Uniforms and workwear must adhere to strict health and safety standards to ensure the safety of care workers and their patients Materials used in uniforms and workwear must be flame-resistant non-toxic and non-allergenic Clothing must also be designed to minimize the risk of injury, such as by incorporating reflective strips to enhance visibility in low light conditions

INFECTION CONTROL AND CONTAMINATION

Infection control and contamination are critical concerns in the social care and care home sector Uniforms and workwear must be designed with infection control in mind with materials that are easy to clean and disinfect Clothing must be able to withstand frequent washing and must not shrink or lose its shape over time Uniforms and workwear must also be designed to minimize the risk of cross-contamination with separate clothing for different areas of a care home or hospital, such as clean and dirty areas

RECOMMENDED LAUNDRY TEMPERATURES

The temperature at which uniforms and workwear are laundered is an essential factor in preventing the spread of infections and crosscontamination The recommended laundry temperature for healthcare uniforms and workwear is typically between 60-90 degrees Celsius Washing at these high temperatures can help to kill bacteria and viruses and prevent the spread of infections

PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY SERVICES

To ensure compliance with legislation and maintain high standards of hygiene many care homes and social care providers opt to use professional laundry services These laundry services have the necessary equipment and expertise to handle the laundering of healthcare uniforms and workwear Professional laundry services use specific deter-

gents and washing programs that are designed to kill bacteria and viruses

SEPARATING CLEAN AND DIRTY UNIFORMS

It is essential to separate clean and dirty uniforms to prevent crosscontamination Dirty uniforms and workwear should be placed in designated laundry bags or containers and clean uniforms should be stored separately Staff should be trained to handle soiled uniforms and workwear with care to avoid spreading any potential infections

PRE-TREATING STAINS

Pre-treating stains is an essential step in maintaining clean and hygienic uniforms Staff should treat stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in It is best to use a pre-treatment product that is safe and compatible with the type of fabric used in the uniform or workwear Pre-treatment can help to remove stubborn stains and prevent them from becoming permanent

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DETERGENT

Choosing the right detergent is critical to maintaining clean and hygienic uniforms It is best to use a detergent that is effective at removing stains and bacteria and is safe for the environment Many detergents contain antibacterial agents that help to kill bacteria and viruses It is also essential to choose a detergent that is compatible with the type of fabric used in the uniform or workwear

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The UK social care and care home sector is subject to a range of legal requirements and recommendations related to uniforms and workwear The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including uniforms and workwear in healthcare settings Care homes and social care providers must also comply with infection control guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

In conclusion uniforms and workwear play a critical role in the UK social care and care home sector ensuring a professional appearance promoting comfort and mobility, and ensuring the safety of care workers and their patients Uniforms and workwear must be designed with infection control in mind and must be properly cared for and maintained to ensure cleanliness

UNIFORMS AND WORKWEAR WHEN QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL

CiCLO® Fabric Technology

An Innovative Way To Combat Plastic Waste

Did you know that over 60% of today s textiles are made from synthetic fibres which are not biodegradable? Almost all fabrics shed tiny microfibres during manufacture use and care When we wash these materials they shed millions of these plastic microfibres that pass through wastewater treatment and into the sea unless they are made with CiCLO® technology

CiCLO® is an invisible sustainable additive blended into the garment fabric at the manufacturing stage The non-toxic technology is permanently embedded, so will never wash out

It enables the synthetic plastic-based fibres to behave more like natural fibres such as wool but improves on natural fibres by biodegrading faster and helping to reduce the accumulation of plastic waster in landfill and plastic in our oceans

Our new Landau Forward range is made with this

Your One Stop Shop For Branded Uniforms

innovation CiCLO® technology

An exciting addition to the healthcare scrubs portfolio not only are these textiles eco-friendly and kinder to our planet but are also designed for style comfort and adaptability

The premium scrub collection offers six activewear-inspired styles that include scrub tops and bottoms zip jacket and a modern crew-neck base layer In addition to the sustainable element of the fabric the Forward collection also boasts 4-way stretch fabric, flexible side panels for added movement and modern ribbed trims on necklines waistbands and cuffs for enhanced optimum comfort and styling For practicality the scrubs are moisture-wicking include plenty of pockets and are also fade and wrinkle resistant www grahamegardner co uk

Info@grahamegardner co uk

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• Generous sizing with action back

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ACCESSIBLE BATHING

Introducing The New Pressalit Matrix Height And Sideways Ad justable Washbasin

In any accessible bathroom space is key and with Pressalit s new height and sideways adjustable MATRIX washbasin, creating space quickly and hygienically has just got easier

The world leading manufacturer and designer Pressalit has introduced the MATRIX washbasin bracket with a choice of integrated basin styles the MATRIX MEDIUM or MATRIX ANGLE DEEP featuring a new simple to use discreet adjustment for both height and sideways movement

The ultimate in functionality and hygiene the MATRIX washbasin makes the best use of space in the bathroom whilst accommodating the changing needs of both users and caregivers Supporting self-reliance space optimisation and a sense of security in the bathroom the new adjustable washbasin has been designed for use in a wide variety of installations from a private home care setting institution or a hospital

Whether for a seated or standing user or when a carer is assisting the new MATRIX washbasin offers a flexible solution and safe working environment offering the commitment to quality practicality and design that Pressalit makes its priority

The easy-to-move washbasin can be adjusted smoothly sideways to a range of 500mm to create greater access when using the shower or toilet for a wheelchair user and carer, by means of a discreet handle located underneath the basin Adjustment can be carried out safely with one hand and requires very little hand strength to operate

The vertical rise and fall allows for a variation of 300mm with options available for either a manual han-

dle or intuitive electric power button

The latter is recommended for a care or hospital setting where frequent adjustment is required, offering huge time saving benefits and improved working conditions for staff whilst the manual solution is suitable for a bathroom where there’s only one user or multiple users with the same needs

The MATRIX MEDIUM AND MATRIX DEEP ANGLE washbasins both feature integrated handles for additional user support

With both hygiene and aesthetics in mind the discreet MATRIX bracket s operating panel fits tightly against the wall and snugly against the washbasin, preventing dust and dirt from settling in hard-to-reach places All surfaces are large smooth and easy to wipe

Andrew Lowndes Sales Director for Pressalit in the UK says Some people need a lot of help in the bathroom others little or none

The new MATRIX basin bracket is a flexible solution taking into account the specific needs of the user at any given time By simple adjustment for height or to create space sideways for greater access to the shower or toilet for wheelchairs this helps create situations that boost self-reliance and help provide a greater degree of freedom ”

Pressalit has many years of experience and expertise in the field of designing accessible bathrooms The company will provide advice on everything from space optimisation to rules and guidelines for design and the choice of solution and installation creating the best conditions for the user and where needed a carer or health professional

https://pressalit com/en-uk/products/matrix-adjustable-washbasin-solution/

Reval - Leaders in Assisted Bathing

Reval have been manufacturing assisted bathing and showering products for more than 46 years Reval has a wide and varied range of high-end equipment uses and available and used extensively is all healthcare sectors Our range includes

Assisted bathing systems

Ceiling track and mobile hoists

Assisted showering appliances and wet room equipment

• Shower and sluice systems

Hydro-therapy pools and changing room

As a manufacturer, we can offer a direct service - delivering best value for our customers All services are delivered by our highly trained product specialists and tech-service teams Our aim is to deliver a seamless service based on careful planning process expert-

ise and our unravelled “Know How”

The truly unique thing about Reval is its business model To explain; unlike all other equipment providers in our sector Reval strategy is based on delivering quality products designed to be long-term-reliable which only require preventative maintenance annually

Our three year no-quibble warranty policy provides clients with peace of mind Reval and ensure your costs are minimised We are not interested in tying customers into expensive service contracts This is not our strategy! Our strategy means we can be leaner and more controlled thanks to Just – in – Time parts sourcing process making parts immediately available improving our service to our clients

Reval design and manufacture highly innovative products to improve lives outcomes, and working environments This approach to design-manufacturing enables care operators to limit their risks and optimise their services and patient outcomes Our team of fieldbased product specialists are highly trained and competent in all the disciplines required to conduct holistic product assessment technical building surveys and commercial aspects of product provision

Our strategy and emphasis are on undisrupted service over the lifetime of your appliance Reval s spare parts business is less than 10% of its total business proving further our company’s commitment to quality and reliability and we are constantly working to develop new ways to reduce our aftersales business because in doing so we pass on savings and service continuation to you over the lifetime of your product

Most of all; Reval is renowned for its innovation and its ability to design products that make a difference To improve your service and profitability or if you are looking for that products which truly makes a difference give us a call today there nothing to lose

+44 01656 721 001 | sales@revalcc com | www revalcc co uk

Adapting Cleaning and Infection Control Practices for the Residential and Social Care Setting

By Liam Grimshaw (BSc (Hons) MSc by research)

Legionella Risk Assessments

generally be flu-like and may dissipate without treatment The more serious illness can involve hospitalisation including ICU and even death Public Health England confirms there were 503 cases of Legionnaires' Disease in 2019 for England and Wales – an average of almost 10 cases a week (Latest available data)

and then a suitable water management scheme is put in place and followed This will include monitoring of outlets and water tanks and may include regular water sampling and disinfections The Legionella risk assessment needs to be carried out to BS8580 by a competent, i e trained person

The bacteria is ingested by human beings in the form of an aerosol and then infects the lungs the symptoms are similar to flu and also Covid 19 The mild illness is called Pontiac fever and will

The most common sources are from showers or other equipment such as cooling towers that produce an aerosol Stagnation is also a major factor in increasing the risk to mitigate this any low use/seldom used outlets should be run off weekly Temperature monitoring is also advisable both of these actions MUST be recorded

In summation: A current Legionella risk assessment and appropriate water hygiene management and monitoring scheme will prevent the bacteria proliferation within the systems and therefore significantly reduce the risk to Staff and public health Steve Dillon

(Advanced WMSoC Legionella Risk Assessor) Managing Director Stokefield Water Treatment Ltd

See the advert on this page for details

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Omnitex Hygiene Products

Omnitex represents all round protection and hygiene products Launched in 2015 it has quickly become a brand synonymous with high quality used everyday by thousands of individuals and healthcare facilities throughout the UK and Europe

All products are manufactured in ISO9001 and ISO13485 certified facilities Omnitex Body Cleansing wipes are a large size, which the ideal thickness for a comfortable cleaning experience Bulk pack of 80 wipes, with our unique enriching formula and microwaveable Microwaveable for a warm bed bath Lightly fragranced and with a honeycomb texture on Wipes facilitating better cleaning coverage absorbency and hygiene

Swiftclean Support for Care Homes

Running a care home

each

Angloplas Dispensers Help Reduce the Risk of Cross Infection

Angloplas are a UK manufacturer who specialise in producing dispensers for the health and hygiene industry Although these are designed to keep the workplace tidy and uncluttered they are, more importantly, built knowing the control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a priority for healthcare providers, and who are employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning training and the adoption of new technologies to tackle the

problem

As a result a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market including antimicrobial technology Angloplas range of dispensers are produced in the world’s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99 99%

For non-clinical environments Angloplas has recently launched its new Budget Range of products which are made to the same exacting standards as the antimicrobial protected ones but with lower price tags

You can order Angloplas products directly from its website by going to www angloplas co uk

and you are protected from any liability for negligence

Contact us now to book in your free care home assessment on 0800 243 471 or email info@swiftclean co uk www swiftclean co uk

Chiltern: Expert Water Ser vices, Tailored To Your Needs

Legionnaires disease is caused by Legionella Pneumophila bacteria This is found in nearly all water systems but is normally limited to low safe levels However, in domestic or man-made water systems, legionella bacterial levels can rise and become unsafe possibly causing infection to those exposed

Duty Holders of all commercial and public building premises are legally required to assess the risk from legionella to anyone using the water systems and put in place legionella control measures if required

At Chiltern Water & Environment, we offer legionella control services nationwide including:

A legionella risk assessment that can identify and assess the risk from each open water system

If significant risks are identified then we offer:

• A control scheme must be established to monitor the r sks remediate any issue identified and ensure the system is adequately maintained to prevent future risks

• A competent, responsible point person is nominated to ensure the above is carried out effectively

Some systems may require additional water sampling especially where susceptible people are present, there has been a history of legionella issues or the control scheme cannot be adequately maintained

For further information visit www chilternwater co uk or see the advert on the following pages

HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

Sustainable Products Inter view with High Green Development Trust

High Green Development Trust manages The Campus which is an inclusive community centre and business hub for people to go and meet others do business learn and participate in sports and other leisure activities

Recently the Trust came to Killis for help about their need to improve their sustainability

Both Lucy Whitehouse Killis Janitorial Sales Manager and Gail Sutton HGDT Campus Manager worked alongside each other to ensure that needs were met and that High Green were able to incorporate the sustainable products without any difficulties

Lucy caught up with Gail about the new products installed how they were getting on with them and how it’s helped contribute to their sustainability and environmental policy to reach their goals

Did the focus on sustainability following the government sustainability targets speed up the deployment of such solutions?

No it didn't I already had a plan that when I took over here and saw some of the products we were utilising It didn't fit in with my sustainability plan or the environmental pol cy we developed as a leadership team As such I wanted to progress as quickly as I could so the government sanctions

didn t come into it

Can you tell us why you chose these products over other less sustainable alternatives?

I have chosen the products two-fold One the relationship that predecessors had with Killis wasn t what I d call working in a business partnership which I want to develop Two I wanted to utilise Killis products in their portfolio that fit in with our environmental policy and what we want to achieve as a charity campus for the community

Why are these sustainable products impor tant to High Green Development Tr ust?

We are a charity working in the community on-site, we have respite centres, sense schools and nurseries We must lead by example to develop the environmental plan sustain our planet and do our part to play and support our local environment

What benefits have you had switching to these sustainable products?

How has High Green benefitted from switching?

By moving over we have the confidence that the items we ve had are either from recyclable sources or recyclable or they don t damage the local environment

Did you have any reser vations about switching to all sustainable products?

Absolutely not Firstly it s about the environment and also it's about the space-saving of products particularly of the soaps How did these new sustainable products integrate with your cleaning team?

edencleen from Cleenol

Over the course of our history we at Cleenol have always produced products that offer a perfect balance between cleaning performance and efficiency with an attention to reducing the environmental impact that our products may carry edencleen our latest brand reaffirms our commitment to our credentials for environmental guardianship and represents an evolution of what has been an integral part of our DNA Edencleen has been designed to reflect in part our vision for a cleaner safer world that touches not only the environmental aspects of sustainability but has as an aim a social ambition to leave the planet in the safe care of and for future generations As such with edencleen Cleenol looks to ensure transparency in our approach which may on occasion result in some counter intuitive elements

The range covers the essential needs to cover 80% of daily cleaning and include a washroom cleaner and toilet gel cleaner and urinal deodoriser an all-purpose surface sanitiser a degreaser and a washing up liquid a no rinse floor degreaser a window cleaner and a laundry detergent and fabric softener edencleen products have been developed around the following principles and ingredients

• RSPO certified palm oil derivatives

With over 30 years of experience, CWE can help you provide safe water systems for your care home, including:

• Water sampling

• Legionella compliance

• Asset inspection – tanks, calorifiers etc.

• Remedial works

• Swimming and spa pool testing

Tel: 01844 347678

Email: info@chilternwater.co.uk

www.chilternwater.co.uk

They ve really taken to them They were a little apprehensive at first, thinking particularly of the soap How can a small item deliver the cleanliness of what we need and the hygiene in our toilet environments they were amazed What's your favourite sustainable product that you buy from us?

I think my favourite has to be the soap It saves space cuts costs, the packaging it comes in and that s from a recyclable source and it s recyclable So it s a one-stop-shop It completes the circle

In addition to the soap being a favourite product I also have to add Zoono In a community campus environment, it's essential to have confidence in the products Zoono sanitises touchpoints and is available at hand sanitising stations It is user friendly and kind to hands while providing longlasting protection against germs

What would you say to other organisations considering using more sustainable alternatives?

Personally I think it s a no brainer It supports the environment and if as a business you have sustainability and environmental policies then decreasing the amount of chemicals that you use throughout the business is a winwin

If you would like any further information, a little guidance or advice on the best products to help reach your goals and how your organisation can benefit from more sustainably conscious cleaning products and alternatives please reach out to Lucy Whitehouse at lucy@killis co uk

Lastly, we would like to thank Gail at High Green Development Trust for taking the time to take part in our interview

See the advert on the facing page for full details about Killis

No animal derived products

Cruelty free

Minimal petrochemical derived products

No parabens formaldehyde, CMI/MIT triclosan, phosphates, chlorine bleaches, optical brighteners quaternary ammon um compounds

VOC free and phosphate, EDTA, NTA free

Recyclable / recycled packaging

100% bio-based surfactant - made by using bio-based ethylene oxide which is manufactured from biomass ethanol

Bioethanol, naturally der ved acids, sugar-based surfactants, bio-based solvents, low impact preservatives

Combining carefully formulated products with appropriate packaging, using recycled material or recyclable componentry, the range’s mostly colourless liquid and low fragrance usage are designed to convey a transparency and straightforwardness of our approach which will be a hallmark of all edencleen products and associated services

Careful use of enzymatic formulations and more traditional chemistry brings a portfolio of products that’s finely attuned to delivering effective cleaning which when used as instructed helps maintain a neutral environmental impact edencleen s new range represents just the start to a fully refreshed solution to meet the most demanding of customers expectations See the advert below for further information

Re-booting Dementia Care DEMENTIA CARE

Orchard Care Homes has long been an advocate of quality innovative Dementia Care Lately it has set the bar even higher with the introduction of its group-wide Dementia Promise This sets out to provide equitable care for those living with the condition and level-up training for all staff – using evidencebased practices Hayden Knight CEO of Orchard Care Homes discusses the importance of pioneering change for those living with Dementia

The issue of dementia provision across the care sector has never been more prominent The number of those living with dementia in the UK is growing Sadly more people are arriving at our care homes with acute levels of dementia and increasingly complex needs – many having been referred from social settings who are unable to support them As a result of this trend and concerns from families seeking support for loved ones we have made it our mission to help and guide by setting the wheels in motion for genuine change to dementia support

Our Reconnect communities don t cater to mass needs – instead our activities and care plans are finely tuned to the personal requirements and interests of each person We believe in equitable care for all and those with Dementia should be no different By putting an element of positive risk in place we can fully support people with hobbies and tasks that keep them meaningfully occupied – be it gardening assisting with small tasks in the kitchen like washing up or visiting the local pub for lunch

Our Dementia Promise is not a token gesture – but a group-wide commitment to change With a background as a specialist having previously worked in expert Mental Health Provision my ethos for the group is to widen our offering to become the very best in our sector

Generally, the care sector is making a shift towards training staff in dementia support needs, but there is still a gap Orchard s strong team and capabilities aim to fill that We are currently implementing a ‘Step Up to Dementia Support Worker’ programme, which follows the success of our ‘Step Up to Seniors’ model With a shortage of carers coming to the sector with the required abilities needed, we have devised an intensive training model which will see a greater number of recruitment prospects for us and opportunities for our existing team to develop their chosen careers

For several years now we have recognised these growing needs

Over 55% of those arriving at an Orchard Care Home have some level of dementia support need – and this figure is on the rise Whilst we will always cater to the regional demographic of our homes we can t ignore these statistics Earlier this year our Dementia Promise was launched with both specialism and understanding in mind The initiative doesn’t merely pay lip service to progressing our dementia care offering It’s a huge investment for the group with over £500 000 spent annually on dedicated training programs and mentoring of our staff benefitting everyone from domestics to the CEO

We are also committed to investing in our clinical support team Again with a shortage of workers in this field coming to care we want to be able to offer the very best chances and to develop quality staff across our group By rewarding them for their skills and dedication both with an uplift in pay and options to advance their careers with Orchard we are hoping to further strengthen our support across the group For example we have just brought in two care and clinical practitioners to deliver face-to-face clinical training to up-skill staff and provide supervision and support with revalidation

When people arrive at care homes with complex needs it can be a very daunting experience

To address this and to provide a solution for local authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) who have limited quality provisions to support people with higher levels of acuity, we have introduced specialist Reconnect Communities We now have five Reconnects amongst our 23-strong group, with more planned later this year With an expert care team, offering individualised support, we can be truly people focused

To further invest in our staff and create career progression models we have introduced a new Student Nurse Strategy Allowing new nurses to the sector to learn from our experienced staff will bring a huge benefit to our homes by allowing clinical placements to be fulfilled which will strengthen our team and the level of care available Student nurses working in conjunction with their university will gain valuable mentoring from our homelevel nurses who will also provide sign-off for coursework The outcomes of these partnerships will not only develop new nurses in the sector, but it’s hoped that they will encourage newly qualified nurses to join the Orchard team long-term

Continuing to challenge ourselves and others will only build on the momentum of our Dementia Promise

After a positive response from families and healthcare professionals, we feel confident that our work will make a significant impact both for our group and eventually the wider sector

Recognii Offers New Way To Entertain Residents With Later Stage Dementia

The first film created especially for people living with later-stage dementia is offering care homes an inexpensive and accessible new way to entertain residents

‘Treasure Box by Recognii is an hour-long series of uplifting plot-free and visually engaging short clips all set to some of the nation s best-known music songs and theme tunes

Each scene has been designed to capture short attention spans and specially adapted to overcome the common visual and cognitive processing problems associated with the condition

The company s founder Sarah Harrison says Treasure Box was designed to be an essential resource for dementia care providers providing safe engaging entertainment for communal relaxation areas or a flexible tool for more focused one-to-one or group activities

She explained “Treasure Box can be enjoyed as a complete film, but there are also deliberately slow transitions between each of the clips to allow for sensory readjustment and to give staff time to pause the film and reminisce or chat with residents about what they have just seen ”

Recognii contains the sort of content the company’s research showed had most universal appeal among sufferers from happy children appealing animals and gentle humour to musical interaction the natural world iconic people and places puppetry and lots more

Treasure Box is available on USB stick for use in Smart TVs and laptops and also in traditional DVD format They retail at £23 99 for the USB stick or £19 99 for the DVD

Dr Lucy Pollock gerontologist and author of bestselling The Book About Getting Older said This is just lovely Treasure Box is the sort of thing that can be watched over and over by people living with significant dementia In the same way that small children like replaying their favourites these images with music become very soothing with familiarity Even those with significant dementia can find repeated routines comforting

To accommodate the visual processing problems experienced by many people with advanced dementia the team took a deliberate approach to the way the content is filmed

Sarah explained: “To make everything as visible as possible we filmed against plain backgrounds, with high

colour and tonal contrast and predominant use of red and those primary colours research shows are most easily recognised We also took care not to feature unnecessary detail busy patterns shadows or reflective light sources ”

Each plot-free clip contrasts strongly from the last to draw wandering attention back to the screen and in keeping with the visual approach music and vocal arrangements are simple and dialogue is kept to a minimum

CASE STUDY:

Acacia Lodge Care Home in Oxfordshire is a purpose-built residence in the centre of picturesque Henley-On-Thames with 55 en-suite rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens

It is part of The Future Care Group a leading residential nursing and dementia care provider with 18 high-quality homes across the UK

Acacia Lodge lifestyle assistant Alex Owens purchased Recognii to use on their dementia floor after read ng about the innovation in The Daily Telegraph

Lifestyle lead Wendy Fricker said At Acacia Lodge quality of life is at the heart of everything we do and we are continually looking for new and varied ways to ensure each of our residents stays engaged happy and relaxed

“We were very impressed with the Recognii concept The short, simple clips helped a great deal, holding our residents attention and keep ng them watching eagerly for the next scene The content is very well thought out, and they loved the mix of singalongs, smiling children, animals and bright, colourful images Thirteen out of our 16 residents with dementia engaged and joined in with every sequence which was just amazing to see ”

Wendy now uses Recognii as part of a cinema-style’ experience handing out popcorn tea cakes and fizzy drinks for residents to enjoy while they settle down to watch with care staff She also uses t as a discussion and reminiscence tool with smaller groups or for focussed one-to-one activit es

Wendy said: Recogn i is a welcome addition to the stimulating and diverse programme of activities and events at Acacia Lodge We can t wait for the next volume and will be putting in our order asap!

More information and demos are available through the Recognii website at www recognii co uk

Focus Games - Game Based

Training for Ever y Situation

Focus Games are the leading game developers focused on education for healthcare staff and patients

Game-based learning is an innovative approach to education that leverages the principles of games to create engaging and interactive learning experiences This approach has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to motivate learners and improve retention rates Healthcare staff can benefit significantly from game-based learning as it can help them acquire new knowledge and skills in a fun and engaging way The key benefits of game-based learning for all healthcare staff are:

1 Enhanced engagement

2 Improved knowledge retention

3 Safe learning environment

4 Customizable learning experience

5 Collaborative learning

With over 20 years of experience we have developed games aimed at improving knowledge and outcomes and have won numerous awards for our innovative approach

Visit our website to learn about over 150 existing games or get in touch to discuss creating a unique game or simulation to meet your needs We also have a unique commercialisation model which means your game idea can also be a revenue generator Find out more at www focusgames com Or email melvin@focusgames com

Designing for Dementia: How to work with decorators to create supportive spaces

same colour as the walls so that they blend in, helping to avoid unauthorised access

• To highlight obstacles such as pillars, handrails and radiators, use brighter colours to make them stand out

• Outside of the realms of paint and colour, floors should avoid high sheens and patterns to prevent disorientating residents

Calming colours

As well as colour, the specific type of paint used should be a key consideration Care home managers should speak to their decorator to identify the types of paint that will be needed in different areas as products are optimised for varying purposes

Each year, the Alzheimer ’s Society holds Dementia Action Week – an awareness campaign that aims to highlight the indicators of dementia and the support available to all impacted by it This year, the campaign is running from 15th – 21st May, with a focus on raising awareness and encouraging people to get a diagnosis

Last year ’s Dementia Action Week resulted in a 43% rise in calls to its dementia support line during the week Campaigns like this are therefore vital to raise awareness of the symptoms of dementia and support available to those living with the condition and their families

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for larger and betterequipped care homes has increased According to studies by building and construction market researchers AMA, “the demand for additional capacity within the care home market is likely to start rising again within the next couple of years ” For this reason, care home managers need to consider how to accommodate more residents and ensure premises are effectively designed to meet their needs

Perfecting the palette

Correct colour choice and location can aid independence and wayfinding for those living with dementia It is therefore crucial that care home managers work closely with decorators to ensure the right colours are chosen for the space

Dulux Trade, alongside the British Research Establishment, created the Dementia Friendly Colour Palette Following years of experience in design and medical research, it is recommended for use in spaces catering for those living with dementia The palette recommends the following:

• Soft, calm tones should be used on main walls, with only small hints of colour to help aid wayfinding

• Critical surfaces – including walls, floors and doors –should have contrast between them To make doors obvious against neutral walls, bold hues such as navies, sage greens and burgundies should be used

• More saturated colours such as yellows, muted purples, oranges and teals may be used on feature walls to add interest, such as in a living room, or walls that need to be highlighted to support residents with wayfinding, such as the kitchen serving areas or end of corridors

• Staff areas and supply cupboards should be painted in the

For example, Dulux Trade Scuffshield is a tough, waterbased matt emulsion containing ultimate scuff-resistant technology to protect walls against scuff marks made by shoes and bags This makes it ideal for high traffic areas such as corridors, stairwells and hallways It is also cleanable, with great stain resistance, keeping walls in top condition for longer

In addition, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt includes stainrepellent technology that is ideal for settings like dining areas that often need cleaning The Diamond Matt paint formula has been tested to ensure it can withstand up to 10,000 scrubs, meaning walls can withstand daily wear and tear and regular cleaning

On the other hand, Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt and Dual Active Matt contain additives that reduce populations of harmful bacteria – key for environments occupied by vulnerable people Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt is a quick drying, water-based coating with an in-film bactericide which reduces populations of MRSA and E coli Additionally, Dulux Trade Sterishield Dual Active contains in-film antimicrobial additive, which inhibits bacteria and viruses within the paint film, and thus reduces populations of MRSA, E coli, Coronaviruses and Human Herpesvirus Using both paints alongside appropriate cleaning practices helps to promote more hygienic, safer environments

On-site conduct and considerations

Care home managers should work closely with the decorating team to ensure works are completed in a timely manner – and cause minimal disruption to staff and residents For example, the care home staff should be aware of what areas are out of bounds and ensure residents are relocated to other areas of the premises It is also important to work with the decorating team to schedule deliveries and ensure staff and emergency services can access the site as needed

For more information on best practice when it comes to decorating care homes, please visit www duluxtradepaintexpert co uk/en/content/occd-hub

To help find the best decorator for your job, please visit: www duluxselectdecorators co uk or https://connectdirectory dulux co uk

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 w th two sensor pads Integrates with most nurse call systems

A variety of options including Call button Pager

Floor sensor mat

W reless door/window exit alerts

TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR

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

CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Silent Running - Tranquility in Care Homes

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

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

Blaucomm’s Nurse Call Messaging Service (NMS) is the market leading solution to remove the dependency on noisy nurse call panels and pagers through its intelligent software which delivers the alerts straight to the care staff who need them

Care homes are rapidly introducing smartphones for digital care planning and eMar - now, the same devices can be used to receive the nurse call alerts they need for the residents under their care

Furthermore, Blaucomm NMS is deeply linked into Person Centred Software MCM so call bell data is linked straight to care plans This unlocks a huge benefit to care homes to enhance the staff performance with how they accept and respond to residents which ultimately promotes better response times and visibility for management to audit their performance

The best part is that Blaucomm NMS links into your existing nurse call system - we work with all major brands such as Aidcall ARM Courtney Thorne C-TEC ENS Intercall Medicare SAS and TeleAlarm

Care operators are constantly recognising Blaucomm NMS for its reliability and dependability to their care operations which is why we ve been chosen time and time again over other solutions

Head of IT Trudi Harrow at WCS Care had this to say about Blaucomm

NMS:

“We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic company with a reliable product

We have a range of nurse call systems at different sites and the NMS system integrates to them and allows us to compare response times between sites In addition the integration to Person Centred Software is revolutionary We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens!

To find out more about Blaucomm NMS, visit www blaucomm co uk/healthcare

Ssee the advert on the front cover for more details

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

Locàite.me - The Latest Personal SOS and Fall Alarm Solution from Càite Ltd

Locàite me is the latest personal SOS and fall alarm solution from Càite Ltd that helps you support care for and communicate easily with loved ones enabling them to live independently at home for longer

Designed at every stage with the wearer in mind the simplicity of Locàite me is one of its key strengths Simply press the large SOS button to make a two-way voice call to a family member or carer if help is needed Other alarms including the fall alarm are activated automatically You and others with whom you choose to share access receive smartphone notifications for all alarms and can instantly see whereabouts on the map along with recent movement history Then saved emergency contacts are dialled in turn until one answers

With the familiar appearance of a key fob for the wearer coupled with our exceptionally user-friendly app for carers

Medpage Falls Management Products

Medpage is a family ran company with a huge heart and resources gathered over our 38year trading history The majority of the technologies we design manufacture and distribute originate from enquiries received from healthcare professionals and personal family care observations Our product portfolio provides a wide variety of care solutions for epilepsy dementia senior care special needs and sensory loss

Our latest innovation currently in use in several Hospitals presents an effective fall monitoring detection and reporting solution The MPCSA11 is a complex software driven sensor monitor made to be user and operator friendly This device has already proven successful in hospital and care home trials

by reducing patient falls while also reducing false positives from a safe patient The device can monitor and interact with up to three sensor products: bed and chair occupancy pressure pads PIR movement detection sensors and proximity signal products

In use, a patient or resident rising from their bed would be considered a falls risk, but what if they are simply moving to sit in a chair close to their bed? A standard bed monitor would raise an alarm alerting care staff who would arrive to find the person safely seated The MPCSA11 would only generate an alarm if the person was out of their bed or chair for a selectable time duration Learn more www easylinkuk co uk/mpcsa11

See the advert on page 7 for details

as possible There’s no in-home installation required as the small battery powered Room Locàite beacons are simple to place in as many rooms as you need The Locàite me pendant records the nearest beacon and the app records and displays this on a handy 7 day chart Locàite me gives reassurance and peace of mind to families who support loved ones to live independently It costs £129 99 and the associated monthly SIM plan is just £14 99 which includes 100 minutes of SOS voice calls and 60 optional SMS messages each month It s a straightforward 1 month contract and you can cancel any time from within the app Our accessory Room Locàite beacons come in packs of 3 for £49 99 Visit www Locaite me for further details or to contact us and be sure to read our 5 star reviews on Trustpilot and Amazon to hear how Locàite me has helped so many other families

Frequency PrecisionSensors and Pressure Mats to Monitor Those in Care

Technology has made people more connected with the world around them and the revolution in assistive care devices has made it possible for the elderly to spend their last years in a comfortable and familiar environment These devices have also made it easier for home carers to provide quality care for their loved ones while managing their own lives They allow you to care for your elderly whether they are travelling in the city for errands, staying alone at home, or staying in the same home as you They are also helping nursing homes provide better care for them with discrete monitoring and quick responses to emergencies

If you re looking for these kinds of assistive care devices for your loved ones or nursing home Frequency Precision produce some of the best systems available to help you with elderly care and

mobility monitoring ranging from bed chair and floor sensor mats through fall monitoring and GPS tracking to fully integrated nurse call plug or wireless systems Contact us or come and see us at the COTS on Stand 36

Phone: 01837 810590

Email: contact@frequencyprecision com

Website: www frequencyprecision com

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Digital Social Care Appoints The Access Group to the Assured Supplier List

Digital Social Care, the membership organisation tasked by NHS England to create and manage a list of assured suppliers who can help care home providers roll out a digital social care record (DSCR) by 2024 has appointed The Access Group to its roster

The company s care management solution Access Care and Clinical (AC&C) has been assessed against NHS England s criteria and accredited against their three key categories; core capabilities and standards; ongoing assurance to required standards; and local assurance

The list launched in April 2021 by the NHS Transformation Directorate is intended to help providers navigate the supplier market and identify organisations and their digital social care record solutions that have already undergone comprehensive due diligence In turn giving them peace of mind about the

functionality and capability of the technology in achieving their digital goals, and making it quicker and easier to make purchasing decisions

Providers have the ability to filter suppliers based on their specific needs to ensure they select the right care planning tools for them And with AC&C tried and trusted by over 500 care providers it s well placed to help care homes meet the government’s ambition to digitise records by next year

Care providers can also benefit from central funding, via their Integrated Care System to support their transition to digital health and care records if one of the assured suppliers is chosen from the list

Further details on The Access Group and AC&C are included on the supplier assured list and can be found at www theaccessgroup com

Innovative care home software solutions from Ablyss

There will be big changes over the next 12 months in the residential and nursing care sector With around 50% of homes still using paper systems to plan and record their care the NHS Transformation Directorate have big ideas which, whilst exciting, might seem daunting to those without the proper tools to make these ideas a reality

So where to begin? Well we here at Ablyss have 20 years of experience developing software for the care Industry We know how difficult running a care home can be at the best of times and we have drawn on our knowledge and experience to build a duo of care management offerings:

• Blyssful, our award winning cloud-based care management system for new and existing customers, making the system easily accessible from anywhere and by anyone with permission to do so

• Ablyss CMS, our on-premises solution can help you to plan and evidence the care that you provide, supporting you to achieve compliance within your business

The emphasis is on care management, recording, and analysis, and both solutions have been designed with the management carers and residents of the care home in mind The result is time saved admin simplified and safe and personalised provision of care, so you can focus more on those in need

With a fully UK based team, our care consultants are always on hand to provide training and answer your questions whilst our support team will help you to customise your system set up integrations with your other systems, and ensure your software is always up to date

Don t just take our word for it, here s a small selection of our many satisfied customers:

“It s not technology for technology’s sake Irrefutably, it helps us to deliver a much better service to our clients

Elizabeth & Roberta House

“We invested in Ablyss CMS a number of years ago and it has proved to be one of the very best decisions we have made ” Prospect House

We believe we can create a better way to manage and connect your care Seeing is believing so why not arrange a demo with one of our product specialists Visit

“It’s not just about what we do it’s about what we can do for you”!

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Pass Profile 2023

PASS supports over 1 000 care providers every day giving them access to market leading care management tools hand in hand with unlimited 24/7/365 support from our dedicated and friendly PASS team

• Improve the quality of care

Deliver better outcomes

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Our commitment to the continual evolution of PASS is further illustrated by the addition of GP Connect

The first product of its type to offer this feature PASS is still one of only a handful of digital care management solutions to have completed this NHS Digital integration and is the only one offering it to the home care market

Assured by NHS Transformation Directorate PASS provides a secure platform that allows you to plan record and evidence the care you deliver The only assured solution built specifically for the home care sector, it provides comprehensive real-time functionality and allows you to share progress against outcomes with customisable exportable reports

CARE PLANNING AND ROSTERING FROM A SINGLE PLATFORM

To meet the wider needs of the PASS community All-in-one PASS has recently been launched bringing advanced rostering functionality to our established digital care planning platform As a result advanced staff scheduling payroll and invoicing functionality is now seamlessly linked with care planning and reporting, reducing the technical complexity, risk and overhead associated with integrating two separate systems

As a result PASS now provides an all-in-one suite of digital care management tools available from a single platform designed to

Save you time

Increase the efficiency of your teams

The CAREAudits System

The CAREAudits compliance auditing tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous locations by all care service providers

Carers and managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits, Training and Maintenance as well as service users quality and wellbeing

The system allows care providers to audit or check just about everything and manage all areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in its Web Portal Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system Management see in real time exactly were best to focus their attention and resources and how they are meeting their compliance requirements

The system has over 150 easy to use example audits to select from which you can easily add to or edit your own audits in minutes ensuring simple instant updates of ever-changing requirements App care auditors can use CAREAudits with virtually no training it s that simple The Care

PASS GP Connect provides authorised social care staff with realtime access to their client s GP records It makes medical information available when and where it is needed leading to improvements in both care safety and outcomes:

Visibility of allergies vaccinations and medications especially useful for clients unable to reliably share their personal information

• Using medical information to inform care planning

Ensuring that the right medication is delivered to the right person in the timeliest manner In one case, this allowed the administration of antibiotics on a Friday evening aiding the service user s swift recovery from infection

Available to all PASS users at no additional cost, PASS GP Connect is significantly more efficient than waiting for a GP response It’s also a positive step forward on the path to the DHSC’s goal for widespread digitally enabled care and is in full alignment with their ambition for joined up care for everyone

Get in touch:

www everylifetechnologies com

hello@everylifetechnoloiges com

Auditor’s Hands Free Operation guides the user through each audit, each question and answer with its own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care expert

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

Steven Tegart from Talbot Group likes reporting and says “I wish all my other systems were as easy to extract data for management reports as the CAREAudits Excel links

Andrew Wood of Wood Care Group says “It is easy to use and our management team complete audits daily which and very customisable giving you the reporting and monitoring you require to ensure risk mitigation in our services

Customer support is excellent and we have never had any issues

Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK says “We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are”

CAREAudits apps are a part of the Care Plus Innovation Group

Users can download the app for a free trial and be up and running with the full system in minutes w: www careaudits co uk e: care@careaudits co uk t: 01482 238887

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Phlebotomy Training: Who Needs It?

12 years ago when she started Phlebotomy Training Services Alison had a slide in her original course the Basic Phlebotomy Toolkit that read

Blood tests are usually requested by a doctor for diagnosis or for the management of long term medical conditions”

Blood was traditionally drawn by nurses but now we train Doctor s receptionists and Healthcare Assistants to take blood to support their clinical colleagues and we also train people who need to take blood for research purposes to produce PRP for use in aesthetic procedures and in dentistry and for a range of other purposes

Traditionally phlebotomy training was provided on the job by employers and while some phlebotomists in practice today are highly skilled others are less so

We deliver a standardised phlebotomy training course – every learner, wherever in the country they are and whenever they train with us will be trained in the same way

Before writing the course Alison went to the manufacturers of the blood collection systems and asked them how they expected their equipment to be used and wrote her training around that, and CHS 132 the Skills for Health Guidelines for obtaining venous blood samples

Many practicing phlebotomists had never inserted a needle into anything before they took their first sample and we do not think that is right – we aren t saying that on the job training is wrong – we think it’s essential - but we know that individuals who have acquired a base level of skill and knowledge before taking their first sample go on to make better phlebotomists

They have a sound repeatable technique and understand why they are doing what they do

On our courses you won t be asked to take blood from each other you’ll use pads and prosthetic arms to hone your skills so that when you come to take your first sample the only thing that gives you pause will be inserting the needle into real skin rather than a prosthetic

THE REST:

Identifying the patient obtaining informed consent washing your hands checking if the patient has had any problems before when having blood taken applying the tourniquet, palpating correctly, swabbing the site if required, changing the bottles whilst keeping the needle still removing the needle disposing of it safely applying pressure to the site to stop any bleeding checking for allergy to plasters applying a plaster to the site once the bleeding has stopped inverting the samples checking the patient s ID labelling the samples correctly and offering them aftercare, will all be second nature

YOU DON’T NEED ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE TO TRAIN WITH US

Our introductory phlebotomy training course Understanding and Applying Phlebotomy Skills and Techniques will give you all of the skills that are required to begin a career in phlebotomy

There isn’t any “Recognised NHS Training” whatever some training providers may claim and no training organisation can give you a “NHS Certificate of Competency” – you can only earn one of those by being supervised in a place of work over a period of time while you are taking blood

What we are proud to say is that we have been providing accredited phlebotomy training for 12 years and there are thousands of phlebotomists working in doctors surgeries hospitals (and all sorts of other places too) up and down the country who hold our certificate

What are they earning as phlebotomists??

The simple answer to that is “It depends” but most phlebotomy jobs in the UK are on NHS bands 2 or 3 which equates to between £17 652 and £20 765 per annum full time dependent upon experience

But many phlebotomists work part time which will reduce that income dependent upon the hours worked

See the advert below for further details

The delivery of safe care is the paramount responsibility of social care providers Central to achieving this is the governance framework adopted by service providers And at the core of this framework are policies and procedures These enable the provider to comply – and evidence compliance – with relevant legislation and regulations, as well as facilitating best practices, supporting business needs, and assisting in recognising and managing risks

Good governance care itself is an integral part of health and social regulation Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities)

Regulations 2014 stipulates that care providers must have systems and processes in place that ensure they can meet the requirements of Regulations

4 to 20A Policies and procedures not only ensure that providers are compliant with this regulation and working within the law; they also enable providers to drive improvement and protect the people who access services and receive care

Providers also have a legal duty of care to the people they employ Policies and procedures should provide clear guidelines to staff on how the organisation operates as well as informing them of best practices and processes to be followed

Policies should be reviewed annually as a minimum to ensure they are still fit for purpose and align with legal and regulatory requirements They should be reviewed not only by employees of the business but also by experts in various subject matters (e g , infection control or medicines management)

For many small- to medium-sized providers, there may not be the in-house skills, knowledge, and experience to complete such a robust annual review

Many choose instead to purchase their policies and procedures from a reputable provider like W&P Compliance & Training who will also complete reviews and ensure their policies and procedures remain up to date This way a provider not only ensures they remain compliant; they also benefit from best practice policies and procedures that provide a solid foundation for safe working practices and – ultimately – protect and support service users and staff

Ben Erskine – Director at W&P Compliance & Training www wandptraining co uk Tel: 01305 767104

Ever ything You Need To Know About Mock CQC Inspections

When you redecorate your house, you quickly get used to your new environment Sometimes it takes a visit from a friend you haven’t seen for 6 months to remind you that, yes, you spent a lot of time and effort finding the right curtains to match your sofa

The same principle applies to mock CQC inspections When you live and breathe your business you simply don t see it the same way as someone who s just walked in the door

While it feels great to be complimented on your great taste 6 months after redecorating it doesn t feel so good if that same friend spots a stain on the rug that you’ve stopped noticing

Luckily we’re not all rating each other on interior design What you are being rated on, however, is your care business Specifically, how safe effective, caring responsive and well-led it is

IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO BE OUTSTANDING

A mock CQC inspection is carried out by a current or former inspector They’ll use the latest methodology and criteria to assess your business in line with CQC requirements – ie against those five quality statements

They gather evidence based on client experiences feedback from your team and other stakeholders observation paperwork and process reviews CQC inspectors play a vital role in keeping vulnerable people safe and setting high standards for care

Naturally, that’s something they take very seriously

But if you’re focused on managing your team and taking care of clients, it can be hard to know whether you re ticking all the boxes that the CQC will look at That’s why a mock inspection is a great way to benchmark your business and find out how you’d be rated if the inspection was done today Your inspector will highlight what you re doing well so you can keep doing it and find opportunities where you could improve your service

If you re aiming for Outstanding don t risk missing out when it s so quick and easy to arrange a mock CQC inspection and find

do is book your mock CQC inspection and get your care business on the journey to Outstanding Visit www

co uk to book

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Pain Relief

benefits of BIOFROST® Relief include lasting pain relief improved joint movements comfort during sleep fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and muscle discomfort and faster post-activity recoveries

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Ser vices Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors

C&S Seating Ltd

C&S Seating Ltd have provided postural control equipment to residential homes, hospices, medical equipment services and NHS trust hospitals nationwide since 1991

With 9 different sizes of T-Rolls and Log Rolls, in a removable and machine washable Waterproof Titex or Soft Knit material These rolls are used to control posture and position of the body in either supine or side lying Our Knee & Leg support wedges are available in 2 sizes

for repainting

For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield com or visit www yeomanshield com or see the advert page 10

Alternative Positioning Support – also available in two sizes, which has removable side cushions and middle pommel for when more control of the abducted lower limb is required

Our popular and vibrant range of Soft Knit covers in a choice of 5 colours, provide a softer alternative, ideal for the colder seasons and are designed to fit snug over our waterproof rolls for maximum protection and comfort

Contact us on 01424 853331 or visit www cands-seating co uk to request or download a brochure, pricelist or order form request an individualised quotation speak to an advisor or to place an order

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are natural drugfree topical cold therapy gels for muscular and joint pain chronic arthritic pain post-activity muscle tension general aches and overuse disorders Easy to use and fast acting BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels relieve pain reduce inflammation and swelling without drugs and drug-related side-effects

BIOFROST® Gels:

BIOFROST® Rel ef Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

BIOFROST® Active Dual-Action Cold Gel with Heat Sensation combining cold with natural heat effects to treat back pain

BIOFROST® Relief provides instant pain relief and activates body s own healing through an optimal combination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus, peppermint and MSM Reported

BIOFROST® Active is a dual-action fast-acting cold gel with heat sensation for effective relief of muscular and joint pain Containing 10 natural herbal extracts (i e Arnica Burdock Roman Chamomile Garlic Watercress Ivy White Nettle Pine Rosemary Menthol) BIOFROST® Active relieves chronic pain releases muscular tension loosens stiff joints and effectively treats back pain Benefits of BIOFROST® Active include easier joint movements effective pain relief in treated areas discomfort-free sleep fewer cramps and reduced post-activity muscular and joint fatigue

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are usable standalone or alongside other pain relieving therapies (i e medication physiotherapy etc ) BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are suitable for people of any age, including elderly and disabled people living independently or in nursing care

See the advert on page 3 and the front cover

New Vision Signs and Graphics Ltd

environment

We offer a full survey service with designs drawings, location plans, manufacture and delivery or installation of door signs, lift directories, as well as directional and wayfinding signage

Kodak

New Vision Signs and Graphics Ltd are a leading supplier of innovative dementia-friendly signage and visual tools that are especially suited for use in hospitals and care homes

Our Dementia-friendly signage is available in different styles and colours and we take great pride in working closely with clients to create bespoke solutions that are suitable for their particular healthcare

and

Anglia Crown - Popular Dishes for Ever yone

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a wellbalanced, nutritional diet including choices that do not contain gluten Our Crown Choice and Advantage ranges include some fifty-eight dishes, including our new warming Ginger Chocolate Chip Sponge and delicious, comforting custard that goes with almost any hot dessert

Our Crown Choice cold dessert includes the perennial favourites such as Chocolate Cake whilst our Crown Advantage range also offer reduced sugar desserts All individual Crown Advantage desserts come in packs of eighteen whilst the Crown Choice desserts come in packs of 3 and 6 allowing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste

Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allowing for additional choice Items such as our Carrot Cake or Vanilla Cheesecake can be accom-

C&S Seating Ltd is the sole manufacturer of the

Raising the Standard of

The Stair Climbing Company is one of the leading providers of powered Stair Climber solutions which have been specifically designed to assist those struggling with mobility and independence issues facing people with disabilities

The Stair Climbing Company offers an excellent range of compact easy to use powered Stair Climbers that are ideal for use in both home and commercial settings Offering innovative designs all of the company’s Stair Climbers can be separated into two pieces for safe storage and are easily transported and charged In addition all of its Stair Climber’s come with a two year manufacturer s warranty

The Stair Climbing Company maintains one main

See the advert on page 13

Stair Climbing Solutions

mission; to improve quality of life through its range of high-quality and custom devices with built-in seats

The safety and comfort of its customers is of the utmost importance to the company and it ensures that each wheelchair carrier model is designed to cater to individual customers’ specific needs and works with all stair types Furthermore the company provides Stair Climbers for all ages making them suitable for everyone and offers a free assessment for customers

If you would like to find out any more information please see the details below: T 01787 379160

www thestairclimbingcompany com

See the advert on page 13

Make First Impressions Count with Major Plants

to do without trying to remember whether the flowers have been watered, fed, or tidied up Calling in the experts like Major Plants Limited means that you can get on with your business while we ensure that outside your plant arrangements and presentation never let you down

Besides our regular floral display services we also offer a full package maintenance plan for your grounds and gardens

Major Plants Limited specialises in providing costeffective and visually striking hanging basket maintenance services This means we design plant arrangements to suit your business using a combination of hanging baskets and window boxes

We know that busy businesses have enough work

Whether you are seeking an alternative quotation to compare with an existing supplier or are looking at external flower arrangements for the first time our flexible agreement and personal service will give you a piece of mind reliable support for your business

Please get in touch!

0800 111 4014 – info@majorplants co uk

Or see the advert on the front cover

panied by whipped cream garnished with seasonal fresh fruit

Our hot desserts are high in energy, our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense options and when served with custard provide over 250 kcal per serving Our cold desserts of 250 kcal and above also meet the energy guidelines in the British Dietetic Association (BDA)

Nutrition and Hydration Digest (2017) requirements

VEGAN SUITABLE CHOICES

At Anglia Crown we pride ourselves with the array of vegetarian and gluten free dishes that we offer including an impressive range of desserts This was recognised with us being named at the Vegetarian Wholesaler of the Year 2022 at the VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg n Care Catering

All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes ”

Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details or see the advert on page 9

Making the Most of the International Recruitment Fund

By Tijen Ahmet, business immigration expert at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau (www.shma.co.uk)

Care providers need to act quickly to secure their share of the £50 million International Recruitment Fund which is only available across England until 2024 This fund has been created by the Government to help ease the costs of hiring from overseas and cut unnecessary red tape and whilst it might seem like a short-term solution to the longstanding issue of crippling staff shortages, care providers should seek to understand exactly what it covers to maximise the opportunity 88 per cent of home care operators and 87 per cent of care home providers have reported recruitment challenges

These challenges have been caused by a multitude of factors including the end of free movement following Brexit the lasting effects of the global pandemic, poor long-term planning from the Government and the cost-of-living crisis are piling pressure on the sector As a result, existing staff are having to take on more internal responsibilities as the scope of their role stretches potentially placing those who need care at risk The Health and Social Care Committee predicts that if staff shortage trend continues 500 000 jobs will need to be filled by 2030

The International Recruitment Fund plans to alleviate these pressures and can be used for administrative costs that will help facilitate a person’s move to the UK, including support with sponsorship licences and

worker visa applications In addition it can also be used to help with the logistics of settling the employee in a new country including finding them affordable housing helping to pay for a UK driving licence DBS check or National Insurance number

The funding will be granted by local authorities who in collaboration with care partnerships will distribute it to care providers in their areas Care providers should therefore proactively reach out to Local Authorities to ensure that they will be considered for funding, as while a £50 million sounds plentiful with thousands of care providers across the UK competing over the same pot it ultimately may not stretch too far The first round of funding has already been allocated across regions with the South East and North West assigned £2 5 million and £2 million respectively

The Fund itself is not unlimited and the government is yet to announce further measure beyond 2023 if at all This means it is vital to for care provider to understand the the financial support available to them to increase the chance of being successful Care providers should consider seeking professional immigration advice to help their international recruitment drive to ensure that the legal immigration requirements are met first time to avoid costly mistakes

The International Recruitment Fund is intended to give the sector a boost by cutting bureaucracy and unnecessary complexity within the process The biggest hope however is that it attracts the talent that the sector so desperately needs by making the positions more appealing if employers can help with settling an employee once they have relocated While the Fund will certainly go some way to support the sector in the short term more needs to be done to ensure there is a long-term strategy that will lift the burden from the sector and help to end the shortage

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 health-care 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

the healthcare sector is invaluable We can provide end to endsolutions for nurses and clients across the country due to our many offices across the country (Liverpool Sheffield Burton on Trent and our head office on the Wirral) We have our own in-house training facility and are leading the way in OSCE preparation with innovative and proven strategies which result in first time passes This allows us to now offer a complete service ensuring all the requirements needed to join the UK NM register are met as quickly and effectively as possible

Whether you require 1 or 100 nurses we will ensure that they meet all your requirements and are ready to interview as soon as you need them with emphasis being on the quality and relevant experience of the nurses Our online courses are consistently being updated to reflect the changes made to the OSCE practices To ensure all our clients, have access to the most suitable candidates we work with reputable recruitment partners around the globe With the advanced systems we have in place we can track each individual nurse every step of the way providing all our clients with regular updates on the nurse’s progress We monitor and check in with all our candidates every step of the way making sure they have been given excellent training and support throughout their journey This allows us to ensure that we can provide you with a candidate that will pass their OSCE journey first time

SERVICES

WE PROVIDE

We will help arrange your sponsorship license

We will source the best candidates

We will fully screen each candidate

We arrange accommodation

What to Consider When

When considering whether to buy a care home business while you will no doubt have taken account of apparent profitability and potential, it is vital that you establish as far as possible likely costs (e g legal fees due diligence costs, post completion costs (tax, investment)) during and after the buying process as well as having a realistic idea of the timescales involved

INVESTMENT

It may sound obvious but you must always check the numbers carefully Has the bottom line been enhanced by underinvestment? This will go hand in hand with the due diligence exercise but what will the business require going forward whether it be property repairs/renovation (whether in terms of practicalities or statutory requirements) or investment in staff and facilities? You need to establish what needs to be spent after completion of the purchase in order to sustain and/or enhance profitability

This will no doubt form part of your business plan which, where funding is being obtained, your lender will want to look at

FINANCE

If you need to obtain finance for your deal consider the additional steps and costs that will be involved

An investor or lender will likely have specific requirements in terms of structure (creation and/or involvement of group companies) documentation (occupational leases) and/or due diligence (additional searches/checks) that may affect timing and expense

ASSET/SHARE PURCHASE

In most cases, a care home will be owned and operated by a limited company rather than an individual

Therefore usually one of the initial critical decisions to be made is whether to proceed by way of an asset or share purchase Advice should be sought on a case-by-case basis as there are a number of things to consider in terms of for example tax or financial implications Essentially with an asset purchase you are buying those “items” (e g the property the employees etc) which you consider to be vital to the continued running of the business With a share purchase you take on all assets and liabilities of the owning company

a Care Home Business

DUE DILIGENCE

While the documents dealing with the specific transaction are important, these will be negotiated in line with the due diligence exercise This process like other aspects takes time and costs money Where possible obtain an indication as to costs up front

Existing and potential future liabilities need to be considered whether in terms of property repairs tax considerations disputes etc

If development of the property is required (e g to extend the property) you must obtain advice from a planning perspective and your solicitor needs to advice on any title issues that may affect any intended development and/or the required use of the property (e g and covenants or restrictions affecting the property)

If the property interest you are taking or inheriting is leasehold, your solicitor will need to advise on any consents that may be required (in terms of the transaction (so that the lease may be transferred to you or the lease contains “change of control” restrictions) or your future plans (e g consent to carry out alterations) and any obligations and/or restrictions in the lease that may affect your plans Is the length of the lease sufficient? Do you have rights to renew the lease at the end of the term? Are you inheriting costly repair obligations?

PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCE

The Eden Alternative - What Is It?

The Eden Alternative is a modern ‘philosophy of care designed to enhance the wellbeing of residents and staff in care settings the quality of their lived experience and their fulfilment

It aims to build a truly positive culture; underpinned by close partnership working between residents the team and family members

How does it work? It provides training to Care Homes, management and staff and encourages Homes to train their own in house trainers to run the training Eden has been running in over 20 countries on 5 continents for nearly 30 years and started in the USA It began operating in the UK in 2005 Eden UK runs both face-to-face training and online courses which both lead to the accreditation of candidates as Certified Eden Associates of which there are over

Phoenix Learning and Care Set For Future Growth Following £20m Bespoke

Loan from OakNorth Bank

2 000 in the UK and 20 000 worldwide

The Certified Eden Associate Courses online course run over 7 weeks x 1hr each week using the same material as the 3-day Eden Associate courses and comprise 5 elements (online training with Eden trainers digital workbooks video clips assessment of learning and development of a project to develop implementing innovative ideas) Courses run continuously and a new one starts at the beginning of each alternate month e g March May July etc

For Homes or Services that choose to become an Eden Accredited Home annual validations of how Eden features with the life of the Home/Service are undertaken In recognition of the progress achieved by the care provision an award of Platinum Gold Silver or Bronze can be achieved Eden UK is based at 11 Plantation Terrace, Dawlish Devon EX7 9DS and can be contacted on 01626 868192 or 07483359472

The key advantages to the Eden approach are:

It improves occupancy

It improves recruitment and retention

It improves team and resident wellbeing Geoffrey Cox LLb MSc

OakNorth Bank, the digital bank for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, has provided a £20m loan to Phoenix Learning and Care, a leading provider of specialist education and residential care for children and young adults with a range of additional needs

Established in 2006 and now employing over 500 people, Phoenix Learning and Care Group operates 41 sites including residential children s homes specialist education schools & colleges and ongoing adult care (in the form of residential homes and supported living settings) across the South of England and Wales Its mission is to meet every individual’s social and educational needs enabling young people to flourish by always putting them at the centre of its thinking and practice Regulated by Ofsted CIW Estyn and CQC the Group supports children and young adults cope with their life experiences providing them with the skills to be effective productive and valued members of society The business is also backed by Ashridge Capital who specialise in partnering with ambitious management teams and providing private equity capital Founded in 2009 by David Sherratt Ashridge Capital has a proven track record in helping build successful and market leading businesses

The £20m loan from OakNorth Bank will be used to support Phoenix Learning and Care Group s acquisition of new residential care and education sites as well as refinancing existing debt Situated throughout the South West of England, South Wales and having recently increased its presence in Berkshire

recent new sites include the Grange, Neptune and Ty Monmouth Schools located in Thatcham Bristol and Newport respectively

François Delbaere CFO of Phoenix Learning and Care Group commented: “Every member of the team at Phoenix is passionate about improving the quality of life and outcomes for the people we support From our headquarters in the South West of England we continue to grow across the South of England and Wales, this bespoke funding from OakNorth will help further accelerate our growth This was our first time working with OakNorth Bank and we found their approach dynamic and entrepreneurial throughout the entire lending process It was great to see Stewart and his team take time to really get to know our business and its key drivers – an approach we haven t seen from other lenders we’ve worked with previously ” Stewart Haworth Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth Bank added “Following the launch of Phoenix Learning and Care 17 years ago it has built up such a positive reputation across the South of England and Wales The level of experience that the business has to offer coupled with its hugely talented team puts it in the perfect position to capitalise on the growing demand for specialist education and care services With over 260 children and young adults benefiting from Phoenix’s services we re delighted to have been able to support such a wellrenowned and established provider of specialist education and residential care and we look forward to watching their growth story going forward

For further information on Oaknorth Band see the advert on the facing page

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