The Carer Digital - Issue #194

Soaring Dementia Care Costs Reach

EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

Editor Peter Adams

The recent report by the Alzheimer's Society (lead story) revealing that the annual cost of dementia care has soared to a staggering £42 billion with a projected increase to £90 billion by 2040 should serve as a stark wake-up call to policymakers and society at large

The implications of these figures are not just financial but also represent a profound societal challenge that demands urgent and sustained action

The current trajectory of dementia care costs is simply unsustainable

The immediate need for increased funding to address this crisis must be followed by comprehensive long-term planning and difficult decisions The burden of dementia care is not confined to the realm of direct financial expenditure but extends deeply into the fabric of families communities and our healthcare system

Direct costs associated with dementia care encompass a wide spectrum from pharmacological treatments and hospital stays to residential and home care services These expenses are formidable on their own but pale in comparison to the often overlooked indirect costs Family caregivers overwhelmingly unpaid face emotional physical and financial strain as they juggle care responsibilities with work and personal lives If these caregivers were compensated for their time the financial burden would likely exceed what our healthcare system can bear

Furthermore, the broader social community shoulders significant costs in providing support services and awareness campaigns These expenditures, though less tangible, are vital in maintaining a compassionate and functional society

We are living in an era where the elderly population grows and dementia cases multiply, and the need for decisive action becomes imperative

I suspect we are just months away from a General Election and any incoming government must confront this challenge head-on even if the solutions are politically unpalatable Long-term planning must consider sustainable funding models innovative care approaches and robust support systems for caregivers

Ignoring or postponing action on dementia care would be a disservice not only to those directly affected but to the very fabric of our social contract We must recognize that addressing this crisis requires a collective commitment and a willingness

to make difficult choices for the greater good

However I further suspect that we will hear precious little in the lead up to the election adult social care remains to political hot potato or to put more simply a can to be kicked further down the road

Possibly the most difficult job for any incoming government is to sell the concept of planning for the future to the public In 2017 then Prime Minister Theresa May came in for huge criticism when their party manifesto social care plans were rejected by the electorate and announced by the media as a “dementia tax”

It was in my humble opinion a PR disaster! And call it what you may but sooner or later the concept of a levy to prepare for care in old age will be introduced and will have to be sold to the public in such a way that they support it

I remember during the pandemic commenting on adult social care costs in other countries highlighting that Germany has a comparatively generous system that seeks to spread much of the cost of care across society but care is not free at the point of use All adults pay into a mandatory national long-term care (LTC) social insurance scheme (essentially a strictly ring-fenced tax) On requiring care people are then able to draw a benefit proportionate to their level of need to cover part of their costs The remainder of their care bill is covered by the person themselves from their own pocket

I have yet to hear a proposal for long-term care however once again my own tenpenneth is given the political difficulties that have arisen finding a funding solution a cross-party commission to agree an acceptable funding measure may be the best way forward

A commission involving all parties coming together with stakeholders on providers coming together to address an issue on which there is already broad consensus, that being the current system is broken and unsustainable

I would very much welcome your views on this so please feel free to contact us particularly as we lead into a general election where we hope to keep a little pressure on those hoping for our votes!

Once again we have this week had some wonderful uplifting and heartwarming stories from care homes throughout the UK, so please do keep them coming I can also be contacted at any time at editor@thecareruk com

We would also ask our readers to follow us on Twitter @TheCarerUK and also sign up to our email newsletters at www thecareruk com/recommends/signup to have all the latest news delivered directly twice weekly

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Soaring Dementia Care Costs Reach £42 Billion

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

THIRD BIGGEST KILLER

Dementia is the UK s biggest killer and almost one million people are living with the condition yet it is estimated that a third of people affected have not received a diagnosis Despite the evidence of benefits of an early and accurate dementia diagnosis spending on diagnosis makes up less than 1 4% of the total health care expenditure The majority of costs come from social care (40%) and unpaid care (50%) The charity says the lack of an early diagnosis means that families are left to pick up the pieces and results in catastrophic costs further down the line

The charity reports that an ageing population means the number of the UK population with dementia will increase by 43% by 2040 with the biggest increases (51%) in Northern Ireland and London (53%) and that urgent action is needed

The study revealed that in line with increasing numbers of people living with dementia the need for unpaid care often provided by loved ones or friends will grow significantly by 2040 with 43% more people expected to require unpaid care This is a major concern when already a third of unpaid carers spend more than 100 hours caring per week and 16% had to give up work to care

FRAGMENTED SYSTEMS

Further research by Walnut Unlimited also found that only 1% of people affected by dementia didn t see the benefit of a diagnosis The charity says a timely and accurate diagnosis gives people with dementia access to the vital care support and treatment they need However lack of awareness fragmented health and social care systems and workforce issues remain barriers to diagnosis Alzheimer’s Society is calling on the Government to increase access to early and accurate dementia diagnosis to help families avoid reaching costly avoidable crisis point

COLOSSAL IMPACT

Kate Lee Alzheimer s Society CEO said: One in three people born today will develop dementia It s the biggest health and care issue of our time yet it isn’t the priority it should be amongst decision-makers We wouldn’t accept this for any other terminal disease we shouldn’t accept this for dementia

One in three people with dementia do not have a diagnosis They are facing dementia alone without access the vital care support and treatments If we don’t address diagnosis we have no hope of addressing the major dementia challenges we face and reducing the cost to the health service and wider economy

Dementia s devastating impact is colossal – on the lives of those it affects on the healthcare system and on the economy Now is the time to prioritise dementia and that starts with getting more people diagnosed ” “NO-ONES LISTENING”

Paul Kemp (57) from Kent whose wife Sandy (55) lives with early-onset dementia said: Sandy was so kind and gentle Her smile lit up the room wherever she went but dementia has stripped that away She can barely talk and can t comprehend the world around her anymore She’s increasingly aggressive and agitated and is regressing quickly - I feel so helpless and isolated

Sandy s diagnosis journey was not easy either We first spotted dementia symptoms in 2018 and at first the doctors thought it was depression but we knew this wasn’t right and challenged their assumptions It wasn’t until July 2020 that a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was given Two years felt like an agonising lifetime to wait when we knew something wasn t right If an early and accurate diagnosis was given we could have accessed the right support, but we’ve been robbed of that precious time

“I’ve had to give up work to become a full-time carer for Sandy and my mother and sell personal items to pay for care and buy essentials I feel that no-one in government understands the financial pressures carers face especially when trying to claim for benefits is like screaming into the wind – no one s listening ”

FORGOTTEN CRISIS

Vicky McClure MBE actor and Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador said: “More needs to be done now to support people in getting a dementia diagnosis Dementia can absolutely devastate families in so many ways but receiving an early diagnosis can be a lifeline for people to access the vital treatment and care they desperately need ”

People showing signs of dementia those now living with the condition and the people that love and care for them are being forgotten – it has become the UK’s forgotten crisis despite dementia being the UK’s biggest killer ” I ve seen first-hand the challenges families face before and after a diagnosis and having supported Alzheimer s Society to push for change for many years it breaks my heart that we re stuck in the same place with hundreds of thousands of people still undiagnosed ”

SKILLED WORKFORCE

Professor Martin Green OBE Chief Executive of Care England Today s Alzheimer s Society report for instance shows that the cost of dementia in the UK will more than double to £90 billion by 2040 unless urgent action is taken An ageing population, with increasingly complex care needs, requires a skilled and resilient adult social care workforce to keep up with rising demand Without delivering a pay rise to the sector s 1 5 million staff that simply will not materialise leaving people without the care they need

A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “Timely diagnosis of dementia is vital, which is why we’re working to identify and treat more people and provide potential new treatments as they become available We re also doubling funding for dementia research to £160 million a year by the end of 2024/25 and dementia is one of six major conditions included in our upcoming Major Conditions Strategy ”

The Digitalisation of Health and Its Impact on Cyber Security in the Care Industr y

By Matt Thompson, Solicitor

The huge increase in demand for digital healthcare is expanding beyond the NHS and personal health apps into the space occupied by care providers

Technology can help care providers book and track appointments seamlessly transfer patient information between care staff and increase efficiency in administration It also provides patients with access to healthcare information and in some circumstances a healthcare expert, if they find themselves needing to do so outside their regular hours of care

The digitalisation of healthcare does not however come without risk; and a greater awareness of cyber-crime and security measures is important to minimise such risk CARE PROVIDERS CAN LEARN FROM NHS CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY

To put it simply cyber security is a combination of measures taken to mitigate or prevent a cyber-attack If technology and data storage was your home cyber security would be the locks on your door the burglar alarm and the security cameras In the healthcare industry cyber security is critical to protecting patient confidentiality ensuring clinical outcomes and safeguarding financial resources

The NHS’ cyber security strategy for 2030 focuses on the identification of threats and the five-pillar approach to dealing with them It emphasises the necessity for cyber security and data protection to combat the threats to a significantly more digitalised healthcare system

The wider care sector can learn from this approach Strict access controls on data device protection and the NHS Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) all contribute to the cyber-safety of devices and data

NHS PET is a tool that audits who has accessed data and for what purpose When combined with strict access controls, this means that no healthcare worker or manager can access a patient’s data without being authorised to do so and a record of the access happening

NHS care providers will be familiar with this and private care providers may deem it wise to implement a similar – yet private – resource

CYBER SECURITY STEPS FOR CARE PROVIDERS

For care providers, the first port of call is to install antivirus software, keep all software up to date with security patches and updates use encryption on files where it is necessary to do so and impose personal security measures proportionate to the scale and scope of the organisation

Staff should be aware of the everyday online safety tips such as being wary of scams and online links and maintaining strong passwords

One of the golden rules of maintaining strong cyber security within an organisation is to regularly provide training to all levels of staff A small-scale sharing of knowledge can prevent a large-scale cyber-attack

Alongside the sharing of knowledge an “action plan” is a necessary organisational feature When created by a cyber security expert an action plan can be an easy point of reference for anyone within an organisation to spot a cyber-breach, report it to the relevant member of staff and commence the behaviour necessary to mitigate any further harm

Cyber-attacks can have significant financial consequences for care providers including the loss of revenue and the cost of repairing damage caused by the attack If an organisation’s security arrangements are inadequate there is also the risk of civil claims and regulatory fines imposed by the Information

Commissioner’s Office

A few important actions can safeguard financial resources Purchasing cyber insurance can protect against financial losses caused by cyber-attacks

Conducting regular risk assessments will identify potential vulnerabilities and will allow an organisation to develop plans to mitigate risks

Developing a business continuity plan that outlines how to continue operations in the event of a cyberattack will streamline the aftermath ; after all cyber-attacks are constantly becoming more of a when than an “if”

Plans like this focus on the who when and how to get back to business in a safe and timely manner

A good business continuity plan will ensure necessary communication with any data subjects who have fallen victim to the breach

DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND – BUT DON’T BE LEFT AT RISK

In summary good cyber security is essential to prevent business disruption safeguard the services provided to patients and residents, and minimise the risk of financial losses

At the same time providers that do not

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How Can Care Managers Navigate New Immigration Rules?

The past four months have brought a series of significant changes to UK immigration law – developments that will have a direct impact on overseas workers within the UK care sector, and for the businesses employing them

Here, we explore some of the recent changes and discuss the steps care sector management should be considering now to ensure their businesses remain compliant with the law to effectively support their workforce

Dependent rules: removing the ability to bring spouses and children

The immigration development that will perhaps have the largest impact is a tightening of the rules around who overseas care workers can bring to live in the UK with them

As of March new migrant care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) are no longer allowed to bring dependents – their partners or their children – on their visa This won’t apply to those who were in the route before 11 March 2024 – they can still apply for their partners or their children to join them

As well as considering how this may affect their ability to meet their ongoing staffing needs care sector businesses will need to be mindful of the potential impact on workers who choose to still work in the UK sponsored under these occupation codes The fact that they may be separated from support – such as a spouse – may increase their financial vulnerability in the UK and have a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing

This is an issue that sector businesses must take seriously Employers have a legal duty of care to their staff that requires them to do all they reasonably can to support their employees’ health, safety and wellbeing and mental health is just as important as physical health in this regard

In certain cases, poor mental health may be considered a disability under the Equality Act, which would require employers to make reasonable adjustments for the worker in question

But beyond their legal obligations creating a supportive compassionate environment is simply the right thing to do Management teams should be taking the opportunity now to review the systems they have in place for spotting signs of vulnerability or poor mental health and what resources they have available to help affected staff Here they may benefit from specialist external help – such as mental health professionals and/or legal specialists in this area – or delivering training for their teams particularly those with line management responsibilities

INCREASING THE COST OF NON-COMPLIANCE

• OZONE ROOM SANITISERS THE INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST CONSULTANCY FOR IMPLEMENTING:

• ANTIMICROBIAL FABRIC TREATMENTS

• L AUNDR Y HYGIENE AND EFFICIENCY

• ANTIMICROBIAL HARD SURFACE COATINGS

• LEGIONELL A CONTROL

Two further changes are also now in force that increase immigration compliance responsibilities and potential cost of breaches for care organisations

As of February any business that is found to have employed an individual without the appropriate immigration permission in the UK may pay a penalty up to £15,000 per person found to be employed unlawfully for a first offence triple the previous fine

For repeat breaches the penalty has also risen three-fold: climbing from £20 000 to £60 000 per person

This makes it even more important that care sector businesses have the right procedures in place to ensure their compliance with relevant employment and right to work legislation

This might include regular audits of records or conducting internal spot checks’ to ensure that a business is consistently complying with its duties as a sponsor of an overseas worker

Companies should also make sure that the responsibility for compliance is a whole business effort –shared across staff and not just its most senior members As with mental health support care businesses may benefit from giving line managers – those who are perhaps closest to day-to-day operations – specific training on sponsor duties so they can flag any instances where a worker may not be working in a legal capacity for example taking unauthorised leave or working in a role outside of their visa s scope These are all easy areas to miss if you are not aware of the compliance pitfalls

Additionally, as of March, care providers in England are unable to sponsor new care workers under the Skilled Worker route, unless they are registered with the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”)

This could have a significant impact on care sector business recruitment strategies if – until now – they relied on overseas staff and are not a business providing regulated activities and therefore have not required CQC registration

These firms now face a choice: to try and source the staff they need elsewhere, or to proceed with CQC registration

The latter route can be a lengthy and resource-intensive process If this is an option that firms are considering or feel they need to pursue it s advised they seek advice from legal experts specialising in healthcare to help minimise delays and cost

THE ROAD AHEAD

In a general election year it remains to be seen what further changes to immigration policy could be on the horizon

For now care sector businesses should make sure they are fully abreast of recent developments and that they bolster and safeguard compliance protocols in their business to effectively support their staff

In a sector with a near 10% vacancy rate many businesses are likely to continue to view immigration as an important avenue for meeting their staffing needs

The right approach can ensure that businesses maximise their chances of fulfilling these requirements in line with the law and of creating a safe responsible working environment that helps both attract and retain all staff

• Energy and utilities procurement

• Energy survey to identify savings

• Carbon footprinting, net zero strategy and sustainability

• Building services management

NHS App Messaging Saved NHS

More Than £1 million in Last Year

Messages sent to millions of patients via the NHS App have saved the NHS £1 1 million on the cost of previously sending the information via text message

During 2023/24 22 5 million messages were sent through the NHS App which would have previously been sent as a text message or letter

The average cost of sending a text message is around 5p, which represents a saving of at least £1 1 million

People who switch on notifications in the NHS App have their messages automatically sent through the app

This avoids the cost of sending a text message is more secure and puts all patient NHS messages in one place THE MESSAGING SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE NHS APP DEPENDS ON A PATIENT’S GP SURGERY OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, BUT MANY USERS CAN NOW:

view messages from their NHS healthcare services (through the NHS App Messaging service)

• view responses from their GP practice or follow up on things like test results (sometimes called an online consultation)

• view messages to their healthcare provider (such as specialist doctors at a hospital)

Dr Vin Diwakar, National Transformation Director at NHS England said: When we talk about the benefits of

NHS App we

focus on patient convenience or the admin time saved for frontline staff – but the NHS App is also saving the NHS significant amounts of money on text messages and postal

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UK Homecare Leaders Demand Urgent Social Care Reform Amidst Growing Crisis

Recent developments highlighted by The Guardian, including systemic failures and the resignation of the UK government s dementia adviser over the prosecution of carers, have brought critical issues within the UK’s adult social care sector back into the spotlight Leaders from Personal Care Specialists are now calling for immediate and comprehensive reforms

Helen Cook from Personal Care Specialists stresses the severe financial strains from delayed payments a result of consistent government underfunding to councils and the social care sector Providers often wait up to 60 days for payments, causing significant cash flow issues, especially for smaller agencies

This chronic underfunding has left local authorities with insufficient resources pushing the burden of financial management onto the providers themselves and severely impacting their ability to maintain quality care and timely staff payments

Peju A from A&A Homecare Ltd adds that minimal funding increases from local authorities do not match rising wages stressing finances and morale Additionally, the commissioning of 15 minute calls continues, despite ample evidence against this practice

Amanda Gaunt of Alpha Care Services points out that recruitment is further challenged by low wages high job demands poor industry perception and the impacts of Brexit They note that financial discrepancies where councils fail to match necessary wage increases are pushing many care agencies towards financial crises

Allie Barnes from AliMo Care raises concerns about the exploitation of overseas workers and the practice of many local authorities accepting the lowest bids for care contracts which often leads to compromised care quality The heavy reliance on migrant workers, exacerbated by recruitment challenges, subjects them to substandard working conditions This situation poses risks to their welfare and affects the quality of care raising alarms about potential modern slavery within the sector

Furthermore a recent Guardian article has highlighted that numerous unproven care providers were swift-

ly granted licenses to sponsor workers from abroad, despite lacking thorough checks by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Moreover the CQC has been criticised for registering an excessive number of providers without assessing if there is a local demand for more services rather than staff This oversight has led to an oversaturated market causing staff to move between providers and increasing operational costs which has forced some to close

Additionally, recent government policy changes, preventing partners of sponsored workers from entering the UK have intensified the staffing crisis Established providers with strong CQC ratings find it increasingly difficult to secure the necessary sponsorship licenses to meet demand These providers cannot match the higher wages offered by others who are supplementing their income through the questionable practice of charging overseas workers for their visas further undermining the integrity of the care provided

There are serious concerns about the financial and operational challenges threatening the survival of smaller providers These challenges push such businesses to either cease operations or shift towards the competitive private adult domiciliary homecare sector This shift requires significant investment in brand awareness to compete with larger national providers a necessity driven by the lowering of financial thresholds for state support and chronic government underfunding over

The

Furthermore,

The

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Living Life With Dementia at Lilian Faithfull Care

advice to loved ones in Gloucestershire

We look after remarkable people living with dementia at every stage of their care journey across all our six care homes and day hub in Cheltenham and Stroud

Our charity have expanded the dementia care services we provide and adapted the spaces in our care homes, to cater for the rise in demand for dementia care in Gloucestershire These include; a community day care hub a new young onset dementia group and new dementia care suites LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN THE COMMUNITY

At the heart of the Suffolk s in Cheltenham our Secret Garden Hub has become a real beacon of hope for people living with dementia in the community and also helping combat loneliness and isolation

The Secret Garden Hub has been offering tailored adult day care for over seven years Located in the gardens of our Faithfull House care home its warm and happy vibe is infectious

Roger Morris visits the Hub twice a week and told about his life living with dementia and his visits

“Dementia - it’s a horrible thing to have as you don’t trust yourself You don t know if you are thinking correctly I have to write lots of notes, things like that, to lead a fairly normal life I come to meet people because I lost all my confidence and I hardly dare go out on my own It’s a peculiar thing really as I used to be very sociable

Roger used to play rugby for Northampton as wing threequarter (and had a trial for England) he continued “Coming here it s the camaraderie chatting and talking to people which is the most important thing "

From a family s perspective a day guest s son John Herlihy shared, It is a great reassurance to us that the service can be provided as is the fact that she seems to get such a boost from the antics of staff guests and visitors weekly The Secret Garden appears to have developed a secret magic formula for early and mid-stage dementia care!”

NEW YOUNG ONSET DEMENTIA GROUP

Our Secret Garden hub has recently set up a unique opportunity for younger people living with dementia to get together supporting those typically aged 40-65

The days are fun and fulfilling with varied activities trips entertainment and fresh hot meals and the companionship of others who are also adapting to living life with dementia at a young age

The small welcoming group means people quickly feel at home and the experienced staff adapt the day to suit in a safe and supportive environment

NEW DEDICATED DEMENTIA CARE SUITES

We now have three dedicated dementia care suites across two of our residential care homes One suite at Faithfull House in Suffolk Square and two at Royal Court in Fiddlers Green Cheltenham

Residents share a family sized lounge and dining room with their own bedrooms which offer familiarity and peace to those who might otherwise feel lost or overwhelmed in a larger or vibrant home environment

Activities are on a one to one and group basis and include gentle exercise trips out music therapy art and cookery Activities will also include doing day to day tasks which give residents a sense of purpose and routine which those living with dementia really benefit from Suzanne Booker Director of Care explains

We opened our first dementia care suite over 5 years ago and we are continuing to expand the number we offer as we ve seen so many positive benefits for those living with us Residents gain reassurance from the calm quiet environment and having a dedicated staff team At Royal Court residents have their own apartments within the suite and safe access to a garden which can give a feeling of wellbeing and stimulate memories with physical activity ” Care Team Leader Cherie Thomas works in one of our specialised dementia care suites at Royal Court care home and understands dementia not only professionally but personally so has particular empathy with families considering care;

“My mum had dementia so it’s always a worry that you don t want to feel like you are letting them down It is not an easy illness to deal with being a family member but you have to do what s in your family s best interest

When you start becoming a carer your family orientation goes – you lose being a son or daughter Bringing them into a setting like this means that you can go back to being a son or daughter You can visit, have coffee tea and cake, take them out and enjoy those moments ”

SPECIALIST DEMENTIA CARE STAFF AND ENVIRONMENTS

Carer Wendy Heeks has worked at St Faith’s nursing home for 45 years and remembers what it was like back then I started when I was seventeen years old and dementia was not spoken about it was just explained as ‘confused’ ”

Now all our staff receive dementia training so that they can work with skill and confidence to assist those living with dementia Our dementia care leads’ and teams of ‘dementia link workers ensure that our staff are up to date with the latest training and understanding of dementia

Our day hubs and care homes are subtly adjusted to ease common practical challenges when living with dementia such as suitable signage use of colours and appropriate tableware peace and familiarity - all to give a secure safe and stress free environment

We are very privileged to care for the remarkable people who live with or visit us We believe people should have every opportunity to live their lives with dignity and respect And we should never forget our older generation have helped form our way of life and have given so much to society as we know it

To find out more about dementia care and support across our Lilian Faithfull Care charity visit our dementia care page at www lilianfaithfull co uk/our-care/dementia-care

Hampshire Care Home Launches Monthly Choir Group For People Living With Dementia

and

and supporters Research

group

enhance emotional wellbeing improve social connectedness and even boost verbal flexibility for some individuals

Pippa Mafunga General Manager at Portsdown View comments: “Portsdown s new choir group is far more than just a place for people to learn to sing! By bringing residents together with a common purpose in mind we want to create a genuine sense of community where everyone can connect through

Important - Health and Safety Matters

The National Association Of Care Catering Launches Awards for 2024

The prestigious awards welcome nominations from across the care catering sector to recognise and celebrate teams and individuals that go above and beyond in their field – from care homes to community services such as Meals on Wheels and Lunch Clubs

The NACC Awards 2024 are officially open for entries with a deadline Monday 24 June 2024 The judges will be looking for examples of innovation, excellence and dedication that create tangible benefits for residents, clients and colleagues in the following categories Care Establishment of the Year Award sponsored by allmanhall

Meals on Wheels Award sponsored by apetito Catering Team of the Year, sponsored by Hobart UK Catering Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions

• Our Care Catering Hero Award sponsored by Bidfood

• The Bev Puxley Award sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Cooks

The shortlist will be announced in August with the winners being honoured later in the year at a gala awards dinner where the recipients of the Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Winterhalter and the National Chairman’s Award will also be revealed as well as the hotlycontested NACC Region of the Year Award sponsored by Meiko

The NACC Awards 2024 nomination brochure with full category details and entry requirements can be downloaded at www thenacc co uk/events/nacc-national-awards-2024

Neel Radia National Chair of the NACC comments:

“This is one of the highlights of my year when we

can call upon our members to recognise excellence, innovation and dedication within care catering We have so many unsung heroes and this is our chance to turn the spotlight on some of them and give them the recognition they deserve

“For a long time, the social care sector – be that in care homes or in the community – has been undervalued and the NACC is here to change that perception With today s inflationary landscape care caterers go to extraordinary lengths to ensure those they care for receive the right nutrition and hydration in an appropriate and enjoyable way that generates a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing

“We very much look forward to coming together with members colleagues and friends later in the year to celebrate the exceptional achievements within our sector and the teams and individuals that encapsulate the very best of the best We know these continue to be challenging times for our members but we urge them to enter the NACC Awards 2024 and ensure the hard work and brilliance of their team members do not go unrecognised

Entry to the NACC Awards is open to members of the NACC For more information about how to become a member visit www thenacc co uk

us

Empowering Caregivers, Protecting Residents:

The Tech Revolution in Care Homes

By Kirstie Jones, Head of Client Services

In the ever-evolving landscape of care provision, embracing technology has become more than just a trend; it's a necessity The integration of innovative solutions not only streamlines administrative tasks but also enhances the quality of person-centred care within care homes

In this article we will delve into how technology and innovation are revolutionising care practices, focusing on two crucial aspects: food safety and temperature monitoring

FOOD SAFETY FAILINGS PUT THE VULNERABLE AT RISK

Ensuring food safety is paramount in care homes, where residents vulnerability to foodborne illnesses is heightened Eating unsafe food can result in even the fit and well experiencing a range of unpleasant symptoms but for those who have weakened immune systems it can be much more serious and can lead to complications of other health problems

Compliance with the Food Safety Act 1990 is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a cornerstone of responsible caregiving Unfortunately however it s not uncommon to see care homes hitting the mainstream news due to inadequate procedures or failings Earlier this year, a Leicestershire care home made the news after it was branded unsafe by inspectors for the second visit in a row

A simple but effective solution care settings can take is to go from paper trails to digital checklists From food storage checks to residents dietary requirements these customisable checklists streamline daily operations Assigning tasks tracking completion and ensuring adherence to safety protocols become effortless with the click of a button By digitising food safety practices care homes can uphold rigorous standards while alleviating the burden on caregiving teams enabling them to focus more on the residents well-being Instead of paper-based resident dietary requirement sheets, the integration of digital platforms for man-

aging residents’ dietary requirements, including their IDDSI needs, is paramount By digitising these records, updates can be made instantaneously ensuring accessibility from any location at any time This proactive approach guarantees that residents consistently receive meals tailored to their specific needs regardless of the staffing or meal service provider on duty

REDUCING HUMAN ERROR THROUGH AUTOMATED TEMPERATURE MONITORING

Maintaining compliant temperatures for both food and medicine storage is another critical aspect of care home operations The traditional manual monitoring of temperatures not only consumes valuable time but also poses risks of oversight or human error To enhance safety and efficiency care homes are embracing automated temperature monitoring systems

Smart sensors deployed in fridges and freezers continuously monitor temperatures providing real-time data and alerts This proactive approach minimises the risk of temperature deviations - which may occur if someone accidentally leaves the fridge door open ajar - ensuring the integrity of stored items Certain fridges can even take stock of expiry dates allowing care home staff to plan meals ahead of time and avoid food wastage and the accidental consumption of out-of-date products BEST PRACTICES SHOULD BE SOLIDIFIED THROUGH STAFF TRAINING

With the continual advancements in AI it s only a matter of time before care homes have even more technologies at their disposal allowing staff to create a safer more personalised dining experience for their residents

Caregivers must understand the benefits of any new technologies or processes brought into their setting and receive thorough instruction on how they work Management should also ensure that even those with minimal contact with food have Level 1 Food Safety Training in place This covers the basics of safety, namely cleaning and disinfection techniques, personal hygiene when handling food and common food hazards IN CONCLUSION

The synergy between technology and care provision in care homes is

Bournemouth Care Home Celebrates Global Intergenerational Week With School Visit

Off To University For 81-Year-Old Care Home Resident Brian

Tanya was among the activities coordinators at the forum She said:

“Brian absolutely

1 In 5 Data Breaches In 2023 Were In The Health Sector, New Data Reveals

span the health sector remains at the top of the list year on year at almost 1 in 5 cases from 2019 to 2023

The education and childcare sector came 2nd place last year, making up almost 1 in 7 cases The finance insurance and credit sector came 3rd, making up over 1 in 10 cases

Hayes Connor also analysed the types of data that had been breached within each sector The research found that in 2023 basic personal identifiable data was the most common type of data being breached within health sector data breaches In fact, this made up 73 21% of data breaches The second highest form of data breaches involved health data at 61 66%

Concerningly, almost 1 in 5 of total data breaches in 2023 involved children s data This is particularly sensitive due to the fact children are less aware of the safeguards consequences, and risks regarding personal data processing

In the health sector last year 142 cases involved children s data making up 7 36% of health incident

The findings also showed the different incident types behind the data breaches The number one reason behind data breaches within the health sector was through unauthorised access, which made up 18 70% of the health data breach cases in 2023

“Despite regulatory advancements and the introduction of stricter compliance mechanisms the rate of data breaches remains a serious concern The recent ICO trends portray a continuous need for vigilance and updated compliance strategies from businesses especially in how they manage and protect personal data against emerging cyber threats and human error

The health sector are frequent violators coming in 1st place for data breaches in 2023 OVERALL, THE TOP 10 OFFENDERS, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL INCIDENTS EACH SECTOR WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THE LAST YEAR, WERE AS FOLLOWS:

Data emailed to the wrong recipent showed up as the second most common incident type for this sector at 16 22% This demonstrates how human error plays a huge role in many data breach cases in the UK, and thus the importance of internal business training

It is important to bear in mind that part of the 2018 GDPR regulations require businesses to report a data breach within 72 hours Failure to notify a breach when required to do so can result in a significant fine of up to £18m or 4 per cent of your global turnover

Concerningly, in the health sector, it’s taking over 72 hours to report 43 88% of their data breaches This is leaving the sector vulnerable to large fines

Hayes Connor’s study found that the health sector made up around 1 in 5 reported data breach cases last year On average across the 5-year

Richard Forest Legal Director at Hayes Connor says “Another year, another representation of how many organisations across all sectors are still failing to implement effective security protocols leaving personal data vulnerable to breaches which have significant legal and financial repercussions for the entities involved

Obtaining CHC for a Person with Dementia

Amongst the headlines from the research for the

Societythat saw records analysed of 26 000 people dating back seven years - is that dementia costs £42 billion per year in the UK and that figure is set to rise to £90 billion by 2040 The majority (63%) of this cost is being shouldered by people living with dementia and their families As dementia progresses, total costs increase from £29,000 per year to £81 000 HOW FAMILIES ARE BEING IMPACTED BY THE COSTS OF DEMENTIA CARE

Paul Kemp (57), from Kent, whose wife, Sandy (55), lives with earlyonset dementia told the Alzheimer s Society I ve had to give up work to become a full-time carer for Sandy and my mother and sell personal items to pay for care and buy essentials I feel that no-one in government understands the financial pressures carers face, especially when trying to claim for benefits is like screaming into the wind – no one s listening

FUNDING

DEMENTIA CARE

When you need professional dementia care either to fully support a person living with dementia or to provide supplementary care alongside a family carer, this is means tested Care Choices have an excellent guide that looks at care funding which details the threshold for local authority support and what happens to people who have assets above the threshold and are therefore deemed ‘self funders’

However another option known as NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is something that should also be considered CHC is a means of fully funding dementia care through the NHS for a person who is considered to have a ‘primary health need’ This is different from the majority of people s needs which are classed as social care needs and are therefore met through adult social care services (via your local authority)

To obtain CHC a person needs to go through an assessment process which has proven to be complex and extremely difficult for many people living with dementia and their families This often results in individuals and families missing out on this funding, leaving many people in a desperate situation DEMENTIA UK’S ‘FIX THE FUNDING’ CAMPAIGN TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW CHC

In 2023 Dementia UK recognised the immense struggles many families were facing when trying to access CHC funding and launched their Fix the Funding campaign to urge the government to review the CHC process which Dementia UK have described as flawed’ and ‘not recognising the unique and challenging needs of people with dementia They recently took their campaign to parliament to raise its profile and call

for urgent action

I spoke to Paul Edwards, Chief Nursing Officer at Dementia UK, to find out more:

NHS continuing healthcare can be a lifeline for many families living with dementia However the system is causing huge distress for families Our ‘Fix the funding’ campaign calls on the government to urgently review how continuing healthcare is awarded to ensure a fairer and more consistent process recognises the long-term complex health needs faced by people living with dementia

Advice if you are considering, or currently involved, in the CHC assessment process

I asked Paul what he would advise families who are looking to begin a CHC funding application or who are currently involved in the CHC system Paul said:

When applying for CHC funding there are a number of steps you can take to ensure you are well pre-

pared These include:

• Consider using an advocate who has specialist knowledge of dementia and CHC applications

Contact the coordinating assessor to confirm when the assessment is happening and what they require from you If possible, it’s best to attend in person

Tell the assessor which professionals are involved in the person s care so they can be consulted

Familiarise yourself with the DST forms and think of specific examples of the person’s needs in each area You can download these forms from the website of the local NHS body responsible for CHC funding

Gather as much evidence as possible about the person’s needs – you could keep notes or even record short video clips of them Ask family friends and others involved in the person’s care for their views too

Focus on describing the person s needs on a bad day – not a good or average day or the day of the assessment

Be specific and give examples of changed behaviour

Ask for clarification if there is anything you don’t understand

If something occurs to you after the assessment which you think you should have mentioned follow up with the coordinating assessor ”

Dementia UK have more tips and guidance for navigating the CHC application and assessment process here

If you have been impacted by the cost of dementia care or struggled with the CHC process you may wish to join Dementia UK’s Fix the Funding campaign

FURTHER RESOURCES

Alzheimer’s Society – What is NHS Continuing Healthcare?

Alzheimer’s Society – Tips on preparing your case for NHS Continuing Healthcare Care to be Different – Free Guides Care to be Different – My dad has dementia so will he automatically qualify for CHC funding? Compass - Continuing Healthcare and Dementia

New Care Home Team Engage with Local Parkinson’s Support Group Ahead of Grand Opening

Leaders from the soon-to-open Copperfield Court, part of Oyster Care Homes participated in a vibrant and musical gathering at the local Parkinson’s support group on 3rd May, from 13 30 to 15:30 The event was held at Union Church in Margate a longstanding venue that has welcomed the Parkinson’s group for nearly three decades General Manager Eve Balcombe Deputy Manager Jade Hammond and Senior Healthcare Assistant Kathryn Waller attended the event which featured a performance by Charlie from Music for Health Charlie s live guitar session not only entertained but also served an important therapeutic role, encouraging participants to sing along This activity is known to assist with common Parkinson s symptoms such as tremors and posture issues and is a testament to the power of music and community in enhancing the quality of

Dilys,

Magnolia Court Care Home Hosts Community

and Wine Event

Content creator Beth Britton and Care Choices (www

What Are The Legal Obligations For Fire Safety In Care Homes?

Care homes are the residency of our most vulnerable society members, and are a place people turn to for help keeping their loved ones safe yet a report by London Fire Brigade suggests that residents may not be as safe as people think

The 2019 report found that 57% of the 177 care homes across London had "serious fire safety failures”, including one in three premises with inadequate or poorly maintained fire doors, widespread confusion about fire evacuation strategies and fire risk assessments being carried out by people without the proper skills and experience

While there is no nationwide data it remains a worry that if there were the state of fire safety in care homes across the UK would paint a similar picture

Ian Poole Head of Sales at Firechief® (www firechiefglobal com), with 15 years of experience in the care sector, reminds care homes about the legal obligations they need to uphold and the staff training that should be in place to ensure a safe environment for all residents

ALL CARE HOMES SHOULD UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

Poole said: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) states that every workplace - including care homesshould have an established fire safety plan which is recorded and every staff member is made aware of

Recognising varying dependency levels among residents a person-centred approach ensures effective arrangements, including suitable staff levels and personalised evacuation plans ”

A risk assessment should begin by examining the materials used in the construction of the building Legislation under the Care Home Regulations Act (2001) states that it’s illegal for the property owner or manager not to ensure the building is compliant and adherent to fire safety regulations

Poole said: Recent fires reveal the repercussions of weak regulations as care homes increasingly opt for cost-effective lightweight construction materials While immediate evacuation may be achieved the aftermath may result in extensive damage or building loss

“Limiting the use of combustible building materials and identifying the materials used in construction aids in understanding potential fire spread risks and forms the foundation of effective fire safety

According to the Government's guide for fire risk assessment in residential care premises, providers should have a plan to ensure all care home residents can be evacuated and assisted by staff to a place of safety in under 2 ½ minutes to avoid risk to life

Several fire safety signs should be in place in the care home to provide information on emergency exits where fire equipment is located and how to raise the alarm in order to make evacuation as effective as possible

Fire safety signs fall into one of four categories each with its own distinctive colour associated with a

respective area of fire safety

Red signs should signify the location of firefighting equipment and allow for easy identification in an emergency which includes fire extinguishers fire blankets fire hoses and fire buckets Green signals the location of doors and escape routes and yellow should be used to indicate dangerous substances in the vicinity Blue provides notice of instructions relating to fire safety including what to do in the event of a fire Additionally, a sign with a diagonal cross through it outlines what not to do in that area, such as a no-smoking sign

Poole said The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) highlights that a responsible person should oversee and take charge of fire safety measures within a commercial premises, including ensuring the proper fire safety signage is in place Failure to do so will not only endanger lives but leave you liable to legal action being taken against you

REQUIRED FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE IN PLACE

Poole said “It’s a legal requirement for care homes to have a fire alarm system installed which should be tested every week and serviced by a fire safety engineer every 6 months in accordance with the British Standard BS 5839-1:2019: Fire detection and fire alarm systems in buildings

“Care homes are also required by law to have regularly maintained fire extinguishers on the premises and should ensure that staff are trained in how to use them in the event of a fire

The types of fire extinguishers that should be present in care homes will depend on the identified risks; staff should be trained on how to use all types present which may include water foam and dry powder extinguishers

It s also incredibly important that fire doors are correctly fitted and never blocked - these are essential escape routes and specifically designed to prevent fire and smoke from spreading from one area into another London Fire Brigade reported that one in three care homes were not properly maintaining their fire doors

“Equipping yourself with the right evacuation materials such as mats and chairs that will assist the safe evacuation of your most vulnerable residents is also a must STAFF TRAINING SHOULD BE PRIORITISED

Poole said “Staff turnover rates are persistently high in the care home sector ranging from around 28% to over 39% in 2021/22 With new staff being onboarded all the time, fire safety training has to be a priority

Fire safety training for all staff should include fire safety responsibilities fire prevention evacuation procedures and the use of fire extinguishers as well as how to spot hazards and prevent potential risks

“Care homes are classed as high-risk premises because not only do people sleep there, but residents are elderly or vulnerable people who are likely to have mobility issues slower reactions and sight and hearing impairment creating more complexities around evacuation

“In such a high-risk environment, all staff should receive basic fire safety training during their inductionespecially staff working night shifts as there tends to be reduced staffing levels - and should receive a refresher every 6 months

‘By prioritising fire safety and working collaboratively we can create a safer environment for the most vulnerable members of our society Even the most well-designed fire safety plan is only as effective as its implementation By committing to continuous improvement we can ensure that care homes are truly safe havens for all residents ”

Resident at Altrincham Home ‘Danced The Night Away’ at The Mavericks Concert

Yvonne McAlister watched The Mavericks at The Bridgewater Hall

A resident at an Altrincham home got her groove on as she went to see one of her favourite bands

Yvonne McAlister lives at MHA Handsworth and had agreed to go with her sister-inlaw to watch American country music band The Mavericks

The Mavericks are an American country music band from Miami Florida

The band consists of Raul Malo Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden Malo and Deakin founded the band in 1989 along with Robert Reynolds and Ben Peeler

Due to other commitments Yvonne s sister-in-law was unable to go but that didn t deter her, and she went to watch them at The Bridgewater Hall with activity coordinator Charlotte Fowke

MHA Handsworth provides residential care for 43 residents

Charlotte said “Yvonne is originally from Ireland and moved to Altrincham two years ago to be closer to her family

She watched The Mavericks in Belfast around 10 years and is a huge fan of their music

She was really looking forward to seeing them and was talking about the show for weeks

“She was really excited, and we talked about what she was going to wear, Yvonne sung and danced to her favourite song danced the night away and had a great time “Some of the music they performed was new so she didn t know all of the songs but she did say the lead singer performed exactly how she remembered him Both

From Drug Discover y to Treatment to Care: The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Show 2024

of dementia takes away your ability to speak, see, hear and move your body and is the first experiential course specifically designed to simulate the communication needs of people living with dementia It forces you to find new ways to communicate and recognise how to better understand living with dementia

The CQC will be

Fire safety expert Ian Poole speaks about the legislation that is currently in place

Care Home’s Deputy Manager and Clinical Lead Shares Her Nursing Journey

At Bernard Sunley the Woking-based residential nursing and dementia care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly Ester Manlubatan the care home s Deputy Manager and Clinical Lead has been honouring this month’s International Nurses Day by sharing her own Nursing journey Ester has been with Friends of the Elderly and at Bernard Sunley since January 2003 When Ester first joined the Charity, she started as an Adaptation Nurse to meet UK s nursing standards regulations and FotE s care practices Ester then progressed and became a Qualified Nurse and was promoted to a Team Leader Ester then advanced further to become a Clinical Lead alongside her current role as Deputy Manager “I was born and raised

Bidfood Launches Industr y First With The Interactive Care Home, Featuring Over 75 Support Functions For Care Customers

Lura

Care Launches its Mobile Dental Care

St George's Court Residents Show Their Appreciation for International Nurses Day

The people living at St George s Court Care Home celebrated International Nurses Day by showing appreciation to the people who go above and beyond to care for them every day

Residents of St George s Court were keen to celebrate International Nurses and share gifts with the nurses working in their home, not only to thank them for the support they provide but to ensure they were recognised during this International Day of Celebration

Ahead of International Nurses Day Lifestyle Coordinator Joao supported the people living at St George's to create cardboard signs and cards containing messages of appreciation for the Nursing team As well as hand-making items to thank the Nurses they also purchased some flowers and wrote down messages of appreciation

Residents were excited to celebrate International Nurses Day and couldn't wait to give the team their gifts They started by making their way around the home

These included:

“We

Family Care Business Celebrates Prestigious Award Win

Added Value Enterprises - Sustainable Solutions for Social Care

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Look around and you ll see plenty of companies offering to get the right suppliers for your business What we bring to the table is a friendly personal approach rooted in proven experience and expertise We don t just deal in services – we build connections between people At Added Value Enterprises, we re a committed team with a passion for connecting businesses with the right suppliers Partner with us and we ll seek out the best options for your business in a dynamic and crowded marketplace We’ll also review your existing supply chain, gaining you immediate savings and new efficiencies as well as supporting you with PURCHASING SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE

Social care organisations have a lot on their plate without a supply chain review getting in the way We collaborate with social care organisations and care homes across the country, taking care of the timeconsuming details and achieving the good value they deserve With a robust ethical highly traceable supply chain we deliver

SOCIAL CARE PURCHASING PARTNER

Social care organisations choose us as their partner because we know the requirements of this challenging field We deliver a lean robust supply chain that works for your patients and people In a busy market, we cut through the obscurity and complicated lapartner to find the deals that matter to you achieving the quality you deserve at a price you didn t know were possible How

than you should At AVE we don t believe there should ever be a choice between ethics and value We offer sustainable sourcing that is good for the planet, and your bottom line TAILORED RECIPE PORTFOLIO

With direct access to our supply chain, benefitting from instant cost savings our tailored

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Social care organisations have a lot on their plate, without a supply chain review getting in the way We collaborate with social care organisations and care homes across the country, taking care of the time-consuming details, and achieving the good value they deserve

With a robust, ethical, highly traceable supply chain, we deliver expert food, beverage, and non-food purchasing solutions that save time and money That means more time to focus on what matters, like supporting patient wellbeing with exceptional quality produce

Let's achieve new efficiencies today

Social care organisations choose us as their partner because we know the particular requirement of this challenging field We deliver a lean robust supply chain that works for your patients and people In a busy market, we cut through the obscurity and complicated language to find the deals that matter to you, achieving the quality you deserve, at prices you didn't know were possible How's that for a healthy supply chain?

can be tricky

go

every aspect of your

and

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Why

the

and sustainability

HC-One Sponsors EF-Group’s ‘Yorkshire

Beast’ Challenge In Aid Of Alzheimer’s

which is raising awareness and money for the funding of dementia research at Alzheimer’s Society

EF-group is one of HC-One s main suppliers EF-group have joined forces with the Ultra6 World Record Race Team consisting of Martin Mansell Ben Wood and Andy North who is EF-group’s Commercial Director

The Ultra6 team is a group of courageously talented extreme cyclists, runners and sporting enthusiasts who enjoy pushing themselves to their limits to raise awareness and funds for invaluable causes

The Yorkshire Beast is taking place from 28th June – 1st July 2024 The event starts near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales where cyclists will begin their 450-mile journey which will take two to four days to complete whilst ascending 29 000 feet – the equivalent of scaling the height of Mount Everest

Participants will take on the challenge to raise funds for EF-group and the Ultra 6 team s chosen charity for this year, the Alzheimer’s Society

The racing team’s cycling kit and pre-launch shirts will feature EF-group and HC-One branding showcasing the partnership of the two organisations in raising awareness and funds for a worthy cause

Michael Robson Support Services Programme Director at HC-One said: “HC-One are delighted to be a headline sponsor of EF-group’s Yorkshire Beast challenge and to help raise funds for the Alzheimer s Society The challenge is a meaningful opportunity to create change and have a positive impact on lives by contributing to the funding of an incredible charity which facilitates advancements in dementia and Alzheimer s research

Supporting this cause is crucial for further research and progressing initiatives to find successful treatments and preventive measures As the global population ages cases of dementia are increasing making it more important than ever before to invest in resources that can help to lessen the societal and economic impacts of dementia

We hope that by supporting organisations such as

Care Home Manager Participates In London

Half Marathon For Independent Age

Nicolas Kee Mew, Home Manager

Elm Bank Care Home Residents Adapt Carpet Bowls To Garden Bowls

Age UK Launches Walking Tennis Programme

of all abilities The rules of the game include no running or jumping allowing the ball to bounce twice and the option to play on a smaller court with modified equipment Walking Tennis provides a fantastic way to stay active while enjoying the social benefits of being part of a tennis community The sessions are open to everyone, for those who have a backhand like Novak Djokovic or can hit a serve as fast as Serena Williams, as well as those who’ve never played before, or anyone who is simply seeking a more relaxed pace of play!

The Walking Tennis sessions will start being delivered at eight local Age UKs from Spring 2024 These local Age UKs which include Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Lincoln and South Lincolnshire Devon Sutton Calderdale and Kirklees Waltham Forest Blackburn with Darwen and South Kent Coast will implement and oversee the running and long-term viability of the Walking Tennis Programme

Findings from

In

Paul Farmer CEO at Age UK said:

“We re delighted to have received funding from the LTA Tennis Foundation to set up Age UK s new Walking Tennis programme

We know that keeping active can improve confidence and wellbeing, help older people to live independently for longer and reduce isolation and loneliness

The Walking Tennis programme will be a

nis, and we are looking forward to seeing the development and impact of The Walking Tennis programmes in the communities they are delivered in

VE Day Celebration at Cambridge Manor Care Home

On Wednesday 8th May, Cambridge Manor Care Home took a step back in time to honour the heroes of yesteryears and commemorate the 79th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day right here in our garden! Residents at Cambridge Manor Care Home came together for a heartwarming garden party filled with laughter joy and a whole lot of nostalgia The party included residents from the home their loved ones and some special faces from the local community

Decked out in their finest vintage attire residents relived the spirit of post-war jubilation sharing stories and memories that spanned generations From tales of resilience to moments of sheer joy, each anecdote painted a vivid picture of the remarkable journey our country has undertaken

Underneath the beautiful blue skies which we were blessed to enjoy amidst blooming flowers and fluttering flags we sang along to timeless wartime melodies and indulged in delicious treats fit for a

of days and into the light of freedom

But the celebrations didn t stop there! Our residents put their knowledge to the test with a special VE Day quiz showcasing their keen wit and unwavering spirit It was a testament to the resilience and camaraderie that defined an era reminding us of all of the sacrifices made for the peace and prosperity we enjoy today

As the sun set on this memorable day we couldn't help but feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to honour our past while cherishing the present A simply wonderful afternoon shared together celebrating a very special day

John Resident at Cambridge Manor Care Home said Today was such a special day and to be able to celebrate this day with my friends here at the home made it even more special The flags and sunshine made it a day to remember The team did very well and I thank them a lot”

Here s to the heroes who paved the way for our freedom and to the spirit of unity and resilience that continues to guide us forward”

Care UK: Leading The Way In Person-Centred Dementia Care

As part of Dementia Action Week Care UK is celebrating some of the innovative sector-leading practices used by our teams to support residents their loved ones and local communities following a diagnosis of dementia

This year s Dementia Action Week runs from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th May Created by the Alzheimer’s Society this week is centred around raising awareness of dementia and encouraging those living with the condition to receive the support they need A selection of Care UK homes are currently undertaking the internal Care Fit for VIPs accreditation The internal accreditation follows the ‘Care Fit for VIPs’ model, which was initially created by Emeritus Professor Dawn Brooker at the Association of Dementia Studies (ADS) at the University of Worcester ‘Care Fit for VIPs’ is embedded within the NICE guidelines for person-centred care

Suzanne Mumford QN Care UK s head of Nursing Care and Dementia, explains “The Care Fit for VIPs framework has been transformational for the homes who have completed it and received their internal Care UK accreditation We will continue to enrol homes onto this programme so that we know without a doubt we are delivering the gold-standard of person-centred dementia care across our homes The Care Fit for VIPs approach centres around four key aspects:

valuing those living with dementia treating everyone as an individual showing empathy towards those living with the condition and recognising the need for a stimulating social environment We know that our homes abide by these values in their day-to-day care of residents but it has been crucial to reaffirm Care UK’s dedication to person-centred care particularly for those living with dementia

“By refocusing on supporting residents through activities, creativity and exercise we have been able to reduce Care UK s use of antipsychotic drugs for those living with dementia Where residents do not have an accompanying psychotic illness these additional methods of support have enabled us to safely decrease prescriptions of antipsychotics by 15 percentage points in the past year ”

Dr Shirley Evans Director of the Association for Dementia Studies University of Worcester, said “Care Fit for VIPS uses the internationally recognised VIPS Framework developed by the Association for Dementia Studies led by Emeritus Professor Dawn Brooker MBE at the University of Worcester ADS recognises the commitment of Care UK in embracing the framework and incorporating it into their annual reaccreditation and continuous improvement cycle ”

The first Care UK home to be awarded the internal accreditation was Field Lodge in St Ives, Cambridgeshire With the majority of the home’s residents living with dementia Home Manager Linda Martinez knew it was important to continue to innovate and improve their care offering

She said: We ensure residents of Field Lodge are as independent as possible – they do everything from collecting newspapers to helping in the kitchen Our job is to support them to continue to live their life in the most meaningful way possible whilst providing outstanding source of care

We regularly deliver Namaste care in the home – both in group settings and as a one-to-one activity This is particularly comforting for those living with advanced dementia as it s a sensory experience which allows them to relax

Our Dementia Care Coach Keri has also shared Namaste care with our local dementia group It’s important for us to support those in our local area who may need it regardless of whether or not they live at Field Lodge We want to share any knowledge that would bring some-

one comfort at a challenging time ”

Since Linda s home was awarded the certificate in January 2023 nine more homes have followed in Field Lodge’s footsteps – most recently, Weald Heights in Sevenoaks Echelforde in Ashford and Whitebourne in Frimley have received the accreditation A further four homes are also due to be internally inspected later this year *

Activities and creativity are crucial in supporting the needs of residents, including those living with dementia At Field Lodge, for example the activities team helped a resident to swim again at the local pool

It’s not just Care UK residents who benefit from our teams’ expertise – local communities do too Most of our homes run dementia cafes which offer help and advice in living with or supporting someone living with the condition Homes also open their doors for community events year-round - whether it’s Field Lodge sharing Namaste with their local community the team at Appleby House in Epsom opening their annual musical gala night to the community or rolling out the red carpet for their very own ‘Tate’ art gallery, or Colne View in Halstead creating a monthly dementia cinema session and a separate dementia choir – our colleagues want to ensure that everyone is supported when it comes to living with dementia

At Care UK we know that discussions around dementia need to be bold, and that loved ones also need to feel supported post-diagnosis That s why we launched The Big Dementia Conversation in early 2024 with the help of broadcaster and Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon

With The Big Dementia Conversation we want to get the nation talking about dementia and some of the most difficult topics associated with the condition Our online advice hub features conversations with real families sharing their experiences, and expert advice from dementia specialists on how to navigate these topics – ranging from changes in personality to obsessive compulsive behaviours walking with purpose and loss of inhibitions

You can find out more about The Big Dementia Conversation including all-important advice from our teams and key questions from loved ones with lived experience of dementia on our website: https://www careuk com/company/care-uk-campaigns/the-bigdementia-conversation

To read more about Dementia Action Week please visit the Alzheimer's Society website: https://www alzheimers org uk/getinvolved/dementia-action-week

The full l st of Care UK homes to rece ve the internal Care Fit for VIPs accreditation is as follows: Appleby House in Epsom Surrey; Carpathia Grange n Hythe Hampshire; Echleforde in Ashford Surrey Field Lodge in St Ives Cambr dgesh re Lauder Lodge and Murrayside both in Edinburgh Metchley Manor in Edgbaston West M dlands; Weald Heights in Sevenoaks Kent and Wh tebourne in Fr mley Surrey

Charming Owls Bring Joy To Berkshire Care Home Residents

To bring wildlife closer residents at RMBI Care Co Home Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Wokingham, have recently enjoyed a visit from a group of friendly owls A handler from The Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre led the owls all around the Home s grounds and introduced

Buzzers All Round For Orchards Got Talent!

As Dementia Action Week starts (May 13-19th) Orchard Care Homes has proved its residents have a breadth of skills that would put a TV talent show to shame!

Dementia Action Week is an awareness-raising campaign where individuals and organisations across the UK are encouraged to do their bit for those living with the diagnosis This year the campaign focuses on dementia diagnosis and calls on the Government and the NHS to prioritise dementia in policy and decision-making

Orchard Care Homes which runs 23 homes in the north and Midlands pointed out that so many of their residents are highly talented people with achievements and skills galore Orchard Care Homes takes great care those living with dementia are offered surroundings that reflect their past and what is familiar to them and their skills are encouraged and utilised on a day-to-day basis through meaningful engagement and individual choice

Here is a summary of how Orchard s Got Talent : Elizabeth Brown 76 She moved into Cherry Trees Care Home in Rotherham in 2022 and has written her own poetry since she was a child Even with her dementia diagnosis, she can remember every word of one of her childhood poems Gordon Hooley, 89 also lives at Cherry Trees He is a poet, writer and singer and self-published a book covering 10 years of his childhood life

Taking time to get the content right the book was bound and ready to be sold in 2009

Alan Hardy lives at Lofthouse Grange and Lodge in Wakefield He is the author of Queen Victoria Was Amused published in 1976 A copy was eventually sent to King Charles for his review; the King liked the book hugely, saying it was so true to her He invited Alan and his wife for an audience at Buckingham Palace - a memory he will cherish forever King Charles’ review was also published within the book

John Sykes 85 also lives at Lofthouse Grange He played professional rugby all his life for Bradford Bulls, Hunslet RLFC and later coached Leeds Rhinos in 1961-62

Princess Baldwin, 70, lives at Castleford Lodge Care Home in Castleford She is a first-class pianist and singer and is registered blind Joseph Lloyd, 80, also lives at Castleford Lodge He is a qualified pilot and amazingly built his own aircraft in France

Hayden Knight CEO of Orchard Care Homes said: We are so proud of our residents and as we start Dementia Action Week we felt it was important to tell everyone these are people who have lived and continue to live full meaningful lives

They had and still have amazing skills and talents; we hope and believe that society will treat them as such Certainly within Orchard Care Homes, we love and respect them dearly

Dementia Action Week: Care Home

Residents Become Dementia Friends

19 May

Residents at a care home in Surbiton have been learning about the effects of dementia and how best to support people living with the syndrome

The talk was organised by staff at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton, to enable residents there who are not living with dementia to offer more support to residents who are

The Dementia Friends talk took place ahead of Dementia Action Week, which is running from 13-

Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia from Homes in Solihull Surbiton and High Wycombe It has also launched new services reaching into the community

Dementia Action Week is an awareness-raising campaign run by Alzheimer s Society

Staff came up with the idea for the talk because residents in the Home both those who live with dementia and those who don’t, often socialise together when taking part in activities and events It was delivered by Dementia Friends Ambassador Sylvie who is also a volunteer at the Home Staff and relatives also attended the Dementia Friends talk in which Sylvie explained how simple actions

can raise awareness and understanding Afterwards, residents tried on sensory perception equipment which replicate the physical hardships people living with dementia endure

Among those who attended and became a Dementia Friend was resident Rosemary Her husband Bob also lives at the Home with dementia Rosemary said: “I could relate to what was said because of Bob I found it really interesting and very relevant And fellow resident Derek said: I think it is important that the Home has done this so that residents staff and relatives have a better understanding of what living with dementia is like and what we can do to make life a little easier for them ”

Dementia Friends Ambassador Sylvie said These important sessions raise awareness and help change attitudes You can live incredibly well with dementia if people around you understand you ” Events and activities will take place in each of Royal Star & Garter s three Homes to mark Dementia Action Week In Solihull, this will include memory and music sessions and sensory day trips, while in High Wycombe there will be arts and crafts activities and a visit from the mobile zoo Ark Farm

Freemasons Donate Art Therapy Books to RMBI

living with dementia ” says David Barton an Essex Freemason who is behind the art therapy initiative David set up ‘Get Started Art ’ a community interest company (CIC) in 2023 to provide free arts and crafts materials to groups supporting disadvantaged children and vulnerable adults primarily within the Essex

and the MCF over 20 000 art therapy books are being donated to care homes hospitals and dementia charities across the UK including RMBI Care Co Homes

Receiving their books, Sophie George, Activities Coordinator at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court in Braintree Essex said: We ve seen first-hand the positive impact art therapy can have on our residents’ health and wellbeing Creative activities can help to calm the mind allowing a person to focus on the present and participate fully in the task at hand

Food Procurement Experts, allmanhall are

Nutrition and Hydration Week was earlier this month

Food procurement experts, allmanhall s dietitian Tess

Warnes shares a menu of ideas for year-round inspiration

BREAKFAST:

Including protein in breakfast can help our increased protein requirements as we get older:

Pancakes (add protein powder to the mix) with fruit, Greek yoghurt and flaked almonds

Porridge topped with Greek yoghurt chia seeds and berries

Tofu scrambled on toast

Breakfast burrito wrap with beans egg avocado

SNACKS:

Especially if appetite is generally low make things available throughout the day to encourage consumption of a wider range of nutrients Nutritious snack ideas could include • Cheese scones Cheese and crackers

• Hummus with pitta bread

Peanut better on toast

• Avocado on oat cakes

Savoury muffins

• Greek yoghurt with fruit •

DRINKS:

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Swift Response Ltd

Swift Response Ltd is leading the way in the heating industry across England and Wales offering bespoke care plans tailored to meet the needs of both commercial and domestic clients Central to Swift Response's ethos is providing a 'worry-free' maintenance experience marked by

free from the usual worries associated with heating maintenance and repair

Website www swiftresponseltd co uk Phone number 0800 577 0026

Email swiftresponseltd@gmail com See page 11

C&S Seating Ltd

Blueleaf Care Launches the Integra-Mat Mattress to Alleviate and Prevent All Grades of Pressure Sores

Blueleaf

step-down mattress system the Integra-Mat can be used as a static mattress or it can be stepped-up to support the active prevention or treatment of painful pressure sores and ensure residents who do experience them remain as comfortable as possible Over 700 000 people in the UK suffer from pressure sores almost all of which (95%) are avoidable with the right care and equipment For residents requiring Grade 1 pressure care the air mattress fully inflates in static mode with the foam mattress on the top surface under the cover; for Grades 2, 3 and 4 the

Dignified Dining

cells or air pockets, fully inflate and deflate around the pressure sore in dynamic alternating mode This action mimics residents natural sleep movements to optimise the flow of blood and air to the affected area The integral foam mattress can be stowed underneath the cells if needed for Grades 3 and 4 to create a full mattress system with maximum therapeutic hyperaemia

Additional features include: Auto Weight which automatically weighs the patient and adjusts pressure accordingly removing the need for manual intervention; Auto Upright which automatically optimises pressure when the patient is sitting up; and Auto Firm which adjusts

MOWOOT II - a revolutionary non-invasive solution to chronic constipation

• No obligation Site Survey

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SLUICE ROOMS & INFECTION CONTROL

How To Maximise Sluice Room Performance And ROI

Why Using A Machine To Clean Bedpans Is Better Than Manual Cleaning

Efficient

Safer

Never A Cross-Word At New Copford Place

Care Home’s Residents Are Definitely Not Clue -Less When It Comes To Their Daily Puzzles

Recreo VR - Bringing a Change of Scener y to Care INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY

ories

Also

“Puzzles

Other benefits of puzzles include helping relaxation as by immersing yourself in a puzzle it can serve as an exercise in mindfulness and help to relieve stress For the elderly in particular the act of picking up puzzle pieces turning them over and fitting them together can sometimes but quite a challenge However puzzles are a great way to exercise the small muscles in fingers and eyes

“One of our residents told me that jigsaws can be traced back to the 18th Century when European map makers put their maps on to wood and cut them into small pieces They did this to create learning tools to teach geography – so really interactive puzzles

Can AI Ease Loneliness for Adults in Care?

By Jody O ’Neill, CEO and Founder of Curam (www curamcare com)

By 2030 one in six people in the world will be aged over 60 (including me!) The WHO now outlines loneliness as a key risk factor for the wellbeing of people in later life As a potential solution we’re increasingly seeing AI companions championed for being virtual friends who will listen and talk to individuals With loneliness and feelings of isolation rife amongst the elderly and vulnerable it begs the question: could AI chatbots be beneficial in care?

In short we would argue no Here s why

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY

Complex issues such as loneliness cannot be solved by technology alone AI chatbots may seem like a promising solution but they cannot replace the human element of companionship and care that is so essential especially for those who are vulnerable and have complex needs

Carers play a vital role in providing not only basic physical care but also emotional support and understanding This is especially important for individuals with disabilities who may feel isolated due to their condition or those with cognitive challenges and degenerative conditions such as Dementia

Chatbots are not suitable for everyone And in such cases human empathy is necessary to interpret the needs and communicate effectively with the patient Empower carers and patients through technologies

The use of technologies such as AI in care must be evaluated to ensure it complements and enhances human connection rather than replacing it This means there must be careful consideration when proposing how to fit technology into the roles of those who may be the people patients see and talk to most as well as how it can be used to make the care journey better for patients

Although chatbots cannot replace human carers a combined approach of AI and other technologies can help care providers and facilitators

For example currently a typical caring schedule often includes three in-person visits per day for each patient However, due to time constraints, caregivers may have to rush these visits In this case, we would argue, that

technology can be used to allow carers to perform a more thorough in-person visit and follow up with two video check-ins based on the patient's needs (these video care calls can even of course be instigated from overseas)

Remote intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics can also be used by carers to capture an accurate overall picture of a patient s well-being to design better care programmes in advance rather than spending too much time during an in-person appointment on data capture

As well as improving patient-centricity, AI has the potential to streamline services for care facilitators by taking on mundane tasks and freeing up the caregiver's time and talent for creativity and innovation For example the administrative work involved in the daily operation of care providers and facilitators AI can handle emails user inquiries and information requests enabling users to access information quickly so management can focus on solving more complex issues efficiently

DON’T IMPLEMENT TECH FOR THE SAKE OF IT

Ultimately the current care system is dealing with legacy and complex technology which has held back much-needed innovation While AI can be a potential solution many care providers see AI as a cost-cutting solution without first addressing the underlying issue of an inadequate care model

Digital transformation within the care sector should instead prioritise the needs of patients and carers rather than simply implementing technology for the sake of it Technology should add value to the care journey for example making it safer by vetting carers ID and training documents with banking-standard technology or reducing the time carers spend doing admin so they can focus on their vocation Similarly it should enable patients to access care easily and quickly so that they aren t stuck in the hospital and have better care outcomes

PATIENT-CENTRICITY FOR UNLOCKING AI’S POTENTIAL

The successful implementation of AI in the care sector requires careful consideration of how it can meet the needs of patients And for that reason it’s not an effective way of combatting the loneliness of people in care AI cannot replace the crucial interpersonal relationships between carers and patients that build trust safety and companionship

However it can help ensure carers have more time to put the needs of patients at the heart of their work The key to successful AI implementation in the care sector is putting the patient first

NURSE CALL AND FALLS

Stay Safe with Smart Wireless Nurse Call

Blaucomm Ltd - Telecommunications & Networks

NURSE CALL AND FALLS

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions

Crash Mats Designed to Reduce Injuries from Bed Falls

Frequency PrecisionSensors and Pressure Mats to Monitor

Those in Care

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

How to Manage the Threat of New Viruses

Early last year Norovirus cases among people over 65 in England reached the highest level in over a decade In the week ending on the 26th March the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified that there had been 665 cases within a two-week period

Norovirus is particularly horrible results in severe vomiting and can have serious consequences for older people It is particularly devastating for care homes, and if an outbreak occurs, it can easily be transmitted and may affect many residents It has also led many care homes to go into lockdown and restrict visiting admissions and community activities

During the Covid-19 pandemic care homes became very good at delivering infection control measures and ensuring that communicable diseases did not enter care homes because we were cognizant of the tragic impact Covid-19 could have on care home residents However now that the Covid-19 pandemic no longer constitutes a global health emergency , and we are seeing care homes opening and returning to a more ‘normal life’ this does create a danger that other infections such as Norovirus and flu may reassert themselves and enter care settings

The World Health Organisation has now ended the global emergency status for Covid-19, three years after its original declaration but despite the pandemic being officially over it is vitally important that care homes are aware of the continuing threat of other infections

During the Covid pandemic we saw a real focus on managing viruses and care home hygiene and infection control routines were prioritised as never before What also became apparent was the need for products that assured hygiene and infection control to residents their families and staff The sector understood the importance of getting this right and having the right products that were both reliable and easy to use

We are fortunate that P&G Professional have a suite of well-known and respected products across the sector and scientifically proven to give the best protection against many viruses Flash Professional Disinfecting Multi-surface Cleaner is proven to kill flu viruses and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid19) As well as being scientifically proven products developed by P&G Professional are easy-to-use so that housekeeping and care staff can quickly get the

Commercial Kitchen and Laundr y Solutions (CKLS)

Transform Laundr y Management Within

Your Care Home with Forbes Professional

Laundr y Specialists Lavamac Receive Sustainability Award

ACCESSIBLE BATHING

Get Your Bathroom Ready For When You Return From Hospital

Omnicare Digital Shower for Level Access Bathrooms

Powering the World of Care

PASS Becomes First and Only NHS Assured Solution to Achieve

Standards and Sets Industr

GP Connect for instant access to GP patient records, and ongoing enhancements to our best-in-class digital care planning software

For more details about PASS and its digital social care solutions, visit https://www everylifetechnologies com/

To get a deeper understanding of the NHS Digital Social Care Records Standards and their importance in care provision visit: https://nhse-dsic atlassian net/wiki/spaces/DSCR/overview?homepageId=11971330147

Consort Claudgen Introduces

Enabled Heaters to LST Range

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Behaviour Smart

It records not just the de-escalation techniques used, but also their effectiveness This data is exported to a welldesigned behaviour plan, or ‘Smart Plan Our customers have experienced significant reductions in behaviour incidents, with some reporting over an 80% reduction after using Behaviour Smart for just one year

Dean Cotton, Director, Behaviour Smart info@behavioursmart co uk www behavioursmart co uk

Pass Profile 2023

To

Cloud Doing Good: Award Winning Care Accounting Software for Care Homes

Like it or not, financial accounting is crucial to the operations of your care home Without accurate reports, you cannot make proper forecasts, build accurate budgets, get paid on time by multiple funders and keep bed occupancy at optimal levels

Unfortunately, many care homes don’t have the time or budget to invest in powerful, care home accounting software This results in a vicious cycle where financial teams are so busy running manual tasks that they cannot take the time to improve their accounting systems, only to find each year they are farther and farther behind the technology their care home will need in order to thrive in the long term

Cloud Doing Good, a licensed partner of Oracle NetSuite, is here to stop that vicious cycle We believe care homes should have access to enterprise-level software without ballooning their budgets, so we donate the base software with up to three users to qualifying non-profit care homes

Why Care Home Accounting is So Complex

You know better than anyone that care home management is complex, and we know better than anyone that care home accounting gets complicated fast Balancing income for each resident from Councils, private sources, and family members requires detailed billing practices Add on top of that multiple legal entities, multiple care homes, the need for timely occupancy tracking and your finance team quickly becomes bogged down in repetitive, manual, and frustrating work

To make it worse, most accounting software are designed for slick enterprises (and priced for slick enterprise budgets) That leaves too many care home finance teams battling spreadsheets and duplicate reports to accomplish basic care home accounting tasks

How Cloud Doing Good Makes It Simple

Cloud Doing Good partners with care homes to

implement Oracle NetSuite’s enterprise-grade accounting software at as low a price as possible Here’s how Cloud Doing Good simplifies your care home’s accounting:

Single Source of Truth

Pull all your financial data into a single platform Even with multiple legal entities, multiple care homes, complex billing structures, bed occupancy tracking, resident admissions and departures and additional unique needs, our system aggregates all the pieces of information into a single repository

Robust Reporting

Whether you need to get an overview of last year’s spending or forecast income, you can run the necessary reports in a matter of clicks This makes it simpler for your team to build forecasts, track spending, track bed occupancy and the financial implications in real time, and manage billing and collecting resident payments easily

Implemented By Experienced Accountants

When it comes to your financial systems, you need financial experts not call centre IT to set you up for success After all, with cloud software the IT should be pre-built and proven With pre-built base software, we

match our experienced system accountants with your project to make sure it reflects your accounts, your finances, and your people So you get not just powerful accounting software, but confident end users within as little as 15 chargeable days From the start of the project through your first month’s ends, you will have a team of system accountants on call to walk you through doing the day job on the new system

Donated to Qualifying Care Homes

Cloud Doing Good’s mission is to bring streamlined accounting management to organisations that deserve it, so we keep it simple For qualifying non-profit care homes, we donate the base Oracle NetSuite software, including up to 3 users and unlimited UK entities This way, you can upgrade to enterprise-level accounting management without ballooning your budget

Keeping Your Data and Care Home Secure with Oracle NetSuite

When you partner with Cloud Doing Good, you get access Oracle NetSuite’s award-winning accounting management software 25+ years of investment and trusted by over 1 million users, Oracle NetSuite safeguards your data in a cloud network with the latest security protocols and automatic updates to protect against breaches We’ll also integrate the platform into your existing data security structure for smooth, uninterrupted, and safe operations as needed This way, you can focus on your care and let us worry about cybersecurity Don’t risk your data and care home on a solution running small numbers of customers: Oracle NetSuite is powering 38,000+ organisations

Find Out If You Qualify

We stand ready to simplify your care home’s accounting. Reach out to discuss your needs: Iain Goldmann, Director iain@cloudoingood.com Mobile: 447404354865

LinkedIN: www linkedin com/in/iaingoldmann/

Curam Forges New Partnership with Doctify to Advance Patient-centric Feedback in the UK Care Market

Curam (www curamcare com) the largest care worker marketplace and home-care technology platform in the UK today announces a strategic partnership with Doctify (www doctify com/uk) the leading global platform for patient reviews of health and social care, to power enhanced trust and transparency in the UK care sector through patient verified reviews when choosing carers

The partnership will address the critical need to improve patient experiences where only 14% of households are satisfied with care services Providing more choice confidence and quality of care for patients and their families is therefore essential – and that

Patients

As

Separation of sponsor and service user responsibilities permits unlimited sponsor/service user relationships and as any number of charge codes may be defined this allows complete flexibility of service user/sponsor /charge code definition

one outstanding application package

FURNITURE AND FITTINGS

Encanto and Cuba – Fabrics for Well-designed Contract Interiors

meets IMO standards with the added benefit of the MED wheelmark, confirming suitability for marine/cruise-line interiors Available immediately with short lead-times for larger order quantities, Skopos are pleased to add this collection into their Accents range For a copy of our Encanto shade-card pls contact our customer service team: sales@skopos co uk or for

New Qualification To Boost Care Sector

It

That

Policies and Procedures Within Social Care

Excellence Through Training: The Health & Safety Group’s Commitment to Exceptional Care

At The Health & Safety Group, we understand that the process of getting your care workers through their Care Certification can be pretty demanding So we ve made it our mission is to make the training process as flexible and accessible as possible without increasing your costs or sacrificing the quality of our courses

We recognise that some prefer traditional classroom learning for the benefits of immediate instructor feedback hands-on skills practice and connecting with likeminded professionals However if committing to fixed schedules and locations proves difficult staff may favour the unmatched flexibility of e-learning Our online courses allow caregivers to learn at

Our Care Certificate Training Course designed specifically for care workers healthcare assistants and social care support workers is just one of our high-impact training courses available both face-to-face and online through our e-learning platform Mapped to the ‘Skills for Care’ Care Certificate standards this course equips caregivers with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of their roles empowering them to deliver comprehensive

RECRUITMENT & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Recruiting Success with CVMinder ATS

Introducing The Carer Recruitment