The Carer Digital - Issue #212

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Issue 212

Councils Will Become 'Little More Than Care Services'…

Unless Government Acts To Fix Financial Crisis

Local authorities will become “little more” than care services by the end of the decade unless the government acts in the Budget to sort out the financial crisis, councils have warned.

The stark warning reveals that local authorities in England face a funding shortfall of £54bn over the next five years – leaving the prospect of them providing ‘little more’ than care services by the end of the decade in order to avert

financial insolvency.

New analysis from the County Councils Network (CCN) reveals this funding black hole is fuelled by rising demand and costs in just three service areas: adult social care, children’s services, and home to school transport. Together, they account for 83% of the total increase in costs councils are projected to be spending on services by 2030.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3...)

PAGE 2 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

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

We're Exhibiting at The Care Show!

A bit of a short comment today, since we at The Carer are exhibiting at The Care Show today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) at the NEC, Birmingham!

Editor You'll find us at Stand H05, conveniently located near the show's entrance. I, Peter Adams, Editor of The Carer, will be attending both days, joined by our Sales Director, David (Dave) Bartlett. We warmly invite you to stop by and say hello.

The Care Show has a well-established reputation for bringing together individuals, teams, and organisations with a shared mission: improving the quality of care across the UK. Over the two days, you'll have the opportunity to attend educational sessions and seminars, led by industry experts who will share best practices and innovations shaping the care sector.

We look forward to listening to your thoughts, learning from your experiences, and discussing the latest news and views in the care community. The event is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate, network, and explore innovations that are transforming the care sector.

See you at Stand H05 –

Peter Adams

we can't wait to meet you!

This issue of The Carer Digital is packed with a wealth of informative articles and expert insights and practical advice from seasoned professionals for the social care sector.

And once again I have to thank you for the many positive stories from care homes and providers across the country - it's always wonderful to receive so many articles about the activities and events involving your residents. Please do keep sending them in and we are always delighted to feature them!

I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk.com and encourage our readers to sign up for our bi-weekly digital newsletter at www.thecareruk.com and follow us on social media for all the latest news.

At THE CARER, we are calling on our readers for help.

As you may have seen in our appeal for support, The CARER has always been delivered in print and online free of charge since 2004, including the sector's only weekly digital issue.

We are committed to keeping you informed with the latest news, views, products, and services on the sector's most popular adult social care website www.thecareruk.com , which receives almost 4,000 visits and 26,000 page reads every day.

However, with costs rising significantly, we recently put out an appeal for support.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to readers who have responded and pledged their support with a £10 donation covering the next two years, and thank you also for your very kind words of support too!

Your contributions are invaluable, and if you haven't yet pledged, please do consider supporting us so we can continue delivering quality content.

For details on how to contribute, please visit www.thecareruk.com/subscriptions/

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 3

Councils Will Become 'Little More Than Care Services' Unless Government Acts To Fix Financial Crisis

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER) The warning comes in the CCN’s Budget and Spending Review submission to the government, published alongside a major new report The Financial Outlook for Councils this Parliament.

This report features new spending need analysis by PwC and funding projections from Pixel Financial Management, both commissioned by the CCN. While the analysis shows that yearly rises in council tax of 3% could reduce this cumulative deficit to £38bn over the next five years, the CCN argues that the government ‘cannot rely’ on rises higher than 3% to help plug the gap and local authorities would still be left to find billions each year in ‘undeliverable’ service reductions.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Despite yearly council tax rises over the past decade, local authorities have had to prioritise funding to high demand services where they have a legal responsibility, such as special educational needs, children’s services and adult social care.

This has meant they have had to reduce their spend on other vital every day services such as libraries, buses, road maintenance, children’s centres and youth services.

These important functions are some of the 800 different local services provided to local residents and businesses by councils. Many of these are also statutory services which councils are legally obliged to deliver, while others are discretionary.

But under current projections, even with yearly council tax increases, councils warn they will have ‘no choice’ but to continue to divert even more funding to care services. This will leave them providing ‘little more’ than care services in just a matter of years.

However, with many councils already providing close to statutory minimum levels in services this will still not be enough – threatening their ability to remain solvent unless their statutory obligations change.

With county and rural unitary authorities facing the largest deficits in local government over the next five years, a new survey of chief executives of these authorities reveals that 16 could be at risk of declaring bankruptcy by 2026/27, with a further six the year after, if government does not provide extra funding and councils statutory responsibilities remain the same. This could impact services delivered to over 16 million residents in England.

The CCN’s analysis reveals: • As a result of rising demand, inflation and continuing market failure, councils are forecast to see a rise of £26bn between 2022 and 2030 in additional costs, which are primarily driven in the three key service areas: adult social care, children’s social care, and home to school transport. Adult social care spending in England is predicted to increase by £11.8bn, children’s services by £8.4bn and home to school

transport by £1.7bn.

• Due to these additional costs, and if there is no extra funding for councils from the government, then councils face a cumulative funding gap of £54bn over the next five years. County and rural unitary authorities in England represent 36%, £20.3bn, of this cumulative total.

• Raising council tax annually by 3% would reduce the shortfall by a third to £37.6bn, but the CCN says that government should not rely on rises above 3% to close the remaining shortfall.

• Councils say ‘deep and fundamental’ reform to services this parliament could help reduce the funding shortfall further. Analysis contained in the report shows that if reforms are implemented and they help contain demand and costs, spending could be curtailed over time. This could limit the forecast growth in children’s services, adult social care and home to school transport expenditure from 2027, reducing the cumulative deficit further to £24.2bn over the five-year forecast, including council tax rises each year.

However, the CCN warns that this reduction won’t occur unless the government introduce and drive through reforms to address spiralling costs in children’s services, adult social care, and in special educational needs.

FUNDING “BLACK HOLE” Cllr Barry Lewis, Finance Spokesperson and Vice-Chair of the County Councils Network, said: “Councils pride themselves on the quality and breadth of the care services that they provide to vulnerable people.

However, councils do much more than this: delivering over 800 different services to local residents and businesses, many of which are essential to people’s everyday lives.”

“But today’s new analysis shows the bleak financial outlook facing local authorities of all shapes and sizes. To meet all their projected service pressures, councils are starring down the barrel of a £54bn funding black hole. While council tax rises can reduce this deficit, government cannot rely on this alone and local authorities would still be left to find billions each year.”

“With the funding gap fuelled by rising costs in adult social care, children’s services and SEND transport, councils will have to divert even more funding to prop up these services, leaving councils providing little more than care services by the end of this Parliament. But with many local authorities already close to the legal minimum on the services they deliver, our survey shows still won’t be enough for some.

Ministers would therefore have no choice but to radically rethink the statutory responsibilities placed upon councils to prevent six in ten declaring bankruptcy by 2028.”

“However, this unpalatable trade-off can be avoided by providing a substantive injection of resources to help shore up services this parliament, then embarking on deep and fundamental reform to address demand and market failures driving costs in children’s services, special

educational needs, and adult social care. This needs to happen urgently with a plan to be actioned within the next 18 months, otherwise we risk undermining the wide-ranging purpose of local government and derailing the government’s mission-led approach to public-service reform and greater devolution to councils.”

FIX FOUNDATIONS A Government spokesperson said: “We will help support people to live an independent, dignified life and give every child the best life chances possible.

“Despite the inheritance left, we will work with local government to fix the foundations and get them back on their feet by doing the basics right, including providing more stability through multi-year funding settlements, ending competitive bidding for pots of money, and reforming the local audit system.

“We will set out more detail at the next spending review and local government finance settlement but stand ready to speak to any council that is experiencing financial difficulties.”

A key driver of rising costs for adult social care is the increasing number of working age adults with disabilities living longer with more complex needs, and a larger number of people with mental health needs who require support.

STABILIZE FINANCES Last month the Local Government Association (LGA) warned in its submission to the Treasury ahead of the budget that the Government needs to take immediate steps to stabilise council finances and protect vital local services.

The LGA said there is a growing risk of systemic financial failure with 18 councils reliant on being given Exceptional Financial Support by the Government in February to balance their books in 2024/25.

LGA analysis shows that due to inflation and wage pressures alongside cost and demand pressures, English councils face a £2.3 billion funding gap in 2025/26, rising to £3.9 billion in 2026/27. This is a £6.2 billion shortfall across the two years.

Councils, they said are increasingly having to draw on their financial reserves to manage these cost pressures and balance their budgets.

Councils’ un-ringfenced reserves fell by £1.7 billion in 2022/23 and £1.1 billion in 2023/24. Some 42 per cent of councils drew on their reserves in both years. The LGA is clear that the use of reserves is not a sustainable solution to current budget pressures – reserves can only be spent once.

While the Government has warned that the Autumn Budget will be “painful” with departments being tasked with finding savings, the LGA said any further local government funding cuts would tip many more councils towards financial ruin and leave them unable to deliver key local services.

PAGE 4 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Employment Law in the Care Sector Paul Ball, employment partner at Gateley Legal (https://gateleyplc.com/gateley-legal/), takes a look at the key areas that employers in the care sector need to be aware of when it comes to employment law.

Safety at work – employers should ensure that there are policies and procedures in place to protect employees from experiencing bullying and harassment in the workplace, from other employees or patients.

It’s important that employers conduct regular risk assessments, as well as providing health and safety training for employees.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT

DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT ISSUES AND MANAGING EMPLOYEES

An employer’s responsibility to adhere to employment law begins before they even meet a candidate, including the ‘right to work’, ensuring that candidates are UK residents, or have the relevant visas to work in the UK. Migrant workers make up a significant proportion of those employed in the care sector, so it’s important to ensure that they have visas in place to legally work here. If these checks are not done and employers are found to be employing illegal workers, sanctions include unlimited fines and criminal charges.

Below are some of the key areas that employers face when managing employees: • Poor employee performance – if performance or capability issues are identified, employers should try to deal with them informally with the employee first, identifying the areas of concern, providing training where possible, setting clear goals and giving regular feedback. If performance doesn’t improve, employers should have in place a capability policy determining how the company deals with underperforming employees.

• Managing sickness absence – an employer should try to understand the reasons for absence with the employee in a ‘return to work’ meeting. If an absence lasts for seven or more days, a copy of a GP Fit for Work note should be obtained. If sickness absence becomes more regular or long term, an employee should be advised to attend an Occupational Health appointment, so that the employer can understand more details about their absence and how it affects them in the workplace. If an employee is considered disabled within the Equality Act 2010, an employer has a duty to make reasonable adjustments and not to subject that employee to any less favourable treatment because of their disability (directly or indirectly).

• Harassment – employees should not be subjected to bullying and harassment in the workplace. Specifically in relation to sexual harassment, a new duty comes into force in October 2024 for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

• Flexible working – the right for employees to request flexible working (whether that be flexible hours or location of work) is now a day one right under the Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023. Employees can also now make two requests in a 12-month period.

• Whistleblowing – if an employee has a concern, there should be a clear reporting line for the employee to raise that concern. They should also not be subjected to detriment in any way as a result of raising a concern.

An effective whistleblowing policy should be in place.

CONTRACTS Employment contracts need to be in place from day one of employment for all employees. Not only is this a legal requirement, but it governs the working relationship and avoids the possibility of disagreements arising, such as pay or working patterns.

The care sector makes use of many different employment types, including full or part-time employees, agency staff and temporary employees. Employers need to be aware of the different rights associated with each type of engagement and tailor the contracts accordingly.

All contracts should comply with section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, which requires details such as hours of work, paid leave, training and benefits.

HEALTH AND SAFETY Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are responsible for the safety of their employees. In the care sector, important areas to consider when it comes to health and safety are: Shift length and rest breaks - employees are entitled to: • One 20-minute break per period of working time where that period is at least six hours.

• A daily rest period of not less than 11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period and a weekly rest period of not less than 24 hours' uninterrupted rest in a 7-day period, which can be either two uninterrupted periods of not less than 24 hours in 14 days, or one uninterrupted period of not less than 48 hours in 14 days. If employers are unable to provide the above rest breaks, the employer must offer compensatory rest.

Working time – employees should not work more than 48 hours per week on average in a 17-week period, unless they have specifically opted out of the Working Time Regulations 1998.

PAY The National Minimum Wage (NMW) must be paid. Increasing in April each year, the current NMW is £11.44, which is a 10% increase on the previous year. Eventually the 18-20 NMW category is going to be phased out, meaning employers who employ individuals in this age group are going to have a bigger pay liability.

Shift working is common in the care sector, and employers must be aware that additional payments such as overtime or shift allowances should be included in the calculation of holiday pay.

It’s essential that employers have policies and procedures in place on these matters discussed in the article, and expert advice should be sought to ensure you are compliant.

Staff Member At Bath Home Wins Award For His Services As Chef Working In Social Care Jonathan Hunter won an award for his services as a chef working in social care at the Care and Support West Awards 2024 A staff member at a Bath home has won an award for his services as a chef working in social care.

Jonathan Hunter has been working as a chef at MHA Stratton House and was nominated by his colleagues at the Care and Support West Awards 2024.

Jonathan won the award in the front-line workers category and despite being a chef for more than 35 years, it’s the first he has received such an award.

The ceremony was held at the Ashton Gate Stadium where Jonathan was the only representative of MHA. MHA Stratton House offers residential care for 33 residents Speaking after the award ceremony he said: “It’s a lovely feeling to have won the award, and I am immensely proud.

“I never thought I’d win, just to receive a nomination was enough and it feels extra special that my colleagues were the ones that put me forward for the award.

“Sometimes, working in the kitchen and other areas of care homes that aren’t directly linked to care, can feel like you are an unsung hero.

“Awards like this, where other roles are highlighted can help to motivate and encourage others to work in care homes “Working at MHA Stratton House is great, I really enjoy working with older people and the support you receive from the management is very helpful.

“It’s the first time I have won an award like this, so I am very happy with that.

“I was told that I am the first person from the home and the first from MHA to win this award, and that again makes me feel very proud.”

Parley Place Helps Resident Relive A Moment From Her Past Resident, Beryl at Parley Place care home had always wanted to relive a trip on a motorbike, so staff at the home made her wish a reality proving the old adage, it’s never too late.

Beryl has lived at Parley Place for over a year now and is loved by staff and residents alike.

Staff at the home were delighted to be a part of making her dream come true in style, they all wanted to be there to see the smile on Beryl’s face when her dream was realised.

We held a bike show back in June and at the time Beryl just looked around but we knew she was keen to get on a bike, so we recreated our event with cars, bikes and scooters. Riders from the Top Hat Riders and Grumpy Grandad’s were pleased to come and be a part of this for our residents. When Beryl saw them her passion was ignited again. This time she went straight over to the group of bikers and said “Can I have a go then?!” – thinking we would say no she was

shocked when we said “yes, here’s your helmet!”

In response to this wonderful surprise, Beryl said: “I’m 97 years old, I didn’t think I could go on a bike again, it was such an amazing feeling to know that such a loving group of people care so much about me that they helped me to live out a dream – and I didn’t even ask.”

Gina, General Manager at the home, said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing. We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at Parley Place, It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in making our residents’ dreams come true. It was wonderful to see how happy Beryl was – and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 5

‘Work With Us to Solve Care Crisis’ - Campaigner’s Plea to Care Minister CAMPAIGNER Mike Padgham urged Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock to work with providers to tackle the ongoing crisis in social care when they met yesterday.

Mr Padgham, chair of the provider organisation, The Independent Care Group (ICG), met Mr Kinnock in Westminster for “constructive” talks and came away optimistic.

“I was encouraged that the minister listened and very clearly knew that social care is facing some very serious challenges and that something needs to be done,” he said.

“I believe there is an intent for improvement, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and time will tell.”

The pair discussed improving care staff pay, reforming social care commissioning so that a fairer price is paid for care and reforming the Care Quality Commission so that duplication of inspection was avoided.

They also discussed how the Government should work with social care providers to tackle issues facing the sector.

“I said the Government needs to embrace the knowledge and expertise that is available in the sector, as we all understand that it cannot solve all the problems itself,” Mr Padgham added.

“I began by inviting the minister up to North Yorkshire to see first-hand some of the challenges that face care providers on a day-to-day basis.

“I also acknowledged that the social care sector has to get its own act together, not least by addressing the number of representative bodies we have and ensuring we speak with one, coherent and consistent voice.

“I also stressed to him how important it was that social care had a voice on the Integrated Care Boards so that providers and commissioners work together to deliver care.”

Mr Padgham pointed out that social care contributes £55.7bn to the England economy and employs more than 1.6m people.

“The sector could contribute and employ considerably more if resources were switched from the NHS to support social care,” Mr Padgham added. “Skills for Care research suggested an extra £6.1bn invested in social care would provide economic benefits of £10.7bn – for every £1 invested, a return of £1.75.”

The meeting came amidst concerns after the number of people living without the care they need topped 2m for the first time.

Mr Padgham presented the minister with a document setting out three urgent reforms needed to tackle the crisis in adult social care.

These include switching resources from the NHS into social care to address a chronic lack of available care, reforming pay and conditions for the social care workforce to tackle a 131,000 shortage and reforming social care commissioning to make it fairer for providers.

Mr Padgham shared with the Minister a copy of the document Building Capacity and Partnership in Care, published by the Labour Government in 2001. In it, then Health Secretary Alan Milburn spoke of creating a partnership betweek government, providers and commissioners to create “excellent services that promote

independence, self-esteem and social inclusion”.

“I said the Government would do well to revisit the Building Capacity document, as it offered so many sensible actions, but sadly too few were ever introduced,” Mr Padgham added.

Prior to the General Election, Mr Padgham endorsed the Labour candidate for Scarborough and Whitby, Alison Hume, who went on to win the seat at the July poll. She publicly backed calls for social care reform and the introduction of a National Care Service.

The ICG is campaigning for full-scale reform to social care.

It has published its Five Pillars of Social Care Reform document, which proposes ring-fencing a percentage of GDP for care, creating a National Care Service, setting a minimum carer wage, establishing a task force for reform and creating fair tariffs for services such as care beds and homecare visits.

The ICG argues that shifting funding from the NHS to social care would eventually save money by providing more preventative care in our local communities and keeping people out of hospital, helping to cut waiting lists.

PAGE 6 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

The Importance of Balancing Risk and Freedom of Choice in Care Settings

By Jackie Cooper, Occupational Therapist at The Good Care Group (www.thegoodcaregroup.com) With Good Care Month just behind us, at The Good Care Group we want to draw attention to the importance of balancing risk and freedom of choice in care settings.

In our experience, the level of freedom someone enjoys has a direct impact on their overall happiness.

When older people who require care and support lack freedom, it can lead to feelings of frustration, helplessness, and boredom, but by giving them choices and opportunities to pursue their interests, and exercise their independence, including allowing them to pick their own activities and choose their own meals, care providers can enhance their wellbeing and quality of life.

An assessment of an individual's mental capacity under the Mental Capacity Act is important to ensure that every individual has access to care that enables them to maintain a baseline of freedom and independence, ensuring patients can remain in their own home as long as possible.

However, mental capacity is assessed on specific decisions and is not something that should be used as an overall assessment of an individual’s capacity.

In this article, I’ll explore how we achieve this at The Good Care Group, through taking an individualised, and bespoke approach to care.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENCE It’s vital to ensure people receiving care have a baseline of independence and it’s therefore important that care managers take the time to assess a client’s specific needs and to determine what they want and what their desires and wishes are.

If an individual has always gone to bed at six o’clock in the evening and has always got up at six o’clock in the morning, that is their choice and we make it our priority to work around them and their desires and needs.

With clients who have capacity, we talk a lot at The Good Care Group about positive risk taking and the ability to make “unwise choices” as part of the Mental Capacity Act. So, although we would prefer a client didn’t go out on their own at 10:00 at night for their walk because of the potential risks associated with get-

ting lost and potential falls, from the client’s perspective they’ve been doing this for years and understand the risks.

We now have a system in place which we call positive risk taking, where we sit down with clients and go through our concerns and their understanding of the risks they’re taking as well as some of the consequences of them taking those risks. Some people will make risky choices but not really understand what the impacts are, so it’s crucial to evidence that the discussion has taken place.

A client’s spiritual needs also come into this discussion as it may be, for example, that they wish to take a walk on a Sunday morning by themselves, and we can therefore have conversations about the safest way this can happen.

EMPOWERING CARE STAFF Ensuring resources are put into training care staff to consider the balance between risk and freedom of choice, is vital.

At The Good Care Group, we prioritise working with clients and family members on individualised care plans and design these with clients’ wishes and needs in mind.

We are focusing heavily on enrichment at the moment, which involves not just focusing on providing physical care but providing and supporting them with activities that enrich and add to their lives.

For clients who are living with dementia, we are in the process of training our carers on Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, where they will be able to deliver this in structured 20-minute sessions and involves taking part in a creative activity, or a hobby such as gardening or baking alongside quizzes and reminiscence activities. This enables carers and clients’ families to spend quality time with the client by providing stimulation and meaningful activity.

HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN ENABLE FREEDOM IN CARE Technology in care settings can help monitor and mitigate risks without impinging on freedom.

For example, we have a system called the Client Community at The Good Care Group which allows family members to be involved in decision making and easily view daily care notes. This enables clients to spend more time, with both carers and family members, on more enriching activities as all parties will have instant visibility of any care incidences and whether this has been managed adequately.

Electronic Health Records are also of utmost importance in creating and maintaining personalised care plans that are easily accessible to all carers involved. With less time being spent on administration and checking using antiquated systems, the more time can be spent on focusing on an individual’s care needs.

To conclude, it’s vital that care providers work with both individuals and families to ensure care plans are empowering, making sure individuals feel free to choose how they live their lives. People are complex, and come in all shapes and sizes, and care providers should not take a one-size-fits-all approach. By taking the time to consider a person’s emotional, health and spiritual needs, all while balancing this with the risks involved in care, this will ensure individuals receive the care they need and deserve.

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THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 7

Investing More In Prevention Could Deliver £11 Billion Return On Investment Better targeting of existing money spent on prevention could deliver an extra £11 billion annual return on investment (ROI) and hold the key to the government achieving its goal of increasing the impact of prevention, a new report suggests.

The analysis by the by NHS Confederation and CF (Carnall Farrar) also found that if the upper quartile ROI was achieved across all interventions, then the financial impact could be up to £22 billion per year – an increase from the £11 billion per year estimate that comes from the £5b per year of current spending.

The analysis is the latest in NHS Confederation and CF’s ‘The Value in Health series’, and explores the ROI of 146 interventions spanning primary, secondary and social settings, and their implications for the health and care sector.

The government has pledged to move more care from hospitals into the community and to shift from tackling sickness to improving prevention.

This new report shows investing in preventative measures including improving health education and housing can pay dividends in the long run.

It recommends increasing investment in prevention – in particular around children and young people, exercise and smoking, diabetes and cardiovascular interventions. It calls for considering ROI when commissioning services – and hence investing more on high value interventions.

Many preventative services in England are funded through the public health grant to local authorities, but this has effectively been cut by 28% per person in real terms since 2015/16.

The analysis found that the top 20 interventions by ROI were all community based and in areas such as housing improvements, smoking prevention and exercise initiatives, with a range of returns from £6.90 to £34.75 (per £1 spent).

This new report highlights the significance of wider collaboration outside of the NHS, with the local government and other partners.

The areas with the highest median ROI were education at £6.60, followed by reducing worklessness, substance abuse schemes and vaccination programmes which all had an ROI of £4.

THE TOP FIVE INTERVENTIONS WITH THE HIGHEST ROI WERE: • Adapting 100,000 homes where a serious fall is otherwise likely to occur – £34.80 • By training healthcare professionals, via clinical champions, to provide physical activity brief advice – £23.70 • Birmingham City Council’s scheme to provide free leisure services to its residents – £20.70 • Suicide / self-harm prevention (restrict access to means, making transport safer & reduce harmful drinking) – £19.60 • Adapting 100,000 homes where residents are likely to require treatment due to the excess cold – £17.10 The report comes after the independent Darzi investigation, which revealed that spend on acute care has risen from 47% in 2002 to 58% in 2022, while primary care has fallen 27% to 18%.

Combined with the new CF and NHS Confederation analysis, this highlights the stark need for health service and local authority leaders to invest more in prevention, and to focus on the highest-impact interventions.

The findings are based on a systematic literature review and expansive evidence review of 96 papers with 146 unique ROIs across primary interventions, secondary interventions and social determinants of health.

THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THREE KEY STEPS FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, NHS ENGLAND, INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEMS AND LOCAL PARTNERS: • Invest more in prevention, particularly where we know it has impact, for example children and young people.

• Take an evidence-based approach to commissioning services that considers ROI as part of holistic assessment.

• Use data to systematically evaluate and benchmark interventions, leveraging the longitudinal data available to the NHS and the investment in secure data environments and the federated data platform.

The report also suggests the need to more systematically evaluate and apply an approach that incorporates both population needs and getting the very best value for money.

The findings highlight the wide variance in ROI between different interventions, both within intervention categories and between studies of the same intervention type stressing the need for an evidence-based and tailored approach for different population bases.

The research also further echoes the focus placed recently on children and young people by policy makers within and outside the health sector. There was no ROI variance by age, implying that investment in children and young people returns at least as much as with older people and is highly likely to exceed the stated ROI given the lasting effects of childhood health on adult health, employment and socioeconomic status.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “As our recent State of Integrated Care report shows, health and care leaders are committed to the government’s plans to shift more care out of hospitals, but are concerned that a lack of long-term investment and planning is holding them back. The current financial situation the NHS is facing means our members are having to prioritise short-term funding and performance over the long-term changes they know are necessary to put the NHS on a sustainable footing.

“So it is poignant that this new report sets out yet more evidence that investing in prevention is not just good for patients and improving public health, but also the economy. It is clear that an initial investment in preventative schemes can pay back dividends for people’s health and the economy.

“Supporting people to stay healthy and preventing illness is a vital part of boosting the economy, with economic inactivity in the UK having risen by 900,000 since 2020 – much of this due to those who are longterm sick.

“Our members have welcomed the government’s pledged to transfer more care into primary and community services as well as to shift from treating sickness to preventing sickness. This is not just about improving NHS performance but will require a whole-government approach because only 20% of our health is determined by healthcare, with the remaining 80% affected by wider determinants.

“What we want to see is cross-government co-operation, collaboration and investment on health policy, recognising that that most policy that impacts people’s health is made outside the NHS.”

PAGE 8 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Addressing Barriers to Personalised Mental Health Care for BAME Communities People from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities facing mental illness or distress encounter barriers in accessing personalised mental health care, including Personal Health Budgets (PHBs), essential for their safety and recovery. A report by the Association of Mental Health Providers, NHS England, and the Race Equality Foundation provides solutions to these disparities and offers key learnings to change this troubling reality.

The challenge is particularly pronounced concerning PHBs, which utilise NHS funding to develop individually tailored care plans, providing individuals with greater choice and flexibility in meeting their health and wellbeing needs.

This revelation provides an insight into how the ambitious targets outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan, aiming to have 200,000 individuals benefiting from PHBs by 2023/24, a goal underscored in the Government’s Integration White Paper, are struggling to be met and reach everyone. However, data from NHS England suggests that by the end of Quarter 3 2023-24 (December 2023) only 161,054 people had received Personal Health Budgets in England.

Previous research from the Race Equality Foundation’s briefing on PHBs for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in City and Hackney in 2020, ‘Tackling Inequalities Faced by Minority Groups in Mental Health through the Personalised Care Programme’, provides crucial insights into the development and deployment of PHBs for individuals with mental health problems.

For instance, it revealed that both medical and non-medical interventions are effective in supporting people with severe and enduring mental illness. Participants with lived experience noted that PHBs work best when offered alongside medication, as many rely on both to manage their mental health effectively.

The issue is that the transformative nature of PHBs is not being met for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals.

Expanding on this research, the Tackling Inequalities in Mental Health through Personalised Care Development Programme, a partnership between the Association of Mental Health Providers and the Race Equality Foundation, has worked to enhance access to personalised care for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the Northwest and the Northeast and Yorkshire. By focusing on tangible actions for local health and care systems to

facilitate continuous improvement, this programme showcases the potential of personalised care in addressing mental health inequalities, with insights applicable nationwide.

Key lessons from this initiative include restructuring the relationship between lead commissioners and operations, promoting collaboration among commissioners and senior leaders, and addressing tensions in PHB implementation.

Engaging with both those in need of support and those providing the services is crucial for addressing inequalities. While local organisations possess deep insights into community dynamics and personalised care, smaller voluntary and community groups often lack familiarity with PHBs and the necessary infrastructure for participation. Therefore, integrating trusted smaller organisations into PHBs requires consideration of their developmental needs, facilitated through collaboration with larger Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) entities.

Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive of Association of Mental Health Providers, states: “The findings of this programme provide local health and care systems with a clear set of actions to ensure that people from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic communities who experience poor mental health can access the personalised care and support, including PHBs, that they are entitled to. The programme has also confirmed the need for local systems and their statutory leadership arrangements (i.e. Integrated Care Boards and local authorities) to engage meaningfully at a strategic level with the VCSE mental health sector in identifying the mental health needs of people from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic Communities and in the provision of services for them. The Association is committed in working with national and local health and care system leaders and other partners to support the adoption of the recommendations of this programme.”

Jabeer Butt, Chief Executive of the Race Equality Foundation, states: “The programme has amplified the existing evidence base that demonstrates the importance of PHBs and personalised care in facilitating better mental health outcomes for some of the most marginalised and excluded people and communities. In identifying actions required to mainstream the accessibility of both, the Association and the Race Equality Foundation hope the learning from this Programme will be adopted by all local mental health systems and Integrated Care Boards.”

What In the World is Happening?

By Lori Pinkerton-Rolet PPBIID, IIDA, Reg. ID It will come as a surprise to no one that care is approached differently, in different

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Cultural differences make an enormous difference. In France there are dementia villages without boundaries to the surrounding town but, through design, the residents stay put and people from town come in to enjoy shared experiences with them.

In Japan, where there are simply not enough younger people to look after the elderly, they have devised clever design strategies which allow them to operate with lower staff ratios than we generally employ in the West. The concept of an information hub related specifically to care, retirement and dementia interiors led to the development of the ThirdAge.Design podcast and website, with listeners in 63 countries. Why was this necessary?

UNLOCKING RESEARCH

Available through www.thirdage.design and all major podcast platforms

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The breadth of this topic is enormous, and operators, designers and architects are generally time-poor.

The Universities of Sterling, Newcastle and Hertfordshire are wellrespected in conducting research, but

a wider breadth of information available from other countries which we might adapt to suit UK needs.

Generally, this must be accessed via individual academic portals to which you must subscribe which can be both time consuming and expensive. Simply put, the research tends not go to the people who can implement the work.

INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS Supported by Wissner-Bosserhoff, The Third Age Design (TAD) provides an interactive international community hub for care, retirement, and dementia design with transcripts translated into 12 languages in addition to English. The hub subscription is free by signing-up at www.thirdage.design where the podcast can also be accessed, in addition to all usual podcast platforms. Topics include: the impact of AI on care settings, elegant bariatric design, and ‘Design Rules and How to Break Them’. Each episode also has ‘Innovation Spotlight’ focused on cutting-edge global innovations in the sector.

Available through www.thirdage.design and all major podcast platforms.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 9

CQC Sets Out “Re-Building Trust” In Regulation Programme The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is taking steps to rebuild trust in its regulation.

In July this year a damning interim report from a government-commissioned review revealed significant internal failings hampering regulator’s ability to identify poor performance in health and social care providers.

The report led to health and social care secretary Wes Streeting declaring that the CQC was “not fit for purpose”, with inspection levels still well below pre-Covid levels, a lack of expertise among inspectors, inconsistency in assessments and problems with the CQC’s IT system.

Furthermore, social care providers were waiting too long to be registered and have their ratings updated, affecting capacity levels in local areas, said the interim report of Dash’s government-commissioned review of the regulator.

The road to rebuilding trust the CQC says involves making immediate changes to support its response to the recommendations in the interim report from Dr Penny Dash and to improve ways of working ahead of the publication of the final report.

TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MONTHLY ASSESSMENTS, THE CQC PLANS TO: • Score at quality statement and rating at key question level.

• Use evidence categories to reach a quality statement score • Use professional judgement to ensure accuracy • Streamline processes using improved technology for factual accuracy checks and provider registration • Provide updates to the provider portal in the coming weeks.

As well as its Regulatory Approach Advisory Group, the body says that it is planning a series of roadshows for providers to enable them to connect with local CQC teams, learn more about specific aspects of our assessment approach and take part in activities to co-design the improvements to be made.

Reacting to the announcement Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, commented: “Dr. Penny Dash released the interim review into the CQC’s operational effectiveness in July. Yet, three months later, the sector remains in the dark about how the CQC intends to address its deep-rooted issues. Today’s announcement offers more of the same – promises of transparency, quicker assessments, and clearer reports – yet fails to deliver the tangible actions providers desperately need.”

“The absence of measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and defined timelines in this plan points to a continued lack of accountabili-

ty. Providers need concrete benchmarks, not vague assertions of ‘immediate changes’ and ‘pilots’ that provide no certainty for improvement. Without a clear, actionable roadmap, trust cannot be rebuilt.”

“In its announcement, the CQC confirmed several changes, including the recruitment of a new Chief Executive and the appointment of three Chief Inspectors to enhance leadership.

Additionally, the CQC is reviewing its single assessment framework in collaboration with Professor Sir Mike Richards and the Care Provider Alliance.”

“The CQC also announced several pilot projects, including efforts to improve relationships with providers, starting with NHS trusts and later expanding to other sectors aiming to refine management oversight and assessment processes.

These initiatives are set to conclude early next year, with implementation thereafter.”

Martin Green Continued: “Since the interim review, we’ve waited for meaningful action, but are once again faced with vague immeasurable commitments. The sector cannot continue to operate in this regulatory vacuum. Providers were expecting a strategic overhaul of CQC processes, but instead been given ambiguous changes without clarity on how inspections and regulatory decisions will improve.”

“It is vital that the CQC recognises that if a care provider were to present an action plan without measurable evidence of change, they would be rated inadequate. We need to see that same level of accountability applied to the CQC. The ongoing delays in registration and inspection processes create a ripple effect that affects the entire health and care ecosystem. We had hoped for concrete plans from the CQC by this stage, yet we are left disappointed. Without such, the sector remains in a state of uncertainty.”

“The time for promises has passed. Providers urgently need concrete actions, specific deadlines, and real accountability from the CQC. The future of adult social care depends on it.”

Care England immediately calls on the CQC to outline specific KPIs and timelines to a clear understanding of when improvements to assessments, registration processes, and reporting will be delivered.

Martin Green Concluded: “The CQC needs to practice what they preach. To use their own words, care providers demand

an effective, responsive, and well-led action-plan – yet find themselves to be failed once again, and paying for a service they are not receiving.”

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PAGE 10 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Guarding Healthcare: The Imperative of Effective Data Management

By Hervé Chapron, SVP & General Manager EMEA, Semarchy (www.semarchy.com) Safeguarding sensitive data and cybersecurity in the care sector remains a major concern, calling for a high degree of data integrity.

Yet, a recent report revealed that 30% of CQC registered care provider locations lack up-to-date security measures. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for a robust data management system to protect devices, resident confidentiality, clinical outcomes, and financial resources.

PREVALENCE OF CYBERSECURITY THREATS Recent statistics on cyber-attacks targeting healthcare and care providers are worrying. The European Repository of Cyber Incidents has recorded a significant increase globally, with the number of events rising from 32 in 2022 to 121 in 2023. This rise exposes the critical vulnerabilities that care providers face.

Care England outlines several specific threats, including data breaches that involve unauthorised access to resident or staff records, leading to identity theft, fraud, and privacy violations. Ransomware attacks are another major threat, where malicious software can encrypt critical files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid.

Phishing scams are a further concern, as fraudulent emails or messages may trick staff or residents into sharing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.

Cybercriminals can also exploit network vulnerabilities due to weak infrastructure or outdated software and hardware to infiltrate systems. Therefore, healthcare providers must understand and address these vulnerabilities to prioritise cybersecurity measures and stay vigilant against evolving threats.

Equally, outdated or insufficient security measures can place some healthcare providers at significant risk of digital exclusion, impacting the care homes future. As the world increasingly relies on technology, those who lag in adopting sufficient cyber defences may find themselves left behind.

PREVENTING DISRUPTIONS Ransomware attacks and data breaches can incapacitate care facilities. Recently, in the UK, a blood testing centre for the NHS was targeted in a ransomware attack. Personal patient data was compromised, and there were significant delays in patient care. Attacks like these These attacks not only compromise care resident’s confidentiality but can also disrupt essential healthcare services. Such disruptions create a domino effect, potentially placing numerous lives at risk.

Operational efficiency also suffers. Care facilities may face hefty fines for not protecting their resident’s information, plus the costs of restoring data and systems.

Ensuring seamless and uninterrupted care services is essential for the well-being of care residents, and the protection of carers as well. Secure data systems play a crucial role in maintaining high service quality by enabling continuous healthcare delivery.

PROTECTING RESIDENT CONFIDENTIALITY Respecting care resident’s privacy rights isn’t just an ethical requirement but also a legal obligation.

Implementing the following three actions will ensure care facilities comply with both:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) Implementing MFA to your internal system introduces additional security layers, requiring external verification for login access. This measure significantly diminishes the risk of unauthorised access, as a potential intruder might breach the first security layer but will be stalled at subsequent ones.

• Employee Training Educating staff on data security and best practices, such as recognising phishing attempts and crafting secure passwords is crucial. This boosts their awareness and minimises human errors that compromise the system.

• Data Encryption Care providers can add a critical layer of security by encrypting resident data both during transmission (in transit) and while stored (at rest). Encryption renders the data unreadable to unauthorised people, protecting sensitive information from potential breaches.

ENHANCING CARING OUTCOMES Care providers who manage multiple facilities can find it challenging to keep up with increasing data volume and complexity from a multitude of sources. Knowledge transfer can also be problematic with highsecurity risks. There is both the data from the business and the data of care residents that needs to be protected.

However, with a comprehensive data management system, care providers can leverage the power of all data, regardless of source, to ensure data integrity. When data is correct and readily available, decisionmakers can rely on it to make well-informed choices that enhance operational efficiency and strategic objectives.

Data management systems are indispensable in healthcare for protecting devices, securing patient confidentiality, enhancing clinical outcomes, and safeguarding financial resources. As cyber threats evolve, the care industry must remain vigilant and consistently update its cybersecurity practices to stay ahead of risks and ensure optimal protection for all stakeholders, but most importantly, the people they care for.

Birthday Celebrations At Hull Home As Residents Turns 100

Janet Heddle celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at MHA Willersley House There were birthday celebrations at a Hull home as one of the residents turned 100.

Janet Heddle lives at MHA Willersley House and celebrated her 100th birthday with an afternoon birthday party.

Janet received over 25 cards from her friends and also spent the morning with her friends from the St Andrews Anglican Church in Kirk Ella.

The home arranged for birthday banners, balloons and cake, which was prepared by the kitchen staff and enjoyed by all.

MHA Willersley House provides residential care for 34 residents.

Kathy Lonsdale, chaplain at the home said: “Janet is a very quiet and reserved lady who likes her own company.

“In her younger days, during the second world war, she worked at Bletchley Park.

“I am someone who sees her quite often and I find her to be a very interesting lady.

“She likes to pray and is very intelligent. When I asked her about the party, she said she had a lovely time.

“The staff made sure the party was very well planned and arranged, it looked very nice for her.

“She knew her birthday was coming up as did the other residents, so it was a nice day and we all had a great time."

Social Care TV

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Their widely-used health and social care specific courses - produced and edited in-house - are expertly designed to make learning engaging, informative and, therefore, highly effective for learners.

Accredited by CPD and endorsed by Skills for Care, training with Social Care TV is quality assured, comprehensive and relevant.

As one of the leading online training providers in the health and social care sector in the UK, they supply training for local authorities, recruitment agencies, care home groups and other health and social care organisations.

Their feature-rich Manager platform has further been enhanced this year with the introduction of several new Manager tools designed to aid with compliance, reporting and trainee management. Features now available include: • Compliance Dashboard with Traffic Light System • Downloadable Trainee Matrix • Custom Bundles • Trainee Groups • Bulk Uploads • Bulk Enrolment Onto Custom Bundles • Course Enrolment Notifications • Course Reminders SCTV regularly release new and updated high-quality courses. Previews for all courses can be viewed

at: Courses - Social Care TV (www.social-care.tv/courses/course-details) To enhance their learners' experience further they have created free, comprehensive subject-specific workbooks which were rolled out across all courses this year. This unique addition provides excellent value and a fully robust training package.

SCTV are delighted to have won several awards over the last 12 months including: • Best Online Health and Social Care Learning Platform’ – Global Health & Pharma Social Care Awards 2024 • ‘CPD Provider of the Year’ – The CPD Awards • Social Care Training Provider of the Year’ - Corporate Livewire Innovation & Excellence Awards Gold standard customer service remains a core staple of the business, with expert support and guidance provided via telephone, email and live chat. They place great importance on the training and development of their customer services team to ensure that they continue to provide a personal, friendly and knowledgeable service.

Their much-loved ‘Care Worker of the Month’ award recognises and rewards the selfless dedication shown by care workers across the UK and they proudly support the Care Workers Charity who aim to advance the financial, professional and mental wellbeing of social care workers.

SCTV believe that high quality training should be accessible to all and offer regular, free courses which include a digital certificate accessible via their website.

The company stands behind a clear mission and set of values which define their ethos and their dedication to both the Care Sector and those within it. These can be viewed at: Mission Statement and Core Values - Social Care TV (www.social-care.tv/about/mission-statement-and-core-values) Social Care TV are a responsible business, committed to ensuring that their actions have a positive impact on their employees, customers, the wider health and social care community and the environment.

Above all, SCTV consistently strive to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of those being cared for.

For more information please see: Homepage - Social Care TV (www.social-care.tv) and see advert on the facing page.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 11

£22.6m Fund To Support Social Care Is Two Months Overdue And Could Disappear, Carers Trust Warns

Vitally needed £22.6m in Government funding to support adult social care and unpaid carers is nearly two months overdue and is in danger of disappearing, charity Carers Trust has warned.

The Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) was introduced by the Department of Health and Social Care in late 2023. The fund committed £42.6m over two years to “support innovation and scaling in adult social care and kick-start a change in services to support unpaid carers ”.

Local authorities were invited to submit expressions of interest to receive the funding for specific projects, working in partnership with health and care

providers, local carer services and carers themselves.

Although the first half of the funding has been paid out, the second £22.6m tranche has still not been allocated, despite being due for payment in August.

Neither Carers Trust’s network of local carer organisations or local authorities have had any indication from the Department of Health and Social Care on when the funding will come, or even confirmation that it will be paid at all. In a recent debate on unpaid carers, the Government did not mention the fund as one of its initiatives to improve support for them.

Carers Trust is demanding that the £22.6m is confirmed by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Budget later this month.

Carers Trust’s Policy and Practice Manager, Andy McGowan, said:“The UK’s 6 million unpaid carers are struggling and in desperate need of more identification and support. The Government urgently needs to honour its commitments to them and provide the rest of this funding. At a minimum, that needs to happen at the Budget later this month.”

“Without this money, more than 100 crucial projects could be scrapped. The timing would be catastrophic, coming just as we enter the winter months when pressure on social care and carers is so acute.”

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PAGE 12 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Creating a Culture of Care: The Impact of Effective Leadership

By Lynne Meshki, Group Quality Manager at Renaissance Care (www.renaissance-care.co.uk)

Leadership is a vital component in the success of any organisation, but in the care home sector, it holds an even greater significance. The quality of leadership directly impacts the wellbeing of residents and the performance of staff. When leadership is strong, it fosters a positive work culture, enhances operational efficiency, and drives better outcomes for residents. In my experience as Group Quality Manager at Renaissance Care, where I oversee the care provided across 17 homes in Scotland, I have seen firsthand how effective leadership can transform both the work environment and the quality of care delivered.

My journey in this industry began over 20 years ago, working as a staff nurse in a care home. And, as I advanced through various roles, from nurse to home manager, Operations Manager and now Group Quality Manager, I have always seen leadership as the foundation of

quality care.

One of the biggest responsibilities of any leadership role, within the care industry in particular, is creating a positive work culture. Within our homes, that culture directly impacts the quality of care our residents receive. If staff feel supported, valued, and part of a community, it shows in the work they do. But achieving this is near impossible if we don’t lead by example.

At Renaissance Care, we’ve fostered a supportive, friendly, and passionate environment. Our culture isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we live and breathe every day.

Across the Group, we have newly developed wellbeing teams within each care home. Previously known as activities coordinators, we revamped their roles to showcase the monumental role they play in enhancing residents’ social and mental wellbeing. Each quarter, we focus on key areas of importance such as nutrition, hydration, skin health, safety, and overall health, and we assign champions to lead these initiatives. By empowering staff to take ownership of specific topics, we not only enhance their knowledge, abilities and confidence but also improve the standard of care for residents.

As a leader, it’s also crucial to set clear goals and maintain high standards. I have oversight of all care plans in our Group, carefully monitoring critical risks and ensuring that our residents are being cared to the highest possible standard. Every day, I see the difference it makes when we take a proactive approach to care, whether it’s through auditing, observing staff, coaching or continually developing staff skills through training.

I’ve been in my current role for a year now, and while I’ve found my footing, I’m always learning and striving to improve. I work closely with all of our care home managers through our ‘Lessons Learned’ group, where we share insights and experiences to make sure we’re constant-

ly evolving. No leader, no matter how experienced, should ever stop learning.

A focus on continuous improvement is particularly important in areas such as palliative and end-of-life care, where residents and their families require the highest level of compassion and expertise to ensure they experience a positive journey. By investing in staff development and fostering a culture of learning, we can ensure that care homes not only meet regulatory standards but exceed them – a level of care that residents and their loved ones expect and that we are wholly committed to providing.

A perfect example of this was Florence, a resident who arrived with us at one of our Aberdeen care homes in 2021. Florence was only 58 years old at the time but due to a serious infection in her leg and subsequent amputation, required end of life care. Florence was only given six months to live at that time but stayed with us for two and a half years.

With the support of the team, and their recognition of Florence’s desire to recover and live independently once again, she made an incredible recovery and was able to return home earlier this year, reunited with her loving husband of 34 years.

Stories like this are truly a testament to the profound impact of strong leadership. Our homes consistently achieve high-performance levels because when you lead with integrity, set clear goals, and foster a culture of care, the positive effects ripple through entire organisation.

As I look back on my journey, from staff nurse to Group Quality Manager, I’m proud of the positive changes I’ve been able to influence and I’m excited about the future. Leadership in care isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding because, at the end of the day, it’s all about making a difference in people’s lives and creating positive outcomes for all.

NACC Award Winners 2024 Celebrated By The Members The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) gathered in Nottingham (3rd October 2024) to celebrate the great and the good of care catering at the NACC Awards 2024.

The prestigious awards shine a spotlight on the many outstanding contributions to care catering over the past 12 months. An abundance of innovation, excellence and dedication was demonstrated by the winning teams and individuals, together with resilience, agility and care, in what has continued to be a challenging period for the care catering sector.

The great and the good of care catering gathered at the NACC Awards 2024 for their annual gala dinner at the East Midlands Conference Centre.

Neel Radia, National Chair of the NACC, said: “This is always a highlight of our year. Huge congratulations to all the 2024 award winners. I was proud to present this year’s worthy winners with their accolades.

This is a wonderful sector to work in and this year’s award winners are sparkling examples of what can be achieved. I congratulate all the winners, although in my eyes, everyone who made the shortlists were winners too.”

THE 2024 NACC AWARD WINNERS ARE: NACC Care Establishment of the Year Award, sponsored by allmanhall: Bourley Grange, Care UK NACC Meals on Wheels Award:

sponsored by apetito, Bristol Community Meals NACC Catering Team of the Year Award (Corporate), sponsored by Hobart: Norse Group Catering Team NACC Catering Team of the Year Award (Care Home), sponsored by Hobart: Princess Christian Care Centre Catering Team, Nellsar Care Homes NACC Catering Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions: Paul Levy, Signature Dining at North London Hospice NACC Our Care Catering Hero Award, sponsored by Bidfood: Anna Sudak, Montford Manor, Care UK The Bev Puxley Award, sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Cooks London: Steve Wright, Caring Homes Group Ltd NACC Region of the Year Award, sponsored by Meiko UK: Scotland Region Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Winterhalter: Mary Wedge and Roger Kellow NACC National Chair’s Award: The British Dietetic Association (BDA

Couple Resident At Wolverhampton Home Celebrate 73rd Wedding Anniversary A resident couple at a Wolverhampton home celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Alf and Betty Giddins live at MHA Waterside House and celebrated their wedding anniversary at the home.

The couple met in 1949, married in 1951 and have one child, a son called Bryn.

Alf worked as a postman, a meat porter and as a chef in the Royal Air Force, whilst Betty was a factory worker, shop assistant and domestic cleaner.

MHA Waterside House provides dementia care for up to 60 residents.

The couple received plenty of cards, which they opened when Bryn came to visit them.

Michelle Jones, activity coordinator said: “Alf and Betty had a great time open-

ing cards and spent the day looking at their wedding photos.

“Bryn came to visit them, and it was lovely to see them all together.

“Alf and Betty stay on the same floor, and we make sure they spend plenty of time together.

“Betty moved into the home quite a while before Alf did, so we were really familiar with the two as Alf would come to visit.

“Two days prior to the anniversary celebrated his 94th birthday which was another great day.

“They are a lovely couple, and it was really nice to be a part of their celebrations.”

Alf (R) and Betty Giddins with their son Bryn (C)

PAGE 14 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Suzie Hutchinson, A Calling to Complex Care

By Macey Ryan, Communications Team Member at Frome Nursing Home (www.fromecarevillage.com)

Her journey began in 2009, when she first started to work in care homes in Frome. However no sooner than starting her new career, Suzie needed to be at home to care of her father due to illness which she did until he very sadly passed. “It took me a while to get through that, but when I felt ready, I told myself, OK, I’m stepping back into my career and back into care.”

She found herself on a job searching website scrolling through the many opportunities when one particular advert caught her eye and she applied, this was for a Care Assistant role at Frome Nursing Home.

“I ended up with a job interview with Jay, that was fun!” Suzie shared how relaxed and comfortable she felt in the interview and during the home’s show around, “that was the deal breaker for me, it didn’t feel like a dead set interview, I felt like I could actually get on really well with the team in the home and be myself”, Suzie said that walking out of the interview left her with such a good feeling, when offered the role, she took it straight away without hesitation!

times someone who is complex may only be able to communicate physically or may be repetitive in their communication. But at Frome, this is not seen as difficult behaviour. It's great to see what's considered complex care being embraced, and family members given a new lease on life.

Let’s face it, everyone loves someone with character. This is their journey now, and anyone caring for someone with dementia has to take that ride with them, which comes with the good and the bad, and a whole lot of emotions. The better you understand someone, the more you can provide 100 times better care for that person.”

“Nursing homes that I’ve worked for in the past haven’t had complex care. They understand dementia, but not entirely as it progress’s into its later stages”. Looking back, Suzie can now reflect on how significantly different her previous workplaces were to Frome, and confided that one in particular stood out in her memory. “It looked like a hotel, everything was for show and everything had to look premium, it wasn’t about the people, for example if somebody was to wander and take something off the wall out of curiosity, they would be removed because it’s a bad scene to set. Whereas at Frome we’d consider that to be normal behaviour for someone going through their dementia journey”.

EMBRACING COMPLEX CARE

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

As much as she loved her role at Frome, a few years in, Suzie needed to take some more time for her family, her son, and although she tried to juggle home and work life, it was best for her family at that time.

Suzie explains “my son who has autism needed me and working 12 hour shifts, although I was only working for the 3 days, didn’t give me the quality time for him, I did temporary work during school hours but I really missed everyone at Frome.” But then when the time was right Suzie found herself walking through the home’s doors once again. “When looking to go back into work there was many choices in Frome, it was a no brainer for me though, I was definitely coming back here, now home life settled with my son. It felt like home and a part of me. I love pushing my boundaries and still learn more each day, I see the family members here as my extra family, I was definitely never going to drift afar.”

So she purposely chose to return to Frome after supporting her son with autism due to the complexities of the family members and one main factor that stood out to Suzie that was the home is different from anywhere she had worked before. “What got me was the independence of the family members, especially that they were on different stages of their dementia journey and some had complex behaviours, yet their independence was highly encouraged which I’ve never experienced at other care services I’ve worked at before.

I was able to see people in their late stages of dementia or with a complex need and they were supported to have a quality of life without sedation, whereas anywhere else I’ve worked it’s not like that, as a carer at Evolve we learn to embrace each individuals complexities that often comes with dementia.”

Suzie explains further “why complex care?”. “I had worked in previous homes and saw a basic understanding not being met; people living with dementia were struggling to be understood and then labelled as difficult or challenging, often then being moved to another service which was just cruel and they saw that place as their home. This upset me, all because the team couldn't cope or have the proper training to learn and understand. I'm a people pleaser and would always try my best to help and get things right. Everyone, even those without dementia, can be misunderstood at times.”

“When I came to Frome, I saw family members bond with team members on a level I’d not seen before, and I loved it. Yes, it’s difficult when we sometimes spends hours trying to understand a person’s needs, but team members I work with will not give up on meeting someone's needs. The relief when we figure it out and see the happiness it brings to that family member is great. Words and actions can be mixed, and some-

Now 5 years on, Suzie has progressed in her role, she started as a Care Assistant, and with the support of a career pathway mapped out, she progressed onto a Team Leader, and now a Care Practitioner, and is still looking to the future. “During our Care Practitioner course, it gave me a kick up the bum and made me think, you know what? I can do this! I’d love to be able to go on a nursing course and if I were to ever become a nurse, I couldn’t see myself working in a hospital, I would definitely stay here as the training is another perk about my job, it’s really out there and imaginative and different from other places I’ve worked, it’s through the roof!”

Suzie’s journey in care has been shaped by experiences that deepened her passion for supporting others. This is a story about her journey in care, from discovering her calling to finding a place where she truly belongs.

JOURNEY IN CARE BEGINS

FAVOURITE MEMORIES When asked of her favorite memory during her time at Frome Nursing Home, Suzie laughed, “God there are so many!”. After a short thought, one particular memory struck her. “We have a family member who loves, and used to ride motorbikes. Me and my husband were involved with the Santa On A Bike event, so we took lots of pictures, videos and put together little clips. I remember showing this particular family member one day and he started to cry. Not because he was upset or distressed, it wasn’t a sad cry. He was so emotionally moved because this is something he is passionate about and has been all his life, he couldn’t go out at that time so being able to bring that to him and bring out that kind of happiness and emotion within someone has always stuck by me.”

FINAL THOUGHTS & ADVICE As she looks back over the course of her years at Frome, Suzie gave one piece of advice for anyone beginning their career in care. “Just be yourself, if it’s something you genuinely want to do because you’re caring and want to make a difference, you can’t go wrong, just be you”. Speaking from the heart, Suzie also shared that Frome will always be her second home. “I’ve brought my children here, they know the family members and my son who is now 15, will ask about them, so to me that is my home from home.“ Frome Nursing Home’s approach to a continuation of life means that those within their care, however complex they may be, can have their life’s journey continued with as much normalcy and independence as possible. The Evolve Care Group offers you and every team member over 100 hours of face to face training during quarterly sessions at the Evolve Care Academy training center in Bristol. “ I’ve learned so much, my views on everything to do with adult social care and dementia care has changed for the better”.

Stirling Care Home Manager Raises Over £400 For Dementia UK By Walking 30 Miles In 30 Days Yvonne Graham, Home Manager at HC-One Scotland’s Forthbank Care Home in Kildean, Stirling, has laced up her walking shoes once again to raise vital funds for Dementia UK. For the second consecutive year, Yvonne set herself the personal challenge of walking 30 miles in 30 days throughout the month of September, all in support of a cause that is close to her heart.

To keep her supporters updated, Yvonne posted her daily progress on the Dementia UK Facebook page, sharing maps of her routes, snapshots of the beautiful sights she encountered along the way, and reflections on her journey. Her regular updates not only motivated others but helped to raise awareness about the crucial work that Dementia UK does in supporting individuals and families affected

by dementia.

Through their generosity, Yvonne was able to raise an impressive £404 for Dementia UK. Her challenge received sponsorship from colleagues, families, and friends, all eager to contribute to the important work of the charity.In recognition of her efforts, Yvonne reached out to Dementia UK to share the news of her completed challenge. The team at the charity warmly congratulated her on her achievement, letting her know that a certificate of appreciation and a thank-you letter were on the way.

Yvonne was thrilled with the money raised for Dementia UK, and commented: “Knowing the money I raised will make a difference to families who care for those living with dementia is heartwarming.”

103 Celebrations For Local Care Home Resident Celebrations have been in full swing at Hickathrift House Care Home, located in Marshland St James, Wisbech, as one of its residents reaches her 103rd birthday at the end of September.

Norah was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she celebrated her birthday in style, making her the oldest resident at Hickathrift House Care Home. A baileys reception was held at the home and guests enjoyed a special birthday lunch made by the home’s chef Nicci Groves. After the meal, Norah and her loved ones enjoyed a very special visit from Brenda and her therapy pony Darwin, one of Norah’s favourite visitors.

Norah was born in Folkstone, Kent and joined the WREN, Women's Royal Naval Service after leaving school. She met her husband, Reginald while in the

WREN and he in the navy and got married in 1944 in Egypt. Norah loved taking care of her two children and grandchildren before coming to Hickathrift House Care Home, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life. At Hickathrift House, Norah adores the various animal therapy activities, and musical entertainment.

The birthday girl, Norah said, “It’s been such a lovely day. Thank you all for making it so special, especially getting Darwin to come see me again. I think the secret to long life is the love of my family”.

Paula Colman, General Manager of Barchester Hickathrift House said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. Norah is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more”.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 15

Care Business Buyer & Investor Confidence Rises Market Report Reveals Business property adviser, Christie & Co, has launched its Care Market Review 2024 report, which analyses a range of topics relating to the UK healthcare business market, including capital markets, land and development, the transactional market, shifts in local authority fee rates, operator sentiment, the finance landscape, and a Q&A with Matt Lowe (CEO at LNT Care Developments), along with a spotlight feature on the German market.

Due to the strong needs-driven underpin and defensive characteristics of the sector, healthcare remains a highly attractive asset class to investors, says Christie & Co. However, the higher cost of capital has been a key issue for investors. This is illustrated at a macro level by the increase in the Bank of England base rate from 3.5 per cent at the start of 2023 to 5.25 per cent at the end of the year. This increase was driven by wider inflationary pressures with other important metrics like 10year UK Government gilt yields increasing to a high of 4.6 per cent in August 2023.

As we move into the second half of 2024, there are clear signs that yields have stabilised with market activity picking up – with a steady increase in the volume of investment activity, a number of major processes being launched, and more funds looking to actively participate as buyers. This reflects a combination of new capital entering the market and existing funds becoming more acquisitive. It is illustrated well by both real estate investment activity and wider corporate/private equity transactions.

The supply of purpose-built senior housing is significantly behind that of other developed countries but delivery volumes and planning activity are now steadily increasing in the UK. Recent schemes in the UK have generally catered for either the luxury or affordable ends of the market, but newer entrants are targeting the mid-market where there is the attraction of mass demand. Established retirement living providers have continued to bring forward schemes of 50 to 80 units in urban areas close to high street amenities. However, Christie & Co is increasingly seeing successful applications for larger Integrated Retirement Communities (IRC) products.

An analysis of Christie & Co’s transactional data revealed an increase in the proportion of larger care home sales in the first half of 2024, with the sale of assets over 40 beds comprising 58 per cent of its total volume, compared with 52 per cent in 2023. Meanwhile, the percentage of sales of homes with under 20 beds dropped to 11 per cent of its volume, broadly similar to 2022 figures.

The proportion of transactions concluded to new entrants in the first half of 2024 was over double that of 2023, at 9 per cent. The number of first-time buyers was at an all-time low in 2023, reflecting a tough lending environment in 2022 together with a sector that was still recovering from the pandemic. Small and medium groups were the most active buyer group in the first half of 2024, representing 33 per cent of Christie & Co’s completions. However, the number of deals concluded to larger groups declined, shifting from 36 per cent in 2023 to 29 per cent in the first half of 2024. This is likely to be due to the softening of yields in 2023, reducing activity in the sale and leaseback market.

An analysis of the vacant possession deals transacted in 2023 shows that 58 per cent were sold to care-related buyers. 24 per cent of the transactions were to buyers seeking to convert the property to a specialist care facility, and 20 per cent of buyers sought to reconfigure the property and re-open as an elderly care facility. 27 per cent of closed care homes sold through the broker went to residential developers.

Christie & Co analysed a Freedom of Information Act survey, covering all 174 local authorities across England, Wales, and Scotland. It found an average residential fee increase in England of 9 per cent compared with 9.5 per cent in 2023/24. Fee rate levels remain a challenge in some areas, with the increases being insufficient to offset inflationary cost pressures, and Christie & Co expects that the burden on the self-funded client base is likely to rise, with the majority of providers achieving private fee increases of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent or more.

Christie & Co interviewed a cross-section of local and regional care providers throughout the UK to gather their sentiments on the sector.

THE SURVEY REVEALED: • 60 per cent of operators in the UK have a reduction in agency usage over the last 12 months, whereas only 13 per cent stated agency usage had increased. 75 per cent of providers in Wales reported a reduction in agency usage with only 50 per cent of Scottish providers reporting a decline • 59 per cent of operators reported an increase in local authority fee rates • In Wales, 88 per cent of providers reported local authority fee increases of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent. As in England, there is a huge disparity in baseline local authority fees, with a 29 per cent difference

between the highest-paying authority in Wales to the lowest • Private fee rates increased across all country regions, with 63 per cent of operators reporting a 5 per cent to 10 per cent increase. 18 per cent of respondents reported increases of over 10 per cent compared with 36 per cent with local authority fees, suggesting that there has been some improvement on the LA side to align fees • 62 per cent of surveyed operators from England reported a 5 per cent to 10 per cent increase in private fee rates and 27 per cent of Welsh-based providers surveyed increased their private fee rates by over 10 per cent • In England and Scotland, over 40 per cent of respondents are looking to expand their portfolios, whilst sentiment is stronger in Wales where 67 per cent of respondents are looking to acquire in the next 12 months • Given the uncertainty around interest rates, there remained some degree of caution from operators, with a quarter still unsure over their appetite going forward In a section on the finance landscape, Christie Finance notes a positive sentiment from funders lending into the sector and an increase in demand for finance, with the broker having completed 23 per cent more transactions in the first half of 2024 against the 49 per cent increase in offers of finance.

There has been an increase in operators seeking unsecured business loans and asset finance to support refurbishment, upgrade and improvement projects which, in some cases, have been put off due to external pressures and a perceived lack of access to finance of this nature. These types of projects made up 40 per cent of lending within the sector in H1 2024.

Additionally, in a survey of lenders, when asked about the key challenges they face when underwriting a transaction, 18 per cent said regulation and 22 per cent said client income/turnover. When asked about their bank’s opinion of the UK economy over the next 12 months, 65 per cent of lenders said they expect to see growth.

Richard Lunn, Managing Director – Care at Christie & Co, comments, “We’re seeing a renewed appetite from both buyers and investors in the market which has resulted in a strong level of transactional activity across the whole of our team, with a big emphasis on trying to conclude deals ahead of the Budget in late October. Our average deal time from acceptance of an offer to completion of the transaction has materially increased from five and a half months to nearly eight months, the reasons for this are numerous including greater diligence, insurance cover challenges, and regulatory registration implications. Clearly, changes in the Budget such as important tax regimes including IHT and CGT could materially impact both deal times and the seller’s desire to transact.”

PAGE 16 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Samuel Sewell Crowned as the 2024 NACC Care Chef of the Year Samuel Sewell of Wellington Vale Care Home, part of the Cinnamon Care Collection has been crowned National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2024.

Samuel was crowned last night in front of NACC members and guests at the NACC gala awards dinner held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, which is part of the NACC Training & Development Forum 2024.

Nigel Cooke, Eastcote Park, Cinnamon Care Collection and Darren Nelson of Trymview Hall, Care UK took second and third places, respectively.

The final was held at the Manor Farm Cookery School, Grantham. The talented finalists had just 90 minutes to demonstrate their culinary skills and specialist knowledge to impress the panel of expert judges, led by Head Judge, Steve Munkley.

The judges were looking for clear nutritional understanding of the foods being used and how they support the needs of their clientele, plus culinary flair through flavours, menu balance, execution, presentation, and hygiene and waste management best practice.

Sewell excelled throughout, impressing the judges with his perfectly balanced menu of Fish and Chips, Caramelised Namalaka with bourbon cherries and granola.

Head judge, Steve Munkley said: “The important thing about this year was that the chefs listened to the feedback they were given after the semifinals and acted upon it; particularly the dietetic and nutritional values of the dishes. This is an important aspect of care home catering.

This is my third year as head judge, and I now have a better understanding of the sector and the different

demands that are placed on the chefs. This has given me an even greater respect for what the finalist have achieved over the course of this year’s contest. There were more entries than ever this year, which made my job even harder, which is great. I would also like to praise the quality and commitment of the judges, they truly believe in what they are doing and helped make a big impact on the overall performance.”

Neel Radia the NACC’s National Chair, said: “This year there were more entries than ever before, and for the first time in recent years, we even had a heat in Wales, which was a great experience.

“The judges tell me that the points tally was exceptional with only 6 points (out of a possible 320) separating the top two places. This tells me that the standard of the entries is also being raised and I would join with Steve Munkley is thanking all the judges, who gave their time and commitment so freely.”

“Raising the Care Chef’s profile is so important to us all, as it helps attract more chefs into our sector. I know from talking to so many of them, that once they see the true value of what they can do for others, they want to stay with us for a long time – and even want to compete in the annual Care Chef of the Year competition!”

Speaking after the award, Samuel Sewell said: “It is fantastic being crowned this year’s Care Chef of the Year, but what I took away from the competition was seeing chefs from our sector getting together and sharing their ideas. I’m proud to work as a Care Chef.”

Avery Healthcare Achieves 5-Star Rating for Food Standards Across All Southern Care Homes Avery Healthcare has achieved a remarkable 5-star rating for food standards from the Environmental Health Officers (EHO) across all its Avery Collection care homes in the South of England.

The Avery Collection is a series of premium care homes in the South of England, providing high-quality living environments and exceptional dining experiences for residents.

These homes were previously owned by Signature before being acquired by Avery Healthcare in 2023.

This commendation comes from the EHO following unannounced inspections of all 29 homes, stretching from East Essex to West Hampshire, which took place from June 2023 to September 2024.

The 5-star rating is the highest level awarded by the EHO, underscoring Avery Healthcare's commitment to public health and safety.

Over the past year, Avery Healthcare has heavily invested in state-of-the-art commercial kitchens and has prioritised recruiting highly qualified professional staff.

Led by Simon Lawrence, Director of Culinary and Hospitality at Avery Healthcare, and Greg Simmonds, Senior Regional Culinary Manager at Avery Healthcare, the organisation has built a culture of excellence in

hygiene and food safety.

Avery’s culinary teams have also earned recognition for their dedication, winning the Care Home Award for Best Food Nutrition and Dining Services in both 2022 and 2023.

Simon Lawrence expressed his admiration for the hard work and resilience of the Culinary Teams, stating, “In what has been a challenging time for the industry, it is testament to the Hospitality Managers and Recruitment Team in bringing in such fantastic additions to the current team.”

He emphasised the importance of maintaining high food hygiene and safety standards when serving vulnerable residents.

Martina Lamden, Operational Director for the South, remarked, "We are committed to upholding these high standards and ensuring our residents receive the best possible dining experience."

The focus now shifts to sustaining this achievement over the next year, as Avery aims to maintain its high ratings through continued dedication and oversight.

Avery Healthcare remains dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for its residents through exceptional food standards and hospitality.

EARZZ and CAREVision Join Forces to Enhance Proactive Care Management and Fall Prevention EARZZ, a leading provider of AI-powered fall prevention technology, and CAREVision, a leader in care planning and record-keeping software, have announced a strategic partnership to help prevent falls and enable proactive care management.

This collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate EARZZ’s AI-powered acoustic monitoring technology that allows care teams to remotely monitor the well-being of residents with CAREVision’s comprehensive care home management solution, offering a unified approach to improved resident safety, operational efficiency, and enhanced care quality for mutual customers of CAREVision and EARZZ. Enabling Fall Prevention and proactive care management: EARZZ’s AIpowered early alerts enable carers to respond swiftly when movement noise is recognised in the resident’s room, helping prevent falls and reduce the risk of serious injuries. EARZZ also specifically identifies and alerts carers to other health-related sounds in residents’ rooms - like screaming, and coughing amongst others. EARZZ keeps digital records of events relating to sounds of concern in residents’ rooms, helping provide carers and managers with automated health and well-being trends

enabling data insights for pain management, infections and fall prevention. The integration between CAREVision and EARZZ now aims to make this information available within CAREVision’s electronic care management system, which serves as a repository of all recorded data and care planning about a resident, from the preadmission stage through to end of care or discharge. The integration can therefore help provide more context to carers about the health and wellbeing of residents, enabling proactive care management.

Improved Care Coordination: Integrating EARZZ and CAREVision streamlines workflows within care homes. More specifically, the integration enables: - Digital room check evidencing: Offering an integrated approach to ensuring the carer’s physical presence in the room to register room checks - Easier staff handover - by enabling direct access to attendance times along with access to digital records of the sounds of concern recognised in resident rooms. In addition, any notes from carers taken in the EARZZ app will also be catalogued automatically within CAREVision enabling

unified care record access.

- Centralised Information: Care planning becomes significantly easier when all relevant data is integrated into a single platform. The integration enables a unified approach not only saving time for carers, but also ensuring that carers have the information they need at their fingertips within the CAREVision ecosystem.

Non-Intrusive Monitoring Technology: One of the significant advantages of EARZZ’s technology is its non-intrusive nature. Unlike cameras or audio relay-based alerting solutions, EARZZ uses AI-powered sound recognition technology, which preserves residents’ privacy. The solution does not record conversations or personal interactions, ensuring dignity and privacy are maintained.

“This partnership goes beyond fall prevention,” says Prad Thiruvenkatanathan, CEO & Founder of EARZZ. “By offering a holistic detection and alerting solution, we empower carers to deliver exceptional, person-centred care.”

Rishi Jawaheer, Director of CAREVision, adds, “This integration empowers care homes to be more proactive in preventing falls and delivering the highest quality of care.”

Earzz will be exhibiting at Care Show Birmingham at Stand F13, come speak to us to learn more about how we can help you enhance the quality of care.

Contact us: Earzz Limited info@earzz.co.uk +44(0)2038380090

PAGE 18 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

How to Respond and Recover from a Cyber Security Incident or Attack - New Guide To mark Cyber Security Awareness Month, Better Security, Better Care has published new guidance to help care providers respond to and recover from cyber security incidents.

Small and medium sized care providers may believe they are not at risk of a cyber attack – but that’s just not the case.

Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Head of Programme Delivery for Better Security, Better Care at the Digital Care Hub explains: “We’ve heard smaller providers say, ‘We’re not of any interest to a cyber criminal – we won’t get attacked.’ But what they don’t realise is that they can still be a victim, even if they are not the primary target. If a software system that they use is breached or attacked – they will be affected.

We’ve seen cases where staff rosters and payments are blocked; medication records are unavailable; and sensitive data is leaked and put at risk of identify fraud.

“It is absolutely critical that care providers have a business continuity plan which covers what they will do if digital systems are out of order. It’s always better to plan ahead – but we know it can be difficult to know what to do in the midst of a crisis. So we have published new guidance on responding and recovering from an incident.”

The guidance, which launched today at the Care Show, is aimed primarily at the person with lead responsibility for data security and protection within the organisation. Every organisation should have a lead in place.

It includes the following advice on the immediate response to a cyber incident: • Look at your security software (such as antivirus alerts and server logs) to see if you are able to identify the specifics of the attack, and the cause of the incident. If you are unable to do this (but you know which device has been affected) run your antivirus programme to complete a full scan and take notes of the results it gives you. If nothing is found, consider using an alternative antivirus programme.

• Do not turn off your computer – it should remain on to preserve any evidence. Log-off (not shut-down) the computer and ensure no-one uses it – consider putting a sign-on to warn others. Isolate the affected system or device from the network to prevent further disruptions. Quarantine the computer by removing the network

cable or put it in ‘airplane mode’ if connected to Wi-Fi. Secure any memory discs/CDs/DVDs or other media connected to or used in the computer.

• Check who else has been affected, speak to your software supplier(s) to find out whether they or other care providers they supply are reporting similar incidents.

During the recovery phase, providers should: • Follow your business continuity plan. Ensure you always have access to a ‘grab-bag’ of key documents necessary to respond to an incident. Work with your IT suppliers and IT support to identify the nature and scale of the issues.

If you manage your own IT, put your business continuity plan into action.

Depending on the type of incident you are responding to, this may involve: replacing infected hardware; restoring data through backups; or remotely wiping data on a lost or stolen phone or tablet.

• Recover hacked accounts. Check suppliers’ websites for details on how to recover hacked online email, social media or bank accounts. Check your own email account to see if forwarding rules have been set up by hackers. Change passwords. Log all devices and apps out of your account. Set up multi-factor authentication, and update software.

• Check cyber security consultants’ credentials. If you’re going to use a consultant, make sure they are reputable and meet your needs. View the National Cyber Security Centre assured services.

The guide also includes two downloadable resources: • How to spot a cyber attack: A checklist to help care and administrative staff to recognise if a cyber incident is happening, and who to contact within the organisation. Care providers can download, add their data security and protection lead’s details and share the list with staff.

• Cyber security incidents: A downloadable form to help data security and protection leads to gather vital information as soon as they expect something has gone wrong.

Access the guide and downloadable resources on the Digital Care Hub website www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/cyber-security Book to attend the Data Security and Protection Toolkit webinar on Data security on 19 November 2024.

This session will cover responding to cyber security incidents.

The Limes Residential Care Home Receives National Award For Providing Gold Standard End Of Life Care The Limes has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award in recognition of the excellent end of life care they provide.

Registered Managers Eleni Dove and Joanna Dewen received the award on behalf of The Limes team at the GSF annual conference and awards ceremony on Friday 27th September at BMA House in London – a celebration of the UK’s exceptional health and social care providers for care in the final year of life.

The Limes was one of 140 organisations from across the country receiving the award in London (98 care homes, 1 primary care team, 5 domiciliary care agencies, 8 retirement villages, 1 prison healthcare team and 27 hospital wards).

Eleni Dove, Registered Manager says “We are so proud to have received this award for a second time and achieved platinum status for our sustained commitment to the principals of the Gold Standard Framework. This is fantastic recognition for our incredible team of staff”, She added: “From the moment someone walks through our door we want them to live the most fulfilling life they can. Moving into a care home shouldn’t be the end of a client’s story, so from the very first day we will work to collabo-

rate with them and their relatives so that we can help them achieve their goals and live the best life possible” Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for GSF said: “Congratulations to all the organisations who have successfully achieved accreditation and received the Quality Hallmark Award this year.”

“The standard of care and compassionate cultures that have been observed is truly inspiring, showing a commitment to ensuring people receive the right care at the right time which has a positive impact on the people cared for and their families. Listening to what matters most to each and every individual and providing care in accordance with their goals, wishes and preferences is the Gold Standard and these organisations are delivering it. Within the awards there are a number of organisations that have demonstrated their sustainability of GSF multiple times with six of the care homes achieving GSF Accreditation six times.”

“The GSF team are so very proud of all our Award Winners; with our ageing population it is so important we enable them to live well and when the time comes deliver quality care in their final year / days of life. A huge well done to you all!”

Radcliffe Care Home Manager Marks 20 Years of Service Celebrations have taken place at HC-One’s Rose Court Care Home, in Radcliffe, Manchester, as Home Manager Leanne Batten-Smith marked 20 years working at the care home, progressing from working as a Bank Kitchen Assistant to fully managing the residential, nursing and dementia care home.

On 29th September 2024, Leanne celebrated a milestone career achievement, having worked at Rose Court Care Home for two decades. Leanne's first role at the home was in the kitchen as bank staff. Following that she moved into working in care as a Care Assistant before developing to progress to become a Senior Care Assistant with activities coordination being her second shared job.

Leanne still shows a huge passion for activities to this day and often gets involved with the home’s wellbeing team to create an enhanced activities programme for residents to enjoy.

Allison Porter, Wellbeing Coordinator at Rose Court Care Home, said: “Leanne is loved by all!”

Leanne then worked her way to become Unit Manager on the residential dementia and nursing community at Rose Court Care Home, called the Nightingale com-

munity.

Leanne’s career soon progressed as she took on the role of Deputy Home Manager and then Home Manager when previous Home Manager Karen Davies retired on 20th May 2022. Within her first CQC inspection as Home Manager, Rose Court Care Home received an overall rating of ‘Good’ including ‘Outstanding’ in wellled.

Leanne Batten-Smith, Home Manager at Rose Court Care Home, added: “I have loved every minute of my 20 years working here! Every day is different and supporting our older generation is an absolute honour that I am proud to be a part of each day.

“I work with the best team of people both within the home and within the wider organisation, Rose Court really is my second family.”

Rose Court held a celebration event with staff and residents, with a presentation to Leanne to present her long service award to her, with gifts, flowers from the home and Area Director, Anthony Byrne, along with a gift card and an additional day’s annual leave from HC-One as part of the recognition.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 19

ICG Chosen To Work With Local Authority To Improve North Yorks Care

A North Yorkshire social care organisation is teaming up with the local authority to ensure local older, vulnerable and disabled adults get the best care.

The Independent Care Group (ICG) has won a three-year contract to be the Market Representative Body (MRB), representing all adult social care providers across North Yorkshire.

A new Executive Committee will oversee the work of the MRB and will include representative voices from across the sector.

Through collaborative agreements with Carers Plus Yorkshire and Community First Yorkshire the ICG is now also working with the unpaid carer segment of the market, as well as community, voluntary and social enterprises, cementing existing good working relationships in a memorandum of understanding with those partners.

The bodies will work together to try to ensure a

consistent and high quality level of care is delivered.

ICG Chief Executive John Pattinson said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with North Yorkshire Council to work together with the authority to deliver the best of care to people who need and rely upon that care in our communities.”

As the Market Representative Body, the ICG will both act as a voice for social care providers to feed their views in to the authority and at the same time work with the authority and other social care commissioners to improve care.

“I think this will put us into a unique position of working with both sides of the social care commissioning process – those who buy care services and those who provide them – for the overall benefit of the social care sector in North Yorkshire,” Mr Pattinson added.

“Hopefully everyone will win, North Yorkshire Council as commissioners, social care providers across the county and, most of all, those who rely upon social care services in the area.

“It is an exciting new chapter for us all.”

Effectively the ICG will then have three distinct functions – to work with social care commissioners and unpaid carer bodies, to support its membership and to campaign and lobby at local, regional and national level.

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PAGE 20 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Hc-One Care Homes Celebrate Much-Loved Pets On World Animal Day HC-One care homes across the UK will mark World Animal Day on October 4 by paying tribute to the animal pets who live with them at the home and pets who visit them during pet therapy sessions to farm trips.

World Animal Day is a day that celebrates and protects animals. It is a global animal welfare movement which aims to make the world a better place for all animals.

Having a pet cat residing in a care home can offer many benefits to the elderly, including enhancing therapeutic care and providing companionship. Residents can also improve their wellbeing by engaging with their pet cats and they can help facilitate better social interaction.

Pytchley Court Care Home in Brixworth, Northampton, recently welcomed a new furry addition to Pytchley Court. Pytchley Court allows residents to keep pets, and the latest feline addition belongs to resident David Lunn, 86, who has lived at the home since December 2022.

Before coming to the home David had a Siberian Husky named Stormy, which initially stayed with his daughter while he was in the care home. They visited frequently but sadly Stormy died earlier this year.

As a replacement, David was gifted Poppy, a kitten, who is named after the well-known red flower, and the pair have not looked back since. David revealed that his new roommate reminds him of the many cats he has met over the years with his daughter.

Speaking recently, David Lunn, resident at Pytchley Court, mentioned: “It is an unusual feeling; we are both adapting to each other, and Poppy seems to like it here.

“She is really intelligent - when she wants to be fed, she lets me know by jumping on the bed with me and bumping me with her head!”

Sue Watson, Home Manager at Pytchley Court Care Home, stated: “We like to offer residents as many options as possible and give them a real sense of involvement in making their stay at the home worth it. It’s all about improving the quality of life in a person-centred way.

“Poppy is a lovely addition to the family here at Pytchley Court and David certainly seems to be enjoying having her with him.”

At Summerhill Care Home in Kendal, Cumbria, the home welcomed Animal Rescue Cumbria for a visit so residents could learn about how the organisation operates as a charity, as well as provide residents with the opportunity to take part in a pet therapy session by bringing in some of their dogs to visit for residents to interact with.

Residents enjoyed reminiscing about their former pets and talked about how owning pets can help com-

bat loneliness. Animal Rescue Cumbria have agreed with Summerhill Care Home to continue visiting the home every month including hosting snuggle sessions, arts and craft sessions which will allow residents to make their own kitten toys and have invited Summerhill residents to visit the Animal Rescue Centre to meet even more cats and dogs. Summerhill look forward to working with the Animal Rescue Centre in the future to do more activities and fundraising events.

Sean Moore, Senior Wellbeing Coordinator at Summerhill Care Home, said: “Supporting Animal Rescue Cumbria is a cause that is close to our residents’ hearts. We are excited to continue to do more work with Animal Rescue Cumbria in the future.”

At Rose Court Care Home in Radcliffe, Manchester, colleagues arranged a fun day out for residents to Meadowcroft Farm to feed the alpacas, goats, and chickens. Residents enjoyed feeding the alpacas, then moved on to feeding the goats and chickens before moving on to stroke and hold the rabbits.

Residents thoroughly enjoyed petting the wide variety of animals at the farm and learning all about where the different animals came from. Residents enjoyed learning about the different species of animals, the names they had been given and about their characters and temperament.

Residents then went on to enjoy a homemade packed lunch that had been made by Rose Court’s kitchen team whilst indulging in the onsite teas, coffees, and hot chocolates.

Residents enjoyed the day trip to the farm so much that colleagues are looking to make day trips out to the farm a regular occurrence in the near future.

Leanne Batten-Smith, Home Manager at Rose Court Care Home, commented: “Residents really enjoyed the day trip out to Meadowcroft Farm to feed the alpacas, goats, and chickens. As well as pet therapy having a number of positive wellbeing benefits for residents, residents really enjoyed improving their knowledge by learning about the different types of animals.”

Care Home Waste Management Specialist Appoints New Business Development Manager For The Care Home Sector Anenta, the leading independent healthcare waste management specialist for the care home sector, has appointed former Business Development Manager at Future Street Smart Waste, Paul Barker, as its new Business Development Manager for the business.

Brought on board to boost Anenta’s growing care home client base, Paul will be responsible for delivering bespoke, affordable and professional end-to-end waste management solutions to the sector.

As part of his new role, Paul will oversee the management of Anenta’s existing waste contracts, ensuring that care home waste logistics, service delivery, and waste disposal performance levels are industry leading.

Paul has worked within the waste sector for more than 10 years and has over 25 years of client relationship management experience.

Part of the management team that brought the US waste technology “BigBelly” to the U.K, Paul has an extensive background in introducing disruptive waste technology to the UK’s healthcare sector including many Local Authorities and the NHS. Paul played a key part in introducing the ground-breaking Sterilwave clinical waste processing solution, enabling Alternative Treatment and Offensive Waste streams to be treated on site at hospitals, saving the NHS money and helping it reduce its environmental impact.

Commenting on his new care home focus, Paul Barker said: “Our research shows that care homes are

typically wasting £8,000 every year through poor waste management process and procurement. My role is to help put a stop to that by working with care home clients to change waste disposal habits and practices, and to deliver a better service that saves clients time and money.

“This is made possible through Anenta’s cutting-edge, real-time smart technology, which identifies and creates opportunities to streamline waste services, reducing unnecessary costs through enhanced efficiencies.

“From identifying and preventing waste overbilling through to aiding clients with staff training, and complex waste and pre-acceptance audits, our role is to take the pain away from managing care home waste, so that clients can focus on delivering their services.”

Paul added: “Personally, I’m looking forward to providing care homes with a simple solution that brings them, their waste collection providers and other stakeholders to a single point of unified management.

This means complete transparency and allows us to deliver an improved service, removing hassle and generating significant savings for our care home clients, all backed by the highest levels of customer service.”

Commenting on Paul’s appointment, Graham Flynn, Managing Director of Anenta, said: “Paul is incredibly well-versed in building successful, long lasting client relationships. We see this as key to working with clients in the care home sector, and to delivering added value.

“Combined with his depth of understanding in dealing with waste and identifying ways to improve waste management efficiency, Paul is perfectly placed to help care homes streamline their processes, enabling the delivery of consistently high levels of service and customer satisfaction.”

Working for customers in over 20,000 locations, including individual care homes and care home groups, Anenta simplifies the process of healthcare and care home waste management, collectively saving clients millions of pounds each year. Over the past five years, Anenta has saved its clients over £13 million.

For more information about Anenta, visit www.anentawaste.com or call 033 0122 2143.

Triton Showers Presented with King’s Award For Enterprise Triton Showers has been presented with a King’s Award for Enterprise, recognising the brand’s commitment to sustainable development and integrating sustainability into its long-term business strategy and Net Zero goals.

The Nuneaton-based shower manufacturer was presented with the achievement by the Warwickshire Lord Lieutenant, Tim Cox, on Wednesday 4 September, at its Shepperton Business Park head office.

The King’s Award for Enterprise celebrates Triton’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact. Triton is one of only 29 select organisations to be recognised nationally for its contribution to sustainable development, having received the news earlier this year.

Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox praised Triton's achievement: “It has been an honour to meet with this year’s winners of the King’s Awards for Enterprise.

These Awards are a great boost to the local economy and show our ability to attract and sustain successful companies which in turn support our local communities. I am delighted to present this award to a company that truly embodies the spirit of the King’s Award for Enterprise.

"As we look towards the next year of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, I encourage as many Warwickshire

businesses as possible to consider applying. These awards are the highest accolade available to UK businesses and offer unparalleled prestige, exposure, and credibility to successful companies.”

David Tutton, Managing Director at Triton Showers, said, “We are incredibly honoured to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise, being one of only 29 select businesses across the UK to be recognised by His Majesty this year in the Sustainable Development category. This prestigious award underscores our commitment to placing sustainability at the heart of our business strategy and our determination to achieve our ambitious ‘Net Zero by 2035’ target.

“At Triton, we’re proud to be the market leader for showers in the UK and Ireland. With that leadership comes the responsibility to actively reduce our impact on the planet, and we are proud to lead the way in creating a more sustainable future.”

For more information about how Triton is moving the dial on sustainability, visit www.tritonshowers.co.uk/sustainability For further details about the application process for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025, visit: www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

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Sir Julian Hartley Appointed as CQC’s New Chief Executive Sir Julian Hartley is set to become the CQC’s new Chief Executive, having served as the Chief Executive of NHS Providers since February 2023.

Prior to which he had a distinguished career as Chief Executive of several organisations, most recently ten years as Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC, said: “I am very happy that CQC will make such a strong appointment to the role of Chief Executive.Sir Julian was chosen from an outstanding field for his significant leadership experience and his experience of contributing to developments in the wider health and social care landscapes.

“Sir Julian is an experienced and highly respected Chief Executive with a track record of leading organisations through challenging times, balancing the need to both improve short term performance and evolve strategy alongside a passionate commitment to improving people’s care. He has a background in health but also has experience in and believes in the crucial importance of adult social care.

“CQC has much work to do to rebuild trust with the public, providers and with our own staff. We also await the findings and recommendations of the final review from Dr Penny Dash and of the review that we have commissioned from Professor Sir Mike Richards. However, I am confident that Sir Julian has the qualities and experience to lead the organisation through the challenges ahead and help to ensure that we make the right changes to become the strong effective regulator that people who use and work in health and social care services need and deserve.”

Sir Julian Hartley said: “I am delighted to be joining CQC at a time when effective regulation which supports improvement across the health and care sector and good, safe care for people who use services has never been more important.

“I have spent my career in the NHS and I will do my utmost to bring all I have learned to serve people who use services and to work with CQC staff and with providers to deliver high quality regulation which

drives improvement across the health and care system.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Sir Julian’s experience of turning round large, complex health organisations will be vital as the CQC seeks to urgently improve and win back public trust.

“Dr Penny Dash’s interim report highlighted serious failings in the regulator, forcing me to conclude it is no longer fit for purpose. Once published, I will consider Dr Dash’s final report closely and set out further action this government will take. But I was determined to see action taken now to begin to turn the CQC around.

“I’m confident that Julian will provide the leadership staff in the CQC need to address this crisis, improve patient safety, and restore confidence in the regulator.”

Care England Welcomes Sir Julian Hartley as New Chief Executive of CQC, but Warns of Challenges Ahead Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, offered a tempered optimism regarding this leadership change while reminding of the enormous task that lies ahead, saying: “Sir Julian Hartley steps into this role at a critical juncture for the CQC. While his appointment brings a wealth of leadership experience, the systemic challenges within the CQC are profound. The sector has long called for urgent reform, as reflected in Dr. Penny Dash’s independent interim review, which outlined major operational failings, delays in inspections, and a loss of credibility. Sir Julian now has the chance to lead the organisation through one of the most transformative periods in its history.”

“Inheriting an organisation that is not just in need of structural overhaul but one whose ability to rebuild trust within the sector has been seriously compromised, comes as no small task; but it is one that, if executed properly, could be incredibly powerful and rewarding for everyone who relies on adult social care. Sir Julian has the opportunity to create lasting change, but this can only happen if the entire CQC listens to the voices of care providers and commits to delivering measurable improvements. We remain ready to support the CQC in achieving this, but real action and accountability must follow.

Care Home Resident Living With Dementia Finally Celebrates Love With Blessing Ceremony A joyful blessing ceremony was held at HC-One’s Meadow Bank care home in Bamber Bridge, Preston, for resident Kevin ‘Kev’ Button and his partner Allison ‘Allie’ Gallacher.

Allie and Kev, a resident at Meadow Bank who lives with dementia, have been together over 21 years and decided to celebrate their love by receiving a blessing on Sunday 29th September.

The ceremony took place in the gardens at Meadow Bank led by Chaplin Gill Smart, with Allie and Kev surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and fellow residents. Many spectators commented that Allie looked stunning whilst walking in accompanied by her dad to meet her very smartly dressed partner Kevin. There were tears of joy and smiles all round.

Allie Gallacher explained why they decided to host the blessing: “Kev’s been in Meadow Bank now for four years and there is not a day goes by when I would have considered not being with him and although there are days when he doesn’t speak to me or tells me to go away as I push him to do his mobility exercises or stimulate his brain with activities.

He is the love of my life and time together is worth more than anything.

“This blessing is for him to have memories and on good days a chance to share them with him.”

Graham Stokes, Director of Dementia & Specialist Service Innovation at HC-One, commented: “It was such a joyous experience to be at the Blessing of Alison and Kevin’s relationship. Uplifting to feel the happiness in the smiles and laughter of their family and friends.

“Well done to Caroline and Team Meadow Bank for showing what is possible when you’re determined to give people the life they want.

“Dementia is devastating but attending the blessing ceremony showed you to never give up hope, that by thinking differently and not being consumed by despair, meaningful happy times are possible. Without doubt, love never dies.”

Natasha Wilson - Dementia Care Manager at HC-One, stated: “I had the most beautiful Sunday as a guest at Kev and Alison’s blessing ceremony at our wonderful Meadow Bank care home.

“From perfect decor, fabulous food, moving tributes, singing, fizz and most importantly, a room full of pure love and devotion. Dementia takes away a lot of things, but never the ability to love or be loved in return.

“Congratulations Kev and Alison and a special thank you to the amazing Meadowbank team who support Kev with tender loving care, and who made this special day happen.”

SWITCH Partners with Curam to Provide Free College-Level Training for Care Professionals in the South West Earlier this month the Swindon and Wiltshire Innovative Technology Care Hub (SWITCH) held a training day for local Care Professionals working through Curam, the UK’s largest digital employment platform for the care sector, to upskill and improve care provision in the region.

Care Professionals who work through Curam from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire attended SWITCH’s three-hour Wound Care training session, achieving a collegelevel certification at the end of the day. During the course, Care Professionals learnt about skin integrity and how to spot changes, such as pressure wounds, as well as the initial response required to prevent infection, whether that is basic treatment or referral.

Using realistic task trainers in SWITCH’s interactive learning suite, Care Professionals were given an accurate and bespoke sense of what wounds may look like on their clients and how they should react. The session highlighted how skin wounds manifest on different skin types to instil cultural competency.

The immersive suite at SWITCH simulates healthcare environments through projections, smells and a family of life-like manikins which can talk, cough, cry and realistically react to care interventions. This helps Care Professionals develop healthcare skills and softer skills such as patient interaction in a simulation setting. The hub was funded under the Skills Development Fund from the Department for Education. SWITCH provides mandatory and clinical skills training to upskill care professionals across the region.

The session also acted as a networking opportunity, allowing Care Professionals who work for Curam on a self-employed basis to come together as a team and share experiences and best practices.

The initiative reflects Curam and SWITCH’s shared ethos of improving care provisions in the UK by ensuring everyone has access to high-quality care through upskilling and training and using technology to facilitate this.

SWITCH aims to enhance and upskill health and social care workers in the area with cutting-edge, technology-driven facilities and equipment in simulation hospital wards. Augmented reality, virtual reality and manikins that have humanistic features and can react to the care given give Care Professionals hands-on experience and the opportunity to practice highrisk scenarios in low-pressure environments.

Ashley-Louise Lumley, a Swindon-based Curam Champion and organiser of the training day, said: “SWITCH’s training facilities are top class, and it has been fantastic to help deliver this to the wider community of Care Professionals who operate through Curam. There is a broad range of experience among Care Professionals who operate through the platform – some have been in the industry for just over two years, while others have been providing care for more than 15 years.

"Everyone, no matter their previous experience, benefits from bespoke in-person learning sessions like these, focusing on skills that are key to promoting individual health and well-being in the community. Skin integrity is particularly important and something all Care Professionals should be aware of."

“We look forward to continuing a relationship with SWITCH which will give Curam clients in the South West peace of mind that their Care Professional is learning from an established and innovative educator to provide the highest quality of care possible.”

David Panes, Programme Lead at SWITCH, said: “It’s a pleasure to offer this opportunity to Care Professionals operating through Curam in the South West and support them as they develop their skills. We truly believe that clinical competency combined with solid educational elements is essential to providing good quality care. By ensuring that those providing it have the skills they need, we create a stronger community of skilled caregivers, which ultimately benefits the wider local area and its residents.”

For further information visit www.curamcare.com

Dulux Unveils True Joy As Its Colour of the Year 2025 ™

immediately picture where yellow paint could seamlessly slot into your home, but it’s actually much more versatile than you may first think. The decision to choose the most uplifting hue in the spectrum is to spark inspiration and instil confidence to leap into the unknown and endless possibilities of what could be.

Whilst yellow is one of the bolder colours on the spectrum, True Joy™ is complementary to a vast range of palettes, it brings out the positivity in even the most neutral of shades and is the figurative glue that binds more daring colour stories together.”

For 2025, Dulux is asking architects, specifiers and designers to embrace yellow and infuse a sense of optimism, pride and imagination into their projects.

As a guiding light to introduce these bold, positive shades to clients, the paint manufacturer has announced True Joy™ as its Colour of the Year for 2025, which is complemented by three versatile ColourFutures™ palettes.

Over that last two decades, the Dulux Colour of the Year has been chosen through extensive trend research by Dulux colour experts and international design professionals. The 2025 selection, True Joy™, is a bright and positive yellow that reflects people’s desire to break free, reset, and create something new and exciting. As well as embracing True Joy™, Dulux is also encouraging designers to share the joy of yellow and help clients to leap out of their comfort zone - and feel confident in doing so.

Yellow shades like True Joy™ can be used as a bold statement colour or an accent hue. However, to help designers advise their clients on the best colour pairings, Dulux has created three supporting ColourFutures™ palettes.

● Bold Colour Story: Inspired by the thrill of adventure, these bold colours bring spontaneity and energy to any space. Bright blues and oranges contrast beautifully with accent yellow, making them ideal for educational and office environments where inspiration and creativity are key.

● Human Colour Story: Celebrating artisanal craftsmanship, these shades of wood and clay reflect the raw materials used in handmade processes. Perfect for educational and healthcare settings, these colours add a touch of authenticity and warmth.

To support specifiers and provide additional guidance on the use of True Joy™, Dulux has created the Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2025 Specifier Guide which includes mood boards that can be used to help create the perfect space across any sector. Architects, specifiers, and designers can also use the Dulux Trade Colour Schemer for colour inspiration or to create specifications for projects. They can also speak with the Dulux Commercial Colour Services team for additional advice on how to use the Colour of the Year 2025.

● Proud Colour Story: Drawing inspiration from diverse cultures around the world, these deep, rich and earthy browns and greens celebrate the rich heritages that make us unique. Ideal for hospitality and residential spaces, they create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home.

Dawn Scott, Dulux Trade Senior Colour Designer, said: “True Joy™ and its accompanying palettes offer a fresh perspective on colour's role in shaping our built environment. These colours are not just trends but tools for architects and specifiers to craft spaces that resonate with the values and visions of their clients, improving our experience within the spaces we inhabit.

“One of the most impactful applications of True Joy™ is within healthcare environments. Paired with the earthy, natural shades of our Human Colour Story, True Joy™ can transform waiting rooms, corridors, and communal areas into uplifting and calming spaces. This combination not only brightens the atmosphere but also connects patients and staff to a sense of warmth, creativity, and well-being.”

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Colour Expert at Dulux, explains: “It may be difficult to

Dulux is proud of its ongoing efforts to produce durable solutions in a more sustainable manner. By focusing on reducing carbon emissions and increasing the circular use of materials, Dulux ensures that products like True Joy™ not only enhance spaces aesthetically but also contribute to a greener future. With initiatives such as using up to 70% recycled content in packaging and developing water-based paints with lower VOC content, Dulux is dedicated to helping professionals create beautiful, sustainable environments.

Dulux Colour of the Year 2025 True Joy™ and the accompanying palettes will be available for purchase from10 September 2024.

For more information, visit

duluxtrade.co.uk/cf25

and follow #CF25 on social media.

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Day Trips In The Community Boost Health and Happiness For Red Homes Residents Residents at three local care homes across Newark and Grantham have been experiencing life’s little adventures within the community, with several day trips designed to boost mental and physical wellbeing.

Groups from Red Roofs, Red Rose and Red Court, all part of the Red Homes Healthcare family, take regular trips – which include organised tours, afternoons at the park, trips to a local garden centre, and even simple pub lunches – as part of the homes’ commitment to helping residents stay active and socially connected.

The trips have been planned in consultation with the residents themselves, as part of a home-wide initiative to enhance quality of life, encourage social interaction, and bring a sense of adventure into their lives.

Two of the homes recently took a cruise in the Newark Crusader along the River Trent, giving residents the chance to connect with nature. The home staff say the sights, sounds, and smells of different environments help with mental engagement and emotional well-being, and that the gentle physical activities can help maintain mobility and stamina.

“Our group really enjoyed spotting wildlife and enjoying the scenic views,” said Joanne Brown, Manager at Red Rose Care Community. “As well as being really relaxing and a lovely chance to chat, we could tell that it gave everyone a real boost in

mood.”

Research shows that taking part in social events and other activities you enjoy can support healthy aging, helping to boost wellbeing, resilience and independence as well as lowering the risk for certain health conditions. Those with dementia or other cognitive challenges can also benefit from taking a trip outside, as feelings of wellbeing stay with the person, even if they are unable to remember the activity itself.

Trish Smith, General Manager at Red Roofs, said: “In the Red Homes community, we understand the importance of creating meaningful experiences for the wonderful people in our home, and it’s a crucial part of our care strategy. Regular day trips offer far more than just a change of scenery; these outings play a vital role in boosting mood, reducing feelings of loneliness and, of course, having fun! We see a real sense of camaraderie as a result of these shared experiences.”

She adds: “It’s really important to staff that these wonderful people feel part of the local community, and that they get a change of scene and some mental and physical stimulation. We want our residents to maintain a sense of autonomy, and leaving the care home for an excursion can give residents a renewed sense of independence.

Life’s little adventures don’t – and shouldn’t – stop just because you’ve moved into a care home.”

Scottish Carers Win Top Awards After Bumper Year Of Nominations Photo credit Peter Sandground Top carers, nurses and support staff from one of Scotland’s leading providers of elderly and specialist care have been recognised for their outstanding dedication at an awards ceremony, following a record-breaking number of submissions.

Over 1,500 nominations were made for the 2024 Meallmore Colleague Awards – over a third more than in 2023 – for awards across 13 categories, including ‘Nurse of the Year’, ‘Emerging Talent and ‘Positive Impact’.

The event, now in its 13th year, returned to the Dunblane Hydro for the official ceremony with 200 people in attendance from Meallmore’s 26 care homes across Scotland.

Presented by singer and TV personality, Michelle McManus, the awards celebrate Meallmore colleagues who have made a positive impact on improving the lives of colleagues, residents, and their family members over the past twelve months.

Cillian Hennessey, CEO of Meallmore, said: “We have an amazing team across Scotland. Our colleagues work tirelessly to deliver high standards of care across all our services, always going the extra mile for our residents and their families. I’m immensely proud of the care, professionalism and collaborative approach that is clear to see in each of our homes up and down the country.

“Our annual awards are a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work being done on a daily basis; recognising the difference each and every one of our Meallmore colleagues makes to the lives of our residents. The fact that we received so many nominations this year is testament to that.

“All our finalists have demonstrated remarkable dedication and compassion, and the winners are thoroughly well-deserved. It was incredibly hard to judge! A big thanks also goes to our supplier support, as well as the fantastic Michelle McManus who, once again, has supported us at the awards, shining a light

on the care we offer throughout the country.”

On presenting the awards, Michelle McManus added: “I was honoured to be asked to take part in the Meallmore Colleague Awards again this year. It’s always such a positive event with some truly worthy winners. I love hearing the stories behind the nominations, as it’s clear that the team are dedicated, passionate and really care about the residents and their families.

“Thank you to all at Meallmore for inviting me back to be part of this special occasion, and a huge congratulations to all who were nominated. You’re all winners in my eyes!”

AWARD WINNERS INCLUDE: Emerging Talent – Howard Skeet, Hilton Court Home Support Colleague – Tia David, Willow Lodge Positive Impact – Cameron Hunter, Redwoods Manager Of the Year – Julie-Anne Thomson, St Modans Senior Care Worker/Practitioner of the Year – Michelle Millar, Greenan Manor Head Office and Field Based Support Team – Piotr Weiland, L & D Team Meaningful Activities – Samantha Trainor, Manor- Grigor House Specialist Service of the Year – Hilton Court Elderly Home of the Year – St Modans Nurse of the Year – Michelle King, Kincaid House Carer of the Year – Steven Carruth, Alderwood Brand Ambassador – Jody Marshall, Hospitality Team Meals Mean More (Competition) – Dan McGonigle, Kincaid House

Extra Care Scheme In Islington Celebrates Poetry Book Launch Event with Special Guests Excitement is in the air at Extra Care scheme, Mildmays in Islington following a unique event where residents launched their very own poetry book.

The book - Still Life with Movement, includes a collection of poems written by residents and has been created in partnership with the arts organisation, All Change and Associate Artist, Francesca Beard.

The All Change Team and employees at the scheme organised an event for the residents who contributed to the book to read their poems. The event included music, food and drink to mark the celebration.

British poet, John Hegley who was born and lives nearby, was in attendance and treated the residents, their families and friends to a very special performance to celebrate the book launch. Other guests from the local community and Housing 21 employees had an opportunity to meet the talented resident poets who contributed to the collection.

Linda, a resident who contributed to the book, said: "It’s been an incredible day to celebrate the launch of our very own poetry book. I would never have thought that I would be doing something like this at my age, I am so grateful to Marian (Activities Coordinator at the scheme) and the All Change Team. I now love poetry!”

The event took place on Tuesday 24 September at the scheme, which is owned and operated by Housing 21. The book will be for residents, their friends and families, and some copies will be stored in local libraries in Islington for the local community to enjoy.

Residents at Housing 21’s scheme can enjoy the benefits of Extra Care, living independently with access to 24/7 on-site care and support for older people over the age of 55. The scheme also has amenities such as a communal lounge, hair salon, gardens and a guest room.

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A Night of Celebration for the Suffolk Care Industry Celebrating Achievements with an Unforgettable Evening The Suffolk Care Awards 2024, hosted by the esteemed Angela Rippon CBE, was a celebration of inspiration, gratitude, and achievement. Stakeholders, care providers, clients, and their families gathered to celebrate the exceptional accomplishments in delivering outstanding care across the region. Held at Milsoms in Kesgrave, this prestigious event marked a significant milestone in recognising and applauding the dedication and commitment of the Suffolk care sector.

This year, with Angela at the helm, the event resonated with a sense of unity and purpose, as attendees celebrated the individuals and organisations who make a profound impact on the lives of those they serve.

Christian Bone, Chief Executive of Care Development East, said: “We were delighted to have Angela Rippon, a dedicated advocate for social care and co-chair of The Prime Minister’s Champion Group on Dementia Friendly Communities, presenting this year’s awards.

“The judges had a tough job with so many inspiring nominations, especially after a challenging few years for social care. It was uplifting to celebrate the incredible talent in our sector, and we congratulate all the winners and finalists for their outstanding contributions.

“The care sector plays a vital role in community wellbeing, and these awards provide a great opportunity to recognise those efforts. We are also grateful to our sponsors for their invaluable support in making this event possible.”

Angela Rippon CBE, the host of the evening, remarked, "It was an immense privilege to be part of the eighth annual Suffolk Care Awards. As someone who actively supports dementia care through my work with Dementia Friendly Communities and as an Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, I understand just how crucial this sector is.

“The incredible dedication of every individual in the social care field plays a vital role in improving the lives of others. I'd like to extend my congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the evening. It was a remarkable event, and I was delighted to be a part of it!”

The Suffolk Care Awards 2024 featured ten prestigious award categories, each celebrating excellence and innovation in care. We are thrilled to announce the deserving winners:

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Merryfields Care Home • Ambassador of the Year - Shaun Draper from Cephas Care • Environmental Innovation - Avocet Court • Health and Wellbeing - Merryfields Care Home • End of Life Care - Cedrus House • Developing Young People Award – Mia Kendry and Toni Woods • Inspirational Leadership – Amanda Jackson from Beccles Care Home • Professional Development – Joanna McCall from Home Instead and Antony Link from Merryfields Care Home • Small Team of the Year – Ocala Healthcare • Large Team of the Year – Haverhill Community care An additional award, the Lifetime Contribution Award, was presented to Prema Fairburn in recognition of her 50 years of service as a registered nurse. Currently serving as the Chairperson of the Suffolk Care Association (SCA), Prema has volunteered tirelessly since the organisation's inception in June 2006. This award celebrates her significant contributions to the health and care sector throughout the years.

Preema commented on her award `I am honoured to have received a Lifetime Contribution Award. It was a complete surprise taking me off guard, but I truly appreciate being recognised for the work that I have done over the span of my 50 year career in nursing and social care. Thank you, Care Development East for organising this’.

Amanda Jackson from Beccles Care Home said of her award for Inspirational Leadership – “I was completely shocked when my name was called. There were a few tears shed when I got to the stage, but I’m absolutely over the moon. Beccles Care Home has come so far in such a short space of time since Black Swan took over the home in December 2022. We’re a great team and have worked so hard to raise the profile of our home in the Beccles community. It’s such a pleasure to support people living with dementia.”

The Suffolk Care Awards team would like to thank the sponsors - Suffolk County Council, Insight2 Mental Health, Christies Care, Newline Anglia, Suffolk New College, Suffolk Care Association, Switch Direction, Blue Star HR and Care Development East, for supporting this year’s awards.

‘Amazing Lady’ Erika, 99, Follows In Madonna’s Footsteps To Strike A Pose A 99-year-old dance lover has spoken of her ‘excitement and joy’ after she teamed up with a professional tutor for a routine based on Madonna’s flamboyant 90s disco hit Vogue.

Great grandmother Erika Pillman, who lives at Colten Care’s Avon Reach home in Mudeford, Dorset, had a ‘wish come true’ at a private lesson in the Mad4Dance school in Christchurch with Principal Julie Laming.

The experience was arranged by the Companionship Team at Avon Reach after they learned Erika, a former fashion model born in Germany in 1925, would love to go dancing again.

“Vogue by Madonna was perfect as Erika likes to do lots of poses,” said team member Pauline Lawrence. “In the days leading up to the lesson, we discussed what dress she should wear.

“She was undecided at first but then chose one that was just right.

She also enjoyed selecting her jewellery and making sure she would feel comfortable in her shoes.

“As we prepared, we all shared in Erika’s excitement that what was going to happen would make a wish come true for her. She was smiling so much.”

On the day, Erika and Pauline travelled by Colten Care minibus to Mad4Dance where they were greeted

by Julie and her team.

Four generations of Erika’s family were present, as lending support were daughter Anna Farr, granddaughter Julie Nolan and great granddaughter Sharna Pearce.

“The minute I saw the dance teacher I felt at ease,” said Erika. “As we started I was able to express

myself and feel the freedom of dance. I wanted the teacher to see what I could do. It was amazing to dance in this way.”

“Of course it all went too fast but I now have some fantastic memories to cherish.”

Asked for her advice to young dancers, Erika said: “I would always advise young people to have a go and just dance. I haven’t ever been a professional, I just love music and movement.”

Julie Laming said: “Erika was so much fun and a complete inspiration to teach and spend time with.

“Enabling her wish to have a private dance lesson using Vogue to come true was a complete honour and pleasure. What an amazing lady!

“Erika’s strong spirit and appreciation of how dance is so good for the soul was a powerful reminder to all of us. Thank you, Erika!”

Reflecting on the day, Pauline said: “Erika is a beautiful lady and it was a privilege to accompany her to Mad4Dance and to see how much the experience meant to her.”

Released in 1990, Vogue became one of Madonna’s biggest hits, selling six million single copies.

Its accompanying black and white video won Video of the Year at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

The song fuses fashion, glamour, club culture, house music and techno with echoes of New York’s underground gay scene of the 1980s.

Upbeat, escapist lyrics include lines such as ‘Let your body move to the music’, ‘Go with the flow’, ‘Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it’, ‘You’re a superstar, yes that’s what you are’ and ‘All you need is your imagination’.

Park View Care Home Hosts Grease-Themed Movie Day for Residents Park View care home, part of the Runwood Homes group, held a fantastic Grease-themed dress-up and movie day on the 26th of September, transforming the home into a celebration of 1950s culture. As part of Runwood’s ‘50s theme,’ residents, staff, and even some relatives embraced the fun by dressing up in costumes inspired by the iconic film Grease. The home’s coffee shop was converted into a makeshift cinema, where everyone gathered to enjoy a special screening of the movie.

Staff and residents came together, dressed as T-Birds, Pink Ladies, and other beloved characters from Grease, truly immersing themselves in the theme. The fun-filled day was made complete with a taste of classic American diner food, including hot dogs, fries, popcorn, and cakes, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.

Park View’s Deputy Manager Alicia expressed her delight with the event, saying,

"We all had such a fabulous day, and everyone enjoyed watching the movie in cinema style. I love how the staff are taking part in these event days. It’s bringing the home together as one team, one home, one goal — ensuring that our residents are happy, safe, and well cared for."

The residents, too, were thrilled with the celebration. Veronica, a resident of Park View, shared, "Everyone looks so fun! What a lovely day, and everyone is so happy."

Veronica joined the staff in dressing up as a Pink Lady, adding to the joy of the occasion.

Park View’s Lifestyle Coordinator Bridie emphasised the positive impact of the day, saying, "It was such an amazing day. It was lovely to see the residents enjoy the day and have a cinema-style experience. It really brought positive energy to everyone."

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 27

Britain’s 5th Oldest Man Celebrates 108th Birthday At Harrogate Care Home John Shannon, who lives at Hampden House, a residential care home in Harrogate, has today celebrated a significant and rare milestone as he turns 108 years old.

Born in Barking in 1916, John has spent his life giving back. From his early days volunteering with the League of Nations Union to setting up prison visiting while at college in Winchester, where John is now a fellow of Winchester University, John has always shown a deep commitment to helping others.

Over the decades, he has taken on many voluntary roles, including running a boxing club prior to the outbreak of World War Two and football coaching. He has devoted countless hours to organisations like the Red Cross and the English Football Association (The FA), who honoured him with one of their coveted awards for Respect. He also took an active role in the Girl Guide movement by becoming the local badge tester. More recently, John has been involved with the Harrogate Easier Living Project, Age UK and telephone befriending, continuing his passion for community service.

Reflecting on his century of life, John said: “My motivation to volunteer comes from the examples set by my parents and the fulfilment of serving others. It’s been a privilege to contribute to my community in meaningful ways.”

While receiving his Diamond Pin Volunteering Badge from Camilla, now Queen Camilla, she asked John how he kept himself so young. He replied, “By having a good wife.” Camilla’s reply was “I shall have to tell Charles!”

To celebrate his very special day, Hampden House organised a gathering at the home including a champagne toast for reaching 108 years of age.

John is the only living Naval person who served from day 1 through to VJ Day and was not officially demobbed until October 1945.

Joanna Graczyk-Wozniak, Social Engagement Lead at Hampden House,which is owned and managed by Yorkshire headquartered HICA Group, said: “John is an inspiration to everyone here – his positivity and spirit are infectious. We’re thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with him and recognise all the wonderful things he’s done for our community.”

World Animal Day: Penrith Care Home Residents Interact With Claire’s Cool Residents at HC-One’s Winters Park Care Home in Penrith, Cumbria, marked World Animal Day on October 4, 2024, with an exciting visit from a variety of animals.

World Animal Day is a global event that highlights the importance of animal welfare and works to raise standards for animals worldwide. The event at Winters Park aimed to connect residents with nature and educate them about the diverse species that share our planet.

The residents received an educational and interactive experience by Claire’s Cool Creatures, an animal encounter company that brought along an array of animals to the 40-bed residential and dementia care home. The visit featured creatures such as snakes, lizards, chickens, frogs, and guinea

pigs.

Winters Park residents demonstrated courage, with some even draping snakes over their shoulders. The session was highly informative, with residents enthusiastically asking questions and learning fascinating new facts about the different species.

Jacqueline Johnstone, HC-One’s Cold Springs Park and Winters Park Care Home Manager, commented: “Lots of residents overcame their nerves and held all of the animals. We even had our very own therapy dog, Vinnie, on hand to make sure all of our guests behaved! Overall, everyone had a great time, and we all learned lots of new facts.”

Paddock Stile Manor Artists Shine at Community Festival!

The people who live at Paddock Stile Manor Dementia Care Home proved they were budding Picassos, showcasing their original artworks in a special fundraiser exhibition organised for Macmillan Coffee Morning.

And, these masterpieces are on display at one of the region’s biggest seasonal celebrations, Houghton Feast, which is on now until October 13th.

Paddock Stile Manor Dementia Care Home is in Houghton-le-Spring, between Durham and Sunderland. The home is part of the Orchard Care Homes group, which operates 23 homes across the north of England and the Midlands.

The group is dedicated to enriching residents' lives with a commitment to crafting personalised and meaningful experiences that cater to each resident’s unique needs and preferences; the art show at Paddock Stile Manor is typical of activities staged by homes in the group.

Houghton Feast has been taking place annually for over 800 years. This nine-day celebration of local culture and talent features an ox roast, stilt walking, a community parade, a fireworks display and now the artwork of the talented people from Paddock Stile Manor Dementia Care Home.

The exhibition, alongside other local artists, can be found on display at Houghton Methodist Church.

Doris Dunn, who lives at Paddock Stile Manor, added: ''It's very exciting that our work will be showcased at such a big local event, I remember going to Houghton Feast when I was younger - it was always a grand time.''

The initial art showing was used as a small fundraiser for the Macmillan Coffee Morning initiative, raising £100 in the process.

Paddock Stile Manor offers residential dementia care and short-term respite care. It also has its own bar, hair salon and movie room. It has a ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission.

Care Home Residents Celebrate National Poetry Day Rhyming couplets were the order of the day at Austen House care home in Lower Earley, Reading where residents were keen to get involved in National Poetry Day which took place on October 3rd.

National Poetry Day is an annual mass celebration that encourages all to enjoy, discover and share poetry. It generates hundreds of events nationwide all celebrating poetry’s power to start conversations and bring people together.

Staff and residents at Austen House care home decided to launch their very own poetry club and host a discussion about residents’ favourite poems. After that, we all enjoyed listening to the staff and residents reading

poems, along with a cup of tea and some delicious cakes.

Iuliana Buican the Activities Co-ordinator at Austen House commented: “Our residents love to write and listen to poetry, and to discuss their favourite poems so National Poetry Day is a fantastic excuse for us all to spend the day with our noses in our favourite poetry books.”

Arturas Repkovas, General Manager at the home, said: “Our residents have had a great day swapping their favourite poems and discussing what they love about them.

It has been such a treat to immerse ourselves in the rich, evocative language of poetry – we have all found it so rewarding.”

PAGE 28 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

Copperfield Court Care Home Introduces Hydration Station to Enhance Resident Wellbeing suit all tastes, including classic favourites such as lemonade, cream soda, and tropical fruit juices, as well as hot drinks, standard squash, and bottled water. In addition to providing easy access to refreshments, the home has introduced themed hydration activities, such as mocktail-making sessions. During the winter months, the station will transform into a Hot Chocolate Station, offering residents warming beverages.

Since the introduction of the Hydration Station, Copperfield Court has seen a noticeable increase in fluid consumption among residents.

The station has also become a focal point for social interaction, with residents often gathering around it and helping themselves to drinks, promoting both independence and community engagement.

“The wellbeing of our residents is always our top priority, and the Hydration Station has been a fantastic addition,” Eve added. “Not only have we seen health improvements, such as fewer instances of dehydration and UTIs, but the station has also brought residents together in a social setting. This initiative demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for everyone at Copperfield Court.”

Copperfield Court care home, part of Oyster Care Homes, has introduced an innovative Hydration Station to promote the health and wellbeing of its residents. The new station encourages higher fluid intake, helping to reduce the risk of dehydration-related issues and enhance overall care quality at the home.

The initiative was inspired by Copperfield Court’s daily Quality KPI reviews, which identified that several residents admitted during the summer months were experiencing urinary tract infections (UTIs). To address this, the care home installed the Hydration Station as a proactive measure to encourage regular fluid consumption, helping prevent further risk of infection and supporting residents’ health.

“One of our core values at Oyster Care Homes is quality,” said Eve Balcombe, General Manager at Copperfield Court. “We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and services for our residents. The Hydration Station not only encourages fluid intake but also promotes independence, allowing residents to help themselves to drinks whenever they wish. This simple yet effective addition is already making a positive impact on health outcomes.”

The Hydration Station is stocked with a wide variety of drinks to

CLEANING AND HYGIENE

CHSA Puts The Focus On Regulations New CHSA campaign designed to inform buyers and end users of cleaning chemicals of the value of regulations The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association has launched a campaign designed to spread the word about the importance of regulations when buying cleaning and hygiene chemicals.

Compliance with formal UK Government, European Union and industry-standard regulations is essential if buyers are to be certain product claims are legitimate and proven. Adherence to regulations guarantee safety. They underpin transparency and ensure consistency. They support buyers’ informed decision making by providing a framework for comparison, so a buyer really knows if they are getting the product or solution they need. They also provide accountability, giving buyers a route to recourse if needed. In short, they underwrite an ethical

approach.

Buyers and end users can also turn to regulations to be certain they are not misled by environmental claims in the rush toward sustainable solutions.

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association, said: “Buyers and end users need to be able to trust the product and sales and marketing claims. They need to be certain of the balance between efficacy and sustainability and they need to make sure they are using the right product for the job in hand. They are not chemists, however, so may be misled by seductive sales and marketing messaging.

“Our advice is to talk to your manufacturer and ask for evidence to support their claims. This will come in the form of their technical data sheets, third party verifications and certifications and, importantly, proof of regulatory compliance.”

Gobble-de-gook or undefined phrases to be wary of include: ‘non-renewable chemicals’, ‘chemical-free’, ‘natural’, ‘five times filtered water’, and ‘non-toxic’. ‘Biodegradable’ is also a confusing term. As applied to cleaning products, it is defined in current legislation (Detergent Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and corresponding UK post Brexit legislation).

Something claiming to be ‘organic’ should be certified by, for example, the Soil Association. ‘Net-zero’ claims should be based on the international net-zero standard (https://sciencebasedtargets.org/net-zero) or another reliable third party verified certification.

Every member of the CHSA has signed our rigorous Code of Practice, which demands our members trade ethically. Amongst other stipulations, it requires members to: • conduct business dealings in an open, honest, fair and proper manner and in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of the UK and EU. • ensure all public statements made by and on behalf of the Member are decent, honest and truthful.

• ensure no false or exaggerated claims are made verbally, in literature, electronically or in any other way.

• hold and provide evidence on request for product and service claims, particularly with reference to legislation, certifications and accreditations.

The CHSA Code of Practice also includes the Competition & Market’s Authority’s Green Claims Code. Its principles are summarised as: • Claims must be truthful and accurate.

• Claims must be clear and unambiguous.

• Claims must not omit or hide important relevant information.

• Comparisons must be fair and meaningful.

• Claims must consider the full life cycle of the product or service.

• Claims must be substantiated.

Finally, every member of the CHSA’s Accreditation Scheme for manufacturers of cleaning chemicals has signed the CHSA’s own ethical marketing code. @CHSACleaning www.CHSA.co.uk

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

As a result, a wide range of infection control products and technologies are emerging on the market, including antimicrobial technology. Angloplas’ range of dispensers are produced in the

world’s first proven Antimicrobial PVC with silver ion technology and which is exclusive to Angloplas.

This helps reduce the risk of cross infection by stopping the growth of bacteria and mould and works continuously for the lifetime of the product, reducing levels of bacteria such as MRSA, E Coli, Legionella, Salmonella and mould by up to 99.99%.

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

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

PAGE 30 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

REM Care Range REM have been manufacturing furniture for the Hair & Beauty Sector for over 100 years and are now considered to be one of the largest manufacturers in both the UK & Europe. Our exclusive designs and meticulous British workmanship offer customers a wide range of furniture for every conceivable Salon environment. Understanding the growing requirement for Care & Residential Home Salons the REM Design Team have produced the Pendle Care range for the small, compact Care Home Salon. This new range includes ergonomically designed, height adjustable styling chairs and the Pendle Easy Wash

Unit with two ceramic basins allowing frontwash with wheelchair access and a tilting backwash basin for the more able clientele.

Should the need arise, our experienced Design Team can help you create a stimulating Salon environment for your clients. The REM Salon Interior Design Package which includes 2D and 3D AutoCad plans and visuals can be ordered for only £295 +VAT and is fully refundable on an order placement of £3000 or more.

Contact us on 01282 619977 or email sales@rem.co.uk See the advert on page 19 for further information.

Specialist Fabrics and Soft Furnishings for Caring Interiors With over 50 years’ experience, Skopos are experts at providing soft furnishing solutions to care environments, without compromising on style. Impervious contract upholstery solutions from Skopos are designed to keep care environments clean and fresh with the added benefit of antimicrobial protection and a soil/stain resist finish. Our new Encanto collection provides a burst of colour and texture into commercial spaces, with two new designs alongside Cuba colours. The palette provides pops of colour or a choice of classical neutrals.

Skopos also provide beautiful, printed designs on a wide choice of base-cloths, for a variety of end uses.

Printed locally (to reduce Carbon emissions) Skopos offers a choice of dimout, blackout, linen-looks, velvet and upholstery fabrics, so designs can be produced on complementary furnishings across the

room.

Our skilled team of manufacturers will also bring designs to life, making up high-quality curtains, cushions and bed-throws, which can then be installed to meet your project needs. We strive to make your refurbishment or new-build project run smoothly, ready for your residents to settle into a new home.

Skopos are proud to have achieved Carbon Neutral’ status as an organisation in 2023, accredited

by PAS2060.As as key part of our drive towards a more sustainable future Skopos are focussed on reducing emissions and working with local supply routes.

For further information, please visit our website at www.skopos.com or see the advert on page 7.

MOWOOT II – proven solution to chronic constipation without medication Developed by a team of doctors and other healthcare professionals, MOWOOT II performs gentle abdominal massage to speed up intestinal passage in people experiencing chronic constipation.

Clinically proven, safe and effective, relaxing and sideeffects free, MOWOOT II Abdominal Massage Therapy System combats constipation and provides soothing relief to affected people.

Easy to use and comfortable, the MOWOOT II treats and manages constipation in people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis sufferers, Parkinson’s Disease patients and people with constipation related to prescription medication. MOWOOT II also helps to relieve idiopathic constipation experienced by menopausal and post-menopausal women

and older and elderly people.

In clinical studies MOWOOT II increased evacuation frequency, softened stools, improved regularity, reduced gasses, relieved bloating and eased off abdominal discomfort.

10 to 20 minutes daily of relaxing abdominal massage with MOWOOT II rapidly reduces symptoms of constipation. Evident results are experienced only a few days after the first treatment. Regular abdominal massage with MOOWOOT II ensures lasting health benefits and better quality of life.

MOWOOT II – effective solution to chronic constipation for better quality of life!

Supplied by Win Health Medical Ltd - 01835 864866 - www.win-health.com See page 3 and the front cover of this issue for other Win Health products.

Temporary Catering Facilities For Events & Kitchen Refurbishments MOWOOT II for Constipation Free Life Mobile Kitchens Ltd specialises in the hire or sale of temporary catering facilities and foodservice equipment.

Ideal for events or to provide temporary catering facilities during your kitchen refurbishment, our versatile units and equipment offer an efficient and economic solution to the caterers’ needs.

Production Kitchens, Preparation Kitchens, Warewashing Units, Dry Store Units, Cold Rooms and Restaurant Units are available as individual units in their own right or they can be linked together on site to form a complete complex.

Alternatively, we can offer modular, open-plan facilities, usually for larger, longer-term hires.

We offer a free design service, and project management from concept through to delivery and installation on site, plus full technical support throughout the hire period.

The standard specification of our smallest

Production Kitchen unit includes a six burner oven range, salamander grill, twin basket fryer, upright fridge, hot cupboard, single bowl sink unit with integral hand wash basin, plus ample power points to plug in Microwaves, Food Processors, Toasters etc. Internal equipment can be interchanged and clients can effectively specify their preferred layout.

We have many tried and tested design layouts and would be pleased to put forward our recommendations for your project.

So if you’re planning a refurbishment or need to cater for an event then why not give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide advice and put forward a competitive proposal.

For further information or to arrange a site visit, email: sales@mk-hire.co.uk or call us on 0345 812 0800, or visit our website: www.mk-hire.co.uk See the advert on page 19.

C&S Seating Ltd

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

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

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

See the advert on page 6 for further information.

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

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

C&S Seating Ltd is the sole manufacturer of the Alternative

Skopos is an ISO9001 accredited company.

Chatsie - The Smartphone Built for Seniors No matter how digitally savvy you are, Chatsie helps you to stay connected with friends and family. Our founder George, saw his mother struggling with an iPhone and realised that no smartphones are made with seniors in mind.

Chatsie phones have been designed from the ground up to address this gap.

Key features include a text-based menu that replaces confusing icons, a customisable home screen with shortcuts like “Call Sarah,” and the ability to dictate text messages instead of typing. Users can also easily adjust the phone's font size and tap

sensitivity to their preference.

Chatsie phones give users easy access to popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, all on a simple, text-based home screen. It’s a modern smartphone with a fantastic camera and display that's designed to be accessible for everyone.

For only £19 p/m, a Chatsie phone comes with a monthly SIM plan including 4GB of data and unlimited UK calls and texts. We also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and free shipping and returns.

Find out more at chatsie.com/info.

See the advert on page 7 for details.

New Ways to Avoid a “Long Lie” New developments at leading mobility equipment innovator AAT GB are supporting Occupational Therapists in their fulfilment of RCOT guidance on falls.

Data reveals that of the 2.6million falls in the home each year by people over the age of 65, only 4%- 140,000- result in a trip to hospital. If people do not have the ability to pick themselves up, they face the prospect of a “long lie” whilst they wait for either a care giver or emergency services to pick them up.

That can be more dangerous than the fall itself, experts say(2), physically and/or psychologically.

AAT is rising to the challenge by expanding its range of easy-to-use, compact fall recovery options.

Prescription of the aids has multiple benefits for elderly clients: - It eliminates the risk of a ‘long lie’ - It avoids adding pressure to already stretched ambulance crews - It removes the psychological worry for the client - It represents positive risk It further supports their care-givers, reducing effort and strain in the in physically helping the client back to sitting or standing.

Observes AAT Director Peter Wingrave:

“RCOT falls guidance states ‘contingency planning for the management of future falls that may occur should be explored. This may include advice and practice, where appropriate, on [] how to avoid the consequences of a ‘long lie’- lying on the floor after a fall for a period of 60 minutes or more.’

“The simple step of prescribing aids that empower the client to pick themselves up, that is easy for them to use, that can be re-allocated to someone else when they no longer need it, is surely a reasonable and practical consideration in any falls management strategy?”

AAT’s fall recovery aids are all compact, fold-away solutions that are tried, tested and proven in domestic and healthcare environments. Battery-powered, the equipment is fully portable. AAT’s fall recovery equipment can safely restore anyone up to 150kg (23st) from being prone on the floor. With their integral seat, they give the client confidence and the time to rebalance.

Details of AAT’s range of lifting devices can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/lifting-devices/. AAT offers a free, no obligation assessment service to support OTs, and provides training of the recipient on the equipment’s correct usage as part of the service.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 31

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES The First Step To Decarbonising Care Homes Care homes intending to replace existing gas-fired domestic hot water (DHW) systems with more sustainable electric technologies as part of a decarbonisation strategy should invest in data gathering first recommends hot water specialist Adveco.

Hot water metering is a simple to install, non-invasive onsite service which generates consistent six minute data 24 hours per day from existing hot water systems to accurately understand actual usage, including critical peak demands and their profile shape. Adveco’s specialist engineers will visit to fit the meter and assess the property. The data will then be processed, and a report generated with design recommendations for a replacement system that meets the exact needs of the building.

The most consistent issue we see in care home hot water systems is oversizing, whether through lack of understanding of application design or concerns over providing suitable back up to ensure system continuity. The result of oversizing is always the same, unnecessary capital costs for system supply and installation.

As the care sector seeks to adopt greener building operations, replacing old gas-fired systems with likefor-like electric is another guaranteed way to gain an oversized system. Should the new system’s electrical demand exceed a building’s available amperage of electrical supply, project installation costs will inevitably soar, or even stall the project. This can be avoided by understanding your actual hot water

demands and designing the replacement to meet those specific needs. This is why accurate data is so valuable.

The recommended replacement design by Adveco will show carbon reduction and outline new operational costs. Accurate to the actual demands of the property, Adveco metered designs avoid excess capital costs associated with oversizing and ensures operation within the limits of the existing electrical supply of the building.

Talk to Adveco about booking low-cost hot water metering and system design for your property. https://adveco.co/products/live-metering/ See the advert on page 5.

Protect and Enhance Care Environments with Yeoman Shield In any care environment, safeguarding the wellbeing of residents, staff, and visitors is paramount. At Yeoman Shield, we understand that maintaining the condition and safety of a facility is crucial to delivering the best care. Our comprehensive range of wall and door protection solutions offers an effective way to keep your facility looking its best while ensuring a safe environment for all.

From hospitals and care homes to clinics and rehabilitation centers, Yeoman Shield provides durable, hygienic wall protection that withstands the daily wear and tear of busy care facilities. With our impact-resistant solutions, you can prevent unsightly damage, reduce costly repairs, and maintain a clean, professional appearance that enhances the comfort of your residents.

But we don’t stop at walls. Our Fire Door Services are specially designed to offer an extra layer of safety in care settings. Fire doors are an essential part of

any building’s passive fire protection system, and our services ensure they remain compliant and fully functional. From regular inspections and repairs to complete replacements, Yeoman Shield’s fire door services help you meet all relevant safety regulations, giving you peace of mind.

By combining our wall and door protection systems with our expert fire door services, we offer a full spectrum of solutions to protect both the physical integrity and safety of your care environment. Trust Yeoman Shield to be your partner in maintaining a secure, attractive, and compliant facility. Protect your care environment today with Yeoman Shield—the trusted choice in safeguarding spaces.

For more information, call 0113 279 5854 or email info@yeomanshield.com www.yeomanshield.com See the advert on page 9 for details.

Sumed: Protect and Prevent Introducing Task Manager: Revolutionizing Food Safety and Efficiency in Senior Living and Care Centers Our Integrity Static Cushions, crafted with high-quality materials and innovative design, are effective in preventing and managing pressure ulcers by redistributing pressure and minimising skin damage.

They feature a larger surface area that spreads the user's weight, reducing pressure on specific points.

EasyGo patient lift and transfer chair addresses common issues found in traditional hoists, which are often cumbersome and difficult to manoeuvre, especially in tight spaces, and require multiple staff members. EasyGo simplifies the lifting and transferring process, enhancing patient dignity and comfort. It is designed to move between beds, wheelchairs, toilets, and cars. Additionally, we have developed a patient transfer seat that can incorporate any Integrity Static Cushion, providing optimal pressure relief during transfers.

Pressure ulcers are largely preventable with the right approach. Our goal is to make your job easier, allowing you to focus on exceptional care and improving residents' quality of life. We offer comprehensive product training and support, including inperson and online sessions, detailed manuals, quick-start guides, and access to our support team for advice and updates on best practices in pressure ulcer prevention.

01457 890 980 | sales@sumed.co.uk | www.sumedinternational.com See the advert on the back cover for further information

Mr Trax Curtain & Blind Solutions Mr Trax Curtain & Blind Solutions aims to provide a first class service across a wide range of products and bespoke fittings thanks to its two decades of experience, with many previous clients in the care sector.

Mr Trax has a range of NHS compliant fabrics for use in care homes, including ‘blackout’. They can supply and fit a wide range of flame retardant curtains and blinds in various fabrics to be made to your sizes and fitted using heavy duty fittings and rails.

Curtains can normally be made and installed within four weeks and blinds in two weeks.Fire retardant blinds on heavy weight systems are readily available and can be manually controlled or electrically operated. They also have antimicrobial options as well all at varying prices all normally available in two-three weeks. Faster times are available on some products.

The company is affiliated with Checkatrade where you can see customer reviews, including this recent comment: “Douglas did a fantastic job fitting our shutters and curtain rail. He even fitted an extra rail for us which we had bought ourselves! Friendly and efficient

service, plus great looking results. Very pleased - would definitely recommend!”

Based in Hailsham, East Sussex and owned and run by Doug and Carol Coe, the firm also provides a number of corded and motorised options for blinds as well as curtains, and offers a comprehensive range of shutters.

Doug says: “We stock two ranges of silent gliss corded curtain tracks and two ranges of silent gliss uncorded curtain tracks the fitted prices for which are available on this website. All of the aluminium silent gliss tracks stock can be shaped and fitted into bay windows, as can some of the poles. We also have ready access to many more ranges of both tracks and poles, most of which we can get in one working day.

“To read more of what our customers say about us please do look us up on Checkatrade: checkatrade.com/mrtrax” Call now to speak to one of our team on 0800 3345114 or 07968 242004, email us at: doug@mrtrax.co.uk or see the advert on page 8.

Serve in Style with Euroservice Trolleys

Watch your resident's eyes light up when the trolley arrives!

Euroservice trolleys can also be used as a vending trolley or to sell personal care products to residents. How about a delicious snack/pastry trolley or even a drinks trolley for that afternoon tipple?

Your lovely trolley could do so much for you and your residents!

Visit the website at www.euroservice-uk.com to see the full range.

Or see the advert on page 11.

NCCO International announces the launch of Task Manager, an innovative food safety task management and temperature monitoring solution designed for the senior living and residential care home sector.

Task Manager addresses critical pain points in food safety, compliance, operational efficiency, and resident satisfaction.

"Task Manager is a game-changer for the senior living industry," said Karl Rose, Managing Director of NCCO International, "Our system not only ensures compliance with food safety regulations but also enhances the quality of life for residents by guaranteeing safe and nutritious meals."

Task Manager assists senior care facilities in adhering to local, state, and federal food safety regulations, aiming to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses among elderly residents. By providing detailed record-keeping and log management, Task Manager supports facilities in maintaining audit readiness, facilitating health inspections and compliance checks.

Task Manager automates temperature monitoring for refrigerators, freezers, and food storage areas to help maintain safe limits without manual checks. The system organizes food safety-related tasks, such as

cleaning schedules, equipment maintenance, and staff training, to help ensure thoroughness.

With consistent monitoring, Task Manager helps maintain the nutritional value and quality of stored and prepared food. Real-time alerts for temperature deviations enable quick corrective actions, potentially preventing spoilage and ensuring residents receive high-quality meals.

For more information about Task Manager, please visit www.ncco.eu or contact David Webster at dwebster@ncco.com

Consort Claudgen Introduces Wi-Fi Enabled Heaters to LST Range Consort Claudgen’s innovation in the electric heating industry takes another leap forward by introducing Wi-Fi-enabled heaters to their low surface temperature (LST) range. These cutting-edge heaters offer unparalleled convenience and efficiency.

The heaters connect directly to Wi-Fi, enabling users to control heating through the digital control panel on the heater or via the Consort Connect app. With a comprehensive 7-day timer, which allows 24 individual heating periods per day, and features such as a lock function, open window detection, and custom automation, users can tailor their heating needs to their preferences.

Adding to the ease of use, users can view the ener-

gy consumption statistics of all connected heaters, providing insights into usage patterns and potential savings. The LST heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensors have a self-learning control ability. They utilise in-built occupancy sensors to detect and learn a user’s weekly presence in a room, creating an intuitive heating schedule. When the space is unoccupied, the heater conserves energy by switching to a setback temperature or frost protection mode.

BIM (Building Information Modelling) objects for the heaters are available for download from Consort’s website. 01646 692172 | sales@consortepl.com | www.consortepl.com See the advert on page 8.

PAGE 32 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

CATERING FOR CARE

Guarding Against Malnutrition in Care Homes: Spotting Early Signs and Using Nutrition to Combat Frailty

By Zoe Cottrell, registered dietitian, member of the British Dietetic Association and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a valuable resource for this purpose, enabling caregivers to systematically assess the risk of malnutrition in residents by considering factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), unintentional weight loss, and the impact of acute illness on nutritional intake.

KEY EARLY SIGNS TO MONITOR:

Malnutrition remains a significant issue in care homes, where the elderly are particularly vulnerable. As a registered dietitian working in the community and in hospital wards, often with elderly people who have experienced fall, I wish more people knew about the prevalence of malnutrition and how to combat it before they ended up in hospital.

Recent statistics paint a stark picture: Around one in 10 people over the age of 65 are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition , and this figure rises alarmingly to 45% among those in their 90s. According to the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) , malnutrition costs the UK approximately £23.5 billion annually, with older adults being disproportionately affected.

As the population ages, addressing malnutrition and its associated complications, such as frailty and sarcopenia, becomes ever more critical. By focusing on early detection and strategic nutritional interventions, including the use of protein, care homes can play a vital role in safeguarding the health of their residents.

SPOTTING THE EARLY SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION The first step in combating malnutrition is recognizing its early signs.

1. Unintentional Weight Loss: A significant early indicator of malnutrition is unintentional weight loss. Regularly monitoring residents' weight and comparing it to previous measurements is essential. A loss of even 5% of body weight over a few months can signal malnutrition and warrants immediate attention.

2. Decreased Appetite: A reduced appetite is often a precursor to malnutrition. Residents may skip meals, eat smaller portions, or show a lack of interest in food. It's important to understand the reasons behind these changes, which could be linked to dental issues, depression, or medication side effects.

3. Physical Changes: Signs such as muscle wasting, thinning hair, dry skin, or dental problems may indicate nutritional deficiencies. These physical symptoms are often subtle but crucial indicators of potential malnutrition.

4. Fatigue and Weakness: Increased tiredness or difficulty performing daily activities can be related to inadequate nutrition. This could also signal the onset of sarcopenia, where the loss of muscle mass and strength makes everyday tasks increasingly challenging.

THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN PREVENTING AND MANAGING FRAILTY Frailty, a condition characterized by decreased strength, endurance, and physiological function, is closely linked to malnutrition and is a major concern in care homes. Proper nutrition is key to preventing and managing frailty, particularly through the adequate intake of protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass and function.

STRATEGIES FOR NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS: 1. Prioritize Whole Foods: Ensuring a diet rich in whole foods is foundational. Protein-rich foods like eggs, lean meats, fish, dairy products, and legumes should be emphasized, as they not only support muscle

health but also provide essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall well-being.

2. Incorporate Protein Supplements When Necessary: In cases where residents struggle to meet their protein needs through diet alone—perhaps due to a lack of appetite or difficulty chewing—protein powders or fortified drinks can be effective. These supplements can be easily added to meals, snacks, or beverages, ensuring that residents receive the protein they need without overwhelming them with large portions of food.

3. Distribute Protein Throughout the Day: Research shows that distributing protein intake evenly across all meals is more effective for muscle protein synthesis than consuming large amounts at a single meal.

Caregivers should ensure that residents receive adequate protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner to maximize the benefits for muscle maintenance and frailty prevention.

ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO ADEQUATE NUTRITION While boosting protein intake is essential, we should also address the barriers that may prevent residents from consuming enough nutrients. Factors such as taste preferences, difficulties with swallowing, or digestive issues can all impact nutritional intake. Caregivers should work closely with dietitians to develop personalized nutrition plans that accommodate these challenges, potentially incorporating protein powders and other supplements in palatable and easy-to-digest forms.

NUTRITION IS KEY TO INCREASING HEALTHSPAN Malnutrition in care homes is a pressing issue that requires vigilant monitoring and proactive management. While the numbers alone tell us the stakes are high, intervention is more than about reducing costs.

The ability to stand up from a chair unaided allows our elderly residents independence. By spotting the early signs of malnutrition and implementing strategic nutritional interventions, caregivers can help prevent and manage frailty, significantly improving the quality of life for residents. By addressing malnutrition and frailty head-on, care homes can help residents not only avoid the adverse effects of these conditions but also thrive in their later years.

Catering for Residents with Dysphagia

By Rob Henry, Head of Culinary Solutions and Compliance at EF Group (www.ef-group.co.uk) WHAT IS DYSPHAGIA? Dysphagia is a medical condition that makes swallowing food and drink more difficult. Depending on the severity, some textures may be more difficult to swallow, or somebody may have lost the ability to swallow at all. Regardless, this can make mealtimes much more difficult, which is why care home caterers must know about this condition and how to support those who have it.

A few conditions can cause dysphagia, including cancer, head injuries, a stroke or dementia. Age can also play a role in developing this condition, meaning there could be a higher likelihood of some residents suffering from this.

EFFECTS OF DYSPHAGIA Dysphagia doesn’t just affect mealtimes – it can also: • Impact on quality of life: If somebody is no longer able to eat and drink as they’ve been able to, they may become withdrawn and develop a low mood. The change can be difficult to get to grips with, which is why supporting residents through their dietary transition and making sure they’re properly catered for is so important.

• Lead to malnutrition and dehydration: A lack of food and drink due to not being able to swallow or chew properly can mean that residents aren’t properly hydrated or receiving enough nutrition. This can result in lower energy levels, and in more extreme cases, can also lead to further health complications.

• Cause choking: Without specialist catering, somebody with dysphagia may not be able to swallow their food which can be a choking hazard.

WHAT IS THE IDDSI FRAMEWORK? The IDDSI framework sets the standard for serving textured foods and thickened liquids to those with

dysphagia who have trouble chewing and swallowing. Using this framework, caterers in the care industry can determine which foods and drinks would be easiest for people with this condition to consume.

IDDSI consists of eight levels ranging from 0 to 7, with drinks ranging from 0 (thin) to 4 (extremely thick) and foods ranging from 3 (liquidised) to 7 (regular and easy to chew). These indicate the texture and thickness of foods and drinks and give some steer as to which ones would be safest for somebody with dysphagia to consume.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CATERING TO RESIDENTS WITH DYSPHAGIA When you’re preparing to cater for residents with dysphagia, there are a few extra things you might need to consider. These include: • Training your staff on the IDDSI framework: Ensuring your staff understand the framework, what it means, and how to apply it is crucial. Holding training sessions on this can make sure everybody is on the same page when it comes to catering to the needs of residents with dysphagia.

• Knowing when to modify the menu to resident needs: Once your team are trained on the IDDSI framework, this must be implemented into your catering practices. This should involve assessing each resident’s dietary needs to see if they require modifications and monitoring this over time in case further changes are needed.

• Getting in the correct nutrients and fluids: Alongside modifying diets based on what is easiest for residents to consume, you should be ensuring all residents are properly hydrated and receiving a balanced and nutritious diet. Whether their food is liquidised, regular or somewhere in between, hydration and nutrition must never be reduced even though you might need to alter the way these are offered to residents.

• Making mealtimes more enjoyable: If somebody has been living with dysphagia without a modified diet, they may need some extra encouragement at mealtimes once the modifications have been made. Try making mealtimes social, introducing different flavours or recipes and regularly rotating menu options to keep them interested and more likely to finish their food.

Supporting residents with dysphagia is a key duty of caterers in the care industry and can have a huge impact on their wellbeing, health and quality of life. Therefore, it’s vital that your catering team are aware of the signs of the condition and how the IDDSI framework can be used to prescribe a better approach to their mealtimes.

PAGE 34 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

CATERING FOR CARE The Importance of Nutrition and Hydration in Care Homes Food procurement specialists allmanhall, explore the importance of nutrition and hydration in older people, specifically considered for a dignified and person-centric dining experience.

Proper nutrition and hydration are critical in care homes, directly impacting the health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life for residents. Research by BAPEN reveals that malnutrition affects 35% of care home residents in the UK, leading to a variety of health issues including increased infections, poor wound healing, mental health decline, social isolation and increased frailty. This underlines the need for a comprehensive, person-centric approach to food and drink in these environments.

As people age, the risks of malnutrition and dehydration increase, compounded by the natural decline in thirst reflex and, in some cases, cognitive impairments such as dementia. These factors make it challenging for older individuals to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. Therefore, it's crucial that care home staff adopt a dignified approach to meals, recognising that the involvement in making choices about food remains important even when other capacities are diminished.

At a recent National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Seminar, care professionals emphasised the significance of creating a positive mealtime experience. Engaging residents in conversations about their food preferences, understanding their personal histories, and ensuring that texture-modified meals are both nutritious and appealing are vital steps in enhancing mealtime satisfaction.

Hydration is equally important, playing a key role in bodily functions and the prevention of conditions like urinary tract infections and chronic renal disease. Strategies to encourage fluid intake include offering a

Flavour Creations and Albany Products Since 1997, Flavour Creations’ constant pursuit of ground-breaking dysphagia and nutrition products has delivered better patient outcomes and restored dignity and independence back to its customers.

Our mission is clear: to enhance the quality of all human life, harness our passion, and delight our global family.

A belief in the universal right to high-quality, delicious nutrition drives us to keep creating and to keep finding ways of helping more people eat real food – regardless of their age, lifestyle, or health.

Flavour Creations and Albany Products are pleased to introduce Screamies No-Melt Ice-Scream to the UK dysphagia market.

Launched in 2016, SCREAMIES is a brand with one purpose: to deliver the taste of sumptuous, old-fashioned ice cream, and make it accessible to everyone. Each SCREAMIES product is created with a spe-

variety of beverages, promoting "hydration hour" with mocktails, and providing high-fluid-content foods like soups and yogurts. It's also important to educate care home staff on recognising signs of dehydration, which can manifest as tiredness, headaches, and poor concentration.

Nutritionally, care homes should focus on nutrient-dense foods rather than calorie-dense ones. Incorporating ingredients like eggs, seeds, and Greek yogurt can help ensure that residents receive essential nutrients. Additionally, increasing dietary fibre through foods like whole grains, legumes, and unpeeled fruits can support digestive health and reduce the risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. It's important, however, to introduce fibre gradually to avoid digestive discomfort.

For residents with dysphagia, a condition that impairs swallowing, care homes must offer texture-modified diets that are both safe and nutritious. Providing adequate training for staff on preparing these meals, ensuring that they are nutritionally fortified, and enhancing flavours with herbs and spices can make these meals more enjoyable for residents.

In conclusion, providing a holistic, person-centric dining experience in care homes is essential for maintaining the health and dignity of residents. By focusing on nutrition, hydration, and individual preferences, care homes can significantly enhance the quality of life for their residents.

The mealtime experience is so much more than just food. Care establishments across the UK are partnering with allmanhall to manage their food procurement, achieve savings and improvements, and to access support to enhance the overall dining experience. Get in touch – hello@allmanhall.co.uk

cialised no-melt formula, resulting in shelf-stable ice cream products that can be enjoyed by everyone.

SCREAMIES ice-scream also never gets softer than IDDSI Level 4, making it the perfect treat for those with dysphagia.

As well as the traditional three flavours Screamies offers Chocolate and Salted Caramel with added Protein for those with additional nutritional needs.

With a long shelf life Screamies can be stored at ambient temperature and frozen when the time suits.

Flavour Creations also offer a wide range of market leading supporting products for those looking to provide something extra to patients. Pre-thickened Ready to Drink ranges include in excess of 20 flavour profiles. Advital nutritionally complete powder comes flavoured and neutral and is used in snacks like Advital chocolate mousse and Fruits with Attitude. Flavour Creations also supply high quality moulds and Shape It to assist with food preparation at all IDDSI levels.

To find out more simply contact Albany Products at enquiries@albanyproducts.co.uk or call on 01706 632233.

THE FIRST NO-MELT ICE SCREAM ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

No Melt Shelf Stable IDDSI Level 4 Suitable for Dysphagia patients Storage: Ambient - Freeze before Serving Shelf Life – 12 months Convenient - 120g Cup Source of Protein - 8g (protein range) Source of Calcium No Artificial Colours or Flavours Vegetarian Gluten, Nut and Soy Free Certified Halal Certified Kosher (except Strawberry)

✔

Low Sodium (except Salted Caramel)

To find out more simply contact Albany Products at enquiries@albanyproducts.co.uk or call on 01706 632233

www.albanyproducts.co.uk

PAGE 36 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

ODOUR CONTROL Transform Air Quality in Your Care Home with Biozone’s Purizone Maintaining good air quality is essential in care homes, where residents are often more vulnerable to airborne bacteria, viruses, and unpleasant odours. Clean, fresh air is vital for their well-being, comfort, and overall health. Biozone Scientific’s Purizone offers an advanced air purification solution designed specifically for environments like care homes, where health and hygiene are top priorities.

Why Air Quality Matters in Care Homes Ensuring the environment supports residents' health is crucial for care home managers. Indoor air quality is key in infection control, as harmful pathogens and contaminants can easily spread through the air. Residents with respiratory issues or weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to the risks of poor air quality. Additionally, persistent odours in communal areas or private rooms can negatively impact residents' and visitors' experiences, affecting the home’s reputation and environment.

A Breath of Fresh Air for your Residents The Purizone air purifier uses advanced Photoplasma™ technology to eliminate airborne viruses, bacteria, and allergens. It doesn’t just mask unpleasant odours—it neutralises them at the source, ensuring that every

area of your care home smells fresh and clean.

Here’s why Purizone is the ideal choice for care homes: 1. Superior Pathogen Elimination: Purizone's Photoplasma™ technology actively destroys airborne pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and mould spores, creating a safer environment for residents and staff.

2. Odour Control: Care homes can suffer from persistent odours that are difficult to manage. The Purizone system neutralises these odours rather than just covering them up, providing long-lasting freshness.

3. Low Maintenance: Unlike traditional air purifiers, Purizone requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal solution for busy care homes. Simply plug it in, and let it work continuously to purify the air.

4. Cost-Effective: Purizone’s energy-efficient design ensures that it delivers

To Care Home Owners and Managers: Neutralise all odours in your care home.

Remove dust, dirt and pathogens from the air.

And improve air quality for everyone.

All for £199 plus 8p per day to run.

It’s called the Smell Away® Odour Neutraliser, Dust Remover, Air Cleaner & Purifier.

It’s a powerful plug-in unit that takes in a whopping 100 cubic metres of air every hour, cleans it and then traps all the odours, dirt, dust and pathogens that are in the air.

No one in the home should have to breathe all of this in.

It releases nothing but odour-free, clean air back into the room.

It costs £199, comes with free UK delivery, a 30-day “no-quibble” money-back guarantee and is so energy-efficiency that it costs less than 8p to run per day.* In fact, because the Smell Away® is so

powerful, only customers with the most stubborn of odours need to actually run it all day. But even if you did, it would cost you less than 8p to run for a full 24 hours.

So, when you can’t open lots of windows, the Smell Away® is the most effective, most cost-efficient way to remove airborne smells, dust, dirt and pathogens from your care home.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve helped over 650 customers across the UK get rid of all kinds of odours and air problems from their homes, care homes, apartments and places of work.

It can do all of this because it’s powerful and built to last. The filter lasts 1-2 years.

Try the Smell Away® for 30 days — order today at www.smellaway.com/care *This is because the Smell Away® consumes just 14 watts (14W) per hour of electricity.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the UK national average price per pence of kWh of electricity is 22p, as of July 2024. So the calculation is: 0.014kWh x 22p = 0.308p … less than half a penny an hour. Over 24-hours, that’s: 0.308p x 24 = 7.392p

top-tier air purification without increasing energy costs, making it both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Improving Indoor Air Quality at your Care Home Investing in Purizone means investing in the health, comfort, and satisfaction of residents. By improving indoor air quality, you reduce the risk of airborne illnesses, enhance overall comfort, and improve the reputation of your care home. Fresh air benefits residents and leaves a positive impression on visitors, families, and potential clients.

Give your residents the clean, healthy environment they deserve with Biozone Scientific’s Purizone.

See the advert on the previous page for details.

For more information or to arrange a demonstration, visit https://biozonescientific.com/products/air-range/purizone/ or call us T: 0333 577 6111

Oxy-Gen Powered® Air-Care Range Part of Velair Group Limited, established 2012. Enviro-Save supplies cost-effective and environmentally friendly washroom solutions, as well as being the Master Distributor for the Oxy-Gen Powered® air-care range in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Oxy-Gen Powered® is the only technology that harnesses the power of pure oxygen to guarantee the delivery of fragrance into the air continuously, consistently and accurately for the entire duration of the cartridge life.

This innovative system is based on fuel cell technology that is used in the pharmaceutical industry to deliver drugs to human beings and animals.

Oxy-Gen Powered® technology is simple, reliable and cost-effective.

All Oxy-Gen Powered® fragrance cartridges contain Neutra-Lox, our proprietary odour eliminating ingredient that is extremely effective against the smell of urine, faeces, body odour, tobacco, pet malodour, kitchen odour, mould, mildew and more.

Unlike other systems that only mask odours, Oxy-Gen Powered® cartridges eliminate odours and release fragrance effectively and continuously.

Carbon footprint approved, and 100% recyclable cartridges; choose Oxy-Gen Powered® for cleaner air and a cleaner earth.

With no added solvents, alcohols, CFCs, VOCs or propellants, our Oxy-Gen Powered® cartridges contain 100% pure fragrance oil and are a safe choice for any facility.

See the advert on this page for further information.

PAGE 38 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Energy Saving Innovation from Girbau Washers and Dryers Girbau’s GS7 Genius washer and ED dryer ranges are among the most energy efficient available today, thanks to a host of energy saving innovations in their design and manufacture.

Available with capacities ranging from 9 to 32kg, Genius washers feature a robust chassis design, high levels of water extraction and a 10-inch colour user interface. Their sustained higher spin speeds create a 450G extraction force, higher than available from other manufacturers. This reduces drying time by at least 10% and drying energy consumption by up to 30%.

The washers themselves are the most efficient on the market, reducing energy consumption by up to 15%. Girbau’s own tests on the Genius GS7018 washer found that it typically used 2.5 kWh for each full 18kg load cycle. This compares to 3.5kWh of a comparable washer from a leading competitor.

“With each kWh unit costing businesses around 25p today, the savings soon begin to mount up when machines are used all day every day in a care home,” says Jeremy Paul, Commercial Sales Manager at Girbau UK. “If we said eight cycles per day for 365 days, that’s a saving of £730 per machine per year, and more if we see electricity prices rising again.”

GENIUS washers come with the easy-to-use Sapphire management system that allows you to completely monitor, manage and configure a laundry from anywhere, giving greater control for energy efficient opera-

tion. Sapphire also allows you to check machine status and alarms as well as analysing data trends to spot how operational efficiency can be improved. You can also set up activity reports and use the alarms feature to show down times and check machine history.

Designed to be more energy efficient than conventional dryers, Girbau’s ED range of premium performance dryers feature the company’s unique Transflow technology. This is a combination of both radial and axial airflow for maximum efficiency, reduced cycle times and lower energy costs. Cabinet insulation and a double-glazed door further optimise energy efficiency by preventing heat loss.

The highly reliable and accurate built-in humidity control system automatically senses when clothes are dry and activates the cool down process, preventing wasteful and damaging overdrying, maximising energy efficiency and assuring textile care.

“Comparing Girbau’s ED260 with our previous generation GU030 dryer, we are seeing a saving from the latest machine of between £2 and £3 per day in gas use for each full day of operation,” Jeremy Paul adds.

Tel: 01462 427780 Email: sales.uk@girbau.com Website: www.girbau.com

Washing Machines for Care Homes MAG Laundry Equipment is a multi-award-winning supplier of commercial washing machines & tumble dryers that supports over 10,000 care homes across the UK. Clean laundry and bedding is critical for care homes, hospices, nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare organisations. With a nationwide fleet of accredited engineers MAG Laundry Equipment has successfully assisted over ten thousand care homes with their products, services, information and support.

MAG’s product range includes commercial washing machines, tumble dryers, ironers, presses and detergents. For 100 years, since 1922, MAG’s products

have been developed and improved to become some of the most reliable, energyefficient and affordable machines on the market. Care homes have peace-of-mind that their laundry machines can quickly be maintained and repaired as MAG Laundry Equipment supply, install and service equipment across England, Scotland and Wales.

If you are looking for high quality wash results that remove stubborn stains then speak with MAG for their recommendations. Complete thermal disinfection is a standard feature on their washing machines for nursing homes. To find out more about how MAG can support your care home telephone 01353 883025 or visit www.maglaundryequipment.co.uk

PAGE 40 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Forbes Advises on a Cost and Energy Efficient Choice for Care Homes When it comes to laundry appliance procurement, sustainability has become an increasingly crucial consideration, with care homes striving to reduce their carbon footprints and do their bit for the environment. Laundry operations are a significant factor in this effort, especially given that. traditionally, the energy consumption of tumble dryers has been notoriously high.

However, with advancements in technology, it’s now possible to achieve excellent drying results while maintaining impressive energy and cost efficiency.

Miele’s heat pump dryers stand out as an ideal solution, reducing energy consumption by up to 60% compared to traditional vented dryers. The Ecoplus technology in Miele’s dryers ensures that both energy consumption and drying times remain consistently low. Additionally, the interaction between Miele’s filter system and the maintenance-free heat exchanger prevents fluff from clogging the heat exchanger, maintaining exceptional drying efficiency.

Safety concerns have led care homes to move away from gas appliances, avoiding costly annual gas checks and enforced building adaptations for regulatory compliance. Miele’s heat pump commercial dryers are not only safe but also eliminate the need for

complicated and expensive exhaust ducting and its incumbent periodic cleaning. This provides greater flexibility in machine positioning, making them even more convenient for care homes with varying spatial configurations.

Forbes Professional offers a wide range of Miele heat pump dryers, catering to different needs with models ranging from 7kg to 22kg capacities, including the slimline PDR 511 11kg. Miele’s machines are renowned for their superior functionality and reliability and help maintain the requisite hygiene standards of a healthcare environment. Whether you choose to rent or purchase laundry appliances, Forbes Professional provides comprehensive services that include installation, commissioning, user training, and award-winning repair and maintenance support.

Forbes provides a consultative service with a complimentary site survey to help specify the right machine for each requirement. They would advise any care operator that opting for Miele’s heat pump dryers, can significantly cut energy costs and optimise both energy and operational efficiency. forbespro.co.uk | info@forbes-professional.co.uk | 0345 070 2335

Environmentally Friendly Industrial Laundry Equipment Our Lavamac range of commercial laundry equipment covers the unique range of AF washers, LDR dryers and LH rotary irons together with specialist drying cabinets.

Capacity’s between 5kg to 120kg and heat sources that include Gas, Electricity, Steam and Electric Heat Pump technology.

Ideally sized to all requirements for healthcare situations the completely flexible controls are easy to operate and program to specialist situations.

Lavamac industrial laundry equipment has also received the prestigious Bronze Sustaibnability award in recognition of their policies and procedures based commitment to maintain a sustainable business for ourselves or customers and the environment The three main points Lavamac have been recognised for are: 1. Air source heat pump dryers , connected load 3kw as opposed to 30Kw for a 16kg elec-

tric dryer and 25-30 kw for Gas , clean efficient and saving the planet available from £10995 fully refurbished to £16995.00 new both with 24 months parts and labour warranty and the option to extend and cost effective annual premium ?

Refurbished Equipment, we completely rebuild any current model of Primus , 2.

Lavamac or Ipso washers , dryers and ironers . I full ground up restoration leaves these machines as good ( if not better than ) New ! sold , rented of leased these machines are between 40-50% of cost of their new equivalent with a warranty as new 24 months parts and labour ( see attached literature on our product range ) 3. Intelligent washings machines ( In conjunction with our partners www.countrywidehealthcare.co.uk ) we can potentially reduce chemical usage by up to 35% and labour by 30 % See the advert on this page for further information on Lavamac.

PAGE 42 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

SENSORY STIMULATION

Sensory Stimulation in Care

By Scott Williamson, Managing Director, MBS Relaxing Music Video Productions (www.mbsrelaxingmv.com) Scott is creator of the ‘Resident Connect Experience’ program, designed to support residents, their loved ones, and carers. Scott is also committed to helping the broader care community by contributing to leading charities. MBS's company goal is to not only uplift residents but also give back to the people and organisations making a difference in the care industry daily.

In the ever-changing and often demanding environment of residential and nursing care homes, prioritising the well-being of residents is paramount. As care providers, it is imperative to explore innovative methods to enhance the quality of life for those in care, especially individuals living with cognitive impairments such as dementia. One highly impactful method embraced in recent years is sensory stimulation, a comprehensive approach that enhances physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. With the integration of advanced AI technology, newer technologies such as personalised, relaxing music videos breathe new life into old black-and-white photos by colourising them, accompanied by soothing music, captivating landscape visuals, and cherished family photos or video messages. This provides a distinctive way to deliver a holistic, sensory-enriched experience that significantly bene-

personalised landscapes or family-themed videos, residents can engage in taste sessions, trying familiar and comforting flavours, adding another dimension to the sensory experience.

THE BENEFITS OF SENSORY STIMULATION The implementation of sensory stimulation has wide-reaching benefits that can positively impact residents' emotional, psychological, and physical health. Regular sensory activities offer the following advantages: - Reduction in Agitation and Restlessness: Especially for residents with dementia, these videos create a sense of familiarity and calm, reducing anxiety and behavioural issues.

- Improved Cognitive Function: Engaging residents’ brains through visual and auditory stimuli helps maintain and, in some cases, improve cognitive abilities, providing meaningful engagement.

- Enhanced Communication: Residents who struggle with verbal communication often respond emotionally or cognitively to visual and auditory cues. Personalised videos offer alternative ways for residents to express themselves, facilitating greater interaction.

- Increased Social Interaction: When shared in group settings, these videos encourage social engagement, helping reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

fits elderly residents and those with dementia.

SENSORY STIMULATION FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS

DIVERSE FORMS OF SENSORY EXPERIENCES

For dementia patients, sensory stimulation plays a particularly important role in their care. Personalised videos offer structure, evoke memories, and facilitate moments of connection between residents and caregivers or family members. Combining these videos with other sensory activities, such as memory boxes filled with personal items, can deepen the experience, triggering memories and meaningful conversation.

There are many ways to incorporate sensory experiences into daily care, each offering unique benefits for residents: 1. Visual Stimulation: Personalised relaxing music videos use serene, natural landscapes and family memories to captivate residents' visual senses. These familiar images, paired with scenic backdrops, evoke positive emotions and comfort. Advanced technologies, such as AI-powered colourisation of old black-and-white photos, bring memories of the past to life, enriching the experience further by reconnecting residents with their personal history.

2. Auditory Stimulation: The choice of music in these videos is key. Rather than familiar music that may evoke specific emotions or memories, soothing and non-intrusive sounds are purposefully chosen to enhance deep relaxation and open the senses to help immerse themselves in the visuals and relax without the distraction of nostalgia, allowing for a more profound sensory experience.

3. Tactile Stimulation: Personalised videos can be paired with tactile activities to further engage residents.

Watching these calming visuals while interacting with textured objects, fidget blankets, or engaging in simple activities like handling soft fabrics can provide enhanced comfort and sensory richness.

4. Olfactory Stimulation: While videos alone do not engage the sense of smell, pairing them with aromatherapy sessions, using calming scents like lavender or invigorating fragrances like citrus, can amplify the relaxation experience, making it more immersive and holistic.

5. Gustatory Stimulation: Taste experiences can also complement sensory videos. For example, while watching

CREATING SENSORY ROOMS IN CARE HOMES Many care homes have found success in creating dedicated sensory rooms. Personalised relaxing music videos are ideal for use in these spaces, where they can be combined with soft lighting, calming scents, and tactile objects to offer a fully immersive environment. These sensory rooms provide a tranquil retreat for residents, allowing them to engage multiple senses in a way that is soothing and beneficial.

THE POWER OF VISUAL LANDSCAPES FOR SENSORY STIMULATION Visual landscapes, such as nature scenes, are an invaluable tool for sensory stimulation. For residents who may no longer be able to experience the outdoors firsthand, these videos offer a powerful connection to the natural world. Scenes of oceans, forests, or mountain views have been shown to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress, and promote mental well-being. The immersive quality of these visuals, when combined with soothing music, provides a window to the outside world, offering comfort and emotional enrichment for residents who may feel disconnected from nature.

AI TRANSFORMING RESIDENT CARE The integration of AI into sensory stimulation is revolutionising how care homes approach resident wellbeing. AI technologies, such as the colourisation of old photographs, help residents reconnect with their past in vivid detail. These enhanced visuals, combined with calming music and personal video messages from loved ones, create a multi-sensory experience that reduces anxiety and promotes emotional well-being.

This innovative use of AI not only improves the sensory experience but also strengthens cognitive function, making it an essential tool in modern care homes.

THE VALUE OF PHOTOS AND VIDEO MESSAGES FROM LOVED ONES Incorporating photos and video messages from loved ones adds an emotional layer to sensory stimulation. Seeing familiar faces and hearing the voices of family members triggers emotional recognition, which can provide comfort and reduce anxiety, especially for those experiencing memory loss. This personalised approach creates meaningful connections, stimulating both visual and auditory pathways and offering moments of joy and clarity for residents.

Moreover, video messages combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Residents feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection to their loved ones, even if they cannot be physically present. This can significantly enhance their overall well-being, contributing to a more enriching care environment.

SENSORY THERAPY ALSO HELPS CAREGIVERS Sensory therapy, particularly 30-minute video experiences, serves as a versatile tool for structured activities. With the ability to loop the videos for longer experiences, caregivers can find moments of respite while enhancing the well-being of residents. Creating a calm and engaged environment through sensory videos can improve the caregiving experience and reduce caregiver burnout.

CONCLUSION The integration of sensory stimulation, particularly through personalised AI-enhanced relaxing music videos, offers a transformative approach to improving the well-being of residents in care homes. By engaging multiple senses including visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and even gustatory, these videos provide a holistic and enriching experience that benefits both residents and caregivers. For individuals living with cognitive impairments like dementia, these sensory experiences evoke memories, reduce anxiety, and foster emotional connections.

The use of advanced AI technologies, such as the colourisation of old photos, combined with serene landscapes, soothing music, and messages from loved ones, adds a deeply personal and meaningful dimension to the care environment. The implementation of sensory rooms and dedicated sensory activities not only enhances residents' physical and emotional health but also offers caregivers a valuable tool for creating a calm, structured environment. As care homes continue to evolve, embracing sensory therapies will remain essential in promoting a higher quality of life for elderly residents and those living with dementia.

Enhancing the Care Home Experience At MBS Relaxing Music Video Productions, we specialise in the production of personalised 30-minute relaxing music videos designed to offer a unique sensory experience for residents in care and nursing homes.

Our bespoke videos combine serene music, stunning global landscapes, and treasured photographs and videos of residents' loved ones from the past and present. The

videos are specially designed to provide a comforting experience by reconnecting residents with their family, friends, and the outside world.

We are excited to offer a no-obligation free trial to all new care groups/homes. We are confident that this opportunity will allow you to experience the full benefits of our exceptional service.

See the advert on this page for details.

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 43

SENSORY STIMULATION Music 4 Memories Headsets If you have a loved one in a care home then you need to hear about Music 4 Memories Headsets!

Our Headsets aren’t just Headphones, they are a bridge to the past. These Headphones come pre-loaded with choices of music from the 1940s onwards.

Bringing back those golden memories.

Easy to use, and completely wire-free, they are designed with simplicity in mind, No Bluetooth or devices are required.

Care homes can even create wish

lists on our website ensuring every resident gets a personalized musical experience.

Music has an incredible impact on the brain, especially for those with Dementia, it reduces anxiety, brings happiness and most of all it evokes beautiful vivid memories Give the gift of joy, nostalgia, and connection with Music 4 Memories Headsets. Where every song is a step back to cherished moments.

Relieve those glory days, Pop on some headphones and let the memories dance back to you. www.music-4-memories.co.uk

®

The Importance of Snoezelen and Reminiscence Rooms for Older Adults As society progresses, we need to make sure we tend to the unique needs that older adults may have in their later life.

A lack of choice and control is a frustrating reality for many people who might be managing the effects of a range of conditions, from sensory processing disorders such as autism, brain injury to dementia.

Our Snoezelen® and reminiscence rooms breathe a sense of relaxation and cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals – specially designed to help engage, to comfort, and produce a sense of belonging. Our products and rooms have been carefully selected to support people with different sensory or cognitive requirements.

Investing in Older Adults Snoezelen® reminiscence rooms; care facilities, retirement communities, and healthcare organisations can significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults, promot-

ing their physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing.

The benefits of sensory, reminiscence and therapeutic resources for older adults and those with dementia can be life-changing as they can provide a safe and supportive setting for older adults to reminisce about past experiences, fostering a sense of identity and connection.

Through personally recognisable memorabilia, photographs, and interactive displays, older adults can also engage in meaningful reminiscence therapy.

At Older Adults provided by Rompa®, we are proud to lead the way in creating innovative solutions that empower elderly individuals to live their best lives.

Contact us to transform your space: https://www. olderadults.co.uk/contacts/ Tel: 01246 210416 Email: sales@olderadults. co.uk Web: www.olderadults. co.uk

Pre-Loaded Musical Headphones • Wire Free

• Lightweight • Easy to Use

• Hours of Play • No Devices Needed

• No Apps Needed

• Choice of Genres

Bringing Back Memories Through Music

www.music-4-memories.co.uk

PAGE 44 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

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

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

CARE PLANNING AND ROSTERING FROM A SINGLE PLATFORM To meet the wider needs of the PASS community All-in-one PASS

has recently been launched , bringing advanced rostering functionality to our established digital care planning platform. As a result advanced staff scheduling, payroll and invoicing functionality is now seamlessly linked with care planning and reporting, reducing the technical complexity, risk and overhead associated with integrating two separate systems.

As a result, PASS now provides an all-in-one suite of digital care management tools, available from a single platform, designed to: • Save you time • Increase the efficiency of your teams • Improve the quality of care • Deliver better outcomes

INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Our commitment to the continual evolution of PASS is further illustrated by the addition of GP Connect. The first product of its type to offer this feature, PASS is still one of only a handful of digital care man-

agement solutions to have completed this NHS Digital integration, and is the only one offering it to the home care market.

PASS GP Connect provides authorised social care staff with realtime access to their client’s GP records. It makes medical information available when and where it is needed, leading to improvements in both care safety and outcomes: • Visibility of allergies, vaccinations and medications, especially useful for clients unable to reliably share their personal information • Using medical information to inform care planning • Ensuring that the right medication is delivered to the right person in the timeliest manner. In one case, this allowed the administration of antibiotics on a Friday evening, aiding the service user’s swift recovery from infection Available to all PASS users at no additional cost, PASS GP Connect is significantly more efficient than waiting for a GP response. It’s also a positive step forward on the path to the DHSC’s goal for widespread digitally enabled care and is in full alignment with their ambition for joined up care for everyone.

Get in touch: www.everylifetechnologies.com hello@everylifetechnologies.com

Empowering Carers Through Technology The job of a care worker, though immensely rewarding, is not without its challenges. A growing demand for social care has seen carers placed under greater strain, with a mounting workload and limited resources.

Increasingly, carers are also exposed to abusive and even violent behaviour from service users and their relatives. Be it deliberate or, as often the case, unintentional. Such aggression can leave a profound mark on diligent and dedicated care staff.

The solution to many a modern-day problem is often tech and so too is this the case when dealing with today’s care landscape.

STAFF ALARM SYSTEMS Tech has proven to be a friend to the care worker, automating administrative tasks, enhancing reporting and, in the case of staff

alarm systems, protecting them from potential harm.

What was originally a bell to alert colleagues to the need for assistance has become far more sophisticated. The modern safety alarm is discreet, can be easily attached – if not part of – the wearer’s uniform. It is supremely efficient and designed with the accuracy to pinpoint the exact location of an active call in a ward of over 80 rooms.

With the press of a button, carers have immediate access to a team of responders able to assist, provide cover, and - where needed intervene to de-escalate high-risk situations. This access instils confidence in staff: confidence that the highest quality of care can be delivered, and confidence in their safety in the workplace.

For overwhelmed care workers, the ability to summon help with

the press of a button is incredibly empowering. Be it calling lunchtime cover on a 1-to-1 patient, or requesting urgent assistance with an abusive resident, the alarm offers staff a greater deal of control, assurance and resources while at work.

HOW DOES IT WORK? In Pinpoint’s case, an integrated staff safety system ensures full site security. When activated, a personal staff alarm emits infrared signals to receiver units installed throughout the building. These, in turn, send vital information to display units and devices, such as pagers, and desktops, detailing the exact location and type of call – assistance or emergency.

Within 85 milliseconds of triggering an alarm, colleagues are informed that an incident is taking place and, crucially, exactly where it is in the building.

(CONTINUED OVERLEAF)

PAGE 46 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Empowering Carers Through Technology (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGES)

surance that help was only a button-press away. Maria Donnellan, a Clinical Nurse Manager on the ward,

The application of infrared technology to provide precise, reliable and efficient data is critical here.

Rather than rely on WIFI-dependant systems - which are prone to interference and inconsistency – Pinpoint’s infrared systems deliver an accurate, consistent service that care workers can trust. And, for a

said “If a resident becomes abusive toward a member of the team, or if a patient is choking, staff can quickly call for support and know it will soon be on its way.” As a result, staff report higher levels of job satisfaction and reduced stress caused by the threat of violence.

As the care home environment evolves, so too have alarm systems. Far from the traditional bell caller of

growing care home population, such precision and dependability have never been more important.

SUPPORTING THE WORKFORCE

old, the modern alarm is a wireless integrated system that ensures a precise and efficient response.

The presence of high-performance alarm systems in care home settings has proven invaluable to workers.

With increasing demands being placed on care workers due to a growing care home population and staff shortages, the ability to quickly summon additional assistance is crucial to their sense of wellbeing and

A testament to innovation, the contemporary staff alarm system is a tool to empower care staff in what can be a challenging setting. By enabling immediate response to emergencies, promoting a safe environment, enhancing communication, building confidence, encouraging accountability, facilitating regulatory compliance, and providing peace of mind, staff alarm systems are essential for modern care environments.

security.

For staff in St Brigid’s Hospital in Galway, the installation of Pinpoint’s staff alarm system provided reas-

Visit www.pinpoint.ltd.uk or see the advert on the previous page for further details.

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions Fall Savers®, are an experienced market leading healthcare provider of resident safety solutions for over 15 years.

FALL SAVERS ® WIRELESS MONITOR Eliminate all cables with our new generation falls management solutions!

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

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

TREADNOUGHT ®FLOOR SENSOR PAD The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition. Our anti-bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a

portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad. Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside, in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering. An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors.

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

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 47

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Nursecall Shop Brings You Everything from Accessories & Falls Monitors to Complete DIY Systems From Falls Sensors to Wireless Crash Mats and pendants through to complete systems, Nursecall Shop has become a trusted supplier of quality products since its’ launch in 2016.

It has become a valuable source of vital spares for most nurses call systems. For example, purchasing a jack socket nut can allow a call point to be repaired cheaply without the need to completely replace the whole unit.

Anti-Ligature & Anti bacterial pull cords are a popular replacement for old nylon string. These can be easily changed by the user and provide a good wipe clean alternative.

Assistive technology is used in almost every care home and forms a vital part of the care provided to residents. When connected to a Nurse Call system, it is the primary way staff are alerted to the needs of the resident. Nursecall Shop has a whole range

of assistive technology that can connect to most nurse call systems and is ready to order online.

Wired and wireless bed and chair sensor packages are available. These help monitor a vulnerable resident trying to get out of bed or up off a chair and alert staff immediately. An urgent response can help prevent falls and injury to the resident.

Ordering these through the online store is simple, choose the package, specify the nurse call system and checkout. It’s as easy as that. Visit NursecallShop.co.uk today and use CARER15 for a 15% discount off your order, minimum spend of £20 (offer expires 2/12/24).

Contact us on : Email : support@nursecallshop.co.uk Tel : 0330 321 1060

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

PAGE 48 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

NURSE CALL AND FALLS MONITORING

Stay Safe with Smart Wireless Nurse Call In the post pandemic world, we have all seen the effects of supply chain problems with the invasion of Ukraine and other alarming global factors, ever increasing costs of living and other more local issues which have driven up the rate of inflation over the last few years. The impact of this meant that most manufacturers of electronic products had to increase their prices as costs spiralled. This, of course, has impacted the end user.

The most dramatic impact has been on the Care Industry. An industry that has lacked the support it desperately needs in these trying times.

Courtney Thorne, at the same time, took a strategic decision to take a close look at our core products, right down to component level, the objective being to make us less vulnerable to future global supply chain issues, and to reduce the cost of each product with the amin of ensuring that we deliver the same high quality product at a cost protected price. We had to ensure that this would happen without jeopardising the superb lev-

els of support we provide to our valued customer base.

This ground up review involved all departments from Research and Development right through to the Field Service team (and everything in-between). This in-depth collaboration took time as we had to ensure that each and every element was refined, perfected and tested to our (and our customers) rigorous requirements.

Whilst many organisations have limited-time or end of product line offers, we are very pleased to announce a price reduction on our core Connect and Connect Health Nurse Call system ranges. With flexible terms, full integration with Care Apps, celebrated service delivery and the most reliable and robust solution now at a new lower price, there has never been a better time to talk to us about a new nurse call system.

For more information email us at: info@c-t.co.uk or see the advert on this page.

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

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

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

The best part is that Blaucomm NMS links into your existing nurse call system - we work with all major

brands such as Aidcall, ARM, Courtney Thorne, C-TEC, ENS, Intercall, Medicare, SAS and TeleAlarm.

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

Head of IT Trudi Harrow at WCS Care had this to say about Blaucomm NMS: “We find Blaucomm is a genuinely fantastic company with a reliable product.

"We would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to replace expensive pagers and silence those annoyingly loud nurse call screens!”

To find out more about Blaucomm NMS, visit www.blaucomm.co.uk/healthcare See the advert page 5 for more details.

Crash Mats Designed to Reduce Injuries from Bed Falls Medpage Limited has collaborated with a leading UK manufacturer of crash mats to deliver a cost-effective tool for falls management strategies. The inclusion of the new TumbleCare full-length pressure mat sensor ensures that should a patient tumble out of bed, an alarm signal is generated to alert care staff to the incident, resulting in a recordable improvement to patient safety and service.

Crash mats act as a protective barrier, absorbing the impact of a fall and reducing the risk of serious injuries when a person tumbles out of bed. Beneficial for individuals who are at high risk of falling, such as older adults, patients recovering from surgery, or those with neurological conditions such as epilepsy.

Falls can pose significant risks, especially in healthcare settings and senior care facilities.

Every year, thousands of people suffer injuries due to falls from beds and other furniture. To prevent these accidents and ensure the safety of patients and residents, it is essential to implement effective falls and safety management strategies.

Further details can be obtained by telephoning 01536 264 869 or emailing sales@easylinkuk.co.uk See the advert the previous page for details.

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Effective Leaders are Responsible Managers: Explore the Charted Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) with Mary Seacole at the University of Exeter Have you ever wondered about advancing your career, but unsure how to gain the qualifications required whist working? There is an ever-increasing demand for skilled managers within the care sector, and having practical experience is just not enough to fill those positions.

Gaining a BSc (Hons) in Responsible Business Manager and becoming a Charted Manager with Mary Seacole at the University of Exeter, a Russell Group University is an ideal pathway for those aspiring to lead teams in a healthcare setting.

This tailored apprenticeship allows you to combine practical experience with academic learning, developing crucial leadership skills while working hands-on in the care sector. As a degree apprentice, you’ll learn from world-class academics, research experts, and experienced managers, developing a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and problem-solving—vital skills for managing clinical staff and operations effectively. You’ll also develop competen-

cies in performance management, care regulations, and strategic planning, all essential for advancing in managerial roles.

By earning while you learn, this apprenticeship is both financially advantageous and academically rewarding, equipping you with recognized qualifications that can accelerate your career. This pathway aims to empower you to lead in a growing sector, making a meaningful impact while progressing your career in care management.

If you this interest you, please come to our speaker session at The Care Show in Birmingham on the 10th October, and we are also on Stand F14 at the show to answer any of your questions.

See the advert on this page for further information.

3ET - Certified Training Courses At 3ET we are the experts in emergency evacuation equipment and training. Our years of experience means we design, manufacture and supply emergency evacuation products that really work, to aid patient movement and handling and help make the emergency evacuation of buildings easier, quicker and safer. In addition, our practical product training and ‘train the trainer’ sessions ensure your staff know exactly how to use the equipment and have the confidence to do so in an emergency.

Our practical emergency evacuation training courses are designed to teach exactly that. Held on site, so that staff learn to operate the equipment in their own setting, and drawing on our personal experiences in the emergency services, they cover how to deploy and use evacuation chairs and evacuation

pads as well as other products from slide sheets to slings.

We pride ourselves on our personal service and that extends beyond ensuring you get the right equipment for your setting and people. When you buy from us, we make a commitment to provide ongoing training and support for as long as you need it.

Whether it is to train new starters, give existing staff a refresher or learn about a totally new product, we can provide engaging and interactive training sessions to ensure your staff are fully confident in operating evacuation chairs and other emergency moving and handing equipment.

For further information see the advert on this page or visit www.3ET.co.uk

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 49

PAGE 50 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Managers Must Upskill To Tackle Workplace Conflict

By Daphne Doody-Green, UK Market Director, CIPD (www.cipd.org) )

Work can and should always be a force for good.

But one in four workers (25%) in the north of England have experienced conflict at work over the past year, with most choosing not to report incidents such as verbal abuse and harassment, according to the 2024 CIPD Good Work Index: North of England report.

The research – from the annual survey of close to 900 workers across Yorkshire and Humber, the North East and North West - also reveals that victims of workplace conflict suffer more from poor mental health and a lack of trust and confidence in management.

As a trusted advisor to the government, the CIPD - the professional body for HR and people development - is calling for employers to ensure line managers are trained and prepared to deal with conflict effectively. This starts with addressing the underlying causes, such as poor management practices and excessive workloads.

including unfair treatment and sexual harassment.

To achieve this, they need to participate in regular people management training. This should offer specifics around what bullying, discrimination and harassment looks like, and how to resolve conflict by being able to have difficult, yet open and honest conversations, to prevent and tackle conflict at work.

Managers must also take the time to understand their organisation’s policies and procedures on bullying, discrimination, and harassment and how to report issues in a timely manner, so they are investigated swiftly.

WHAT CONSTITUTES AS BULLYING, DISCRIMINATION, AND HARASSMENT?

Rising technology and remote working is giving many employees – particularly parents and carers – a better work-life balance. However, the blurred lines between work and home have led to many staff working longer hours to manage increasing workloads – often out of hours and working when they are ill.

Line managers need to take effective steps to manage the main risks of excessive workloads which can cause stress and mental ill health among their workers.

The world of work is changing at pace and line managers are facing many new people challenges. For some employees, homeworking and the rise of technology threatens to create an ‘always-on’ culture where issues can be spread far and wide, across online chat platforms.

Therefore, it’s never been more important for line managers to play a vital role in identifying, challenging, and dealing with conflict at work,

IS A MANAGER’S ‘STYLE’ CAUSING CONFLICT AND STRESS? Managers are at the heart of people’s experience of their workplace.

What they do and say has a significant impact on their team’s motivation, engagement, and overall performance. This explains why ‘management style’ can often be the source of conflict and is the second most common cause of stress at work, after unmanageable workload.

People managers must reflect on their own management style and the impact their behaviour has on others. They should become part of the solution to resolving workplace conflict at an early, informal stage, before incidents escalate.

To do this, people managers must be open, collaborative, and compassionate to create a culture where staff feel trusted and confident to speak up without fear of judgement or being ignored.

AVOIDING EXCESSIVE WORKLOADS & AN ‘ALWAYS ON CULTURE’

BECOME A QUALIFIED TRAINER! Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviour

MONITORING AND REVIEWING WORKPLACE CONFLICT Staff attitude surveys will enable people managers and the wider organisation to collect feedback in areas like gender equality and bullying and harassment.

Monitoring the gender diversity of the workforce at every level, including for recruitment and promotion, will also help to highlight if there is any potential discrimination or harassment on grounds of gender.

NEW LAW TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT From October 2024 the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill will strengthen existing protection for workers against sexual harassment.

The new law will place a new duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment. Tribunals will have the power to increase compensation by up to 25% if they find an employer has breached this duty.

Therefore, it is essential that people managers are proactive and systematic in how they tackle and prevent sexual harassment at work by providing evidence of the reasonable steps taken. This includes undertaking regular training and development to understand their role in preventing and addressing sexual harassment.

FREE RESOURCES FOR LINE MANAGERS The CIPD offer a range of free resources for people managers to develop their management capabilities and prevent and tackle workplace conflict including bullying and harassment.

Change the Way We Train Staff Training care home staff is essential to providing highquality care, but traditional methods can often be dull and ineffective. Game-based learning and peer-to-peer learning offer a more engaging and impactful approach, helping staff absorb information in a fun, interactive way.

Game-based learning uses play to make training more enjoyable and memorable. By transforming key topics like infection control, dementia care, and mental health into games, staff can practice real-world scenarios in a safe, low-pressure environment. This type of learning encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, all while improving knowledge retention. The challenge and repetition in games help staff retain essential information, ensuring it’s available when needed on the job.

Social Care TV

SecuriCare was established in 1995 and has been providing training to care providers for over 30 years. We help them and their staff to positively support service users who present behaviours that challenge service and care delivery or are hazardous to themselves or others.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY! SecuriCare now offers a franchise programme (UK) to equip the successful franchisee to deliver SecuriCare training programmes in their designated territory.

As part of this, they must assess individual and team workloads to make sure they are reasonable, set clear expectations about taking breaks, and act as role models for healthy working practices. This includes taking time off themselves when sick. Providing staff with autonomy to control how, where and when they work is also key to empower, rather than restrict them, in their roles.

For more information contact: E: trainers@securicare.com T: 01904 492 442 www.securicare.com

PLEASE MENTION THE CARER WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

Social Care TV continue to fly the flag for highest quality online training for Health and Social Care, after unwavering commitment to excellence within the sector for over 25 years.

Their widely-used health and social care specific courses - produced and edited in-house - are expertly designed to make learning engaging, informative and, therefore, highly effective for learners.

Accredited by CPD and endorsed by Skills for Care, training with Social Care TV is quality assured, comprehensive and relevant.

As one of the leading online training providers in the health and social care sector in the UK, they supply training for local authorities, recruitment agencies, care home groups and other health and social care organisations.

Their feature-rich Manager platform has further been enhanced this year with the introduction of several new Manager tools designed to aid with compliance, reporting and trainee management. Features now available include: • Compliance Dashboard with Traffic Light System • Downloadable Trainee Matrix • Custom Bundles • Trainee Groups

Peer-to-peer learning complements this by fostering collaboration. When staff share knowledge and experiences, they gain practical insights from colleagues who face the same challenges daily. This type of learning builds team cohesion and improves communication.

By combining these two methods, care homes can create a more engaging and supportive training environment. Staff learn better, work better together, and provide higher-quality care for residents.

At Focus Games, we offer a range of training games designed for care homes, helping you empower your staff through the power of play and peer learning. See our advert on the front cover or visit www.FocusGames.com

• Bulk Uploads • Bulk Enrolment Onto Custom Bundles • Course Enrolment Notifications • Course Reminders SCTV regularly release new and updated high-quality courses. Previews for all courses can be viewed at: Courses - Social Care TV (www.social-care.tv/ courses/course-details) To enhance their learners' experience further they have created free, comprehensive subject-specific workbooks which were rolled out across all courses this year. This unique addition provides excellent value and a fully robust training package.

SCTV believe that high quality training should be accessible to all and offer regular, free courses which include a digital certificate accessible via their website.

The company stands behind a clear mission and set of values which define their ethos and their dedication to both the Care Sector and those within it. These can be viewed at: Mission Statement and Core Values Social Care TV (www.social-care.tv/about/mission-statement-andcore-values) For more information please see: Homepage Social Care TV (www.social-care.tv)

THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212 | PAGE 51

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Cyber Security: Defend As One

By Daniel O’Shaughnessy, Programme Manager - Better Security, Better Care, Digital Care Hub Cyber security is much more than the technical responsibility of a care provider’s IT department. It’s a shared duty across every level of the organisation and beyond to its partners.

The Better Security, Better Care programme at Digital Care Hub has seen record numbers of care providers taking steps to improve their cyber security. Over 72% of care providers are now using the official self-assessment tool - the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) - to check and improve their arrangements - up from just 13% in 2021.

But we know that’s really just the start. Having the right policies and procedures in place is essential – and a legal, regulatory and contractual requirement. But it’s day-to-day practice that makes the real difference.

Cyber security awareness needs to be embedded within organisational culture, in the same was as safeguarding is at the core of every service. Care workers, managers and administrators to think about cyber security whenever they are using technology – including personal smartphones that are used for work.

Tips for care providers Train your staff: Make data protection and cyber security an essential element of your induction and

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

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

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

For many small- to medium-sized providers, there may not be the in-house skills, knowledge, and

annual refresher training programmes. Access free elearning and face-to-face training materials from Better Security, Better Care.

Check your IT suppliers: Push them for evidence about their cyber security, including what responsibility they take for continuity of access in the event of a cyber attack.

Strengthen your business continuity plan: Ensure it covers how you will manage if you were to lose access to data for a period of time. Watch out for our new cyber incident response checklist – coming in October for Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Create back-ups: Identify what data is essential to running your service, and create a backup separate from your main IT system. That could be on a USB stick, separate drive or PC, or on the cloud.

Be careful with emails and passwords: Train staff to spot ‘phishing’ emails. Ensure you use strong passwords and consider introducing multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA aims to strengthen security by requiring you to use more than a username and password to log in to systems.

Update software and install antivirus software: Software updates include security updates, and anti-virus software detects and removes viruses. Keep them up to date – and check that the update links are genuinely from your supplier.

For details visit www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/bettersecuritybettercare experience to complete such a robust annual review. Many choose instead to purchase their policies and procedures from a reputable provider like W&P Compliance & Training, who will also complete reviews and ensure their policies and procedures remain up to date.

This way a provider not only ensures they remain compliant; they also benefit from best practice policies and procedures that provide a solid foundation for safe working practices and – ultimately – protect and support service users and staff.

Ben Erskine – Director at W&P Compliance & Training www.wandptraining.co.uk | Tel: 01305 767104 See the advert on page 2 for further information.

PAGE 52 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 212

FINANCE AND PROFESSIONALS OakNorth Completes £52m Loan to Support Warwick Capital Partners’ Acquisition of National Care Home Operator, Danforth Care OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, has provided a £52m loan to Danforth Care, as part of its acquisition by Warwick Capital Partners, the private equity and credit firm.

Founded in 2010 and with offices in London and Stamford, Connecticut, Warwick focuses on addressing complex capital needs across equity and debt. With assets under management totalling over $2.5b across its European Flagship Funds, Specialty Funds, and Performing Credit, the firm seeks to unlock value for its investors through a rigorous yet innovative approach to investing. The £52m loan from OakNorth will part fund Warwick’s acquisition of a majority stake in national care home operator, Danforth Care, from existing OakNorth customer LNT Care Developments. Danforth Care operates 18 purpose-built and operationally carbon net-zero care homes across the UK, with its portfolio expected to grow to 25 homes in the coming months.

Shanil Shah, Partner at Warwick Capital Partners, said: “At Warwick, we are always on the lookout for opportunities with a scarcity of capital and investment. In the UK, we continue to see demand for modern homes with

Swift Management Services Limited Swift Management Services Limited provide expert support through a network of highly experienced healthcare professionals who have many years of working within the health and social care sector. These include nurses, care managers, Registered Managers, Operating Theatre staff, & ITU staff.

The team is able to provide holistic support packages ranging from a short term improvement project to substantial change management programmes including interim staff where required. Our innovative action plans which are tailored to your specific service requirements are interactive and are held on our secure server for ease of access. These have proven especially popular with CQC as it is easy to evidence progress and improvements through our ‘You said- we Did’ information programme.

We can deliver training sessions in person or remotely using a variety of platforms that are designed for your service.

We can support your service through a crisis or on an ongoing basis with our retained consultancy service package, providing regular one to one coaching and development, quality monitoring

reviews, mock KLOE inspections, unlimited telephone and email support tailored service improvement plans and access to a dedicated care consultant to work in partnership with you to drive sustainable improvements.

Swift Management Services Limited can create staff friendly bespoke policies and procedures for you as required to help you achieve compliance.

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quality care such as those Danforth provides and are pleased to support that growth alongside the deep sector expertise of LNT. OakNorth demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the care sector throughout the entire transaction, as evidenced by its continued support of LNT Care Developments over multiple transactions.”

Mike Whitehead, CEO of Danforth Care, commented: “Since day one, our mission has always been to create a home-like atmosphere for our residents that is safe, secure, and encourages independence. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care and services to our elderly residents and we strive to create a place where they can be comfortable, while feeling respected and valued. The support from Warwick and the financial backing they received from OakNorth will help accelerate our growth, highlighted by our expectation to open seven further homes in the coming months.”

Deepesh Thakrar, Senior Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “We were delighted to support Warwick on this project as it emphasises our strong ambitions to do more to support the UK’s care sector moving forward. Its highly impressive management team, with over 30 years of experience within the sector, is a key factor in our confidence. The historical demand for LNT-built care homes has always been robust that has seen them provide more than 15,000 beds to the UK’s ageing population. This consistent high demand, combined with Danforth Care’s reputation for offering personalised high-quality care plans within five-star living environments, indicates a strong potential for future growth and profitability.”

Care Home Finance from Global Business Finance Global assists clients throughout the U.K. who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase, development and refinance.

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